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‘S17‐2243C’ (Reg. no. CV‐557, PI 700003) is a semi‐determinate, maturity group IV (relative maturity 4.9), non‐genetically modified (non‐GM) soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] cultivar developed and released by the University of Missouri‐Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center. S17‐2243C was developed to meet the growing demands for new non‐GM soybean cultivars with high yield and elevated seed oil content. S17‐2243C is resistant to stem canker and charcoal rot and has tolerance to salinity conditions. Seed of S17‐2243C has averaged 232 g kg−1of oil concentration on a dry weight basis, which was significantly higher than all check cultivars in the 2020 USDA Uniform Soybean Tests, Southern States. S17‐2243C was tested against high‐yielding private and public soybean cultivars from 2018 to 2021 in 80 locations across 12 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. With high yield potential, broad adaptability, early maturity, elevated seed oil content, and non‐GM traits, S17‐2243C is an excellent cultivar choice for soybean growers adopting alternative growing systems and benefiting from premium prices offered for non‐GM soybean products. 'S17‐2243C' is a non‐genetically modified soybean.'S17‐2243C' is resistant to stem canker and charcoal rot and tolerant to salinity.'S17‐2243C' has high oil content.'S17‐2243C' has been tested across 80 locations across 12 states.

‘S16‐11644C’ (Reg. no. CV‐556, PI 700010) is a semi‐determinate maturity group IV non–genetically modified (GM) soybean cultivar developed and released by the University of Missouri–Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center to fulfill the growing market demands and consumers’ preference for non‐GM soybean cultivars. S16‐11644C was tested in a total of 82 environments across 11 southern states from 2017 to 2020. It demonstrated high yield potential and broad adaptability compared with commercial and public check cultivars. S16‐11644C is resistant to soybean cyst nematode races 2 (HG Type 1.2.5.7), 3 (HG Type 5.7), and 5 (HG Type 2.5.7); southern root‐knot nematode; peanut root‐knot nematode; and charcoal rot and is a salt excluder. Seed of S16‐11644C average 410 and 224 g kg−1of seed protein and oil content on a dry weight basis, respectively, and 48.2% of meal protein content at 13% moisture level. Due to its high‐yielding genetic background with a desired early maturity, broad adaptability, disease resistance, and absence of GM events, S16‐11644C offers a unique package for soybean growers across the U.S. mid‐southern states to maximize profits through premium prices of non‐GM soybean cultivars in the niche markets and the flexibility of harvest and saving seeds for the next crop seasons. S16‐11644C is a high‐yielding, non–genetically modified soybean cultivar.S16‐11644C is resistant to soybean cyst nematode, root‐knot nematodes, and charcoal rot and is tolerant to salt.S16‐11644C was extensively tested in 82 locations across 11 states.

Given the magnitude of production losses caused by biotic and abiotic stressors in soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.], breeding programs have devoted great efforts to developing high‐yielding soybean cultivars with enhanced genetic resistance to multiple biotic and abiotic stressors. In this context, the University of Missouri–Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center developed and released the soybean cultivar ‘S16‐3747GT’ (Reg. no. CV‐552, PI 700001). It is a determinate maturity group 5 early (relative maturity 5.0) Roundup Ready 2 (glyphosate‐tolerant) soybean that combines high‐yielding potential with resistance to soybean cyst nematode, southern root‐knot nematode, stem canker, and Phytophthora root rot and with tolerance to salt stress. S16‐3747GT was evaluated in 155 environments across 13 states from 2017 to 2020 and yielded numerically and/or significantly higher than the commercial checks’ average in 9 of 13 states in the southern United States. The broad adaptability and competitiveness across multiple states combined with resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors make S16‐3747GT a compelling cultivar choice for growers in this region as well as an option for public and private soybean breeding programs to incorporate this genetic background into their breeding pipeline.

‘S15‐10434C’ (Reg. no. CV‐548, PI 699630) is a maturity group V, high‐yielding conventional soybean [Glycine max(L) Merr.] cultivar developed and released in 2019 by the University of Missouri–Fisher Delta Research Center Soybean Breeding Program. S15‐10434C was developed following conventional breeding from a cross between ‘S11‐17025C’ and ‘S11‐14954’, which are Missouri soybean lines. ‘S11‐17025C’ is a high‐yielding cultivar with resistance to multiple diseases, and ‘S11‐14954’ is a line with high yield potential and soybean cyst nematode resistance developed by the University of Missouri soybean breeding program. Before release, S15‐10434C was tested in 107 environments in Missouri and other southern states from 2016 to 2019 for yield and other agronomic traits. On average, S15‐10434C yielded 4,102 kg ha–1, which is higher than the all‐tests mean of 3,907 kg ha–1. S15‐10434C seed contains 40.7% protein and 21.7% oil on a dry‐seed‐weight basis. It exhibits relative maturity of 5.5, determinate growth habit, purple flowers, tawny pubescence, and tan pod wall. Seeds are yellow with intermediate luster and black hila, with seed weight of 13.1 g 100–1seed. S15‐10434C is 76 cm tall and has resistance to lodging. It is resistant to cyst nematode (races 1, 2, 3, 5, and 14), reniform nematode, peanut and southern root knot nematodes, sudden death syndrome, and frogeye leaf spot and has field tolerance to phytophthora root rot. It is also a chloride excluder. In addition to its high yield potential and desired seed protein content, S15‐10434C has broad adaptation across southern states. Cultivated soybean is a major oil seed crop and major source of protein.Diseases, such as SCN, RN, RKN, FLS, and SDS can cause significant yield losses every year.We developed a high‐yielding soybean cultivar with broad disease resistance.The released cultivar has desired protein and broad adaptation in U.S. southern states.The released cultivar is a non‐GMO soybean that may offer a premium price to growers.

