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There is considerable public and scientific debate for and against genetically modified (GM) crops. One of the first GM crops, Brassica napus (oilseed rape or canola) is now widely grown in North America, with proposed commercial release into Australia and Europe. Among concerns of opponents to these crops are claims that pollen movement will cause unacceptable levels of gene flow from GM to non-GM crops or to related weedy species, resulting in genetic pollution of the environment. Therefore, quantifying pollen-mediated gene flow is vital for assessing the environmental impact of GM crops. This study quantifies at a landscape level the gene flow that occurs from herbicide-resistant canola crops to nearby crops not containing herbicide resistance genes.

ANOTHER week, another seven days of threatening skies without a result for dust-covered South Australians. Except for a few sporadic downpours in the Far North, where thunderstorms deigned to release...

Technological advances have enabled the analysis of cellular protein and RNA levels with unprecedented depth and sensitivity, allowing for an unbiased re-evaluation of gene regulation during fundamental biological processes. Here, we have chronicled the dynamics of protein and mRNA expression levels across a minimally perturbed cell cycle in human myeloid leukemia cells using centrifugal elutriation combined with mass spectrometry-based proteomics and RNA-Seq, avoiding artificial synchronization procedures. We identify myeloid-specific gene expression and variations in protein abundance, isoform expression and phosphorylation at different cell cycle stages. We dissect the relationship between protein and mRNA levels for both bulk gene expression and for over ∼6000 genes individually across the cell cycle, revealing complex, gene-specific patterns. This data set, one of the deepest surveys to date of gene expression in human cells, is presented in an online, searchable database, the Encyclopedia of Proteome Dynamics (http://www.peptracker.com/epd/). Cells are complex environments: at any one time, thousands of different genes act as molecular templates to produce messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, which themselves are templates used to produce proteins. However, not all genes are active at all times inside all cells: as cells grow and divide as part of the cell division cycle, genes are switched on and off on a regular basis. Similarly, the patterns of mRNA and protein production are different in, say, immune and skin cells. In recent years, the tools available for detecting mRNA molecules and proteins have become more powerful, allowing researchers to move beyond just measuring the total amounts of mRNA and protein in the cell to now measuring individual amounts of specific mRNA and protein molecules encoded by specific genes. However, it has been a challenge to make these measurements at different stages of the cell cycle. Most of the methods used to do this have involved artificially ‘arresting’ the cell cycle, which can lead to side effects that are difficult to account for. Ly et al. have now overcome these problems using a combination of three methods to measure the levels of mRNA and protein molecules associated with over 6000 genes in human cancer cells derived from myeloid leukemia. Exploiting the fact that cells change size during the cell cycle, Ly et al. used a centrifugation technique to separate cells based on their size and, therefore, the stage of the cell cycle they were at, thus avoiding the need to arrest the cell cycle. An approach called RNA-Seq was then employed to measure the levels of the different mRNA molecules in the cells, and a device called a mass spectrometer was used to identify and measure the levels of many different proteins. In addition to being able to follow the level of mRNA and protein production for a large number of genes throughout the cell division cycle, while also obtaining detailed information about how many of the proteins are modified, Ly et al. discovered that—contrary to expectations—low numbers of mRNA molecules were sometimes associated with high numbers of the corresponding protein, and vice versa. This work provides a better understanding of the complex relationship between the levels of an mRNA and its corresponding protein product, and also demonstrates how it may be possible to detect subtle but important differences between cell types and disease states, including different types of cancer.

When asked to describe their role in society, most high school teachers will tell you they are preparing Canada's youth for tomorrow. Both teachers and the public do not take this role lightly. We rely on our educational system to not only supply our workforce with knowledgeable and skilled employees but to prepare our sons and daughters for long and prosperous careers. A 1997 survey by the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) asked local high-tech employers such as Mitel, Computing Devices Canada, Cognos, Software Kinetics and Nortel what skills they most value in employees. Without question the primary responsibility of delivering this type of education rests with both our high-school and university educational systems -- but there is a role that private vocational schools must begin to play in delivering these broader educational programs.

An RNAi screen of protein phosphatases identifies PP2A–B55α as the main mitotic exit phosphatase in human cells. After mitosis, PP2A–B55α depletion delays the reassembly of the nuclear envelope and Golgi and the decondensation of chromatin. When vertebrate cells exit mitosis various cellular structures are re-organized to build functional interphase cells 1 . This depends on Cdk1 (cyclin dependent kinase 1) inactivation and subsequent dephosphorylation of its substrates 2 , 3 , 4 . Members of the protein phosphatase 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A) families can dephosphorylate Cdk1 substrates in biochemical extracts during mitotic exit 5 , 6 , but how this relates to postmitotic reassembly of interphase structures in intact cells is not known. Here, we use a live-cell imaging assay and RNAi knockdown to screen a genome-wide library of protein phosphatases for mitotic exit functions in human cells. We identify a trimeric PP2A–B55α complex as a key factor in mitotic spindle breakdown and postmitotic reassembly of the nuclear envelope, Golgi apparatus and decondensed chromatin. Using a chemically induced mitotic exit assay, we find that PP2A–B55α functions downstream of Cdk1 inactivation. PP2A–B55α isolated from mitotic cells had reduced phosphatase activity towards the Cdk1 substrate, histone H1, and was hyper-phosphorylated on all subunits. Mitotic PP2A complexes co-purified with the nuclear transport factor importin-β1, and RNAi depletion of importin-β1 delayed mitotic exit synergistically with PP2A–B55α. This demonstrates that PP2A–B55α and importin-β1 cooperate in the regulation of postmitotic assembly mechanisms in human cells.

