Search

Describes an experiment that has been introduced in the organic chemistry laboratory program at Shepherd College, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. It illustrates microbial reaction and its role in the synthesis of vitamin C. (HM)

Left–right asymmetry of the human brain is one of its cardinal features, and also a complex, multivariate trait. Decades of research have suggested that brain asymmetry may be altered in psychiatric disorders. However, findings have been inconsistent and often based on small sample sizes. There are also open questions surrounding which structures are asymmetrical on average in the healthy population, and how variability in brain asymmetry relates to basic biological variables such as age and sex. Over the last 4 years, the ENIGMA‐Laterality Working Group has published six studies of gray matter morphological asymmetry based on total sample sizes from roughly 3,500 to 17,000 individuals, which were between one and two orders of magnitude larger than those published in previous decades. A population‐level mapping of average asymmetry was achieved, including an intriguing fronto‐occipital gradient of cortical thickness asymmetry in healthy brains. ENIGMA's multi‐dataset approach also supported an empirical illustration of reproducibility of hemispheric differences across datasets. Effect sizes were estimated for gray matter asymmetry based on large, international, samples in relation to age, sex, handedness, and brain volume, as well as for three psychiatric disorders: autism spectrum disorder was associated with subtly reduced asymmetry of cortical thickness at regions spread widely over the cortex; pediatric obsessive–compulsive disorder was associated with altered subcortical asymmetry; major depressive disorder was not significantly associated with changes of asymmetry. Ongoing studies are examining brain asymmetry in other disorders. Moreover, a groundwork has been laid for possibly identifying shared genetic contributions to brain asymmetry and disorders., Left–right asymmetry of the human brain is one of its cardinal features, and also a complex, multivariate trait. Over the last four years, the ENIGMA‐Laterality Working Group has published six studies of grey matter morphological asymmetry in health and disease, based on total sample sizes from roughly 3,500 to 17,000 individuals, which were between one and two orders of magnitude larger than those published in previous decades. Here we review the findings from these six studies.

Prions, misfolded proteins that aggregate, cause an array of progressively deteriorating conditions to which, currently, there are no effective treatments. The presently accepted model indicates that the soluble non-prion forms of prion-forming proteins, such as the well-studied SUP35, do not exist in large aggregated molecular complexes. Here, we show using analytical ultracentrifugation with fluorescent detection that the non-prion form of SUP35 exists in a range of discretely sized soluble complexes (19S, 28S, 39S, 57S, and 70S-200S). Similar to the [PSI+] aggregated complexes, each of these [psi-] complexes associates at stoichiometric levels with a large variety of molecular chaperones: HSP70 proteins comprise the major component. Another yeast prion-forming protein, RNQ1 (known to promote the production of the prion SUP35 state), is also present in SUP35 complexes. These results establish that the non-prion SUP35, like its prion form, is predisposed to form large molecular complexes containing chaperones and other prion-forming proteins. These results agree with our previous studies on the huntingtin protein. That the normal forms for aggregation-prone proteins may preexist in large molecular complexes has important ramifications for the progression of diseases involving protein aggregation.

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose results in high morbidity and mortality, with limited treatment options. Increased understanding of the cellular signaling pathways activated in response to toxic APAP exposure is needed to provide insight into novel therapeutic strategies. Toxic APAP exposure induces hepatic nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) activation. NFκB signaling has been identified to mediate the pro-inflammatory response, but also induces a pro-survival and regenerative response. It is currently unknown whether potentiating NFkB activation would be injurious or advantageous after APAP overdose. The NFκB inhibitory protein beta (IκBβ) dictates the duration and degree of the NFκB response following exposure to oxidative injuries. Thus, we sought to determine whether IκBβ/NFκB signaling contributes to APAP-induced hepatic injury. At late time points (24 hours) following toxic APAP exposures, mice expressing only IκBβ (AKBI mice) exhibited increased serologic evidence of hepatic injury. This corresponded with increased histologic injury, specifically related to sinusoidal dilatation. Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, AKBI mice demonstrated sustained hepatic nuclear translocation of the NFκB subunits p65 and p50, and enhanced NFκB target gene expression. This included increased expression of interleukin-6 (Il-6), a known contributor to hepatic sinusoidal dilation. This transcriptional response corresponded with increased plasma protein content of Il-6, as well as increased activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Impact Statement: IκBβ/NFκB signaling is associated with a pro-inflammatory response, exacerbated Il-6 and STAT3 activation, and this was associated with late development of sinusoidal dilatation. Thus, targeting sustained IκBβ/NFκB signaling may represent a novel therapeutic approach to attenuate late hepatic injury following toxic APAP exposure.

SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA vaccination in healthy individuals generates immune protection against COVID-19. However, little is known about SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine-induced responses in immunosuppressed patients. We investigated induction of antigen-specific antibody, B cell and T cell responses longitudinally in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) on anti-CD20 antibody monotherapy (n = 20) compared with healthy controls (n = 10) after BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 mRNA vaccination. Treatment with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (aCD20) significantly reduced spike-specific and receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific antibody and memory B cell responses in most patients, an effect ameliorated with longer duration from last aCD20 treatment and extent of B cell reconstitution. By contrast, all patients with MS treated with aCD20 generated antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses after vaccination. Treatment with aCD20 skewed responses, compromising circulating follicular helper T (TFH) cell responses and augmenting CD8 T cell induction, while preserving type 1 helper T (TH1) cell priming. Patients with MS treated with aCD20 lacking anti-RBD IgG had the most severe defect in circulating TFH responses and more robust CD8 T cell responses. These data define the nature of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced immune landscape in aCD20-treated patients and provide insights into coordinated mRNA vaccine-induced immune responses in humans. Our findings have implications for clinical decision-making and public health policy for immunosuppressed patients including those treated with aCD20., SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and memory B cells are significantly reduced, but CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are robustly activated, in patients with multiple sclerosis on anti-CD20 monotherapy versus healthy controls after BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 mRNA vaccination.

Funding: EE, GA, BM, BSP, CF and SEF are supported by the Max Planck Society (Germany). The Chinese Reading Study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Project (Grant No. 61807023), the Youth Fund for Humanities and Social Sciences Research of the Ministry of Education (Grant No. 19YJC190023 and 17XJC190010), and the Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China (Grant No. 2021JQ-309). SP is funded by the Royal Society. Reading and writing are crucial life skills but roughly one in ten children are affected by dyslexia, which can persist into adulthood. Family studies of dyslexia suggest heritability up to 70%, yet few convincing genetic markers have been found. Here we performed a genome-wide association study of 51,800 adults self-reporting a dyslexia diagnosis and 1,087,070 controls and identified 42 independent genome-wide significant loci: 15 in genes linked to cognitive ability/educational attainment, and 27 new and potentially more specific to dyslexia. We validated 23 loci (13 new) in independent cohorts of Chinese and European ancestry. Genetic etiology of dyslexia was similar between sexes, and genetic covariance with many traits was found, including ambidexterity, but not neuroanatomical measures of language-related circuitry. Dyslexia polygenic scores explained up to 6% of variance in reading traits, and might in future contribute to earlier identification and remediation of dyslexia. Publisher PDF

Gram-negative bacterial infections are a global health problem. The production of beta-lactamase is still the most vital factor leading to beta-lactam resistance. In Trinidad and Tobago, extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production has been detected and reported mainly in the isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli and constitutes a public health emergency that causes high morbidity and mortality in some patients. In this literature review, the authors cover vast information on ESBL frequency and laboratory detection using both conventional and molecular methods from clinical data. The aim is to make the reader reflect on how the actual knowledge can be used for rapid detection and understanding of the spread of antimicrobial resistance problems stemming from ESBL production among common Gram-negative organisms in the health care system.