‘S16‐5540GT’ (Reg. no. CV‐551, PI 699633) is a mid‐IV maturity group, semi‐determinate, glyphosate‐tolerant, high‐yielding soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] cultivar developed and released in 2020 by the University of Missouri–Fisher Delta Research Center Soybean Breeding Program. High global demand for soybean oil and animal feed and U.S. southern growers’ preference for early‐maturing cultivars with high yield potential and glyphosate tolerance led to the development and release of S16‐5540GT soybean. S16‐5540GT was tested in 88 environments in Missouri and other southern states from 2017 to 2020 for yield and other agronomic traits. On average, S16‐5540GT yielded 4,244 kg ha–1, which was higher than the all‐tests mean of 3,885 kg ha–1. S16‐5540GT seed averages 411 (41.1%) and 220 (22%) g kg–1of protein and oil, respectively, on a dry seed weight basis. S16‐5540GT exhibits relative maturity of 4.6 and has white flowers, tawny pubescence, and tan pod walls. Seed is yellow with intermediate luster and black hila, with a 100 seed weight of 15.0 g. S16‐5540GT plants average 76 cm in height and are resistant to lodging. S16‐5540GT is resistant to cyst nematode races 2 (HG type 1.2.5.7), 3 (HG type 5.7), and 5 (HG type 2.5.7); peanut and southern root knot nematode; reniform nematode; frogeye leaf spot; Phomopsis seed decay; and charcoal rot and is moderately resistant to Cercospora leaf blight and stem canker. S16‐5540GT is also a chloride excluder. It is an excellent choice for farmers who are interested in glyphosate tolerance for weed control and saving seed for planting. S16‐5540GT is a soybean cultivar with high yield potential.S16‐5540GT shows wide adaptation in the mid‐southern United States.S16‐5540GT is resistant to multiple soybean diseases.S16‐5540GT has an elevated seed protein content.S16‐5540GT has the glyphosate tolerance gene.

Drought stress is an increasingly prevalent constraint to common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) production in the United States and internationally. SB‐DT2 (Reg. no. GP‐310, PI 698187) is a pinto bean germplasm and SB‐DT3 (Reg. no. GP‐311, PI 698188) is a small red bean germplasm developed through shuttle breeding between Nebraska and Puerto Rico with broad temperate and tropical adaptation. These germplasm lines were developed through combining drought tolerance from the common bean Mesoamerican and Durango races and within the Mesoamerican race. SB‐DT2 had the highest geometric mean (GM) compared with the drought checks SB‐DT1, TARS‐MST1, and ‘Matterhorn’ from 2012 to 2018, meaning that it performed well under both stress and non‐stress environments. SB‐DT3 had the third highest GM, which was greater than the small red check ‘Merlot’. In addition to drought stress tolerance, SB‐DT2 and SB‐DT3 showed resistance to endemic strains of the rust pathogen at Fort Collins, CO (caused by Uromyces appendiculatus). SB‐DT2 carries the single dominant hypersensitive Igene that provides strain nonspecific resistance to the Bean common mosaic virus. Under drought stress, SB‐DT2 and SB‐DT3 flowered at 44 and 46 d, respectively; matured 86 and 88 d after planting, respectively; and are adapted to both temperate and tropical production environments. These germplasm lines were developed cooperatively by the University of Nebraska and the USDA‐ARS. SB‐DT2 is a pinto line developed through the shuttle breeding between Nebraska and Puerto Rico.SB‐DT3 is a red line developed through the shuttle breeding between Nebraska and Puerto Rico.Both lines are drought tolerant and carry resistance to the rust pathogen at Fort Collins, CO.Drought tolerance sources from the common bean Mesoamerican and Durango races were used.The germplasm were developed cooperatively by the University of Nebraska and USDA‐ARS.

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] reproductive structures are temperature‐sensitive, with a reproductive optimum of 22 to 24 °C. Currently, parts of the US soybean growing region experience consistent late‐season drought stress, resulting in the adoption of agronomic practices that favor early maturity groups. This approach is the Early Soybean Production System and has boosted yields and on‐farm returns on investment. However, seeds produced under this system develop under higher temperatures than standard practices, and frequently have decreased seed quality, loss of value, and unacceptable germination rates. Climate change may result in more widespread late‐season drought and elevated temperatures during seed filling. The ancestors of all modern US high‐yielding soybean lines lack substantial resistance to heat‐induced seed degradation, but an unadapted plant introduction (PI 587982A) can maintain ∼95% quality and germination under the same conditions. Inconsistent germination and emergence defects are associated with increased bioavailable phosphorus and reduced phytic acid. To evaluate these traits’ interaction, a backcross recombinant inbred line population was developed, and emergence and germination were evaluated in seed produced in six greenhouse and field environments. Two mutant alleles (lpa1aand lpa2a) were linked to decreased germination and emergence; this effect was pronounced under elevated temperatures. A novel major‐effect heat tolerance quantitative trait locus derived from PI 587982A was identified and found to be associated with positive effects on overall germination and emergence. These results open the potential application of marker‐assisted selection for tolerance to elevated temperatures and may accelerate the development of germplasm and cultivars with high‐quality seed.

Kidney fibrosis is the hallmark of chronic kidney disease progression; however, at present no antifibrotic therapies exist1–3. The origin, functional heterogeneity and regulation of scar-forming cells that occur during human kidney fibrosis remain poorly understood1,2,4. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we profiled the transcriptomes of cells from the proximal and non-proximal tubules of healthy and fibrotic human kidneys to map the entire human kidney. This analysis enabled us to map all matrix-producing cells at high resolution, and to identify distinct subpopulations of pericytes and fibroblasts as the main cellular sources of scar-forming myofibroblasts during human kidney fibrosis. We used genetic fate-tracing, time-course single-cell RNA sequencing and ATAC–seq (assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing) experiments in mice, and spatial transcriptomics in human kidney fibrosis, to shed light on the cellular origins and differentiation of human kidney myofibroblasts and their precursors at high resolution. Finally, we used this strategy to detect potential therapeutic targets, and identified NKD2as a myofibroblast-specific target in human kidney fibrosis.

