Ectopic expression of the GRAS-type transcriptional regulator in triggers contrasting effects on symbioses.

Introduction: Plants strictly control root endosymbioses with nutrient-scavenging arbuscular endomycorrhizal fungi or nodule inducing diazotrophic bacteria. The GRAS-type transcriptional regulator NODULATION SIGNALING PATHWAY 2 () is a conserved hub in this process. The -regulated transcriptional network is instrumental in balancing nutrient homeostasis with symbiotic interactions.

Local control and toxicity after stereotactic radiotherapy in brain metastases patients and the impact of novel systemic treatments.

Background And Purpose: Treatment modalities for patients with brain metastases consist of surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Although much is known about local control of brain metastases after radiotherapy and surgery alone, more understanding is needed of the additional effect of new systemic treatments. Our study presents real-world data about the combined effects of different local and systemic treatment strategies on local response of irradiated brain metastases.

A rare non-canonical splice site in Trema orientalis SYMRK does not affect its dual symbiotic functioning in endomycorrhiza and rhizobium nodulation.

Background: Nitrogen-fixing nodules occur in ten related taxonomic lineages interspersed with lineages of non-nodulating plant species. Nodules result from an endosymbiosis between plants and diazotrophic bacteria; rhizobia in the case of legumes and Parasponia and Frankia in the case of actinorhizal species. Nodulating plants share a conserved set of symbiosis genes, whereas related non-nodulating sister species show pseudogenization of several key nodulation-specific genes.

Innovations in two genes kickstarted the evolution of nitrogen-fixing nodules.

The root nodule symbiosis between plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria is a fascinating trait limited to several plant species. Given the agronomic potential of transferring this symbiosis to nonleguminous crops, the symbiosis has attracted researchers' attention for over a century. The origins of this symbiosis can be traced back to a single ancestor, around 110 million years ago.

SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in secondary school settings in the Netherlands during fall 2020; silent circulation.

Background: In fall 2020 when schools in the Netherlands operated under a limited set of COVID-19 measures, we conducted outbreaks studies in four secondary schools to gain insight in the level of school transmission and the role of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via air and surfaces.

Methods: Outbreak studies were performed between 11 November and 15 December 2020 when the wild-type variant of SARS-CoV-2 was dominant. Clusters of SARS-CoV-2 infections within schools were identified through a prospective school surveillance study.