scholarly journals The Role of Hybridisation in the Making of the Species-Rich Arctic-Alpine Genus Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae)

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 440
Author(s):  
Jana Ebersbach ◽  
Natalia Tkach ◽  
Martin Röser ◽  
Adrien Favre
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Plant Biodiversity ◽  
Reproductive Barriers ◽  
F1 Hybrid ◽  
Ploidy Levels ◽  
Hybrid Swarms ◽  
Large Genus ◽  
Natural Hybridisation

Evolutionary processes fuelling rapid species diversification are not yet fully understood, although their major contribution to overall patterns of plant biodiversity is well established. Hybridisation is among the least understood of these processes, despite its multifaceted role in speciation processes being widely accepted. Species of the large arctic-alpine genus Saxifraga are notorious for their ability to hybridise; however, the overall role of hybridisation and polyploidisation for the diversification of this genus remains unknown. Here, we provide a comprehensive genus-wide review of hybridisation accounts and ploidy levels. We find that the sections of Saxifraga vary greatly in their propensity to hybridise. The majority of natural hybridisation accounts are from recent localised events (n = 71). Hybridisation hotspots were located in the Pyrenees and the European Alps, thus contrasting with the overall distribution of species richness in the genus. Hybrids or hybrid populations are often short-lived in Saxifraga due to a multitude of reproductive barriers, most commonly low F1 hybrid fertility. However, these barriers are not always fully effective, allowing for backcrossing and the formation of hybrid swarms. In addition, we find that the incidence of polyploidy varies widely across different sections of Saxifraga, with species-rich sections Porphyrion and Saxifraga showing divergent polyploidy proportions. Overall, we show that hybridisation and polyploidisation played differential roles in the diversification of this large genus. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of species are yet to be scrutinised, particularly among the Asian Saxifraga species, illustrating the need for systematic further study to fully unravel the role of hybridisation during the evolution of Saxifraga.

Update regarding anemia in heart failure

Medic ro ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-13
Author(s):  
Roxana Marcela Sânpălean ◽  
Dorina Nastasia Petra
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Lower Number ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Cardiac Morbidity ◽  
Appropriate Treatment

Heart failure (HF) is a burden for the healthcare system. The incidence will increase significantly due to the aging of po­pu­la­tion, which is associated with multiple comorbidities. Ane­mia and iron deficiency are common in patients with HF, their etiology being often multifactorial. The screening for anemia and iron deficiency is recommended as soon as pos­si­ble. There are often no targeted investigations, therefore a significant proportion of cases are underdiagnosed. The ma­nagement of patients may focus on identifying and correcting the cause. Anemia can occur due to nutritional deficiencies, infla­m­mation, renal failure, bone marrow dysfunction, neuro­hor­mo­nal activity, treatment and hemodilution. The appropriate the­ra­py for the patients with anemia and HF will contribute to the improvement of life quality. The only recommended iron product is ferric carboxymalose administered by in­tra­venous infusion. Under the appropriate treatment, the pa­tients showed an increase in effort tolerance, with an im­prove­ment in symptomatology and a lower number of hos­pi­ta­li­za­tion days. The management of these cases is handled by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a general prac­ti­tio­ner, a cardiologist and other specialists if the patient has other comorbidities. The role of the general practitioner is essential, as he can perform proper screening, prevention and management, developed by a multidisciplinary team, in order to reduce the cardiac morbidity and mortality.  

scholarly journals Efficacy of Phytocannabinoids in Epilepsy Treatment: Novel Approaches and Recent Advances

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3993
Author(s):  
Aaron M. Farrelly ◽  
Styliani Vlachou ◽  
Konstantinos Grintzalis
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Undesirable Side Effect ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Epilepsy Treatment ◽  
Clinical Environments

