Archeological research on the Karacadag and a hieroglyphic Luwian inscription from Karaören

This essay presents a partial report of surveys on the Karacadaǧ (Konya), which have been carried out since 2016 due to the find of a fragment of a hieroglyphic Luwian inscription from the 13th century BC at the village of Karaören. The results of the survey allow a holistic understanding of the material and topographic conditions which led to the writing, re-use and then find of the inscription. The inscription is presented and a possible historical-geographical framework both of this and of other related texts is explained, whereby it seems probable that there was an important military-strategic border here. The survey and associated ethnographic research established the importance of the freshwater springs on the Karacadaǧ, as well as the continuous re-use of stones attesting a profound cultural memory that runs from the Hittite period through a populous Byzantine occupation up until modern applications by the inhabitants of the Karacadaǧ

Genetic Analysis of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms in Vitis

The parents and progeny from two crosses (Cayuga White x Aurore and NY62.136.2 x Yates) were examined for the presence of DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). Seventeen independent DNA sequences were used in the analysis, 15 obtained from a grape Pstl genomic library and two heterologous probes obtained from other laboratories. Most of the low copy cloned sequences hybridized to more than two restriction fragments, possibly reflecting the polyploid nature of the Vitis genome. Nine of the probes detected RFLPs between parents. Analysis of the progenies (F1generation) revealed segregation for nine distinct polymorphisms generated by seven of the probes.Thus, a relatively high level of polymorphism among parents, as well as heterozygosity within each parent, was evident. Most RFLPs gave segregation ratios close to the 1: 1 ratio predicted for a locus heterozygous in one parent. However four differences between parental phenotypes did not segregated in the progeny, and in three instances fragments present in both parents segregated in the progeny. These peculiar results may be explained by accounting for heterozygosity or homozygosity, respectively, for the DNA segment that generates the polymorphism. We conclude that RFLP studies can be performed on the first filial generation in woody perennials such as Vitis that have a relatively high level of heterozygosity in the genom

Characterization of RAPD markers in Vitis

A study was initiated to investigate the possibility of using RAPD markers in related populations of Vitis. We also sought to design primers that could amplify translation initiation sites (Kozak sequence) as a mean to maximize the production of RAPD markers from single copy DNA sequences in the genome. RAPD bands were labeled and used as probes on blots with either genomic DNA or RAPD products from cvs Aurore, Cayuga White, Horizon and Illinois 547-1. Reamplification of excised RAPD products produced either several bands of smaller size, a single band of smaller size or a single band of the same size as the original band. Among 16 probes hybridized to genomic DNA blots, three probes, including one from the Kozak primer amplification, hybridized to 1-2 bands, 5 probes hybridized to 3-8 bands and 8, including two from a Kozak primer reaction, to more than 10 bands on the genomic DNA blots. Twelve RAPD bands were also probed on RAPD blots derived from the RAPD reaction that produced each probe. Three of those probes hybridized to 1-2 bands, 8 hybridized to 3-8 and one hybridized to more than 10 bands indicating the presence of probe sequences in more than one RAPD band as amplified with the same primers. This result and the observations on reamplification of RAPD bands support the hypothesis that some of the longer RAPD fragments harbor internal priming sites that are either not amplified unless the reaction mixture is saturated with longer other primers indicating amplification from the same sequence but different sized repetitive DNA. RAPD reactions were also run with 16 primers on parental DNA of 2 crosses used in genetic mapping (Cayuga White x Aurore and Horizon x Illinois 547-1). These reactions rated 140 bands; 100 bands were shared by both populations, including 47 polymorphic bands. Ten polymorphic bands in Cayuga White x Aurore and 22 in Horizon x Illinois 547-1 were population specific. The RAPD analysis as well as hybridization of RAPD markers to the genomic blots suggest that linkage analysis could be used in related segregating populations with carefully chosen markers. Tagging single copy regions with Kozak-sequence-derived primers may be possible, but the low number of probes tested and lack of DNA sequence information prevents any definite conclusions

