Identification and characterisation of ten microsatellite loci in the Noisy Scrub-bird Atrichornis clamosus using next-generation sequencing technology

The Noisy Scrub-bird is an endangered species of songbird endemic to the south coast of Western Australia that has undergone a major and prolonged population bottleneck. Using shotgun 454 next-generation DNA sequencing we have identified and characterised ten polymorphic microsatellite loci in this species. Observed allelic diversity was relatively low (2–5 alleles per locus) and significant deviations from Hardy–weinberg Equilibrium observed, although the presence of null alleles was onlypostulated for two loci. The microsatellite loci characterised in this study will be useful in a future population genetics studies in this endangered species

Systematic Conservation Planning in the Face of Climate Change: Bet-Hedging on the Columbia Plateau

Systematic conservation planning efforts typically focus on protecting current patterns of biodiversity. Climate change is poised to shift species distributions, reshuffle communities, and alter ecosystem functioning. In such a dynamic environment, lands selected to protect today's biodiversity may fail to do so in the future. One proposed approach to designing reserve networks that are robust to climate change involves protecting the diversity of abiotic conditions that in part determine species distributions and ecological processes. A set of abiotically diverse areas will likely support a diversity of ecological systems both today and into the future, although those two sets of systems might be dramatically different. Here, we demonstrate a conservation planning approach based on representing unique combinations of abiotic factors. We prioritize sites that represent the diversity of soils, topographies, and current climates of the Columbia Plateau. We then compare these sites to sites prioritized to protect current biodiversity. This comparison highlights places that are important for protecting both today's biodiversity and the diversity of abiotic factors that will likely determine biodiversity patterns in the future. It also highlights places where a reserve network designed solely to protect today's biodiversity would fail to capture the diversity of abiotic conditions and where such a network could be augmented to be more robust to climate-change impacts

Food-grade filler particles as an alternative method to modify the texture and stability of myofibrillar gels

Abstract A series of food grade particles were characterized for their potential as fillers in myofibrillar gels. The fillers were separated into (i) hydrophilic, insoluble, crystalline particles and (ii) starch granules. The particles used were microcrystalline cellulose, oat fiber and walnut shell flour, as well as potato and tapioca starches. Crystalline particles increased hardness and decreased recovery properties. Although all of these fillers decreased the T2 relaxation time of water, this was dependent on particle type and size. An increase in gel strength was observed with increasing filler content, which was attributed to particle crowding. Native potato starch was the most efficient at increasing liquid retention, while native tapioca was the least effective. Gel strength increased significantly only for the native potato and modified tapioca starches, but no effect on recovery attributes were observed for any of the starch varieties. The potato starches became swollen and hydrated to a similar extent during the protein gelation process, while the native tapioca starch gelatinized at higher temperatures, and the modified tapioca showed little evidence of swelling. T2 relaxometry supported this finding, as the meat batters containing native potato starch displayed two water populations, while the remaining starches displayed only a single population

Personalizing and targeting therapy for COPD - The role of molecular and clinical biomarkers

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation. It is the third leading cause of death worldwide, and there are currently no curative strategies for this disease. Many factors contribute to COPD susceptibility, progression and exacerbations. These include cigarette smoking, environmental and occupational pollutants, respiratory infections and comorbidities. As the clinical phenotypes of COPD are so variable, it has been difficult to devise an individualized treatment plan for patients with this complex chronic disease. This review will highlight how potential clinical, inflammatory, genomic and epigenomic biomarkers for COPD could be used to personalize treatment, leading to improved disease management and prevention for our patients