3D facial phenotyping by biometric sibling matching used in contemporary genomic methodologies

The analysis of contemporary genomic data typically operates on one-dimensional phenotypic measurements (e.g. standing height). Here we report on a data-driven, family-informed strategy to facial phenotyping that searches for biologically relevant traits and reduces multivariate 3D facial shape variability into amendable univariate measurements, while preserving its structurally complex nature. We performed a biometric identification of siblings in a sample of 424 children, defining 1,048 sib-shared facial traits. Subsequent quantification and analyses in an independent European cohort (n = 8,246) demonstrated significant heritability for a subset of traits (0.17–0.53) and highlighted 218 genome-wide significant loci (38 also study-wide) associated with facial variation shared by siblings. These loci showed preferential enrichment for active chromatin marks in cranial neural crest cells and embryonic craniofacial tissues and several regions harbor putative craniofacial genes, thereby enhancing our knowledge on the genetic architecture of normal-range facial variation.     

Herellea (Acinetobacter) and Pseudomonas ovalis (P. putida) from Frozen Foods

Seventeen strains of Herellea vaginicola (Acinetobacter antitratus) and 8 of Pseudomonas ovalis (P. putida), isolated from 23 (6.3%) of 364 samples of frozen, foil-pack foods, were identified and characterized morphologically and biochemically. Herellea was isolated from 17 foods (4.7%), P. ovalis from 6 (1.6%). No Mima were found. The food samples included precooked frozen meats, precooked and uncooked frozen vegetables, and uncooked frozen desserts. The bacteria were detected in the food with a procedure used generally for the detection of salmonellae. The pseudomonad simulated the characteristics of Herellea on Sellers differential agar, except for the fact that it fluoresced. From consideration of the habitat and pathogenicity of Herellea and Mima, it is concluded that, although the presence of these bacteria may not be desirable, their significance in food remains unanswered.     

Unusual ligand design: A platinum(II) mediated [2+2] photocycloaddition followed by a nickel(II) induced methoxyactivation

The novel dimer of the composition [Pt₂Cl₄(μ-(κP¹:κP²-o-MeO-trans-dppen))₂] (1) (o-MeO-trans-dppen = 1,2-(bis(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphanyl)ethylene) has been prepared and characterized by a single crystal X-ray structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. This latter compound undergoes a [2+2] photocycloaddition reaction yielding the tetraphosphane all-trans-1,2,3,4-tetrakis(di(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphanyl)cyclobutane (o-MeO-dppcb). The X-ray structure of the dimeric Ni(II) complex that contains the latter ligand, of the formula [Ni₂Cl₄(μ-(κP¹:κP²:κP³:κP⁴-o-MeO-dppcb))] (2) reveals that the apical coordination sites of both square pyramidal Ni(II) coordination spheres are occupied by methoxy-oxygen atoms of the ligand. As a consequence, this dimeric Ni(II) complex 2 is prone to a thermally induced regio- and diastereoselective metal-assisted methoxy-group cleavage. The stepwise formed new mono- and bis-phenolate complexes [Ni₂Cl₃(μ-(κO¹,κP¹:κP²:κP³:κP⁴-o-MeO-O-dppcb))] (3) and [Ni₂Cl₂(μ-(κO¹,κP¹:κP²:κO²,κP³:κP⁴-o-MeO-O,O′-dppcb))] (4), respectively, contain the novel chiral tetraphosphane ligands all-trans-1,2,3-tris((di-o-methoxyphenyl)phosphano)-4-((o-methoxy-phenyl)(o-phenolate)phosphano)cyclobutane (o-MeO-O-dppcb) and all-trans-1,2-bis((di-o-methoxyphenyl)phosphano)-3,4-bis((o-methoxyphenyl)(o-phenolate)phosphano)cyclobutane (o-MeO-O,O′-dppcb). Compounds 3 and 4 have been synthesized independently and are also fully characterized by both single crystal X-ray structure analyses, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. The conversion of 2 into 3 and then further into 4 has been followed by a variable-temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR experiment with compound 2 in DMF-d⁷, revealing that the cleavage of the second methoxy group is kinetically disfavoured. This is in agreement with the X-ray structure analysis of 3, indicating the lack of any methoxy-oxygen atom coordination that could easily induce a further methoxy-group cleavage. o-MeO-O-dppcb and o-MeO-O,O′-dppcb are rare P-stereogenic tetraphosphine ligands and contribute to the synthetic field of new κ³-P,P,O-coordinating phosphanylphenolate ligands that are believed to be important for the SHOP process (SHOP, Shell Higher Olefin Process).     

