Evidence for poplar PtaPLATZ18 in the regulation of plant growth and vascular tissues development

Introduction

Plant A/T-rich protein and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) are plant-specific transcription factors playing a role in plant development and stress response. To assess the role of PLATZs in vascular system development and wood formation in poplar, a functional study for PtaPLATZ18, whose expression was associated with the xylem, was carried out.

Methods

Poplar dominant repressor lines for PtaPLATZ18 were produced by overexpressing a PtaPLATZ18-SRDX fusion. The phenotype of three independent transgenic lines was evaluated at morphological, biochemical, and molecular levels and compared to the wild type.

Results

The PtaPLATZ18-SRDX lines showed increased plant height resulting from higher internode length. Besides, a higher secondary xylem thickness was also evidenced in these dominant repression lines as compared to the wild type suggesting an activation of cambial activity. A higher amount of lignin was evidenced within wood tissue as compared to the wild type, indicating an alteration in cell wall composition within xylem cell types. This latter phenotype was linked to an increased expression of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis and polymerization.

Discussion

The phenotype observed in the PtaPLATZ18-SRDX lines argues that this transcription factor targets key regulators of plant growth and vascular tissues development.

In silico analysis of the Seven IN Absentia (SINA) genes in bread wheat sheds light on their structure in plants

Seven IN Absentia (SINA) is a small family of genes coding for ubiquitin-ligases that play major roles in regulating various plant growth and developmental processes, as well as in plant response to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we studied the SINA genes family in bread wheat Triticum aestivum which is a culture of major importance for food security worldwide. One hundred and forty-one SINA family genes have been identified in bread wheat and showed that their number is very high compared to other plant species such as A. thaliana or rice. The expansion of this family seems to have been more important in monocots than in eudicots. In bread wheat, the chromosome 3 distal region is the site of a massive amplification of the SINA family, since we found that 83 of the 141 SINA genes are located on this chromosome in the Chinese Spring variety. This amplification probably occurred as a result of local duplications, followed by sequences divergence. The study was then extended to 4856 SINA proteins from 97 plant species. Phylogenetic and structural analyses identified a group of putative ancestral SINA proteins in plants containing a 58 aminoacid specific signature. Based on sequence homology and the research of that "Ancestral SINA motif" of 58 amino acids, a methodological process has been proposed and lead to the identification of functional SINA genes in a large family such as the Triticae that might be used for other species. Finally, tis paper gives a comprehensive overview of wheat gene family organization and functionalization taken the SINA genes as an example.

Self-interested learning is more important than fair-minded conditional cooperation in public-goods games

Why does human cooperation often unravel in economic experiments despite a promising start? Previous studies have interpreted the decline as the reaction of disappointed altruists retaliating in response to non-altruists (Conditional Cooperators hypothesis). This interpretation has been considered evidence of a uniquely human form of cooperation, motivated by an altruistic concern for equality ('fairness') and requiring special evolutionary explanations. However, experiments have typically shown individuals not only information about the decisions of their groupmates (social information) but also information about their own payoffs. Showing both confounds explanations based on conditional cooperation with explanations based on confused individuals learning how to better play the game (Confused Learners hypothesis). Here we experimentally decouple these two forms of information, and thus these two hypotheses, in a repeated public-goods game. Analysing 616 Swiss university participants, we find that payoff information leads to a greater decline, supporting the Confused Learners hypothesis. In contrast, social information has a small or negligible effect, contradicting the Conditional Cooperators hypothesis. We also find widespread evidence of both confusion and selfish motives, suggesting that human cooperation is maybe not so unique after all.

