Synthesis of Mixed Phosphonate Esters and Amino Acid-Based Phosphonamidates, and Their Screening as Herbicides.

While organophosphorus chemistry is gaining attention in a variety of fields, the synthesis of the phosphorus derivatives of amino acids remains a challenging task. Previously reported methods require the deprotonation of the nucleophile, complex reagents or hydrolysis of the phosphonate ester. In this paper, we demonstrate how to avoid these issues by employing phosphonylaminium salts for the synthesis of novel mixed -alkylphosphonate diesters or amino acid-derived -alkylphosphonamidates.

Divergent selection for natural antibodies in poultry in the presence of a major gene.

Background: Natural antibodies (NAb) are antibodies that are present in a healthy individual without requiring previous exposure to an exogenous antigen. Selection for high NAb levels might contribute to improved general disease resistance. Our aim was to analyse the genetic background of NAb based on a divergent selection experiment in poultry, and in particular the effect of a polymorphism in the TLR1A gene.

Adaptive Laboratory Evolution Restores Solvent Tolerance in Plasmid-Cured Pseudomonas putida S12: a Molecular Analysis.

S12 is inherently solvent tolerant and constitutes a promising platform for biobased production of aromatic compounds and biopolymers. The megaplasmid pTTS12 of S12 carries several gene clusters involved in solvent tolerance, and the removal of this megaplasmid caused a significant reduction in solvent tolerance. In this study, we succeeded in restoring solvent tolerance in plasmid-cured S12 using adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE), underscoring the innate solvent tolerance of this strain.

Growth differentiation factor 15 in adverse cardiac remodelling: from biomarker to causal player.

Heart failure is a growing health issue as a negative consequence of improved survival upon myocardial infarction, unhealthy lifestyle, and the ageing of our population. The large and complex pathology underlying heart failure makes diagnosis and especially treatment very difficult. There is an urgent demand for discriminative biomarkers to aid disease management of heart failure.

Genome-wide association study identifies loci influencing natural antibody titers in milk of Dutch Holstein-Friesian cattle.

Natural antibodies (NAb) are produced without any antigenic stimulation as a part of the innate immune system and provide a first line of defense against pathogens. Hence, they may be a useful trait when estimating an animal's potential immune competence and in selection for disease resistance. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with different NAb traits in milk and potentially describe candidate genes.

Selective breeding for high natural antibody level increases resistance to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) in chickens.

Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-binding natural antibody (NAb) titers in chickens are heritable, and higher levels have previously been associated with a higher survival. This suggests that selective breeding for higher NAb levels might increase survival by means of improved general disease resistance. Chickens were divergently selected and bred for total NAb levels binding KLH at 16 weeks of age for six generations, resulting in a High NAb selection line and a Low NAb selection line.

A genome-wide association study for natural antibodies measured in blood of Canadian Holstein cows.

Background: Natural antibodies (NAb) are an important component of the innate immune system, and fight infections as a part of the first line defence. NAb are poly-reactive and can respond non-specifically to antigens. Therefore, NAb may be a key trait when evaluating an animal's potential natural disease resistance.

[A Massive Open Oneline Course (MOOC) on pratical histology: A goal, a tool, a large public ! Return on a first experience].

A goal ! The MOOC entitled "Introduction to Histology, A Human Tissue Exploration" correspond to our vision of the practice of General Histology, which is based on the ability to diagnose 5 families of biological tissues. Ultimately, participants must be able to recognize the different types of cells and all the surrounding elements in order to understand how they organize themselves to form tissues with specific functions. A tool ! This know-how is based on reasoning from observations of microscopic structures.

Antigen-dependent effects of divergent selective breeding based on natural antibodies on specific humoral immune responses in chickens.

NAb are defined as antigen binding antibodies present without a known previous exposure to this antigen. NAb are suggested to enhance specific antibody (SpAb) responses, but consequences of different NAb levels on immunization are largely unknown. Layer chickens were divergently selected and bred for keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-binding NAb titers, resulting in a High line and a Low line.

Genomic Region Containing Toll-Like Receptor Genes Has a Major Impact on Total IgM Antibodies Including KLH-Binding IgM Natural Antibodies in Chickens.

Natural antibodies (NAb) are antigen binding antibodies present in individuals without a previous exposure to this antigen. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-binding NAb levels were previously associated with survival in chickens. This suggests that selective breeding for KLH-binding NAb may increase survival by means of improved general disease resistance.

Exploring the floristic diversity of tropical Africa.

Background: Understanding the patterns of biodiversity distribution and what influences them is a fundamental pre-requisite for effective conservation and sustainable utilisation of biodiversity. Such knowledge is increasingly urgent as biodiversity responds to the ongoing effects of global climate change. Nowhere is this more acute than in species-rich tropical Africa, where so little is known about plant diversity and its distribution.

RAINBIO: a mega-database of tropical African vascular plants distributions.

The tropical vegetation of Africa is characterized by high levels of species diversity but is undergoing important shifts in response to ongoing climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressures. Although our knowledge of plant species distribution patterns in the African tropics has been improving over the years, it remains limited. Here we present RAINBIO, a unique comprehensive mega-database of georeferenced records for vascular plants in continental tropical Africa.

Transcutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain in the Upper Limb.

Background: A small number of patients develop intractable peripheral nerve pain following injury or surgery to the upper limb that is refractory to pharmacological treatment. This study reports our results of using transcutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (TPNS), a non-invasive form of neuromodulation, to treat this difficult problem.

Methods: Seventy-two patients were treated for intractable pain in the upper limb using this technique.

Genetic parameters of IgM and IgG antibodies binding autoantigens in healthy chickens.

Levels of natural antibodies (NAb) binding keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in layers were shown to be heritable and to be potential indicative parameters for survival. A proportion of NAb are directed to self-molecules, or slightly changed self-molecules (neo-epitopes), labeled as natural autoantibodies (NAAb). It is unknown whether the levels of NAAb are heritable and genetically correlated.

Genetic and Non-Genetic Inheritance of Natural Antibodies Binding Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin in a Purebred Layer Chicken Line.

Natural antibodies (NAb) are defined as antibodies present in individuals without known antigenic challenge. Levels of NAb binding keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in chickens were earlier shown to be heritable, and to be associated with survival. Selective breeding may thus provide a strategy to improve natural disease resistance.

Genetic relations between natural antibodies binding keyhole limpet hemocyanin and production traits in a purebred layer chicken line.

Natural antibodies (NAb) are an important component of the first line of immune defense. Selective breeding for enhanced NAb levels in chickens may improve general disease resistance. It is unknown what the consequences of selection for NAb will be on the productive performance of laying hens.

Phenotypic and genetic relationships of bovine natural antibodies binding keyhole limpet hemocyanin in plasma and milk.

To improve the health status (resilience) of dairy cows, levels of natural antibodies (NAb) might be useful. The objective of the present study was to compare levels and to estimate genetic parameters for NAb measured in milk and plasma samples. Titers of NAb IgM and IgG isotype-binding keyhole limpet hemocyanin of 2,919 cows, in both plasma and milk, were measured using ELISA.

Modelling of feather pecking behavior in beak-trimmed and non-beak-trimmed crossbred laying hens: variance component and trait-based approach.

Because of a ban on the use of beak trimming in some European countries, feather pecking is becoming a substantial problem in the layer industry, both from animal welfare and economic points of view. The feather condition score (FCS) as a measure of feather damage has been shown to be closely related to feather pecking behavior in laying hens housed in groups. To obtain a better understanding of genetic and other biological mechanisms underlying feather pecking behavior, data on FCS of a population of 2,724 female offspring from crossing 50 male W1 and 907 female WB purebred lines were used.

Genetic parameters of natural antibody isotypes and survival analysis in beak-trimmed and non-beak-trimmed crossbred laying hens.

Natural antibodies (NAb) are important humoral components of innate immunity. As the first line of defense, NAb provide protection against infection and support adaptive immunity. An earlier study indicated that serum levels of NAb isotypes IgM and IgG at a young age were predictive for survival in non-beak-trimmed purebred laying hens during the laying period.

Genetic parameters and across-line SNP associations differ for natural antibody isotypes IgM and IgG in laying hens.

In an earlier study, serum levels of natural antibody isotypes IgM- and IgG-binding keyhole limpet hemocyanin were found to be indicative for survival through the laying period of hens and therefore considered as promising traits for future implementation in breeding programs for higher survival of layers. In the present study, we first estimated the genetic parameters for the two isotypes at 20, 40 and 65 weeks of age (IgM20, IgM40 and IgM65; IgG20, IgG40 and IgG65). Pooled genetic parameters were estimated from the total population of 2504 hens from nine purebred layer lines, with line included in the model to account for admixture.

Genetic parameters for natural antibody isotype titers in milk of Dutch Holstein-Friesians.

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for natural antibody isotypes immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG1 and IgM titers binding the bacterial antigens lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and the model antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin in Dutch Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 1695). Further, this study included total natural antibody titers binding the antigens mentioned above, making no isotype distinction, as well as total natural antibody titers and natural antibody isotypes IgA, IgG1 and IgM binding lipoteichoic acid. The study showed that natural antibody isotype titers are heritable, ranging from 0.

Natural antibody isotypes as predictors of survival in laying hens.

To identify possible relationships between survival and titers of natural antibody (NAb) isotypes in serum of laying hens, birds from 12 purebred layer lines of 2 commercial breeds, Rhode Island Red (n = 524) and White Leghorn (n = 538), were monitored for survival during one laying period (from 20 until 70 wk of age). Titers of NAb isotype IgM- and IgG-binding keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in serum were measured at 20, 40, and 65 wk of age, respectively. Overall, the titers of IgM and IgG binding KLH decreased with aging.