Isolation and characterization of a tobacco cDNA clone encoding a putative MAP kinase

We have isolated and sequenced a MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase-type cDNA from a tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cell suspension cDNA library by screening with a PCR fragment amplified from the same library with oligonucleotide primers corresponding to two sequences conserved in yeast and animal MAP kinases. The tobacco sequence, ntf3, shows 45–54% identity to various members of the MAP kinase family at the protein level. Northern experiments showed that ntf3 is expressed in all tobacco tissues tested, including pollen isolated at different developmental stages. Southern analysis indicated that, as in other organisms, there is a family of MAP kinase genes in tobacco. In complementary tests, ntf3 could not substitute the yeast MAP kinase genes fus3 and kss1.     

Inherent trait differences explain wheat cultivar responses to climate factor interactions: New insights for more robust crop modelling

Climate change predictions foresee a combination of rising CO₂, temperature and altered precipitation. Effects of single climatic variables are well defined, but the importance of combined variables and genotypic effects is less known, although pivotal for assessing climate change impacts, for example, with crop growth models. This study provides developmental and physiological data from combined climatic factors for two distinct wheat cultivars (Paragon and Gladius), as a basis to improve predictions for climate change scenarios. The two cultivars were grown in controlled climate chambers in a fully factorial setup of atmospheric CO₂ concentration, growth temperature and watering regime. The cultivars differed considerably in their developmental rate, response pattern and the parameters responsible for most of their variation. The growth of Paragon was linked to climatic effects on photosynthesis and mainly affected by temperature. Paragon was overall more negatively affected by all treatment combinations compared to Gladius. Gladius was mostly affected by watering regime. The cultivars' acclimation strategies to climate factors varied significantly. Thus, considering a single factor is an oversimplification very likely impacting the accuracy of crop growth models. Intraspecific crop variation could help understanding genotype by environment variation. Cultivars with high phenotypic plasticity may have greater resilience against climatic variability.     

Casein-Derived Peptides with Antihypertensive Potential: Production,Identification and Assessment of Complex Formation with Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) through Molecular Docking Studies

Hypertension is nowadays one of the major world concerns in public health. Several food proteins, among which caseins, can be substrates for generating peptides with antihypertensive potential. With the increasingly evolution of computational tools, in silico molecular modeling have gained prominence in studies of protein-ligand complexes in different research fields, such as pharmaceutics and biochemical engineering. However, the application of such methodologies in food-related research can be considered still embryonic. Thus, the central aim of the present work was to apply molecular modelling in order to elucidate the molecular bases of the anti-hypertensive potential of milk caseins-derived peptides. Firstly, hydrolysates obtained from a controlled trypsinolysis of caseins were fractioned according to their molecular weight, by ultrafiltration and RP-HPLC. The obtained fractions were evaluated with regard to their in vitro inhibitory angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (%I_ACE). Six chromatographic fractions were identified, and three of them displayed high ACE-inhibition (F₁: 80.68%; F₂: 79.00%; and F₄: 62.44%). Finally, intermolecular interactions networks in complexes formed between ACE and the identified peptides were assessed through in silico molecular docking. At the molecular level, a correlation between in vitro and in silico results was found: the peptides FFVAPFPEVFGK (F₆), FALPQYLK (F₂, F₄) and ALNEINQFYQK (F₁) presented the lowest biding energies and interacted by specific H-bonds, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions formed within ACE active site S1 residues (Ala354, Glu384, and Tyr 523) and the Zn²⁺ coordinated residues (His383, His387, and Glu411). The fraction F₃, despite its low total peptide concentration, presented a moderate inhibitory activity for ACE (49.2%), likely due to H-bonds between HQGLPQEVLNENLLR and the active site S1 residues.

     

The correlation between crassulacean acid metabolism and water uptake in Senecio medley-woodii

The combination of a chamber for CO₂ gas exchange with a potometric measuring arrangement allowed concomitant investigations into CO₂ gas exchange, transpiration and water uptake by the roots of whole plants of Senecio medley-woodii, a species which exhibits Crassulacean acid metabolism. The water-uptake rate showed the same daily pattern as malate concentration and osmotic potential. The accumulation of organic acids resulting from nocturnal CO₂ fixation enhanced the water-uptake rate from dusk to dawn. During the day the water-uptake rates decreased with decreasing organic-acid concentration. With gradually increasing water stress, CO₂ dark fixation of S. medley-woodii was increased as long as water could be taken up by the roots. It was also shown that a reestablished water supply after drought caused a similar increase which in both cases ameliorated the water uptake in order to conserve a positive water balance for as long as possible. This water-uptake pattern shows that Crassulacean acid metabolism is not only a water-saving adaptation but also enhances water uptake and is directly correlated with the amelioration of the plant water status.Abbreviation CAM Crassulacean acid metabolism