Overexpression of the aphid-induced serine protease inhibitor <i>CI2c </i>gene in barley affects the generalist green peach aphid, not the specialist bird cherry-oat aphid

<div><p>Aphids are serious pests in crop plants. In an effort to identify plant genes controlling resistance against aphids, we have here studied a protease inhibitor, CI2c in barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i> L.). The <i>CI2c</i> gene was earlier shown to be upregulated by herbivory of the bird cherry-oat aphid <i>(Rhopalosiphum padi</i> L.<i>)</i> in barley genotypes with moderate resistance against this aphid, but not in susceptible lines. We hypothesized that CI2c contributes to the resistance. To test this idea, cDNA encoding <i>CI2c</i> was overexpressed in barley and bioassays were carried out with <i>R</i>. <i>padi</i>. For comparison, tests were carried out with the green peach aphid (<i>Myzus persicae</i> Sulzer), for which barley is a poor host. The performance of <i>R</i>. <i>padi</i> was not different on the <i>CI2c</i>-overexpressing lines in comparison to controls in test monitoring behavior and fecundity. <i>M</i>. <i>persicae</i> preference was affected as shown in the choice test, this species moved away from control plants, but remained on the <i>CI2c</i>-overexpressing lines. <i>R</i>. <i>padi</i>-induced responses related to defense were repressed in the overexpressing lines as compared to in control plants or the moderately resistant genotypes. A putative susceptibility gene, coding for a β-1,3-glucanase was more strongly induced by aphids in one of the <i>CI2c</i>-overexpressing lines. The results indicate that the CI2c inhibitor in overexpressing lines affects aphid-induced responses by suppressing defense. This is of little consequence to the specialist <i>R</i>.<i>padi</i>, but causes lower non-host resistance towards the generalist <i>M</i>. <i>persicae</i> in barley.</p></div

Chromosomes 4 and 8 implicated in a genome wide SNP linkage scan of 762 prostate cancer families collected by the ICPCG

BACKGROUND In spite of intensive efforts, understanding of the genetic aspects of familial prostate cancer (PC) remains largely incomplete. In a previous microsatellite‐based linkage scan of 1,233 PC families, we identified suggestive evidence for linkage (i.e., LOD ≥ 1.86) at 5q12, 15q11, 17q21, 22q12, and two loci on 8p, with additional regions implicated in subsets of families defined by age at diagnosis, disease aggressiveness, or number of affected members. METHODS In an attempt to replicate these findings and increase linkage resolution, we used the Illumina 6000 SNP linkage panel to perform a genome‐wide linkage scan of an independent set of 762 multiplex PC families, collected by 11 International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ICPCG) groups. RESULTS Of the regions identified previously, modest evidence of replication was observed only on the short arm of chromosome 8, where HLOD scores of 1.63 and 3.60 were observed in the complete set of families and families with young average age at diagnosis, respectively. The most significant linkage signals found in the complete set of families were observed across a broad, 37 cM interval on 4q13–25, with LOD scores ranging from 2.02 to 2.62, increasing to 4.50 in families with older average age at diagnosis. In families with multiple cases presenting with more aggressive disease, LOD scores over 3.0 were observed at 8q24 in the vicinity of previously identified common PC risk variants, as well as MYC , an important gene in PC biology. CONCLUSIONS These results will be useful in prioritizing future susceptibility gene discovery efforts in this common cancer. Prostate 72:410–426, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90245/1/21443_ftp.pd

Analysis of Xq27-28 linkage in the international consortium for prostate cancer genetics (ICPCG) families.

BACKGROUND: Genetic variants are likely to contribute to a portion of prostate cancer risk. Full elucidation of the genetic etiology of prostate cancer is difficult because of incomplete penetrance and genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Current evidence suggests that genetic linkage to prostate cancer has been found on several chromosomes including the X; however, identification of causative genes has been elusive. METHODS: Parametric and non-parametric linkage analyses were performed using 26 microsatellite markers in each of 11 groups of multiple-case prostate cancer families from the International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ICPCG). Meta-analyses of the resultant family-specific linkage statistics across the entire 1,323 families and in several predefined subsets were then performed. RESULTS: Meta-analyses of linkage statistics resulted in a maximum parametric heterogeneity lod score (HLOD) of 1.28, and an allele-sharing lod score (LOD) of 2.0 in favor of linkage to Xq27-q28 at 138 cM. In subset analyses, families with average age at onset less than 65 years exhibited a maximum HLOD of 1.8 (at 138 cM) versus a maximum regional HLOD of only 0.32 in families with average age at onset of 65 years or older. Surprisingly, the subset of families with only 2-3 affected men and some evidence of male-to-male transmission of prostate cancer gave the strongest evidence of linkage to the region (HLOD = 3.24, 134 cM). For this subset, the HLOD was slightly increased (HLOD = 3.47 at 134 cM) when families used in the original published report of linkage to Xq27-28 were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was not strong support for linkage to the Xq27-28 region in the complete set of families, the subset of families with earlier age at onset exhibited more evidence of linkage than families with later onset of disease. A subset of families with 2-3 affected individuals and with some evidence of male to male disease transmission showed stronger linkage signals. Our results suggest that the genetic basis for prostate cancer in our families is much more complex than a single susceptibility locus on the X chromosome, and that future explorations of the Xq27-28 region should focus on the subset of families identified here with the strongest evidence of linkage to this region.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020

