Decades of intensive genetic selection in the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) have enabled the remarkable rapid growth of today's broiler (meat-type) chickens. However, this enhanced ...growth rate was accompanied by several unfavorable traits (i.e., increased visceral fatness, leg weakness, and disorders of metabolism and reproduction). The present descriptive analysis of the abdominal fat transcriptome aimed to identify functional genes and biological pathways that likely contribute to an extreme difference in visceral fatness of divergently selected broiler chickens.
We used the Del-Mar 14 K Chicken Integrated Systems microarray to take time-course snapshots of global gene transcription in abdominal fat of juvenile 1-11 weeks of age (wk) chickens divergently selected on bodyweight at two ages (8 and 36 wk). Further, a RNA sequencing analysis was completed on the same abdominal fat samples taken from high-growth (HG) and low-growth (LG) cockerels at 7 wk, the age with the greatest divergence in body weight (3.2-fold) and visceral fatness (19.6-fold).
Time-course microarray analysis revealed 312 differentially expressed genes (FDR ≤ 0.05) as the main effect of genotype (HG versus LG), 718 genes in the interaction of age and genotype, and 2918 genes as the main effect of age. The RNA sequencing analysis identified 2410 differentially expressed genes in abdominal fat of HG versus LG chickens at 7 wk. The HG chickens are fatter and over-express numerous genes that support higher rates of visceral adipogenesis and lipogenesis. In abdominal fat of LG chickens, we found higher expression of many genes involved in hemostasis, energy catabolism and endocrine signaling, which likely contribute to their leaner phenotype and slower growth. Many transcription factors and their direct target genes identified in HG and LG chickens could be involved in their divergence in adiposity and growth rate.
The present analyses of the visceral fat transcriptome in chickens divergently selected for a large difference in growth rate and abdominal fatness clearly demonstrate that abdominal fat is a very dynamic metabolic and endocrine organ in the chicken. The HG chickens overexpress many transcription factors and their direct target genes, which should enhance in situ lipogenesis and ultimately adiposity. Our observation of enhanced expression of hemostasis and endocrine-signaling genes in diminished abdominal fat of LG cockerels provides insight into genetic mechanisms involved in divergence of abdominal fatness and somatic growth in avian and perhaps mammalian species, including humans.
Bioceramics: Past, present and for the future Best, S.M.; Porter, A.E.; Thian, E.S. ...
Journal of the European Ceramic Society,
2008, 2008-1-00, 20080101, Letnik:
28, Številka:
7
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Recenzirano
There have been a number of major advances made in the field of bioactive ceramics, glasses and glass ceramics during the past 30–40 years. From initial work on the development of materials that are ...tolerated in the physiological environment, emphasis has now shifted towards the use of ceramic materials that interact with bone tissue by forming a direct bond. It is now possible to choose, by compositional control, whether these materials are biologically stable once incorporated within the skeletal structure or whether they are resorbed over time. This paper reviews the ground-breaking work that was performed during the 1970s and 1980s in the field of bioceramics in the production and characterisation of bioactive and bioresorbable glasses, glass ceramics and calcium phosphates. The review then explores the influence of the original concepts and ideas on the more recent development of ceramic scaffolds, composites and coatings with enhanced bioactivity for bone tissue engineering.
Objectives
The single‐tablet regimen rilpivirine, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (RPV/FTC/TAF) for treatment of HIV‐1‐infected adults was approved based on bioequivalence. We assessed the ...clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of switching to RPV/FTC/TAF from either RPV/FTC/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or efavirenz (EFV)/FTC/TDF.
Methods
We conducted two distinct randomized, double‐blind, active‐controlled, noninferiority trials in participants taking RPV/FTC/TDF (Study 1216) and EFV/FTC/TDF (Study 1160). Each study randomized virologically suppressed (HIV‐1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) adults (1:1) to switch to RPV/FTC/TAF or continue their current regimen for 96 weeks. We evaluated efficacy as the proportion with HIV‐1 RNA < 50 copies/mL using the Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm and prespecified bone and renal endpoints at week 96.