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] is an important source of protein and vegetable oil. Genetic improvement of soybean seed yield and composition are ultimate breeding goals. During the past 80 yr, breeders have selected for high yield and other desired traits to make genetic improvements. To quantify the genetic changes to seed yield, yield stability, and other important agronomic and end‐use quality traits, we evaluated 93 soybean cultivars in Maturity Groups (MG) V, VI, and VII that were released from 1928 to 2008. Replicated yield trials specific for each MG set of cultivars were conducted during 2010 to 2011 in a total of 27 southeastern US year‐location environments. A mixed linear model was used to calculate best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) for each cultivar for each measured trait within each MG. Regressed cultivar effect BLUPs of each trait by year of cultivar release revealed positive linear trends for annualized genetic yield gains of 17.6, 13.5, and 10.3 kg ha−1yr−1for MG V, VI, and VII, respectively. Averaged across MGs, the annualized rate of genetic gain was estimated to be 13.7 kg ha−1yr−1. Yield stability analyses revealed significant differences in regression coefficients (b), which were >1.0 for newer cultivars but <1.0 for older cultivars. Overall, the average annualized rate of genetic gains for seed yield reported herein are equivalent to those previously reported, indicating that a yield plateau has not been reached for MG V, VI or VII soybean cultivars.

The release of soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] germplasm line LG03‐4561‐14 (Reg. No. GP‐434, PI 689003) is part of an effort to expand the current narrow genetic base of the US soybean breeding pool by incorporating new genetic diversity from exotic sources. LG03‐4561‐14 is a high‐yielding, conventional, late maturity group III germplasm line that brings in new genetic diversity for potentially increasing seed yield. LG03‐4561‐14 was developed and released by the USDA‐ARS, Stoneville, MS. LG03‐4561‐14 was derived from FC 04007B, PI 68508, and PI 445837 and has 25% exotic parentage. In 4 yr of testing in the Southern Uniform Tests, LG03‐4561‐14 (3168 kg ha−1) was equivalent in yield to the high‐yielding commercial cultivars ‘AG3803’ (3190 kg ha−1) and ‘AG3934’ (3214 kg ha−1). In the early production system of the mid‐southern United States, the seed yields across 5 yr at Stoneville of LG03‐4561‐14 (4242 kg ha−1), AG3803 (4659 kg ha−1), and AG3934 (4788 kg ha−1) were not significantly different. LG03‐4561‐14 is resistant to southern stem canker and frogeye leaf spot but susceptible to charcoal rot and Phomopsis seed decay. LG03‐4561‐14 will be a valuable source of new genetic diversity for soybean breeding programs in both the public and private sectors.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The field of nanomedicine, utilizing nano-sized vehicles (nanoparticles and nanofibers) for targeted local drug delivery, has a promising future. This is dependent on the ability to analyze the chemical and physical properties of these drug carriers at the nanoscale and hence atomic force microscopy (AFM), a high-resolution imaging and local force-measurement technique, is ideally suited.Areas covered: Following a brief introduction to the technique, the review describes how AFM has been used in selected publications from 2015 to 2018 to characterize nanoparticles and nanofibers as drug delivery vehicles. These sections are ordered into areas of increasing AFM complexity: imaging/particle sizing, surface roughness/quantitative analysis of images, and analysis of force curves (to extract nanoindentation and adhesion data).Expert opinion: AFM imaging/sizing is used extensively for the characterization of nanoparticle and nanofiber drug delivery vehicles, with surface roughness and nanomechanical/adhesion data acquisition being less common. The field is progressing into combining AFM with other techniques, notably SEM, ToF-SIMS, Raman, Confocal, and UV. Current limitations include a 50 nm resolution limit of nanoparticles imaged within live cells and AFM tip-induced activation of cytoskeleton proteins. Following drug release real-time with AFM-spectroscopic techniques and studying drug interactions on cell receptors appear to be on the horizon.

The mesonephros of mammals is a transient renal structure that contributes to various aspects of mammalian fetal development, including the male reproductive system, hematopoietic stem cells, and vascular endothelial cells. The mesonephros develops from the intermediate mesoderm and forms tubules that are segmented in a similar way to the nephrons of the permanent kidney (but lacking loops of Henle). Early studies have suggested that the mesonephros in marsupials and some placental mammals may perform an excretory function, but these studies have not directly shown active transport of organic anions and cations. Excretory function in the rodent mesonephros has not been investigated. Functional characterization of the earliest stages of mammalian renal development is important for our understanding of congenital disease and may help to inform the growing field of renal tissue engineering. Here, we use live uptake and efflux assays in vitro to show that the murine mesonephros is able to transport organic anions and cations through specific transporters from early in its development. Transcript analysis suggests that there are subtle differences between the transporters involved in uptake and efflux by the murine permanent metanephric tubules and by the mesonephric tubules. These data suggest that the mammalian mesonephros can provide an excretory function for the early developing embryo, in addition to the excretory function provided by the placenta.

The choice between hemodiafiltration (HDF) or high-flux hemodialysis (HD) to treat end-stage kidney disease remains a matter of debate. The duration of recovery time after treatment has been associated with mortality, affects quality of life, and may therefore be important in informing patient choice. We aimed to establish whether recovery time is influenced by treatment with HDF or HD.

Dihydrobenzofurans and indolines are important constituents of pharmaceuticals. Herein, we describe a novel strategy for their construction in which the aromatic ring is created de novothrough an inverse-electron demand Diels–Alder reaction and cheletropic extrusion sequence of a 2-halothiophene-1,1-dioxide with an enol ether/enamide, followed by aromatization. Unusually, the aromatization process proved to be highly challenging, but it was discovered that treatment of the halocyclohexadienes with a base effected an α-elimination–aromatization reaction. Mechanistic investigation of this step using deuterium-labeling studies indicated the intermediacy of a carbene which undergoes a 1,2-hydrogen shift and subsequent aromatization. The methodology was applied to a modular and stereoselective total synthesis of the antiplatelet drug beraprost in only 8 steps from a key enal-lactone. This lactone provided the core of beraprost to which both its sidechains could be appended through a 1,4-conjugate addition process (lower ω-sidechain), followed by de novoconstruction of beraprost’s dihydrobenzofuran (upper α-sidechain) using our newly developed methodology. Additionally, we have demonstrated the breadth of our newly established protocol in the synthesis of functionalized indolines, which occurred with high levels of regiocontrol. According to density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, the high selectivity originates from attractive London dispersion interactions in the TS of the Diels–Alder reaction.

Charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina(Tassi) Goid., is a disease that is a worldwide problem in soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] production for which no highly resistant cultivars are currently available. It has been estimated that charcoal rot was among the most important diseases for suppressing yield of soybean in the USA from 1996 to 2007. Soybean breeding line DT99‐16864 (Reg. No. GP‐404, PI 675996), with moderate resistance to charcoal rot disease, was developed and released by the USDA‐ARS, Stoneville, MS. DT99‐16864 originated from a single F5plant derived from a cross of ‘S59‐60’ × ‘Bolivar’. The breeding population was advanced from the F2to the F5generation using the single‐seed descent method. Colony‐forming units, root and stem severity scores, and other rating methods indicated that DT99‐16864 had significantly lower levels of M. phaseolinainfection than susceptible checks in trials in Stoneville, MS, and Jackson, TN. In the Uniform Soybean Tests–Southern States, DT99‐16864 was not significantly different from the check cultivars ’5002T’ and ’5601T’ for yield. DT99‐16864 belongs to maturity group V and is later in maturity than DT97‐4290, a moderately resistant charcoal rot line that is adapted to the midsouthern United States. The well‐documented moderate resistance of DT99‐16864 to M. phaseolinainfestation, and good yield potential, will make this line useful for research and breeding.

New soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] lines with high yield potential are needed by public and private soybean breeders. Soybean germplasm line DB04‐10836 (Reg. No. GP‐398, PI 674010), a late maturity group V (relative maturity 5.8) line, was developed by the USDA–ARS, Stoneville, MS. It is a conventional germplasm line with high yield potential and resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycinesIchinohe Race 3) populations, moderate resistance to southern root‐knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita(Kofoid and White) Chitwood], and resistance to southern stem canker [caused by Diaporthe phaseolorum(Cooke & Ellis) Sacc. var. meridionalisF.A. Fernández]. DB04‐10836 was derived from the cross DT99‐16788 × J00‐2. The plant population was advanced from the F2to F3by the single‐pod bulk method and then advanced to the F5generations by bulk increase. DB04‐10836 is derived from a single‐plant selection from the F5population. It was tested in multiple environments in USDA–ARS tests in Mississippi, the Uniform Soybean Tests–Southern States, and the Mississippi Soybean Variety Trials. In the Uniform Tests over 64 trials at 23 locations from 2009 to 2011, DB04‐10836 ranked highest for yield, was significantly higher yielding than both check cultivars ‘Osage’ and ‘5002T’ at Pine Tree, AR, and was significantly higher yielding than 5002T at Suffolk, VA. Neither of these checks are resistant to SCN Race 3; therefore, DB04‐10836 will be useful as a high‐yielding SCN resistant parent for cultivar development.

Heparin-imprinted synthetic polymer surfaces with the ability to attenuate activation of both the complement and the coagulation system in whole blood were successfully produced. Imprinting was achieved using a template coated with heparin, a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan known for its anticoagulant properties. The N,N′-diacryloylpiperazine—methacrylic acid copolymers were characterized using goniometry, AFM and XPS. The influence of the molecular imprinting process on morphology and template rebinding was demonstrated by radioligand binding assays. Surface hemocompatibility was evaluated using human whole blood without anticoagulants followed by measurement of complement activation markers C3a and sC5b-9 and platelet consumption as a surrogate coagulation activation marker. The observed low thrombogenicity of this copolymer combined with the attenuation of complement activation induced by the molecular imprint offer potential for the development of self-regulating surfaces with important potential clinical applications. We propose a mechanism for the observed phenomena based upon the recruitment of endogenous sulfated glycosaminoglycans with heparin-like activities.

Soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] with high‐oleic acid content are desired by oil processors because of their improved oxidative stability for broader use in food, fuel, and other products. However, non‐genetically modified organism (GMO), high‐oleic soybeans have tended to have low seed yield. The objective of this study was to test non‐GMO, high‐oleic soybean lines derived from new gene combinations for seed yield and seed composition traits. Soybean lines with ∼750 to 800 g kg–1oleic acid concentration were generated by combining mutant allele S117N FAD2‐1Afrom 17D and mutant allele P137R FAD2‐1Bfrom PI 283327. Also, lines were developed by crossing M23 with a different FAD2‐1Amutation ⋅ (Jake ⋅ PI 283327) and used for comparative purposes. Forty F4:7high‐oleic lines with these mutant FAD2‐1Aand FAD2‐1Bgenes were compared with forty F4:7normal oleic acid lines (∼200–250 g kg–1) for seed yield, five fatty acids, total oil, and protein concentration from six crosses grown in six environments. The high‐oleic genotypes averaged >790 g kg–1oleic acid and concentrations of palmitic and linolenic acids were significantly lower (∼30% lower) in high‐oleic acid lines than in their normal oleic acid counterparts in each environment. When averaged across all locations and populations, seed yield of the high‐oleic lines derived from 17D were within 2% of the normal oleic lines but yield between high and normal oleic lines varied among populations. The high‐oleic lines averaged significantly higher in protein than normal oleic lines in all six populations. Oil was also higher in the high‐oleic lines than normal oleic lines from the 17D populations but was lower in the high‐oleic lines derived from M23. Thus, high‐oleic soybeans derived by combining mutant allele S117N FAD2‐1Aallele with mutant P137R FAD2‐1Ballele can have comparable yields with the potential to generate more oil with greater functionality and a higher protein meal than soybeans with normal oleic acid content.

TARS‐LFR1 (Reg. No. GP‐292, PI 668258) is a multiple disease resistant common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) germplasm developed through recurrent selection by the USDA–ARS, and by the University of Puerto Rico and Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Stations that has superior performance in low nitrogen (N) soils. Root rots, caused primarily by soil‐borne fungi and Oomycetes, are important constraints to common bean production. These diseases are becoming a more serious problem under low‐input, low‐fertility, and climatic change conditions. In addition to root rot, this germplasm has resistance to common bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas axonopodispv. phaseoli(Smith) Dye, and Bean common mosaic virusand yields well in association with rhizobia through biological nitrogen fixation. This combination of traits could play an important role in low‐input and organic production systems. TARS‐LFR1 has shown consistently high yield potential under root rot and low soil N conditions, and the use of this improved germplasm by breeding programs or in production zones affected by these stresses can potentially increase yield of common bean.

