Search

Dong Li,1 Jiaming Sun,2 Yuguang Zhang,3 Xiaojun Wang,4 Songlin Yang,5 Candice Harvey,6 Lijuan Zhang7 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Depatment of Plastic Surgery, Union Hospital Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai 9th People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Plastic Surgery Shanghai 6th People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 6Clinical Development, Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Marlow, UK; 7Clinical Development, Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Dong Li, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 10 8226 6699, Fax +86 10 8226 6116, Email lidong9@sina.comPurpose: Soft tissue filler injection is less invasive than surgical approaches for facial aesthetic improvement. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the soft tissue filler VYC-20L (Juvéderm Voluma® XC) for improvement of volume and aesthetic appearance of the nose in Chinese subjects.Patients and Methods: In a prospective, multicenter, no-treatment–controlled study in China, adult subjects were randomized 3:1 to receive VYC-20L (treatment group) or have optional treatment delayed by 24 weeks (control group). The treatment group received VYC-20L on day 1 plus optional touch-up at week 8 for suboptimal improvement. The primary effectiveness measure was mean change in nose area volume from baseline to week 24 by digital analysis of three-dimensional (3D) images. Multiple secondary effectiveness and safety measures were assessed.Results: Of 164 subjects randomized, 162 were treated, and 157 comprised the modified intent-to-treat population (mean age, 31 years; 94% female). In the treatment group, mean VYC-20L volume injected was 1.18 mL (initial treatment) and 0.67 mL (touch-up; n = 46 [38.3%]). VYC-20L achieved significantly larger changes in nose area volume than control at week 24 (2.032 vs ‒0.005 cm3, respectively; p < 0.0001) and greater improvements on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (investigator and subject), Nose Satisfaction Scale, and other 3D measures. No treatment-related adverse events occurred. Most injection site responses were mild/moderate, resolving within 14 days. Mean initial/touch-up treatment procedural pain ratings were less than 3 (0‒10 scale; higher = worse pain).Conclusion: VYC-20L is safe and effective for nose augmentation in Chinese adults.Keywords: dermal fillers, hyaluronic acid, injections, nose, rhinoplasty

Yun Xie,1 Qin Li,2 Zhanwei Gao,3 Jiaming Sun,4 Dong Li,5 Candice Harvey,6 Jiazhi Qu,7 Sean Snow,8 Qingfeng Li1 1Plastic Surgery Department of Shanghai 9th People’s Hospital, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Plastic Surgery Department of General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of PLA, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 3Plastic Surgery Department of Japan Friendship Hospital, Chaoyang, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Plastic Surgery Department of Union Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China; 5Plastic Surgery Department of Peking University Third Hospital, Haidian, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 6Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Marlow, UK; 7Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 8Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Irvine, CA, USACorrespondence: Qingfeng Li, Shanghai 9th People’s Hospital, No. 639, Zizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People’s Republic of China, Tel + 86-21-53315615, Fax + 86-21-63089567, Email dr.liqingfeng@yahoo.comPurpose: Hyaluronic acid injectable gels are commonly used to treat nasolabial folds (NLFs). We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of VYC-17.5L for correcting NLFs in Chinese subjects.Patients and Methods: This prospective, multicenter, double-blind, within-subject‒controlled study randomized adults with moderate-to-severe NLFs to VYC-17.5L treatment (initial and touch-up) in 1 NLF and control (without lidocaine) in the contralateral NLF. Effectiveness endpoints at 6 months included noninferiority of VYC-17.5L to control in NLF Severity Scale response rate (primary endpoint), subject-reported procedural pain (11-point scale), and investigator and subject assessments using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS).Results: A total of 175 subjects were included. The primary endpoint was met, with response rates of 84.2% for VYC-17.5L and 82.5% for control. Mean pain scores after initial and touch-up treatments were 2.4 for VYC-17.5L versus 5.2 for control (P < 0.001) and 2.0 versus 3.3 (P < 0.001), respectively. Investigator-rated GAIS scores were 86.5% for VYC-17.5L versus 86.0% for control. There were no between-group differences in subject-rated GAIS scores. Safety profiles were comparable for VYC-17.5L and control.Conclusion: VYC-17.5L was noninferior to control without lidocaine for correcting moderate-to-severe NLFs in Chinese subjects and was superior to control in reducing procedural pain.Keywords: hyaluronic acid, dermal fillers, lidocaine

