Review
Neurosciences
Robert A. E. Seaborne, Julien Ochala
Summary: Skeletal muscle, crucial for organism health, function and development, is the most abundant component of the mature mammalian phenotype. Muscle biologists are interested in understanding how skeletal muscle adapts during periods of stress and stimuli. Genomic-based experimental and analytical approaches provide a powerful tool to comprehensively map the molecular paradigms that regulate skeletal muscle.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Danesh H. Sopariwala, Neah Likhite, Gungsheng Pei, Fnu Haroon, Lisa Lin, Vikas Yadav, Zhongming Zhao, Vihang A. Narkar
Summary: ERR alpha is induced in skeletal muscle by hindlimb ischemia or hypoxia, and its overexpression can drive a switch in myofiber type and activate gene programs related to angiogenesis in muscle. This leads to increased baseline capillarity and arterioles, as well as improved perfusion recovery in ischemic muscle, suggesting ERR alpha as a potential target for treating PAD/CLI.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carol Imbriano, Viviana Moresi, Silvia Belluti, Alessandra Renzini, Giorgia Cavioli, Eleonora Maretti, Susanna Molinari
Summary: Epitranscriptomics is a process of post-transcriptional regulation that affects gene expression through RNA modifications and editing. It has functional roles in the skeletal muscle system and potential therapeutic applications for human diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Silvia Pomella, Sara G. Danielli, Rita Alaggio, Willemijn B. Breunis, Ebrahem Hamed, Joanna Selfe, Marco Wachtel, Zoe S. Walters, Beat W. Schaefer, Rossella Rota, Janet M. Shipley, Simone Hettmer
Summary: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents, characterized by aberrant muscle differentiation. Abnormalities in the regulatory transcription factors (MRFs) involved in skeletal muscle development contribute to tumorigenesis in RMS. Core regulatory circuitries (CRCs) and hierarchically organized subsets of cells play a role in maintaining the disease-driving fusion oncogene and promoting malignancy in RMS. Understanding the genetic and epigenetic framework of abnormal muscle differentiation in RMS provides insights into its mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fei Zhang, Deborah Velez-Irizarry, Catherine W. Ernst, Wen Huang
Summary: In this study, genome-wide analysis of alternative splicing in skeletal muscle of a Duroc x Pietrain F2 pig population was performed. It was found that the heritability of alternative splicing scores was lower than that of overall gene expression. Additionally, there was little correlation between alternative splicing and overall gene expression. Integration of splice QTL mapping with phenotype QTL mapping identified potential mediators of phenotype QTL effects through alternative splicing.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jingbao Kan, Yifang Hu, Yaoqi Ge, WenSong Zhang, Shan Lu, Cuiping Zhao, Rihua Zhang, Yun Liu
Summary: The research revealed that the reduced expression of mitochondrial functional genes may be the main cause of skeletal muscle aging, with CYCS and ESRRA potentially playing significant roles in this process.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ricardo Laranjeiro, Girish Harinath, Amelia K. Pollard, Christopher J. Gaffney, Colleen S. Deane, Siva A. Vanapalli, Timothy Etheridge, Nathaniel J. Szewczyk, Monica Driscoll
Summary: The study found that in spaceflight conditions, worm neurons exhibited hyper-branching and an accumulation of neuronal waste in surrounding tissues, indicating impaired transcellular degradation of neuronal debris. The results highlight the significant impact of spaceflight on adult neuronal morphology and trash clearance, emphasizing the importance of assessing risks and developing countermeasures for safe long-duration space exploration.
Article
Plant Sciences
Anne Brown, David Grant, Rex T. Nelson
Summary: QTL play a key role in studying seed quality traits and breeding, but identifying the specific genes behind each QTL would greatly enhance our understanding of the genetic mechanisms.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yue Ai, Yaning Zhu, Linli Wang, Xiaosheng Zhang, Jinlong Zhang, Xianlei Long, Qingyi Gu, Hongbing Han
Summary: Sheep growth, particularly skeletal muscle growth, brings direct economic benefits to the animal husbandry industry. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying different breeds remain unclear. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the gene expression patterns of the cross-bred sheep were more similar to Dorper sheep, possibly explaining the differences in muscle growth among the three breeds. This study identified several candidate genes related to skeletal muscle growth, providing valuable insights into the molecular basis of muscle growth and development in sheep.
Article
Agronomy
Salman Naveed, Sachin Rustgi
Summary: This study used TRV-VIGS technology to functionally characterize two candidate genes in cotton, and found that Gohir.D05G103700 gene is a positive regulator of the indeterminate growth habit, while Gohir.D12G153600 gene does not affect the habit. The study demonstrates that TRV-VIGS technology can be used for rapid analysis of cotton genes and provides potential for breeding cotton plants suited for specific regions.
Article
Cell Biology
Eric A. Kirk, Christina A. Castellani, Timothy J. Doherty, Charles L. Rice, Shiva M. Singh
Summary: This study shows that skeletal muscles are adaptable to exercise-induced muscle damage and that damage to one muscle group can result in systemic gene network responses in nonlocal muscles. This finding provides insights into the physiological changes that occur in the body during exercise.
