Genome-wide association and transcriptome studies identify target genes and risk loci for breast cancer

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 170 breast cancer susceptibility loci. Here we hypothesize that some risk-associated variants might act in non-breast tissues, specifically adipose tissue and immune cells from blood and spleen. Using expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) reported in these tissues, we identify 26 previously unreported, likely target genes of overall breast cancer risk variants, and 17 for estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer, several with a known immune function. We determine the directional effect of gene expression on disease risk measured based on single and multiple eQTL. In addition, using a gene-based test of association that considers eQTL from multiple tissues, we identify seven (and four) regions with variants associated with overall (and ER-negative) breast cancer risk, which were not reported in previous GWAS. Further investigation of the function of the implicated genes in breast and immune cells may provide insights into the etiology of breast cancer.Peer reviewe

The Present and Future Role of Insect-Resistant Genetically Modified Maize in IPM

Commercial, genetically-modified (GM) maize was first planted in the United States (USA, 1996) and Canada (1997) but now is grown in 13 countries on a total of over 35 million hectares (\u3e24% of area worldwide). The first GM maize plants produced a Cry protein derived from the soil bacteriumBacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which made them resistant to European corn borer and other lepidopteran maize pests. New GM maize hybrids not only have resistance to lepidopteran pests but some have resistance to coleopteran pests and tolerance to specific herbicides. Growers are attracted to the Btmaize hybrids for their convenience and because of yield protection, reduced need for chemical insecticides, and improved grain quality. Yet, most growers worldwide still rely on traditional integrated pest management (IPM) methods to control maize pests. They must weigh the appeal of buying insect protection “in the bag” against questions regarding economics, environmental safety, and insect resistance management (IRM). Traditional management of maize insects and the opportunities and challenges presented by GM maize are considered as they relate to current and future insect-resistant products. Four countries, two that currently have commercialize Bt maize (USA and Spain) and two that do not (China and Kenya), are highlighted. As with other insect management tactics (e.g., insecticide use or tillage), GM maize should not be considered inherently compatible or incompatible with IPM. Rather, the effect of GM insect-resistance on maize IPM likely depends on how the technology is developed and used

The quantification of rangeland condition in a semi-arid grassland of southern Africa

The degradation gradient technique was used to quantify rangeland .condition in areas ranging from poor, trampled areas close to watering points to well managed areas in a semi-arid. sweet grassland of southern Africa. Ecological values were linked to species by means of their individual positions on the degradation gradient. These species were further classified according to ecological index values. Identification of indicator species for purposes of rangeland condition assessment was done by using the correlations between the relative composition and the rangeland condition value of a species. Index values and Gaussian distribution curves were used in calculations to determine rangeland condition. The accuracy of these methods was tested and the best results were obtained by using the species curves of Themeda triandra and other species which dominate at other positions along the gradient. The advantage of this technique lies in its simplicity and ease of use. Another advantage is the fact that only the most important indicator and dominant species in the study area are used to determine rangeland condition.Keywords: Grazing gradient, key species, ordinationAfrican Journal of Range and Forage Science 16(2&3): 49–6

TEACHING AND FACILITATION STRATEGIES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SOCIALISATION OF STUDENT NURSES

A fundamental goal of professional socialisation in student nurses is to enhance nursing conduct and quality of care. Professional socialisation requires internalisation of characteristics typical of a profession when a student nurse learns and applies knowledge, skills, norms and values. The success of professional socialisation lies in the quality of teaching and learning. The quantitative phase of a sequential mixed methods study revealed the perceptions of nurse educators regarding their role in teaching and facilitation of professional socialisation. Findings informed the development of guidelines to support educators in planning and implementing teaching and facilitation strategies. Strategies should incorporate values and beliefs of the nursing profession, be student centred, take cognisance of the hidden curriculum and utilise various teaching, facilitation and assessment methods. The role of the educator in supporting students in a positive and empowering manner becomes imperative for professional socialisation of students

TEACHING AND FACILITATION STRATEGIES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SOCIALISATION OF STUDENT NURSES

A fundamental goal of professional socialisation in student nurses is to enhance nursing conduct and quality of care. Professional socialisation requires internalisation of characteristics typical of a profession when a student nurse learns and applies knowledge, skills, norms and values. The success of professional socialisation lies in the quality of teaching and learning. The quantitative phase of a sequential mixed methods study revealed the perceptions of nurse educators regarding their role in teaching and facilitation of professional socialisation. Findings informed the development of guidelines to support educators in planning and implementing teaching and facilitation strategies. Strategies should incorporate values and beliefs of the nursing profession, be student centred, take cognisance of the hidden curriculum and utilise various teaching, facilitation and assessment methods. The role of the educator in supporting students in a positive and empowering manner becomes imperative for professional socialisation of students

Modeling of coupling diversity for extra-low-voltage power-line communication networked LED lighting in smart buildings

Networked light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems form an important part of smart buildings and the Internet of Things. Plug-and-play extra-low-voltage LED lighting systems are attractive because they can be installed and reconfigured or expanded by the end user. Adding network/control/programming abilities to these LED lighting systems increases the appeal to the end user - to be in charge of electricity usage as well as the aesthetics involved. However, these LED lamps as well as billions of other proliferating dc-based electronic appliances all require some form of dc power supply which hampers power-line networking and is a threat to the future success of such systems in smart buildings. A novel power-line interfacing technique, coupling diversity, is tested and modeled to investigate its potential to mitigate this threat which is posed by the worldwide increasing number of dc power supplies. Simulations and live results have yielded gains of up to 2 dB for 12-V LED systems. However, the most important result is a more consistent performance displayed by the novel technique when parameters such as cable topology, cable length, voltage, and impedance levels are varied. © 2013 IEEE

The quantification of grazing capacity from grazing and production values for forage species in semi-arid grasslands of southern Africa

The relation between rangeland condition and grazing capacity was determined along a degradation gradient. In studying agronomic values of forage species, the average production per tuft was combined with its grazing preferences, to link grazing values for species in the semi-arid grasslands of southern Africa. A production index, based on mean mass per tuft, was first compiled for species. Preference utilisation ratio of species was estimated for each of cattle and sheep, from the proportion of each species found in the diet relative to the proportion of the species found in the forage on offer. A microhistological technique was applied to oesophageal fistula samples to determine the proportion of each species found in the diet. Grazing values and grazing index were determined from the production and preference utilisation ratio of species. Where grazing values of species were determined subjectively in the past, in this study species were objectively classified based on estimated grazing values. Meaningful relationships between rangeland condition and grazing capacity were determined, along a degradation gradient, with the long-term coefficient of forecasting more than 75%. The financial implication with respect to sustainable animal production and rangeland condition variation was also calculated. Keywords: Preference utilisation ratio; preference utilization ratio; grazing value; palatability; production potential; utilisation; utilization; rangeland condition African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2001, 18(1): 43-5