Exploring the experiences of women living with metastatic breast cancer [MBC]: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

PURPOSE: Metastatic breast cancer [MBC] is the leading cause of cancer death in women globally with no cure. Women diagnosed with MBC endure a catastrophic upheaval to multiple aspects of their life and a radically transformed future landscape. Evidence suggests that the provision of care for women living with metastatic breast cancer is inadequate, socially isolating and stigmatising. To date, this topic has received little research attention. To increase understanding of the experiences of women living with MBC, a synthesis of current evidence is required. This paper presents a review of qualitative evidence on women's experiences of MBC. METHODS: A qualitative evidence synthesis [QES] was conducted to synthesise primary qualitative research on the experiences of women living with MBC. Searches were performed of electronic databases Medline, Medline Ovid, PsycINFO, Psych articles, PubMED, CINAHL Complete, Scopus and grey literature databases. The methodological quality of the included studies was appraised using a modified version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme [CASP]. Title, abstract, and full-text screening were undertaken. A 'best fit' framework approach using the ARC [Adversity, Restoration, Compatibility] framework was used to guide data extraction and synthesis. Confidence in the findings was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research [GRADE-CERQual]. RESULTS: 28 papers from 21 research studies containing 478 women's experiences of living with MBC were deemed suitable for inclusion in this qualitative evidence synthesis. Findings are presented in a new conceptual framework RAAW [adapted from ARC] for women living with MBC under themes: Reality, Adversity, Adjustment and Wellbeing. Findings revealed that a diagnosis of MBC impacted every aspect of women's lives; this is different to a diagnosis of early breast cancer. An overarching theme of lack of support extended across various facets of their lives. A lack of psychological, emotional, and psychosocial support was evident, with a critical finding that models of care were not fit for purpose. Deficits included a lack of information, knowledge, inclusion in shared decision-making and MDT support, specifically the need for palliative care/oncology support access. Some women living with MBC wanted to be identified as having a chronic illness not a life-limiting illness. Culture and socioeconomic standing influenced the availability of various types of support. The impact of treatment and symptoms had an adverse effect on women's quality of life and affected their ability to adjust. CONCLUSION: This review synthesised the qualitative literature on the experiences of women living with MBC. The ARC framework used in the synthesis was adapted to develop a revised conceptual framework titled RAAW to represent the evidence from this review on experiences for women living with MBC; Reality & Adversity: A diagnosis of MBC; Adjustment: Living with MBC; Wellbeing: Awareness, meaning, engagement [RAAW; MBC].

High Temperature Tolerance in a Novel, High-Quality Phaseolus vulgaris Breeding Line Is Due to Maintenance of Pollen Viability and Successful Germination on the Stigma.

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important nutritional source globally but is sensitive to high temperatures and thus particularly vulnerable to climate change. Derived from a breeding program at CIAT (Colombia), a heat-tolerant breeding line, named heat-tolerant Andean-type 4 (HTA4), was developed by a series of crosses of parents with a small-bean tepary genotype (Phaseolus acutifolius L.) in their pedigree, which might be the donor of heat stress (HS) tolerance. Importantly, in HTA4, the large, commercially desirable Andean-type beans was restored. To assess underlying tolerance mechanisms, HTA4, together with a heat-sensitive Colombian variety (Calima), was exposed to HS (31 °C/24 °C HS vs. 26 °C/19 °C day/night) under controlled environment conditions. Vegetative growth and photosynthetic performance were not negatively impacted by HS in either genotype, although senescence was delayed in Calima. HS during the reproductive stage caused an increase in pod number in Calima but with few fully developed seeds and many pods aborted and/or abscised. In contrast, HTA4 maintained a similar filled pod number under HS and a higher seed weight per plant. Pollen showed high sterility in Calima, with many non-viable pollen grains (24.9% viability compared to 98.4% in control) with a thicker exine and fewer starch granules under HS. Calima pollen failed to adhere to the stigma and germinate under HS. In HTA4, pollen viability was significantly higher than in Calima (71.1% viability compared to 95.4% under control), and pollen successfully germinated and formed pollen tubes in the style under HS. It is concluded that HTA4 is heat tolerant and maintains a high level of reproductive output due to its ability to produce healthy pollen that is able to adhere to the stigma.

