A complex receptor locus confers responsiveness to necrosis and ethylene-inducing like peptides in Brassica napus

Brassica crops are susceptible to diseases which can be mitigated by breeding for resistance. MAMPs (microbe-associated molecular patterns) are conserved molecules of pathogens that elicit host defences known as pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Necrosis and Ethylene-inducing peptide 1-like proteins (NLPs) are MAMPs found in a wide range of phytopathogens. We studied the response to BcNEP2, a representative NLP from Botrytis cinerea, and showed that it contributes to disease resistance in Brassica napus. To map regions conferring NLP response, we used the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced during PTI across a population of diverse B. napus accessions for associative transcriptomics (AT), and bulk segregant analysis (BSA) on DNA pools created from a cross of NLP-responsive and non-responsive lines. In silico mapping with AT identified two peaks for NLP responsiveness on chromosomes A04 and C05 whereas the BSA identified one peak on A04. BSA delimited the region for NLP-responsiveness to 3 Mbp, containing ~245 genes on the Darmor-bzh reference genome and four co-segregating KASP markers were identified. The same pipeline with the ZS11 genome confirmed the highest-associated region on chromosome A04. Comparative BLAST analysis revealed unannotated clusters of receptor-like protein (RLP) homologues on ZS11 chromosome A04. However, no specific RLP homologue conferring NLP response could be identified. Our results also suggest that BR-SIGNALLING KINASE1 may be involved with modulating the NLP response. Overall, we demonstrate that responsiveness to NLP contributes to disease resistance in B. napus and define the associated genomic location. These results can have practical application in crop improvement.

Pathogen lifestyle determines host genetic signature of quantitative disease resistance loci in oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

KEY MESSAGE

Using associative transcriptomics, our study identifies genes conferring resistance to four diverse fungal pathogens in crops, emphasizing key genetic determinants of multi-pathogen resistance. Crops are affected by several pathogens, but these are rarely studied in parallel to identify common and unique genetic factors controlling diseases. Broad-spectrum quantitative disease resistance (QDR) is desirable for crop breeding as it confers resistance to several pathogen species. Here, we use associative transcriptomics (AT) to identify candidate gene loci associated with Brassica napus constitutive QDR to four contrasting fungal pathogens: Alternaria brassicicola, Botrytis cinerea, Pyrenopeziza brassicae, and Verticillium longisporum. We did not identify any shared loci associated with broad-spectrum QDR to fungal pathogens with contrasting lifestyles. Instead, we observed QDR dependent on the lifestyle of the pathogen-hemibiotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens had distinct QDR responses and associated loci, including some loci associated with early immunity. Furthermore, we identify a genomic deletion associated with resistance to V. longisporum and potentially broad-spectrum QDR. This is the first time AT has been used for several pathosystems simultaneously to identify host genetic loci involved in broad-spectrum QDR. We highlight constitutive expressed candidate loci for broad-spectrum QDR with no antagonistic effects on susceptibility to the other pathogens studies as candidates for crop breeding. In conclusion, this study represents an advancement in our understanding of broad-spectrum QDR in B. napus and is a significant resource for the scientific community.

Simulation of airfoil surface pressure due to incident turbulence using realizations of uncorrelated wall plane waves

A numerical technique is proposed for synthesizing realizations of airfoil surface pressure induced by incoming turbulence. In this approach, realization of the surface pressure field is expressed as a set of uncorrelated wall plane waves. The amplitude of these plane waves is determined from the power spectrum density function of the incoming upwash velocity fluctuation and the airfoil aeroacoustic transfer function. The auto-spectrum of the surface pressure is obtained from an ensemble average of different realizations. The numerical technique is computationally efficient as it rapidly converges using a relatively small number of realizations. The surface pressures for different airfoils excited by incoming turbulence are numerically predicted, and the results are compared with experimental data in the literature. Further, the unsteady force exerted on an airfoil due to the airfoil-turbulence interaction is also computed, and it is shown to be in very good agreement with analytical results.

Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Risk in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Insights From the DCCT/EDIC Study

Background

Hyperglycemia leading to increased oxidative stress is implicated in the increased risk for the development of macrovascular and microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results

A random subcohort of 349 participants was selected from the DCCT / EDIC (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications) cohort. This included 320 controls and 29 cardiovascular disease cases that were augmented with 98 additional known cases to yield a case cohort of 447 participants (320 controls, 127 cases). Biosamples from DCCT baseline, year 1, and closeout of DCCT , and 1 to 2 years post‐ DCCT ( EDIC years 1 and 2) were measured for markers of oxidative stress, including plasma myeloperoxidase, paraoxonase activity, urinary F 2α isoprostanes, and its metabolite, 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α . Following adjustment for glycated hemoblobin and weighting the observations inversely proportional to the sampling selection probabilities, higher paraoxonase activity, reflective of antioxidant activity, and 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , an oxidative marker, were significantly associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (−4.5% risk for 10% higher paraoxonase, P <0.003; −5.3% risk for 10% higher 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , P =0.0092). In contrast, the oxidative markers myeloperoxidase and F 2α isoprostanes were not significantly associated with cardiovascular disease after adjustment for glycated hemoblobin. There were no significant differences between DCCT intensive and conventional treatment groups in the change in all biomarkers across time segments.

Conclusions

Heightened antioxidant activity (rather than diminished oxidative stress markers) is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk in type 1 diabetes mellitus, but these biomarkers did not change over time with intensification of glycemic control.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL : https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifiers: NCT 00360815 and NCT 00360893.

Note. Reaction of Bacteria Associated with Fish Spoilage to Chemical and Physical Stress

A cocktail made up of six bacteria isolated from fish was subjected to various heats (30 °C and 60 °C, 20 s) and chemical preservative stresses, alone and in combination. The chemical preservatives tested were potassium sorbate (PS, 1%), trisodium phosphate (TSP, 10%) and tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP, 3%). Heating the bacteria at 60 °C for 20 s resulted in an average reduction of 2.0 log cfu/mL in the total number. The results showed amarked synergistic effect of heat treatment prior to chemical additives, especially for TSPP and sorbate; no significant effect was evident when chemicals were applied alone. The effect was increased by the application of chemical preservatives, before heating, in the decreasing order TSP, TSPP and sorbate; reductions obtained were more than 5.0, 4.0 and 3.0 log cfu/mL, respectively. The synergistic effect observed was dependent on the type of chemical additives used and also on the order of the treatments. Bacteria identified as Shewanella putrefaciens and Pseudomonas putida were more resistant to heat treatment and Brochothrix thermosphacta and Lactobacillus plantarum were more resistant to TSP treatment. These bacteria in the cocktail showed high sensitivity to combined TSP/heat treatment; bacterial cells identified as Enterobacter spp. were the most resistant to this treatment.

Efficacy and Biological Correlates of Response in a Phase II Study of Venetoclax Monotherapy in Patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

We present a phase II, single-arm study evaluating 800 mg daily venetoclax, a highly selective, oral small-molecule B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL2) inhibitor in patients with high-risk relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or unfit for intensive chemotherapy. Responses were evaluated following revised International Working Group (IWG) criteria. The overall response rate was 19%; an additional 19% of patients demonstrated antileukemic activity not meeting IWG criteria (partial bone marrow response and incomplete hematologic recovery). Twelve (38%) patients had isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 mutations, of whom 4 (33%) achieved complete response or complete response with incomplete blood count recovery. Six (19%) patients had BCL2-sensitive protein index at screening, which correlated with time on study. BH3 profiling was consistent with on-target BCL2 inhibition and identified potential resistance mechanisms. Common adverse events included nausea, diarrhea and vomiting (all grades), and febrile neutropenia and hypokalemia (grade 3/4). Venetoclax demonstrated activity and acceptable tolerability in patients with AML and adverse features.

SIGNIFICANCE

Venetoclax monotherapy demonstrated clinical activity in patients with AML (relapsed/refractory or unfit for intensive chemotherapy) with a tolerable safety profile in this phase II study. Predictive markers of response consistent with BCL2 dependence were identified. Clinical and preclinical findings provide a compelling rationale to evaluate venetoclax combined with other agents in AML. Cancer Discov; 6(10); 1106-17. ©2016 AACRSee related commentary by Pullarkat and Newman, p. 1082This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1069.

Contemporary characteristics of blunt abdominal trauma in a regional series from the UK

