Intraspecfic variation in cold-temperature metabolic phenotypes of Arabidopsis lyrata ssp petraea

Atmospheric temperature is a key factor in determining the distribution of a plant species. Alongside this, plant populations growing at the margin of their range may exhibit traits that indicate genetic differentiation and adaptation to their local abiotic environment. We investigated whether geographically separated marginal populations of Arabidopsis lyrata ssp. petraea have distinct metabolic phenotypes associated with exposure to cold temperatures. Seeds of A. petraea were obtained from populations along a latitudinal gradient, namely Wales, Sweden and Iceland and grown in a controlled cabinet environment. Mannose, glucose, fructose, sucrose and raffinose concentrations were different between cold treatments and populations, especially in the Welsh population, but polyhydric alcohol concentrations were not. The free amino acid compositions were population specific, with fold differences in most amino acids, especially in the Icelandic populations, with gross changes in amino acids, particularly those associated with glutamine metabolism. Metabolic fingerprints and profiles were obtained. Principal component analysis (PCA) of metabolite fingerprints revealed metabolic characteristic phenotypes for each population and temperature. It is suggested that amino acids and carbohydrates were responsible for discriminating populations within the PCA. Metabolite fingerprinting and profiling has proved to be sufficiently sensitive to identify metabolic differences between plant populations at different atmospheric temperatures. These findings show that there is significant natural variation in cold metabolism among populations of A. l. petraea which may signify plant adaptation to local climates

DNA barcode reference libraries for the monitoring of aquatic biota in Europe: Gap-analysis and recommendations for future work

Effective identification of species using short DNA fragments (DNA barcoding and DNA metabarcoding) requires reliable sequence reference libraries of known taxa. Both taxonomically comprehensive coverage and content quality are important for sufficient accuracy. For aquatic ecosystems in Europe, reliable barcode reference libraries are particularly important if molecular identification tools are to be implemented in biomonitoring and reports in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). We analysed gaps in the two most important reference databases, Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) and NCBI GenBank, with a focus on the taxa most frequently used in WFD and MSFD. Our analyses show that coverage varies strongly among taxonomic groups, and among geographic regions. In general, groups that were actively targeted in barcode projects (e.g. fish, true bugs, caddisflies and vascular plants) are well represented in the barcode libraries, while others have fewer records (e.g. marine molluscs, ascidians, and freshwater diatoms). We also found that species monitored in several countries often are represented by barcodes in reference libraries, while species monitored in a single country frequently lack sequence records. A large proportion of species (up to 50%) in several taxonomic groups are only represented by private data in BOLD. Our results have implications for the future strategy to fill existing gaps in barcode libraries, especially if DNA metabarcoding is to be used in the monitoring of European aquatic biota under the WFD and MSFD. For example, missing species relevant to monitoring in multiple countries should be prioritized for future collaborative programs. We also discuss why a strategy for quality control and quality assurance of barcode reference libraries is needed and recommend future steps to ensure full utilisation of metabarcoding in aquatic biomonitoring.This paper is a deliverable of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action DNAqua-Net (CA15219) Working Group 1, led by Torbjørn Ekrem and Fedor Čiampor. Thanks to the University of Minho and University of Pécs for hosting workshops and working group meetings. We also thank staff at National Environment Agencies and others that provided national checklists of taxa used in biomonitoring, and otherwise assisted with checklist proof-reading: Jarmila Makovinská and Emília Mišíková Elexová (Slovakia); Steinar Sandøy and Dag Rosland (Norway); Mišel Jelič (Croatia); Marlen Vasquez (Cyprus); Adam Petrusek (Czech Republic); Kristel Panksep (Estonia); Panagiotis Kaspiditis (Greece); Matteo Montagna (Italy); Marija Katarzyte (Lithuania); Ana Rotter (Slovenia); Rosa Trabajo (Spain); Florian Altermatt (Switzerland); Kristian Meissner (Finland), Rigers Bakiu (Albania), Valentina Stamenkovic and Jelena Hinic (Macedonia); Patricia Mergen (Belgium); Gael Denys & the French Biodiversity Agency (France); Mary Kelly-Quinn (Ireland); Piotr Panek and Andrzej Zawal (Poland); Cesare Mario Puzzi (Italy); Carole Fitzpatrick (United Kingdom); Simon Vitecek (Austria); Ana Filipa Filipe (Portugal); Peter Anton Stæhr & Anne Winding (Denmark); Michael Monaghan (Germany); Alain Dohet, Lionel L'Hoste, Nora Welschbillig & Luc Ector (Luxembourg), Lujza Keresztes, (Romania). The authors also want to thank Dirk Steinke for providing the original European ERMS list for marine taxa and Florian Malard for comments on the manuscript. The preparation of the AMBI checklist was carried out in the scope of a Short-term Scientific Mission (ECOST-STSM-CA15219-150217- 082111) granted to SD visiting AZTI, Spain. ZC was supported by grants EFOP-3.6.1.-16-2016-00004 and 20765-3/2018/FEKUTSTRAT. TE was supported by the NorBOL-grant (226134/F50) from the Research Coun cil of Norway. BR, FL and MFG contributed through support from the GBOL project, which is generously funded by the German Federal Min istry of Education and Research (FKZ 01LI1101 and 01LI1501). MG contributed through support of the Polish National Science Centre, grants N N303 5794 39 and 2014/15/B/NZ8/00266. SF was funded by the project PORBIOTA - Portuguese E-Infrastructure for Information and Research on Biodiversity (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022127), supported by Operational Thematic Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)