Fibrosis contributes to ~45% of deaths in western countries. In chronic liver disease, fibrosis is a major factor determining outcomes, but efficient antifibrotic therapies are lacking. Although platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor–β constitute key fibrogenic mediators, they do not account for the well-established link between cell death and fibrosis in the liver. Here, we hypothesized that damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) may link epithelial cell death to fibrogenesis in the injured liver. DAMP receptor screening identified purinergic receptor P2Y14 among several candidates as highly enriched in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main fibrogenic cell type of the liver. Conversely, P2Y14 ligands uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP)–glucose and UDP-galactose were enriched in hepatocytes and were released upon different modes of cell death. Accordingly, ligand-receptor interaction analysis that combined proteomic and single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed P2Y14 ligands and P2Y14 receptor as a link between dying cells and HSCs, respectively. Treatment with P2Y14 ligands or coculture with dying hepatocytes promoted HSC activation in a P2Y14-dependent manner. P2Y14 ligands activated extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling in HSCs, resulting in ERK-dependent HSC activation. Global and HSC-selective P2Y14 deficiency attenuated liver fibrosis in multiple mouse models of liver injury. Functional expression of P2Y14 was confirmed in healthy and diseased human liver and human HSCs. In conclusion, P2Y14 ligands and their receptor constitute a profibrogenic DAMP pathway that directly links cell death to fibrogenesis.

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] seed quality has declined in the mid‐southern United States due to the shift to soybeans that mature during mid August through September as opposed to October to November, which was common in the past. This decline was shown to be related to increased temperatures during seed maturation, increased levels of Phomopsis seed decay (PSD), and potentially maturity per se. In this study, the effects of maturity and Phomopsis longicollaHobbs, the cause of PSD, on seed quality were evaluated in a field trial of two sets of near‐isogenic soybean lines (‘Clark’ and ‘Harosoy’), where the maturity of each line within a set varied. No effects of maturity on germination, accelerated aging germination (AA), or hardseededness were detected. Phomopsis longicollalevel had a significant negative effect on germination in both isoline sets. Year had a significant effect on germination in both isoline sets. In addition, year and P. longicollalevel had a significant negative effect on AA for the Clark set, and only year had an effect on AA in the Harosoy set. Phomopsis longicollalevel, not maturity, was the most significant factor in seed germination and vigor. Therefore, there continues to be a great need to develop varieties of soybeans with resistance to P. longicollaand high germinability when seed are produced in conditions of high humidity and high temperatures.

The current work aims to study at the ultrastructural level the morphological development of colloidal intermediate phases of human intestinal fluids (HIFs) produced during lipid digestion. HIFs were aspirated near the ligament of Treitz early (30 min), Aspirateearly, and 1 h, Aspirate1have,comp, after the administration of a heterogeneous liquid meal into the antrum. The composition of the sample aspirated 1 h after meal administration was similar to the average lumenal composition 1 h after meal administration (Aspirate1have,comp). The colloidal structures of individual aspirates and supernatants of aspirates after ultracentrifugation (micellar phase) were characterized by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM). AFM revealed domain-like structures in Aspirateearlyand both vesicles and large aggregates Aspirate1have,comp. Rough surfaces and domains varying in size were frequently present in the micellar phase of both Aspirateearlyand Aspirate1have,comp. Cryo-TEM revealed an abundance of spherical micelles and occasionally presented worm-like micelles coexisting with faceted and less defined vesicles in Aspirateearlyand Aspirate1have,comp. In Aspirate1have,compoil droplets were visualized with bilayers closely located to their surface suggesting lipolytic product phases accumulated on the surface of the oil droplet. In the micellar phase of Aspirateearly, Cryo-TEM revealed the presence of spherical micelles, small vesicles, membrane fragments, oil droplets and plate-like structures. In the micellar phase of Aspirate1have,comp, the only difference was the absence of oil droplets. Visualization studies previously performed with biorelevant media revealed structural features with many similarities as presented in the current investigation. The impression of the complexity and diversion of these phases has been reinforced with the excessive variation of structural features visualized ex vivoin the current study offering insights at the ultrastuctural level of intermediate phases which impact drug solubilization.

High‐ambient‐temperature stress, drought stress, root rot disease, and common bacterial blight [CBB; caused by Xanthomonas axonopodispv. phaseoli(Smith) Dye] cause widespread yield reductions in common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) worldwide. TARS‐MST1 (Reg. No. GP‐284, PI 661512) and SB‐DT1 (Reg. No. GP‐283, PI 661970) were developed by the USDA‐ARS, the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division, and the University of Puerto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station. These black bean lines were selected for tolerance to multiple stresses, including tolerance to high ambient temperature and drought. Specifically, both lines showed significantly higher yields under heat stress compared with the local check and had comparable yields to both heat‐ and drought‐tolerant controls under those stress conditions. TARS‐MST1 possesses resistance to CBB, and both lines are tolerant to root rot diseases. They incorporate exotic sources of stress tolerance, thus serving to diversify U.S. common bean germplasm. The lines were characterized for markers related to Bean common mosaic virusand CBB, and both lines carry the Igene, while TARS‐MST1 was positive for the presence of two CBB SCAR markers, SU91 and SAP6. The use of this germplasm in breeding programs can serve to improve the yield and stress tolerance of common bean.