ObjectivesTo develop a physiotherapist-led consensus statement on the definition and provision of high-value care for people with musculoskeletal conditions.DesignWe performed a three-stage study using Research And Development/University of California Los Angeles Appropriateness Method methodology. We reviewed evidence about current definitions through a rapid literature review and then performed a survey and interviews with network members to gather consensus. Consensus was finalised in a face-to-face meeting.SettingAustralian primary care.ParticipantsRegistered physiotherapists who are members of a practice-based research network (n=31).ResultsThe rapid review revealed two definitions, four domains of high value care and seven themes of high-quality care. Online survey responses (n=26) and interviews (n=9) generated two additional high-quality care themes, a definition of low-value care, and 21 statements on the application of high value care. Consensus was reached for three working definitions (high value, high-quality and low value care), a final model of four high value care domains (high-quality care, patient values, cost-effectiveness, reducing waste), nine high-quality care themes and 15 statements on application.ConclusionHigh value care for musculoskeletal conditions delivers most value for the patient, and the clinical benefits outweigh the costs to the individual or system providing the care. High-quality care is evidence based, effective and safe care that is patient-centred, consistent, accountable, timely, equitable and allows easy interaction with healthcare providers and healthcare systems.

Background : Cellular proteins vary significantly in both abundance and turnover rates. These parameters depend upon their rates of synthesis and degradation and it is useful to have access to data on protein turnover rates when, for example, designing genetic knock-down experiments or assessing the potential usefulness of covalent enzyme inhibitors. Little is known about the nature and regulation of protein turnover in Trypanosoma brucei , the etiological agent of human and animal African trypanosomiasis. Methods : To establish baseline data on T. brucei proteome turnover, a Stable Isotope Labelling with Amino acids in Cell culture (SILAC)-based mass spectrometry analysis was performed to reveal the synthesis and degradation profiles for thousands of proteins in the bloodstream and procyclic forms of this parasite. Results : This analysis revealed a slower average turnover rate of the procyclic form proteome relative to the bloodstream proteome. As expected, many of the proteins with the fastest turnover rates have functions in the cell cycle and in the regulation of cytokinesis in both bloodstream and procyclic forms. Moreover, the cellular localization of T. brucei proteins correlates with their turnover, with mitochondrial and glycosomal proteins exhibiting slower than average turnover rates. Conclusions : The intention of this study is to provide the trypanosome research community with a resource for protein turnover data for any protein or group of proteins. To this end, bioinformatic analyses of these data are made available via an open-access web resource with data visualization functions.

With the increased circulation of Bordetella pertussis PRN NEG strains in countries using acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines, understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of PRN NEG strains is critical. Our results suggest that virulence varies between circulating PRN NEG strains, with some strains appearing to be less virulent than PRN POS strains. These results tell us that care should be taken when selecting PRN NEG pertussis strains for baboon and CHIM studies. Our results may also support the continued use of PRN in aP vaccines. If PRN NEG strains are less virulent and induce less severe disease than PRN POS strains, maintaining vaccine selective pressure against PRN POS strains may be beneficial.

Background The disconnect between research and clinical practice leads to research evidence that is often not useful for clinical practice. Practice-based research networks are collaborations between researchers and clinicians aimed at coproducing more useful research. Such networks are rare in the physiotherapy field. We aimed to describe (i) clinicians’ motivations behind, and enablers to, participating in a network, (ii) the process of network establishment and (iii) research priorities for a practice-based network of physiotherapists in the Hunter Region of New South Wales (NSW), Australia that supports research coproduction. Methods We describe the methods and outcomes of the three steps we used to establish the network. Step 1 involved consultation with local opinion leaders and a formative evaluation to understand clinicians’ motivations behind, and enablers to, participating in a network. Step 2 involved establishment activities to generate a founding membership group and codesign a governance model. Step 3 involved mapping clinical problems through a workshop guided by systems thinking theory with local stakeholders and prioritizing research areas. Results Through formative evaluation focus groups, we generated five key motivating themes and three key enablers for physiotherapists’ involvement in the network. Establishment activities led to a founding membership group ( n  = 29, 67% from private practice clinics), a network vision and mission statement, and a joint governance group (9/13 [70%] are private practice clinicians). Our problem-mapping and prioritization process led to three clinically relevant priority research areas with the potential for significant change in practice and patient outcomes. Conclusions Clinicians are motivated to break down traditional siloed research generation and collaborate with researchers to solve a wide array of issues with the delivery of care. Practice-based research networks have promise for both researchers and clinicians in the common goal of improving patient outcomes.