Insights into Four NAC Transcription Factors Involved in Grain Development and in Response to Moderate Heat in the Triticeae Tribe

NAC (NAM (no apical meristem)−ATAF (Arabidopsis transcription activation factor)−CUC (cup-shaped cotyledons)) are among the largest transcription factor families in plants, involved in a plethora of physiological mechanisms. This study focused on four NAC genes previously identified in bread wheat as specifically grain-expressed which could be considered as candidate genes for yield improvement under climate changes. Using in silico analyses, the Triticum aestivum “Grain-NAC” (TaGNAC) orthologs in 14 cereal species were identified. A conserved protein motif was identified only in Triticeae. The expression of TaGNAC and einkorn TmGNAC was studied in response to moderate heat stress during grain development and showed a similar expression pattern that is accelerated during cell division stages under heat stress. A conserved structure was found in the promoter of the Triticeae GNAC orthologs, which is absent in the other Poaceae species. A specific model of promoter structure in Triticeae was proposed, based on the presence of key cis-elements involved in the regulation of seed development, hormonal regulation and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In conclusion, GNAC genes could play a central role in the regulation of grain development in the Triticeae tribe, particularly in the accumulation of storage proteins, as well as in response to heat stress and could be used as candidate genes for breeding.

[Telomeres and lung]

Genetic studies of familial forms of interstitial lung disease (ILD) have led to the discovery of telomere-related gene (TRG) mutations (TERT, TERC, RTEL1, PARN, DKC1, TINF2, NAF1, NOP10, NHP2, ACD, ZCCH8) in approximately 30% of familial ILD forms. ILD patients with TRG mutation are also subject to extra-pulmonary (immune-hematological, hepatic and/or mucosal-cutaneous) manifestations. TRG mutations may be associated not only with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but also with non-IPF ILDs, including idiopathic and secondary ILDs, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). The presence of TRG mutation may also be associated with an accelerated decline of forced vital capacity (FVC) or poorer prognosis after lung transplantation, notwithstanding which, usual ILD treatments may be proposed. Lastly, patients and their relatives are called upon to reduce their exposure to environmental lung toxicity, and are likely to derive benefit from specific genetic counseling and pre-symptomatic genetic testing.

Design and automation of specific geometric quality controls for cone-radiosurgery treatments

PURPOSE

The Varian TrueBeam STx linac can be equipped with BrainLAB stereotactic cones and ExacTrac imaging system for SRS treatments. However, these two third-party systems lack integration in a self-performance diagnosis tool dedicated to the SRS platform. The aim of this work was to design and automate essential geometric tests considering the complete set of cones with diameter range from 4 to 15 mm.

METHODS

EPID-based tests were focused on the cone alignment, the radiation isocentricity and the isocenters congruence. Images acquired with or without the BrainLAB pointer were analysed using the Hough transform and morphological filtering operations, after assessment of the algorithm accuracy using simulated images. The new Machine QA program was experimented over one year.

RESULTS

A subpixel resolution of 0.02 mm was found for the circular-field center detection algorithm. The tests results did not depend on the pointer location. The maximum deviations reported were in accordance with the AAPM SRS guidelines. The accurate localization of the linac radiation isocenter allowed for guidance of the ExacTrac calibration. A misalignment reaching 0.2 mm was measured for all cones but one, highlighting the benefit of systematizing this control before each patient SRS treatment.

CONCLUSION

An effective in-house QA program dedicated to SRS cones was developed to supplement the standard machine performance check on our mixed SRS platform. Specific geometric tests even include the smallest 4-mm cone, which could be of great interest for future clinical indications such as the radiosurgery of functional disorders.

Induction of Defense Gene Expression and the Resistance of Date Palm to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Albedinis in Response to Alginate Extracted from Bifurcaria bifurcata

