Inbred or Outbred? Genetic Diversity in Laboratory Rodent Colonies

Nonmodel rodents are widely used as subjects for both basic and applied biological research, but the genetic diversity of the study individuals is rarely quantified. University-housed colonies tend to be small and subject to founder effects and genetic drift; so they may be highly inbred or show substantial genetic divergence from other colonies, even those derived from the same source. Disregard for the levels of genetic diversity in an animal colony may result in a failure to replicate results if a different colony is used to repeat an experiment, as different colonies may have fixed alternative variants. Here we use high throughput sequencing to demonstrate genetic divergence in three isolated colonies of Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) even though they were all established recently from the same source. We also show that genetic diversity in allegedly “outbred” colonies of nonmodel rodents (gerbils, hamsters, house mice, deer mice, and rats) varies considerably from nearly no segregating diversity to very high levels of polymorphism. We conclude that genetic divergence in isolated colonies may play an important role in the “replication crisis.” In a more positive light, divergent rodent colonies represent an opportunity to leverage genetically distinct individuals in genetic crossing experiments. In sum, awareness of the genetic diversity of an animal colony is paramount as it allows researchers to properly replicate experiments and also to capitalize on other genetically distinct individuals to explore the genetic basis of a trait

Analysis of AFLP Markers for Screening Resistance to Common Bean Roots Rot (Pythium spp.)

Aims: To investigate AFLPs for suitability as potential markers for identification of sources of Pythium resistance in bean genotypes preferred by poor small holder farmers. Place and Duration of Study: Department of biological sciences Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya and Bangor University, North Wales, United Kingdom, between September 2010 and December 2012. Methodology: 45 common bean accessions comprising 35 seed samples collected from farmers, market centers, as well as seed stockists and ten common bean lines generated from a conventional breeding program with differential resistance to the pathogen Pythium were subjected to AFLP analysis. Genetic characterization using cluster and principal component analysis were conducted to determine segregating patterns of bean accessions in relation to tolerant and Original Research Article Maryrose et al.; AJEA, 5(4): 374-391, 2015; Article no.AJEA.2015.039 375 susceptible bean lines. Average genetic distances were calculated and similarity coefficients subjected to unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages to generate dendograms. Results: Two informative AFLP primer combinations yielded 194 polymorphic loci. Genetic distance of bean samples from KARI Kakamega had 56 to 414 base pairs with a variability index of 0.63 to 0.90. Combined analysis of bean accessions from KARI breeding program and market class common bean samples revealed a variability index range of 0.62 to 0.90 with 56 to 420 base pairs. PCA contributed about 51.58% on the genetic variation. Cluster analysis of the 10 KARI-Kakamega bean lines revealed that resistant bean varieties were genetically different from the susceptible bean varieties. The dendogram generated revealed four sub-groups and with the exception of Alulu, a mildly resistant cultivar, that segregated alongside resistant cultivars, resistant varieties clustered differently from susceptible cultivars. However, screening with farmers’ germplasm produced a dendogram that revealed a mixture of distinct and relatively non-distinct categorization with regard to resistance. Only resistant cultivars AN1062, R2075, R719 and R1946 and susceptible cultivars GLP2 and GLP585 clustered together as expected. The others segregated randomly alongside the farmers’ germplasm. Resistant varieties AND1062, R2075, R719, R1946 and SCAM80 were more genetically related to marketable class of beans. R1946 R719, R2075 and AND1062 are closely related genetically compared to Mw001, KK15, Alulu and GLP2. Conclusion: AFLP is a relatively informative technique that has a great potential of delineating susceptible and resistant Pythium root rot dry bean varieties, and can be used as a preliminary guide to carry out further analysis. It is notable that the AFLP markers used were not able to clearly distinguish all the cultivars comprehensively and should not be used alone in determining resistance levels. The information generated in this study will contribute to the propagation of acceptable market class bean lines with resistance to Pythium root rot for improved livelihood and increased food securit

Methods for Measuring Frost Tolerance of Conifers: A Systematic Map

Frost tolerance is the ability of plants to withstand freezing temperatures without unrecoverable damage. Measuring frost tolerance involves various steps, each of which will vary depending on the objectives of the study. This systematic map takes an overall view of the literature that uses frost tolerance measuring techniques in gymnosperms, focusing mainly on conifers. Many different techniques have been used for testing, and there has been little change in methodology since 2000. The gold standard remains the field observation study, which, due to its cost, is frequently substituted by other techniques. Closed enclosure freezing tests (all non-field freezing tests) are done using various types of equipment for inducing artificial freezing. An examination of the literature indicates that several factors have to be controlled in order to measure frost tolerance in a manner similar to observation in a field study. Equipment that allows controlling the freezing rate, frost exposure time and thawing rate would obtain results closer to field studies. Other important factors in study design are the number of test temperatures used, the range of temperatures selected and the decrements between the temperatures, which should be selected based on expected frost tolerance of the tissue and species

Tudor Musical Theater: Staging Religious Difference From Wisdom to The Winter's Tale.

