Potato soup: analysis of cultivated potato gene bank populations reveals high diversity and little structure.

Cultivated potatoes are incredibly diverse, ranging from diploid to pentaploid and encompass four different species. They are adapted to disparate environments and conditions and carry unique alleles for resistance to pests and pathogens. Describing how diversity is partitioned within and among these populations is essential to understanding the potato genome and effectively utilizing landraces in breeding. This task is complicated by the difficulty of making comparisons across cytotypes and extensive admixture within section petota. We genotyped 730 accessions from the US Potato genebank including wild diploids and cultivated diploids and tetraploids using Genotype-by-sequencing. This data set allowed us to interrogate population structure and diversity as well as generate core subsets which will support breeders in efficiently screening genebank material for biotic and abiotic stress resistance alleles. We found that even controlling for ploidy, tetraploid material exhibited higher observed and expected heterozygosity than diploid accessions. In particular group chilotanum material was the most heterozygous and the only taxa not to exhibit any inbreeding. This may in part be because group chilotanum has a history of introgression not just from wild species, but landraces as well. All group chilotanum, exhibits introgression from group andigenum except clones from Southern South America near its origin, where the two groups are not highly differentiated. Moving north, we do not observe evidence for the same level of admixture back into group andigenum. This suggests that extensive history of admixture is a particular characteristic of chilotanum.

Age-modified risk factors for mortality of non-elderly adult kidney transplant recipients: a retrospective database analysis.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the role of the recipient's age strata in modifying the associations between risk factors and mortality in non-elderly adult kidney transplant (KT) recipients (KTR). METHODS: We stratified 108,695 adult KTRs between 2000 and 2016 with conditional 1-year survival after KT into cohorts based on age at transplant: 18-49 years and 50-64 years. We excluded KTRs aged < 18 years or > / = 65 years. KTRs were observed for 5 years during the 2nd through 6th years post-KT for the outcome, all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Increasing recipient age strata (18-49-year-old and 50-64-year-old) correlated with decreasing 6-year post-KT survival rates conditional on 1-year survival (79% and 57%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Middle adult age stratum was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality than young adult age stratum in KTRs of Hispanic/Latino and other races [HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.04-1.45 and HR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.16-1.97, respectively] and with a primary native renal diagnosis of hypertension or glomerulonephritis [HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.12-1.55 and HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.10-151, respectively]. When compared with the young adult age stratum, the middle adult age stratum had a mitigating effect on the higher risk of mortality associated with sirolimus-mycophenolate or sirolimus-tacrolimus than the standard calcineurin inhibitor-mycophenolate regimen [HR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.57-0.99 and HR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.57-0.89, respectively]. CONCLUSION: Among adult non-elderly KTRs, the age strata, 18-49 years, and 50-64 years, have varying modifying effects on the strength and direction of associations between some specific risk factors and all-cause mortality.

Coexisting Pulmonary Artery Sling and Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava.

Congenital vascular anomalies such as pulmonary artery sling and persistent left superior vena cava are rare vascular disorders. We describe a case of a patient who presented with pneumonia and was found to have a pulmonary artery sling as a potential cause of the pneumonia.

Reference intervals of biochemical parameters in Chilean adults.

Background: Establishing reference intervals (RIs) in clinical laboratories is essential, as these can vary due to inter-individual variability as well as the analytical methods used. The purpose of this study was to determine RIs for markers and ratios biochemical in apparently healthy Chilean adults. Methods: A sample of 1,143 data was selected from the Universidad Católica de Temuco, Clinical Laboratory database, La Araucanía Region, Chile, which were analysed by sex. The Tukey's Fences was used to detect outliers and the RIs were established using the non-parametric method.

An international breeding project using a wild potato relative Solanum commersonii resulted in two new frost-tolerant native potato cultivars for the Andes and the Altiplano.

