Impact of the MON89788 event for glyphosate tolerance on agronomic and seed traits of soybean and molecular characterization of the mutant fap3(A22) allele for reduced palmitate concentration in soybean

Glyphosate is a popular herbicide for weed control in fields planted to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars with a transgene that provides tolerance to the chemical. A transgenic event MON89788, known commercially as Roundup Ready 2 Yield y, was developed by the Monsanto Co. as an alternative to the event 40-3-2 for glyphosate tolerance in soybean. The objective of our study was to compare the agronomic and seed traits of glyphosate-tolerant (GT) lines and glyphosate-susceptible (GS) lines from populations segregating for MON89788. The transgene was backcrossed into three GS cultivars to develop BC2 populations. There were 27 GT and 27 GS BC2F2-derived lines from each backcross population evaluated at four Iowa environments in 2010. The means of the GT lines were not significantly different from the GS lines in any of the populations for seed yield, lodging score, and palmitate, oleate, and linoleate concentrations. The maximum significant difference between the means of the two types was 0.4 d for maturity date, 2 cm for plant height, 5 mg sd-1 for seed weight, and 2 g kg-1 for protein, 1 g kg-1 for oil, 1 g kg-1 for stearate, and 0.2 g kg-1 for linolenate concentrations. The significant differences among lines within each type and the overlap in their distributions for all of the traits indicated that it would be possible to select GT or GS lines with comparable performance from populations developed by crossing a GS parent to a GT parent with the MON89788 event. Reduction of the palmitate concentration in soybean oil is desirable for reducing the amount of saturated fat in the human diet. Chemical mutagenesis was used to develop the line A22, with the mutant allele designated fap3(A22) that reduces palmitate concentration in the seed oil. The objective of our study was to determine the molecular basis of the fap3(A22) mutation and develop a corresponding molecular marker to assist in future efforts for developing soybean cultivars with low saturated fat. DNA sequence analysis of GmFATB1a, the major 16:0-ACP thioesterase gene of soybean, revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) resulting in a nonconservative amino acid substitution that is likely to be detrimental to enzyme function. An association analysis was conducted using F2-derived lines from a cross between the cultivar Archer (Fap3Fap3) and A22 (fap3fap3) that had been analyzed for their palmitate concentration by gas chromatography. Molecular genotyping of these lines established a perfect correlation between lines phenotypically classified as homozygous for the Fap3 allele or homozygous for the fap3(A22) allele based on their palmitate concentration. The polymorphism in the GmFATB1a gene was used to develop a functional, co-dominant marker that could be used to distinguish the Fap3 and fap3(A22) alleles in segregating populations. This marker will be useful for breeders who are developing low-saturate cultivars with the fap3(A22) allele

Sampling, recruitment, and retention in a bereavement intervention study: experiences from the living after loss project

Journal ArticleThis paper reports on the sampling and recruitment challenges, as well as the strategies used to address them in the Living After Loss (LAL) project, a bereavement intervention study conducted in Salt Lake City and San Francisco comparing two 14-week group conditions with follow-up. We encountered three major challenges: 1) difficulty determining eligibility for some potential participants who were contacted, 2) locating and recruiting nonwhites, and 3) unavailable phone numbers for approximately one-third of those we attempted to contact. Despite these challenges, we achieved a 42% response rate with a sample size of 328 participants comprising 15% nonwhite. Eighty-five percent of the participants completed all of the follow-up data points. Leading factors in participants' decisions to join and remain in the study were 1) opportunities to obtain help and support, 2) to potentially help other bereaved individuals, 3) to contribute to research, and 4) their on-going interactions with a professional, empathetic, and culturally sensitive project staff. Effectively focusing recruitment efforts and carefully and systematically training research staff were among the most effective strategies we employed and therefore suggest for those planning similar investigations