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder mainly characterised by recurrent seizures that affect the entire population diagnosed with the condition. Currently, there is no cure for the disease and a significant proportion of patients have been deemed to have treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE). A patient is deemed to have TRE if two or more antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) fail to bring about seizure remission. This inefficacy of traditional AEDs, coupled with their undesirable side effect profile, has led to researchers considering alternative forms of treatment. Phytocannabinoids have long served as therapeutics with delta-9-THC (Δ9-THC) receiving extensive focus to determine its therapeutic potential. This focus on Δ9-THC has been to the detriment of analysing the plethora of other phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The overall aim of this review is to explore other novel phytocannabinoids and their place in epilepsy treatment. The current review intends to achieve this aim via an exploration of the molecular targets underlying the anticonvulsant capabilities of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidavarin (CBDV), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG). Further, this review will provide an exploration of current pre-clinical and clinical data as it relates to the aforementioned phytocannabinoids and the treatment of epilepsy symptoms. With specific reference to epilepsy in young adult and adolescent populations, the exploration of CBD, CBDV, Δ9-THCV and CBG in both preclinical and clinical environments can guide future research and aid in the further understanding of the role of phytocannabinoids in epilepsy treatment. Currently, much more research is warranted in this area to be conclusive.

scholarly journals Prostate cancer and the human papilloma virus: causative association, role of vaccines, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Morka ◽  
Joseph M. Norris ◽  
Mark Emberton ◽  
Daniel Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Human Papilloma Virus ◽  
Hpv Vaccination ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Papilloma Virus ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hpv Vaccine Uptake

AbstractProstate cancer affects a significant proportion of men worldwide. Evidence from genetic and clinical studies suggests that there may be a causal association between prostate cancer and the human papilloma virus (HPV). As HPV is a vaccine-preventable pathogen, the possibility of a role in prostate cancer causation may reinforce the importance of effective HPV vaccination campaigns. This is of particular relevance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have considerable effects on HPV vaccine uptake and distribution.

AMPK blocks chromatin activation and consequent R-loop formation to protect genome stability following acute starvation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Sun ◽  
McLean Sherrin ◽  
Richard Roy
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Loop Formation ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Chromatin Activation ◽  
Acute Starvation

Abstract During periods of starvation organisms must modify both gene expression and metabolic pathways to adjust to the energy stress. We previously reported that C. elegans that lack AMPK have transgenerational reproductive defects that result from abnormally elevated H3K4me3 levels in the germ line following recovery from acute starvation1. Here we show that H3K4me3 is dramatically increased at promoters, driving aberrant transcription elongation that results in the accumulation of R-loops in the starved AMPK mutants. DRIP-seq analysis demonstrated that a significant proportion of the genome was affected by R-loop formation with a dramatic expansion in the number of R-loops at numerous loci, most pronounced at the promoter-TSS regions of genes in the starved AMPK mutants. The R-loops are transmissible into subsequent generations, likely contributing to the transgenerational reproductive defects typical of these mutants following starvation. Strikingly, AMPK null germ lines show considerably more RAD-51 foci at sites of R-loop formation, potentially sequestering it from its critical role at meiotic breaks and/or at sites of induced DNA damage. Our study reveals a previously unforeseen role of AMPK in maintaining genome stability following starvation, where in its absence R-loops accumulate, resulting in reproductive compromise and DNA damage hypersensitivity.

The role of academic conferences in the [re]production of gender inequality in business disciplines: not just a STEM problem

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trudie Walters ◽  
Najmeh Hassanli ◽  
Wiebke Finkler
Keyword(s):  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Discipline Area ◽  
Gendered Patterns ◽  
Underlying Processes ◽  
Patterns Of Interaction ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Academic Conferences

