Expression and functional analysis of TaASY1 during meiosis of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Background: Pairing and synapsis of homologous chromosomes is required for normal chromosome segregation and the exchange of genetic material via recombination during meiosis. Synapsis is complete at pachytene following the formation of a tri-partite proteinaceous structure known as the synaptonemal complex (SC). In yeast, HOP1 is essential for formation of the SC, and localises along chromosome axes during prophase I. Homologues in Arabidopsis (AtASY1), Brassica (BoASY1) and rice (OsPAIR2) have been isolated through analysis of mutants that display decreased fertility due to severely reduced synapsis of homologous chromosomes. Analysis of these genes has indicated that they play a similar role to HOP1 in pairing and formation of the SC through localisation to axial/lateral elements of the SC. Results: The full length wheat cDNA and genomic clone, TaASY1, has been isolated, sequenced and characterised. TaASY1 is located on chromosome Group 5 and the open reading frame displays significant nucleotide sequence identity to OsPAIR2 (84%) and AtASY1 (63%). Transcript and protein analysis showed that expression is largely restricted to meiotic tissue, with elevated levels during the stages of prophase I when pairing and synapsis of homologous chromosomes occur. Immunolocalisation using transmission electron microscopy showed TaASY1 interacts with chromatin that is associated with both axial elements before SC formation as well as lateral elements of formed SCs. Conclusion: TaASY1 is a homologue of ScHOP1, AtASY1 and OsPAIR2 and is the first gene to be isolated from bread wheat that is involved in pairing and synapsis of homologous chromosomes.Scott A Boden, Nadim Shadiac, Elise J Tucker, Peter Langridge and Jason A Abl

The impact of four common lumbar spine diagnoses upon overall health status

Background Context: The SF-36 health survey has been shown to be a valid instrument when used to measure the self-reported physical and mental health of patients. The impact of lumbar spinal disorders can be assessed as the difference between the SF-36 scale scores and age-and-gender specific population norms. Purpose: To establish the impact upon the self-reported health status of patients with one of four common lumbar spinal diagnoses. Study Design: A cross-sectional, observational assessment of the health status of spine patients. Methods: Data from patients presenting to the participating centers of the National Spine Network with low back pain and/or leg pain, was collected prospectively using the Health Status Questionnaire 2.0. A database search identified patients with either herniated nucleus pulposus with radicular pain (HNP), lumbar spinal stenosis without deformity (SPS), degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), and painful disc degeneration/spondylosis (DDD). The mean SF-36 scale scores were generated for each of the diagnostic groups. The impact of these diagnoses on health status was determined as the calculated difference from the age-and-gender specific population norms for each of the eight health scale scores. These scores, usually negative in this population, represent how far below normal these patients are. The analysis was stratified according to the age of the patients (\u3c40 yrs, 40-60 yrs, \u3e60 yrs). Analysis of variance and pair-wise comparison with Bonferroni correction were used to assess the significance of differences across diagnosis and age groups. Results: Data from a total of 4,442 patients was available for this study. All four diagnostic groups had large, negative impact scores for the eight general health scales with the greatest impact upon the three scales that best measure physical health. The greatest impact on these physical health scales (physical functioning, role-physical, and bodily pain) was seen in the HNP diagnostic group. The younger age groups (\u3c40 yrs and 40-60 yrs) had the greatest physical impairment when compared to the age-and-gender specific population norms. Analysis of variance showed a significant relationship between diagnosis and SF-36 scores, and between age groups and SF-36 scores. Conclusions: All four lumbar spine disorders have a significant negative impact on all eight of the SF-36 scales. The greatest negative impact was seen in those scales that measure physical health (RP, PF, and BP). The HNP diagnostic group experienced a significantly greater impact upon these three scales. This diagnostic group had the youngest patients, whose baseline physical functional status would be expected to be the most optimal. When we stratified by age in all the diagnostic groups, the greatest negative impact scores for physical health were seen in the \u3c 40 yrs and 40-60 yrs age groups. These patients were also more likely to perceive their health as poor, experience decreased energy, and have more social impairment when compared to their age/gender norms

A hemilabile NHC-gold complex and its application to the redox neutral 1,2-oxyarylation of feedstock alkenes.