Humor, laughter, and happiness in the daily lives of recently bereaved spouses

Journal ArticleThe positive psychology movement has created more interest in examining the potential value of experiencing positive emotions (e.g., humor, laughter, and happiness) during the course of bereavement. This study of 292 recently widowed (5-24 weeks) men (39%) and women (61%) age 50 and over examined both the perceived importance of and actual experience of having positive emotions in their daily lives and how they might impact bereavement adjustments. We found that most of the bereaved spouses rated humor and happiness as being very important in their daily lives and that they were also experiencing these emotions at higher levels than expected. Experiencing humor, laughter, and happiness was strongly associated with favorable bereavement adjustments (lower grief and depression) regardless of the extent to which the bereaved person valued having these positive emotions

Restoration after bereavement

Journal ArticleThe death of a spouse in later life, after many years of marriage is one of the most common of all major stressful life transitions. After age 65, 32% of the U.S. population is widowed (14% for men and 45% for women) with this increasing to 46% after age 75 and 66% after the age of 85 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000)

Constitutively active acetylcholine-dependent potassium current increases atrial defibrillation threshold by favoring post-shock re-initiation

Electrical cardioversion (ECV), a mainstay in atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment, is unsuccessful in up to 10-20% of patients. An important aspect of the remodeling process caused by AF is the constitutive activition of the atrium-specific acetylcholine-dependent potassium current (I-K,I-ACh -> I-K,I-ACh-c), which is associated with ECV failure. This study investigated the role of I-K,I-ACh-c in ECV failure and setting the atrial defibrillation threshold (aDFT) in optically mapped neonatal rat cardiomyocyte monolayers. AF was induced by burst pacing followed by application of biphasic shocks of 25-100 V to determine aDFT. Blocking I-K,I-ACh-c by tertiapin significantly decreased DFT, which correlated with a significant increase in wavelength during reentry. Genetic knockdown experiments, using lentiviral vectors encoding a Kcnj5-specific shRNA to modulate I-K,I-ACh-c, yielded similar results. Mechanistically, failed ECV was attributed to incomplete phase singularity (PS) removal or reemergence of PSs (i.e. re-initiation) through unidirectional propagation of shock-induced action potentials. Re-initiation occurred at significantly higher voltages than incomplete PS-removal and was inhibited by I-K,I-ACh-c blockade. Whole-heart mapping confirmed our findings showing a 60% increase in ECV success rate after I-K,I-ACh-c blockade. This study provides new mechanistic insight into failing ECV of AF and identifies I-K,I-ACh-c as possible atrium-specific target to increase ECV effectiveness, while decreasing its harmfulness

Older LGBT Adults’ End-of-Life Conversations: Findings from Nova Scotia, Canada

Although increasing research attention in North America is being paid to the health and social disparities experienced among older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations, end-of-life (EOL) preparations among these populations are not yet well understood. This study explored older LGBT individuals’ EOL preparations and service providers’ perceptions of such provisions. In this qualitative study, we conducted three focus groups with 15 LGBT adults aged 60 and older who have at least one chronic health condition and live in Nova Scotia. We also conducted one focus group with four service providers. We identified four themes: (a) LGBT communities of care have changed over time, (b) difficulties in asking others for help, (c) hesitancy in thinking about end-of-life, and (d) varying views on the helpfulness of internet technology. The findings illustrate ongoing tensions between being “out” about one’s sexual orientation or gender identity and being able to engage with social and health care providers in determining EOL planning.   Résumé Bien que les recherches en Amérique du Nord s’intéressent de plus en plus aux disparités sanitaires et sociales connues par les personnes âgées lesbiennes, gaies, bisexuelles et transgenres (LGBT), les questions des préparatifs de fin de vie au sein de ces populations ne sont pas encore bien comprises. Cette étude a exploré les préparatifs de fin de vie des personnes âgées LGBT et les perceptions qu’ont les fournisseurs de services de ces prestations. Dans cette étude qualitative, nous avons organisé trois groupes de consultation avec 15 adultes LGBT âgés de 60 ans et plus, qui ont au moins un problème de santé chronique et vivent en Nouvelle-Écosse. Nous avons également organisé un groupe de consultation avec quatre fournisseurs de services. Nous avons cerné quatre thèmes : (a) l’évolution des communautés de soins LGBT au fil du temps, (b) les difficultés à demander de l’aide aux autres, (c) la réticence à réfléchir aux questions de fin de vie et (d) les points de vue variables sur l’utilité de la technologie Internet. Les résultats révèlent des tensions persistantes entre le fait d’avoir « déclaré publiquement » son orientation sexuelle ou son identité de genre et la capacité d’engager le dialogue avec des prestataires d’aide sociale et de soins de santé pour établir des préparatifs de fin de vie