PHYSIOLOGICAL GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah LaPotin, Mary E. Swartz, David M. Luecke, Savvas J. Constantinou, Jason R. Gallant, Johann K. Eberhart, Harold H. Zakon
Summary: South American and African weakly electric fish independently evolved electric organs from muscle, with the sodium channel gene losing expression in muscle and gaining it in the electric organ. The loss of sodium channel expression from muscle in these two electric fish lineages occurred through different processes, while retaining key transcription factor binding sites and enhancer activity.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Fabricio Almeida-Silva, Thiago M. Venancio
Summary: This study integrated genome-wide association studies and transcriptomic data to identify candidate resistance genes against Aphis glycines, Spodoptera litura, and Heterodera glycines in soybean. The majority of these candidate genes are related to plant immunity processes and could be used for soybean breeding and genetic engineering.
Article
Agronomy
Shu Liu, Zhaojun Liu, Xingliang Hou, Xiaoming Li
Summary: Soybean is a crucial crop for high-quality meal protein and vegetative oil. However, breeding higher protein soybean faces challenges due to the negative correlation between protein content and seed oil yield. Deeper insights into the genetic control and property of seed protein are needed to overcome this limitation and develop high protein soybean without compromising oil and yield.
MOLECULAR BREEDING
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Robin Nicole Bosman, Jessica Anne-Marie Vervalle, Danielle Lisa November, Phyllis Burger, Justin Graham Lashbrooke
Summary: Volatile organic compounds, such as terpenes, play a vital role in influencing the quality parameters of grapevine through their contribution to the flavor and aroma profile of grapes. The biosynthesis of these compounds is complex and controlled by multiple genes, many of which are unidentified. By analyzing volatile metabolic data from a grapevine mapping population, researchers identified several significant genomic regions associated with terpene modulation in grape berries. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of terpene accumulation and offer potential applications in developing grape cultivars with desired terpene profiles.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hasina Afroz, Shiming Su, Manus Carey, Andy A. Meharg, Caroline Meharg
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mengmeng Yan, Xibai Zeng, Ji Wang, Andy A. Meharg, Caroline Meharg, Xianjing Tang, Lili Zhang, Lingyu Bai, Junzheng Zhang, Shiming Su
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2020)
Article
Water Resources
Manus Carey, Caroline Meharg, Paul Williams, Ernest Marwa, Xiao Jiujin, Julia Gomes Farias, P. Mangala C. S. De Silva, Antonio Signes-Pastor, Ying Lu, Fernando Teixeira Nicoloso, Laurie Savage, Katrina Campbell, Christopher Elliott, Eureka Adomako, Andy J. Green, Eduardo Moreno-Jimenez, Angel Antonio Carbonell-Barrachina, Eridha Ayu Triwardhani, Febbyandi Isanda Pandiangan, Parvez Haris, Youssef F. Lawgali, Alessia Sommella, Massimo Pigna, Catherine Brabet, Didier Montet, Keston Njira, Michael J. Watts, Andrew A. Meharg
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Water Resources
Zhengyu Shi, Manus Carey, Caroline Meharg, Paul N. Williams, Antonio J. Signes-Pastor, Eridha Ayu Triwardhani, Febbyandi Isnanda Pandiangan, Katrina Campbell, Christopher Elliott, Ernest M. Marwa, Xiao Jiujin, Julia Gomes Farias, Fernando Teixeira Nicoloso, P. Mangala C. S. De Silva, Ying Lu, Gareth Norton, Eureka Adomako, Andy J. Green, Eduardo Moreno-Jimenez, Yongguan Zhu, Angel Antonio Carbonell-Barrachina, Parvez I. Haris, Youssef F. Lawgali, Alessia Sommella, Massimo Pigna, Catherine Brabet, Didier Montet, Keston Njira, Michael J. Watts, Mahmud Hossain, M. Rafiqul Islam, Yasna Tapia, Carla Oporto, Andrew A. Meharg
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
C. McKernan, C. Meharg, M. Carey, E. Donaldson, P. Williams, L. Savage, A. A. Meharg
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
E. Pogoson, M. Carey, C. Meharg, A. A. Meharg
Summary: Cadmium, inorganic arsenic, and potentially dimethyl arsenic acid, which are carcinogens commonly found in rice, can be efficiently removed using citric acid as a chelator. A two-step pre-soaking procedure using citric acid and calcium carbonate was developed to reduce these contaminants in rice, with removal rates of 79% for cadmium, 81% for inorganic arsenic, and 66% for DMA. This technology is suitable for bulk food processing and can be used in regions where rice is a staple and contaminated with cadmium and arsenic.