In many African countries, the Bayoud is a common disease spread involving the fungus Fusarium oxusporum f. sp. albedinis (Foa). The induction of plant natural defenses through the use of seaweed polysaccharides to help plants against pathogens is currently a biological and ecological approach that is gaining more and more importance. In the present study, we used alginate, a natural polysaccharide extracted from a brown algae Bifurcaria bifurcata, to activate date palm defenses, which involve phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), a key enzyme of phenylpropanoid metabolism. The results obtained showed that at low concentration (1 g·L-1), alginate stimulated PAL activity in date palm roots 5 times more compared to the negative control (water-treated) after 24 h following treatment and 2.5 times more compared to the laminarin used as a positive stimulator of plant natural defenses (positive control of induction). Using qRT-PCR, the expression of a selection of genes involved in three different levels of defense mechanisms known to be involved in response to biotic stresses were investigated. The results showed that, generally, the PAL gene tested and the genes encoding enzymes involved in early oxidative events (SOD and LOX) were overexpressed in the alginate-treated plants compared to their levels in the positive and negative controls. POD and PR protein genes selected encoding β-(1,3)-glucanases and chitinases in this study did not show any significant difference between treatments; suggesting that other genes encoding POD and PR proteins that were not selected may be involved. After 17 weeks following the inoculation of the plants with the pathogen Foa, treatment with alginate reduced the mortality rate by up to 80% compared to the rate in control plants (non-elicited) and plants pretreated with laminarin, which agrees with the induction of defense gene expression and the stimulation of natural defenses in date palm with alginate after 24 h. These results open promising prospects for the use of alginate in agriculture as an inducer that triggers immunity of plants against telluric pathogens in general and of date palm against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis in particular.

Three bedside techniques to quantify dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation in mechanically ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation may develop in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to dynamic airway collapse and/or increased airway resistance, increasing the risk of volutrauma and hemodynamic compromise. The reference standard to quantify dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation is the measurement of the volume at end-inspiration (Vei). As this is cumbersome, the aim of this study was to evaluate if methods that are easier to perform at the bedside can accurately reflect Vei.

METHODS

Vei was assessed in COPD patients under controlled protective mechanical ventilation (7 ± mL/kg) on zero end-expiratory pressure, using three techniques in a fixed order: (1) reference standard (Vei_reference): passive exhalation to atmosphere from end-inspiration in a calibrated glass burette; (2) ventilator maneuver (Vei_maneuver): measuring the expired volume during a passive exhalation of 45s using the ventilator flow sensor; (3) formula (Vei_formula): (Vt × P_plateau)/(P_plateau - PEEP_i), with Vt tidal volume, P_plateau is plateau pressure after an end-inspiratory occlusion, and PEEP_i is intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure after an end-expiratory occlusion. A convenience sample of 17 patients was recruited.

RESULTS

Vei_reference was 1030 ± 380 mL and had no significant correlation with P_plateau (r² = 0.06; P = 0.3710) or PEEP_i (r² = 0.11; P = 0.2156), and was inversely related with P_drive (calculated as P_plateau -PEEP_i) (r² = 0.49; P = 0.0024). A low bias but rather wide limits of agreement and fairly good correlations were found when comparing Vei_maneuver and Vei_formula to Vei_reference. Vei remained stable during the study period (low bias 15 mL with high agreement (95% limits of agreement from - 100 to 130 mL) and high correlation (r² = 0.98; P < 0.0001) between both measurements of Vei_reference).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with COPD, airway pressures are not a valid representation of Vei. The three techniques to quantify Vei show low bias, but wide limits of agreement.

Decoupling cooperation and punishment in humans shows that punishment is not an altruistic trait

Economic experiments have suggested that cooperative humans will altruistically match local levels of cooperation (conditional cooperation) and pay to punish non-cooperators (altruistic punishment). Evolutionary models have suggested that if altruists punish non-altruists this could favour the evolution of costly helping behaviours (cooperation) among strangers. An often-key requirement is that helping behaviours and punishing behaviours form one single conjoined trait (strong reciprocity). Previous economics experiments have provided support for the hypothesis that punishment and cooperation form one conjoined, altruistically motivated, trait. However, such a conjoined trait may be evolutionarily unstable, and previous experiments have confounded a fear of being punished with being surrounded by cooperators, two factors that could favour cooperation. Here, we experimentally decouple the fear of punishment from a cooperative environment and allow cooperation and punishment behaviour to freely separate (420 participants). We show, that if a minority of individuals is made immune to punishment, they (i) learn to stop cooperating on average despite being surrounded by high levels of cooperation, contradicting the idea of conditional cooperation and (ii) often continue to punish, 'hypocritically', showing that cooperation and punishment do not form one, altruistically motivated, linked trait.