Abstract Objective Realimentation can compensate for weight loss from poor-quality feedstuffs or drought. Mature cows fluctuate in body weight throughout the year due to nutrient availability. The objective of this study was to determine whether cows that differ in weight gain during realimentation also differ in the abundance of transcripts for enzymes associated with energy utilization in skeletal muscle. Mature cows were subjected to feed restriction followed by ad libitum feed. Skeletal muscle transcriptome expression differences during the two feeding periods were determined from cows with greater (n = 6) and less (n = 6) weight gain during the ad libitum feeding period. Results A total of 567 differentially expressed genes (408 up- and 159 down-regulated) were identified for the comparison of restriction and ad libitum periods (PBonferroni

Sophie Hickey,1,* Yvette Roe,1,* Caroline Harvey,2 Sue Kruske,1,2 Anton Clifford-Motopi,2 Ike Fisher,2 Brenna Bernardino,3,4 Sue Kildea1 1Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; 2Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; 3School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; 4Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yvette RoeMolly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, 410 Ann St, Level 11 East Tower, Brisbane, 4000, Queensland, AustraliaTel +61 7 3169 4266Email Yvette.roe@cdu.edu.auContext: Little is known about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) access and health promotion for First Nations peoples in Australia. This study aimed to better understand community preferences, knowledge and access to contraception and SRH services, and use this understanding to make recommendations which support approaches led by local Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations (ACCHOs).Methods: Qualitative First Nations-led yarning circles were conducted with 55 community members and health service providers using and/or working at ACCHOs in urban South East Queensland. Cultural protocols ensured women’s and men’s interviews were separately collected and analysed. Thematic analysis was conducted by multiple coders, privileging interpretations by First Nations researchers.Results: Family, kin and friends were described as key knowledge holders and ACCHOs as knowledge spaces for sharing information about maintaining positive SRH and wellbeing for First Nations people. Interviewees wanted accurate and timely information in an accessible, culturally appropriate way. Making informed choices about family planning was described as an important process of agency and self-determination for First Nations people, and contextualized within broader aspirations for growing strong families and healthy relationships.Conclusion: Understanding SRH through the concept of “knowledge spaces” and “knowledge holders” highlights the collective importance of community relationality to support individual agency and informed SRH decision-making. ACCHOs appear to be acceptable knowledge spaces for SRH information; and evidence-based recommendations may increase their reach. Health services should consider upskilling community SRH knowledge holders to share consistent, accurate and accessible SRH information.Keywords: Indigenous, community-based health promotion, sexual and reproductive health, contraception, strength-based

