The Double-Stranded RNA Binding Proteins DRB1 and DRB2 Are Required for miR160-Mediated Responses to Exogenous Auxin.

DOUBLE-STRANDED RNA BINDING (DRB) proteins DRB1, DRB2, and DRB4 are essential for microRNA (miRNA) production in () with miR160, and its target genes, (), , and , forming an auxin responsive miRNA expression module crucial for root development. : Wild-type plants (Columbia-0 (Col-0)) and the , , and mutants were treated with the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and the miR160-mediated response of these four lines was phenotypically and molecularly characterized. : In 2,4-D-treated Col-0, and plants, altered miR160 abundance and , , and gene expression were associated with altered root system development.

DRB1, DRB2 and DRB4 Are Required for an Appropriate miRNA-Mediated Molecular Response to Osmotic Stress in .

() double-stranded RNA binding (DRB) proteins DRB1, DRB2 and DRB4 perform essential roles in microRNA (miRNA) production, with many of the produced miRNAs mediating aspects of the molecular response of to abiotic stress. Exposure of the , and mutants to mannitol stress showed to be the most sensitive to this form of osmotic stress. Profiling of the miRNA landscapes of mannitol-stressed , and seedlings via small RNA sequencing, and comparison of these to the profile of mannitol-stressed wild-type plants, revealed that the ability of the and mutants to mount an appropriate miRNA-mediated molecular response to mannitol stress was defective.

Molecular Manipulation of the miR160/ Expression Module Impacts Root Development in .

In (), microRNA160 (miR160) regulates the expression of (), and throughout development, including the development of the root system. We have previously shown that in addition to DOUBLE-STRANDED RNA BINDING1 (DRB1), DRB2 is also involved in controlling the rate of production of specific miRNA cohorts in the tissues where is expressed in wild-type plants. In this study, a miR160 overexpression transgene () and miR160-resistant transgene versions of and ( and ) were introduced into wild-type plants and the and single mutants to determine the degree of requirement of DRB2 to regulate the miR160 expression module as part of root development.

STP13.1 is an H-coupled monosaccharide transporter, present in source leaves and seed coats, with higher substrate affinity at depolarized potentials.

Sugar transport proteins (STPs) are high-affinity H-coupled hexose symporters. Recently, the contribution of STP13 to bacterial and fungal pathogen resistance across multiple plant species has garnered significant interest. Quantitative PCR analysis of source leaves, developing embryos, and seed coats of .

Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Elements: Small DNA Transposons That Have Contributed to Plant Gene Evolution.

Angiosperms form the largest phylum within the Plantae kingdom and show remarkable genetic variation due to the considerable difference in the nuclear genome size of each species. Transposable elements (TEs), mobile DNA sequences that can amplify and change their chromosome position, account for much of the difference in nuclear genome size between individual angiosperm species. Considering the dramatic consequences of TE movement, including the complete loss of gene function, it is unsurprising that the angiosperms have developed elegant molecular strategies to control TE amplification and movement.

Genetic Variants Associated with Long-Terminal Repeats Can Diagnostically Classify Varieties.

() has recently been legalized in multiple countries globally for either its recreational or medicinal use. This, in turn, has led to a marked increase in the number of varieties available for use in either market. However, little information currently exists on the genetic distinction between adopted varieties.

Molecular Manipulation of the miR396 and miR399 Expression Modules Alters the Response of to Phosphate Stress.

In plant cells, the molecular and metabolic processes of nucleic acid synthesis, phospholipid production, coenzyme activation and the generation of the vast amount of chemical energy required to drive these processes relies on an adequate supply of the essential macronutrient, phosphorous (P). The requirement of an appropriate level of P in plant cells is evidenced by the intricately linked molecular mechanisms of P sensing, signaling and transport. One such mechanism is the posttranscriptional regulation of the P response pathway by the highly conserved plant microRNA (miRNA), miR399.

Lameness in Beef Cattle: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Survey of On-Farm Practices and Approaches.

Cattle lameness is a concern to the United Kingdom (UK) cattle industry, negatively impacting upon welfare and production. Previous work involving one small study ( = 21) has identified that some UK beef farmers underestimate lameness prevalence, but also that farmers vary in their perception of the impact of lameness. Knowledge and skills of farmers were identified as a potential concern, and farmer-reported barriers were identified.

: Interdisciplinary Strategies and Avenues for Medical and Commercial Progression Outside of CBD and THC.

() is one of the world's most well-known, yet maligned plant species. However, significant recent research is starting to unveil the potential of to produce secondary compounds that may offer a suite of medical benefits, elevating this unique plant species from its illicit narcotic status into a genuine biopharmaceutical. This review summarises the lengthy history of and details the molecular pathways that underpin the production of key secondary metabolites that may confer medical efficacy.

Maternal influences on oral and faecal microbiota maturation in neonatal calves in beef and dairy production systems.

Background: The dam is considered an important source of microbes for the calf; consequently, the development of calf microbiota may vary with farming system due to differences between the contact the calf has with the dam. The objective of this study was to characterise the early changes in the composition of oral and faecal microbiota in beef and dairy calves (N = 10) using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The microbiota of calves was compared to selected anatomical niches on their dams which were likely to contribute to the vertical transfer of microbes.

MicroRNA-Mediated Responses to Cadmium Stress in .

In recent decades, the presence of cadmium (Cd) in the environment has increased significantly due to anthropogenic activities. Cd is taken up from the soil by plant roots for its subsequent translocation to shoots. However, Cd is a non-essential heavy metal and is therefore toxic to plants when it over-accumulates.

Molecular Manipulation of the miR399/ Expression Module Alters the Salt Stress Response of .

