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[Display omitted] • The host transcriptional response across 29 cattle exposed to buffalo-derived Theileria parva challenge was characterised. • Genes (64) differentially expressed between cattle that survived and succumbed were identified. • We identified 1958 genes whose response to infection depended on the genotypes of nearby variants. The apicomplexan cattle parasite Theileria parva is a major barrier to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Africa, killing over one million cattle on the continent each year. Although exotic breeds not native to Africa are highly susceptible to the disease, previous studies have illustrated that such breeds often show innate tolerance to infection by the parasite. The mechanisms underlying this tolerance remain largely unclear. To better understand the host response to T. parva infection we characterised the transcriptional response over 15 days in tolerant and susceptible cattle (n = 29) naturally exposed to the parasite. We identify key genes and pathways activated in response to infection as well as, importantly, several genes differentially expressed between the animals that ultimately survived or succumbed to infection. These include genes linked to key cell proliferation and infection pathways. Furthermore, we identify response expression quantitative trait loci containing genetic variants whose impact on the expression level of nearby genes changes in response to the infection. These therefore provide an indication of the genetic basis of differential host responses. Together these results provide a comprehensive analysis of the host transcriptional response to this under-studied pathogen, providing clues as to the mechanisms underlying natural tolerance to the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-mediated selection has left signatures in the genomes of many domesticated animals, including the European dark honeybee, Apis mellifera mellifera, which has been selected by apiculturists for centuries. Using whole-genome sequence information, we investigated selection signatures in spatially separated honeybee subpopulations (Switzerland, n = 39 and France, n = 17). Three different test statistics were calculated in windows of 2 kb (fixation index, cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity and cross-population composite likelihood ratio) and combined into a recently developed composite selection score. Applying a stringent false discovery rate of 0.01, we identified six significant selective sweeps distributed across five chromosomes covering eight genes. These genes are associated with multiple molecular and biological functions, including regulation of transcription, receptor binding and signal transduction. Of particular interest is a selection signature on chromosome 1, which corresponds to the WNT4 gene, the family of which is conserved across the animal kingdom with a variety of functions. In Drosophila melanogaster, WNT4 alleles have been associated with differential wing, cross vein and abdominal phenotypes. Defining phenotypic characteristics of different Apis mellifera ssp., which are typically used as selection criteria, include colour and wing venation pattern. This signal is therefore likely to be a good candidate for human mediated-selection arising from different applied breeding practices in the two managed populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new coordination polymers were synthesized solvothermally using 4,4′-dimethoxy-3,3′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid (H2dmbpdc), and di- and trivalent metal salts (Cu(NO3)2·2.5H2O and La(NO3)3·6H2O). Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and their thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The copper compound Cu(dmbpdc)(DMF; N,N-dimethylformamide), CPO-71-Cu, is based on the well known copper acetate paddlewheel secondary building unit. The asymmetric unit comprises one copper cation with one DMF molecule and one linker molecule coordinated. The lanthanum compound La2(dmbpdc)3(DMF)(H2O)3, CPO-72-La, is formed from a dimer of nine-coordinate, edge sharing lanthanum cations. To this dimer, three water molecules and one DMF molecule are coordinated in an ordered fashion. In addition, the asymmetric unit contains three crystallographically unique linker molecules. Both CPO-71-Cu and CPO-72-La form two-dimensional layered structures, and topological analyses reveal sql topologies with point symbol 44·62 and vertex symbol 4·4·4·4·6(2)·6(2). The thermal behavior of CPO-71-Cu was investigated in an in situ structural analysis by variable temperature powder- and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Green-legged Partridgelike ( GP) fowl, an old native Polish breed, is characterised by reseda green-coloured shanks rather than yellow, white, slate or black commonly observed across most domestic breeds of chicken. Here, we investigate the origin, genetic relationships and structure of the GP fowl using mt DNA D-loop sequencing and genome-wide SNP analysis. Genome-wide association analysis between breeds enables us to verify the genetic control of the reseda green shank phenotype, a defining trait for the breed. Two mt DNA D-loop haplogroups and three autosomal genetic backgrounds are revealed. Significant associations of SNPs on chromosomes GGA24 and GGAZ indicate that the reseda green leg phenotype is associated with recessive alleles linked to the W and Id loci. Our results provide new insights into the genetic history of European chicken, indicating an admixd