The effects of growth-promoting implants have been well-defined for their ability to impact growth performance in beef cattle. Production-relevant microbes and microbiomes in the rumen have also been associated with growth traits. However, the role of implants on the rumen microbiome has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine if different doses of implant hormones cause gain-associated ruminal microbial community changes. To assess this, a completely randomized design was used and 336 fall-born steers 450 to 470 days of age from the germplasm evaluation population at the US Meat Animal Research Center (Clay Center, NE) were divided into two treatment groups: 1) a moderate implant strategy (n = 167) of Revalor-IS (80 mg trenbolone acetate and 16 mg estradiol) followed by Revalor-S (120 mg trenbolone acetate and 24 mg estradiol) or 2) an aggressive implant strategy (n = 169) of Revalor-IS followed by Revalor-200 (200 mg trenbolone acetate and 20 mg estradiol). Steers were fed the same diet (57.0% dry-rolled corn, 30% wet distiller’s grains with solubles, 8.0% alfalfa hay, 4.25% vitamin and mineral supplement, and 0.75% urea, on a DM basis). On d 85 after implants administration, rumen contents were collected via orogastric tubing. Samples were sequenced to target and identify bacteria, archaea, and protozoa. Untargeted metabolomics was performed on rumen content using ultra high performance liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry. Production data between implant strategies was analyzed using a mixed model ANOVA (SASv9.4, Cary, NC) followed by separation of least squares means. Microbial diversity between strategies did not differ for archaea or protozoa (P > 0.05). Average daily gain was different (P = 0.01; 1.72 vs 1.66 ± 0.02 kg, aggressive vs moderate, respectively); however, large microbial community shifts were not associated with implant strategy. Two metabolites, N-acetyllysine and N-acetylornithine, were found in greater abundance in the moderate implant strategy (P ≤ 0.04). Understanding associations between the rumen microbiome and implant strategies may allow improvement of growth efficiency in beef cattle.

The authors apply the signature pedagogies framework for pedagogical foundations in counselor education put forth by Baltrinic and Wachter Morris (In press) to counseling leadership. Accordingly, we first define counseling leadership and describe the limited literature focused on pedagogical practices related to counseling leadership. Next, we discuss supervision and use the notion of broad and specific features as discussed within Baltrinic and Wachter Morris (In press) to systematically examine whether there is a signature pedagogy for counseling leadership, and purport how supervision of counseling leadership largely fulfills the criteria. Finally, we discuss how supervision of counseling leadership can be utilized and further expanded, followed by a consideration of the subsequent implications for counseling leadership practice and future research.

The role of accommodation-sharing platforms, such as Airbnb, is seen as a disruption to more conventional accommodation providers and rental markets in many cities and regions worldwide. This Regional Graphic focuses on New Zealand, showing a snapshot in time of the spatial distribution of the accommodation provided by Airbnb. What the map shows are patterns of statistically significant mildly positive clustering (Moran's I = 0.33, p ≤ 0.05) of the Airbnb locations. The ‘traditional’ tourism hotspots, mainly in the South Island of New Zealand, for example, Wanaka or Queenstown (Queenstown Hill, Lake Hayes South, Sunshine Bay), and the largest city, Auckland (Central West, East, Habourside and Waiheke Island), are shown. A few of the highest ranked places also feature a high intensity per usually resident person. For example, Queenstown Hill has 204 Airbnb listings per 1000 residents. The area with the highest number of Airbnbs is Wanaka, a smaller South Island tourist destination. A key issue for future research is how short-term rentals pose a challenge to local authorities who collect property taxes based on the value of the property, with some local authorities (e.g., Auckland) proposing or enacting specific by-laws in relation to Airbnb.

Mesenteric fat is a visceral fat depot that increases with cattle maturity and can be influenced by diet. There may be a relationship between the accumulation of mesenteric fat and feed efficiency in beef cattle. The purpose of this study was to identify genes that may be differentially expressed in steers with high and low BW gain and feed intake. RNA-Seq was used to evaluate the transcript abundance of genes in the mesenteric fat from a total of 78 steers collected over 5 different cohorts. A meta-analysis was used to identify genes involved with gain, feed intake or the interaction of both phenotypes. The interaction analysis identified 11 genes as differentially expressed. For the main effect of gain, a total of 87 differentially expressed genes (DEG) were identified (PADJ

Abstract Background Feed intake and body weight gain are economically important inputs and outputs of beef production systems. The purpose of this study was to discover differentially expressed genes that will be robust for feed intake and gain across a large segment of the cattle industry. Transcriptomic studies often suffer from issues with reproducibility and cross-validation. One way to improve reproducibility is by integrating multiple datasets via meta-analysis. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed on longissimus dorsi muscle from 80 steers (5 cohorts, each with 16 animals) selected from the outside fringe of a bivariate gain and feed intake distribution to understand the genes and pathways involved in feed efficiency. In each cohort, 16 steers were selected from one of four gain and feed intake phenotypes (n = 4 per phenotype) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with gain and feed intake as main effect variables. Each cohort was analyzed as a single experiment using a generalized linear model and results from the 5 cohort analyses were combined in a meta-analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEG) across the cohorts. Results A total of 51 genes were differentially expressed for the main effect of gain, 109 genes for the intake main effect, and 11 genes for the gain x intake interaction (Pcorrected