Results
We randomized and treated 630 participants in Study 1216 (RPV/FTC/TAF, n = 316; RPV/FTC/TDF, n = 314) and 875 in Study 1160 (RPV/FTC/TAF, n = 438; EFV/FTC/TDF, n = 437). In both studies, the efficacy of switching to RPV/FTC/TAF was noninferior to that of continuing baseline therapy at week 96, with respective percentages of patients with HIV RNA < 50 copies/mL being 89.2% versus 88.5% in Study 1216 difference 0.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI) −4.3 to +5.8% and 85.2% versus 85.1% in Study 1160 (difference 0%; 95% CI −4.8 to +4.8%). No participant on RPV/FTC/TAF developed treatment‐emergent resistance versus two on EFV/FTC/TDF and one on RPV/FTC/TDF. Compared with continuing baseline therapy, significant improvements in bone mineral density and renal tubular markers were observed in the RPV/FTC/TAF groups (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Switching to RPV/FTC/TAF from RPV/FTC/TDF or EFV/FTC/TDF was safe and effective and improved bone mineral density and renal biomarkers up to 96 weeks with no cases of treatment‐emergent resistance.
Visible-wavelength color and reflectance provide information about the geologic history of planetary surfaces. Here we present multispectral images (0.44 to 0.89 micrometers) of near-Earth asteroid ...(101955) Bennu. The surface has variable colors overlain on a moderately blue global terrain. Two primary boulder types are distinguishable by their reflectance and texture. Space weathering of Bennu surface materials does not simply progress from red to blue (or vice versa). Instead, freshly exposed, redder surfaces initially brighten in the near-ultraviolet region (i.e., become bluer at shorter wavelengths), then brighten in the visible to near-infrared region, leading to Bennu’s moderately blue average color. Craters indicate that the time scale of these color changes is ~105 years. We attribute the reflectance and color variation to a combination of primordial heterogeneity and varying exposure ages.
Effective treatments for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) remain an unmet need. Nicotinic α7 receptor agonists may be effective in CIAS. This 8-week (week 1, inpatient; weeks ...2-8, outpatient), double-blind, randomized study used Measurement And Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) guidelines to investigate the nicotinic α7 partial agonist RG3487 (formerly MEM3454) in CIAS; 215 patients with chronic stable schizophrenia received placebo or RG3487 (5, 15, or 50 mg) added to ongoing treatment with risperidone, paliperidone, or aripiprazole. Primary end point was baseline to week 8 change in MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) composite t-score. Secondary outcomes were change in MCCB domain and negative symptom assessment (NSA) scores. The study did not allow for evaluation of nonsmokers. Each RG3487 dose was evaluated using a mixed-effects model repeated measures approach. Mean (SD) baseline MCCB composite t-score was 28.3 (12.0). No significant effect on MCCB composite t-scores was observed with RG3487 (adjusted mean difference (SE) vs placebo: 5 mg: 0.11 (1.39); 15 mg: -1.95 (1.39); 50 mg: -1.13 (1.37); p = 0.2-0.9). RG3487 did not improve MCCB domain scores. In a post hoc analysis of patients with moderate negative symptoms, 5 and 50 mg RG3487 vs placebo significantly improved NSA total (-4.45 (p = 0.04) and -4.75 (p = 0.02), respectively) and global (-0.39 (p = 0.04) and -0.55 (p = 0.003), respectively) scores. The MCCB did not lead to higher than expected patient withdrawal. RG3487 was generally well tolerated. In patients with stable schizophrenia, RG3487 did not improve cognitive deficits, as assessed by the MCCB; however, in patients with moderate negative symptoms, a post hoc analysis revealed significant improvement of negative symptoms.
We present the first catalog of active galactic nuclei (AGN) detected by the LAT, corresponding to 11 months of data collected in scientific operation mode. The First LAT AGN Catalog (1LAC) includes ...671 gamma-ray sources located at high Galactic latitudes (|b| > 10 deg) that are detected with a test statistic (TS) greater than 25 and associated statistically with AGNs. Some LAT sources are associated with multiple AGNs, and consequently, the catalog includes 709 AGNs, comprising 300 BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs), 296 flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs), 41 AGNs of other types, and 72 AGNs of unknown type. We also classify the blazars based on their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) as archival radio, optical, and X-ray data permit. In addition to the format 1LAC sample, we provide AGN associations for 51 low-latitude LAT sources and AGN "affiliations" (unquantified counterpart candidates) for 104 high-latitude LAT sources without AGN associations. The overlap of the 1LAC with existing gamma-ray AGN catalogs (LBAS, EGRET, AGILE, Swift, INTEGRAL, TeVCat) is briefly discussed. Various properties--such as gamma-ray fluxes and photon power law spectral indices, redshifts, gamma-ray luminosities, variability, and archival radio luminosities--and their correlations are presented and discussed for the different blazar classes. We compare the 1LAC results with predictions regarding the gamma-ray AGN populations, and we comment on the power of the sample to address the question of the blazar sequence.
Are Diseases Increasing in the Ocean? Lafferty, Kevin D.; Porter, James W.; Ford, Susan E.
