Candidate genes underlying QTL for flowering time and their interactions in a wide spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cross

Response to vernalization and photoperiod are the main determinants controlling the time to flowering in temperate cereals. While the individual genes that dete...     

Frequent mutation of BAP1 in metastasizing uveal melanomas

Metastasis is a defining feature of malignant tumors and is the most common cause of cancer-related death, yet the genetics of metastasis are poorly understood. We used exome capture coupled with massively parallel sequencing to search for metastasis-related mutations in highly metastatic uveal melanomas of the eye. Inactivating somatic mutations were identified in the gene encoding BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) on chromosome 3p21.1 in 26 of 31 (84%) metastasizing tumors, including 15 mutations causing premature protein termination and 5 affecting its ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase domain. One tumor harbored a frameshift mutation that was germline in origin, thus representing a susceptibility allele. These findings implicate loss of BAP1 in uveal melanoma metastasis and suggest that the BAP1 pathway may be a valuable therapeutic target.     

Comparison of the forage and grain composition from insect-protected and glyphosate-tolerant MON 88017 corn to conventional corn (Zea mays L.)

The next generation of biotechnology-derived products with the combined benefit of herbicide tolerance and insect protection (MON 88017) was developed to withstand feeding damage caused by the coleopteran pest corn rootworm and over-the-top applications of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicides. As a part of a larger safety and characterization assessment, MON 88017 was grown under field conditions at geographically diverse locations within the United States and Argentina during the 2002 and 2003-2004 field seasons, respectively, along with a near-isogenic control and other conventional corn hybrids for compositional assessment. Field trials were conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replication blocks at each site. Corn forage samples were harvested at the late dough/early dent stage, ground, and analyzed for the concentration of proximate constituents, fibers, and minerals. Samples of mature grain were harvested, ground, and analyzed for the concentration of proximate constituents, fiber, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, antinutrients, and secondary metabolites. The results showed that the forage and grain from MON 88017 are compositionally equivalent to forage and grain from control and conventional corn hybrids.     

Ellagitannins,flavonoids, and other phenolics in red raspberries and their contribution to antioxidant capacity and vasorelaxation properties

Analysis of extracts of Glen Ample raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) by gradient, reverse phase HPLC with diode array and tandem mass spectrometry identified eleven anthocyanins, including cyanidin-3-sophoroside, cyanidin-3-(2(G)-glucosylrutinoside), cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, pelargonidin-3-sophoroside, pelargonidin-3-(2(G)-glucosylrutinoside), and pelargonidin-3-glucoside. Significant quantities of an ellagitannin, sanguiin H-6, with an M(r) of 1870 were detected along with lower levels of a second ellagitannin, lambertianin C, which has an M(r) of 2804. Other phenolic compounds that were detected included trace levels of ellagic acid and its sugar conjugates along with one kaempferol- and four quercetin-based flavonol conjugates. Fractionation by preparative HPLC revealed that sanguiin H-6 was a major contributor to the antioxidant capacity of raspberries together with vitamin C and the anthocyanins. Vasodilation activity was restricted to fractions containing lambertianin C and sanguiin H-6.     

Use of spectral radiance for correcting nitrogen deficiencies and estimating soil test variability in an established bermudagrass pasture

The use of variable rate technology has become increasingly popular for applying plant nutrient elements. The most widely used method for determining variable fertilizer rates is presently based on soil testing and yield mapping. Three field studies (Bumeyville 1995, Burneyville 1996, and Ardmore 1996) were initiated in established Midland bermudagrass [Cynodon dacrylon (L) Pers.] pastures to determine the relationship between spectral radiance at specific wavelengths with forage nitrogen (N) removal and biomass, and to determine field variability of soil test parameters. Variable N (applied to 1.5 × 2.4 m subplots within 2.4 × 45.7 m main plots), fixed N and check treatments were evaluated at each location. Spectral radiance readings were taken in the red (671±6 nm), green (570±6 nm), and near infrared (NIR) (780±6 nm) wavelengths. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was calculated as NIR‐red/NIR+red. Variable N rates were applied based on NDVI. The highest fixed variable N rate was set at 224, 336, and 672 kg N ha^‐1 for Burneyville, 1995, 1996, and Ardmore, 1996, respectively. At Bumeyville, soil samples were collected in all variable rate plots (1.5 × 2.4 m) and analyzed for various soil test characteristics. NDVI, red, green, and NIR spectral radiance readings were correlated with bermudagrass forage N removal and yield. Correlation of forage yield and N removal with red, NIR, and NDVI were best with maximum forage production, however, when forage production levels were low correlation decreased dramatically for the red wavelength compared with NIR and NDVI. Forage yield and forage N removal in variable rate treatments increased when compared to the check while being equal to the half‐fixed and fixed rates where higher N rates were applied. Also, variability about the mean in variable rate plots was significantly lower than half‐fixed and fixed rates which supports adjusting N rates based on indirect NDVI measurements. Variable N rate plots reduced fertilizer inputs by 60% and produced the same yield as fixed rate plots, while fixed and half‐fixed rates did not increase N content in the forage over that of the variable rate treatment. Soil sample data collected from small consecutive plots (<4 m²) was extremely variable indicating that intense sampling would be needed if variable fertilizer application were to be based on soil test results.     