“Tudor Musical Theater” argues that music in early English plays significantly affects how plays create social meanings. From fifteenth-century Lollardy to early seventeenth-century Puritanism, music continued to be a contested matter in religious reform movements; and theatrical representations of liturgical music, ballads, and dances often forged social compromises for diverse audiences. Although music is typically detached from inquiries about the social and religious meanings of early drama, this study argues that dramatic music is precisely the locus of urgent negotiations of competing ideologies. In its historical range, this project also emphasizes the crucial continuities between the arbitrarily divided fields of medieval and early modern drama. The first chapter explores the range of historical audience expectations for the heterogeneous population of fifteenth-century East Anglian drama. In Wisdom, the re-performance of Catholic musical ritual, the reformist sermon, and the profane songs of the vices collectively project the compatibility of the sacred and profane, and of orthodox and heterodox practice. The Digby Mary Magdalene’s parodied Catholic ritual, drinking songs, and Te Deum offer a similar reconciliation, but the play sets this local, hybridized faith system against religious alterities of the Orient. The plays and writings of John Bale (chapter 2) evidence both sides of early Protestant controversies regarding music. Like many sixteenth-century English people, the reformer Bale was torn between nostalgia for Catholic music and a desire for ceremonial reform. Christopher Marlowe’s theologically indeterminate Doctor Faustus (chapter 3) is ambiguous about the question of sonic efficacy. It stages a hermeneutic crisis that leaves audiences to consider the powers church rites and bawdy music have on their souls. The Winter’s Tale (chapter 4) ends with contemporary ballads and dances that interrupt the aural stoicism of the tragic first three acts, suggesting music’s redemptive power. In the play’s final scene, instrumental music accompanying Hermione’s re-animation suggests the divinity of man-made art, including both religious and secular musical creation.Ph.D.English Language & LiteratureUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86315/1/brokaw_1.pd

Genetic Diversity of Dry Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Accessions of Kenya Using SSR Markers

Aims: To determine the genetic diversity existing within the Kenyan dry bean using SSR markers. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Western Kenya and Bangor University, North Wales, between September 2010 and December 2012.Methodology: Thirty five (35) marketable dry bean samples collected from farmers, market centers as well as seed stockists were subjected to SSR analysis. Data generated was subjected to analysis with the GenAlEx 6.4 software assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium to determine gene diversity index, number of polymorphic loci and alleles, genetic distances, analysis of molecular Original Research Article Maryrose et al.; AJEA, 5(4): 306-319, 2015; Article no.AJEA.2015.030 307 variance (AMOVA) and principal components analysis (PCA). NYTS-pc 2.1 software was used to construct an unweighted pair group method arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendogram using the generated similarity coefficients. Results: Of the 7 SSR primers tested, 5 SSR primers were found to be polymorphic and used to screen the bean samples. The 5 primer combinations generated 49 polymorphic bands in 35 samples. Analysis of molecular variance accredited 8% of the disparity to diversity among the populations while the majority of the diversity (92%), resided within populations. The gene diversity index ranged from 0.1267 in the market population to 0.2377 in the Western province population. The highlands of Eastern province had a gene diversity index of 0.1475 while the dry lands had 0.1991. Cluster analysis segregated the bean samples into 9 clusters. Conclusion: There exists considerable variation in the dry bean of Kenya that is narrowing. There is need to intensify efforts to broaden the bean variation for sustainability. The population genetics of dry beans of Kenya are a possible guide to future bean breeding and germplasm management in Kenya. Keywords: SSRs; Phaseolus vulgaris; dry bean; germplasm characterization; and genetic variatio

Dementia assessment and management in primary care settings: a survey of current provider practices in the United States.

BACKGROUND:Primary care providers (PCPs) are typically the first to screen and evaluate patients for neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), including mild cognitive impairment and dementia. However, data on PCP attitudes and evaluation and management practices are sparse. Our objective was to quantify perspectives and behaviors of PCPs and neurologists with respect to NCD evaluation and management. METHODS:A cross-sectional survey with 150 PCPs and 50 neurologists in the United States who evaluated more than 10 patients over age 55 per month. The 51-item survey assessed clinical practice characteristics, and confidence, perceived barriers, and typical practices when diagnosing and managing patients with NCDs. RESULTS:PCPs and neurologists reported similar confidence and approaches to general medical care and laboratory testing. Though over half of PCPs performed cognitive screening or referred patients for cognitive testing in over 50% of their patients, only 20% reported high confidence in interpreting results of cognitive tests. PCPs were more likely to order CT scans than MRIs, and only 14% of PCPs reported high confidence interpreting brain imaging findings, compared to 70% of specialists. Only 21% of PCPs were highly confident that they correctly recognized when a patient had an NCD, and only 13% were highly confident in making a specific NCD diagnosis (compared to 72 and 44% for neurologists, both p < 0.001). A quarter of all providers identified lack of familiarity with diagnostic criteria for NCD syndromes as a barrier to clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates how PCPs approach diagnosis and management of patients with NCDs, and identified areas for improvement in regards to cognitive testing and neuroimaging. This study also identified all providers' lack of familiarity with published diagnostic criteria for NCD syndromes. These findings may inform the development of new policies and interventions to help providers improve the efficacy of their decision processes and deliver better quality care to patients with NCDs