Brachytic2/ZmABCB1 functions in IAA export from intercalary meristems

Dwarfism traits in Zea mays are regulated by multiple factors including the hormone auxin. Dwarf brachytic2 (br2) mutants harbour lesions in the gene encoding an orthologue of Arabidopsis thaliana ABCB1 which functions in auxin efflux out of meristematic regions in the shoot and root. br2 mesocotyls and coleoptiles exhibit reduced auxin transport. However, the dwarf stature of br2 derives from shortened lower internodes whilst the upper portion of the plant is completely normal. As such, it is counter-intuitive to attribute br2 dwarfism exclusively to reduced auxin export out of the shoot apex. Arabidopsis abcb1 mutants exhibit only minor reductions in auxin transport and plant height unless combined with mutations in the ABCB19 auxin transporter. Phylogenetic modelling analysis excludes the possibility that BR2 is more closely related to ABCB19 which has three more closely related orthologues in maize. BR2 is expressed in nodal meristems, and analyses of auxin transport and content indicate that BR2 function in these grass-specific tissues is analogous to ABCB1 function in the shoot and root apex of Arabidopsis. These results indicate that ABCB1/BR2 function is conserved between dicots and monocots, but also suggests that this function must be understood in the context of the segmental organization of grass plants

Phenotypic Characterization of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells and Derived Stromal Cell Populations from Human Iliac Crest, Vertebral Body and Femoral Head

(1) In vitro, bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) demonstrate inter-donor phenotypic variability, which presents challenges for the development of regenerative therapies. Here, we investigated whether the frequency of putative BMSC sub-populations within the freshly isolated mononuclear cell fraction of bone marrow is phenotypically predictive for the in vitro derived stromal cell culture. (2) Vertebral body, iliac crest, and femoral head bone marrow were acquired from 33 patients (10 female and 23 male, age range 14-91). BMSC sub-populations were identified within freshly isolated mononuclear cell fractions based on cell-surface marker profiles. Stromal cells were expanded in monolayer on tissue culture plastic. Phenotypic assessment of in vitro derived cell cultures was performed by examining growth kinetics, chondrogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation. (3) Gender, donor age, and anatomical site were neither predictive for the total yield nor the population doubling time of in vitro derived BMSC cultures. The abundance of freshly isolated progenitor sub-populations (CD45-CD34-CD73+, CD45-CD34-CD146+, NG2+CD146+) was not phenotypically predictive of derived stromal cell cultures in terms of growth kinetics nor plasticity. BMSCs derived from iliac crest and vertebral body bone marrow were more responsive to chondrogenic induction, forming superior cartilaginous tissue in vitro, compared to those isolated from femoral head. (4) The identification of discrete progenitor populations in bone marrow by current cell-surface marker profiling is not predictive for subsequently derived in vitro BMSC cultures. Overall, the iliac crest and the vertebral body offer a more reliable tissue source of stromal progenitor cells for cartilage repair strategies compared to femoral head

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Lipopolysaccharide induces sickness behaviour in rats by a vagal mediated mechanism

International audienc

Lipopolysaccharide induces sickness behaviour in rats by a vagal mediated mechanism

International audienc

Étude concernant l’actualisation, la définition et les exemples de valorisation des races locales, rustiques, menacéesVolet 1 -Races menacées - Actualisation des listes de races menacées - Extension de la réflexion aux abeilles et aux espèces aquacoles

In continuation of the FEADER 2014-2022 program, the Agro-Environmental and Climate Measure “Protection of Endangered Breeds” (MAEC PRM) aims to provide economic support to breeders who have chosen to preserve and reproduce breed animals. with low population size.The PRM system concerns breeds for which the State is responsible for the preservation as genetic resources, according to the 1992 Rio Convention, that is to say native breeds or locally adapted breeds within the meaning of the FAO. Among these breeds, PRM only concerns local breeds. The first step in the study was therefore to draw up, for each species, the list of breeds that could be qualified in this way. Then, the method which had been defined in 2014 was the subject of a critical analysis and, consequently, of some adjustments. Finally, the most complete and up-to-date data possible was gathered in order to establish, according to the method chosen, the degree of threat.Dans la continuité de la programmation FEADER 2014-2022, la Mesure Agro-Environnementale et Climatique « Protection des Races Menacées » (MAEC PRM) vise à accompagner économiquement les éleveurs ayant fait le choix de conserver et de mettre à la reproduction des animaux de races à faibles effectifs.Le dispositif PRM concerne les races dont l’État est garant de la préservation en tant que ressource génétique, selon la Convention de Rio de 1992, c’est-à-dire les races natives ou les races localement adaptées au sens de la FAO. Parmi ces races-là, la PRM ne concerne que les races locales. La première étape de l’étude a donc été de dresser, pour chaque espèce, la liste des races pouvant être qualifiées de la sorte. Ensuite, la méthode qui avait été définie en 2014 a fait l’objet d’une analyse critique et, en conséquence, de quelques aménagements. Enfin, les données les plus complètes et les plus actualisées possibles ont été rassemblées afin d’établir, selon la méthode retenue, le degré de menace

Étude concernant l’actualisation, la définition et les exemples de valorisation des races locales, rustiques, menacéesVolet 1 -Races menacées - Actualisation des listes de races menacées - Extension de la réflexion aux abeilles et aux espèces aquacoles

In continuation of the FEADER 2014-2022 program, the Agro-Environmental and Climate Measure “Protection of Endangered Breeds” (MAEC PRM) aims to provide economic support to breeders who have chosen to preserve and reproduce breed animals. with low population size.The PRM system concerns breeds for which the State is responsible for the preservation as genetic resources, according to the 1992 Rio Convention, that is to say native breeds or locally adapted breeds within the meaning of the FAO. Among these breeds, PRM only concerns local breeds. The first step in the study was therefore to draw up, for each species, the list of breeds that could be qualified in this way. Then, the method which had been defined in 2014 was the subject of a critical analysis and, consequently, of some adjustments. Finally, the most complete and up-to-date data possible was gathered in order to establish, according to the method chosen, the degree of threat.Dans la continuité de la programmation FEADER 2014-2022, la Mesure Agro-Environnementale et Climatique « Protection des Races Menacées » (MAEC PRM) vise à accompagner économiquement les éleveurs ayant fait le choix de conserver et de mettre à la reproduction des animaux de races à faibles effectifs.Le dispositif PRM concerne les races dont l’État est garant de la préservation en tant que ressource génétique, selon la Convention de Rio de 1992, c’est-à-dire les races natives ou les races localement adaptées au sens de la FAO. Parmi ces races-là, la PRM ne concerne que les races locales. La première étape de l’étude a donc été de dresser, pour chaque espèce, la liste des races pouvant être qualifiées de la sorte. Ensuite, la méthode qui avait été définie en 2014 a fait l’objet d’une analyse critique et, en conséquence, de quelques aménagements. Enfin, les données les plus complètes et les plus actualisées possibles ont été rassemblées afin d’établir, selon la méthode retenue, le degré de menace