This breeding project, initiated at the United States Potato Genebank (USPG) in collaboration with Peruvian partners Instituto Nacional de Innovacion Agraria (INIA), International Potato Center, Peru (CIP), and local farmers, sought to enhance cold hardiness and frost tolerance in native potato cultivars in Peru. The Andes and Altiplano are often affected by frost, which causes significant reduction in yield; creating varieties with superior resilience is a critical undertaking. The goal was to transfer outstanding non-acclimated cold tolerance and acclimation capacity found in wild potato species Solanum commersonii (cmm). Breeding families segregating for cold hardiness were created using (a) a somatic hybrid cmm + haploid Solanum tuberosum (tbr) (cv. Superior, US variety from Wisconsin) as male and (b) seven cultivars native to Peru of the species S. tuberosum sbsp. andigenum (adg) as females. All plant materials were part of the USPG germplasm collection. Sexual seeds of each family were sent to Peru for evaluations under the natural conditions of the Andean highlands and Altiplano. The plants were assessed for their response to frost, and genotypes showing exceptional tolerance were selected. Plants were also evaluated for good tuber traits and yield. Initial planting involving ~2,500 seedlings in five locations resulted in selecting 58 genotypes with exceptional frost tolerance, good recovery capacity after frost, and good tuber traits. Over the years, evaluations continued and were expanded to replicated field trials in the harsher conditions of the Altiplano (Puno). All trials confirmed consistency of frost tolerance over time and location, tuber quality, and yield. After 8 years, two advanced clones were considered for cultivar release because of their exceptional frost tolerance and superior field productivity that outyielded many of the established cultivars in the region. In November 2018, a new native cultivar named Wiñay, a Quechua word meaning "to grow" was released in Peru. In 2022, a second cultivar followed with the name Llapanchispaq (meaning "for all of us"). This project evidenced that a multinational and all-encompassing approach to deploy valuable genetic diversity can work and deliver effective results. This is even more significant when outcomes can promote food security and sustainability in very vulnerable regions of the world.

Effect of variable left ventricular ejection fraction assessed by equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography using different software packages on the diagnosis of cardiotoxicity in patients with cancer.

BACKGROUND: The equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography (ERNA) scan is an established imaging modality for assessing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in oncology patients. This study aimed to explore the interchangeability of two commercially available software packages (MIM and JS) for LVEF measurement for a cancer-therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) diagnosis. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study among 322 patients who underwent ERNA scans. A total of 582 scans were re-processed using MIM and JS for cross-sectional and longitudinal LVEF measurements. RESULTS: The median LVEF for MIM and JS were 56% and 66%, respectively (P < 0.001). LVEF processed by JS was 9.91% higher than by MIM. In 87 patients with longitudinal ERNA scans, serial studies processed by MIM were classified as having CTRCD in a higher proportion than serial studies processed by JS (26.4% vs 11.4%, P = 0.020). There were no significant differences in intra- or inter-observer LVEF measurement variability (R = 0.99, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Software packages for processing ERNA studies are not interchangeable; thus, reports of ERNA studies should include details on the post-processing software. Serial ERNA studies should be processed on the same software when feasible to avoid discrepancies in the diagnosis and management of CTRCD.

Multi-Organ Increase in Norepinephrine Levels after Central Leptin Administration and Diet-Induced Obesity.

Autonomic innervation is important to regulate homeostasis in every organ of the body. The sympathetic nervous system controls several organs associated with metabolism and reproduction, including adipose tissue, the liver, and the ovaries. The sympathetic nervous system is controlled within the central nervous system by neurons located in the hypothalamus, which in turn are regulated by hormones like leptin. Leptin action in the hypothalamus leads to increased sympathetic activity in the adipose tissue. In this short report, we propose that leptin action in the brain also controls the sympathetic innervation of other organs like the liver and the ovary. We performed two experiments: We performed an intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of leptin and measured norepinephrine levels in several organs, and we used a validated model of overnutrition and obesity to evaluate whether an increase in leptin levels coexists with high levels of norepinephrine in the liver and ovaries. Norepinephrine was measured by ELISA in adipose tissue and by HPLC-EC in other tissues. Leptin was measured by ELISA. We found that the ICV injection of leptin increases norepinephrine levels in several organs, including the liver and ovaries. Also, we found that diet-induced obesity leads to an increase in leptin levels while inducing an increase in norepinephrine levels in the liver and ovaries. Finally, since hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system is observed both in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and polycystic ovary syndrome, we think that an increase in norepinephrine levels induced by hyperleptinemia could be involved in the pathogenesis of both diseases.