Genetic analysis of global faba bean diversity, agronomic traits and selection signatures.

KEY MESSAGE: We identified marker-trait associations for key faba bean agronomic traits and genomic signatures of selection within a global germplasm collection. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a high-protein grain legume crop with great potential for sustainable protein production. However, little is known about the genetics underlying trait diversity. In this study, we used 21,345 high-quality SNP markers to genetically characterize 2678 faba bean genotypes. We performed genome-wide association studies of key agronomic traits using a seven-parent-MAGIC population and detected 238 significant marker-trait associations linked to 12 traits of agronomic importance. Sixty-five of these were stable across multiple environments. Using a non-redundant diversity panel of 685 accessions from 52 countries, we identified three subpopulations differentiated by geographical origin and 33 genomic regions subjected to strong diversifying selection between subpopulations. We found that SNP markers associated with the differentiation of northern and southern accessions explained a significant proportion of agronomic trait variance in the seven-parent-MAGIC population, suggesting that some of these traits were targets of selection during breeding. Our findings point to genomic regions associated with important agronomic traits and selection, facilitating faba bean genomics-based breeding.

'Raising the Pulse': The environmental, nutritional and health benefits of pulse-enhanced foods.

Diet is a key modulator of non-communicable diseases, and food production represents a major cause of environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, 'nudging' people to make better food choices is challenging, as factors including affordability, convenience and taste often take priority over the achievement of health and environmental benefits. The overall 'Raising the Pulse' project aim is to bring about a step change in the nutritional value of the UK consumers' diet, and to do so in a way that leads to improved health and greater sustainability within the UK food system. To achieve our objectives, UK-specific faba bean production systems that optimise both end users' diets and environmental and economic sustainability of production will be implemented in collaboration with key stakeholders (including industry, the retail sector and government). Palatable faba bean flours will be produced and used to develop 'Raising the Pulse' food products with improved nutritional profile and environmental value. Consumer focus groups and workshops will establish attitudes, preferences, drivers of and barriers to increased consumption of such products. They will inform the co-creation of sensory testing and University-wide intervention studies to evaluate the effects of pulses and 'Raising the Pulse' foods on diet quality, self-reported satiety, nutritional knowledge, consumer acceptance and market potential. Nutrient bioavailability and satiety will be evaluated in a randomised-controlled postprandial human study. Finally, a system model will be developed that predicts changes to land use, environment, business viability, nutrition and human health after substitution of existing less nutritionally beneficial and environmentally sustainable ingredients with pulses. Government health and sustainability priorities will be addressed, helping to define policy-relevant solutions with significant beneficial supply chain economic impacts and transformed sustainable food systems to improve consumer diet quality, health and the environment.

Seed Development and Protein Accumulation Patterns in Faba Bean (Vicia faba, L.).

A major objective in faba bean breeding is to improve its protein quality by selecting cultivars with enhanced desirable physicochemical properties. However, the protein composition of the mature seed is determined by a series of biological processes occurring during seed growth. Thus, any attempt to explain the final seed composition must consider the dynamics of the seed proteome during seed development. Here, we investigated the proteomic profile of developing faba bean seeds across 12 growth stages from 20 days after pollination (DAP) to full maturity. We analyzed trypsin-digested total protein extracts from the seeds at different growth stages by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), identifying 1217 proteins. The functional clusters of these proteins showed that, in early growth stages, proteins related to cell growth, division, and metabolism were most abundant compared to seed storage proteins that began to accumulate from 45 DAP. Moreover, label-free quantification of the relative abundance of seed proteins, including important globulin proteins, revealed several distinct temporal accumulation trends among the protein classes. These results suggest that these proteins are regulated differently and require further understanding of the impact of the different environmental stresses occurring at different grain filling stages on the expression and accumulation of these seed storage proteins.

