Host-Induced Gene Silencing of the -Methyl Transferase Gene Enhanced Maize Aflatoxin Resistance.

Maize is one of the major crops that are susceptible to infection and subsequent aflatoxin contamination, which poses a serious health threat to humans and domestic animals. Here, an RNA interference (RNAi) approach called Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) was employed to suppress the -methyl transferase gene (, also called ), a key gene involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis. An RNAi vector carrying part of the gene was introduced into the B104 maize line.

An exploratory study on the effect of rescuer team size on basic and advanced life support technical skills in a high-fidelity simulation of canine cardiopulmonary arrest.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of rescuer team size on objective skill measures of basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) using high-fidelity canine CPR simulation.

Design: Prospective, experimental study.

Setting: Veterinary clinical simulation center.

Beyond morphogenesis and secondary metabolism: function of Velvet proteins and LaeA in fungal pathogenesis.

Velvet proteins, as well as the epigenetic regulator LaeA, are conserved in numerous fungal species, where, in response to environmental cues, they control several crucial cellular processes, including sexual and asexual morphogenesis, secondary metabolism, response to oxidative stress, and virulence. During the last two decades, knowledge of their mechanism of action as well as understanding their functional roles, has greatly increased, particularly in species. Research efforts from multiple groups followed, leading to the characterization of other Velvet and LaeA homologs in species of other fungal genera, including important opportunistic plant and animal pathogens.