Piglets vocally express the anticipation of pseudo-social contexts in their grunts

Emotions not only arise in reaction to an event but also while anticipating it, making this context a means of accessing the emotional value of events. Before now, anticipatory studies have rarely considered whether vocalisations carry information about emotional states. We studied both the grunts of piglets and their spatial behaviour as they anticipated two (pseudo)social events known to elicit positive emotions of different intensity: arrival of familiar conspecifics and arrival of a familiar human. Piglets spatially anticipated both pseudo-social contexts, and the spectro temporal features of grunts differed according to the emotional context. Piglets produced low-frequency grunts at a higher rate when anticipating conspecifics compared to anticipating a human. Spectral noise increased when piglets expected conspecifics, whereas the duration and frequency range increased when expecting a human. When the arrival of conspecifics was delayed, the grunt duration increased, whereas when the arrival of the human was delayed, the spectral parameters were comparable to those during isolation. This shows that vocal expressions in piglets during anticipation are specific to the expected reward. Vocal expressions-both their temporal and spectral features- are thus a good way to explore the emotional state of piglets during the anticipation of challenging events.

Universal newborn hearing screening: the Belgian experience

Issue

Worldwide 466 million people suffer from hearing loss (HL), of whom 34 million children. Early detection of HL in newborns through screening and subsequent intervention significantly improve their developmental and psychosocial outcome. The WHA adopted a resolution on prevention of deafness and HL (2017), urging the member states 'to develop, implement and monitor screening programs for early identification of ear diseases'. Population based newborn hearing screening (PNHS) by automated otoacoustic emission (AOAE) and/or automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) is considered good practice.

Description of the Problem

Flanders (FL): PNHS by AABR at the age of 2-3 weeks (pass/refer), repeated in case of 'refer'. At 2x 'refer', referral to a tertiary hearing center. French speaking community (FSC): newborns with risk factors for congenital HL are immediately referred to ENT. Others undergo AOAE at day 2-3 (pass/refer with retest in case of 'refer'). At 2x 'refer', referral to ENT for AABR. German speaking community: no data available.

Results

Coverage rate: FL (birth cohort 2014): 96-98%. FSC (birth cohort 2016): 94.9% of newborns without risk factors had a 1st test. 8.7% of newborns with risk factors didn't have any test.

Detection rate/1000 tested newborns

FL: 2.1 newborns with congenital HL. FSC: 2.33 newborns with HL (0.30 perceptive/0.36 permanently conductive/0.75 temporary conductive/0.1 conductive NOS/0.06 mixed type/0.77 NOS).

Lessons

Belgium has at least 2 quality PNHS programs. Due to program differences (different tests/age of testing/registration/financing) in depth comparative analysis on their performance, outcome and cost effectiveness is currently lacking (future perspective).

Key messages

PNHS is common in high income countries, but is not yet integrated worldwide. In the light of the 2017 WHA resolution Belgium might inspire regions and countries starting up PNHS. An in depth comparative analysis of the current Belgian PNHS programs is needed.

Comparison of pleural and esophageal pressure in supine and prone positions in a porcine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome

Patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) benefit from prone positioning. Although the accuracy of esophageal pressure (Pes) to estimate regional pleural pressure (Ppl) has previously been assessed in the supine position, such data are not available in the prone position in ARDS. In six anesthetized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated female pigs, we measured Pes and Ppl into dorsal and ventral parts of the right pleural cavity. Airway pressure (Paw) and flow were measured at the airway opening. Severe ARDS [arterial partial pressure of oxygen ([Formula: see text])/fraction of inspired oxygen ([Formula: see text]) < 100 mmHg at positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cmH₂O] was induced by surfactant depletion. In supine and prone positions assigned in a random order, PEEP was set to 20, 15, 10, and 5 cmH₂O and static end-expiratory chest wall pressures were measured from Pes (PEEPtot,es) and dorsal (PEEPtot,PplD) and ventral (PEEPtot,PplV) Ppl. The magnitude of the difference between PEEPtot,es and PEEPtot,PplD was similar in each position [-3.6 cmH₂O in supine vs. -3.8 cmH₂O in prone at PEEP 20 cmH₂O (PEEP 20)]. The difference between PEEPtot,es and PEEPtot,PplV became narrower in the prone position (-8.3 cmH₂O supine vs. -3.0 cmH₂O prone at PEEP 20). PEEPtot,PplV was overestimated by Pes in the prone position at higher pressures. The median (1st-3rd quartiles) dorsal-to-ventral Ppl gradient was 4.4 (2.4-6.8) cmH₂O in the supine position and -1.5 (-3.5 to +1.1) cmH₂O in the prone position (P < 0.0001) and marginally influenced by PEEP (P = 0.058). Prone position narrowed end-expiratory dorsal-to-ventral Ppl vertical gradient, likely because of a more even distribution of mechanical forces over the chest wall.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In a porcine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome, we found that static end-expiratory esophageal pressure did not change significantly in prone position compared with supine position at any positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) tested between 5 and 20 cmH₂O. Prone position was associated with an increased ventral pleural pressure and reduced end-expiratory dorsal-to-ventral pleural pressure (Ppl) vertical gradient, likely due to a more even distribution of mechanical forces over the chest wall.

Genome-wide analysis, expansion and expression of the NAC family under drought and heat stresses in bread wheat (T. aestivum L.)

The NAC family is one of the largest plant-specific transcription factor families, and some of its members are known to play major roles in plant development and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we inventoried 488 NAC members in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Using the recent release of the wheat genome (IWGS RefSeq v1.0), we studied duplication events focusing on genomic regions from 4B-4D-5A chromosomes as an example of the family expansion and neofunctionalization of TaNAC members. Differentially expressed TaNAC genes in organs and in response to abiotic stresses were identified using publicly available RNAseq data. Expression profiling of 23 selected candidate TaNAC genes was studied in leaf and grain from two bread wheat genotypes at two developmental stages in field drought conditions and revealed insights into their specific and/or overlapping expression patterns. This study showed that, of the 23 TaNAC genes, seven have a leaf-specific expression and five have a grain-specific expression. In addition, the grain-specific genes profiles in response to drought depend on the genotype. These genes may be considered as potential candidates for further functional validation and could present an interest for crop improvement programs in response to climate change. Globally, the present study provides new insights into evolution, divergence and functional analysis of NAC gene family in bread wheat.

Effect of parathyroidectomy on quality of life and non-specific symptoms in normocalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

Normocalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NcPHPT) is a new clinical entity being diagnosed increasingly among patients with mild primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life and non-specific symptoms before and after parathyroidectomy in patients with NcPHPT compared with those with hypercalcaemic mild PHPT (Hc-m-PHPT).

METHODS

This was a prospective multicentre study of patients with mild PHPT from four university hospitals. Patients were evaluated before operation, and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery for quality of life using the SF-36-v2® questionnaire, as well as for 25 non-specific symptoms.

RESULTS

Before operation, the only statistically significant difference between the NcPHPT and Hc-m-PHPT groups was in the mean(s.d.) blood calcium level (2·54 versus 2·73 mmol; P < 0·001). At 1 year after surgery, the blood calcium level had improved significantly in both groups, with no significant difference between them. Quality of life improved significantly in each group compared with its preoperative score, with regard to the physical component summary (P = 0·040 and P = 0·016 respectively), whereas the mental component summary improved significantly in the Hc-m-PHPT group only (P = 0·043). Only two non-specific symptoms improved significantly in the NcPHPT group compared with nine in the Hc-m-PHPT group.

CONCLUSION

Parathyroidectomy mildly improves quality of life and some non-specific symptoms in patients with NcPHPT.

