Alterations in sperm long RNA contribute to the epigenetic inheritance of the effects of postnatal trauma

Abstract: Psychiatric diseases have a strong heritable component known to not be restricted to DNA sequence-based genetic inheritance alone but to also involve epigenetic factors in germ cells. Initial evidence suggested that sperm RNA is causally linked to the transmission of symptoms induced by traumatic experiences. Here, we show that alterations in long RNA in sperm contribute to the inheritance of specific trauma symptoms. Injection of long RNA fraction from sperm of males exposed to postnatal trauma recapitulates the effects on food intake, glucose response to insulin and risk-taking in adulthood whereas the small RNA fraction alters body weight and behavioural despair. Alterations in long RNA are maintained after fertilization, suggesting a direct link between sperm and embryo RNA

Spin injection and spin accumulation in all-metal mesoscopic spin valves

We study the electrical injection and detection of spin accumulation in lateral ferromagnetic metal-nonmagnetic metal-ferromagnetic metal (F/N/F) spin valve devices with transparent interfaces. Different ferromagnetic metals, permalloy (Py), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni), are used as electrical spin injectors and detectors. For the nonmagnetic metal both aluminium (Al) and copper (Cu) are used. Our multi-terminal geometry allows us to experimentally separate the spin valve effect from other magneto resistance signals such as the anomalous magneto resistance (AMR) and Hall effects. We find that the AMR contribution of the ferromagnetic contacts can dominate the amplitude of the spin valve effect, making it impossible to observe the spin valve effect in a 'conventional' measurement geometry. In a 'non local' spin valve measurement we are able to completely isolate the spin valve signal and observe clear spin accumulation signals at T=4.2 K as well as at room temperature (RT). For aluminum we obtain spin relaxation lengths (lambda_{sf}) of 1.2 mu m and 600 nm at T=4.2 K and RT respectively, whereas for copper we obtain 1.0 mu m and 350 nm. The spin relaxation times tau_{sf} in Al and Cu are compared with theory and results obtained from giant magneto resistance (GMR), conduction electron spin resonance (CESR), anti-weak localization and superconducting tunneling experiments. The spin valve signals generated by the Py electrodes (alpha_F lambda_F=0.5 [1.2] nm at RT [T=4.2 K]) are larger than the Co electrodes (alpha_F lambda_F=0.3 [0.7] nm at RT [T=4.2 K]), whereas for Ni (alpha_F lambda_F<0.3 nm at RT and T=4.2 K) no spin signal is observed. These values are compared to the results obtained from GMR experiments.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures, submitted to PR

Field Longevity of a Fluorescent Protein Marker in an Engineered Strain of the Pink Bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)

The cotton pest, pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)), is a significant pest in most cotton-growing areas around the world. In southwestern USA and northern Mexico, pink bollworm is the target of the sterile insect technique (SIT), which relies on the mass-release of sterile pink bollworm adults to over-flood the wild population and thereby reduce it over time. Sterile moths reared for release are currently marked with a dye provided in their larval diet. There are concerns, however, that this marker fails from time to time, leading to sterile moths being misidentified in monitoring traps as wild moths. This can lead to expensive reactionary releases of sterile moths. We have developed a genetically marked strain that is engineered to express a fluorescent protein, DsRed2, which is easily screened under a specialised microscope. In order to test this marker under field conditions, we placed wild-type and genetically marked moths on traps and placed them in field cages. The moths were then screened, in a double-blind fashion, for DsRed2 fluorescence at regular intervals to determine marker reliability over time. The marker was shown to be robust in very high temperatures and generally proved reliable for a week or longer. More importantly, genotyping of moths on traps by PCR screening of the moths was 100% correct. Our findings indicate that this strain - and fluorescent protein markers in general - could make a valuable contribution to SIT

Financial effect of limiting pesticide use near schools for almonds in nine counties depends on soils and weather

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation enacted a regulation regarding the use of pesticides near public K-12 schools and licensed child day care centers, including a provision that bans specific types of applications, including air-blast and air-assist, during weekday school hours (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to provide an additional safety margin for pesticide exposure beyond those provided by other regulations. We considered the financial effect on almond growers in nine counties, accounting for four-fifths of total almond production in 2014, if they had been unable to complete a standard spring disease management program on any buffer zone acreage. Results indicated that total annual losses for those counties if such a regulation had been in effect would have been $8.7 million, with per-acre losses ranging from 22$0.2 million because the regulation would have affected the number of sprays completed for relatively few acres in relatively few years

Financial effect of limiting pesticide use near schools for almonds in nine counties depends on soils and weather

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation enacted a regulation regarding the use of pesticides near public K-12 schools and licensed child day care centers, including a provision that bans specific types of applications, including air-blast and air-assist, during weekday school hours (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to provide an additional safety margin for pesticide exposure beyond those provided by other regulations. We considered the financial effect on almond growers in nine counties, accounting for four-fifths of total almond production in 2014, if they had been unable to complete a standard spring disease management program on any buffer zone acreage. Results indicated that total annual losses for those counties if such a regulation had been in effect would have been $8.7 million, with per-acre losses ranging from 22$0.2 million because the regulation would have affected the number of sprays completed for relatively few acres in relatively few years

Addressing the needs for improving classical biological control programs in the USA

For years, the development of classical biological has proven to be the most cost-effective and environmentally safe management tool for invasive species. Despite this, in the United States there are a number of political, regulatory and institutional challenges associated with the discovery stage, pre-release phase, and post-release monitoring that have restricted the full potential and the long-term success of many classical biological control programs. Among these needs, we provide recommendations for improved prioritization of specific projects, funding concerns, source countries issues, benefits sharing of biological control agents, shipping live agents, regulatory requirements and procedures, and engagement with the environmental community. We believe these recommendations and potential solutions will significantly improve the future effectiveness of classical biological control programs for the management of invasive species within the United States

Alterations in sperm long RNA contribute to the epigenetic inheritance of the effects of postnatal trauma

Psychiatric diseases have a strong heritable component known to not be restricted to DNA sequence-based genetic inheritance alone but to also involve epigenetic factors in germ cells. Initial evidence suggested that sperm RNA is causally linked to the transmission of symptoms induced by traumatic experiences. Here, we show that alterations in long RNA in sperm contribute to the inheritance of specific trauma symptoms. Injection of long RNA fraction from sperm of males exposed to postnatal trauma recapitulates the effects on food intake, glucose response to insulin and risk-taking in adulthood whereas the small RNA fraction alters body weight and behavioural despair. Alterations in long RNA are maintained after fertilization, suggesting a direct link between sperm and embryo RNA