Trends of genetic changes uncovered by Env- and Eigen-GWAS in wheat and barley.

KEY MESSAGE: Variety age and population structure detect novel QTL for yield and adaptation in wheat and barley without the need to phenotype. The process of crop breeding over the last century has delivered new varieties with increased genetic gains, resulting in higher crop performance and yield. However, in many cases, the alleles and genomic regions underpinning this success remain unknown. This is partly due to the difficulty of generating sufficient phenotypic data on large numbers of historical varieties to enable such analyses. Here we demonstrate the ability to circumvent such bottlenecks by identifying genomic regions selected over 100 years of crop breeding using age of a variety as a surrogate for yield. Rather than collecting phenotype data, we deployed 'environmental genome-wide association scans' (EnvGWAS) based on variety age in two of the world's most important crops, wheat and barley, and detected strong signals of selection across both genomes. EnvGWAS identified 16 genomic regions in barley and 10 in wheat with contrasting patterns between spring and winter types of the two crops. To further examine changes in genome structure, we used the genomic relationship matrix of the genotypic data to derive eigenvectors for analysis in EigenGWAS. This detected seven major chromosomal introgressions that contributed to adaptation in wheat. EigenGWAS and EnvGWAS based on variety age avoid costly phenotyping and facilitate the identification of genomic tracts that have been under selection during breeding. Our results demonstrate the potential of using historical cultivar collections coupled with genomic data to identify chromosomal regions under selection and may help guide future plant breeding strategies to maximise the rate of genetic gain and adaptation.

Conventional and Molecular Breeding Tools for Accelerating Genetic Gain in Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.).

Faba bean is a cool-season grain legume crop, which is grown worldwide for food and feed. Despite a decrease in area under faba bean in the past, the interest in growing faba bean is increasing globally due to its high seed protein content and its excellent ecological service. The crop is, however, exposed to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses causing unstable, low grain yield. Although, sources of resistance to main diseases, such as ascochyta blight (Ascochyta fabae Speg.), rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae (Pers.) Schroet.), chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae Sard.) and gall disease (Physioderma viciae), have been identified, their resistance is only partial and cannot prevent grain yield losses without agronomical practices. Tightly associated DNA markers for host plant resistance genes are needed to enhance the level of resistance. Less progress has been made for abiotic stresses. Different breeding methods are proposed, but until now line breeding, based on the pedigree method, is the dominant practice in breeding programs. Nonetheless, the low seed multiplication coefficient and the requirement for growing under insect-proof enclosures to avoid outcrossing hampers breeding, along with the lack of tools such as double haploid system and cytoplasmic male sterility. This reduces breeding population size and speed of breeding hence the chances of capturing rare combinations of favorable alleles. Availability and use of the DNA markers such as vicine-convicine (vc -) and herbicide tolerance in breeding programs have encouraged breeders and given confidence in marker assisted selection. Closely linked QTL for several biotic and abiotic stress tolerance are available and their verification and conversion in breeder friendly platform will enhance the selection process. Recently, genomic selection and speed breeding techniques together with genomics have come within reach to accelerate the genetic gains in faba bean. Advancements in genomic resources with other breeding tools, methods and platforms will enable to accelerate the breeding process for enhancing genetic gain in this species.

VC1 catalyses a key step in the biosynthesis of vicine in faba bean.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a widely adapted and high-yielding legume cultivated for its protein-rich seeds1. However, the seeds accumulate the pyrimidine glucosides vicine and convicine, which can cause haemolytic anaemia (favism) in 400 million genetically predisposed individuals2. Here, we use gene-to-metabolite correlations, gene mapping and genetic complementation to identify VC1 as a key enzyme in vicine and convicine biosynthesis. We demonstrate that VC1 has GTP cyclohydrolase II activity and that the purine GTP is a precursor of both vicine and convicine. Finally, we show that cultivars with low vicine and convicine levels carry an inactivating insertion in the coding sequence of VC1. Our results reveal an unexpected, purine rather than pyrimidine, biosynthetic origin for vicine and convicine and pave the way for the development of faba bean cultivars that are free of these anti-nutrients.