Phomopsis seed decay (PSD) of soybean, Glycine max(L.) Merr., caused primarily by Phomopsis longicollaHobbs, is the major cause of poor seed quality in most soybean‐growing countries. To identify soybean lines with resistance to PSD, seeds of 208 representative maturity group V soybean plant introductions obtained from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection in 2006 were plated on cultural medium and assayed for the percentage of Phomopsis seed infection. From these data, 122 PIs without seed infection were selected and field screened under natural infection in Stoneville, MS, in 2007. On the basis of assays of naturally infected seeds from 2006 and 2007, 14 PIs were selected for further evaluation with P. longicolla‐inoculated and noninoculated treatments in 2008 and 2009. Plant introduction 424324B was identified as the most PSD‐resistant line. It had no Phomopsis infection in the seed plating assays from 2006, 2007, and 2008. In 2009, frequent rainfall during seed maturation led to high levels of seed infection by P. longicolla(up to 80%) and other fungal pathogens on most of the soybean lines tested in Stoneville, MS. However, only 1 and 2% of the seeds from PI 424324B were infected by P. longicollain the noninoculated and inoculated treatments, respectively. Plant introduction 458130 was also resistant to PSD, with no seed infection from the naturally infected trials in 2006 and 2007 and less than 3% Phomopsis seed infection in the 2008 and 2009 inoculated trails. These resistant accessions can be used to develop cultivars resistant to PSD.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maturity, genotypic background, and maximum temperature 20 d before maturity on soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] seed mineral concentrations. A field experiment was conducted in Stoneville, MS, in 2004 and 2005, using two sets of near‐isogenic soybean lines that differed in maturity genes. One set of isolines derived from cultivar Clark and the other from cultivar Harosoy. The maturity of each line within a set varied, but all had a common genotypic background. For Clark isolines, there were positive correlations (P< 0.05) between maturity and N with r= 0.83 in 2004 and r= 0. 62 in 2005, and between maturity and Ca (r= 0.59 in 2004 and r= 0.89 in 2005). For Harosoy isolines, there were positive correlations (P< 0.05) between maturity and Ca with r= 0.60 in 2004 and r= 0.83 in 2005, and between maturity and B (r= 0.48 in 2004 and r= 0.72 in 2005). There was a highly significant genotypic background effect (P< 0.01) on seed N, S, Ca, K, Mg, P, and B concentrations, and maturity gene (E‐gene) effect (P< 0.01) on Ca and B. Generally the contribution of genotypic background or maturity to total variation of nutrient concentrations was greater than that of temperature. This information may be useful when developing soybean germplasm with higher seed mineral content by using genotypes with a higher nutrient uptake efficiency trait as either parental lines or source material to improve existing varieties for the seed nutrition trait.

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] oil with oleic acid (18:1) content >500 g kg−1is desirable for a broader role in food and industrial uses. Seed oil in commercially grown soybean genotypes averages about 230 g kg−1oleic acid. Some maturity group (MG) II to V plant introductions (PIs) have elevated oleic concentrations of 300 to 500 g kg−1Temperature of the growing environment during the reproductive growth stage affects oleic concentration in soybean oil. The objective of this study was to evaluate stability of oleic acid content among 15 PIs with elevated 18:1 and three checks grown in 16 environments. Oleic acid concentration of the high 18:1 checks N98‐4445A and M23 ranged from 383 to 694 g kg−1and 428 to 572 g kg−1with averages of 575 g kg−1and 508 g kg−1, respectively. The PIs with the highest 18:1 were MG II to III, with most lines averaging >400 g kg−1oleic acid concentration over 16 environments. Generally, PIs in MG II to III were less stable across environments than those in MG V. However, MG III PI 379559D ranged from 381 to 513 g kg−1with an average 439 g kg−1oleic acid concentration and was the most stable in oleic acid content of the 15 PIs studied. PI379559D was more stable than N98‐4445A or M23. PI417360 and PI506852 averaged highest in 18:1 (>330 g kg−1) among MG V PIs studied. Combining genes from these PIs and other sources with elevated 18:1 may be useful in developing higher oleic acid soybean genotypes.

The effect of maturity (time to maturity) on seed composition in soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] genotypes is not well understood because maturity is generally confounded with genotypic background. Therefore, the effects of maturity on seed composition were estimated in two sets of near isogenic soybean lines (‘Clark’ and ‘Harosoy’), where the maturity of each line within a set varied, but all had a common genotypic background. There was a positive linear relationship between protein concentration and maturity among isolines of the Clark set in 2004 (r2= 0.75; P≤ 0.001) and 2005 (r2= 0.63; P≤ 0.001). However, in Harosoy isolines there was no relationship between protein and maturity. There was a negative linear relationship between oil concentration and maturity for Clark (in 2004, r2= 0.82, P≤ 0.001; in 2005, r2= 0.91, P≤ 0.0001) and Harosoy (in 2004, r2= 0.19, P≤ 0.05; in 2005, r2= 0.36, P≤ 0.01). Maturity had greater effects on seed composition than maximum temperature. The results indicate that the relationship between seed composition and maturity was different between the Clark and Harosoy sets of isolines. However, the overall mean of protein and oil concentration was not different between genotypic backgrounds. This information will be useful for soybean breeding in developing new germplasm for seed composition.

Few resistance loci to soybean rust (SBR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhiziSyd., have been genetically mapped and linked to molecular markers that can be used for marker assisted selection. New technologies are available for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping that can be used to rapidly map traits controlled by single loci such as resistance to SBR. Our objective was to demonstrate that the high‐throughput SNP genotyping method known as the GoldenGate assay can be used to perform bulked segregant analysis (BSA) to find candidate regions to facilitate efficient mapping of a dominant resistant locus to SBR designated Rpp3We used a 1536 SNP GoldenGate assay to perform BSA followed by simple sequence repeat (SSR) mapping in an F2population segregating for SBR resistance conditioned by Rpp3A 13‐cM region on linkage group C2 was the only candidate region identified with BSA. Subsequent F2mapping placed Rpp3between SSR markers BARC_Satt460 and BARC_Sat_263 on linkage group C2 which is the same region identified by BSA. These results suggest that the GoldenGate assay was successful at implementing BSA, making it a powerful tool to quickly map qualitative traits since the GoldenGate assay is capable of screening 1536 SNPs on 192 DNA samples in three days.

Soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] seed produced in high‐temperature, high‐humidity production environments is prone to have substandard germination. Hardseededness, wrinkled seed coats, and infection by Phomopsis longicollaHobbs are all known to affect soybean seed germinability. Ancestors of modern U.S. soybean cultivars may lack the necessary variability to impart high germinability to new cultivars without the introgression of new genetic diversity. The purpose of this research was to identify soybean germplasm possessing positive traits affecting high seed germinability for seed produced under high‐temperature environments, such as in the early soybean production system (ESPS) of the midsouthern United States. Seed was produced in the ESPS for 486 U.S. plant introductions (PI), 25 ancestral lines of U.S. cultivars, and four U.S. cultivars at Stoneville, MS, in 2002 and 2003. Standard and accelerated‐aging germination percentages, hardseededness, seed coat wrinkling, and incidence of P. longicollawere estimated for each line. Based on the 2002 and 2003 field data, 42 PIs were selected for further testing, along with three cultivars, in two greenhouse temperature regimes (36° and 42°C) at Stoneville, MS, in 2005. Standard field germinations for the 25 ancestral lines ranged from 26 to 82%. Sixty‐three accessions were identified as having a mean standard field germination of ≥90%, <10% hard seed and P. longicollainfection, and ≤10% wrinkled seed coat. Genotypes with excellent seed traits have now been identified for soybean breeders to use in developing improved cultivars with high seed germinability for use in high‐temperature production environments.