origin of East European traditional breeds of chicken on the continent, as supported by the presence of the reseda green phenotype and the knowledge that the GP fowl as a breed was developed before the advent of commercial stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive phenotypic variation is a common feature among village chickens found throughout much of the developing world, and in traditional chicken breeds that have been artificially selected for traits such as plumage variety. We present here an assessment of traditional and village chicken populations, for fine mapping of Mendelian traits using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping while providing information on their genetic structure and diversity. Bayesian clustering analysis reveals two main genetic backgrounds in traditional breeds, Kenyan, Ethiopian and Chilean village chickens. Analysis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) reveals useful LD (r20.3) in both traditional and village chickens at pairwise marker distances of ∼10 Kb; while haplotype block analysis indicates a median block size of 11-12 Kb. Association mapping yielded refined mapping intervals for duplex comb (Gga 2:38.55-38.89 Mb) and rose comb (Gga 7:18.41-22.09 Mb) phenotypes in traditional breeds. Combined mapping information from traditional breeds and Chilean village chicken allows the oocyan phenotype to be fine mapped to two small regions (Gga 1:67.25-67.28 Mb, Gga 1:67.28-67.32 Mb) totalling ∼75 Kb. Mapping the unmapped earlobe pigmentation phenotype supports previous findings that the trait is sex-linked and polygenic. A critical assessment of the number of SNPs required to map simple traits indicate that between 90 and 110K SNPs are required for full genome-wide analysis of haplotype block structure/ancestry, and for association mapping in both traditional and village chickens. Our results demonstrate the importance and uniqueness of phenotypic diversity and genetic structure of traditional chicken breeds for fine-scale mapping of Mendelian traits in the species, with village chicken populations providing further opportunities to enhance mapping resolutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) is the principal method for determining the crystal structures of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). This tutorial deals with the handling of MOF crystals and analysis of crystallographic data obtained from single-crystal X-ray diffraction, focusing on two features that are particularly important in MOF crystallography and have a large impact on the quality and reliability of the final crystal structures: (1) the treatment of pore-occupying entities (both in the physical crystals and in the crystallographic model) and (2) crystallographic twinning. Proper handling of samples and data will reduce the need for using solvent masking software (e.g. SQUEEZE) to obtain acceptable crystal structures. If SC-XRD is to retain its position as the definitive method of MOF structure determination, these issues must be addressed when a new MOF structure is determined and reported. The issues addressed in this review is also valid for other porous, crystalline solids such as porous organic cages, metal–organic polyhedra, covalent organic frameworks and zeotype materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present the results of a synchrotron-based in situ, time-resolved PXRD study during activation of two Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts under O2/He and one during standard NH3-SCR reaction conditions to obtain insight into the behaviour of Cu ions. The results obtained indicate that deNOx activity is inexorably linked with occupancy of the zeolite 6r. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between October 2001 and May 2002 the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of each Multicentre Research Ethics Committee (MREC) in England, Wales and Scotland took part in a semi-structured interview to ascertain the attitudes of MRECs to palliative care research. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using a grounded theory approach. Most respondents said each protocol was reviewed on its own merits, according to broad ethical principles, but were equivocal as to whether palliative care protocols posed particular or different challenges compared to those from other specialties. Respondents said they reviewed only a small number of palliative care protocols, and that they were less experienced with some of the study methods utilized, particularly qualitative designs. Four main themes emerged from the analysis. Respondents expressed concerns about the protocol itself--in regard to safeguarding the principles of autonomy and justice. There were concerns about how the research would be carried out, especially the protection of patients and the influence and input of the researcher in the process. The third theme concerned the impact of the research on the participant, particularly intrusion, potential distress and the existence of support mechanisms. Fourthly, respondents identified patient groups receiving palliative care (children, the elderly, bereaved families, patients in intensive therapy units, and those from ethnic groupings), who they considered might be particularly vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for ‘Correlation between Cu ion migration behaviour and deNOx activity in Cu-SSZ-13 for the standard NH3-SCR reaction’ by A. M. Beale et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 6170–6173. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]