Conifers Concentrate Large Numbers of NLR Immune Receptor Genes on One Chromosome.

Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptor genes form a major line of defense in plants, acting in both pathogen recognition and resistance machinery activation. NLRs are reported to form large gene clusters in limber pine (Pinus flexilis), but it is unknown how widespread this genomic architecture may be among the extant species of conifers (Pinophyta). We used comparative genomic analyses to assess patterns in the abundance, diversity, and genomic distribution of NLR genes.

High-density genetic linkage mapping in Sitka spruce advances the integration of genomic resources in conifers.

In species with large and complex genomes such as conifers, dense linkage maps are a useful resource for supporting genome assembly and laying the genomic groundwork at the structural, populational, and functional levels. However, most of the 600+ extant conifer species still lack extensive genotyping resources, which hampers the development of high-density linkage maps. In this study, we developed a linkage map relying on 21,570 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis [Bong.

Global intercompany assessment of ICIEF platform comparability for the characterization of therapeutic proteins.

An international team spanning 19 sites across 18 biopharmaceutical and in vitro diagnostics companies in the United States, Europe, and China, along with one regulatory agency, was formed to compare the precision and robustness of imaged CIEF (ICIEF) for the charge heterogeneity analysis of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) mAb and a rhPD-L1-Fc fusion protein on the iCE3 and the Maurice instruments. This information has been requested to help companies better understand how these instruments compare and how to transition ICIEF methods from iCE3 to the Maurice instrument. The different laboratories performed ICIEF on the NIST mAb and rhPD-L1-Fc with both the iCE3 and Maurice using analytical methods specifically developed for each of the molecules.

Patients' roles in governance of learning: Results from a qualitative study of 16 learning healthcare systems.

Patient and family engagement has been identified as key to fulfilling Learning Healthcare Systems' (LHSs') promise as a model for improving clinical care, catalyzing research, and controlling costs. Little is known, however, about the state of patient engagement in the learning mission of these systems or about what governance structures and processes facilitate such engagement. Here, we report on an interview study of 99 patient and employee leaders in 16 systems.

Informed consent in pragmatic trials: results from a survey of trials published 2014-2019.

Objectives: To describe reporting of informed consent in pragmatic trials, justifications for waivers of consent and reporting of alternative approaches to standard written consent. To identify factors associated with (1) not reporting and (2) not obtaining consent.

Methods: Survey of primary trial reports, published 2014-2019, identified using an electronic search filter for pragmatic trials implemented in MEDLINE, and registered in ClinicalTrials.

Functional outcomes with handsewn versus stapled anastomoses in the treatment of ultralow rectal cancer.

Adequate oncological outcomes have been demonstrated with rectal resection and handsewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA) in tumours in close proximity to the internal anal sphincter. Our aim was to assess functional differences between handsewn CAA and ultralow stapled anastomosis. Participants were identified from a single-surgeon series.

Can we correlate pelvic floor dysfunction severity on MR defecography with patient-reported symptom severity?

MR defecography (MRD) is an alternative to conventional defecography (CD) which allows for dynamic visualisation of the pelvic floor. The aim of this study was to assess whether MRI features indicative of pelvic floor dysfunction correlated with patient-reported symptom severity. MR proctograms were matched to a prospectively-maintained functional database.

CD22 attenuates calcium signaling by potentiating plasma membrane calcium-ATPase activity.

Binding of antigen to the B cell receptor induces a calcium response, which is required for proliferation and antibody production. CD22, a B cell surface protein, inhibits this signal through mechanisms that have been obscure. We report here that CD22 augments calcium efflux after B cell receptor crosslinking.

Effects of substrates (methyl isocyanide, C2H2) and inhibitor (CO) on resting-state wild-type and NifV(-)Klebsiella pneumoniae MoFe proteins.

We report the use of electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy to examine how the metal sites in the FeMo-cofactor cluster of the resting nitrogenase MoFe protein respond to addition of the substrates acetylene and methyl isocyanide and the inhibitor carbon monoxide. 1H, 57Fe and 95Mo ENDOR measurements were performed on the wild-type and the NifV(-)proteins from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Among the molecules tested, only the addition of acetylene to either protein induced widespread changes in the 57Fe ENDOR spectra.

Sialic acid binding domains of CD22 are required for negative regulation of B cell receptor signaling.

CD22, a negative regulator of B cell antigen receptor signaling, binds glycoconjugates terminating in alpha2, 6 sialic acid. The physiological ligand(s) for CD22 remain unknown. We asked whether the sialic acid binding domains are necessary for CD22 to function as a negative regulator.

Combined Clozapine and Electroconvulsive Therapy.

We reviewed consecutive patients (n = 12) at McLean Hospital from 1990 through 1991 treated with the combination of the atypical antipsychotic agent clozapine and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). There were no adverse effects. Three patients had a marked clinical improvement, one a moderate response, four a minimal response, two minimal to no response, and two no response.