INTRODUCTION Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is a common injury in recent trauma series. The characteristics of patients with BAT have changed following the reconfiguration of UK trauma services. The aim of this study was to build a new profile for BAT patients undergoing immediate or delayed laparotomy. METHODS All 5,401 consecutive adults presenting with major trauma between April 2012 and April 2014 in the 3 major trauma centres in the West Midlands were analysed to identify all patients with BAT. A total of 2,793 patients with a mechanism of injury or symptomatology consistent with BAT were identified (52%). Outcomes were analysed using local electronic clinical results systems and notes. RESULTS Of the 2,793 patients, 179 (6.4%) had a mesenteric or hollow viscus injury, 168 (6.0%) had a hepatobiliary injury, 149 (5.4%) had a splenic injury and 46 (1.6%) had a vascular injury. Overall, 103 patients (3.7%) underwent an early (<12 hours) laparotomy while 30 (1.1%) underwent a delayed (>12 hours) laparotomy. Twenty (66.7%) of those undergoing a delayed laparotomy had a hollow viscus injury. In total, 170 deaths occurred among the BAT patients (6.1%). In the early laparotomy group, 53 patients died (51.5%) whereas in the delayed laparotomy group, 6 patients died (20.0%). CONCLUSIONS This series has attempted to provide the characteristics of patients with BAT in a large contemporary UK cohort. BAT was found to be a common type of injury. Early and delayed laparotomy occurred in 3.7% and 1.1% of these patients respectively, mostly because of hollow viscus injury in both cases. Outcomes were comparable with those in the international literature from regions with mature trauma services.

Primary mesenteric gastrointestinal stromal tumour

Primary mesenteric gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are rare tumours and can be included as a differential for an expanding intraabdominal mass. We present the case, in our institution, of a 72-year-old male who presented with non-specific symptoms and was diagnosed with a primary mesenteric GIST following resection. We report his follow-up and discuss the current theories as to the origins of these rare tumours and current treatment modalities.

Breast cancer after prophylactic mastectomy for Lobular Carcinoma-In-Situ (LCIS) - an unusual case

Bilateral risk reducing mastectomy results in the greatest breast cancer risk reduction but is an irreversible intervention. Total mastectomy can never remove all breast tissue and there is always a small risk of breast cancer. Regular follow up and surveillance is beneficial. We present the case of a 47-year-old woman who presented with axillary lymph node metastatic breast cancer after risk reducing mastectomy in which only Lobular Carcinoma-in-Situ (LCIS) was present on histopathology.

Elective right hemicolectomy: a twenty-year retrospective analysis of a single general surgeon's practice

AIM

Changes in working practices implemented over the last decade particularly with respect to subspecialisation have changed the working practices of the traditional general surgeon. The majority of non-colorectal specialists who wish to continue abdominal surgery have been limited to pursue right sided colorectal pathology only. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of colorectal procedures performed by one non-colorectal specialist general surgeon who commenced consultant practice in 1991 and compare these outcomes against the outcomes recorded in the literature for low and high volume caseload surgeons.

METHODS

The patient records of 131 patients who underwent right hemicolectomy by a single surgeon between March 1991 and December 2010 were retrieved and retrospectively analysed. All patients underwent midline laparotomy with two-layer handsewn end-end or end-side ileocolonic anastomoses. Complications of interest were postoperative deaths and clinically relevant anastomotic leaks as well as clinically diagnosed medical complications.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 61.5 years (range 17-83). A total of 92 patients were operated upon for colorectal malignancy and 39 patients for crohn's disease. No anastomotic leaks occurred. There was only a single inpatient death secondary to acute myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSION

Our small study of a single surgeon's career long practice for elective right hemicolectomies demonstrates that high standards in terms of anastomotic leak rates and operative mortality can be achieved in clinical practice by the non-specialist General Surgeon. However, prospective data collection would be required to apply this to the broader non-colorectal specialist community.

Believable Robot Characters

Believability of characters has been an objective in literature, theater, film, and animation. We argue that believable robot characters are important in human-robot interaction, as well. In particular, we contend that believable characters evoke users’ social responses that, for some tasks, lead to more natural interactions and are associated with improved task performance. In a dialogue-capable robot, a key to such believability is the integration of a consistent storyline, verbal and nonverbal behaviors, and sociocultural context. We describe our work in this area and present empirical results from three robot receptionist testbeds that operate "in the wild."

Deactivating chemical agents using enzyme-coated nanofibers formed by electrospinning

The coaxial electrospinning technique was investigated as a novel method to create stabilized, enzyme-containing fibers that have the potential to provide enhanced protection from chemical agents. Electrospinning is a versatile technique for the fabrication of polymer fibers with large length (cm to km): diameter (nm to μm) aspect ratios. The large surface to volume ratios, along with the biofriendly nature of this technique, enables the fabrication of fiber mats with high enzyme concentrations, which amplify the catalytic activity per unit volume of membrane. Blended composite (single-source) fibers incorporate enzyme throughout the fiber, which may limit substrate accessibility to the enzyme. In contrast, core/sheath fibers can be produced by coaxial electrospinning with very high enzyme loading (>80%) in the sheath without noticeable loss of enzymatic activity. Several core-sheath combinations have been explored with the toxin-mitigating enzyme DFPase in order to achieve fibers with optimum properties. The concentration of fluoride released, normalized for the amount of protein incorporated into the sheath, was used as a measure of the enzyme activity versus time. The coaxial core/sheath combination of PEO and DFPase produced the highest activity (~7.3 mM/mg).