We studied the effects of colonization of the spawning habitat of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha by rooted aquatic macrophytes in a regulated central California river. At least seven species of plants invaded four spawning sites below the lowest nonpassable dam during an extended period of relatively low instream flows. The depths associated with aquatic vegetation were similar to those used by spawning salmon. Velocities were significantly lower where plants took root. As plants expanded over riffles, spawning females avoided those areas. We observed significant overall reductions in vegetation after flow events predicted to be of sufficient magnitude to mobilize substrates. However, the proportion of vegetation dislodged did not strongly correlate with the proportion of substrate that we predicted would mobilize. Even so, in areas where vegetation was reduced, use by salmon spawning subsequently increased. While shear stress may be part of the overall predictive equation for macrophyte control at spawning sites, other factors must be studied before a specific management action can be recommended.

Charcoal rot [Macrophomina phaseolina(Tassi) Goid] of soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] is a disease of economic significance throughout the world. Progress in developing resistant genotypes has been hampered because of a lack of reliable and efficient methods for assessment of soybean genotypes. Researchers need a common system for classifying soybean genotypes for their reaction to M. phaseolinathat is consistent across environments. We propose a classification system based on a colony‐forming unit index (CFUI), derived by dividing the colony‐forming unit (CFU) value of a given genotype by the CFU value of a susceptible standard. Four other assessment methods were compared and correlated to CFUI: percent height of stem discoloration measured at R7, foliar symptoms taken at R7, area under the disease progress curve based on foliar symptom data collected four times during the growing season up to R7, and the intensity of internal root and stem discoloration taken at R7 (root and stem severity [RSS]). Twenty‐four soybean genotypes in Maturity Groups III through V were evaluated in 2002 and 2003 in naturally and artificially infested fields. Based on the CFUI, four genotypes were classified as moderately resistant to M. phaseolinaAmong the disease assessment methods, RSS had the highest correlation with CFUI (r= 0.71 in 2002 and r= 0.69 in 2003). The CFUI provided a good measure of disease resistance across environments but was still time consuming. The RSS provided a less‐accurate but more‐rapid alternative that may be suitable for some breeding strategies.

There are two broad types of stem growth habit in soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.]: indeterminate [generally maturity group (MG) IV and earlier] and determinate (generally MG V and later). Field studies of irrigated April and May plantings were conducted on Sharkey clay soil (very‐fine, smectitic, thermic Chromic Epiaquert) at Stoneville, MS (lat. 33°26′N), to determine if current expectations for stem growth habit are valid in genetic backgrounds of indeterminate MG IV and determinate MG V cultivars that are used in the early soybean production system (ESPS) in the midsouthern USA. All cultivars increased height and node number between beginning bloom (R1) and stem termination (ST), but the increases were greater for MG IV cultivars. Height and node number were greater at R1 for MG V than for MG IV cultivars, and greater for MG IV cultivars at ST. Averaged across planting date and year, MG V cultivars increased height and node number after R1 by 23 cm and 3.7 nodes, respectively. These results indicate that determinate MG V cultivars are capable of producing significant increases in height and node number after R1.

Polyethyleneoxide–copolypropyleneoxide PEOPPO polymer coatings were evaluated for their resistance to the attachment of the marker organism Serratia marcescensand the skinborne bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis. The copolymers were adsorbed onto polystyrene films—chosen as simplified physicochemical models of skin surfaces—and their surface characteristics probed by contact angle goniometry, attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared ATRFTIR, atomic force microscopy AFM, and Xray photoelectron spectroscopy XPS. These functional surfaces were then presented to microbial cultures, bacterial attachment was assessed by fluorescence microscopy and AFM, and the structures of the polymer films examined again spectroscopically. Surface characterization data suggest that the adsorbed copolymer was partially retained at the surface and resisted bacterial attachment for 24 h. Quantitative evaluation of cell attachment was carried out by scintillation counting of 14Clabeled microorganisms in conjunction with plate counts. The results show that a densely packed layer of PEOPPO copolymer can reduce attachment of skin commensals by an order of magnitude, even when the coating is applied by a simple adsorptive process. The work supports the hypothesis that adhesion of microorganisms to biological substrates can be reduced if a pretreatment with an appropriate copolymer can be effected in vivo. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 61: 641–652, 2002

ABSTRACTDifferentiation of skeletal muscle is affected in myotonic dystrophy (DM) patients. Analysis of cultured myoblasts from DM patients shows that DM myoblasts lose the capability to withdraw from the cell cycle during differentiation. Our data demonstrate that the expression and activity of the proteins responsible for cell cycle withdrawal are altered in DM muscle cells. Skeletal muscle cells from DM patients fail to induce cytoplasmic levels of a CUG RNA binding protein, CUGBP1, while normal differentiated cells accumulate CUGBP1 in the cytoplasm. In cells from normal patients, CUGBP1 up-regulates p21 protein during differentiation. Several lines of evidence show that CUGBP1 induces the translation of p21 via binding to a GC-rich sequence located within the 5′ region of p21 mRNA. Failure of DM cells to accumulate CUGBP1 in the cytoplasm leads to a significant reduction of p21 and to alterations of other proteins responsible for the cell cycle withdrawal. The activity of cdk4 declines during differentiation of cells from control patients, while in DM cells cdk4 is highly active during all stages of differentiation. In addition, DM cells do not form Rb/E2F repressor complexes that are abundant in differentiated cells from normal patients. Our data provide evidence for an impaired cell cycle withdrawal in DM muscle cells and suggest that alterations in the activity of CUGBP1 causes disruption of p21-dependent control of cell cycle arrest.