Amyloid cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a progressive and life-threatening disease caused by abnormal protein deposits within cardiac tissue. The most common forms of ACM are caused by immunoglobulin derived light chains (AL) and transthyretin (TTR). Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) remains the definitive treatment for patients with end stage heart failure. In this study, we perform a contemporary multicenter analysis evaluating post OHT survival in patients with ACM.We conducted a multicenter analysis of 40,044 adult OHT recipients captured in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry from 1987-2018. Patients were characterized as ACM or non-ACM. Baseline characteristics were obtained, and summary characteristics were calculated. Outcomes of interest included post-transplant survival, infection, treated rejection, and the ability to return to work. Racial differences in OHT survival were also analyzed. Unadjusted associations between ACM and non-ACM survival were determined using the Kaplan-Meier estimations and confounding was addressed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.Three hundred ninety-eight patients with a diagnosis of ACM were identified of which 313 underwent heart only OHT. ACM patients were older (61 vs 53; P.0001) and had a higher proportion of African Americans (30.7% vs 17.6%; P.0001). Median survival for ACM was 10.2 years vs 12.5 years in non-ACM (P = .01). After adjusting for confounding, ACM patients had a higher likelihood of death post-OHT (HR 1.39 CI: 1.14, 1.70; P = .001). African American ACM patients had a higher likelihood of survival compared to White ACM patients (HR 0.51 CI 0.31-0.85; P = .01). No difference was observed in episodes of treated rejection (OR 0.63 CI 0.23, 1.78; P = .39), hospitalizations for infections (OR 1.24 CI: 0.85, 1.81; P = .26), or likelihood of returning to work for income (OR 1.23 CI: 0.84, 1.80; P = .30).In this analysis of OHT in ACM, ACM was associated with a higher likelihood of post-OHT mortality. Racial differences in post-OHT were observed with African American patients with ACM having higher likelihood of survival compared to White patients with ACM. No differences were observed in episodes of treated rejection, hospitalization for infection, or likelihood to return to work for income.

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is an aggressive weed found in over 40 countries including Ethiopia. One of its natural enemies is the winter rust fungus Puccinia abrupta var. partheniicola. There was ...

Urban stormwater is responsible for recurrent mortality events of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) documented in the US Pacific Northwest. Currently, the toxic mode of action is unknown; however, mortality is often associated with large increases in hematocrit (Hct). We found that hemoconcentration and red cell swelling may offer a partial explanation for increased Hct, based on increased total hemoglobin and reduced mean cell hemoglobin concentration of the blood in runoff-exposed juvenile coho salmon, relative to controls. No significant changes were seen in plasma total thiols or antioxidant power, discounting osmoregulatory dysfunction and plasma dehydration as a driver of hemoconcentration. To test for plasma leakage, we injected Evans blue dye complexed with bovine serum albumin (EBD–BSA) intracardially and circulated for 5 min, followed by a 15 min washout with saline. Coho salmon exposed to roadway runoff showed significant accumulation of EBD–BSA in brain and olfactory rosette regions compared with controls, demonstrating plasma leakage from the cerebrovasculature. Our results suggest blood–brain barrier disruption underlies symptom development in coho salmon exposed to roadway runoff.

Avibactam is a potent diazobicyclooctane inhibitor of class A and C β-lactamases. The inhibitor also exhibits variable activity against some class D enzymes from Gram-negative bacteria; however, its interaction with recently discovered class D β-lactamases from Gram-positive bacteria has not been studied. Here, we describe microbiological, kinetic, and mass spectrometry studies of the interaction of avibactam with CDD-1, a class D β-lactamase from the clinically important pathogen Clostridioides difficile, and show that avibactam is a potent irreversible mechanism-based inhibitor of the enzyme. X-ray crystallographic studies at three time-points demonstrate the rapid formation of a stable CDD-1-avibactam acyl-enzyme complex and highlight differences in the anchoring of the inhibitor by class D enzymes from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

