Application strategy for an anthraquinonebased repellent and the protection of soybeans from Canada goose depredation

Agricultural crops can sustain extensive damage caused by Canada geese (Branta canadensis) when these crops are planted near wetlands or brood-rearing sites. From 2000 to 2015, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks spent \u3e$5.6 million to manage damages caused by Canada geese to agricultural crops (primarily soybeans) in South Dakota, USA. For the purpose of developing a repellent application strategy for nonlethal goose damage management, we comparatively evaluated the width of anthraquinone applications (i.e., 9.4 L Flight Control® Plus goose repellent/ha [active ingredient: 50% 9,10-anthraquinone] at 0–36 m versus 0–73 m perpendicular to the edge of wetlands in 2014), the timing of the first repellent application (i.e., 9.4 L Flight Control Plus goose repellent/ha at 50% versus 75% seedling emergence in 2015), the yield of soybeans (Glycine max) within repellent-treated and untreated subplots, and anthraquinone chemical residues in Day County, South Dakota. Soybean yield was greater in subplots 73 m from the water’s edge than that in the 36-m subplots (P \u3c 0.02). Among subplots first sprayed at 50% seedling emergence, soybean yield was greater at 73 m and 82 m than that at 36 m (P \u3c 0.005). In contrast, we observed no difference in yield at 36 m, 73 m, or 82 m in the subplots first sprayed at 72% seedling emergence (P \u3e 0.09). We therefore conclude that goose damages were effectively managed in subplots first sprayed at 72% seedling emergence. Anthraquinone residues averaged 674 and 629 ppm anthraquinone upon the first application of the repellent (June to July), 22 and 35 ppm anthraquinone in the mid-season hay (August to September), and 36 and 28 ppb anthraquinone in the harvested seed (October to November) in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Our results suggest that a 73-m bandwidth of anthraquinone-based repellents first applied at approximately 72% or 65–85% seedling emergence can protect soybeans from Canada goose depredation

Application Strategy for an Anthraquinone-Based Repellent and the Protection of Soybeans from Canada Goose Depredation

Agricultural crops can sustain extensive damage caused by Canada geese (Branta canadensis) when these crops are planted near wetlands or brood-rearing sites. From 2000 to 2015, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks spent \u3e$5.6 million to manage damages caused by Canada geese to agricultural crops (primarily soybeans) in South Dakota, USA. For the purpose of developing a repellent application strategy for nonlethal goose damage management, we comparatively evaluated the width of anthraquinone applications (i.e., 9.4 L Flight Control® Plus goose repellent/ha [active ingredient: 50% 9,10-anthraquinone] at 0–36 m versus 0–73 m perpendicular to the edge of wetlands in 2014), the timing of the first repellent application (i.e., 9.4 L Flight Control Plus goose repellent/ha at 50% versus 75% seedling emergence in 2015), the yield of soybeans (Glycine max) within repellent-treated and untreated subplots, and anthraquinone chemical residues in Day County, South Dakota. Soybean yield was greater in subplots 73 m from the water’s edge than that in the 36-m subplots (P \u3c 0.02). Among subplots first sprayed at 50% seedling emergence, soybean yield was greater at 73 m and 82 m than that at 36 m (P \u3c 0.005). In contrast, we observed no difference in yield at 36 m, 73 m, or 82 m in the subplots first sprayed at 72% seedling emergence (P \u3e 0.09). We therefore conclude that goose damages were effectively managed in subplots first sprayed at 72% seedling emergence. Anthraquinone residues averaged 674 and 629 ppm anthraquinone upon the first application of the repellent (June to July), 22 and 35 ppm anthraquinone in the mid-season hay (August to September), and 36 and 28 ppb anthraquinone in the harvested seed (October to November) in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Our results suggest that a 73-m bandwidth of anthraquinone-based repellents first applied at approximately 72% or 65–85% seedling emergence can protect soybeans from Canada goose depredation

Tissue iron promotes wound repair via M2 macrophage polarisation and the chemokines CCL17 and CCL22