Article
Water Resources
Zhengyu Shi, Manus Carey, Emily Davidson, Caroline Meharg, Andrew A. Meharg
Summary: Cadmium and inorganic arsenic in rice products marketed for infants and potential non-infant products exceeded safety thresholds, highlighting the importance of careful sourcing and avoiding rice-based foods to minimize exposure for infants.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Andrew A. Meharg, Caroline Meharg
Summary: The Anthropocene has led to global-scale contamination of the biosphere through diffuse atmospheric dispersal of arsenic. Europe and North America have seen a significant increase in arsenic depositional flux, while South America and East Asia are now primary global-scale polluters. Natural sources of arsenic to the atmosphere include volcanic emissions, aeolian soil dust entrainment, and microbial biomethylation. Soil acts as both a sink and source of deposited arsenic, with mineral soils tending to be a sink and organic soils acting as both a sink and a source. Peatlands hold a considerable amount of Anthropocene released arsenic, which can potentially be remobilized under climate change scenarios.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
A. J. D. Perera, Manus Carey, P. Mangala C. S. De Silva, Caroline Meharg, Andrew A. Meharg
Summary: Rice is a major source of micro-elements for the Sri Lankan population, but the levels of metals and arsenic vary in rice grains collected from different agro-climatic zones. Some samples exceeded the permissible levels of arsenic and cadmium, posing potential risks to the health of Sri Lankan children and adults.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Andrew A. Meharg, Caroline Meharg, Manus Carey, Paul Williams, Zhengyu Shi, Katrina Campbell, Christopher Elliott, Ernest Marwa, Xiao Jiujin, Julia Gomes Farias, Fernando Teixeira Nicoloso, P. Mangala C. S. De Silva, Ying Lu, Andy J. Green, Eduardo Moreno-Jimenez, Angel Antonio Carbonell-Barrachina, Alessia Sommella, Massimo Pigna, Catherine Brabet, Didier Montet, Mahmud Hossain, M. Rafiqul Islam
Summary: Despite the lack of understanding about the variation and correlation of elements in staple grains, a comprehensive analysis of polished rice samples from 18 countries revealed major differences in elemental content based on geographic location, with some elements strongly associated while others showing weaker correlations.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Claire McKernan, Caroline Meharg, Manus Carey, Andrew A. Meharg
Summary: Transfer of selenium from soil to milk is influenced by various factors, including soil composition, season, and cattle diet. This study found that there is a disconnect between the selenium concentration in the agricultural environment and the milk derived from it. Selenium concentrations were higher in milk during winter months, possibly due to supplemental feed practices.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Monira Begum, Litian Li, Ellen Young, Manus Carey, Gang Li, Yong-Guan Zhu, Stephen Banwart, Andrew A. Meharg, Caroline Meharg
Summary: Investigating the impact of soil fertilization/amendments on arsenic speciation in paddy rice, rice was grown with different fertilizer sources in growth chambers. The study found that fertilizer source did not affect arsenic speciation concentration in grain, but significantly influenced the total grain arsenic and inorganic arsenic and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) concentrations. Porewater analysis revealed that as anaerobic conditions set in, inorganic arsenic, phosphorus, and manganese concentrations decreased, while methylated arsenic species concentrations increased over time. Methanogenic archaea, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and Acidobacteria increased with time, while some Actinobacteria and Firmicutes increased due to pig slurry and then decreased over time.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Yogesh Gupta, Mahmud Hossain, M. Rafiqul Islam, Md. Moyeed Hasan Talukder, Md. Atiqur Rahman Khokon, Mohammad Mahir Uddin, Humayun Kabir, Manus Carey, Kathryn Ralphs, Natalia Valadares de Moraes, Andrew A. Meharg, Caroline Meharg
Summary: In Bangladesh, the burning of agronomic biomass for cooking purposes depletes the soil of nutrients and carbon substrate. This study investigates the use of household ash as a sustainable fertilizer to improve soil fertility and reduce toxic elements in rice grain. Large-scale field trials were conducted across two regions and two seasons, comparing three fertilizer treatments. The results showed that ash application increased rice yield without affecting grain quality, suggesting its potential to replace expensive chemical fertilizers and enhance sustainable farming in Bangladesh.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. Notario-Barandiaran, A. Irizar, M. Begona-Zubero, R. Soler-Blasco, G. Riutort-Mayol, A. Fernandez-Somoano, A. Tardon, M. Casas, M. Vrijheid, A. Meharg, M. Carey, C. Meharg, K. Ralphs, C. McCreanor, J. O. Grimalt, J. Vioque, A. J. Signes-Pastor
Summary: In this study, the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and urinary metal concentrations in children was evaluated. It was found that high adherence to MD was associated with increased urinary levels of arsenic and copper, but also an increase in non-toxic arsenobetaine concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Andrew A. Meharg, Manus Carey, Kathryn Ralphs, Coalain McCreanor, Mukhlesur Rahman, Mahmud Hussain, M. Rafiqul Islam, Caroline Meharg
Summary: This study investigates the geographic variation in rice grain nutrients and toxicants across western Bangladesh. The survey collected 500 market rice samples from 36 districts. Significant differences were found in the levels of various nutrients and toxicants, which may be influenced by climate, geographical setting, soils, and cultivars. Rice is an important source of several essential nutrients but is poor in vitamin E and calcium.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2023)