HighlightsFungal diseases are considered a major challenge for strawberry farmers.Disease risk monitoring systems can be improved with increased spatial coverage of environmental conditions.Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) with customized nodes can efficiently collect site-specific data inputs for disease risk models.WSN providing disease risk levels with increased spatial and temporal resolution opens the opportunity for site-specific control actions.Abstract. The United States is the world’s largest producer of strawberries, harvesting over 680 million metric tons in 2017, valued at approximately $3.2 billion. Fungal diseases are considered a major challenge for strawberry farmers. Even in well-managed fields, losses from fungal diseases can exceed 50% when environmental conditions favor disease development. Anthracnose fruit rot (AFR), caused by Colletotrichum acutatum and Botrytis fruit rot (BFR), caused by Botrytis cinerea, are the most significant diseases monitored (or present) during strawberry production in Central Florida and worldwide. The Strawberry Advisory System (SAS) was developed by researchers at the University of Florida to alert strawberry growers of infection risk of AFR and BFR. SAS also recommends control actions when necessary. In Florida, the SAS uses leaf wetness duration and temperature observed at Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) stations and private weather stations to estimate strawberry disease risk. A good representation of local conditions is crucial, but unfortunately uncommon in modern fungal disease warning systems (FDWS), such as the SAS. In this study, we developed and deployed an in-field Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) with customized nodes (WetBerry). WetBerry is a distributed mesh network of wireless mini weather stations equipped with leaf wetness, temperature, and relative humidity sensors developed to monitor in-field environmental conditions related to the risk of fungal diseases in strawberry production. The WSN mini weather stations were installed and tested in a strawberry field during the 2017/2018 strawberry season, and the results were validated against a standard agrometeorological weather station. The WSN provided high spatial and temporal density of weather data for agricultural applications, thereby has the potential to improve the capabilities of site-specific fungal disease warning tools and control actions. Keywords: Decision making, Fungal disease, Leaf wetness, Precision agriculture, Site-specific, WSN.

Bats conservation studies in Butan City particularly within Kayan Forest are poorly studied and not even documented in the place. This study was purposely conducted to document and identify bats species in the unique forest. Diversity and assessment were conducted in different strategic locations along the portion of the lower Agusan River particularly in a well-known Kayam Forest (Inocarpus fagifer) in Butuan City, Philippines. The bats’ assessment was made through the mist-netting captured-and-release method for species identification and composition. Morphometrics was used for the validity of species taxonomic identification up to the species level. A total of four (4) species of bats were identified within the Kayam forest comprising 15% of the total known Mindanao bats and 10% of known Philippine bats, respectively. Among the identified bat species, Ptenochirus jagori was the most abundant species accounting for 57% of all total bats recorded followed by Macroglossus minimus and Cynopterus brachyotis with both obtained 19%. The species Ptenochirus minor was the rare species observed. Of all species, two (2) Philippine endemic were recorded, and these are Ptenochirus minor and Macroglossus minimus. Both endemic species were encountered within the Kayam forest vegetation. Initial results revealed that the Kayam forest could provide a suitable environment for all identified species of bats. Considering the recorded endemic species, this study provides preliminary information to the local government for their proper implementation, conservation, and protection of this unique local vegetation.

A teleomorph of the fungus Botryosphaeria rhodina (Berkeley et Curtis) von Arx, (Br) was evaluated as a bioherbicide for control of giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell) under greenhouse conditions and in small-scale field trials. We found that fungal mycelium was highly infective and could be rapidly produced (48+ h) in soy flour-cornmeal liquid media contained in shake flasks or fermenters. A dew period was not required to achieve infection and mortality of inoculated plants. A surfactant (Silwet L-77, a polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyl-trisiloxane) incorporated in the fungal formulation was required for Br to infect and kill plants. Infection and mortality occurred rapidly (within 48 h after treatment), and re-growth of treated plants did not occur. In replicated field trials, Br controlled giant salvinia ~95%. Br also infected other plants, such as common salvinia (S. minima Baker), and Azolla filiculoides Lam., as determined in ongoing host range research. However, no symptomatology was observed on several economically important crop species, such as rice (Oryza sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and several woody species such as bald cypress (Taxodium distichum L.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) occurring in areas where giant salvina occurs that would be subject to contact with releases of Br. These results suggest that this teleomorph of Botryosphaeria rhodina has potential as a bioherbicide for controlling this onerous aquatic weed.