A confluence of cultures: advance care planning in long-term care settings

Context: While policies may promote Advance Care Planning (ACP) discussions in long-term care (LTC) settings, practices often result in outcomes different from residents’ wishes. We attribute this to a confluence of cultures: healthcare; LTC settings; mainstream societal; and individuals’ ethno-cultures. This research explores these cultures as reflected in focus group discussions conducted with residents and family-of-residents in two LTC homes: one exclusively Chinese (EC); one multicultural (MC). Method: Fourteen residents and 13 family members participated in the four focus groups. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and themes were extracted and compared. Results: Four themes characterized residents’ discussions: 1-Variations in Range/Type of ACP Discussions/Actions; 2-Care of Family; 3-Reliance on Staff; and 4-Quality-of-Life at End-of-Life. Exclusively Chinese residents expressed reluctance to speak about ACP, were more likely to state “family would handle it,” less likely to call upon staff, and more acquiescent concerning death. Multicultural residents were more likely to pejoratively mention pull or absence of family and reliance upon staff; also, wanting personal awareness and control at end-of-life. Family themes were 1-Timing/Focus of ACP Discussions, 2-Communication with Family, 3-Care Home and Staff Influences, and 4-Cultural and Religious Issues. Exclusively Chinese families spoke of need to involve family in ACP discussions inclusive of residents and of Chinese cultural influences on ACP. Multicultural families reported being “taken by surprise” and feeling “overwhelmed” by requests to engage in ACP and document completion on behalf of residents. Conclusion: Findings provide evidence of multiple cultural influences on ACP in LTC but existing institutional policies and practices offer little direction and support on how to balance/prioritize them. Our analyses may provide a starting point

Neogenin and RGMa control neural tube closure and neuroepithelial morphology by regulating cell polarity

In humans, neural tube closure defects occur in 1: 1000 pregnancies. The design of new strategies for the prevention of such common defects would benefit from an improved understanding of the molecular events underlying neurulation. Neural fold elevation is a key morphological process that acts during neurulation to drive neural tube closure. However, to date, the molecular pathways underpinning neural fold elevation have not been elucidated. Here, we use morpholino knock-down technology to demonstrate that Repulsive Guidance Molecule (RGMa)-Neogenin interactions are essential for effective neural fold elevation during Xenopus neurulation and that loss of these molecules results in disrupted neural tube closure. We demonstrate that Neogenin and RGMa are required for establishing the morphology of deep layer cells in the neural plate throughout neurulation. We also show that loss of Neogenin severely disrupts the microtubule network within the deep layer cells suggesting that Neogenin-dependent microtubule organization within the deep cells is essential for radial intercalation with the overlying superficial cell layer, thereby driving neural fold elevation. In addition, we show that sustained Neogenin activity is also necessary for the establishment of the apicobasally polarized pseudostratified neuroepithelium of the neural tube. Therefore, our study identifies a novel signaling pathway essential for radial intercalation and epithelialization during neural fold elevation and neural tube morphogenesis. Copyright ©2008 Society for Neuroscienc

Equal but different! Improving care for older LGBT+ adults

International human rights movements have improved the visibility and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender+ (LGBT+) communities and their members. Health outcomes for LGBT+ people remain, however, worse than for their non-LGBT+ peers. Older LGBT+ people have experienced fewer positive changes, in part due to their lived experience of discrimination and their ongoing, unintentional invisibility in medical and social care. This article highlights the impacts of societal structure, health and social care on the lives of older LGBT+ people including physical and mental health, End of Life, Dementia, Housing and Care Settings, and a focus on the experiences of trans-people. We look at the existing improvements developed by LGBT+ communities (and their allies) and propose refreshing Person-Centred Care to improve inclusivity. Finally, we provide a framework for looking at the areas in which service challenges arise and suggest ways to address these to make health and social care services more ready to meet the needs of older LGBT+ people