Raskbernstein5168

Non-additive genetic effects seem to play a substantial role in the expression of complex traits in sugarcane. Including non-additive effects in genomic prediction models significantly improves the prediction accuracy of clonal performance. In the recent decade, genetic progress has been slow in sugarcane. One reason might be that non-additive genetic effects contribute substantially to complex traits. Dense marker information provides the opportunity to exploit non-additive effects in genomic prediction. check details In this study, a series of genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) models that account for additive and non-additive effects were assessed to improve the accuracy of clonal prediction. The reproducible kernel Hilbert space model, which captures non-additive genetic effects, was also tested. The models were compared using 3,006 genotyped elite clones measured for cane per hectare (TCH), commercial cane sugar (CCS), and Fibre content. Three forward prediction scenarios were considered to investigate ion. By using a pseudo-diploid parameterization, we found significant non-additive effects that accounted for almost two-thirds of the total genetic variance for TCH. Average heterozygosity also had a major impact on TCH, indicating that directional dominance may be an important source of phenotypic variation for this trait. The extended-GBLUP model improved the prediction accuracies by at least 17% for TCH, but no improvement was observed for CCS and Fibre. Our results imply that non-additive genetic variance is important for complex traits in sugarcane, although further work is required to better understand the variance component partitioning in a highly polyploid context. Genomics-based breeding will likely benefit from exploiting non-additive genetic effects, especially in designing crossing schemes. These findings can help to improve clonal prediction, enabling a more accurate identification of variety candidates for the sugarcane industry.The IR spectra of p-(3-carboxy-1-adamantyl)thiacalix[4]arene (1-AdCOOHTC4A) have been studied. IR spectra of crystalline 1-AdCOOHTC4A obtained at room temperature or upon heating to 250 °C or its dilute solutions lack bands of free hydroxyl groups. The frequency of hydroxyl groups at 3377 cm-1 indicates the formation of an intramolecular H-bond along the lower rim of the 1-AdCOOHTC4A molecule. On the top edge of thiacalixarene, the carboxyl groups form dimeric or cyclic tetrameric complexes via intermolecular H-bonds. The conformation of the cone persists, but there is a mutual influence of H-bonds along the upper and lower rims of the thiacalix[4]arene molecule. The structure with dimer H-bonds between carboxyl groups is 31.9 KJ/mol less preferable than the conformation with tetramer cyclic H-bonds for 1-AdCOOHTC4A. Comparison of the absorption band of νOH alcohol hydroxyl groups in the IR spectra of 1-AdCOOHTC4A at 3377 cm-1, with the corresponding band of 1-AdTC4A at 3372 cm-1, suggests that the presence of the second system of H-bonds of carboxyl groups in the first molecule does not affect the H-bond of alcohol hydroxyl groups.Traditional methods of treatment planning and plan evaluation involve the use of generic dose-constraints. We aimed to build a web-based application to generate individualized dose-constraints and plan evaluation against a library of prior approved plan dose-volume histograms (DVH).A prototype was built for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans for prostate cancer. Using exported DVH files from the Varian and Accuray treatment planning systems, a library of plan DVHs was built by data extraction. Given structure volumes of a patient to be planned, a web based application was built to derive individual dose-constraints of the planning target volume (PTV) and organs-at-risk (OAR) based on achieved doses in a library of prior approved plans with similar anatomical volumes, selected using an interactive dashboard. A second web application was built to compare the achieved DVHs of the newly created plan against a library of plans of similar patients.These web application prototypes are a proof of principle that simple freely available tools can be built for library based planning and review.Patient portals have helped accelerate patient engagement in treatment. Patient understanding of radiology reports has become a necessity, and we are working to design a patient-friendly radiology report that can be easily understood. We have based the design of this new radiology report on the results of a previous study that examined patient desires and needs by exploring their questions posted on online discussion forums. The current design was tested by presenting it in two groups, a control group, and an intervention group. In our evaluation, we relied on the following five concepts understanding (quiz), cosmetics appearance, perceived ease of use, acceptance, and preference. The results showed that the new design outperformed the current design in all five concepts with an overall of (P  less then  .00). Based on these results, we have determined that the radiology report should include both an image and notes section, and the design can be applied to all types of radiological examinations using various imaging devices. We believe this design will be an important building block in facilitating patient understanding of radiology reports.Meningiomas are the most commonly diagnosed benign intracranial adult tumors. Subsets of meningiomas that present with extensive invasion into surrounding brain areas have high recurrence rates, resulting in difficulties for complete resection, substantially increased mortality of patients, and are therapeutically challenging for neurosurgeons. Exciting new data have provided insights into the understanding of the molecular machinery of invasion. Moreover, clinical trials for several novel approaches have been launched. Here, we will highlight the mechanisms which govern brain invasion and new promising therapeutic approaches for brain-invasive meningiomas, including pharmacological approaches targeting three major aspects of tumor cell invasion extracellular matrix degradation, cell adhesion, and growth factors, as well as other innovative treatments such as immunotherapy, hormone therapy, Tumor Treating Fields, and biodegradable copolymers (wafers), impregnated chemotherapy. Those ongoing studies can offer more diversified possibilities of potential treatments for brain-invasive meningiomas, and help to increase the survival benefits for patients.A portable biosensor has been developed based on microfluidic particle accumulation for visual quantification of copper ions. A copper-dependent DNAzyme is used to connect magnetic microparticles (MMPs) and polystyrene microparticles (PMPs), forming "MMPs-DNAzyme-PMPs." When copper ions are present, the DNAzyme is cleaved, allowing free PMPs to be released from the MMPs-DNAzyme-PMP complex. Using a capillary-flow-based microfluidic device, the MMPs-DNAzyme-PMPs are first separated by a magnetic chamber, allowing the free PMPs to continue flowing until being trapped at a particle dam with a narrowing nozzle. Therefore, as a thermometer-like display, the copper level can be visually quantified by the accumulation length of the free PMPs in the trapping microchannel. The limit of detection (LOD) is 33 nM determined by the linear range of 25-100 nM, which is 900 times lower than the prevalent standard (~30 μM) in Hong Kong. The system shows excellent selectivity (> 1000-folds) against other heavy metal ions and abilities to adapt to multiple water environmental conditions. Tests on tap water samples and three local natural water sources in Hong Kong manifest that the device can effectively monitor the quality of freshwater with >70% recovery and 26.16% RSD.