Actin is a conserved cytoskeletal protein with essential functions. Here, we review the state-of-the-art reagents, tools and methods used to probe actin biology and functions in zebrafish embryo and larvae. We also discuss specific cell types and tissues where the study of actin in zebrafish has provided new insights into its functions.

Development of gingival enlargement and periodontitis is described in a young dwarf mongoose. Repeated treatments resulted in gingival resection and histologic evaluation however gingival enlargement was ultimately responsive to extraction of associated teeth. In cases such as these, surgical extraction of teeth associated with severe recurrent gingival enlargement should be considered to avoid the stress and risk of repeated immobilizations.

To understand the origins of interhemispheric differences and commonalities/coupling in human brain wiring, it is crucial to determine how homologous interregional connectivities of the left and right hemispheres are genetically determined and related. To address this, in the present study, we analyzed human twin and pedigree samples with high-quality diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography and estimated the heritability and genetic correlation of homologous left and right white matter (WM) connections. The results showed that the heritability of WM connectivity was similar and coupled between the 2 hemispheres and that the degree of overlap in genetic factors underlying homologous WM connectivity (i.e., interhemispheric genetic correlation) varied substantially across the human brain: from complete overlap to complete nonoverlap. Particularly, the heritability was significantly stronger and the chance of interhemispheric complete overlap in genetic factors was higher in subcortical WM connections than in cortical WM connections. In addition, the heritability and interhemispheric genetic correlations were stronger for long-range connections than for short-range connections. These findings highlight the determinants of the genetics underlying WM connectivity and its interhemispheric relationships, and provide insight into genetic basis of WM connectivity asymmetries in both healthy and disease states.

The biochemical activities of dirigent proteins (DPs) give rise to distinct complex classes of plant phenolics. DPs apparently began to emerge during the aquatic-to-land transition, with phylogenetic analyses revealing the presence of numerous DP subfamilies in the plant kingdom. The vast majority (>95%) of DPs in these large multigene families still await discovery of their biochemical functions. Here, we elucidated the 3D structures of two pterocarpan-forming proteins with dirigent-like domains. Both proteins stereospecifically convert distinct diastereomeric chiral isoflavonoid precursors to the chiral pterocarpans, (–)- and (+)-medicarpin, respectively. Their 3D structures enabled comparisons with stereoselective lignan– and aromatic terpenoid–forming DP orthologs. Each protein provides entry into diverse plant natural products classes, and our experiments suggest a common biochemical mechanism in binding and stabilizing distinct plant phenol–derived mono- and bis-quinone methide intermediates during different C–C and C–O bond–forming processes. These observations provide key insights into both their appearance and functional diversification of DPs during land plant evolution/adaptation. The proposed biochemical mechanisms based on our findings provide important clues to how additional physiological roles for DPs and proteins harboring dirigent-like domains can now be rationally and systematically identified.

The composition, orientation, and conformation of proteins in biomolecular coronas acquired by nanoparticles in biological media contribute to how they are identified by a cell. While numerous stud...