Macrophages are important for effective iron recycling and erythropoiesis, but they also play a crucial role in wound healing, orchestrating tissue repair. Recently, we demonstrated a significant accumulation of iron in healing wounds and a requirement of iron for effective repair. Herein, we sought to determine the influence of iron on macrophage function in the context of wound healing. Interestingly, wound macrophages extensively sequestered iron throughout healing, associated with a prohealing M2 phenotype. In delayed healing diabetic mouse wounds, both macrophage polarization and iron sequestration were impaired. In vitro studies revealed that iron promotes differentiation, while skewing macrophages toward a hypersecretory M2-like polarization state. These macrophages produced high levels of chemokine (C-C motif) ligands 17 and 22, promoting wound reepithelialization and extracellular matrix deposition in a human ex vivo wound healing model. Together, these findings reveal a novel, unappreciated role for iron in modulating macrophage behavior to promote subsequent wound repair. These findings support therapeutic evaluation of iron use to promote wound healing in the clinic

A retinoblastoma allele that is mutated at its common E2F interaction site inhibits cell proliferation in gene-targeted mice

The retinoblastoma protein (pRB) is best known for regulating cell proliferation through E2F transcription factors. In this report, we investigate the properties of a targeted mutation that disrupts pRB interactions with the transactivation domain of E2Fs. Mice that carry this mutation endogenously (Rb1δG) are defective for pRB-dependent repression of E2F target genes. Except for an accelerated entry into S phase in response to serum stimulation, cell cycle regulation in Rb1δG/δG mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) strongly resembles that of the wild type. In a serum deprivation-induced cell cycle exit, Rb1δG/δG MEFs display a magnitude of E2F target gene derepression similar to that of Rb1-/- cells, even though Rb1δG/δG cells exit the cell cycle normally. Interestingly, cell cycle arrest in Rb1δG/δG MEFs is responsive to p16 expression and gamma irradiation, indicating that alternate mechanisms can be activated in G1 to arrest proliferation. Some Rb1δG/δG mice die neonatally with a muscle degeneration phenotype, while the others live a normal life span with no evidence of spontaneous tumor formation. Most tissues appear histologically normal while being accompanied by derepression of pRB-regulated E2F targets. This suggests that non- E2F-, pRB-dependent pathways may have a more relevant role in proliferative control than previously identified. © 2014, American Society for Microbiology

Scaffold Vaccines for Generating Robust and Tunable Antibody Responses

Traditional bolus vaccines often fail to sustain robust adaptive immune responses, typically requiring multiple booster shots for optimal efficacy. Additionally, these provide few opportunities to control the resulting subclasses of antibodies produced, which can mediate effector functions relevant to distinct disease settings. Here, it is found that three scaffold-based vaccines, fabricated from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), mesoporous silica rods, and alginate cryogels, induce robust, long-term antibody responses to a model peptide antigen gonadotropin-releasing hormone with single-shot immunization. Compared to a bolus vaccine, PLG vaccines prolong germinal center formation and T follicular helper cell responses. Altering the presentation and release of the adjuvant (cytosine-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotide, CpG) tunes the resulting IgG subclasses. Further, PLG vaccines elicit strong humoral responses against disease-associated antigens HER2 peptide and pathogenic E. coli, protecting mice against E. coli challenge more effectively than a bolus vaccine. Scaffold-based vaccines may thus enable potent, durable and versatile humoral immune responses against disease

A Novel Positive-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Line Marker for High-Dose-Rate (HDR) MRI-Assisted Radiosurgery (MARS)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can facilitate accurate organ delineation and optimal dose distributions in high-dose-rate (HDR) MRI-Assisted Radiosurgery (MARS). Its use for this purpose has been limited by the lack of positive-contrast MRI markers that can clearly delineate the lumen of the HDR applicator and precisely show the path of the HDR source on T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences. We investigated a novel MRI positive-contrast HDR brachytherapy or interventional radiotherapy line marker, C4:S, consisting of C4 (visible on T1-weighted images) complexed with saline. Longitudinal relaxation time (T1) and transverse relaxation time (T2) for C4:S were measured on a 1.5 T MRI scanner. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) tubing filled with C4:S as an HDR brachytherapy line marker was tested for visibility on T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences in a tissue-equivalent female ultrasound training pelvis phantom. Relaxivity measurements indicated that C4:S solution had good T1-weighted contrast (relative to oil [fat] signal intensity) and good T2-weighted contrast (relative to water signal intensity) at both room temperature (relaxivity ratio \u3e 1; r2/r1 = 1.43) and body temperature (relaxivity ratio \u3e 1; r2/r1 = 1.38). These measurements were verified by the positive visualization of the C4:S (C4/saline 50:50) HDPE tube HDR brachytherapy line marker on both T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences. Orientation did not affect the relaxivity of the C4:S contrast solution. C4:S encapsulated in HDPE tubing can be visualized as a positive line marker on both T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences. MRI-guided HDR planning may be possible with these novel line markers for HDR MARS for several types of cancer