Neonicotinoid exposure disrupts bumblebee nest behavior, social networks, and thermoregulation

Neonicotinoid pesticides can negatively affect bee colonies, but the behavioral mechanisms by which these compounds impair colony growth remain unclear. Here, we investigate imidacloprid's effects on bumblebee worker behavior within the nest, using an automated, robotic platform for continuous, multicolony monitoring of uniquely identified workers. We find that exposure to field-realistic levels of imidacloprid impairs nursing and alters social and spatial dynamics within nests, but that these effects vary substantially with time of day. In the field, imidacloprid impairs colony thermoregulation, including the construction of an insulating wax canopy. Our results show that neonicotinoids induce widespread disruption of within-nest worker behavior that may contribute to impaired growth, highlighting the potential of automated techniques for characterizing the multifaceted, dynamic impacts of stressors on behavior in bee colonies.

Neonicotinoid exposure disrupts bumblebee nest behavior, social networks, and thermoregulation

Neonicotinoid pesticides can negatively affect bee colonies, but the behavioral mechanisms by which these compounds impair colony growth remain unclear. Here, we investigate imidacloprid’s effects on bumblebee worker behavior within the nest, using an automated, robotic platform for continuous, multicolony monitoring of uniquely identified workers. We find that exposure to field-realistic levels of imidacloprid impairs nursing and alters social and spatial dynamics within nests, but that these effects vary substantially with time of day. In the field, imidacloprid impairs colony thermoregulation, including the construction of an insulating wax canopy. Our results show that neonicotinoids induce widespread disruption of within-nest worker behavior that may contribute to impaired growth, highlighting the potential of automated techniques for characterizing the multifaceted, dynamic impacts of stressors on behavior in bee colonies.

A prospective international observational prevalence study on prone positioning of ARDS patients: the APRONET (ARDS Prone Position Network) study

INTRODUCTION

While prone positioning (PP) has been shown to improve patient survival in moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients, the rate of application of PP in clinical practice still appears low.

AIM

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of use of PP in ARDS patients (primary endpoint), the physiological effects of PP, and the reasons for not using it (secondary endpoints).

METHODS

The APRONET study was a prospective international 1-day prevalence study performed four times in April, July, and October 2016 and January 2017. On each study day, investigators in each ICU had to screen every patient. For patients with ARDS, use of PP, gas exchange, ventilator settings and plateau pressure (Pplat) were recorded before and at the end of the PP session. Complications of PP and reasons for not using PP were also documented. Values are presented as median (1st-3rd quartiles).

RESULTS

Over the study period, 6723 patients were screened in 141 ICUs from 20 countries (77% of the ICUs were European), of whom 735 had ARDS and were analyzed. Overall 101 ARDS patients had at least one session of PP (13.7%), with no differences among the 4 study days. The rate of PP use was 5.9% (11/187), 10.3% (41/399) and 32.9% (49/149) in mild, moderate and severe ARDS, respectively (P = 0.0001). The duration of the first PP session was 18 (16-23) hours. Measured with the patient in the supine position before and at the end of the first PP session, PaO₂/F_IO₂ increased from 101 (76-136) to 171 (118-220) mmHg (P = 0.0001) driving pressure decreased from 14 [11-17] to 13 [10-16] cmH₂O (P = 0.001), and Pplat decreased from 26 [23-29] to 25 [23-28] cmH₂O (P = 0.04). The most prevalent reason for not using PP (64.3%) was that hypoxemia was not considered sufficiently severe. Complications were reported in 12 patients (11.9%) in whom PP was used (pressure sores in five, hypoxemia in two, endotracheal tube-related in two ocular in two, and a transient increase in intracranial pressure in one).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this prospective international prevalence study found that PP was used in 32.9% of patients with severe ARDS, and was associated with low complication rates, significant increase in oxygenation and a significant decrease in driving pressure.

Prussian blue type nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Prussian blue type nanoparticles are exciting nano-objects that combine the advantages of molecule-based materials and nanochemistry. Here we provide a short overview focalizing on the recent advances of these nano-objects designed for biomedical applications and give an outlook on the future research orientations in this domain.