Knockout of caused significant sinapine reduction in transgene-free rapeseed mutants generated by protoplast-based CRISPR RNP editing.

Rapeseed ( L.) is known for its high-quality seed oil and protein content. However, its use in animal feed is restricted due to antinutritional factors present in the seedcake, with sinapine being one of the main compounds that reduces palatability.

Evolved and Plastic Gene Expression in Adaptation of a Specialist Fly to a Novel Niche.

How gene expression evolves to enable divergent ecological adaptation and how changes in gene expression relate to genomic architecture are pressing questions for understanding the mechanisms enabling adaptation and ecological speciation. Furthermore, how plasticity in gene expression can both contribute to and be affected by the process of ecological adaptation is crucial to understanding gene expression evolution, colonisation of novel niches and response to rapid environmental change. Here, we investigate the role of constitutive and plastic gene expression differences between host races, or host-specific ecotypes, of the peacock fly Tephritis conura, a thistle bud specialist.

Demonstration of Capture, Cooling, Tagging, and Spectroscopic Characterization of UV Photoproduct Ions in a Cryogenic Ion Trap: Application to 266 nm Photofragment Ions from Rhodamine 6G.

We demonstrate a method to determine the structures of the primary photodissociation products from a cryogenically cooled parent ion. In this approach, a target ion is cooled by a pulse of buffer gas and tagged in a 20 K Paul trap. The cold ion is then photodissociated by pulsed (∼5 ns) UV laser excitation, and the ionic products are trapped, cooled, and tagged by introduction of a second buffer gas pulse in the same trap.

Spectroscopic Evidence for Doubly Hydrogen-Bonded Cationic Dimers in the Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Phases of Carboxyl-Functionalized Ionic Liquids.

Intermolecular interactions determine whether matter sticks together, gases condense into liquids, or liquids freeze into solids. The most prominent example is hydrogen bonding in water, responsible for the anomalous properties in the liquid phase and polymorphism in ice. The physical properties are also exceptional for ionic liquids (ILs), wherein a delicate balance of Coulomb interactions, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion interactions results in a broad liquid range and the vaporization of ILs as ion pairs.

Hydrogen Tag Shifts as Vibrational Reporters for Positional Isomers of Formylphenides: Surprising Mobility of the Carbanion Center upon Collisional Decarboxylation of the Parent Benzoates.

Infrared photodissociation of weakly bound "mass tags" is widely used to determine the structures of ions by analyzing their vibrational spectra. Molecular hydrogen is a common choice for tagging in cryogenic radio-frequency ion traps. Although the H molecules can introduce distortions in the target species, we demonstrate an advantage of H tagging in the analysis of positional isomers adopted by the molecular anions derived from decarboxylation of formylbenzoates.

Corrigendum: Efficient protoplast regeneration protocol and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of glucosinolate transporter () genes in rapeseed ( L.).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.

Structures and Chemical Rearrangements of Benzoate Derivatives Following Gas Phase Decarboxylation.

Decarboxylation of carboxylate ions in the gas phase provides a useful window into the chemistry displayed by these reactive carbanion intermediates. Here, we explore the species generated by decarboxylation of two benzoate derivatives: 2-formylbenzoate (2FBA) and 2-benzoylbenzoate (2BBA). The nascent product anions are transferred to a cryogenic ion trap where they are cooled to ∼15 K and analyzed by their pattern of vibrational bands obtained with IR photodissociation spectroscopy of weakly bound H molecules.

Evaluation of Antibiotic-Based Selection Methods for Stable Transformants.

(Camelina) is an oilseed crop that in recent years has gained importance due to its closeness to the plant model organism (Arabidopsis), its low agronomical requirements, and the ability to grow under temperate conditions. To explore all the agronomical and biotechnological possibilities of this crop, it is important to evaluate the usability of the molecular procedures currently available for plants. One of the main tools for plant genetic modification and genetic studies is stable plant transformation.

Efficient Protoplast Regeneration Protocol and CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Editing of Glucosinolate Transporter () Genes in Rapeseed ( L.).

Difficulty in protoplast regeneration is a major obstacle to apply the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique effectively in research and breeding of rapeseed ( L.). The present study describes for the first time a rapid and efficient protocol for the isolation, regeneration and transfection of protoplasts of rapeseed cv.

Relationship Between Respiratory Muscle Strength, Handgrip Strength, and Muscle Mass in Hospitalized Patients.

Background: Minimal information is available to validate measurement of respiratory muscle strength (RMS) in the clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) with handgrip strength (HGS) and cross sectional muscle area obtained via diagnostic abdominal computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: Measures of MIP, MEP, SNIP, and HGS were obtained from individuals that participated in a previously published study; individuals who had an abdominal CT completed with (±)7 days of obtaining RMS measures were included.

Differences in Respiratory Muscle Strength Measures in Well-Nourished and Malnourished Hospitalized Patients.

Background: Objective indicators of nutritional status are essential for accurate identification of malnutrition. Previous research has indicated an association between measures of respiratory muscle strength (RMS) and nutritional status. Measurement of RMS-including maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP)-may provide evidence to support the assessment of nutritional status in hospitalized patients.

Pores of Kohn: forgotten alveolar structures and potential source of aerosols in exhaled breath.

