Warm temperature perceived at the vegetative stage affects progeny seed germination in natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Temperatures perceived early in the life cycle of mother plants can affect the germination of the offspring seeds. In Arabidopsis thaliana, vernalisation-insensitive mutants showed altered germination response to elevated maternal temperature, hence revealing a strong genetic determinism. However, the genetic control of this maternal effect and its prevalence across natural populations remain unclear.

Comparative genomics points to tandem duplications of SAD gene clusters as drivers of increased α-linolenic (ω-3) content in S. hispanica seeds.

Salvia hispanica L. (chia) is a source of abundant ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3-PUFAs) that are highly beneficial to human health. The genomic basis for this accrued ω-3-PUFA content in this emerging crop was investigated through the assembly and comparative analysis of a chromosome-level reference genome for S.

Rounding up the annual ryegrass genome: High-quality reference genome of .

The genome of the major agricultural weed species, annual ryegrass () was assembled, annotated and analysed. Annual ryegrass is a major weed in grain cropping, and has the remarkable capacity to evolve resistance to herbicides with various modes of action. The chromosome-level assembly was achieved using short- and long-read sequencing in combination with Hi-C mapping.

Addressing smoking in sheltered homelessness with intensive smoking treatment (ASSIST project): A pilot feasibility study of varenicline, combination nicotine replacement therapy and motivational interviewing.

Background: This pilot study aimed to test the feasibility of providing varenicline in combination with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and motivational interviewing (MI) to adult male smokers attending a clinic in a hostel for homeless people.

Methods: A single group pre- and post-treatment (12 weeks following intervention commencement) design with embedded process evaluation (at weekly counselling and fortnightly safety check-ins). Participants were 20 male smokers attending a health clinic within a homelessness service in Sydney, Australia, between December 2019 and March 2020.

Effect of recording site on pulse oximetry readings.

Background: Ambulatory oxygen requirements are routinely assessed and titrated using portable finger pulse oximetry. However, movement artefacts from hands moving or reduced circulation may adversely affect the accuracy of measurement. At Wythenshawe Hospital, we decided to use an ear oximeter routinely in addition to the finger oximeter.

Stretch and CO2 modulate the inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages through independent changes in metabolic activity.

Ventilatory-induced strain can exacerbate acute lung injury (ALI). Current ventilation strategies favour low tidal volumes and high end-expiratory volumes to 'rest' the lung, but can lead to an increase in CO2. Alveolar macrophages (AM) play a pivotal role in ALI through the release of inflammatory mediators.

GPCR screening via ERK 1/2: a novel platform for screening G protein-coupled receptors.

Discovery of novel agonists and antagonists for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) relies heavily on cell-based assays because determination of functional consequences of receptor engagement is often desirable. Currently, there are several key parameters measured to achieve this, including mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate or inositol triphosphate. However, no single assay platform is suitable for all situations, and all of the assays have limitations.