Distribution, transport and exchanges of fine sediment, with tidal power implications: Severn Estuary, UK

The Severn, a hypertidal, high turbidity estuary, has a bed largely stripped of unconsolidated sediment. Its inter-tidal zone is mainly mudflats, the universal erosional trend of which is now proven. These are a source for sub-tidal mud accumulations in Newport Deep, much of Bridgwater Bay, less so in Bristol Deep and Cardiff Roads. The main estuary turbidity maximum is dominated by its exceptional turbidity and the cycling of this on two tidal timescales. It is the means to exchange fines between sources and sinks. It shows discontinuities in three planes - lutoclines, suspended sediment fronts and slug flow. Much of the estuary is verging on or actually barren. It has been designated under EU legislation for its fine sediment-induced naturally-depauperate nature. This is invalid as it is complicated by large scale ecosystem collapse due to climate change. Building a Cardiff-Weston barrage would induce a large rise in faunal abundance and biodiversity.

Clinical presentation and initial management of black men and white men with prostate cancer in the United Kingdom: the PROCESS cohort study

Background:

In the United States, Black men have a higher risk of prostate cancer and worse survival than do White men, but it is unclear whether this is because of differences in diagnosis and management. We re-examined these differences in the United Kingdom, where health care is free and unlikely to vary by socioeconomic status.

Methods:

This study is a population-based retrospective cohort study of men diagnosed with prostate cancer with data on ethnicity, prognostic factors, and clinical care. A Delphi panel considered the appropriateness of investigations and treatments received.

Results:

At diagnosis, Black men had similar clinical stage and Gleason scores but higher age-adjusted prostate-specific antigen levels (geometric mean ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.15–1.73). Black men underwent more investigations and were more likely to undergo radical treatment, although this was largely explained by their younger age. Even after age adjustment, Black men were more likely to undergo a bone scan (odds ratio 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05–1.80). The Delphi analysis did not suggest differential management by ethnicity.

Conclusions:

This UK-based study comparing Black men with White men found no evidence of differences in disease characteristics at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis, nor of under-investigation or under-treatment in Black men.

Mapping the essential structures of human ribosomal protein L7 for nuclear entry, ribosome assembly and function

Human large subunit protein L7 carries multiple nuclear localization signals (NLS) in its structure: there are three monobasic partite NLSs at the NH2-region of the first 54 amino acid residues and a bipartite in the middle section at position of 156-167. The C-region of the last 50 amino acid residues displays membrane binding nature, and might involve in forming a nuclear microbody for pre-nucleolar ribosome assembly. The middle section covers 144 amino acid residues which are essential for the structure and function of ribosome. This is evident from findings that truncated L7 without the NH2-region or the C-region, or missing both regions, is capable of reaching nucleolus and incorporating in ribosome, however, only ribosomes bearing truncated L7 without the NH2-region is capable of engaging in polysome formation. Combining with the phylogenic findings from homologous sequence alignment, the NH2-region of L7, besides being as a eukaryotic expansion segment, can be excluded from building a functional eukaryotic ribosome.

What drives variation in habitat use by Anolis lizards: habitat availability or selectivity?

Geographic variation in habitat availability may drive geographic variation in a species’ habitat use; alternatively, species adapted to particular habitat characteristics may use a habitat regardless of its availability within an environment. In this study, we investigated habitat use of two sympatric species of Anolis lizards that are morphologically specialized to use different microhabitats. We examined variation in microhabitat use and availability among four distinct forest types. In each forest type, we quantified available microhabitats (i.e., perch diameter, angle of inclination, and visibility), as well as microhabitats actually used by each species. We found that species consistently differed in microhabitat use, corresponding to each species’ morphological specializations. However, microhabitat use of both species varied among sites. This variation in Anolis gundlachi Peters, 1876 reflected differences in microhabitat availability, while the variation in Anolis krugi Peters, 1876 resulted from differential microhabitat selectivity. These results indicate that both habitat availability and habitat preferences must be examined in multiple localities for a species to understand the causes of variation in its habitat use.