Analysis of human and animal exhaled breath has identified numerous compounds including proteins and surfactant constituents from the deep lung. Some mechanisms such as coughing, breaking of surfactant/mucus plugs, or 'bronchiole film bursting' have been proposed to explain the presence of these proteins from the deep lung but do not include possible contributions from Pores of Kohn. A re-examination of the change in diameter as well as forces exerted by surfactant film in the Pores of Kohn during normal inspiration, demonstrates that these channels should open following rupture of the surfactant film; which could generate aerosols of surfactant film constituents.

Systematic review of paediatric weight management interventions delivered in the home setting.

To increase their accessibility, paediatric weight management interventions are increasingly designed to be delivered in the home setting by trained staff. This systematic review summarizes the available evidence for interventions featuring home visitation and identifies key gaps in the literature. PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane and PsycINFO were searched for intervention studies that reported change in objectively measured adiposity outcomes in youth ages 2-18 years.

Estimating lung burdens based on individual particle density estimated from scanning electron microscopy and cascade impactor samples.

Workplace air is monitored for overall dust levels and for specific components of the dust to determine compliance with occupational and workplace standards established by regulatory bodies for worker health protection. Exposure monitoring studies were conducted by the International Copper Association (ICA) at various industrial facilities around the world working with copper. Individual cascade impactor stages were weighed to determine the total amount of dust collected on the stage, and then the amounts of soluble and insoluble copper and other metals on each stage were determined; speciation was not determined.

Medical therapy reduces microbiota diversity and evenness in surgically recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a highly prevalent and heterogeneous condition frequently treated with antibiotics and corticosteroid therapy. However, the effect of medical therapy on sinus microbiota remains unknown.

Methods: We enrolled CRS patients (n = 6) with patent maxillary antrostomies and active mucosal inflammation, who had not received antibiotics or corticosteroids in the previous 8 weeks.

Biological responses in rats exposed to cigarette smoke and Middle East sand (dust).

Respiratory symptoms are frequently reported in personnel deployed to the Middle East. This project characterized the respiratory toxicity of inhaled Iraqi sand (IS). Adult rats underwent a 6-wk inhalation to air or mainstream cigarette smoke (MSCS) (3 h/d, 5 d/wk) that included exposure to IS or crystalline silica (1 mg/m(3), 19 h/d, 7 d/wk) or air during the last 2 weeks.

Inhaled carbon nanotubes reach the subpleural tissue in mice.

Carbon nanotubes are shaped like fibres and can stimulate inflammation at the surface of the peritoneum when injected into the abdominal cavity of mice, raising concerns that inhaled nanotubes may cause pleural fibrosis and/or mesothelioma. Here, we show that multiwalled carbon nanotubes reach the subpleura in mice after a single inhalation exposure of 30 mg m(-3) for 6 h. Nanotubes were embedded in the subpleural wall and within subpleural macrophages.

Inhaled multiwalled carbon nanotubes potentiate airway fibrosis in murine allergic asthma.

Carbon nanotubes are gaining increasing attention due to possible health risks from occupational or environmental exposures. This study tested the hypothesis that inhaled multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) would increase airway fibrosis in mice with allergic asthma. Normal and ovalbumin-sensitized mice were exposed to a MWCNT aerosol (100 mg/m(3)) or saline aerosol for 6 hours.

Dosimetry counts: molecular hypersensitivity may not drive pulmonary hyperresponsiveness.

Airway hyperresponsiveness is one measure of allergic asthma. One such test, the methacholine challenge, uses an inhaled aerosol to induce changes in resistance to breathing. The test is also used to test hyperresponsiveness in rodent models of asthma.

When nanoparticles get in the way: impact of projected area on in vivo and in vitro macrophage function.

Previous reports by others establish that particle surface area is related to a change in macrophage function as measured by the ability to clear particles from the alveolar spaces. However, for nanoparticles the relation may not be strictly due to surface chemistry: The cumulative projected area of the particles may reflect the degree to which the inner or outer surface of the macrophage is shielded from other objects or molecules. We apply this alternative interpretation to in vitro measurements of macrophage uptake of 26-nm-diameter fluorescent beads and to in vivo data presented in a classic inhalation toxicology paper on nano-sized TiO2 particles.

Influence of exhaled air on inhalation exposure delivered through a directed-flow nose-only exposure system.

In order to conserve material that is available in limited quantities, "directed-flow" nose-only exposure systems have at times been run at flow rates close to the minute ventilation of the animal. Such low-flow-rate conditions can contribute to a decrease of test substance concentration in inhaled air; near the animal nose, exhaled air and the directed flow of exposure air move in opposite directions. With a Cannon "directed-flow" nose-only exposure system (Lab Products, Maywood, NJ), we investigated the extent to which exposure air plus exhaled air can be inhaled by an animal.

Feasibility of assessment of regulatory lipids in breath condensate as potential presymptomatic harbingers of pulmonary pathobiology.

Regulatory lipids from the airway surface readily form aerosols that can be recovered non-invasively by cooling expired breath to form breath condensate (BC). Regulatory lipids have been detected previously utilizing enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA). Here we test the feasibility of assessment of regulatory lipids in BC by mass spectrometry so presently unknown lipid regulatory components can be detected without addition of specific antibodies as in the ELISA procedure.