The Natural Course of Adolescent Depression Treatment in the Primary Care Setting

Introduction: Little is known about how adolescents receive depression follow-up in primary care. The purpose of this study was to describe the rates of symptom assessment and depression treatment over time in a group of adolescents screening positive for moderate or severe depression in the primary care setting. Methods: Retrospective chart reviews were conducted to gather information related to symptom reassessments, antidepressant prescriptions, psychotherapy referrals, and treatment discontinuation. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and a qualitative content analysis was conducted to determine the reasons for treatment discontinuation. Results: Eighty records were reviewed (mean age = 15.3, 73% female, 59% Black). Treatment was initiated for 83% (n = 66) of patients, and 45% (n = 30) of patients discontinued treatment during the review period for a variety of reasons. Discussion: To improve adolescents' adherence to depression treatment, providers should address factors that contribute to treatment discontinuation and use tools to manage depression follow-up care

FLNC Gene Splice Mutations Cause Dilated\ua0Cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE: To identify novel dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) causing genes, and to elucidate the pathological mechanism leading to DCM by utilizing zebrafish as a model organism. BACKGROUND: DCM, a major cause of heart failure, is frequently familial and caused by a genetic defect. However, only 50% of DCM cases can be attributed to a known DCM gene variant, motivating the ongoing search for novel disease genes. METHODS: We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) in two multigenerational Italian families and one US family with arrhythmogenic DCM without skeletal muscle defects, in whom prior genetic testing had been unrevealing. Pathogenic variants were sought by a combination of bioinformatic filtering and cosegregation testing among affected individuals within the families. We performed function assays and generated a zebrafish morpholino knockdown model. RESULTS: A novel filamin C gene splicing variant (FLNC c.7251+1 G>A) was identified by WES in all affected family members in the two Italian families. A separate novel splicing mutation (FLNC c.5669-1delG) was identified in the US family. Western blot analysis of cardiac heart tissue from an affected individual showed decreased FLNC protein, supporting a haploinsufficiency model of pathogenesis. To further analyze this model, a morpholino knockdown of the ortholog filamin Cb in zebrafish was created which resulted in abnormal cardiac function and ultrastructure. CONCLUSIONS: Using WES, we identified two novel FLNC splicing variants as the likely cause of DCM in three families. We provided protein expression and in vivo zebrafish data supporting haploinsufficiency as the pathogenic mechanism leading to DCM

Projecting marine mammal distribution in a changing climate

Climate-related shifts in marine mammal range and distribution have been observed in some populations; however, the nature and magnitude of future responses are uncertain in novel environments projected under climate change. This poses a challenge for agencies charged with management and conservation of these species. Specialized diets, restricted ranges, or reliance on specific substrates or sites (e.g., for pupping) make many marine mammal populations particularly vulnerable to climate change. High-latitude, predominantly ice-obligate, species have experienced some of the largest changes in habitat and distribution and these are expected to continue. Efforts to predict and project marine mammal distributions to date have emphasized data-driven statistical habitat models. These have proven successful for short time-scale (e.g., seasonal) management activities, but confidence that such relationships will hold for multi-decade projections and novel environments is limited. Recent advances in mechanistic modeling of marine mammals (i.e., models that rely on robust physiological and ecological principles expected to hold under climate change) may address this limitation. The success of such approaches rests on continued advances in marine mammal ecology, behavior, and physiology together with improved regional climate projections. The broad scope of this challenge suggests initial priorities be placed on vulnerable species or populations (those already experiencing declines or projected to undergo ecological shifts resulting from climate changes that are consistent across climate projections) and species or populations for which ample data already exist (with the hope that these may inform climate change sensitivities in less well observed species or populations elsewhere). The sustained monitoring networks, novel observations, and modeling advances required to more confidently project marine mammal distributions in a changing climate will ultimately benefit management decisions across time-scales, further promoting the resilience of marine mammal populations