PurposeIn this paper the authors seek to understand how academic conferences [re]produce deeply embedded gendered patterns of interaction and informal norms within the business disciplines.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on Acker's (2012) established and updated theory of gendered organisations, the authors focus on the role of academic conferences in the reproduction of gendered practices in the business disciplines. The authors surveyed academics at top universities in Australia and New Zealand who had attended international conferences in their discipline area.FindingsAcademic conferences in the business disciplines communicate organisational logic and act as gendered substructures that [re]produce gendered practices, through the hierarchy of conference participation. Even in disciplinary conferences with a significant proportion of women delegates, the entrenched organisational logic is manifest in the bodies that perform keynote and visible expert roles, perpetuating the notion of the “ideal academic” as male.Practical implicationsThe authors call for disciplinary associations to formulate an equality policy, which covers all facets of conference delivery, to which institutions must then respond in their bid to host the conference and which then forms part of the selection criteria; explicitly communicate why equality is important and what decisions the association and hosts took to address it; and develop databases of women experts to remove the most common excuse for the lack of women keynote speakers. Men, question conference hosts when asked to be a keynote speaker or panelist: Are half of the speakers women and is there diversity in the line-up? If not, provide the names of women to take your place.Originality/valueThe contribution of this study is twofold. First is the focus on revealing the underlying processes that contribute to the [re]production of gender inequality at academic conferences: the “how” rather than the “what”. Second, the authors believe it to be the first study to investigate academic conferences across the spectrum of business disciplines.

scholarly journals Stakeholders’ Perspective of Role of Policy and Legislation in Achieving Medicines’ Security

2020 ◽  
pp. 66-73
Author(s):  
Obi Peter Adigwe
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Access To Medicines ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Similar Proportion ◽  
Security Issue ◽  
The Government ◽  
Almost All

Background: The role of the pharmaceutical industry in a country such as Nigeria in the provision of safe, high quality and efficacious pharmaceutical products to meet the healthcare need of the populace, cannot be over-emphasized. This study was undertaken to critically look at the issues affecting Medicines’ Security in Nigeria. Methods: A self-completion questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was administered to participants of an Industry event in September 2017. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science. Results: A total number of 800 questionnaires were administered to the participants and 529 of the questionnaires were included for analysis. Male participants (58.6%) were more than female participants, all age groups were well represented and more than a third of the respondents had first degree as their minimum qualification. Majority of the respondents (91.3%) indicated that Ministry of Health and its agencies were key to protecting the pharmaceutical sector, while slightly less of that proportion (79.1%) indicated that they patronized Nigeria pharmaceutical products. Almost all the participants (91.7%) supported the need for the local pharmaceutical industry to have access to sustainable funding and other incentives. A similar proportion (89.6%) of the respondents indicated that the local pharmaceutical industry should be prioritized in policy making and implementation. A significant proportion of the study participants (82.3%) indicated that access to medicines in Nigeria is a security issue. Conclusion: To ensure Medicines’ Security and attain medicines self-sufficiency in Nigeria, radical policies must therefore be put in place, together with enabling good business and industrial environment by the government in order to protect, promote and grow the local pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Advances in the Identification of Circular RNAs and Research Into circRNAs in Human Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shihu Jiao ◽  
Song Wu ◽  
Shan Huang ◽  
Mingyang Liu ◽  
Bo Gao
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Human Diseases ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
The Status ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Microrna Sponges

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogenous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) with a closed-loop structure that are mainly produced by variable processing of precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs). They are widely present in all eukaryotes and are very stable. Currently, circRNA studies have become a hotspot in RNA research. It has been reported that circRNAs constitute a significant proportion of transcript expression, and some are significantly more abundantly expressed than other transcripts. CircRNAs have regulatory roles in gene expression and critical biological functions in the development of organisms, such as acting as microRNA sponges or as endogenous RNAs and biomarkers. As such, they may have useful functions in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. CircRNAs have been found to play an important role in the development of several diseases, including atherosclerosis, neurological disorders, diabetes, and cancer. In this paper, we review the status of circRNA research, describe circRNA-related databases and the identification of circRNAs, discuss the role of circRNAs in human diseases such as colon cancer, atherosclerosis, and gastric cancer, and identify remaining research questions related to circRNAs.

scholarly journals Selection shapes the landscape of functional variation in wild house mice

BMC Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raman Akinyanju Lawal ◽  
Uma P. Arora ◽  
Beth L. Dumont
Keyword(s):  
Positive Selection ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Wild Mouse ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Functional Variation ◽  
Disease Associated Genes ◽  
Functional Alleles ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mouse Genetic

