Differences In Growth Potential Research Articles

Synthetic Lethal Interactions with IRAK4 Inhibition in Myeloid Malignancies

Overexpression of immune-related genes is widely reported in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Research from our lab and others has demonstrated that AML leukemic stem and progenitor cells (LSPC) rely on innate immune signaling through IRAK4 (reviewed in Bennett et al., Blood 2023). Moreover, AML LSPCs express a hypermorphic isoform of IRAK4 (IRAK4-L), due to U2AF1- and SF3B1-dependent mis-splicing. Building on this preclinical evidence, several IRAK4 inhibitors are now undergoing clinical trials in AML patients. In Phase-1 findings with a selective IRAK4 inhibitor (CA-4948; Curis Therapeutics), it was found that MDS and AML patients with splicing factor mutations responded best to monotherapy IRAK4 inhibition, although the overall response rate with monotherapy was modest. These findings suggest that IRAK4 is a relevant target in myeloid malignancies, but the identification of synthetic lethal dependencies may be crucial in revealing effective combination therapies. In this study, we sought to identify synthetic lethal interactions upon IRAK4 inhibition in AML. For this, we first generated isogenic AML cells that are proficient (WT THP1) or deficient for IRAK4 (IRAK4 KO THP1) using site-directed mutagenesis with CRISPR-Cas9. Deletion of IRAK4 resulted in a modest (~50%) reduction in leukemic colony formation and negligible differences in growth potential. We used the isogenic WT and IRAK4 KO AML cells to screen for synthetic lethal interactions by performing a 2400+ drug in vitro screen. Hits were prioritized for potency in IRAK4 KO cells vs WT AML cells, degree of fitness, and overall effect. Among these hits, the Cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) CC-885 emerged as the top target. Independent validation confirmed that CC-885 significantly decreased proliferation and viability of isogenic IRAK4 KO MDS (MDSL) and AML (THP1) cells by approximately 3-4-fold compared to WT MDS or AML cells. Colony formation in methylcellulose after treatment with CC-885 was also significantly reduced in IRAK4 KO compared to WT MDS and AML cells. Based on Caspase-3 activation and AnnexinV staining, CC-885 induced significantly more apoptosis of IRAK4 KO cells as compared to WT AML cells. We extended our synthetic lethal analysis to a clinical-stage IRAK4 inhibitor (CA-4948). MDS and AML cells were treated with CA-4948 concurrently with CC-885 or pretreated for 7 days prior to treatment with CC-885. Unexpectedly, we found that only prior exposure of the AML cells to the IRAK4 inhibitors resulted in sensitivity to CC-885. These findings indicate that IRAK4 inhibition reprograms AML cells so that they acquire a synthetic lethal interaction with CC-885. CC-885 is known to target multiple substrates for degradation by the ubiquitin proteasome, including IKZF1, IKZF3, CK1a, and GSPT1. We compared the effect of CC-885 to CC-90009, a CELMoD with GSPT1 specific activity in the isogenic IRAK4 KO and WT AML cell lines. CC-90009 did not result in complete cell death up to concentrations of 10mM in both WT and IRAK4 KO, suggesting that the selective sensitivity of IRAK4 KO AML cells to CC-885 is not due to inhibition of GSPT1. In support of these interpretations, IRAK4 deficient AML cells exhibit increased protein expression of IKZF2 and IKZF3, but not GSPT1 or CK1a. Given the unique responses of IRAK4 KO cells to CELMoDs, we posited that IRAK4 inhibition alters the neosubstrate profile of CELMoDs in AML cells. Total proteome characterization of CC-885 treated WT and IRAK4 KO THP1 cells by mass spectrometry identified a significant decrease in 90 protein substrates in IRAK4 KO cells treated with CC-885 as compared to WT cells treated with CC-885. These findings suggest that IRAK4 inhibition alters the pool of neosubstrates in AML cells for certain CELMoDs. Overall, our study demonstrates that IRAK4 is a therapeutic target in AML, but that combination therapies, such as with certain CELMoDs, will be necessary to achieve better clinical responses.

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Policy Guarantee Support under the COVID-19 Pandemic Economic Crisis

The purpose of this study is to suggest some policy implications by analyzing the support effectiveness of policy guarantees supported through the supplementary budget. During the COVID-19 period, the sales growth rate of the policy guarantee beneficiary companies was about 4.98% and the employment growth rate was about 0.46%, indicating a significant difference in growth potential compared to the non-beneficiary companies. First, among the economic crises caused by COVID-19, the crisis response through policy guarantees was relatively appropriate. Second, it is necessary to maintain an ‘appropriate’ level of support for ‘necessary’ economic sectors according to the government’s policy direction. Third, policy guarantee support can be effectively used as one of crisis response policies based on the effectiveness of the policy. Fourth, it is necessary to prepare for preemptive policy guarantee support by operating the crisis prediction system. Fifth, it is necessary to identify and prepare for possible crises after COVID-19 at the present time.

Biomass productivity, forest stability, carbon balance, and soil transformation of agricultural land afforestation: A case study of suitability of native tree species in the submontane zone in Czechia

The increasing trend of afforestation is described in almost all European countries, however, the knowledge of the growth parameters of particular tree species on abandoned agricultural land is still incomplete. Therefore, the characteristics of young forest stands which are afforested with 5 native tree species (Norway spruce, European beech, English oak, sycamore maple, and small-leaved lime) were analyzed 14 years after afforestation. Afforestation had a positive influence on the soil physical characteristics with the highest porosity (58.2%) in spruce stands and water saturation (48.5%) in oak stands. Maple had the fastest initial growth and production with the highest mean annual increment (12.1 m3 ha−1 y-1) and total biomass production (200.8 t ha−1). Contrarily, the lowest production parameters were found in the beech stands with a low mean annual increment (1.4 m3 ha−1 y-1) and total biomass production (28.4 t ha−1). The most abundant carbon quantity in the soil and tree biomass together was sequestered in lime (125.1 t ha−1) followed by maple stands (124.5 t ha−1). On average, the total carbon balance was 67.4% stored in the tree biomass, and 32.6% in the soil for tree species evaluated together. The amount of carbon sequestered in the soil will increase in the following years in relation to overlying humus development, incorporation of soil organic carbon in the mineral soil horizons, as well as with tree biomass production. The study demonstrated a significant difference in growth potential, biomass production, soil transformation and carbon sequestration in native tree species stands established on former agricultural lands. Most importantly, the differences in carbon sequestration should be considered in future agricultural land afforestation to mitigate the negative impact of global climate change.

Growth Performance of Short Scrotum and Castrated Hair Sheep Lambs on Pasture During Different Seasons

Abstract Castrated lambs tend to grow slower compared to intact males. Rendering lambs short scrotum offers an opportunity to achieve comparable growth to an intact lamb while allowing them to be co-grazed with ewe lambs. Here we evaluated lamb growth in a mixed flock of castrated (CA), short-scrotum (SS) and female (FE) Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix hair sheep lambs. Lambs were born in December (n = 30) and April (n = 45) from the same ewe flock mated to different sires each season. Ram lambs were either rendered short scrotum or completely castrated using elastrator bands at weaning, and all lambs transitioned in dry lot for 2 mo before return to pasture. Lambs co-grazed in a rotational pasture system and were moved based on visual assessment of forage availability and were provided bermudagrass hay when forage availability was limited. Lambs were supplemented with soy hull at 3% BW to ensure diet continuity between forage environments. Ewe lambs were grown to target weights of 35 kg and males to 40 kg. Data were analyzed for sex class, breed, and season as main effects. Pasture ADG was higher (P < 0.001) in SS (132 g/d) than in CA (102 g/d) and FE (96 g/d) lambs. Age at target weight tended to be earlier (P < 0.1) in SS (261 d) than CA (291 d). December-born lambs had higher pen ADG (236 vs. 135 g/d; P< 0.001) than April-born lambs, but had similar pasture ADG (102 vs. 108 g/d). In contrast, St. Croix lambs had similar pre-pasture growth to Blackbelly lambs, but higher pasture ADG (118 vs. 94 g/d; P < 0.001) and reached target weight 40 d earlier (P < 0.001). Data indicate that the forage environment allowed differences in growth potential derived from sex type and breed to be expressed, but that soy hull supplementation likely masked seasonal differences associated with forage quality.

The use of the so-called 'tubs' for transporting and storing fresh fishery products.

On‐land transport/storage of fresh fishery products (FFP) for up to 3 days in ‘tubs’ of three‐layered poly‐ethylene filled with freshwater and ice was compared to the currently authorised practice (fish boxes of high‐density poly‐ethylene filled with ice). The impact on the survival and growth of biological hazards in fish and the histamine production in fish species associated with a high amount of histidine was assessed. In different modelling scenarios, the FFP are stored on‐board in freshwater or seawater/ice (in tubs) and once on‐land they are ‘handled’ (i.e. sorted or gutted and/or filleted) and transferred to either tubs or boxes. The temperature of the FFP was assumed to be the most influential factor affecting relevant hazards. Under reasonably foreseeable ‘abusive’ scenarios and using a conservative modelling approach, the growth of the relevant hazards (i.e. Listeria monocytogenes, Aeromonas spp. and non‐proteolytic Clostridium botulinum), is expected to be < 0.2 log10 units higher in tubs than in boxes after 3 days when the initial temperature of the fish is 0°C (‘keeping’ process). Starting at 7°C (‘cooling‐keeping’ process), the expected difference in the growth potential is higher (< 1 log10 for A. hydrophila and < 0.5 log10 for the other two hazards) due to the poorer cooling capacity of water and ice (tub) compared with ice (box). The survival of relevant hazards is not or is negligibly impacted. Histamine formation due to growth of Morganella psychrotolerans under the ‘keeping’ or ‘cooling‐keeping’ process can be up to 0.4 ppm and 1.5 ppm higher, respectively, in tubs as compared to boxes after 3 days, without reaching the legal limit of 100 ppm. The water uptake associated with the storage of the FFP in tubs (which may be up to 6%) does not make a relevant contribution to the differences in microbial growth potential compared to boxes.

The Sphenoidal Synchondroses: Implications for the Midfacial Growth of Anthropoid Primates

The basicranium of anthropoid primates is more flexed than in lemurs and lorises (strepsirrhines), which has implications for orientation of facial growth. Differential growth among cranial synchondroses is one suggested mechanism for variation in basicranial development. In this study, we measured length of bony elements of the cranial base using Amira software in a cross‐sectional age sample (late prenatal to juvenile), which included three monkey species and four species of lemurs and bushbabies (n = 59). In addition, we made preliminary measurements of the anteroposterior length of the spheno‐occipital synchondrosis (SOS), intrasphenoidal synchondrosis (ISS), and prespheno‐septal synchondrosis (PSept) using newborn samples. In order to assess differences in growth potential among sync hondroses, the diameter of the proliferating (PZ) or hypertrophic (HZ) zones were also measured. Our other work has indicated that measurements of ossified elements of the cranial base reveal disproportionately more growth of presphenoid (PS) relatively to basisphenoid (BS) in monkeys. But in strepsirrhines, these bones scale similarly to one another when plotted against increasing cranial or midfacial length. When expressed as a ratio of the length of the PZ or HZ to total anteroposterior diameter of the synchondrosis, growth is relatively similar in ISS and SOS among all species studied. However, in anthropoids the length of the PZ in PSept is notably (more than two‐fold) greater than in any other synchondrosis. In strepsirrhines, length of the PZ in PSept is relatively similar to the same zone of other synchondroses. This suggests that the rapid increase in length of the presphenoid in anthropoids is mostly occurring anteriorly, at the midfacial interface. These results, taken at face value, might suggest that anthropoids have a greater magnitude of growth in the septal cartilage compared to strepsirrhines. However, our previous work established that growth at PSept in more multidirectional (radial) than in most other mammals. Instead, our findings emphasize different patterns of sphenoid growth among primates, and offer a tissue‐level explanation for the relatively large PS segment in anthropoid primates. In addition, these findings indicate suggest that growth of the sphenoid is more highly integrated with PS than BS and more interdependent with facial growth in monkeys than in strepsirrhine primates.Support or Funding InformationNSF grant # BCS‐1830894, BCS‐1830919, BCS‐0959438

Comparison of fetal size standards obtained with conventional methods and individualized assessment: the effect of adjusting for differences in growth potential

Objective: Detection of fetal growth restriction depends on the biometric standard definitions of normal variability. We examined the impact of correcting for differences in fetal growth potential on the variability of third-trimester size standards. Methods: Size standards, corrected differences in growth potential using Individualized Growth Assessment [IGA], were obtained in 119 pregnancies with normal neonatal growth outcomes. Using the same cohort, a second set of size standards, without these corrections, were determined with mixed modeling [IGA Cross-sectional]. An independent set of size standards, obtained by quantile regression in a population-based sample of 1387 pregnant women [World Health Organization (WHO)], was also evaluated. The anatomical parameters studied included BPD, HC, AC, FDL, THC, HDL, ArmC and EWT whenever possible. The variability measures compared were percent deviation reference range [IGA] or twice the coefficient of variation [IGA Cross-sectional, WHO] at weekly time points between 28 and 38 weeks, menstrual age. Results: All six IGA variabilities were significantly smaller [range: 19–60%] when IGA and IGA-cross-sectional size standards were compared. Similar IGA-WHO comparisons showed that the IGA variabilities for 5 of 6 anatomical parameters were significantly smaller [range: 26–32%; exception: FDL (5.8%)]. Comparisons of cross-sectional size standards gave variable results depending on the anatomical parameter studied. Conclusions: Third-trimester variability measures, based on IGA, were consistently lower than those obtained with conventional cross-sectional methods in normal pregnancies. These results were found when the identical sample was used in both IGA and cross-sectional analyses. Decreased variability can improve the sensitivity of IGA for detecting restricted growth and may be partly responsible for its ability to identify different types of growth abnormalities earlier in pregnancy.

Transcriptional analysis of liver from chickens with fast (meat bird), moderate (F1 layer x meat bird cross) and low (layer bird) growth potential

BackgroundDivergent selection for meat and egg production in poultry has resulted in strains of birds differing widely in traits related to these products. Modern strains of meat birds can reach live weights of 2 kg in 35 d, while layer strains are now capable of producing more than 300 eggs per annum but grow slowly. In this study, RNA-Seq was used to investigate hepatic gene expression between three groups of birds with large differences in growth potential; meat bird, layer strain as well as an F1 layer x meat bird. The objective was to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes between all three strains to elucidate biological factors underpinning variations in growth performance.ResultsRNA-Seq analysis was carried out on total RNA extracted from the liver of meat bird (n = 6), F1 layer x meat bird cross (n = 6) and layer strain (n = 6), males. Differential expression of genes were considered significant at P < 0.05, and a false discovery rate of < 0.05, with any fold change considered. In total, 6278 genes were found to be DE with 5832 DE between meat birds and layers (19%), 2935 DE between meat birds and the cross (9.6%) and 493 DE between the cross and layers (1.6%). Comparisons between the three groups identified 155 significant DE genes. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the 155 DE genes showed the FoxO signalling pathway was most enriched (P = 0.001), including genes related to cell cycle regulation and insulin signalling. Significant GO terms included ‘positive regulation of glucose import’ and ‘cellular response to oxidative stress’, which is also consistent with FoxOs regulation of glucose metabolism. There were high correlations between FoxO pathway genes and bodyweight, as well as genes related to glycolysis and bodyweight.ConclusionsThis study revealed large transcriptome differences between meat and layer birds. There was significant evidence implicating the FoxO signalling pathway (via cell cycle regulation and altered metabolism) as an active driver of growth variations in chicken. Functional analysis of the FoxO genes is required to understand how they regulate growth and egg production.

Managing for diversity: harvest gap size drives complex light, vegetation, and deer herbivory impacts on tree seedlings

AbstractMany managed northern hardwood forests are characterized by low‐diversity tree regeneration. Small harvest gaps, competition from shrub–herb vegetation, and browsing by white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) contribute to this pattern, but we know little about how these factors interact. With a stand‐scale experiment, we examined the effects of gap size (0–3234 m2), vegetation (weeded:unweeded), and deer (fenced:unfenced) on seedling growth and survival for 18 tree species. With increasing gap size and light, shrub–herb vegetation density increased, while deer browsing on seedlings in unweeded plots decreased. Fenced:weeded seedlings of all species increased in height up to 35–45% light, with optimal growth in large‐group selection and patch cut harvest gaps. Height growth rank order among tree species changed between gap sizes, but growth varied little in small, low‐light gaps. Instead, a low‐light survival (i.e., shade tolerance) vs. high‐light growth tradeoff we observed is likely more important for species sorting of gap sizes. Shrub–herb vegetation decreased seedling survival and growth, especially in larger harvest gaps, shifting gap size optima to smaller gaps, but had little effect on growth/survival rank order among species. In contrast, deer had strong impacts on growth rank order, especially in larger gaps where species differences in growth potential were trumped by differences in deer browsing pressure responses. However, contrary to their consistently negative main effects, vegetation and deer had two positive interacting effects: dense shrub–herb vegetation in large gaps protected seedlings of faster‐growing species from browsing and deer browsing of shrub–herb vegetation modestly increased light and growth of short, suppressed, browsing‐avoided species. In summary, harvest gap size‐mediated light availability, shrub–herb vegetation, and deer herbivory had strong interacting effects on tree seedling interspecific performance ranks and intraspecific optimal gap sizes. For management, a broad range of harvest gap sizes and rapid establishment of tree regeneration (naturally or planted) to minimize shrub–herb competition should increase tree diversity in forests with few deer. However, with deer browsing pressure, a more limited set of lesser‐browsed species are likely to recruit successfully regardless of gap size, except in large patch cut gaps, where recruitment of faster‐growing, shade‐intolerant species is possible.

Capacity of Listeria monocytogenes Strains from the 2011 Cantaloupe Outbreak To Adhere, Survive, and Grow on Cantaloupe

The 2011 listeriosis outbreak attributed to whole cantaloupe involved several genetically distinct strains of serotypes 1/2a and 1/2b that had not been previously reported in invasive listeriosis outbreaks. Here we investigated the potential of strains from the 2011 cantaloupe outbreak to adhere, survive, and grow on cantaloupe rind and flesh and in juice extracted from cantaloupe at different temperatures (4, 8, and 25°C). All strains were able to adhere and grow, with ∼10-fold increases after 7 days at 4 or 8°C and after 24 h at 25°C, with a propensity for more growth on rind than on flesh or in extract. No significant differences in growth potential were noted among the different strains or between them and unrelated strains from other listeriosis outbreaks involving celery, deli meats, or hot dogs. Similarly to the cantaloupe outbreak strains, these other strains exhibited greater propensity for growth on rind than on flesh or in extract. Rinsing of cantaloupe fragments in sterile water resulted in temporary reductions of the populations by 50- to 100-fold, suggesting the potential of such washing to reduce risk if the produce is promptly consumed. The absence of marked differences in adherence or growth between the cantaloupe outbreak strains and strains from other outbreaks highlights the need to further characterize the 2011 cantaloupe outbreak strains and elucidate potential biological attributes that contributed to their implication in the outbreak.

Growth Analysis of Irrigated ‘Tifton 85’ and Jiggs Bermudagrasses as Affected by Harvest Management

Growth analysis of forage crops allows integration of photosynthesis, respiration, and allocation of photosynthate from estimates of physiological and morphological indices. These measurements help explain differences in growth potential between plants across seasons and in response to harvest management. The objective was to describe and explain patterns of growth of ‘Tifton 85’ (Cynodon spp.) and Jiggs [C. dactylon (L.) Pers.] bermudagrasses to three harvest frequencies (14, 28, and 42 d) during 2 yr. Grasses showed different growth patterns during the cool and warm seasons. Crop growth rate (CGR) was similar during the warm season (69 kg ha–1 d–1), but Jiggs had greater relative growth rate (RGR) and lesser stubble mass and residual leaf mass. Jiggs had greater net assimilation rate (NAR) than Tifton 85 during the warm (14.2 vs. 11.4 kg dry matter [DM] m–2 d–1, respectively) and cool seasons (6.9 vs. 2.5 kg DM m–2 d–1, respectively). Tifton 85 partitioned more biomass to leaf than Jiggs (leaf weight ratio [LWR] of 0.35 vs. 0.28 kg kg–1). The 14‐d harvest frequency reduced CGR, RGR, and NAR of both grasses. Small changes in RGR occurred beyond 28 d of regrowth, but leaf area ratio (LAR) and LWR decreased, suggesting that grasses should be harvested ∼ every 28 d during the warm season. Longer regrowth periods during the cool season increased both CGR and RGR. Harvest management affects differently the growth and morphological components of Jiggs and Tifton 85 in this environment.

Simulating bottom-up effects on predator productivity and consequences for the rebuilding timeline of a depleted population

Bottom-up control within ecosystems is characterized, in part, by predator populations exhibiting growth and recruitment changes in response to variability in prey density or production. Annual prey availability can vary more than 10-fold in marine ecosystems, with prey experiencing a dramatic increase or pulse in production within some years. To assess the bottom-up effects of such pulses on predator growth, production, and fisheries management, we developed an age-specific, predator–prey simulation model (parameterized for summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus) based on simple hypothesized mechanisms for consumption, growth, and population dynamics. Pulses in each of the three modeled prey groups (small crustaceans, forage fish, larger fish prey) generated different magnitudes of change in predator weight-at-age (w), spawning stock biomass (S), fishery yield (Y), and recruitment (R), due to ontogenetic differences in growth potential and dietary composition across predator age classes. Increases in productivity of small forage fishes generated the greatest gains in predator w, S, Y, and R, relative to pulses of the other prey groups. Median increases in R following a prey pulse were minimal (<4%) except under high fishing rates that stimulated a stronger compensatory response in the population (8–11% increase in R), demonstrating the interactive role of top-down and bottom-up effects on predator productivity. Seasonal migration patterns determined the degree of spatiotemporal overlap of predators with the spatially constrained pulses in prey production. Prey pulses reduced the median time required for depleted populations to be rebuilt by 0–5% following declines in fishing pressure. Reductions in time to recovery were highly variable due to recruitment stochasticity, but stock recovery was more sensitive to the severity of harvest control measures than to availability of the non-limiting prey. Understanding the relative magnitudes of such bottom-up processes, particularly in the presence of varied fishing pressure can aid in developing ecosystem approaches to fisheries management that account for such ecological interactions more explicitly.

Thinning Mixed-Species Stands of Douglas-Fir and Western Hemlock in the Presence of Swiss Needle Cast: Guidelines Based on Relative Basal Area Growth of Individual Trees

In coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest, young coniferous plantations typically contain a mixture of planted and natural Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). Swiss needle cast (SNC) disease inhibits the growth of Douglas-fir to varying degrees in these stands, depending on SNC severity. In addition to the value differential between Douglas-fir and western hemlock, foresters must account for differences in growth potential (tree size, competitive position, site characteristics, disease pressure) when selecting trees for retention during thinning operations. Diameter increment models for Douglas-fir and western hemlock were developed from permanent plot data collected for the SNC growth impact study (GIS), precommercial thinning study (PCT), commercial thinning study (CT), and retrospective commercial thinning study (RCT). Predictor variables represent tree size, competitive position, site characteristics, and SNC severity. SNC severity was indexed by foliage retention, defined as the number of annual needle cohorts held by a tree. Foliage retention was positively correlated with Douglas-fir diameter increment and negatively correlated with western hemlock diameter increment. Charts developed from the diameter growth models provide a field tool for assessing the relative basal area growth of adjacent Douglas-fir and western hemlock of a given initial diameter in a stand of given SNC severity. In a stand with severe SNC (foliage retention 1.5 years) the basal area growth of a 6-in. western hemlock tree will exceed the basal area growth of any Douglas-fir tree up to 7.7 in. in DBH. In a relatively healthy stand (foliage retention 3.0 years) the basal area growth of 6 in. Douglas-fir and western hemlock trees will be approximately equivalent.

Spatially explicit determination of individual tree target diameters in beech

In its basic definition, the individual tree target diameter is the hypothetical end diameter to which trees should be grown in order to maximize the expectation value of the forest stand. Most studies on target diameter harvesting have focused on the estimation of simple, static target diameters common to all trees or groups of trees. However, dynamic interaction between trees and differences in growth potential and quality affect the rate of return of individual tree growth, and thereby the target diameter of the tree. Based on a 4.9ha experimental beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand in southern Sweden, we estimated individual tree target diameters by maximizing the expectation value of the stand while taking the spatial position and interaction of the trees into consideration. At moderate levels of required rate of return (2–3%) the average target diameter was 59–66cm with a standard deviation of 13–19cm. Results indicated that the target diameter depends strongly on stem quality, distance to neighboring trees (competition), and the quality of neighboring trees. When analyzing the effect of including neighborhoods of different size in the assessment of target diameters, the marginal change of the total expectation value remained significant, even when 10–12 trees had already been included, but converged fast for larger neighborhoods. Expectation values obtained using simplified management approaches were 10–20% lower than that of the spatially optimal solution. It is thus evident that the inclusion of the spatial position and quality of individual trees improves profitability of forest management considerably.

Using test station and on-farm data for the genetic evaluation of Piétrain boars used on Landrace sows for growth performance1

The aim of this study was to develop a new genetic evaluation model to estimate the genetic merit of boars for growth based on 1) performance of their crossbred progeny fattened in the test station and 2) their own performance or those of relatives from the on-farm testing system. The model was a bivariate random regression animal model with linear splines and was applied to Piétrain boars from the Walloon Region of Belgium mated with Landrace sows. Data contained 1) 12,610 BW records from the test station collected on 1,435 crossbred pigs from Piétrain boars and Landrace sows, and 2) 52,993 BW records from the on-farm testing system collected on 50,670 pigs with a breed composition of at least 40% Piétrain or Landrace. Since 2007, 56 Piétrain boars have been tested in the station. Data used to estimate variance components and breeding values were standardized for the age to take into account heterogeneity of variances and then pre-adjusted at 210 d of age to put all records on the same scale. Body weight records from the test station and from the on-farm testing system were considered as 2 different traits. The heterosis effect was modeled as fixed regression on the heterozygosity coefficient. As all test station animals were similarly crossbred, smaller variation in heterozygosity caused the sampling error of the regression estimate at 210 d to be larger in the test station than in on-farm data with estimates of 28.35 ± 14.55 kg and 9.02 ± 0.67 kg, respectively. Therefore, the most likely reason for the large differences in estimates was sampling. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.37 to 0.60 at 210 and 75 d, respectively, for test station BW and from 0.42 to 0.60 at 210 d and 175 d, respectively, for on-farm BW. Genetic correlation decreased when the age interval between records increased, and were greater between ages for test station than for on-farm data. Genetic correlations between test station and on-farm BW at the same age were high: 0.90 at 175 d and 0.85 at 210 d. For the 56 boars tested in the station, the average reliability of their EBV for ADG between 100 and 210 d was improved from 0.60 using only test station data to 0.69 using jointly test station and on-farm data. Based on these results, the new model developed was considered as a good method of detection of differences in growth potential of Piétrain boars based on test station and on-farm data.

Early Engraftment Kinetics of Leukocyte Subsets by Means of HLA-Specific Mabs After Double Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation Show a Very Rapid Induction of Single Complete Donor Chimerism.

Abstract 3338Poster Board III-226Double umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) results in higher engraftment rates as compared to single UCBT in adult patients. Sustained hematopoiesis is usually derived from a single cord blood unit (CBU). So far, the mechanism of predominance of a particular CBU is unresolved. Immunological rejection of one CBU has been proposed, as well as a selective growth advantage of one particular unit. Frequent serial chimerism studies in leukocyte subsets by use of HLA-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) during the first month post transplant might contribute to unravel the mechanism of graft predominance. Methods.Seventeen consecutive patients (pts) with high risk hematological diseases received a double UCBT preceded by a non-myeloablative conditioning regimen (Cy 60 mg/kg/ Flu 160 mg/kg/ TBI 2×2 Gy). CBUs were selected by low resolution typing for HLA-A and –B loci and by allele typing for HLA-DRB1. The minimal required HLA-match grade was 4/6. If discriminating HLA mismatches between the 3 different parties were present, early analysis in leukocyte subpopulations was performed at day 11, 18, 25 and 32 post transplant by flowcytometry using lineage-specific (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16/56, CD14, CD33) mAbs in combination with fluorochrome labeled HLA-antigen specific human mAbs. Results of day 32 were compared with routine chimerism analysis (VNTR) of peripheral blood TNC and T-cells. Results.Two pts were non-evaluable for engraftment due to early death and insufficient follow up, respectively. Donor engraftment in 15 pts occurred after a median of 30 days (range: 11-45). At 1 month post transplant, 9 pts showed complete single and 3 showed mixed chimerism by VNTR-analysis. In 3 patients, cells originating from both CBUs were present. Ultimately, complete single donor chimerism was established in 14 pts. Early chimerism studies with HLA-specific mAbs were performed in 8 pts. In all pts results at day 32 corresponded with chimerism analysis performed by VNTR. For 7 other pts no discriminating HLA-mAbs were available. Simultaneous 3-donor-origin detection of T-cells, monocytes and granulocytes based on HLA-disparities was possible in 4 pts. In 3 of them, all subsets showed a similar pattern: a clear predominance of a single CBU in all lineages as from day 11-18 onwards. Furthermore, the disappearing CBU was transiently detectable in these pts at day 11. In the fourth patient, T cells were of recipient origin at day 32 with predominance of a single CBU in all other subsets. The disappearing unit could be followed in another 4 pts, which revealed again a transient appearance of that unit in the various lineages at day 11. Although detectable in a total of 8 pts at day 11, all disappearing CBUs were completely lost within 18 days. The prefreeze TNC did not predict for the prevailing UCB, nor did the number of HLA-mismatches. Conclusions.These results show that double UCBT following a non-myeloablative regimen without ATG is associated with a rapid induction of complete single donor chimerism. The disappearing unit, although early detectable, was completely lost within 18 days in all patients, in whom it could be monitored by HLA-specific mAbs. We observed no disproportional increase of any leukocyte subset of the prevailing CBU nor of host leukocyte subset. This characteristic, uniform, early engraftment pattern in the presence of different HLA-disparities may rather argue for a difference in growth potential between both CBUs than an immunological rejection of the disappearing unit. Disclosures.No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Genotypic variation does not explain differences in growth of mummichogs Fundulus heteroclitus from simple and complex tidal marsh landscapes

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 386:207-219 (2009) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08068 Genotypic variation does not explain differences in growth of mummichogs Fundulus heteroclitus from simple and complex tidal marsh landscapes R. T. Kneib* The University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island, Georgia 31327, USA *Email: rtkneib@uga.edu ABSTRACT: Decimal coded wire tags were used to measure individual growth rates of mummichogs (Pisces: Fundulidae) within tidal marshes on Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA. Mummichogs (n = 17508) were marked and released at 3 sites with different levels of complexity in their tidal channel drainage networks. The proportion of recaptures (average 19%), which varied from 6.4 to 43.3% among sites and release dates, was inversely related to relative complexity of the tidal drainage networks. Gender-specific differences were detected in size metrics and growth rates. Mean (± SD) growth rates (mm d–1 total length, TL) of individuals at large for 28 to 56 d prior to recapture ranged from 0.062 ± 0.044 to 0.274 ± 0.060 for males and 0.071 ± 0.036 to 0.279 ± 0.062 for females, with the least and most rapid growth rates associated with complex and simple tidal drainage networks, respectively. A ‘common garden’ experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that there were genotypic differences in growth potential seemingly associated with landscape structure. Two size classes (40–50 and 55–65 mm TL) of individually marked mummichogs from drainage networks characterized as simple (high growth) and complex (low growth) were raised in the laboratory for 42 d on each of 2 daily rations (10 and 30% wet body mass) of minced fresh-frozen grass shrimp. There was no significant difference in mean (± SD) daily growth rates of mummichogs from the 2 sites (simple: 0.283 ± 0.124 and complex: 0.299 ± 0.131) when reared under the same conditions. Although there was no evidence of a genotypic difference in growth potential between these local populations of mummichogs, a possible association between landscape structure and gene expression reflected in the spatial variation of fish growth within tidal marsh ecosystems remains to be explored. KEY WORDS: Coded wire tags · Estuary · Genome · Fundulus heteroclitus · Killifish · Mummichog · Wetlands Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Kneib RT (2009) Genotypic variation does not explain differences in growth of mummichogs Fundulus heteroclitus from simple and complex tidal marsh landscapes. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 386:207-219. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08068 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 386. Online publication date: July 02, 2009 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2009 Inter-Research.

Bioenergetic model estimates of interannual and spatial patterns in consumption demand and growth potential of juvenile pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) in the Gulf of Alaska

A bioenergetic model of juvenile pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) was used to estimate daily prey consumption and growth potential of four ocean habitats in the Gulf of Alaska during 2001 and 2002. Growth potential was not significantly higher in 2002 than in 2001 at an alpha level of 0.05 (P ¼ 0.073). Average differences in growth potential across habitats were minimal (slope habitat ¼ 0.844 g d � 1 , shelf habitat ¼ 0.806 g d � 1 , offshore habitat ¼ 0.820 g d � 1 , and nearshore habitat ¼ 0.703 g d � 1 ) and not significantly different (P ¼ 0.630). Consumption demand differed significantly between hatchery and wild stocks (P ¼ 0.035) when examined within year due to the interaction between hatchery verses wild origin and year. However, the overall effect of origin across years was not significant (P ¼ 0.705) due to similar total amounts of prey consumed by all juvenile pink salmon in both study years. We anticipated that years in which ocean survival was high would have had high growth potential, but this relationship did not prove to be true. Therefore, modeled growth potential may not be useful as a tool for forecasting survival of Prince William Sound hatchery pink salmon stocks. Significant differences in consumption demand and a two-fold difference in nearshore abundance during 2001 of hatchery and wild pink salmon confirmed the existence of strong and variable interannual competition and the importance of the nearshore region as being a potential competitive bottleneck. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Mechanisms of antagonism of Pseudomonas fluorescens EPS62e against Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight.

Pseudomonas fluorescens EPS62e was selected during a screening procedure for its high efficacy in controlling infections by Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight disease, on different plant materials. In field trials carried out in pear trees during bloom, EPS62e colonized flowers until the carrying capacity, providing a moderate efficacy of fire-blight control. The putative mechanisms of EPS62e antagonism against E. amylovora were studied. EPS62e did not produce antimicrobial compounds described in P. fluorescens species and only developed antagonism in King's B medium, where it produced siderophores. Interaction experiments in culture plate wells including a membrane filter, which physically separated the cultures, confirmed that inhibition of E. amylovora requires cell-to-cell contact. The spectrum of nutrient assimilation indicated that EPS62e used significantly more or different carbon sources than the pathogen. The maximum growth rate and affinity for nutrients in immature fruit extract were higher in EPS62e than in E. amylovora, but the cell yield was similar. The fitness of EPS62e and E. amylovora was studied upon inoculation in immature pear fruit wounds and hypanthia of intact flowers under controlled-environment conditions. When inoculated separately, EPS62e grew faster in flowers, whereas E. amylovora grew faster in fruit wounds because of its rapid spread to adjacent tissues. However, in preventive inoculations of EPS62e, subsequent growth of EPS101 was significantly inhibited. It is concluded that cell-to-cell interference as well as differences in growth potential and the spectrum and efficiency of nutrient use are mechanisms of antagonism of EPS62e against E. amylovora.

Within-field variation in grain yield, yield components and quality traits of two-row barley

SUMMARYRecent studies of precision cereal farming systems have documented large within-field and annual variation in grain yield and quality. The principal aim of the present study was to evaluate the degree of within- and between-field variation in biomass, yield, yield component structure and quality traits, such as grain protein of two-row barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), using crop samples collected from field patches of varying yield potential. Plant samples were collected from the fields of commercial farmers located in southern Finland in 2000 and 2001. Selection of low, intermediate and high yielding patches for crop sampling was based on aerial infrared colour images taken twice during the growing season. When stands were mature, plant samples from an area of 0·5 m2 were uprooted for yield component and quality analysis. Nitrogen accumulation prior to heading was strongly associated with biomass accumulation, indicating differences in growth potential of the different field patches. The principal yield determining trait in two-row barley was grain number/m2, whereas single grain weight (SGW) had a lesser effect on grain yield. The degree of variation in the quality parameters, namely protein and SGW, was not associated with grain yield. This suggests that within-field variation in yield potential does not determine heterogeneity of the grain yield in terms of grain weight or grain protein content.