Comparison of sevoflurane and isoflurane in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Isoflurane anesthesia is commonly used in ferrets for routine examinations and diagnostics. Sevoflurane is now being used as well, but there have been no studies to date directly comparing these agents in domestic ferrets. A prospective study was designed to evaluate the quality and speed of anesthetic induction and recovery using isoflurane and sevoflurane in ferrets. In addition effects on heart rate, blood pressure and packed cell volume were also recorded. No significant differences were noted between anesthetic agents.

Subthreshold rTMS over pre-motor cortex has no effect on tics in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome

OBJECTIVE

A previous study showed no effect of 1Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on tics in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS). We modified the rTMS protocol in order to investigate some of the possible methodological reasons for the negative outcome in that study.

METHODS

In a single blinded placebo-controlled cross-over study in five GTS patients without obsessive compulsive disorder we probed whether longer trains (1800 stimuli) of 1 Hz pre-motor cortex rTMS at 80% of active motor threshold and application to both hemispheres can improve tics in GTS. This was measured with the Yale Global Tic severity rating scale, the MOVES self-rating scale and video analysis.

RESULTS

We found no significant effect of either left pre-motor cortex stimulation alone, or left pre-motor followed by right pre-motor cortex stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the rTMS protocol used in this study is not useful for the treatment of tics in GTS.

SIGNIFICANCE

rTMS protocols need to be modified substantially in order to explore their potential for the treatment of tics in GTS.

Stillbirth: a review

Stillbirth occurs in nearly 1% of all births in the USA, and is one of the most common but least studied adverse pregnancy outcomes. The many risk factors for and causes of stillbirth are presented. Over the past several decades, the rate of stillbirth has been substantially reduced, with the reduction most apparent in those stillbirths previously occurring at term and/or in labor. Reductions have occurred because of reductions in risk factors (i.e. prevention of Rh disease and better control of diabetes), better antepartum monitoring of those with risk factors followed by early delivery for those fetuses found to be at risk (i.e. growth restriction, maternal pre-eclampsia), better intrapartum fetal monitoring, increases in Cesarean section for those at risk, and early detection of congenital anomalies followed by termination prior to the time that these early fetal deaths are classified as stillbirths. Finally, the value of using fetal autopsy and placental examination to determine the cause of death accurately, both for research purposes and for patient counseling in future pregnancies, is explored.

Proerectile pharmacological prophylaxis following nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (NSRP)

The importance of an early pharmacological prophylaxis for erectile function following nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy has been recently stressed by several authors. In spite of that, patient's compliance to erectile rehabilitation protocols seems to be low. The present review is an attempt to define the expected benefits of the currently proposed rehabilitative protocols in terms of cost-efficiency and quality of life. The conclusion is that current scientific evidence in support of an early postoperative use of erectile aids is based mainly on indirect proof of a cavernosal damage that may follow the temporary postoperative 'erectile silence'. Intracavernosal injections or a vacuum device may represent the best first-line treatment option for the first few months from the procedure as their mechanism of action does not require intact neural tissue for erection. Thereafter oral phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor therapy may be a reasonable choice for those patients who can achieve at least a partial erection. A phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor may not be effective when spontaneous erections are absent. It is possible, since the rehabilitation of sexual function aims to prevent cavernosal tissue damage by providing oxygenation to the erectile tissue, the choice of a potentially ineffective treatment may jeopardize the results of a reasonable nerve-sparing procedure.

Association between leptin receptor gene polymorphisms and early-onset prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

To report a case-control study examining the relationship between polymorphisms in the leptin receptor (OBR) gene and the development of young-onset prostate cancer, because epidemiological studies report that prostate cancer risk is associated with animal fat intake, and thus we investigated if this association occurs via this genetic mechanism.

PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The Lys109Arg (OBR1) and Gln223Arg (OBR2) polymorphisms in the coding region of OBR were studied in blood DNA from 271 patients with prostate cancer aged < 56 years at diagnosis and 277 geographically matched control subjects. Cases were collected through the Cancer Research UK/British Prostate Group Familial Prostate Cancer Study. Blood DNA was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction and a restriction enzyme digest.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant association between the OBR genotype and prostate cancer risk; men homozygous for 109Arg genotype had a slightly increased risk for prostate cancer, with a relative risk (95% confidence interval) of 1.36 (0.65-2.85), and those homozygous for the 223Arg allele had some reduction in prostate cancer risk, at 0.82 (0.58-1.26), but neither was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This case-control study showed no significant association between leptin receptor gene polymorphisms and the risk of young-onset prostate cancer, suggesting that genetic variations in OBR are unlikely to have a major role in the development of early-onset prostate cancer in the UK.