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic potential of bacterial biomarkers by comparing the performance of molecular detection assays with clinical assessments of dogs oral health performed by veterinarians. METHODS: Supragingival and subgingival plaque samples were collected from 127 client-owned dogs, pre-booked for procedures under general anesthesia, visiting veterinary practices in the United States. DNA was extracted and bacterial biomarkers quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Gingivitis and periodontitis were recorded by a trained clinician using the Weighted Gingivitis Periodontitis Score which involved assessing the buccal surfaces of 18 teeth while under general anesthesia. Intraoral dental radiographs of the left and right mandibular first molar teeth were also obtained. These data were then used to establish the diagnostic performance of the molecular assay to detect periodontitis. RESULTS: An initial conscious, visual oral examination performed by the veterinarian identified 67.7% of dogs as having periodontitis, but examination under general anesthesia indicated a higher proportion (86.6%). Analysis of supragingival plaque samples collected by veterinarians from conscious and unconscious dogs demonstrated the assay had an accuracy of 77.7 to 80.9%, a sensitivity of 77.6 to 81.0%, and a specificity of 80.0%. DISCUSSION: Use of this molecular screening tool in conscious dogs has the potential to improve early periodontal disease detection and support veterinary decision making, ultimately improving the oral health of dogs and consequently their quality of life.

Abstract The rumen has a central role in the efficiency of digestion in ruminants. To identify potential differences in rumen function that lead to differences in average daily gain (ADG), rumen fluid metabolomic analysis by LC-MS and multivariate/univariate statistical analysis were used to identify differences in rumen metabolites. Individual feed intake and body-weight was measured on 144 steers during 105 d on a high concentrate ration. Eight steers with the greatest ADG and 8 steers with the least-ADG with dry matter intake near the population average were selected. Blood and rumen fluid was collected from the 16 steers 26 d before slaughter and at slaughter, respectively. As a result of the metabolomics analysis of rumen fluid, 33 metabolites differed between the ADG groups based on t-test, fold changes and partial least square discriminant analysis. These metabolites were primarily involved in linoleic and alpha-linolenic metabolism (impact-value 1.0 and 0.75, respectively; P

Abstract Background Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays for domestic cattle have catalyzed the identification of genetic markers associated with complex traits for inclusion in modern breeding and selection programs. Using actual and imputed Illumina 778K genotypes for 3887 U.S. beef cattle from 3 populations (Angus, Hereford, SimAngus), we performed genome-wide association analyses for feed efficiency and growth traits including average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), mid-test metabolic weight (MMWT), and residual feed intake (RFI), with marker-based heritability estimates produced for all traits and populations. Results Moderate and/or large-effect QTL were detected for all traits in all populations, as jointly defined by the estimated proportion of variance explained (PVE) by marker effects (PVE ≥ 1.0%) and a nominal P-value threshold (P ≤ 5e-05). Lead SNPs with PVE ≥ 2.0% were considered putative evidence of large-effect QTL (n = 52), whereas those with PVE ≥ 1.0% but