Unroofed Coronary Sinus as Potential Cause of Ischemic Stroke Following Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Unroofed coronary sinus is a rare type of atrial septal defect with a strong association with persistent left superior vena cava. We describe a case with unroofed coronary sinus and persistent left superior vena cava as a cause of recurrent embolic strokes following left atrial appendage closure for atrial fibrillation. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Role of standard HLA mismatch in modifying associations between non-pharmacologic risk factors and solid organ malignancy after kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Human leukocyte antigen mismatch(es) (HLA-mm) between donors and recipients has not been extensively studied either as a risk factor for solid organ malignancy (SOM) or as a modifier of associations between nonpharmacologic risk factors and SOM in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). METHODS: In a secondary analysis from a previous study, 166,256 adult KTRs in 2000-2018 who survived the first 12 months post-transplant free of graft loss or malignancy were classified into 0, 1-3, and 4-6 standard HLA-mm cohorts. Multivariable cause-specific Cox regressions analyzed the risks of SOM and all-cause mortality (ac-mortality) in 5 years following the first KT year. Comparisons of associations between SOM and risk factors in HLA mismatch cohorts were made by estimating the ratios of adjusted hazard ratios. RESULTS: Compared with 0 HLA-mm, 1-3 HLA-mm was not associated, and 4-6 HLA-mm was equivocally associated with increased risk of SOM [hazard ratio, (HR) = 1.05, 95%, confidence interval (CI) = 0.94-1.17 and HR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.00-1.34, respectively]. Both 1-3 HLA-mm and 4-6 HLA-mm were associated with increased risk of ac-mortality compared with 0 HLA mm [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.12, 95%, Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.08-1.18) and (HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.09-1.22), respectively]. KTR's history of pre-transplant cancer, age 50-64, and >/=65 years were associated with increased risks of SOM and ac-mortality in all HLA mismatch cohorts. Pre-transplant dialysis >2 years, diabetes as the primary renal disease, and expanded or standard criteria deceased donor transplantation were risk factors for SOM in the 0 and 1-3 HLA-mm cohorts and of ac-mortality in all HLA-mm cohorts. KTRs male sex or history of previous kidney transplant was a risk factor for SOM in the 1-3 and 4-6 HLA-mm cohorts and of ac-mortality in all HLA-mm cohorts. CONCLUSION: Direct association between SOM and the degree of HLA mismatching is equivocal and limited to the 4-6 HLA-mm stratum; however, the degree of HLA mismatching has significant modifying effects on the associations between specific nonpharmacologic risk factors and SOM in KTRs.

Common predictors of adverse outcomes in adult deceased donor kidney transplant recipients with varying sensitization.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to identify consistent predictors of multiple adverse outcomes of adult deceased donor (DD) kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) of varying sensitization status. METHODS: We used the national transplant database in studying 62037 adult DD-KTRs between Dec. 2007 and Jun. 2015 stratified into sensitization cohorts based on calculated panel reactive antibody (CPRA) of <10%, 10%-79%, and ≥80%. We used multivariable logistic regressions for the analysis of risks for delayed graft function (DGF), and of acute rejection (AR) and hospitalization in the first year of transplant, and Cox hazard regression for 5-year overall graft loss (OAGL) and death. RESULTS: The kidney donor risk index (KDRI) highest two quartiles ≥1.45 and 1.15-1.44 were the most consistent predictors for 100% of adverse outcomes (OAGL, death, DGF, AR, and hospitalization) with high significance (P<0.0001) across all sensitization cohorts. The two risk factors that were consistently associated with 80% of adverse outcomes across sensitization cohorts were: (1) pre-transplant dialysis duration >2 years was significantly associated with increased risks of overall graft loss, death, DGF, and hospitalization; and (2) Black KTR race was significantly associated with increased risks of DGF, AR, and hospitalization, and decreased risk of death. Diabetes and KTR age >65 (years) were significant risk factors for overall loss and death across sensitization cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The two highest KDRI quartiles, pre-transplant dialysis duration >2 years, and African American recipient race are consistent predictors of multiple adverse outcomes in adult DDKTRs across sensitization strata and should be among the factors considered in clinical decision-making and research models in kidney transplantation.

Fluctuations in local shear-fault energy produce unique and dominating strengthening in metastable complex concentrated alloys.