We studied genetic risk factors associated with sarcoidosis within a family with a high prevalence of this disease.

We studied 41 members of a family with a high rate of sarcoidosis, including an index patient with treatment-resistant neurosarcoidosis. Whole genome sequencing was performed for six affected family members and variations associated with loss of function were filtered out as candidate genes. Findings were validated by using amplicon sequencing within all 41 family members with DNA available and candidate genes were screened on absence and presence within the sarcoidosis affected and non-affected.

Family members (n = 61) from 5 generations were available for participation including 13 subjects diagnosed with sarcoidosis (20%). Analyses identified 36 candidate variants within 34 candidate genes. Variations within three of these genes (JAK2, BACH2, and NCF1) previously have been associated with autoimmune diseases.

We identified 34 genes with a possible role in the etiology of sarcoidosis, including JAK2. Our results may suggest evaluation of JAK inhibitors in treatment-resistant sarcoidosis. Key Points • JAK2 has a potential role in the etiology of sarcoidosis and is a potential therapeutic target. • We identified 33 additional candidate genes of which BACH2 and NCF1 have been previously associated with autoimmune disease.

We identified 34 genes with a possible role in the etiology of sarcoidosis, including JAK2. Our results may suggest evaluation of JAK inhibitors in treatment-resistant sarcoidosis. Key Points • JAK2 has a potential role in the etiology of sarcoidosis and is a potential therapeutic target. • We identified 33 additional candidate genes of which BACH2 and NCF1 have been previously associated with autoimmune disease.

Compare the intraventricular hemodynamics of 60 females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 61 healthy female controls, and determine cardiac function changes using vector flow mapping (VFM).

To determine the effect of pulmonary artery pressure changes on left ventricular function, SLE patients were divided into a normal pulmonary artery pressure group (S1, n=24) and an elevated pulmonary artery pressure group (S2, n=36). The energy loss (EL) at each segment of the left ventricular chamber (total, basal, middle, and apical segments) during each period of the cardiac cycle (isovolumic contraction, rapid ejection, rapid filling, reduced filling, atrial contraction) was determined.

The S1 group had significantly more vortices than the control group during the rapid ejection, rapid filling, and atrial contraction periods (p<0.01), and the maximum vortex areas in the S1 and S2 groups were smaller than in the control group during rapid filling and atrial contraction periods (p<0.05). Compared wiraphic indexes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

VFM of patients with SLE can comprehensively, rapidly, and efficiently evaluate changes of myocardial mechanics and intracardiac hemodynamics and provide quantitative analysis of complex intracardiac blood flow. Key points • Vector flow mapping (VFM) is a new non-invasive ultrasound technique that evaluates changes of myocardial mechanics and intracardiac hemodynamics, and provides quantitative analysis of complex intracardiac blood flow. • This study showed that vortex and energy loss may provide more sensitive detection of cardiac dysfunction than conventional echocardiographic indexes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.