Amplicon sequencing utilizing next-generation platforms has significantly transformed how research is conducted, specifically microbial ecology. However, primer and sequencing platform biases can confound or change the way scientists interpret these data. The Pacific Biosciences RSII instrument may also preferentially load smaller fragments, which may also be a function of PCR product exhaustion during sequencing. To further examine theses biases, data is provided from 16S rRNA rumen community analyses. Specifically, data from the relative phylum-level abundances for the ruminal bacterial community are provided to determine between-sample variability. Direct sequencing of metagenomic DNA was conducted to circumvent primer-associated biases in 16S rRNA reads and rarefaction curves were generated to demonstrate adequate coverage of each amplicon. PCR products were also subjected to reduced amplification and pooling to reduce the likelihood of PCR product exhaustion during sequencing on the Pacific Biosciences platform. The taxonomic profiles for the relative phylum-level and genus-level abundance of rumen microbiota as a function of PCR pooling for sequencing on the Pacific Biosciences RSII platform were provided. For more information, see “Evaluation of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing using two next-generation sequencing technologies for phylogenetic analysis of the rumen bacterial community in steers” P.R. Myer, M. Kim, H.C. Freetly, T.P.L. Smith (2016) [1]. Keywords: 16S rRNA gene, MiSeq, Pacific Biosciences, Rumen microbiome

Donald Sachs,1 Don Kovalsky,2 Andy Redmond,3 Robert Limoni,4 S Craig Meyer,5 Charles Harvey,6 Dimitriy Kondrashov7 1Center for Spinal Stenosis and Neurologic Care, Lakeland, FL, 2Orthopaedic Center of Southern Illinois, Mount Vernon, IL, 3Precision Spine Care, Tyler, TX, 4BayCare Clinic, Green Bay, WI, 5Columbia Orthopaedic Group, Columbia, MO, 6Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee, IL, 7SF Spine Group at St Mary’s Spine Center, San Francisco, CA, USA Background: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion (SIJF), first performed 95 years ago, has become an increasingly accepted surgical option for chronic SIJ dysfunction. Few studies have reported intermediate- or long-term outcomes after SIJF.Objective: The objective of this study is to determine patient-based outcomes after SIJF for chronic SIJ dysfunction due to degenerative sacroiliitis or SIJ disruption at ≥3 years of follow-up.Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent SIJF prior to December 2012 were contacted over phone or through email. Participants completed questionnaires in clinic, over phone or by email, regarding SIJ pain, activities related to SIJ dysfunction, and the Oswestry Disability Index. Charts were reviewed to extract baseline parameters and the clinical course of follow-up.Results: One hundred seven patients were eligible and participated in this study. Mean (standard deviation) preoperative SIJ pain score was 7.5 (1.7). At mean follow-up of 3.7 years, the mean SIJ pain score was 2.6 (representing a 4.8-point improvement from baseline, P

Feed costs account for over 70% of the annual expenditures in cow/calf production. During the production year the cow uses nutrients to support conceptus growth, milk production, work (grazing and locomotion), and maintenance requirements. The majority of the nutrients are used to support maintenance. Substrate cycling has been identified as one of the major contributors toward energy expenditure associated with maintenance in mature cows. The objective of this study was to determine whether beef cows that differ in the efficiency of weight gain differ in the relative abundance of transcripts for metabolic regulation in adipose tissue. Mature beef cows were subjected to feed restriction followed by ad libitum feed. Adipose tissue from twelve cows with high (n = 6) and low (n = 6) gain based on growth performance during the ad libitum feeding period was evaluated for transcriptome expression differences. A total of 496 genes were differentially expressed and passed Bonferroni correction for the animals with greater gain between restriction and realimentation and 491 genes were differentially expressed among animals with lesser gains between feed restriction and realimentation. Of these two differentially expressed gene lists, 144 genes were common between animals with greater and those with lesser gain. Enriched biological processes included the TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, respiratory electron transport chain and fatty acid metabolic processes. Specific to adipose tissue of low gaining animals was glycolysis and to high gain animals was coenzyme, steroid, cellular amino acid, nitrogen compound metabolic processes, and sensory perception. The oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways were commonly associated with the high gain animals between feed restriction and realimentation, as well as with the low gaining animals between the two time points. Unique to the high gaining animals were valine degradation and LPS/IL-1 mediated inhibition of RXR function pathways. In this discovery study, genes involved in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation pathways appear to be critical to mature cows during times of abundant feed after feed restriction.