Cortical asymmetry is a ubiquitous feature of brain organization that is subtly altered in some neurodevelopmental disorders, yet we lack knowledge of how its development proceeds across life in health. Achieving consensus on the precise cortical asymmetries in humans is necessary to uncover the genetic and later influences that shape them, such as age. Here, we delineate population-level asymmetry in cortical thickness and surface area vertex-wise in 7 datasets and chart asymmetry trajectories longitudinally across life (4-89 years; observations = 3937; 70% longitudinal). We find replicable asymmetry interrelationships, heritability maps, and test asymmetry associations in large-scale data. Cortical asymmetry was robust across datasets. Whereas areal asymmetry is predominantly stable across life, thickness asymmetry grows in childhood and peaks in early adulthood. Areal asymmetry correlates phenotypically and genetically in specific regions, and is low-moderately heritable (max h2SNP∼19%). In contrast, thickness asymmetry is globally interrelated across the cortex in a pattern suggesting highly left-lateralized individuals tend towards left-lateralization also in population-level right-asymmetric regions (and vice versa), and exhibits low or absent heritability. We find less areal asymmetry in the most consistently lateralized region in humans associates with subtly lower cognitive ability, and confirm small handedness and sex effects. Results suggest areal asymmetry is developmentally stable and arises in early life through genetic but mainly subject-specific stochastic effects, whereas childhood developmental growth shapes thickness asymmetry and may lead to directional variability of global thickness lateralization in the population.

Certain plant pathogens have demonstrated potential for use as bioherbicides for weed control, and numerous studies have been published on this subject for several decades. One of the early examples of an important fungal bioherbicide is Alternaria cassiae, isolated from the weed sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia). To gain further insight into biochemical interactions of this fungus and its host weed, we examined the effects of this bioherbicide on various enzymes associated with plant defense. Young sicklepod seedlings were challenged with A. cassiae spore inoculum and enzyme activities associated with plant defense (peroxidase, proteolytic, and pectinolytic) were assayed periodically over a 96-h time course on plants grown in continuous darkness or continuous light. Peroxidase activity increased with time in untreated control seedlings in both light and dark, but the effect was greater in the light. In A. cassiae-treated plants, peroxidase was elevated above that in control tissue at all sample times resulting in a 1.5 -fold increase above control in light-grown tissue and a 2- to 3-fold increase in dark-grown tissue over 48–96 h. Differences in leucine aminopeptidase activity in control versus A. cassiae-treated tissues were not significant until 48–96 h, when activity was inhibited in fungus-treated tissues by about 32% in light-grown tissue and 27% in dark-grown tissue after 96 h. Proteolytic activity on benzoyl-arginine-p-nitroanilide was not significantly different in treated versus control tissue in either light or dark over the time course. Pectinase activity increased in treated tissues at all time points as early as 16 h after spore application in light- or dark-grown plants. The greatest increases were 1.5-fold above control levels in light-grown plants (40–64 h) and 2-fold in plants grown in darkness (72–96 h). Data suggests that peroxidase may be involved as defense mechanism of sicklepod when challenged by A. cassia and that this mechanism is operative in young seedlings under both light and dark growth conditions. Differential proteolytic activity responses on these two substrates suggests the presence of two different enzymes. Increased pectinase activity during pathogenesis suggests that A. cassiae-sicklepod interaction results in an infectivity mechanism to degrade pectic polymers important to sicklepod cell wall integrity. These studies provide important information on some biochemical interactions that may be useful for improvements to biological weed control programs utilizing plant pathogens. Such information may also be useful in genetic selection and manipulation of pathogens for weed control.

Complete genome sequences were determined for 4 clade A and 12 clade D enterovirus D68 strains detected in nasopharyngeal swabs from children with acute respiratory illness in the Philippines. These sequence data will be useful for future epidemiological monitoring, including watching for viral evolution.

The human cerebral hemispheres show a left–right asymmetrical torque pattern, which has been claimed to be absent in chimpanzees. The functional significance and developmental mechanisms are unknown. Here, we carried out the largest-ever analysis of global brain shape asymmetry in magnetic resonance imaging data. Three population datasets were used, UK Biobank (N = 39 678), Human Connectome Project (N = 1113), and BIL&GIN (N = 453). At the population level, there was an anterior and dorsal skew of the right hemisphere, relative to the left. Both skews were associated independently with handedness, and various regional gray and white matter metrics oppositely in the two hemispheres, as well as other variables related to cognitive functions, sociodemographic factors, and physical and mental health. The two skews showed single nucleotide polymorphisms-based heritabilities of 4–13%, but also substantial polygenicity in causal mixture model analysis, and no individually significant loci were found in genome-wide association studies for either skew. There was evidence for a significant genetic correlation between horizontal brain skew and autism, which requires future replication. These results provide the first large-scale description of population-average brain skews and their inter-individual variations, their replicable associations with handedness, and insights into biological and other factors which associate with human brain asymmetry.