Reprogramming of the wheat transcriptome in response to infection with Claviceps purpurea, the causal agent of ergot.

BACKGROUND: Ergot, caused by the fungal pathogen Claviceps purpurea, infects the female flowers of a range of cereal crops, including wheat. To understand the interaction between C. purpurea and hexaploid wheat we undertook an extensive examination of the reprogramming of the wheat transcriptome in response to C. purpurea infection through floral tissues (i.e. the stigma, transmitting and base ovule tissues of the ovary) and over time. RESULTS: C. purpurea hyphae were observed to have grown into and down the stigma at 24 h (H) after inoculation. By 48H hyphae had grown through the transmitting tissue into the base, while by 72H hyphae had surrounded the ovule. By 5 days (D) the ovule had been replaced by fungal tissue. Differential gene expression was first observed at 1H in the stigma tissue. Many of the wheat genes differentially transcribed in response to C. purpurea infection were associated with plant hormones and included the ethylene (ET), auxin, cytokinin, gibberellic acid (GA), salicylic acid and jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthetic and signaling pathways. Hormone-associated genes were first detected in the stigma and base tissues at 24H, but not in the transmitting tissue. Genes associated with GA and JA pathways were seen in the stigma at 24H, while JA and ET-associated genes were identified in the base at 24H. In addition, several defence-related genes were differential expressed in response to C. purpurea infection, including antifungal proteins, endocytosis/exocytosis-related proteins, NBS-LRR class proteins, genes involved in programmed cell death, receptor protein kinases and transcription factors. Of particular interest was the identification of differential expression of wheat genes in the base tissue well before the appearance of fungal hyphae, suggesting that a mobile signal, either pathogen or plant-derived, is delivered to the base prior to colonisation. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple host hormone biosynthesis and signalling pathways were significantly perturbed from an early stage in the wheat - C. purpurea interaction. Differential gene expression at the base of the ovary, ahead of arrival of the pathogen, indicated the potential presence of a long-distance signal modifying host gene expression.

Ferric carboxymaltose for the treatment of iron deficiency in heart failure: a multinational cost-effectiveness analysis utilising AFFIRM-AHF.

AIMS: Iron deficiency is common in patients with heart failure (HF). In AFFIRM-AHF, ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) reduced the risk of hospitalisations for HF (HHF) and improved quality of life vs. placebo in iron-deficient patients with a recent episode of acute HF. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of FCM compared with placebo in iron-deficient patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, stabilised after an episode of acute HF, using data from the AFFIRM-AHF trial from Italian, UK, US and Swiss payer perspectives. METHODS AND RESULTS: A lifetime Markov model was built to characterise outcomes in patients according to the AFFIRM-AHF trial. Health states were defined using the 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12). Subsequent HHF were incorporated using a negative binomial regression model with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality incorporated via parametric survival analysis. Direct healthcare costs (2020 GBP/USD/EUR/CHF) and utility values were sourced from published literature and AFFIRM-AHF. Modelled outcomes indicated that treatment with FCM was dominant (cost saving with additional health gains) in the UK, USA and Switzerland, and highly cost-effective in Italy [incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) EUR 1269 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY)]. Results were driven by reduced costs for HHF events combined with QALY gains of 0.43-0.44, attributable to increased time in higher KCCQ states (representing better functional outcomes). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses demonstrated data robustness, with the ICER remaining dominant or highly cost-effective under a wide range of scenarios, including increasing treatment costs and various patient subgroups, despite a moderate increase in costs for de novo HF and smaller QALY gains for ischaemic aetiology. CONCLUSION: Ferric carboxymaltose is estimated to be a highly cost-effective treatment across countries (Italy, UK, USA and Switzerland) representing different healthcare systems.