Single cell whole genome amplification is susceptible to amplification biases that impact the accuracy of single cell sequencing data. To address this, we have developed a microfluidic device for the isolation and purification of genomic DNA from individual cells. The device uses a micropillar array to physically capture single cells and its chromosomal DNA upon extraction. The extracted DNA is immobilized within the micropillar array in a way that allows isothermal amplification. In this system, whole genome amplification of the single cell is carried out under a continual fluid flow within the microfluidic channel. We have demonstrated the process for amplification of individual human cancer cell genomes from the HeLa cell line. By sampling select gene loci along the human genome and performing whole exome sequencing, we demonstrate improved genome coverage and reduced amplification bias compared to amplification of single cells deposited in wells by fluorescence activated cell sorting.

We have previously identified components of the immune system contributing to feed intake and gain in both the rumen and small intestine of beef steers. In this study, we examined the spleen, a major lymphatic organ near the digestive tract, to determine whether it was also influencing individual feed efficiency status through immune responses. Animals (n=16) that were divergent for gain and intake were selected for tissue sampling. The spleen transcriptomes were evaluated by microarray. A total of 1,216 genes were identified as differentially expressed. Genes were over-represented in Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways including biological regulation, protein folding, cell communication, immune systems process, response to stress and RNA metabolic process. Several stress response or heat shock genes including HSPH1, HSPA1A, HSPA4, DNAJB4, DNAJA4, etc., were identified as a stress response functional gene cluster in the low gain-low intake animals. These genes were up-regulated amongst the low gain-low intake animals compared to all other groups. Canonical pathways associated with the differentially expressed genes included the coagulation system, extrinsic prothrombin activation, protein ubiquitination, unfolded protein response and aldosterone signaling in epithelial cells. An analysis of expressed copy number variable (CNV) genes in the spleen produced some of the same genes and gene families that were differentially expressed. Our data suggests the splenic contribution to some of the underlying variation among gain and intake within this group of animals may be a result of immune function and stress response. In addition, some of the differences in immune response functions may be related to gene copy number.

Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-limited bacterium in plant hosts and causes Pierce's disease (PD) of grapevines, which differ in susceptibility according to the Vitis species (spp.). In this work we compared X. fastidiosa biofilm formation and population dynamics when cultured in xylem saps from PD-susceptible and -resistant Vitis spp. under different conditions. Behaviors in a closed-culture system were compared to those in different sap-renewal cultures that would more closely mimic the physicochemical environment encountered in planta. Significant differences in biofilm formation and growth in saps from PD-susceptible and -resistant spp. were only observed using sap renewal culture. Compared to saps from susceptible V. vinifera, those from PD-resistant V. aestivalis supported lower titers of X. fastidiosa and less biofilm and V. champinii suppressed both growth and biofilm formation, behaviors which are correlated with disease susceptibility. Furthermore, in microfluidic chambers X. fastidiosa formed thick mature biofilm with three-dimensional (3-D) structures, such as pillars and mounds, in saps from all susceptible spp. In contrast, only small aggregates of various shapes were formed in saps from four out of five of the resistant spp.; sap from the resistant spp. V. mustangensis was an exception in that it also supported thick lawns of biofilm but not the above described 3-D structures typically seen in a mature biofilm from the susceptible saps. Our findings provide not only critical technical information for future bioassays, but also suggest further understanding of PD susceptibility.