Inheritance of chloroplast DNA in two full-sib Vitis populations

The mode of transmission of chloroplasts in 2 grape populations was determined using restriction fragment length polymorphisms of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) to trace the origin of plastids in the progeny. The populations examined were formed by crossing 2 complex interspecific hybrids: NY 62.136.2 x Yates and Cayuga White x Aurore. Analysis of the restriction banding patterns of total DNA of the 4 parents probed with cpDNA of grape and petunia revealed a high level of polymorphism (63 %) between parents ot the first cross and a low level of polymorphism (15 %) between the parents of the second cross. The restriction banding patterns of the 4 parents were unique, indicating that there were 4 distinct chloroplast genotypes. Analysis of the restriction banding patterns of total DNA of the progeny probed with cpDNA showed that all progeny from both crosses exhibited the banding pattern of the maternal parent. Thus, the mode of plastid transmission in these populations of grape was strictly maternal

Food Intake of Kansans Over 80 Years of Age Attending Congregate Meal Sites

As the population of the United States continues to age, it has become increasingly more important to recognize the food intake and eating habits of older adults. The objective of this study was to describe the food group intake, factors predicting food group intake, and the food choices of community-dwelling Kansans, 80 years of age and older who participate in congregate meal programs. Participants completed a short questionnaire querying demographic information, current health status, and dietary supplement use. Participants (n = 113) were then followed up via telephone to complete two 24-hour diet recalls. Data were analyzed to determine adequacy of food group intake and mean intake. Regression analyses were used to determine factors predicting intake and frequency analysis established food typically consumed. Female participants were significantly more likely to consume more fruit servings than males. Intake was low for all five of the food groups, especially dairy. Chronic health conditions and dietary supplement use were consistently predictive factors of the amount of each food group consumed

Analysis of the relationship between grapevine cultivars, sports and clones via DNA fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting utilizing RAPD polymorphisms was employed to investigate the relationship among 16 grapevine cultivars and sports thought to have arisen from these cultivars. From 53 primers, a total of 464 bands were generated, of which 29 % were common to all genotypes tested. Cluster analysis classified all tested cultivars into two main groups (Vitis vinifera L. and V. x Labruscana Bailey) as expected. No polymorphism was detected among known clones of Chardonnay (Ch. clone 7, Ch. clone 78 and Ch. Geneva clone) or Pinot noir (P. n. clone 29, P. n. Geneva clone and P. n. Pernand). Pinot Meunier, Pinot gris, and Gamay Beaujolais displayed patterns indistinguishable from Pinot noir. Auxerrois and Melon showed unique patterns and may be classified as distinct cultivars. Chardonnay clone 7 shared 84 % of its bands with Pinot noir. There was more than 97 % RAPD amplicon homology between Niagara and two supposed sports, and between Concord and a red-fruited sport. Taking into account the error rate in scoring RAPD bands, the evidence is against the hypothesis that the three sports are distinct cultivars. While RAPD banding patterns could not distinguish between known clones, they were useful for distinguishing between phenotypically similar cultivars and for assessing the origins of cultivars thought to have originated as sports

Nodular pattern of bone marrow infiltration: frequent finding in immunosuppression-related EBV-associated large B-cell lymphomas

Different patterns of bone marrow (BM) infiltration by diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) have been described. A pure nodular pattern is uncommon, and the pathologic features, as well as the clinical correlates of DLBCL manifesting this pattern in the BM have not been well characterized. We evaluated BM biopsies involved by large B cell lymphomas diagnosed at our institute over an 11-year period to assess the morphology, phenotype, cytogenetic abnormalities, and clinical features of cases associated with a nodular pattern. A distinct nodular pattern of BM involvement was noted in 14 out of 55 (25%) cases. Although both EBV+ and EBV−DLBCL with this pattern were identified, a pure nodular pattern was significantly more common in EBV+ DLBCL compared to EBV− DLBCL (8/9, 89% versus 6/46, 13%; P=0.00002). The majority of EBV+ DLBCL associated with a nodular pattern had distinctive morphologic features (polymorphic cellular infiltrate and pleomorphic cytology), and CD30 expression was more commonly observed in this group (P=0.0163). All EBV+ DLBCL and two out of six (33%) EBV− DLBCL had nongerminal center phenotypes. No recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in either group. Importantly, all EBV+ DLBCL occurred in individuals with immune dysfunction (organ transplant recipients, HIV infection) or in those >50 years of age. Our study indicates a much higher predilection for EBV+ DLBCL to involve the marrow in a nodular pattern compared to EBV− cases and highlights similarities in the morphologic pattern of BM involvement by previously recognized subsets of immunodeficiency-related EBV + lymphomas and the newer entity of “EBV+ DLBCL of the elderly.