Globulin expression in grain of Australian hard wheat cultivars is affected by growth environment

Our aim was to study changes in wheat proteomes across different growth locations as the first step in linking protein composition with functional changes in grains produced using commercial production systems. Soluble and insoluble proteins were extracted sequentially from grain of three commercial wheat cultivars grown at four locations in New South Wales, Australia during a single season. Bands were separated using SDS-PAGE and identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. Quantitative changes in the electrophoretic patterns were observed mainly in the insoluble polypeptides of molecular mass between 40 – 70 kDa for all three cultivars grown at two of the four locations. These proteins were identified as mainly globulin and serpin isoforms, and triticin. Other proteins with changed expression included disease-resistance proteins, class III peroxidase, starch branching enzyme I, β-amylase, and storage proteins. Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis was performed on two of the same wheat cultivars grown at one of the locations during two consecutive seasons. Protein spots that varied between seasons consisted of globulin and serpin isoforms, triticin, HMW-glutenin, gamma-gliadin, starch branching enzyme IIb and alpha amylase. The implications of the upregulation of globulin and triticin on whole meal flour quality, through their participation in polymerization of the gluten network, are considered

Differences in COVID-19 Outcomes Among Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: First vs Later Surges

Background Outcomes of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) have improved throughout the pandemic. However, whether outcomes of COVID-19 in the type 1 diabetes (T1D) population improved over time is unknown. Therefore, we aim to investigate differences in COVID-19 outcomes for patients with T1D in the US. Method We analyzed data collected via a registry of patients with T1D and COVID-19 from 56 sites between April 2020 and January 2021. First, we grouped cases into First Surge (04/09/2020 - 07/31/2020, n=188) and Late Surge (08/01/2020 - 01/31/2021, n=410). Then, we compared outcomes between both groups using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Results Adverse outcomes were more frequent during the first surge including Diabetic Ketoacidosis (32% versus 15%, p<0.001), severe hypoglycemia (4% versus 1%, p=0.04) and hospitalization (52% versus 22%, p<0.001). The First surge cases were older (28 +/- 18.8 years versus 18.8 +/- 11.1 years, p<0.001), had higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (Median (IQR): 9.3 (4.0) versus 8.4(2.8), <0.001) and use public insurance (n(%): 107 (57) versus 154 (38), p <0.001). There were five times increased odds of hospitalization for adults (OR 5.01 (2.11,12.63) in the first surge compared to the late surge. Conclusion COVID-19 cases among patients with T1D reported during the first surge had a higher proportion of adverse outcomes than those presented in a later surge

A Galaxy-Scale Fountain of Cold Molecular Gas Pumped by a Black Hole

We present ALMA and MUSE observations of the Brightest Cluster Galaxy in Abell 2597, a nearby (z=0.0821) cool core cluster of galaxies. The data map the kinematics of a three billion solar mass filamentary nebula that spans the innermost 30 kpc of the galaxy's core. Its warm ionized and cold molecular components are both cospatial and comoving, consistent with the hypothesis that the optical nebula traces the warm envelopes of many cold molecular clouds that drift in the velocity field of the hot X-ray atmosphere. The clouds are not in dynamical equilibrium, and instead show evidence for inflow toward the central supermassive black hole, outflow along the jets it launches, and uplift by the buoyant hot bubbles those jets inflate. The entire scenario is therefore consistent with a galaxy-spanning "fountain", wherein cold gas clouds drain into the black hole accretion reservoir, powering jets and bubbles that uplift a cooling plume of low-entropy multiphase gas, which may stimulate additional cooling and accretion as part of a self-regulating feedback loop. All velocities are below the escape speed from the galaxy, and so these clouds should rain back toward the galaxy center from which they came, keeping the fountain long-lived. The data are consistent with major predictions of chaotic cold accretion, precipitation, and stimulated feedback models, and may trace processes fundamental to galaxy evolution at effectively all mass scales.Comment: 31 pages, 19 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