Left–right hemispheric asymmetry is an important aspect of healthy brain organization for many functions including language, and it can be altered in cognitive and psychiatric disorders. No mechanism has yet been identified for establishing the human brain’s left–right axis. We performed multivariate genome-wide association scanning of cortical regional surface area and thickness asymmetries, and subcortical volume asymmetries, using data from 32,256 participants from the UK Biobank. There were 21 significant loci associated with different aspects of brain asymmetry, with functional enrichment involving microtubule-related genes and embryonic brain expression. These findings are consistent with a known role of the cytoskeleton in left–right axis determination in other organs of invertebrates and frogs. Genetic variants associated with brain asymmetry overlapped with those associated with autism, educational attainment and schizophrenia. Comparably large datasets will likely be required in future studies, to replicate and further clarify the associations of microtubule-related genes with variation in brain asymmetry, behavioural and psychiatric traits., Genes associated with brain asymmetry are involved with the internal skeletons of cells, and are especially active in the embryo. Some of these genes are associated with handedness and risk for psychiatric disorders.

A mycelial formulation of the bioherbicidal fungus Myrothecium verrucaria (Alb. & Schwein.) Ditmar: Fr. (MV) was tested alone and in combination with a commercially available glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] (GLY) product for controlling the invasive vines, redvine [Brunnichia ovata (Walt.) Shinners], and trumpet creeper [Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. ex Bureau] in field experiments conducted near Stoneville, MS. Several application timing regimens were evaluated (Fall, Spring, Fall + Spring, and Spring + Fall). We found that a Fall + Spring application of MV + GLY controlled redvine and trumpet creeper by 95%, 12 days after the second treatment, through a synergistic interaction of the fungus and glyphosate. Disease symptomatology was characterized by rapid necrosis of leaf and stem tissues, with mortality occurring within 72 h. Neither glyphosate alone, nor MV alone, effectively controlled either weed species under any application timing regimen. No visual disease or herbicide damage occurred on glyphosate-resistant soybean plants in the treated test plots. These results suggest that some formulations of glyphosate, mixed with the bioherbicide MV, can effectively control redvine and trumpet creeper, two of the most troublesome weeds in the row crops of the Mississippi Delta region in the mid-southern U.S.

Previously we found two biotypes of Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth) in a population of this economically important weed that were resistant to glyphosate but differed with respect to pigmentation. One biotype was typically red-pigmented (betacyanin) while the other was green, with no visual appearance of red hue on any plant part at any growth stage. We have also reported that a strain of Myrothecium verrucaria (MV) exhibited bioherbicidal activity against several important weeds including glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth. In greenhouse tests, MV was applied to these two biotypes (red and green) at two ages (3-week- and 6-week-old) and effects of this fungus monitored over a 5-day time course. Initial symptoms of MV (16 to 24 h after inoculation) were: epinastic curvature, wilting and development of lesions on leaves and stems. Generally, the younger plants tended to be more sensitive to MV than older plants. Bioherbicidal damage increased with time leading to necrosis and plant mortality and increasing disease progress. Severe loss of fresh weight occurred in both biotypes as compared to untreated plants. Results indicated that MV was effective on both biotypes, but effects on growth reduction and disease progression were more rapid and generally greater in the green biotype, suggesting that compounds responsible for red pigmentation may be more potent as defense against pathogen attack.