The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery. EPOS2020 also involves new stakeholders, including pharmacists and patients, and addresses new target users who have become more involved in the management and treatment of rhinosinusitis since the publication of the last EPOS document, including pharmacists, nurses, specialised care givers and indeed patients themselves, who employ increasing self-management of their condition using over the counter treatments. The document provides suggestions for future research in this area and offers updated guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in research in different settings. EPOS2020 contains chapters on definitions and classification where we have defined a large number of terms and indicated preferred terms. A new classification of CRS into primary and secondary CRS and further division into localized and diffuse disease, based on anatomic distribution is proposed. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, allergic rhinitis, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. All available evidence for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is systematically reviewed and integrated care pathways based on the evidence are proposed. Despite considerable increases in the amount of quality publications in recent years, a large number of practical clinical questions remain. It was agreed that the best way to address these was to conduct a Delphi exercise. The results have been integrated into the respective sections. Last but not least, advice for patients and pharmacists and a new list of research needs are included.Peer reviewe

Chromosomes 4 and 8 implicated in a genome wide SNP linkage scan of 762 prostate cancer families collected by the ICPCG

In spite of intensive efforts, understanding of the genetic aspects of familial prostate cancer remains largely incomplete. In a previous microsatellite-based linkage scan of 1233 prostate cancer (PC) families, we identified suggestive evidence for linkage (i.e. LOD≥1.86) at 5q12, 15q11, 17q21, 22q12, and two loci on 8p, with additional regions implicated in subsets of families defined by age at diagnosis, disease aggressiveness, or number of affected members

An original phylogenetic approach identified mitochondrial haplogroup T1a1 as inversely associated with breast cancer risk in BRCA2 mutation carriers

Introduction: Individuals carrying pathogenic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are involved in DNA double-strand break repair, DNA alterations that can be caused by exposure to reactive oxygen species, a main source of which are mitochondria. Mitochondrial genome variations affect electron transport chain efficiency and reactive oxygen species production. Individuals with different mitochondrial haplogroups differ in their metabolism and sensitivity to oxidative stress. Variability in mitochondrial genetic background can alter reactive oxygen species production, leading to cancer risk. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial haplogroups modify breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Methods: We genotyped 22,214 (11,421 affected, 10,793 unaffected) mutation carriers belonging to the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 for 129 mitochondrial polymorphisms using the iCOGS array. Haplogroup inference and association detection were performed using a phylogenetic approach. ALTree was applied to explore the reference mitochondrial evolutionary tree and detect subclades enriched in affected or unaffected individuals. Results: We discovered that subclade T1a1 was depleted in affected BRCA2 mutation carriers compared with the rest of clade T (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34 to 0.88; P = 0.01). Compared with the most frequent haplogroup in the general population (that is, H and T clades), the T1a1 haplogroup has a HR of 0.62 (95% CI, 0.40 to 0.95; P = 0.03). We also identified three potential susceptibility loci, including G13708A/rs28359178, which has demonstrated an inverse association with familial breast cancer risk. Conclusions: This study illustrates how original approaches such as the phylogeny-based method we used can empower classical molecular epidemiological studies aimed at identifying association or risk modification effects.Peer reviewe

Genome-Wide Association Study in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers Identifies Novel Loci Associated with Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk

BRCA1-associated breast and ovarian cancer risks can be modified by common genetic variants. To identify further cancer risk-modifying loci, we performed a multi-stage GWAS of 11,705 BRCA1 carriers (of whom 5,920 were diagnosed with breast and 1,839 were diagnosed with ovarian cancer), with a further replication in an additional sample of 2,646 BRCA1 carriers. We identified a novel breast cancer risk modifier locus at 1q32 for BRCA1 carriers (rs2290854, P = 2.7×10-8, HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.09-1.20). In addition, we identified two novel ovarian cancer risk modifier loci: 17q21.31 (rs17631303, P = 1.4×10-8, HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38) and 4q32.3 (rs4691139, P = 3.4×10-8, HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.38). The 4q32.3 locus was not associated with ovarian cancer risk in the general population or BRCA2 carriers, suggesting a BRCA1-specific associat

Design of stand-alone outdoor lighting : An exterior design concept of a LED unit where the electricity is generated using photo voltaic