We describe a Au(I) complex modified with a hemi-labile (C^N) N-heterocyclic carbene ligand that is able to mediate oxidative addition of aryl iodides. Detailed computational and experimental investigations have been undertaken to verify and rationalize the oxidative addition process. Application of this initiation mode has resulted in the first examples of "exogenous oxidant-free" AuI/AuIII catalyzed 1,2-oxyarylations of ethylene and propylene. These demanding yet powerful processes establish these commodity chemicals as nucleophilic-electrophilic building blocks in catalytic reaction design

Prospectus, March 25, 1976

CHAMPIONSHIPS BECKON P/C WINNING SPEAKERS; CBS\u27 Edwards Commencement speaker: Schorr to speak here Mar. 29; Pre-registration set for Apr. 19-30; PC news in brief: Bicentennial Week Activities, Craft Festival Day, On-Going Activities; Letters to the Editor: Peoples\u27 Forum; PC Board of Trustees Election set April 10; Vets Elect; Smith: \u27Parkland has spoken\u27; Bunnies revolutionize Stu-Go; Parkland Observes 10th Anniversary; Fiddler, Singer perform; Exhibits, spinning to be shown; Craft festival Apr. 3 at P/C; Micro Tech comes to the rescue: Clock to tick again July 4; Commager campus appearance highlight of Bicentennial week; Talents of older people on exhibit; Student Government Calendar of Events; 2-day Health Fair on campus; Debaters take third; Recycle contest; Thanks; Skylines: Stellar Origin of Life; LRC reports on latest requests: no, yes, no....; Hands; Bookstore Bulletins; Country Bouquet; Audio-Visual Dept. offers study materials; Judge speaks April 6; April 1 Meeting; Award Letter; Under hypnosis, \u27Bear\u27 bares all; Classifieds; Cobra\u27s Corner: Jim Reed, \u27Class A\u27 Coach for 5 seasons; Cobra\u27s .500 after 8 games; Emmet Fairfield wins Bouncing Bob\u27s Bonanza; Bouncing Bob\u27s Basketball Bonanza; \u2724 oz.\u27 win IM Basketball; IM Softball starts; Rooms provide needed P.E. space; 1st home game April 5th: Womens\u27 softball beginshttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1976/1019/thumbnail.jp

Surgical versus nonsurgical therapy for lumbar spinal stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for spinal stenosis is widely performed, but its effectiveness as compared with nonsurgical treatment has not been shown in controlled trials. METHODS: Surgical candidates with a history of at least 12 weeks of symptoms and spinal stenosis without spondylolisthesis (as confirmed on imaging) were enrolled in either a randomized cohort or an observational cohort at 13 U.S. spine clinics. Treatment was decompressive surgery or usual nonsurgical care. The primary outcomes were measures of bodily pain and physical function on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-36) and the modified Oswestry Disability Index at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 and 2 years. RESULTS: A total of 289 patients were enrolled in the randomized cohort, and 365 patients were enrolled in the observational cohort. At 2 years, 67% of patients who were randomly assigned to surgery had undergone surgery, whereas 43% of those who were randomly assigned to receive nonsurgical care had also undergone surgery. Despite the high level of nonadherence, the intention-to-treat analysis of the randomized cohort showed a significant treatment effect favoring surgery on the SF-36 scale for bodily pain, with a mean difference in change from baseline of 7.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 14.1); however, there was no significant difference in scores on physical function or on the Oswestry Disability Index. The as-treated analysis, which combined both cohorts and was adjusted for potential confounders, showed a significant advantage for surgery by 3 months for all primary outcomes; these changes remained significant at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: In the combined as-treated analysis, patients who underwent surgery showed significantly more improvement in all primary outcomes than did patients who were treated nonsurgically. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00000411 [ClinicalTrials.gov].)

Challenges facing sustainable protein production: Opportunities for cereals

Rising demands for protein across the world are likely to increase livestock production, as meat provides ∼40% of dietary protein. This will come at significant environmental expense; therefore, a shift towards plant-based protein sources would provide major benefits. While legumes provide substantial plant-based proteins, cereals are the major constituents of global foods with wheat alone accounting for 15–20% of the required protein intake. Improving protein content in wheat is limited by phenotyping challenges, lack of genetic potential of modern germplasms, negative yield trade-off, and the environmental cost of nitrogen fertilisers. Presenting wheat as a case study, we discuss how increasing protein content in cereals through a revised breeding strategy combined with robust phenotyping can ensure a sustainable protein supply while minimising the environmental impact of nitrogen fertiliser

A dual process account of creative thinking

This article explicates the potential role played by type 1 thinking (automatic, fast) and type 2 thinking (effortful, logical) in creative thinking. The relevance of Evans's (2007) models of conflict of dual processes in thinking is discussed with regards to creative thinking. The role played by type 1 thinking and type 2 thinking during the different stages of creativity (problem finding and conceptualization, incubation, illumination, verification and dissemination) is discussed. It is proposed that although both types of thinking are active in creativity, the extent to which they are active and the nature of their contribution to creativity will vary between stages of the creative process. Directions for future research to test this proposal are outlined; differing methodologies and the investigation of different stages of creative thinking are discussed. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC