scholarly journals Tracking Papaya Pollen Movement with the GUS Transgene Marker

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1094D-1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Manshardt ◽  
Cathy Mello ◽  
Sharon D. Lum ◽  
Leanne Ta
Keyword(s):  
Colorimetric Assay ◽  
Gus Expression ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Separate Study ◽  
Organic Farm ◽  
Weak Negative Correlation ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pollen Movement ◽  
Gus Assays

Genetically engineered (GE), virus-resistant papaya cultivars in Hawaii are easily identified by a colorimetric assay for the β-glucuronidase (GUS) marker transgene. We used GUS to track pollen movement from a central 1-acre plot of gynodioecious GE `Rainbow' plants into seeds on surrounding border rows of non-GE `Sunrise' papaya. GUS evidence of cross-pollination occurred in 70% of female plants (43% of assayed seeds), compared with only 13% of the predominantly self-pollinating hermaphrodite plants (7% of seeds) segregating in the gynodioecious `Sunrise' border rows. The percentage of GUS+ seeds in border row plants showed a weak negative correlation (r = –0.32) with distance from the nearest GE tree (30 m maximum). In a non-GE papaya field located less than a mile downwind from the `Rainbow' source, no evidence of GUS was found in 1000 assayed seeds. In a separate study, the origin of GUS+ seed discovered in papaya fruits from an organic farm was investigated. Leaf GUS assays revealed that 70% of trees were GE, indicating that the grower had planted GE seed. The impact of pollen drift from GE trees in the same field was determined by screening seed samples from 20 non-GE hermaphrodites for GUS expression. Only three hermaphrodites (15%) showed GUS+ seeds, at low levels ranging from 3% to 6% of contaminated samples. These data indicate that the major source of GE contamination in organic fields is seeds of unverified origin, rather than pollen drift from neighboring GE fields. Organic growers are advised to: 1) plant only seed that is known to be non-GE, preferably obtained by manual self-pollination of selected non-GE hermaphrodites; 2) avoid open-pollinated seed; and 3) grow only hermaphrodite (self-pollinating) trees, removing any female or male plants from production fields.

Quota Women Are Threatening to Men

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klea Faniko ◽  
Till Burckhardt ◽  
Oriane Sarrasin ◽  
Fabio Lorenzi-Cioldi ◽  
Siri Øyslebø Sørensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Preferential Treatment ◽  
Public Sector Employees ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Women In Decision Making ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Two studies carried out among Albanian public-sector employees examined the impact of different types of affirmative action policies (AAPs) on (counter)stereotypical perceptions of women in decision-making positions. Study 1 (N = 178) revealed that participants – especially women – perceived women in decision-making positions as more masculine (i.e., agentic) than feminine (i.e., communal). Study 2 (N = 239) showed that different types of AA had different effects on the attribution of gender stereotypes to AAP beneficiaries: Women benefiting from a quota policy were perceived as being more communal than agentic, while those benefiting from weak preferential treatment were perceived as being more agentic than communal. Furthermore, we examined how the belief that AAPs threaten men’s access to decision-making positions influenced the attribution of these traits to AAP beneficiaries. The results showed that men who reported high levels of perceived threat, as compared to men who reported low levels of perceived threat, attributed more communal than agentic traits to the beneficiaries of quotas. These findings suggest that AAPs may have created a backlash against its beneficiaries by emphasizing gender-stereotypical or counterstereotypical traits. Thus, the framing of AAPs, for instance, as a matter of enhancing organizational performance, in the process of policy making and implementation, may be a crucial tool to countering potential backlash.

scholarly journals POS0329 GASTROINTESTINAL INVOLVEMENT IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: PATHOGENETIC ROLE OF GUT MICROBIOME, CYTOKINES AND ADIPOKINES

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 392.1-392
Author(s):  
E. Pigatto ◽  
M. Schiesaro ◽  
M. Caputo ◽  
M. Beggio ◽  
P. Galozzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
High Serum ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Gastrointestinal Involvement ◽  
Degrading Bacteria ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Impact

Background:Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is very common in patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). The pathophysiology of GI manifestations has not yet been defined. Cell-mediated immunological reactions appear to lead to endothelial damage resulting in fibrosis. The risk of developing malnutrition reinforces the need to better understand GI pathophysiology in these patients.Objectives:The study aimed to evaluate GI symptoms (GIT 2.0) and malnutrition status (MUST) and to determine specific bacterial changes in gut microbiome by investigating the possible presence of positive hot spots in bacterial species in SSc patients and their potential role in the disease progression. We also evaluated serum levels of adipokines and cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of SSc and their role, in addition to gut microbiome, in predicting the onset of GI involvement and malnutrition in SSc patients.Methods:We enrolled 25 scleroderma patients (EULAR/ACR 2013 criteria). UCLA-SCTC GIT 2.0 questionnaire to evaluate GI symptoms and MUST to investigate the risk of malnutrition were used. Gut microbiome was analyzed and the samples were subjected to extraction for the 16S rRNA gene (Earth Microbiome Project and the NIH-Human Microbiome Project). The microbiome was investigated at phenotypic and genotypic level. Serum levels of cytokines and adipokines (adiponectin and leptin) were evaluated by ELISA.Results:79.9% of patients had GERD and 63.5% abdominal distension at GIT 2.0 questionnaires. 48% of patients had moderate risk of malnutrition (MUST=2) and 12% had high risk (MUST=3). Gut microbioma: 19 patients (76%) had low similarity and 11 (44%) low diversity compared to the healthy population. The prevailing enterotypes of gut microbiome was Bacteroides (80%) and Prevotella (20%). The genotypic evaluation showed a reduced concentration of: gluten-digesting (Lactobacillus); lactose-digesting (Faecalibacterium); vitamin K-producing (Enterococcus, Desulfovibrio and Veillonella); acetaldehyde-degrading bacteria. 24 patients (96%) showed a reduction in bacteria devoted to maintaining weight control (Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcus). The patients had an altered intestinal permeability with less mucolytic bacteria (Bacteroides) and reduced production of LPS (Enterobacter and Escherichia). Low levels of butyrate (Eubacterium and Clostridium), acetate and propionate were found for SCFA-producing bacteria. Potentially pathogenic bacteria were also investigated: Salmonella was found in 14 (56%), Klebsiella in 9 (36%) and Enterococcus Faecalis in 3 (12%) patients. 11 (44%) patients had elevated serum levels of IL10 and IL12; 4 (16%) had high value of leptin. Correlation was found in patients who had a reduced concentration of gluten-digesting bacteria and MUST. Elevated MUST was correlated with serological increase in IL17A and IFN-α. Serum levels of IL12 and IL10 were found to correlate with specific bacteria alterations: high concentration of acetaldehyde-producing bacteria and low levels of acetaldehyde-degrade bacteria (also correlated with high serum levels of IL6), mucolytic bacteria and producers of hydrogen sulphide, acetate and propionate. Finally, reduced levels of mucolytic bacteria and acetate producing bacteria correlated with high serum leptin levels.Conclusion:The relationship between the gut microbiome and SSc seems to be multifactorial. In our study genotypic changes of gut microbioma might play a role in damaging the permeability of the mucosa and increasing risk of malnutrition. The evaluation of gut microbiome and cytokine profile is probably going to be of value in the follow-up of SSc. However, further studies are needed to clarify the impact of GI dysbiosis on the immune system in SSc.References:[1]Patrone V. et al. Gut microbiota profile in systemic sclerosis patients with and without clinical evidence of gastrointestinal involvement, Sci Rep. 2017; 7: 14874Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Comprehension in English Medium Instruction (EMI) lectures: On the impact of lecturer L2 English use

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-91
Author(s):  
Joseph Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
First Language ◽  
Student Body ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Student Comprehension ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe importance and amount of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) usage and English Medium Instruction (EMI) lectures continue to increase on university campuses as universities worldwide seek to promote internationalization among both the student body and the faculty. While EMI has become a priority, the teaching and learning that occurs within this framework needs to be monitored for effectiveness and efficiency. Many of the teachers and students in these EMI courses do not share a common first language and likely have a first language other than English. Therefore, they are operating in EMI with varying levels of second language (L2) English ability, which can lead to low levels of student comprehension, learning and satisfaction unless the lecturer takes special care in their delivery of content. This paper explores the linguistic composition of EMI lectures in the Swedish context and reports survey findings of students’ self-reported levels of comprehension related to lecture content and their lecturer’s L2 English use. Three case studies are described and illustrate various linguistic factors that can contribute to or inhibit student comprehension in EMI lectures. Pedagogic implications are presented with the intention of supporting EMI lecturers and their students.

Immunoglobulin levels in systemic lupus erythematosus: A narrative review

Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110047
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Almaghlouth ◽  
Sindhu R Johnson ◽  
Eleanor Pullenayegum ◽  
Dafna Gladman ◽  
Murray Urowitz
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Immunoglobulin Level ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
External Threats ◽  
Self Tolerance ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Impact

Immunoglobulins play a fundamental role in the protection of the human body against internal and external threats. They also contribute to the immune system homeostasis and maintenance of self-tolerance. Hypogammaglobulinemia is occasionally encountered in routine clinical practice by rheumatologists. Low levels of immunoglobulins can occur as primary or secondary issues and may predispose patients to various forms of infection. However, the impact of the low immunoglobulin level abnormality varies with the underlying condition. In this narrative review, we shed light on the overall types and functions of immunoglobulins for clinicians. We discuss important principles of immunoglobulin measurements. We then consider the primary and secondary causes of low immunoglobulins with a special focus on hypogammaglobulinemia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Entrepreneurs and Burnout. How Hardy Pesonality works in this process

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412199697
Author(s):  
Laura Quiun ◽  
Marta Herrero ◽  
Maria del Carmen Yeo Ayala ◽  
Bernardo Moreno-Jiménez
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Occupational Factors ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Background Considering the importance of entrepreneurship and the impact of burnout on workers’ health, this study aims to explore the presence of burnout in entrepreneurs and the interaction of hardy personality (HP) in this process. Method The sample included 255 Spanish entrepreneurs. Occupational factors, working hours, labour immersion, HP, burnout syndrome (i.e. Emotional exhaustion, Depersonalization and Lack of accomplishment) and burnout consequences were assessed. Results Descriptive analysis showed that entrepreneurs had low levels of occupational factors, burnout syndrome and consequences. Hierarchical regression exploratory results indicated that working hours, labour immersion, and Emotional exhaustion were the most relevant predictors of the consequences. Besides, mediation models with PROCESS macro (v.3.0) highlighted the indirect effect of occupational factors and showed that emotional exhaustion was the only component of burnout that mediated in between the predictors and the consequences. As well, HP moderated the relationship between occupational factors and emotional exhaustion. Conclusions Occupational factors are the main predictor of burnout in entrepreneurs and HP could prevent their effect on Emotional exhaustion. The results suggest the importance of training to promote HP for better health and performance of entrepreneurs.

When do job insecure employees adapt to change?

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi N. Lavigne ◽  
Victoria L. Whitaker ◽  
Dustin K. Jundt ◽  
Mindy K. Shoss
Keyword(s):  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Adaptive Performance ◽  
Work Behaviors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Tasks ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between job insecurity and adaptive performance (AP), contingent on changes to core work tasks, which we position as a situational cue to employees regarding important work behaviors. Design/methodology/approach Employees and their supervisors were invited to participate in the study. Supervisors were asked to provide ratings of employees’ AP and changes to core tasks; employees reported on job insecurity. Findings As predicted, changes to core tasks moderated the relationship between job insecurity and AP. Job insecurity was negatively related to AP for those experiencing low levels of change, but was not related to AP for those experiencing high levels of change. Counter to expectations, no main effect of job insecurity was found. Research limitations/implications This study employed a fairly small sample of workers from two organizations, which could limit generalizability. Practical implications The study identifies changes to core tasks as a boundary condition for the job insecurity–AP relationship. Findings suggest that organizations may not observe deleterious consequences of job insecurity on AP when changes to core tasks are high. Originality/value Few researchers have examined boundary conditions of the impact of job insecurity on AP. Furthermore, inconsistent findings regarding the link between job insecurity and AP have emerged. This study fills the gap and expands upon previous research by examining changes to core tasks as a condition under which job insecurity does not pose an issue for AP.

Employee emotional displays in the extended service encounter

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Soderlund ◽  
Hanna Berg
Keyword(s):  
Marketing Communications ◽  
Emotional Expressions ◽  
Service Firms ◽  
Still Images ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emotional Displays ◽  
Service Setting ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of happiness expressed by service firm employees when they are depicted in marketing communications materials, such as printed ads and videos. Design/methodology/approach Two experiments were conducted in a fitness service setting, in which employee display of happiness was manipulated (low vs high). Findings Both experiments showed that expressions of high levels of happiness produced a more positive attitude toward the service employee than expressions of low levels of happiness. Moreover, the impact of the expression of happiness on the evaluation of the employee was mediated by several variables, which suggests that the influence of depicted employees’ emotional expressions can take several routes. Practical implications The results imply that service firms should not only be mindful about which specific employee they select for appearing in marketing communications materials, they should also pay attention to the emotional displays of selected employees. Originality/value The present study contributes to previous research by assessing a set of potential mediators to explain why displays of happiness influence consumers, and by examining these effects in a marketing communications setting in which the customer is exposed to still images or video-based representations of the employee. The present study also focuses explicitly on happiness rather than on smiles.

scholarly journals Elucidating the role of Agl in bladder carcinogenesis by generation and characterization of genetically engineered mice

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 194-201
Author(s):  
Joseph L Sottnik ◽  
Vandana Mallaredy ◽  
Ana Chauca-Diaz ◽  
Carolyn Ritterson Lew ◽  
Charles Owens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glycogen Storage Disease Type ◽  
Gene Signature ◽  
Glycogen Storage ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Normal Bladder ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Genetically Engineered Mice ◽  
Patient Prognosis ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAmylo-α-1,6-glucosidase,4-α-glucanotransferase (AGL) is an enzyme primarily responsible for glycogen debranching. Germline mutations lead to glycogen storage disease type III (GSDIII). We recently found AGL to be a tumor suppressor in xenograft models of human bladder cancer (BC) and low levels of AGL expression in BC are associated with poor patient prognosis. However, the impact of low AGL expression on the susceptibility of normal bladder to carcinogenesis is unknown. We address this gap by developing a germline Agl knockout (Agl−/−) mouse that recapitulates biochemical and histological features of GSDIII. Agl−/− mice exposed to N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN) had a higher BC incidence compared with wild-type mice (Agl+/+). To determine if the increased BC incidence observed was due to decreased Agl expression in the urothelium specifically, we developed a urothelium-specific conditional Agl knockout (Aglcko) mouse using a Uroplakin II-Cre allele. BBN-induced carcinogenesis experiments repeated in Aglcko mice revealed that Aglcko mice had a higher BC incidence than control (Aglfl/fl) mice. RNA sequencing revealed that tumors from Agl−/− mice had 19 differentially expressed genes compared with control mice. An ‘Agl Loss’ gene signature was developed and found to successfully stratify normal and tumor samples in two BC patient datasets. These results support the role of AGL loss in promoting carcinogenesis and provide a rationale for evaluating Agl expression levels, or Agl Loss gene signature scores, in normal urothelium of populations at risk of BC development such as older male smokers.

Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and the risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 103 (10) ◽  
pp. 3773-3776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Eichinger ◽  
Verena Schönauer ◽  
Ansgar Weltermann ◽  
Erich Minar ◽  
Christine Bialonczyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Factor Ix ◽  
Coagulation System ◽  
Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor ◽  
Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Fibrinolysis Inhibitor ◽  
Viii And Ix ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Risk Factor For Recurrence

Abstract The impact of fibrinolysis for predicting the risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) is low. We prospectively followed up 600 patients with a first VTE and evaluated the thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) as a risk factor for recurrence. A high TAFI level (75th or higher percentile in thrombosis patients) was associated with a 2-fold higher risk for recurrence compared with lower levels. The probability of recurrence 2 years after anticoagulation was 14.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.6-20.4) among patients with high TAFI levels and 6.8% (95% CI, 4.3-9.3) among patients with lower levels (P = .006). Our data also support the concept of a linkage between fibrinolysis and the coagulation system. Patients with high TAFI levels had significantly higher levels of factors XI, VIII, and IX, and a high risk of recurrence was seen among patients with high TAFI levels and high levels of one of these factors. The relative risk (RR) for recurrence was highest among patients with high TAFI and high factor XI (RR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.9), high factor VIII (RR, 6.5; 95% CI, 2.9-14.8), or high factor IX (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-3.9) levels compared with patients with low levels of TAFI and one of these factors.

scholarly journals An Alderfer perspective of the higher education restructuring in South Africa

2005 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Arnolds
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Peer Relations ◽  
Employee Motivation ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Organisational Commitment ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

The consequences of the restructuring of higher education in South Africa have not yet been thoroughly investigated. This study investigates the impact of the abovementioned restructuring on employee motivation (as measured by Alderfer’s ERG theory), organisational commitment and job performance. The results show that the respondents exhibit low levels of organisational commitment and low satisfaction with monetary remuneration and fringe benefits. The results, however, show high levels of satisfaction with growth factors, peer relations and performance intentions. These results are interpreted in the light of the multiple regression analyses conducted of the interrelationships among the variables. Opsomming Die nagevolge van die herkonstruksie van hër-onderwys in Suid-Afrika is nog nie deeglik ondersoek nie. Hierdie studie ondersoek die invloed wat bogenoemde rekonstruksie op die motivering (soos gemeet deur Alderfer se teorie), organisatories toegewydheid en werksprestasie van werknemers het. Die resultate toon dat die respondente lae vlakke van organisatoriese toegewydheid en lae tevredenheid ten opsigte van monetêre beloning en byvoordele tentoonstel. Die resultate toon egter hoë vlakke van tevredenheid in soverre groeifaktore, kollegiale verhoudinge en werkprestasievoornemens betref. Hierdie resultate word vertolk teen die agtergrond van veelvoudige regressie-analises wat op die inderlinge verwantskappe tussen die veranderlikes uitgevoer is.

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