Genomic organization and haplotype analysis in the bovine <i>CRHR2</i> gene.

<div><p>Coding exons are marked by black boxes.</p> <p>Pairwise linkage disequilibrium relationship for 5 mutations is illustrated based on r² measurements.</p> <p>The mutation g.2072A>B represents AAFC03056271.1:<i>g.33947-33964TGAATCCAGCCTGAGTTG>CTTTGTCTTGAG</i>.</p></div

Genomic organization and haplotype analysis in the bovine <i>UCN3</i> gene.

<div><p>Noncoding exon 1, partial non-conding exon 2 and 3′untranslated region are marked by white boxes and coding exon 2 by a black box.</p> <p>Pairwise linkage disequilibrium relationship for 12 mutations is illustrated based on r² measurements.</p> <p>The mutation g.8272A>B represents AAFC03043460.1:<i>g.8272-8281AATAATAAAT>GGAGC</i>.</p></div

<i>UCN3</i> mRNA secondary structure predicted by Mfold on a partial sequence of 81 bp surrounding four coding SNPs.

<div><p>A: mRNA secondary structure for haplotype <i>CTTC</i>.</p> <p>B: mRNA secondary structure for haplotype <i>TCGA</i>.</p></div

Rule-Based Model of Vein Graft Remodeling

<div><p>When vein segments are implanted into the arterial system for use in arterial bypass grafting, adaptation to the higher pressure and flow of the arterial system is accomplished thorough wall thickening and expansion. These early remodeling events have been found to be closely coupled to the local hemodynamic forces, such as shear stress and wall tension, and are believed to be the foundation for later vein graft failure. To further our mechanistic understanding of the cellular and extracellular interactions that lead to global changes in tissue architecture, a rule-based modeling method is developed through the application of basic rules of behaviors for these molecular and cellular activities. In the current method, smooth muscle cell (SMC), extracellular matrix (ECM), and monocytes are selected as the three components that occupy the elements of a grid system that comprise the developing vein graft intima. The probabilities of the cellular behaviors are developed based on data extracted from in vivo experiments. At each time step, the various probabilities are computed and applied to the SMC and ECM elements to determine their next physical state and behavior. One- and two-dimensional models are developed to test and validate the computational approach. The importance of monocyte infiltration, and the associated effect in augmenting extracellular matrix deposition, was evaluated and found to be an important component in model development. Final model validation is performed using an independent set of experiments, where model predictions of intimal growth are evaluated against experimental data obtained from the complex geometry and shear stress patterns offered by a mid-graft focal stenosis, where simulation results show good agreements with the experimental data.</p> </div

Model assumptions.

<p>Model assumptions.</p

MicroRNA268 Overexpression Affects Rice Seedling Growth under Cadmium Stress

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21–24-nucleotide-long RNAs that function as ubiquitous post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in plants and animals. Increasing evidence points to the important role of miRNAs in plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential heavy metal highly toxic to plants. Although many genes encoding metal transporters have been characterized, the mechanisms for the regulation of the expression of the heavy-metal transporter genes are largely unknown. In this study, we found that the expression of miR268 in rice was significantly induced under Cd stress. By contrast, expression of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 3 (<i>NRAMP3</i>), a target gene of miR268, was dramatically decreased by Cd treatment. Overexpression of miR268 inhibited rice seedling growth under Cd stress. The transgenic miR268-overexpressing plant leaves contained increased levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, and their seedlings accumulated increased levels of Cd when compared to those in wild-type plants. These results indicate that miR268 acts as a negative regulator of rice’s tolerance to Cd stress. Thus, miRNA-guided regulation of gene expression plays an important role in plant responses to heavy-metal stress

Schematic Demonstrating Element Movement and Redistribution in a 2-D Domain.

<p>A. When a smooth muscle cell undergoes division, four new matrix elements are inserted into the grid. The new elements can be produced from each of the 4 sides of the cell. In each of the four scenarios when a matrix element is produced, the new matrix element pushes the adjacent cells in the direction of lumen. B. Element redistribution algorithm, demonstrating the shifts which occur when neighboring columns manifest a greater than 2-element difference.</p

Agent-Based Model Results for a Focal Mid-Graft Stenosis Simulation.

<p><b>A</b>. 2-D simulation results at 1, 7, 14, and 28 days after implantation. Extracellular matrix (gray), smooth muscle cells (green), and monocytes (red). <b>B</b>. Comparison between simulation results (dashed lines) and experimental data (symbols) for intimal thickening at 28 days following implantation. Model results are the average of 100 simulations and experimental results are an average of 5 independent grafts.</p

Flow Chart of the Rule-Based Simulation of Vein Graft Remodeling.

<p>Flow Chart of the Rule-Based Simulation of Vein Graft Remodeling.</p

Model coefficients derived through regression analysis of primary experimental data.

<p>Model coefficients derived through regression analysis of primary experimental data.</p