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Gaito S, Hwang E, Burnet N, Foden P, Howells C, Pan S, Whitfield G, Crellin A, Smith E. US-UK collaboration in Proton therapy: The Proton Overseas Program. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.07.2456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Grewal S, Hubbart‐Edwards S, Yang C, Devi U, Baker L, Heath J, Ashling S, Scholefield D, Howells C, Yarde J, Isaac P, King IP, King J. Rapid identification of homozygosity and site of wild relative introgressions in wheat through chromosome-specific KASP genotyping assays. Plant Biotechnol J 2020; 18:743-755. [PMID: 31465620 PMCID: PMC7004896 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
For future food security, it is important that wheat, one of the most widely consumed crops in the world, can survive the threat of abiotic and biotic stresses. New genetic variation is currently being introduced into wheat through introgressions from its wild relatives. For trait discovery, it is necessary that each introgression is homozygous and hence stable. Breeding programmes rely on efficient genotyping platforms for marker-assisted selection (MAS). Recently, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based markers have been made available on high-throughput Axiom® SNP genotyping arrays. However, these arrays are inflexible in their design and sample numbers, making their use unsuitable for long-term MAS. SNPs can potentially be converted into Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP™) assays that are comparatively cost-effective and efficient for low-density genotyping of introgression lines. However, due to the polyploid nature of wheat, KASP assays for homoeologous SNPs can have difficulty in distinguishing between heterozygous and homozygous hybrid lines in a backcross population. To identify co-dominant SNPs, that can differentiate between heterozygotes and homozygotes, we PCR-amplified and sequenced genomic DNA from potential single-copy regions of the wheat genome and compared them to orthologous copies from different wild relatives. A panel of 620 chromosome-specific KASP assays have been developed that allow rapid detection of wild relative segments and provide information on their homozygosity and site of introgression in the wheat genome. A set of 90 chromosome-nonspecific assays was also produced that can be used for genotyping introgression lines. These multipurpose KASP assays represent a powerful tool for wheat breeders worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surbhi Grewal
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | - Stella Hubbart‐Edwards
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | - Caiyun Yang
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | - Urmila Devi
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | - Lauren Baker
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | - Jack Heath
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | - Stephen Ashling
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | - Duncan Scholefield
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | - Caroline Howells
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | | | - Peter Isaac
- IDna Genetics Ltd.Norwich Research ParkNorwichUK
| | - Ian P. King
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
| | - Julie King
- Nottingham BBSRC Wheat Research CentreSchool of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamLoughboroughLeicestershireUK
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Péret B, Swarup K, Ferguson A, Seth M, Yang Y, Dhondt S, James N, Casimiro I, Perry P, Syed A, Yang H, Reemmer J, Venison E, Howells C, Perez-Amador MA, Yun J, Alonso J, Beemster GT, Laplaze L, Murphy A, Bennett MJ, Nielsen E, Swarup R. AUX/LAX genes encode a family of auxin influx transporters that perform distinct functions during Arabidopsis development. Plant Cell 2012; 24:2874-85. [PMID: 22773749 PMCID: PMC3426120 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.112.097766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2012] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 06/19/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Auxin transport, which is mediated by specialized influx and efflux carriers, plays a major role in many aspects of plant growth and development. AUXIN1 (AUX1) has been demonstrated to encode a high-affinity auxin influx carrier. In Arabidopsis thaliana, AUX1 belongs to a small multigene family comprising four highly conserved genes (i.e., AUX1 and LIKE AUX1 [LAX] genes LAX1, LAX2, and LAX3). We report that all four members of this AUX/LAX family display auxin uptake functions. Despite the conservation of their biochemical function, AUX1, LAX1, and LAX3 have been described to regulate distinct auxin-dependent developmental processes. Here, we report that LAX2 regulates vascular patterning in cotyledons. We also describe how regulatory and coding sequences of AUX/LAX genes have undergone subfunctionalization based on their distinct patterns of spatial expression and the inability of LAX sequences to rescue aux1 mutant phenotypes, respectively. Despite their high sequence similarity at the protein level, transgenic studies reveal that LAX proteins are not correctly targeted in the AUX1 expression domain. Domain swapping studies suggest that the N-terminal half of AUX1 is essential for correct LAX localization. We conclude that Arabidopsis AUX/LAX genes encode a family of auxin influx transporters that perform distinct developmental functions and have evolved distinct regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Péret
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kamal Swarup
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Ferguson
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Malvika Seth
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Yaodong Yang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Stijn Dhondt
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nicholas James
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ilda Casimiro
- Universidad de Extremadura, Facultad de Ciencias, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Paula Perry
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Adnan Syed
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Haibing Yang
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906
| | - Jesica Reemmer
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906
| | - Edward Venison
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Howells
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jeonga Yun
- Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Jose Alonso
- Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Gerrit T.S. Beemster
- Laboratory for Molecular Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, University of Antwerpen, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Laurent Laplaze
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Unité Mixte de Recherche Diversité Adaptation et Développement des Plantes (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement/Université Montpellier 2), 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Angus Murphy
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906
| | - Malcolm J. Bennett
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Erik Nielsen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Ranjan Swarup
- School of Biosciences and Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, University of Nottingham, LE12 5RD Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Address correspondence to