Recent advances in faba bean genetic and genomic tools for crop improvement.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), a member of the Fabaceae family, is one of the important food legumes cultivated in cool temperate regions. It holds great importance for human consumption and livestock feed because of its high protein content, dietary fibre, and nutritional value. Major faba bean breeding challenges include its mixed breeding system, unknown wild progenitor, and genome size of ~13 Gb, which is the largest among diploid field crops. The key breeding objectives in faba bean include improved resistance to biotic and abiotic stress and enhanced seed quality traits. Regarding quality traits, major progress on reduction of vicine-convicine and seed coat tannins, the main anti-nutritional factors limiting faba bean seed usage, have been recently achieved through gene discovery. Genomic resources are relatively less advanced compared with other grain legume species, but significant improvements are underway due to a recent increase in research activities. A number of bi-parental populations have been constructed and mapped for targeted traits in the last decade. Faba bean now benefits from saturated synteny-based genetic maps, along with next-generation sequencing and high-throughput genotyping technologies that are paving the way for marker-assisted selection. Developing a reference genome, and ultimately a pan-genome, will provide a foundational resource for molecular breeding. In this review, we cover the recent development and deployment of genomic tools for faba bean breeding.

High-Density SNP-Based Association Mapping of Seed Traits in Fenugreek Reveals Homology with Clover.

Fenugreek as a self-pollinated plant is ideal for genome-wide association mapping where traits can be marked by their association with natural mutations. However, fenugreek is poorly investigated at the genomic level due to the lack of information regarding its genome. To fill this gap, we genotyped a collection of 112 genotypes with 153,881 SNPs using double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. We used 38,142 polymorphic SNPs to prove the suitability of the population for association mapping. One significant SNP was associated with both seed length and seed width, and another SNP was associated with seed color. Due to the lack of a comprehensive genetic map, it is neither possible to align the newly developed markers to chromosomes nor to predict the underlying genes. Therefore, systematic targeting of those markers to homologous genomes of other legumes can overcome those problems. A BLAST search using the genomic fenugreek sequence flanking the identified SNPs showed high homology with several members of the Trifolieae tribe indicating the potential of translational approaches to improving our understanding of the fenugreek genome. Using such a comprehensively-genotyped fenugreek population is the first step towards identifying genes underlying complex traits and to underpin fenugreek marker-assisted breeding programs.

Identification and Quantification of Major Faba Bean Seed Proteins.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) holds great importance for human and animal nutrition for its high protein content. However, better understanding of its seed protein composition is required in order to develop cultivars that meet market demands for plant proteins with specific quality attributes. In this study, we screened 35 diverse Vicia faba genotypes by employing the one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D SDS-PAGE) method, and 35 major protein bands obtained from three genotypes with contrasting seed protein profiles were further analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). Twenty-five of these protein bands (MW range: ∼ 9-107 kDa) had significant (p ≤ 0.05) matches to polypeptides in protein databases. MS analysis showed that most of the analyzed protein bands contained more than one protein type and, in total, over 100 proteins were identified. These included major seed storage proteins such as legumin, vicilin, and convicilin, as well as other protein classes like lipoxygenase, heat shock proteins, sucrose-binding proteins, albumin, and defensin. Furthermore, seed protein extracts were separated by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC), and percentages of the major protein classes were determined. On average, legumin and vicilin/convicilin accounted for 50 and 27% of the total protein extract, respectively. However, the proportions of these proteins varied considerably among genotypes, with the ratio of legumin:vicilin/convicilin ranging from 1:1 to 1:3. In addition, there was a significant (p < 0.01) negative correlation between the contents of these major fractions (r = -0.83). This study significantly extends the number of identified Vicia faba seed proteins and reveals new qualitative and quantitative variation in seed protein composition, filling a significant gap in the literature. Moreover, the germplasm and screening methods presented here are expected to contribute in selecting varieties with improved protein content and quality.

Multi-parent populations in crops: a toolbox integrating genomics and genetic mapping with breeding.