Abstract Background Through human-aided dispersal over the last ~ 10,000 years, house mice (Mus musculus) have recently colonized diverse habitats across the globe, promoting the emergence of new traits that confer adaptive advantages in distinct environments. Despite their status as the premier mammalian model system, the impact of this demographic and selective history on the global patterning of disease-relevant trait variation in wild mouse populations is poorly understood. Results Here, we leveraged 154 whole-genome sequences from diverse wild house mouse populations to survey the geographic organization of functional variation and systematically identify signals of positive selection. We show that a significant proportion of wild mouse variation is private to single populations, including numerous predicted functional alleles. In addition, we report strong signals of positive selection at many genes associated with both complex and Mendelian diseases in humans. Notably, we detect a significant excess of selection signals at disease-associated genes relative to null expectations, pointing to the important role of adaptation in shaping the landscape of functional variation in wild mouse populations. We also uncover strong signals of selection at multiple genes involved in starch digestion, including Mgam and Amy1. We speculate that the successful emergence of the human-mouse commensalism may have been facilitated, in part, by dietary adaptations at these loci. Finally, our work uncovers multiple cryptic structural variants that manifest as putative signals of positive selection, highlighting an important and under-appreciated source of false-positive signals in genome-wide selection scans. Conclusions Overall, our findings highlight the role of adaptation in shaping wild mouse genetic variation at human disease-associated genes. Our work also highlights the biomedical relevance of wild mouse genetic diversity and underscores the potential for targeted sampling of mice from specific populations as a strategy for developing effective new mouse models of both rare and common human diseases.

scholarly journals Radiotherapy for marginally resected, unresectable or recurrent giant cell tumor of the bone: a rare cancer network study

Rare Tumors ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 150-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumita Bhatia ◽  
Leszek Miszczyk ◽  
Martine Roelandts ◽  
Tan Dat Nguyen ◽  
Tom Boterberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Local Control ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Rare Cancer ◽  
Giant Cell Tumors ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Cancer Network

The role of radiotherapy for local control of marginally resected, unresectable, and recurrent giant cell tumors of bone (GCToB) has not been well defined. The number of patients affected by this rare disease is low. We present a series of 58 patients with biopsy proven GCToB who were treated with radiation therapy. A retrospective review of the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of GCToB was conducted in participating institutions of the Rare Cancer Network. Eligibility criteria consisted of the use of radiotherapy for marginally resected, unresectable, and recurrent GCToB. Fifty-eight patients with biopsy proven GCToB were analyzed from 9 participating North American and European institutions. Forty-five patients had a primary tumor and 13 patients had a recurrent tumor. Median radiation dose was 50 Gy in a median of 25 fractions. Indication for radiation therapy was marginal resection in 33 patients, unresectable tumor in 13 patients, recurrence in 9 patients and palliation in 2 patients. Median tumor size was 7.0 cm. A significant proportion of the tumors involved critical structures. Median follow-up was 8.0 years. Five year local control was 85%. Of the 7 local failures, 3 were treated successfully with salvage surgery. All patients who received palliation achieved symptom relief. Five year overall survival was 94%. None of the patients experienced grade 3 or higher acute toxicity. This study reports a large published experience in the treatment of GCToB with radiotherapy. Radiotherapy can provide excellent local control for incompletely resected, unresectable or recurrent GCToB with acceptable morbidity.

Global Wars, Public Debts, and the Long Cycle

1983 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Rasler ◽  
William R. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Great Britain ◽  
Longitudinal Analysis ◽  
Public Debt ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Long Cycle ◽  
Public Credit ◽  
The World

The explanation of the rise and fall of the world system's leading powers in terms of uneven economic development tends to overlook the role of the creation and management of public credit and national debts. Prior to 1815, the Netherlands and Great Britain owed a significant proportion of their respective victories over the larger and wealthier states of Spain and France to the development of competitive financial capabilities. Winning, however, leads to higher absolute debt burdens which, prior to 1945, encouraged postwar reductions in governmental expenditures. In this fashion, world leaders have contributed to the erosion of their preponderant capability positions before the emergence of international rivals. These ideas are elaborated within the context of George Modelski's long cycle of world leadership theory and through a brief review of war-related financial problems between 1500 and 1815 and the consequent development of national debts. The longitudinal analysis of British and American public debt data provides collaborating empirical support.

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