HighlightsIrrigated grain sorghum yield and irrigation water use decreased under climate change.Increase in growing season temperature beyond 26°C resulted in a sharp decline in grain sorghum yield.Irrigating during early reproductive stages resulted in the most efficient use of limited water.Irrigating to replenish soil water to 80% of field capacity was found suitable for both current and future climates. Groundwater overdraft from the Ogallala Aquifer for irrigation use and anticipated climate change impacts pose major threats to the sustainability of agriculture in the Texas High Plains (THP) region. In this study, the DSSAT-CSM-CERES-Sorghum model was used to simulate climate change impacts on grain sorghum production under full and deficit irrigation strategies and suggest optimal deficit irrigation strategies. Two irrigation strategies were designed based on (1) crop growth stage and (2) soil water deficit. For the first strategy, seven deficit irrigation scenarios and one full irrigation scenario were simulated: three scenarios with a single 100 mm irrigation scheduled between panicle initiation and boot (T1), between boot and early grain filling (T2), and between early and late grain filling (T3) growth stages; three 200 mm irrigation treatments with combinations of T1 and T2 (T4), T1 and T3 (T5), and T2 and T3 (T6); one 300 mm irrigation scenario (T7) that was a combination of T1, T2, and T3; and a full irrigation scenario (T8) in which irrigation was applied throughout the growing season to maintain at least 50% of plant-available water in the top 30 cm soil profile. For the second strategy, the irrigation schedule obtained from auto-irrigation (T8) was mimicked to create a full irrigation scenario (I100) and six deficit irrigation scenarios. In the deficit irrigation scenarios, water was applied on the same dates as scenario I100; however, the irrigation amounts of scenario I100 were reduced by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% to create deficit irrigation scenarios I90, I80, I70, I60, I50, and I40, respectively. Projected climate forcings were drawn from nine global climate models (GCMs) and two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). Climate change analysis indicated that grain sorghum yield under full irrigation was expected to be reduced by 5% by mid-century (2036 to 2065) and by 15% by late-century (2066 to 2095) under RCP 8.5 compared to the baseline period (1976 to 2005). Simulated future irrigation water demand of grain sorghum was reduced due to the shorter growing season and improved dry matter- and yield-transpiration productivity, likely due to CO2 fertilization. Based on the simulated grain sorghum yield and irrigation water use efficiency, the most efficient use of limited irrigation was achieved by applying irrigation during the early reproductive stages of grain sorghum (panicle initiation through early grain filling). A 20% deficit irrigation scenario was found to be optimal for current and future conditions because it was more water use efficient than full irrigation with a minor yield reduction of

In the pages of The Southern Medical Journal, in 1919, William Osler’s colleague Lewellys Barker published a piece entitled “Osler and the South.” Using glowing terms but with startling inaccuracy, Barker described Osler’s relationship with the South and Southerners. Essentially, the brief communication was a happy birthday letter. If Osler had any thoughts on the Civil War, Reconstruction, or the Southern agrarian mindset, he never wrote them down, and a paucity of published information is available to support Barker’s comments. Even though William Osler lived in Baltimore when he worked at Johns Hopkins, he was never particularly fond of that city. He rarely traveled further south. When Osler departed Baltimore for the Regius Professorship in England in 1905, H. L. Mencken eventually published an exquisitely written and fond remembrance of Osler. On several occasions when Osler did venture south, he left a momentous literary or academic footprint. He gave his famous address, “The Fevers of the South,” at the American Medical Association meeting in Atlanta in 1896. From this oratory comes the iconic and oft-quoted line: “Humanity has but three great enemies: fever, famine, and war; of these by far the greatest, by far the most terrible, is fever.” On another excursion, he and two colleagues traveled to the Dismal Swamp, in Old Comfort Point, Virginia. Osler’s fascination with Thomas Moore’s poem “The Lake of the Dismal Swamp” inspired the outing. During their lunch break, Osler composed a whimsical tale, intended for his son Revere, about the swamp. Osler wrote the story on blank pages in the back of a copy of The Anatomy of Melancholy. That particular volume came to rest in a library in Christ Church and, when discovered, the “added contents” were quite a philological mystery until a letter, written by T. B. Futcher, describing the visit to the swamp, illuminated the activities of that outing. Despite Osler’s limited travels in the South, he left an Oslerian legacy there.