Xylella fastidiosa is an important phytopathogenic bacterium that causes many serious plant diseases, including Pierce's disease of grapevines. Disease manifestation by X. fastidiosa is associated with the expression of several factors, including the type IV pili that are required for twitching motility. We provide evidence that an operon, named Pil-Chp, with genes homologous to those found in chemotaxis systems, regulates twitching motility. Transposon insertion into the pilL gene of the operon resulted in loss of twitching motility (pilL is homologous to cheA genes encoding kinases). The X. fastidiosa mutant maintained the type IV pili, indicating that the disrupted pilL or downstream operon genes are involved in pili function, and not biogenesis. The mutated X. fastidiosa produced less biofilm than wild-type cells, indicating that the operon contributes to biofilm formation. Finally, in planta the mutant produced delayed and less severe disease, indicating that the Pil-Chp operon contributes to the virulence of X. fastidiosa, presumably through its role in twitching motility.

Xylella fastidiosa is an important phytopathogenic bacterium that causes many serious plant diseases including Pierce's disease of grapevines. X. fastidiosa is thought to induce disease by colonizing and clogging xylem vessels through the formation of cell aggregates and bacterial biofilms. Here we examine the role in X. fastidiosa virulence of an uncharacterized gene, PD1671, annotated as a two-component response regulator with potential GGDEF and EAL domains. GGDEF domains are found in c-di-GMP diguanylate cyclases while EAL domains are found in phosphodiesterases, and these domains are for c-di-GMP production and turnover, respectively. Functional analysis of the PD1671 gene revealed that it affected multiple X. fastidiosa virulence-related phenotypes. A Tn5 PD1671 mutant had a hypervirulent phenotype in grapevines presumably due to enhanced expression of gum genes leading to increased exopolysaccharide levels that resulted in elevated biofilm formation. Interestingly, the PD1671 mutant also had decreased motility in vitro but did not show a reduced distribution in grapevines following inoculation. Given these responses, the putative PD1671 protein may be a negative regulator of X. fastidiosa virulence.

The cattle rumen has a diverse microbial ecosystem that is essential for the host to digest plant material. Extremes in body weight (BW) gain in mice and humans have been associated with different intestinal microbial populations. The objective of this study was to characterize the microbiome of the cattle rumen among steers differing in feed efficiency. Two contemporary groups of steers (n=148 and n=197) were fed a ration (dry matter basis) of 57.35% dry-rolled corn, 30% wet distillers grain with solubles, 8% alfalfa hay, 4.25% supplement, and 0.4% urea for 63 days. Individual feed intake (FI) and BW gain were determined. Within contemporary group, the four steers within each Cartesian quadrant were sampled (n=16/group) from the bivariate distribution of average daily BW gain and average daily FI. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons were sequenced from the harvested bovine rumen fluid samples using next-generation sequencing technology. No significant changes in diversity or richness were indicated, and UniFrac principal coordinate analysis did not show any separation of microbial communities within the rumen. However, the abundances of relative microbial populations and operational taxonomic units did reveal significant differences with reference to feed efficiency groups. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in all ruminal groups, with significant population shifts in relevant ruminal taxa, including phyla Firmicutes and Lentisphaerae, as well as genera Succiniclasticum, Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Prevotella. This study suggests the involvement of the rumen microbiome as a component influencing the efficiency of weight gain at the 16S level, which can be utilized to better understand variations in microbial ecology as well as host factors that will improve feed efficiency.

A region on bovine chromosome 6 has been implicated in cattle birth weight, growth, and length. Non-SMC conodensin I complex subunit G (NCAPG) and ligand dependent nuclear receptor corepressor-like protein (LCORL) are positional candidate genes within this region. Previously identified genetic markers in both genes were associated with average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in a crossbred population of beef steers. These markers were also associated with hot carcass weight, ribeye area and adjusted fat thickness suggesting that they may have a role in lean muscle growth and/or fat deposition. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the transcript abundance of either of these genes in cattle adipose and muscle tissue was associated with variation in feed intake and average daily gain phenotypes. Transcript abundance for NCAPG and LCORL in adipose and muscle tissue was measured in heifers (adipose only), cows and steers using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In the adipose tissue from cows and heifers, a negative correlation between LCORL transcript abundance and ADFI were detected (P = 0.05). In the muscle tissue from cows, transcript abundance of NCAPG was associated with ADG (r = 0.26; P = 0.009). A positive correlation between LCORL transcript abundance from muscle tissue of steers and ADFI was detected (P = 0.04). LCORL protein levels in the muscle of steers were investigated and were associated with ADFI (P = 0.01). These data support our earlier genetic associations with ADFI and ADG within this region and represent the potential for biological activity of these genes in the muscle and adipose tissues of beef cattle; however, they also suggest that sex, age and/or nutrition-specific interactions may affect the expression of NCAPG and LCORL in these tissues.