ST3 beta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 1 (ST3Gal1) synthesis of Siglec ligands mediates anti-tumour immunity in prostate cancer

Immune checkpoint blockade has yet to produce robust anti-cancer responses for prostate cancer. Sialyltransferases have been shown across several solid tumours, including breast, melanoma, colorectal and prostate to promote immune suppression by synthesising sialoglycans, which act as ligands for Siglec receptors. We report that ST3 beta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 1 (ST3Gal1) levels negatively correlate with androgen signalling in prostate tumours. We demonstrate that ST3Gal1 plays an important role in modulating tumour immune evasion through the synthesises of sialoglycans with the capacity to engage the Siglec-7 and Siglec-9 immunoreceptors preventing immune clearance of cancer cells. Here, we provide evidence of the expression of Siglec-7/9 ligands and their respective immunoreceptors in prostate tumours. These interactions can be modulated by enzalutamide and may maintain immune suppression in enzalutamide treated tumours. We conclude that the activity of ST3Gal1 is critical to prostate cancer anti-tumour immunity and provide rationale for the use of glyco-immune checkpoint targeting therapies in advanced prostate cancer

Basic science232. Certolizumab pegol prevents pro-inflammatory alterations in endothelial cell function

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a leading cause of death. Chronic systemic inflammation involving tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) could contribute to endothelial activation and atherogenesis. A number of anti-TNF therapies are in current use for the treatment of RA, including certolizumab pegol (CZP), (Cimzia ®; UCB, Belgium). Anti-TNF therapy has been associated with reduced clinical cardiovascular disease risk and ameliorated vascular function in RA patients. However, the specific effects of TNF inhibitors on endothelial cell function are largely unknown. Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms underpinning CZP effects on TNF-activated human endothelial cells. Methods: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were cultured in vitro and exposed to a) TNF alone, b) TNF plus CZP, or c) neither agent. Microarray analysis was used to examine the transcriptional profile of cells treated for 6 hrs and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysed gene expression at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hrs. NF-κB localization and IκB degradation were investigated using immunocytochemistry, high content analysis and western blotting. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect microparticle release from HAoECs. Results: Transcriptional profiling revealed that while TNF alone had strong effects on endothelial gene expression, TNF and CZP in combination produced a global gene expression pattern similar to untreated control. The two most highly up-regulated genes in response to TNF treatment were adhesion molecules E-selectin and VCAM-1 (q 0.2 compared to control; p > 0.05 compared to TNF alone). The NF-κB pathway was confirmed as a downstream target of TNF-induced HAoEC activation, via nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκB, effects which were abolished by treatment with CZP. In addition, flow cytometry detected an increased production of endothelial microparticles in TNF-activated HAoECs, which was prevented by treatment with CZP. Conclusions: We have found at a cellular level that a clinically available TNF inhibitor, CZP reduces the expression of adhesion molecule expression, and prevents TNF-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, CZP prevents the production of microparticles by activated endothelial cells. This could be central to the prevention of inflammatory environments underlying these conditions and measurement of microparticles has potential as a novel prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in this patient group. Disclosure statement: Y.A. received a research grant from UCB. I.B. received a research grant from UCB. S.H. received a research grant from UCB. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interes

"What they do to themselves" : Regarding caregivers perception concerning people with alcohol and/or substance abuse

Denna studie har som syfte att synliggöra hur sjukvårdspersonal uppfattar missbrukare. För att ta del av våra informanters uppfattningar har vi utfört kvalitativa intervjuer för att generera ett material som är grund för visare analys. Vidare har en fenomenografisk ansats använts för att analysera vårt material. Teoriernagenuskontraktetochstigmahar använts för att analysera och vidare diskutera materialet, men även tidigare forskning rörande missbrukande individer . En viktig slutsats i studien är hur informanternas egna uppfattningar påverkar deras inställning