Uppdragsgivaren Su-Ping Chen Burman har med sitt företag SC Burman utvecklat en fristående enhet för offentlig utomhusbelysning som i linje med hållbar utveckling är självförsörjande och på så vis fungerar utan kontakt med befintligt elnät. Konceptet hade designats helt utifrån tekniska förutsättningar och därför efterfrågades en ny gestaltning för att passa in i fler miljöer med andra krav på en utvecklad estetisk design med ett nytt helhetsintryck. Uppdraget formulerades så att ett exteriört designkoncept skulle skapas med stora friheter och helst utan tanke på originallösningens utseende. En kravspecifikation gjordes på produkten utifrån fyra huvudkomponenter; solcellsmodul, LED-armatur, hållare (stolpe) och batteri. Dessa valdes vid en tidig komponentanalys av belysningslösningen och vid ytterligare en analys bestämdes komponenterna solcellsmodul, hållare (stolpe) och LED-armatur till definierande komponenter för gestalten. De tre arbetades därför i huvudsak med under skapandeprocessen. Då produkten är självförsörjande med hjälp av solenergi har den koppling till design med hållbar utveckling. Detta motiverade till en teoretisk del i arbetet, innehållandes en överskådlig livscykelanalys av de gestaltade huvudkomponenterna, samt en teknisk beskrivning av solcellsmoduler och LED-armatur. De olika aktiviteterna i projektet har varit planering, förstudie, konceptgenerering, konceptval och utveckling av koncept. Utvärderingar och val av koncept genom processen gjordes i samråd med uppdragsgivare, handledare, innovationsrådgivare och potentiell slutkund. Konceptgenereringen bestod av en parallell process av idégenerering och framtagning av koncept. Konceptgenerering och konceptval utfördes i två faser, varav den första resulterade i ett bestämt tema för konceptet vilket var formgivning med inspiration av ett klassiskt parasoll. Temat togs med i den andra fasen av konceptgenerering, vilken resulterade i ett val av slutkoncept. Det stod dock mellan två konceptförslag, därför valdes ett mera organiskt koncept att modelleras i CAD och 3D-printas. Därefter lämnades ett besked från uppdragsgivaren att det andra konceptet, vilket var mera geometrisk till formen önskades som slutligt koncept. Konceptet som namngivits till koncept 8.a Geometriskt modellerades i CAD och 3D-printades i skala 1:15, samt renderades. 3D-printning gjordes för en fysisk uppskattning av konceptet, medan renderingen visade hur konceptet kan komma att se ut med tänkta material. I tillägg gavs även en bild av hur proportionerna, dimensioner och storlek, kan se ut i förhållande till användare. Den 3D-printade modellen visades på en utställning som gjordes i samband med presentationer av samtliga examensarbeten från högskoleingenjörsutbildningen i innovationsteknik och design vid Karlstad universitet år 2015.Su-Ping Chen Burman has with her company SC Burman developed a standalone unit for public outdoor lighting. It is in line with sustainable development since it is self-sufficient and works without contact with the existing power grid. The design of the standalone unit had been entirely based on the technical prerequisites and the form came secondary. Therefore a new aesthetic design was requested. The request was for an aesthetic design that would fit into public places like playgrounds and outdoor gyms. The mission was to create an exterior design concept without any concern for the original solution’s appearance. A primary requirements specification was made for the product and the specification was based on four main components; solar cell module, LED luminaire, holder (s) and battery. To identify components defining the concept design of the lighting solution a second analysis was made. Solar cell module, LED luminaire and holder(s) were the ones chosen and the three components were therefore essential during the creation process. When the device is self-powered using solar energy it has a link to design with sustainable development. This motivated the theoretical part of the work; a foreseeable life cycle analysis of the components defining the concept design, as well as a technical description of the solar cells and LED luminaire. The main activities of the product development were project planning, feasibility study and the parallel process of generating, developing and evaluating ideas and concepts. Evaluation and selection of the concept through the process was done in consultation with clients, supervisor, innovation advisor and a potential end-customer. The process of generating and selecting concepts for development was carried out in two phases. The first phase defined a certain theme for the aesthetic design of the concept - a classic parasol. The second phase of the creation process was creating with inspiration from this theme. The result of the second phase led to an election mainly between two concepts, where one was to be developed as the final exterior concept for the lighting solution. One of the concepts, an organic one was therefore modelled in 3D-CAD and 3D-printed. Subsequently Burman desired the other alternative, a concept geometrical in form, as the final one. The concept named concept 8.a Geometrical was modeled in CAD, 3D-printed in a scale 1:15 and rendered. The 3D-printing gave a physical appreciation of the concept, while rendering showed how the concept could look like with supposed material. In addition the rendered pictures gave an appreciation of proportions, dimensions and size in relation to users. The end result of the project was shown at an exhibition for Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Design and at Karlstad University in spring 2015