Crop populations derived from experimental crosses enable the genetic dissection of complex traits and support modern plant breeding. Among these, multi-parent populations now play a central role. By mixing and recombining the genomes of multiple founders, multi-parent populations combine many commonly sought beneficial properties of genetic mapping populations. For example, they have high power and resolution for mapping quantitative trait loci, high genetic diversity and minimal population structure. Many multi-parent populations have been constructed in crop species, and their inbred germplasm and associated phenotypic and genotypic data serve as enduring resources. Their utility has grown from being a tool for mapping quantitative trait loci to a means of providing germplasm for breeding programmes. Genomics approaches, including de novo genome assemblies and gene annotations for the population founders, have allowed the imputation of rich sequence information into the descendent population, expanding the breadth of research and breeding applications of multi-parent populations. Here, we report recent successes from crop multi-parent populations in crops. We also propose an ideal genotypic, phenotypic and germplasm 'package' that multi-parent populations should feature to optimise their use as powerful community resources for crop research, development and breeding.

A framework for gene mapping in wheat demonstrated using the Yr7 yellow rust resistance gene.

We used three approaches to map the yellow rust resistance gene Yr7 and identify associated SNPs in wheat. First, we used a traditional QTL mapping approach using a double haploid (DH) population and mapped Yr7 to a low-recombination region of chromosome 2B. To fine map the QTL, we then used an association mapping panel. Both populations were SNP array genotyped allowing alignment of QTL and genome-wide association scans based on common segregating SNPs. Analysis of the association panel spanning the QTL interval, narrowed the interval down to a single haplotype block. Finally, we used mapping-by-sequencing of resistant and susceptible DH bulks to identify a candidate gene in the interval showing high homology to a previously suggested Yr7 candidate and to populate the Yr7 interval with a higher density of polymorphisms. We highlight the power of combining mapping-by-sequencing, delivering a complete list of gene-based segregating polymorphisms in the interval with the high recombination, low LD precision of the association mapping panel. Our mapping-by-sequencing methodology is applicable to any trait and our results validate the approach in wheat, where with a near complete reference genome sequence, we are able to define a small interval containing the causative gene.

A Wristwatch-Based Wireless Sensor Platform for IoT Health Monitoring Applications.

A wristwatch-based wireless sensor platform for IoT wearable health monitoring applications is presented. The paper describes the platform in detail, with a particular focus given to the design of a novel and compact wireless sub-system for 868 MHz wristwatch applications. An example application using the developed platform is discussed for arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate measurement using optical photoplethysmography (PPG). A comparison of the wireless performance in the 868 MHz and the 2.45 GHz bands is performed. Another contribution of this work is the development of a highly integrated 868 MHz antenna. The antenna structure is printed on the surface of a wristwatch enclosure using laser direct structuring (LDS) technology. At 868 MHz, a low specific absorption rate (SAR) of less than 0.1% of the maximum permissible limit in the simulation is demonstrated. The measured on-body prototype antenna exhibits a -10 dB impedance bandwidth of 36 MHz, a peak realized gain of -4.86 dBi and a radiation efficiency of 14.53% at 868 MHz. To evaluate the performance of the developed 868 MHz sensor platform, the wireless communication range measurements are performed in an indoor environment and compared with a commercial Bluetooth wristwatch device.

Genetic and transcriptional dissection of resistance to Claviceps purpurea in the durum wheat cultivar Greenshank.

KEY MESSAGE: Four QTL for ergot resistance (causal pathogen Claviceps purpurea) have been identified in the durum wheat cultivar Greenshank. Claviceps purpurea is a pathogen of grasses that infects flowers, replacing the seed with an ergot sclerotium. Ergot presents a significant problem to rye, barley and wheat, in particular hybrid seed production systems. In addition, there is evidence that the highly toxic alkaloids that accumulate within sclerotia can cross-contaminate otherwise healthy grain. Host resistance to C. purpurea is rare, few resistance loci having been identified. In this study, four ergot resistance loci are located on chromosomes 1B, 2A, 5A and 5B in the durum wheat cv. Greenshank. Ergot resistance was assessed through analysis of phenotypes associated with C. purpurea infection, namely the number of inoculated flowers that produced sclerotia, or resulted in ovary death but no sclerotia, the levels of honeydew produced, total sclerotia weight and average sclerotia weight and size per spike. Ergot testing was undertaken in Canada and the UK. A major effect QTL, QCp.aafc.DH-2A, was detected in both the Canadian and UK experiments and had a significant effect on honeydew production levels. QCp.aafc.DH-5B had the biggest influence on total sclerotia weight per spike. QCp.aafc.DH-1B was only detected in the Canadian experiments and QCp.aafc.DH-5A in the UK experiment. An RNASeq analysis, undertaken to identify wheat differentially expressed genes associated with different combinations of the four ergot resistance QTL, revealed a disproportionate number of DEGs locating to the QCp.aafc.DH-1B, QCp.aafc.DH-2A and QCp.aafc.DH-5B QTL intervals.