Determination of the equation of state of dense matter

Nuclear collisions can compress nuclear matter to densities achieved within neutron stars and within core-collapse supernovae. These dense states of matter exist momentarily before expanding. We analyzed the flow of matter to extract pressures in excess of 10(34) pascals, the highest recorded under laboratory-controlled conditions. Using these analyses, we rule out strongly repulsive nuclear equations of state from relativistic mean field theory and weakly repulsive equations of state with phase transitions at densities less than three times that of stable nuclei, but not equations of state softened at higher densities because of a transformation to quark matter.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION OF THE THYROID GLAND OF HYPERTHYROID CATS: COMPARISON TO 99mTcO−4 SCINTIGRAPHY

High-resolution ultrasonography was evaluated as an alternative to ^99mTcO^-₄ scintigraphy for examining size and appearance of thyroid glands in hyperthyroid cats. Thyroid ultrasound examinations were performed on 6 normal cats and 14 cats with hyperthyroidism. Thyroid lobe volume was estimated from ultrasound images using the equation for a prolate ellipsoid, π/6 (length * height * width). Total thyroid volume was estimated by adding the volume estimations of the left and right lobes. Thyroid lobes of hyperthyroid cats were considered abnormal if estimated volume exceeded the 99% confidence interval for normal thyroid volume determined from the control group. Scintigraphic examinations performed on hyperthyroid cats were evaluated for unilateral versus bilateral disease and for the presence of ectopic activity. Mean thyroid lobe volume and total thyroid volume for normal cats was 85 and 169 mm³, respectively. Mean thyroid lobe volume and total thyroid volume for hyperthyroid cats was 578 and 889 mm³. There was a significant difference in mean estimated total thyroid volume of normal and hyperthyroid cats. Thyroid lobes with greater than normal TcO^-₄ uptake on scintigraphy were larger and had variable homogeneity, echogenicity, and margination on ultrasound examination. There also was an 85.7% agreement of scintigraphy and ultrasonography in differentiating normal from abnormal thyroid lobes. A fair correlation between estimated total thyroid volume of hyperthyroid cats and most recent pretherapy serum thyroxine values were also found. This preliminary study indicates that thyroid ultrasound examination may provide information that is useful for diagnosis and treatment of feline hyperthyroidism. Although ultrasound provides accurate evaluation of the thyroid glands, it cannot replace ^99mTcO^-₄ scintigraphy for screening of metastatic lesions and ectopic glands.     

Evaluation of splenectomy as a risk factor for gastric dilatation-volvulus

Objective-To evaluate whether dogs undergoing splenectomy had an increased risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), compared with a control group of dogs undergoing enterotomy. Design-Retrospective case-control study. Animals-219 dogs that underwent splenectomy for reasons other than splenic torsion (splenectomy group; n = 172) or enterotomy (control group; 47) without concurrent gastropexy. Procedures-Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, date of surgery, durations of surgery and anesthesia, reason for splenectomy, histopathologic findings (if applicable), whether gastropexy was performed, duration of follow-up, and date of death (if applicable). Follow-up information, including occurrence of GDV, was obtained via medical records review and a written client questionnaire. Results-Reasons for splenectomy included splenic neoplasia, nonneoplastic masses, infarction, traumatic injury, and adhesions to a gossypiboma. Incidence of GDV following surgery was not significantly different between dogs of the splenectomy (14/172 [8.1 %]) and control (3/47 [6.4%]) groups. Median time to GDV for the 17 affected dogs was 352 days (range, 12 to 2,368 days) after surgery. Among dogs that underwent splenectomy, sexually intact males had a significantly higher incidence of GDV (4/16) than did castrated males and sexually intact or spayed females (10/156). Incidence of GDV among sexually intact male dogs did not differ between groups. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results did not support a recommendation for routine use of prophylactic gastropexy in dogs at the time of splenectomy. Other patient-specific risk factors should be assessed prior to recommending this procedure.