In (), the microRNA399 (miR399)/ () expression module is central to the response of to phosphate (PO) stress. In addition, miR399 has been demonstrated to also alter in abundance in response to salt stress. We therefore used a molecular modification approach to alter miR399 abundance to investigate the requirement of altered miR399 abundance in in response to salt stress.

Age at first calving in UK Jersey cattle and its associations with first lactation 305-day milk yield, lifetime daily milk yield, calving interval and survival to second lactation.

Background: The association between age at fist calving (AFC) and production, fertility and survivability in Jersey heifers requires evaluation and comparison with published literature on Holstein heifers.

Method: Lactation records from 7256 pedigree Jersey heifers were grouped by AFC. Analysis comprised mixed effects multivariable regression modelling and binary logistic regression modelling.

DRB1, DRB2 and DRB4 Are Required for Appropriate Regulation of the microRNA399/ Expression Module in .

Adequate phosphorous (P) is essential to plant cells to ensure normal plant growth and development. Therefore, plants employ elegant mechanisms to regulate P abundance across their developmentally distinct tissues. One such mechanism is PHOSPHATE2 (PHO2)-directed ubiquitin-mediated degradation of a cohort of phosphate (PO) transporters.

Lameness in Beef Cattle: UK Farmers' Perceptions, Knowledge, Barriers, and Approaches to Treatment and Control.

Lameness in the beef industry has received little attention in the UK, despite the fact that it is a well-recognised problem in the dairy industry. The aims of this study were to (i) compare UK beef farmers' estimates of lameness prevalence to that of researchers, (ii) explore beef farmers' attitudes towards lameness, and (iii) help identify farmer reported barriers to lameness control and treatment. Beef farmers (11 finishing units and 10 suckler farms) were recruited from England and Wales.

Profiling the Abiotic Stress Responsive microRNA Landscape of .

It is well established among interdisciplinary researchers that there is an urgent need to address the negative impacts that accompany climate change. One such negative impact is the increased prevalence of unfavorable environmental conditions that significantly contribute to reduced agricultural yield. Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene expression regulators that control development, defense against invading pathogens and adaptation to abiotic stress.

A Metataxonomic Approach Could Be Considered for Cattle Clinical Mastitis Diagnostics.

Mastitis is one of the most costly diseases affecting the dairy industry, and identification of the causative microorganism(s) is essential. Here, we report the use of next-generation sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes for clinical mastitis diagnosis. We used 65 paired milk samples, collected from the mastitic and a contralateral healthy quarter of mastitic dairy cattle to evaluate the technique as a potential alternative to bacterial culture or targeted PCR.

Herd monitoring to optimise fertility in the dairy cow: making the most of herd records, metabolic profiling and ultrasonography (research into practice).

Fertility performance is intrinsically linked to the quality of the animal environment, overall management and nutrition. This review describes the use of dairy herd records, metabolic profiles and ultrasonographic findings at veterinary fertility examinations to monitor and manage dairy herd fertility. After calving, a cow has to overcome a series of physiological hurdles before establishing a pregnancy.

Outcome of surgical treatment for umbilical swellings in bovine youngstock.

Umbilical swellings are commonly identified in calves and can be caused by hernia formation, infection of the remnants of umbilical vessels or a combination of both. Ninety-one cases with umbilical swellings were admitted to the Leahurst Farm Animal Practice (LFAP) between July 2004 and February 2012; 55 were simple hernias and 36 had associated infection. Eighty-seven cases underwent surgery of which 86 survived until discharge.

The radiographic anatomy of the normal ovine digit, the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints.

The aim of this project was to develop a detailed, accessible set of reference images of the normal radiographic anatomy of the ovine digit up to and including the metacarpo/metatatarsophalangeal joints. The lower front and hind limbs of 5 Lleyn ewes were radiographed using portable radiography equipment, a digital image processer and standard projections. Twenty images, illustrating the normal radiographic anatomy of the limb were selected, labelled and presented along with a detailed description and corresponding images of the bony skeleton.

Impact of footrot vaccination and antibiotic therapy on footrot and contagious ovine digital dermatitis.

Footrot and contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) are common causes of foot disease of sheep in the UK. The study reported here is a split flock randomised treatment trial undertaken on a group of 748 fattening lambs on a UK sheep farm affected by CODD and footrot. The sheep were randomly assigned to one of two treatment protocols.

Effects of parenteral amoxicillin on recovery rates and new infection rates for contagious ovine digital dermatitis in sheep.

The present study is a randomised split-flock treatment trial, which compared the effect of foot bathing in a 1 per cent solution of chlortetracycline alone with a treatment protocol that added a single injection of a long-acting amoxicillin. Overall, the prevalence of contagious ovine digital dermatitis in the examined flock was 22 per cent, while 45.7 per cent of affected sheep had infections in two or more feet.

Automated system for capture and detection of nucleic acids.

A fully automated nucleic acid analysis system is described, which offers positive sample identification, improved sensitivity and reduced user interaction compared to conventional techniques. The system relies on the sequence-specific capture of DNA onto solid-phase particles, confirming product identity without the problems of interpretation and lack of sequence information inherent in gel-based analyses. The system can be used for sequence confirmation, mutation analysis and semiquantitative detection of PCR products.

Cloning and sequence analysis of the genes encoding phosphotransbutyrylase and butyrate kinase from Clostridium acetobutylicum NCIMB 8052.

An 8.1-kb fragment of chromosomal DNA from Clostridium acetobutylicum NCIMB 8052 (formerly NCIB 8052) has been cloned into plasmid pAT153 and shown to allow the growth of Escherichia coli LJ32 (F+ atoC2c atoD32 fadR) on butyrate as the sole source of carbon and energy. Deletion analysis delineated a 3.