A previous study in cattle based on >48,000 markers identified markers on chromosome 4 near the chemerin gene associated with average daily feed intake (ADFI) in steers (P

Lead-binding proteins are a series of low molecular weight proteins, analogous to metallothionein, which segregate lead in a nontoxic form in several organs (kidney, brain, lung, liver, erythrocyte). Whether the lead-binding proteins in every organ are identical or different remains to be determined. In the erythrocyte, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) isoforms have commanded the greatest attention as proteins and enzymes that are both inhibitable and inducible by lead. ALAD-2, although it binds lead to a greater degree than ALAD-1, appears to bind lead in a less toxic form. What may be of greater significance is that a low molecular weight lead-binding protein, approximately 10 kDa, appears in the erythrocyte once blood lead exceeds 39 μg/dL and eventually surpasses the lead-binding capacity of ALAD. In brain and kidney of environmentally exposed humans and animals, a cytoplasmic lead-binding protein has been identified as thymosin β4, a 5 kDa protein. In kidney, but not brain, another lead-binding protein has been identified as acyl-CoA binding protein, a 9 kDa protein. Each of these proteins, when coincubated with liver ALAD and titrated with lead, diminishes the inhibition of ALAD by lead, verifying their ability to segregate lead in a nontoxic form.

Birds morph their wing shape to accomplish extraordinary manoeuvres1-4, which are governed by avian-specific equations of motion. Solving these equations requires information about a bird's aerodynamic and inertial characteristics5. Avian flight research to date has focused on resolving aerodynamic features, whereas inertial properties including centre of gravity and moment of inertia are seldom addressed. Here we use an analytical method to determine the inertial characteristics of 22 species across the full range of elbow and wrist flexion and extension. We find that wing morphing allows birds to substantially change their roll and yaw inertia but has a minimal effect on the position of the centre of gravity. With the addition of inertial characteristics, we derived a novel metric of pitch agility and estimated the static pitch stability, revealing that the agility and static margin ranges are reduced as body mass increases. These results provide quantitative evidence that evolution selects for both stable and unstable flight, in contrast to the prevailing narrative that birds are evolving away from stability6. This comprehensive analysis of avian inertial characteristics provides the key features required to establish a theoretical model of avian manoeuvrability.

Birds dynamically adapt to disparate flight behaviours and unpredictable environments by actively manipulating their skeletal joints to change their wing shape. This in-flight adaptability has inspired many unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) wings, which predominately morph within a single geometric plane. By contrast, avian joint-driven wing morphing produces a diverse set of non-planar wing shapes. Here, we investigated if joint-driven wing morphing is desirable for UAVs by quantifying the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of gull-inspired wing-body configurations. We used a numerical lifting-line algorithm (MachUpX) to determine the aerodynamic loads across the range of motion of the elbow and wrist, which was validated with wind tunnel tests using three-dimensional printed wing-body models. We found that joint-driven wing morphing effectively controls lift, pitching moment and static margin, but other mechanisms are required to trim. Within the range of wing extension capability, specific paths of joint motion (trajectories) permit distinct longitudinal flight control strategies. We identified two unique trajectories that decoupled stability from lift and pitching moment generation. Further, extension along the trajectory inherent to the musculoskeletal linkage system produced the largest changes to the investigated aerodynamic properties. Collectively, our results show that gull-inspired joint-driven wing morphing allows adaptive longitudinal flight control and could promote multifunctional UAV designs.