Ritchiemccallum9672

Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed changes in the expression of several genes related to photosynthesis and FA biosynthesis in wrky6 mutants at 10 or 16 days after pollination. These results reveal a novel function of WRKY6 influencing seed oil content and FAs compositions. This gene could be used as a promising gene resource to improve FA accumulation and seed yield in Brassica napus through genetic manipulation. © 2020 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.Plants use roots to access soil resources, so differences in root traits and their ecological consequences could be a mechanism of species coexistence and niche divergence. Current views of the evolution of root diversity are informed by large-scale evolutionary analyses based on taxonomically coarse sampling and led to the "root trait phylogenetic conservatism hypothesis". Here we test this hypothesized conservatism among closely related species, and whether root variation plays an ecological role. We collected root-architectural traits for the species rich Cape rushes (Restionaceae) in the field and from herbaria. We used machine learning to interpolate missing data. Using model-based clustering we classified root syndromes. We modelled the proportion of the syndromes along environmental gradients using assemblages and environmental data of 735 plots. We fitted trait evolutionary models to test for the conservatism hypothesis. We recognized five root syndromes. Responses to environmental gradients are syndrome-specific and thus these represent ecomorphs. Trait-evolutionary models reveal an evolutionary lability in these ecomorphs. This could present the mechanistic underpinning of the taxonomic radiation of this group which has been linked to repeated habitat shifts. Our results challenge the perspective of strong phylogenetic conservatism and root trait evolution may more generally drive diversification. 4EGI-1 chemical structure This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16) E6 seropositivity is a promising early marker of human papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC), yet more sensitive imaging modalities are needed before screening is considered. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of transcervical sonography (TCS) for detecting clinically apparent HPV-OPC in comparison with computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. METHODS Fifty-one patients with known or suspected HPV-OPC without prior treatment underwent oropharyngeal TCS and blood collection (for HPV multiplex serology testing). Eight standard sonographic images were collected; primary-site tumors were measured in 3 dimensions if identified. Each patient underwent a full diagnostic workup as part of standard clinical care. The pathologic details, HPV status, final staging, and imaging findings were abstracted from the medical record. The sensitivity of each imaging modality was compared with the final clinical diagnosis (the gold standard). RESULTS Twenty-four base of tongue cancers (47%), 22 tonsillar cancers (43%), and 2 unknown primary cancers (4%) were diagnosed; 3 patients (6%) had no tumors. All p16-tested patients were positive (n = 47). Primary-site tumors were correctly identified in 90.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 78.6%-96.7%) with TCS, in 69.4% (95% CI, 54.6%-81.7%) with CT, and in 83.3% (95% CI, 68.6%-93.0%) with PET/CT. TCS identified tumors in 10 of 14 cases missed by CT and recognized the absence of tumors in 3 cases for which CT or PET/CT was falsely positive. The smallest sonographically identified primary-site tumor was 0.5 cm in its greatest dimension; the average size was 2.3 cm. Among p16-positive patients, 76.1% (95% CI, 61.2%-87.4%) were seropositive for HPV-16 E6. CONCLUSIONS TCS and HPV-16 E6 antibodies are sensitive for the diagnosis of HPV-OPC. © 2020 American Cancer Society.BACKGROUND Imaging of glioblastoma patients after maximal safe resection and chemoradiation commonly demonstrates new enhancements that raise concerns about tumor progression. However, in 30% to 50% of patients, these enhancements primarily represent the effects of treatment, or pseudo-progression (PsP). We hypothesize that quantitative machine learning analysis of clinically acquired multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) can identify subvisual imaging characteristics to provide robust, noninvasive imaging signatures that can distinguish true progression (TP) from PsP. METHODS We evaluated independent discovery (n = 40) and replication (n = 23) cohorts of glioblastoma patients who underwent second resection due to progressive radiographic changes suspicious for recurrence. Deep learning and conventional feature extraction methods were used to extract quantitative characteristics from the mpMRI scans. Multivariate analysis of these features revealed radiophenotypic signatures distinguishing among using the freely available Cancer Imaging Phenomics Toolkit. © 2020 American Cancer Society.INTRODUCTION To reduce myasthenia gravis (MG) patient risk of immunosuppressant (IS) exposure adverse events (AEs), such as infections and malignancies, and to reduce treatment burden, international guidelines recommend decreasing IS dose in stable MG patients. METHODS Online surveys were conducted of self-identified MG patients and MG physician experts about the importance of IS dose reduction for MG patients who achieve prolonged periods of disease stability. RESULTS Eighty-four percent of MG patients (n = 283) and 100% of physicians (n = 45) were concerned about long-term IS-associated AEs. Although both groups favored attempting IS reduction, they raised concerns including MG relapse, hospitalization, and uncertainty about the future. Presented with an estimated 12% significant relapse rate with IS dose reduction, 76% of patients would be willing to enroll in a randomized IS dose reduction trial. DISCUSSION Patients and physicians favor considering IS dose reduction but are also concerned about potential negative sequelae. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.INTRODUCTION We investigated the feasibility of motor unit number index (MUNIX) in quantitatively assessing motor root lesions and tracking different treatment outcomes in lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR). METHODS Bilateral MUNIX was recorded from the abductor hallucis, extensor digitorum brevis, and tibialis anterior in 44 normal controls and 108 patients with LR, and this was repeated approximately 12 months after treatment in 60 patients with LR. RESULTS More abnormalities were observed when side-to-side differences of MUNIX measurements were used to evaluate LR (P  less then  .05). Motor unit number index measurements worsened without progression of muscle weakness after conservative treatment, and MUNIX measurements improved with or without increased muscle strength after surgical treatment (P  less then  .05). DISCUSSION Motor unit number index may identify a specific L5 or S1 motor root lesion even before muscle weakness occurs, especially when side-to-side differences are used. Changes in MUNIX were larger than those in motor function measures after treatments for LR.