Prestation hos kvinnor : Om kvinnors upplevelser och erfarenheter av krav i vardagens skilda miljöer

Denna antologi har som syfte att synliggöra hur kvinnor upplever och upplevs i relation till prestation samt hur kvinnors livsvillkor och identitet berörs av krav och prestation. Kvinnan i rollen som gymnasieelev, arbetssökande, och mamma är målgruppen för att belysa vår valda tematik. För att ta del av våra informanters livsberättelser har vi utfört kvalitativa intervjuer samt observationer i syfte att genera skilda frågeställningar. Vidare har grundad teori använts för att analysera vår data. Teorier så som identitet, genus, stigma och det biografiska schemat har applicerats för att analysera och vidare diskutera de respektive materialen.  En viktig slutsats i studien är att framtidsförväntningarna utgör en avgörande roll för upplevelsen av krav och prestation. Studiens övergripande slutsats är att oavsett i vilken miljö och livsfas kvinnorna befinner sig i upplevs krav att prestera i vardagen. Press upplevs vara ”normalt” tills tid för reflektion ges, i vårt fall samtalen vid intervjuerna, vilket påvisar den i samhället etablerade stressen.Prestation, identitet, livsvillkor, kvinnor, genus, stress, arbetslöshet, krav, gymnasielever, mamma, stigmatiserin

Prestation hos kvinnor : Om kvinnors upplevelser och erfarenheter av krav i vardagens skilda miljöer

Denna antologi har som syfte att synliggöra hur kvinnor upplever och upplevs i relation till prestation samt hur kvinnors livsvillkor och identitet berörs av krav och prestation. Kvinnan i rollen som gymnasieelev, arbetssökande, och mamma är målgruppen för att belysa vår valda tematik. För att ta del av våra informanters livsberättelser har vi utfört kvalitativa intervjuer samt observationer i syfte att genera skilda frågeställningar. Vidare har grundad teori använts för att analysera vår data. Teorier så som identitet, genus, stigma och det biografiska schemat har applicerats för att analysera och vidare diskutera de respektive materialen.  En viktig slutsats i studien är att framtidsförväntningarna utgör en avgörande roll för upplevelsen av krav och prestation. Studiens övergripande slutsats är att oavsett i vilken miljö och livsfas kvinnorna befinner sig i upplevs krav att prestera i vardagen. Press upplevs vara ”normalt” tills tid för reflektion ges, i vårt fall samtalen vid intervjuerna, vilket påvisar den i samhället etablerade stressen.Prestation, identitet, livsvillkor, kvinnor, genus, stress, arbetslöshet, krav, gymnasielever, mamma, stigmatiserin

Motivasjon og sosial elskverdighet i ansettelsesbeslutninger

Hensikten med denne oppgaven er å undersøke hvordan motivasjon og sosial elskverdighet spiller inn på ansettelsesbeslutninger. For å finne ut av dette har vi utført et eksperiment hvor 261 respondenter, i fulltidsarbeid, skulle svare på en spørreundersøkelse. I undersøkelsen skulle respondentene se for seg en situasjon hvor vedkommende var arbeidsgiver og de skulle ansette en eventuell arbeidstaker. Hensikten med denne undersøkelsen er å utforske om den potensielle arbeidsgiveren assosierer en ytre, indre eller prososial motivert arbeidssøker som noe positivt eller negativt. Respondentene som deltok i undersøkelsen ble presentert for ett av tre mulige scenarioer hvor arbeidstakeren var enten indre, ytre eller prososialt motivert. I oppgaven blir teori og forskning om motivasjon, sosial elskverdighet og rekruttering presentert. Dette blir gjort for å skape en forståelse av oppgavens tema. Seks hypoteser blir så utarbeidet for å måle grad av mellomgruppeforskjeller. Resultatene viser at det er mellomgruppeforskjeller på alle områdene, men signifikante forskjeller på spesielt tre områder. Områdene som viser størst mellomgruppeforskjell er bedømmelse av hvor omsorgsfull arbeidstaker er, anbefaling til ansettelse og sannsynlighet for å slutte i jobben. Ut ifra funnene ser det ut til at respondentene ser på det å være ytre motivert som noe negativt og indre og prososialt motiverte som mer positivt. Konklusjonen i oppgaven viser at motivasjon og sosial elskverdighet spiller en stor rolle i ansettelsesbeslutninger