Annual review of ecology, evolution, and systematics,
01/2004, Letnik:
35, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Many factors (climate warming, pollution, harvesting, introduced species) can contribute to disease outbreaks in marine life. Concomitant increases in each of these makes it difficult to attribute ...recent changes in disease occurrence or severity to any one factor. For example, the increase in disease of Caribbean coral is postulated to be a result of climate change and introduction of terrestrial pathogens. Indirect evidence exists that (a) warming increased disease in turtles; (b) protection, pollution, and terrestrial pathogens increased mammal disease; (c) aquaculture increased disease in mollusks; and (d) release from overfished predators increased sea urchin disease. In contrast, fishing and pollution may have reduced disease in fishes. In other taxa (e.g., sea grasses, crustaceans, sharks), there is little evidence that disease has changed over time. The diversity of patterns suggests there are many ways that environmental change can interact with disease in the ocean.
Following its launch in 2008 June, the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (Fermi) began a sky survey in August. The Large Area Telescope (LAT) on Fermi in three months produced a deeper and better ...resolved map of the g-ray sky than any previous space mission. We present here initial results for energies above 100 MeV for the 205 most significant (statistical significance greater than ~10s) g-ray sources in these data. These are the best characterized and best localized point-like (i.e., spatially unresolved) g-ray sources in the early mission data.
This paper presents light curves as well as the first systematic characterization of variability of the 106 objects in the high-confidence Fermi Large Area Telescope Bright AGN Sample (LBAS). Weekly ...light curves of this sample, obtained during the first 11 months of the Fermi survey (2008 August 4-2009 July 4), are tested for variability and their properties are quantified through autocorrelation function and structure function analysis. For the brightest sources, 3 or 4 day binned light curves are extracted in order to determine power density spectra (PDSs) and to fit the temporal structure of major flares. More than 50% of the sources are found to be variable with high significance, where high states do not exceed 1/4 of the total observation range. Variation amplitudes are larger for flat spectrum radio quasars and low/intermediate synchrotron frequency peaked BL Lac objects. Autocorrelation timescales derived from weekly light curves vary from four to a dozen of weeks. Variable sources of the sample have weekly and 3-4 day bin light curves that can be described by 1/f(alpha) PDS, and show two kinds of gamma-ray variability: (1) rather constant baseline with sporadic flaring activity characterized by flatter PDS slopes resembling flickering and red noise with occasional intermittence and (2)-measured for a few blazars showing strong activity-complex and structured temporal profiles characterized by long-term memory and steeper PDS slopes, reflecting a random walk underlying mechanism. The average slope of the PDS of the brightest 22 FSRQs and of the 6 brightest BL Lacs is 1.5 and 1.7, respectively. The study of temporal profiles of well-resolved flares observed in the 10 brightest LBAS sources shows that they generally have symmetric profiles and that their total duration vary between 10 and 100 days. Results presented here can assist in source class recognition for unidentified sources and can serve as reference for more detailed analysis of the brightest gamma-ray blazars.
We present the discovery of the second binary with a Roche lobe-filling hot subdwarf transferring mass to a white dwarf (WD) companion. This 56 minute binary was discovered using data from the Zwicky ...Transient Facility. Spectroscopic observations reveal an He-sdOB star with an effective temperature of Teff = 33,700 1000 K and a surface gravity of log(g) = 5.54 0.11. The GTC+HiPERCAM light curve is dominated by the ellipsoidal deformation of the He-sdOB star and shows an eclipse of the He-sdOB by an accretion disk as well as a weak eclipse of the WD. We infer a He-sdOB mass of MsdOB = 0.41 0.04 M and a WD mass of MWD = 0.68 0.05 M . The weak eclipses imply a WD blackbody temperature of 63,000 10,000 K and a radius RWD = 0.0148 0.0020 R as expected for a WD of such high temperature. The He-sdOB star is likely undergoing hydrogen shell burning and will continue transferring mass for 1 Myr at a rate of 10−9 M yr−1, which is consistent with the high WD temperature. The hot subdwarf will then turn into a WD and the system will merge in 30 Myr. We suggest that Galactic reddening could bias discoveries toward preferentially finding Roche lobe-filling systems during the short-lived shell-burning phase. Studies using reddening-corrected samples should reveal a large population of helium core-burning hot subdwarfs with Teff 25,000 K in binaries of 60-90 minutes with WDs. Though not yet in contact, these binaries would eventually come into contact through gravitational-wave emission and explode as a subluminous thermonuclear supernova or evolve into a massive single WD.
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