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Howells C, Stinauer M, Diot Q, Westerly D, Schefter T, Kavanagh B, Miften M. MO-G-BRC-04: Normal Liver Tissue Density Dose-Response in Patients Treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Liver Metastases. Med Phys 2011. [DOI: 10.1118/1.3613061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Jones P, Devonshire J, Dabek A, Howells C. First Report of Cassava Common Mosaic Potexvirus Infecting Chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa) in Tuvalu. Plant Dis 1998; 82:591. [PMID: 30856999 DOI: 10.1094/pdis.1998.82.5.591b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa McVaugh) was introduced into Tu-valu as a leaf vegetable in the early 1990s (1) with the primary objective of alleviating vitamin A and C deficiencies, which at that time were prevalent throughout the population. Although there are no definitive quarantine records, we believe that the crop originated from vegetative cuttings introduced into Funafuti atoll from Kiribati. In the years following its introduction, chaya was distributed as cuttings taken from the original, introduced germplasm, to other islands and atolls of Tuvalu. The occurrence of yellow patches on the mature leaves of chaya cultivated in Funafuti had previously been attributed to iron deficiency, which was the inevitable consequence of growing the crop on coral atoll soils that are well known to be poor sources of metallic ions, notably iron, zinc, and copper. Following heavy cyclonic rains in March 1997, young, emerging chaya leaves were noted to exhibit an angular mosaic of the leaf lamina, characteristic of virus infections. Negatively stained sap from mosaic-affected leaves, when examined in the transmission electron microscope, was found to contain many rod-shaped virus particles similar in morphology to those of the Potexviridae (approximately 510 × 15 nm). The virus was transmitted mechanically to Chenopodium amaranticolor, in which it induced local lesion symptoms. The virus was found to be more closely related serologically to cassava common mosaic potexvirus (CsCMV) from Brazil than to that from Colombia, by immunosorbent electron microscopy with antisera kindly provided by F. Morales. Recently, CsCMV particles have been found in mosaic-affected chaya derived from the original Funafuti mother plants on Vaitupu Island. Similar symptoms have been observed on chaya being cultivated in Nui and Nanumaga islands. We conclude that CsCMV must now have been distributed throughout the atolls and islands of Tuvalu by infected planting material. We believe this to be the first report of the occurrence of CsCMV outside Central America and the first record of a plant virus from Tuvalu. Reference: (1) C. Howells and M. Bainbridge. 1996. South Pacific Commission, Pacific Island Forests and Trees. Page 10.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Jones
- Department of Crop & Disease Management, IACR Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, England
| | - J Devonshire
- Department of Crop & Disease Management, IACR Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, England
| | - A Dabek
- Department of Agriculture, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu
| | - C Howells
- Department of Agriculture, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu
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Jones P, Devonshire J, Dabek A, Howells C. First Report of Hibiscus Chlorotic Ringspot Carmovirus in Tuvalu. Plant Dis 1998; 82:591. [PMID: 30857000 DOI: 10.1094/pdis.1998.82.5.591c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In September 1997, plants of Hibiscus manihot (locally called nambele) were observed on Vaitupu Island, Tuvalu, exhibiting an angular leaf mosaic and chlorosis that was not always clearly discernible. Electron microscopy of negatively stained sap from affected leaves revealed the presence of numerous isometric virus particles 28 nm in diameter. Poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis of purified virus gave a single protein band of Mr 38,000 similar to that of the carmoviruses. Immunosorbent electron microscopy tests with antisera kindly provided by N. Spence showed the virus to be hibiscus chlorotic ringspot carmovirus (HCRSV) (1). This virus is also reported from El Salvador, the U.S., Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It is not known how the virus reached Tuvalu but we suspect it was via infected cuttings, which were imported for the production of food supplements to combat acute deficiencies of vitamins A and C in the population. The virus is most likely to have been disseminated throughout the islands and atolls of Tuvalu through infected cuttings. Local spread within fields could occur through contaminated hands and cutting implements because of the ease with which the virus is mechanically transmitted. Reference: (1) H. E.Waterworth et al. Phytopathology 66:570, 1976.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Jones
- Department of Crop & Disease Management, IACR Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, England
| | - J Devonshire
- Department of Crop & Disease Management, IACR Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, England
| | - A Dabek
- Department of Agriculture, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu
| | - C Howells
- Department of Agriculture, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu
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Main J, Brown JL, Howells C, Galassini R, Crossey M, Karayiannis P, Georgiou P, Atkinson G, Thomas HC. A double blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the effect of famciclovir on virus replication in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. J Viral Hepat 1996; 3:211-5. [PMID: 8871884 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.1996.tb00098.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
This is the first double-blind controlled study of famciclovir, an oral antiviral agent, as potential therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carries. A fall of more than 90% in HBV DNA levels was noted in six of 11 evaluable patients treated with a 10 day course of oral famciclovir. Further studies with more prolonged therapy are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Main
- Department of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, UK
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Mennen U, Howells C, Wiese AJ. Serum zinc, sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium levels and standard diet in leprosy patients. Indian J Lepr 1993; 65:415-21. [PMID: 8182288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Serum zinc levels were estimated in different types of leprosy by means of the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method in 64 leprosy patients, comprising of tuberculoid tuberculoid (TT) (5), borderline tuberculoid (BT) (6), borderline borderline (BB) (10), borderline lepromatous (BL) (13), lepromatous lepromatous (LL) (14) and burnt-out leprosy (BO) (16). These findings were evaluated in comparison to 86 normal control subjects who were served the same standard diet. Serum zinc levels were significantly low in the total leprosy group. The findings of this study are of clinical importance as zinc deficiency can be one of the factors involved in suppression of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in lepromatous leprosy. This again has a bearing on the management of wounds and wound healing. This study also reveals that altered levels of the serum elements (eg. calcium and sodium) have a direct association with the disease and not with food deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Mennen
- Department of Hand and Microsurgery, Medical University of South Africa, Pretoria
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