The Role Of Hydroxamic Acids In Take-all Resistance

The occurrence of hydroxamic acids (Hx) and their affects on take-all have been investigated in this study. An improved HPLC procedure for the separation and quantification of Hx in wheat, rye and triticale roots was established. This method completely separated 2,4-Dihydroxy—1,4— benzoxazin—3-one (DIBOA), 2 , 4-Dihydroxy - 7- methoxy - 1 4- benzoxazin -3-one (DIMBOA), 2(3)-benzoxazolinone (BOA) and 6- methoxybenzoxazolinone (MBOA) within 17 min. DIMBOA was the only Hx found in wheat roots, whereas both DIMBOA and DIBOA were present in the roots of triticale and rye. The Hx content of whole roots of wheat, rye and triticale reached a maximum 3 to 4 days after germination, depending on species. The DIMBOA content of wheat roots ranged from 0.4 to 1.5 umoles / g f.wt in the varieties studied. The DIMBOA content of the triticale varieties ranged from 0.9 to 2.0 umoles/ g f.wt, and DIBOA from 0.26 to 1.1 umoles / g f.wt. DIMBOA concentrations in rye roots ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 umoles/ g f.wt, whereas DIBOA levels ranged from zero to 1.1 umoles/g.f.wt. The Hx content of Wheat, rye and triticale roots was highest in the youngest parts of the root. The root tip of these cereals always contained significantly higher levels of Hx than the older parts of the root. When extracts prepared from triticale and rye roots were incorporated into the nutrient media, growth of two isolates of Gaeumannomyces graminis var.tritici (th) (E31 and WP 28) was inhibited. Similar extracts prepared from wheat did not inhibit the growth of th. The fungal strain WP 28 actually grew more rapidly on medium containing extracts from wheat (cv. Sunstar) roots. The inhibitory effect of triticale and rye extracts was attributed to the presence of DIBOA. The inhibitory effect of these particular extracts correlated to the resistance of the respective plant to take-all in the field as reported by Hollins et al . (1986). Hydroxamic acids inhibited the growth of th when incorporated into the growth media. DIBOA and BOA significantly inhibited the growth of both strains of the fungus at concentrations as low as 0.5 mM. DIMBOA and 6- methoxybenzoxazolinone (MBOA) did not significantly inhibit the growth of th EBI at 0.5 mM. However, at higher concentrations DIMBOA and MBOA were inhibitory. The Hx at the concentrations studied (0.5 to 5.0 mM) were only fungistatic, though, as the fungal colonies resumed growth when removed from the inhibitor. There was no significant difference in the growth of the two fungal isolates on media containing extracts or Hx. The wheat variety with the lowest DIMBOA content was the most susceptible to infection by the fungus. Wheat contained only DIMBOA, which was undetectable by 21 days. The cereals, rye and triticale, which contined both DIMBOA and DIBOA were more resistant to the take-all fungus. Hydroxamic acid levels in triticale and rye were low or not detectable at 21 and 35 days. Rye was the more resistant species out of the two. Increased synthesis of Hx was not observed in roots of these cereals as a response to infection by the take—all fungus. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that DIBOA was more effective than DIMBOA in conferring resistance to take-all. Wheat varieties which had an individual rye chromosome inserted were assayed for Hx content. All lines contained DIMBOA but one line (CSB 5R) also contained DIBOA. This preliminary result indicates that the gene(s) responsible for DIBOA synthesis may be on chromosome 5 of rye

Growth environment influences grain protein composition and dough functional properties in three Australian wheat cultivars

The objectives of this study were to assess how functional properties of proteins in whole meal wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour vary across different growth environments. Grain from three commercial, Australian hard, milling wheat cultivars was analysed from four growth locations in 2008, and from two of the corresponding cultivars and locations in 2009. The protein content of the grain, soluble and insoluble extractable protein fractions, swelling index of glutenin (SIG), glutenin to gliadin ratio (Glu:Gli), percent unextractable polymeric protein (%UPP), and dough properties including force at maximum resistance (Rmax) and extensibility (Ext) were measured. Based on analysis of variance of aggregated data for the cultivars, growth locations and seasons, growth environment factors made significant contributions to variability in the total grain protein, Glu:Gli ratio, %UPP, SIG, Rmax and Ext of the wheat flour. Variability of protein content of the soluble and insoluble extractable protein fractions was mostly due to genotype

Cloning and expression of a Xenopus laevis oocyte lectin and characterization of its mRNA levels during early development

^ o whom correspondence should be addressed cDNA clones encoding a soluble, calcium-dependent, meli-biose-binding lectin from Xenopus laevis oocytes have been isolated, characterized, and expressed in bacteria. This lec-tin has been shown by others to be localized in oocyte cor-tical granules where it ultimately is released and partici-pates in the formation of the fertilization envelope. A lectin with similar specificity has been purified by others from blastula and immunolocalized to specific locations in devel-oping embryos, which suggests it may also function after fertilization in regulating cell adhesion and migration. We have used melibiose affinity chromatography to isolate the oocyte lectin (monomer molecular masses of about 45 and 43 kDa) and shown that after exhaustive treatment with JV-g]ycanase, only one major protein band at 35 kDa wa

Decision-making about hormone replacement therapy by women in England and Scotland

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore women's decision-making about the balance of risks and benefits of taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) based on the latest evidence from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial of combined HRT. METHODS: Women aged 50-69 years, who were eligible for the Women's International Study of long Duration Oestrogen after Menopause (WISDOM) trial, were invited to participate in one of eight focus groups. Participants were asked to discuss their views about taking HRT based on the latest international evidence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Eighty-two women participated overall. Qualitative content analysis was applied to the discussion transcripts. Women regarded the decisions they make about taking HRT as highly personal, and, for women currently taking HRT, the overwhelming reason for continuation was perceived improvement in quality of life regardless of either the risks or the benefits in the longer term

971-P: Use of Telemedicine for Type 1 Diabetes Care in the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI) in 2021

Background: The COVID-pandemic accelerated adoption of telemedicine for diabetes care in 2020. We sought to describe the utilization of telemedicine across the T1DX-QI in 2021. Methods: Twenty four pediatric and nine adult clinics completed a survey about the proportion of televisits performed, center goals and processes in fall of 2021. Results: The majority of clinics reported performing between 11-25% (n=16, 48%) and 0-10% televisits (n=9, 27%) . The majority reported a pre-visit preparation workflow (n=24, 73%) , but most sites reported not having a staff member dedicated to supporting televisits (n=21, 64%) . No major differences in televisit use, goals, and processes were observed between pediatric and adult sites. For diabetes technology data downloads, the majority of clinics integrated data automatically into the EHR (n=25, 73%) . The major barriers to sustaining telemedicine practice across clinics were patient internet access, patient health disparities and access to device data (Figure 1) . Conclusion: More than one year into the pandemic the proportion of televisits performed by the T1DX-QI collaborative is modest. Clinic workflows have been implemented to support telemedicine but insufficient institutional support and technology barriers still represent an obstacle