Seed Storage Proteins of Faba Bean ( Vicia faba L): Current Status and Prospects for Genetic Improvement.

Faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) is one of the foremost candidate crops for simultaneously increasing both sustainability and global supply of plant protein. On a dry matter basis, its seeds contain about 29% protein of which more than 80% consists of globulin storage proteins (vicilin and legumin). However, to achieve optimum utilization of this crop for human and animal nutrition, both protein content and quality have to be improved. Though initial investigations on the heritability of these traits indicated the possibility for genetic improvement, little has been achieved so far, partly due to the lack of genetic information coupled with the complex relationship between protein content and grain yield. This review reports on the current knowledge on Vicia faba seed storage proteins, their structure, composition, and genetic control, and highlights key areas for further improvement of the content and composition of Vicia faba seed storage proteins on the basis of recent advances in Vicia faba genome knowledge and genetic tools.

Using Mobile Phones to Examine and Enhance Perceptions of Control in Mildly Depressed and Nondepressed Volunteers: Intervention Study.

BACKGROUND: Perceived control is strongly linked to healthy outcomes, mental healthiness, and psychological well-being. This is particularly important when people have little control over things that are happening to them. Perceived control studies have been performed extensively in laboratory settings and show that perceived control can be increased by experimental manipulations. Although these studies suggest that it may be possible to improve people's mental health by increasing their perceived control, there is very little evidence to date to suggest that perceived control can also be influenced in the real world. OBJECTIVE: The first aim of this study was to test for evidence of a link between noncontrol situations and psychological well-being in the real world using a mobile phone app. The second and arguably more important aim of the study was to test whether a simple instructional intervention on the nature of alternative causes would enhance people's perceptions of their own control in these noncontrol situations. METHODS: We implemented a behavioral action-outcome contingency judgment task using a mobile phone app. An opportunity sample of 106 healthy volunteers scoring low (n=56, no depression) or high (n=50, mild depression) on a depression scale participated. They were given no control over the occurrence of a low- or high-frequency stimulus that was embedded in everyday phone interactions during a typical day lasting 8 hours. The intervention involved instructions that either described a consistent alternative cause against which to assess their own control, or dynamic alternative causes of the outcome. Throughout the day, participants rated their own control over the stimulus using a quantitative judgment scale. RESULTS: Participants with no evidence of depression overestimated their control, whereas those who were most depressed were more accurate in their control ratings. Instructions given to all participants about the nature of alternative causes significantly affected the pattern of perceived control ratings. Instructions describing discrete alternative causes enhanced perceived control for all participants, whereas dynamic alternative causes were linked to less perceived control. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of external causes are important to perceived control and can be used to enhance people's perceptions. Theoretically motivated interventions can be used to enhance perceived control using mobile phone apps. This is the first study to do so in a real-world setting.

Turbulent tackle: a novel surgical approach to a rugby-related jejunal perforation.

Viscus perforation in the context of blunt-force abdominal trauma is a rarity. Within a sporting context, it is especially rare. However, the increasing physicality observed in rugby union, both in the amateur and professional setting, has resulted in a higher rate of serious injury. We report a novel laparoscopic surgical approach to the management of a traumatic jejunal perforation sustained on the playing field in a previously fit and healthy 28-year-old.