Differentiation of skeletal muscle is affected in myotonic dystrophy (DM) patients. Analysis of cultured myoblasts from DM patients shows that DM myoblasts lose the capability to withdraw from the cell cycle during differentiation. Our data demonstrate that the expression and activity of the proteins responsible for cell cycle withdrawal are altered in DM muscle cells. Skeletal muscle cells from DM patients fail to induce cytoplasmic levels of a CUG RNA binding protein, CUGBP1, while normal differentiated cells accumulate CUGBP1 in the cytoplasm. In cells from normal patients, CUGBP1 up-regulates p21 protein during differentiation. Several lines of evidence show that CUGBP1 induces the translation of p21 via binding to a GC-rich sequence located within the 5′ region of p21 mRNA. Failure of DM cells to accumulate CUGBP1 in the cytoplasm leads to a significant reduction of p21 and to alterations of other proteins responsible for the cell cycle withdrawal. The activity of cdk4 declines during differentiation of cells from control patients, while in DM cells cdk4 is highly active during all stages of differentiation. In addition, DM cells do not form Rb/E2F repressor complexes that are abundant in differentiated cells from normal patients. Our data provide evidence for an impaired cell cycle withdrawal in DM muscle cells and suggest that alterations in the activity of CUGBP1 causes disruption of p21-dependent control of cell cycle arrest.

Maintenance of methylation patterns in the mammalian genome by DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferases (DNAMeTase) is required for normal cell and tissue function. Inhibition of DNAMeTase in cultured cells induces the expression of p21, a cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor critical for cells to enter replicative senescence. We investigated the effects of DNAMeTase inhibition in normal human fibroblasts and found that it induces an irreversible growth arrest. Cells arrested by DNAMeTase inhibition became enlarged and had a flat morphology, exhibited an increased expression of collagenase and p21, and the DNA synthesis block could be overcome by the introduction of the SV40 large T antigen, all characteristics of senescent cells. In contrast, normal human fibroblasts lacking a functional p21 gene fail to undergo cell cycle arrest following DNAMeTase inhibition, indicating that p21 is an essential component of this arrest. Furthermore, DNAMeTase activity was reduced as cells approached the end of their proliferative potential. These data suggest that DNAMeTase could be an integral part of the mechanisms by which cells count the number of cell divisions completed and initiate a signaling cascade that ultimately results in the senescent phenotype.

Cell transplantation provides a way to compare the regulation of cell proliferation in the same cell type in cell culture and in a vascularized tissue structure in a host animal. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p57KIP2, p21WAF1/CIP1/SDI1and p27KIP1have been extensively studied in cell culture but their role in growth control in tissues is less well understood. In the present experiments we compared the behavior of cell cycle inhibitors in human and bovine adrenocortical cells in culture and following cell transplantation in scidmice. p57 was expressed in the majority of cells in the intact human adrenal cortex. However, double immunofluorescence showed that cells that are in the cell cycle are p57−adrenocortical cells, p57 and p27 levels were not affected by inhibition of growth at high cell density, whereas p21 was higher in dividing than growth-inhibited cells. However, p21 was also high in senescent adrenocortical cells. After transplantation of human adrenocortical cells in scidmice, p57 and p27 were observed in most cells in the transplant tissue. Over time the number of p21+cells decreased greatly in human adrenocortical cells, but not in bovine adrenocortical cells. This difference correlated with lower levels of cell division (assessed by Ki-67 or incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine) in the human cells in transplant tissues in comparison to bovine cells. The differences between human and bovine cells were observed both when cells were transplanted beneath the kidney capsule and when cells were injected subcutaneously in collagen gel. We conclude that the behavior of p57, but not p21, is consistent with a role as a physiological mediator of proliferative quiescence in the adrenal cortex. The high level of p21 in dividing adrenocortical cells in culture, and in bovine adrenocortical cells in transplant tissues, may be a response to conflicting positive and negative growth influences. Cells may enter the cell cycle under the influence of a strong positive mitogenic signal, but coexisting negative growth stimuli trigger a p21-dependent block to further progression through the cell cycle. This model suggests that bovine adrenocortical cells respond to positive growth stimuli in transplant tissues but human cells lack this response.

We report here the cloning and characterization of a novel KRAB zinc finger gene, ZFQR, which has eight tandemly repeated zinc fingers, a complete KRAB box at the N-terminal region, and a unique C-terminal sequence. It is expressed in a variety of human tissues, and mRNA levels are upregulated in nondividing senescent and quiescent human fibroblasts. Overexpression of the protein in quiescent cells stimulated with serum growth factors results in inhibition of entry into the cell cycle. The latter activity is lost when the N-terminal KRAB domain is deleted. The KRAB domain is also required for the transcriptional repression activity of ZFQR and in maintaining association of the protein with the nuclear matrix. The gene has been mapped to human chromosome 19q13.4. The association of ZFQR with the nuclear matrix, transcriptional repression activity, increased expression in senescent and quiescent cells, and the ability to inhibit quiescent cells stimulated with growth factors from entering the cell cycle suggests a role for ZFQR in the maintenance of the nondividing state of normal human cells.

The atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to investigate the surface architecture of the entire lengths of cleaned human head hairs. Many features previously seen with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) were identified. However, the AFM has provided much greater detail and, in particular, the hair's cuticular surfaces appear not to be as smooth as had been previously supposed. A consistent feature was of step discontinuities or “ghosts” on the scale surfaces. These delineated the original location of each overlying scale before its edge had been chipped away. There was a change in the longitudinal angular presentation of the surfaces about each ghost. This means the distal ends of each cuticle cell have been syn‐thesised in the follicle to be thicker than where that same cuticle cell is bounded on both sides by other cuticle cells. The undamaged outer cuticular surfaces at the root end of each hair were covered everywhere by longitudinal ridges (striations). Where the hair surface was worn, the striations terminated at a scale edge ghost. The ridges were approximately 9 nm high and were in parallel array with a lateral repeat spacing of about 350 nm. The striations are evidently formed on the outer surface of each cuticle cell following earlier contact in the hair follicle with the inner root sheath. The study of stained transverse sections of hairs in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) is suggested as a means for throwing some light on the underlying structure and chemistry of the striations. Finally, our AFM studies have revealed that the surface of the freshly emergent hair gradually changes over a distance of about 20 mm and that the surface of the hair for most of its length is quite different from that near the root. This is likely to be of import to those engaged in the hair toiletries industry.