Local chemical short-range ordering (SRO) and spatial fluctuations of planar fault energy are important features of multi-element and metastable complex concentrated alloys (CCAs). Arising from them, dislocations in such alloys are distinctively wavy in both static and migrating conditions; yet, such effects on strength have remained unknown. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are used to show that the wavy configurations of dislocations and their jumpy motion in a prototypic CCA of NiCoCr are due to the local fluctuations of the energy of SRO shear-faulting that accompanies dislocation motion, with the dislocation getting pinned at sites of hard atomic motifs (HAMs) associated with high local shear-fault energies. Unlike the global averaged shear-fault energy which in general will subdue on successive dislocation passes, the local fluctuations in the fault energy always remain in a CCA, thus offering a strength contribution that is unique in such alloys. Analysis of the magnitude of this form of dislocation resistance shows that this is dominating over contributions due to elastic misfit of alloying elements and is in good agreement with strengths predicted from molecular dynamics simulations and experiments. This work has unfolded the physical basis of strength in CCAs, which is important for the development of these alloys into useful structural materials.

A dual organelle-targeting mechanosensitive probe.

Cells are responsive to the mechanical environment, but the methods to detect simultaneously how different organelles react in mechanobiological processes remain largely unexplored. We herein report a dual organelle-targeting fluorescent probe, (E)-1-[3-(diethoxyphosphoryl)propyl]-4-[4-(diethylamino)styryl]pyridin-1-ium bromide (ASP-PE), for mechanical mapping in live cells. ASP-PE is aggregation-induced emission active and is sensitive to the local mechanical environment. It targets the plasma membrane (PM) and intracellular mitochondria in cells by its phosphonate moiety and pyridinium. In this work, through ASP-PE staining, changes of membrane tension in the PM and mitochondria in response to varied osmotic pressure and substrate stiffness are visualized using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. The mechanobiological importance of actin filaments and microtubules in the PM and mitochondria is also investigated using this probe. Computational simulations are applied to study the sensing mechanism of the probe. This study introduces a unique tool for mapping the membrane tension in the PM and mitochondria together, providing us great opportunities to study organelle's interactions in mechanobiology.

Long-term survive of Aliarcobacter butzleri in two models symbiotic interaction with Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Aliarcobacter butzleri (formerly known as Arcobacter butzleri) is an emerging food-borne zoonotic pathogen that establishes in vitro endosymbiotic relationships with Acanthamoeba castellanii, a free-living amoeba. Previously, we described that this bacterium acts as an endocytobiont of A. castellanii, surviving for at least 10 days in absence of bacterial replication. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of A. butzleri to survive as a long-term endosymbiont of A. castellanii for 30 days in two models of symbiotic interaction with A. castellanii: (i) endosymbiotic culture followed by gentamicin protection assay and (ii) transwell co-culture assay. The results allow us to conclude that A. butzleri is capable of surviving as an endosymbiont of A. castellanii for at least 30 days, without multiplying, under controlled laboratory conditions. In addition, in the absence of nutrients and as both microorganisms remain in the same culture, separated by semi-permeable membranes, A. castellanii does not promote the survival of A. butzleri, nor does it multiply. Our findings suggest that the greater survival capacity of A. butzleri is associated with their endosymbiont status inside A. castellanii, pointing out the complexity of this type of symbiotic relationship.

Effect of triclosan exposure on ovarian hormones, trace elements and growth in female rats.

Triclosan (TCS) is an antibacterial compound used mainly in personal care products. Its widespread use for decades has made it one of the most widely detected compounds in environmental matrices and in biological fluids. Although it has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor in rats and aquatic species, its safe use by humans is unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of exposure to TCS in female rats. To this end, 14 rats were divided into two groups and fed daily as follows: the control group with sesame oil and the TCS group at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 28 days. Any signs of toxicity in the rats were observed daily, and the weight and phase of the estrous cycle were recorded. At the end, the rats were decapitated, the serum and ovaries were collected. The levels of testosterone and progesterone in serum were determined by immunoassay and mass spectrometry. Estradiol (in serum) and kisspeptin-10 (in serum and ovary) were measured only by immunoassays. Trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The weight gain study of the rats showed a significant decrease by exposure to TCS, while the estrous cycle was not significantly affected compared to the control. The optimized methods based on mass spectrometry showed a significant decrease in the levels of progesterone and testosterone due to exposure to TCS. In addition, elements determined by ICP-MS in rat serum showed significant changes in calcium, lithium and aluminum due to TCS treatment. Finally, the kisspeptin-10 levels did not show a negative effect due to the treatment by TCS. The results suggest that medium-term exposure to TCS did not significantly alter estrous cyclicity but caused alterations in growth, sex hormone levels and some elements in the rat serum.