Introduction to Library Trends 23 (3) Winter 1975: Music and Fine Arts in the General Library

published or submitted for publicatio

Event-specific Method for the Quantification of Maize 98140 by Real-time PCR

The European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (EU-RL GMFF), established by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, has carried out a validation study to assess the performance of a quantitative event-specific method on the maize event 98140 (unique identifier DP-098140-6). The collaborative trial was conducted according to internationally accepted guidelines. In accordance to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed and to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, Pioneer Overseas Corporation provided the detection method and the control samples. The EU-RL GMFF prepared the validation samples [calibration samples and blind samples at unknown GM percentages(DNA/DNA)]. The results of the international collaborative trial met the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) method performance requirements (http://gmocrl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/guidancedocs.htm). The method is therefore considered applicable to the control samples provided, in accordance with the requirements of Annex I – 2.C.2 to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004.JRC.I.3-Molecular Biology and Genomic

Event-specific Method for the Quantification of Maize MIR162 by Real-time PCR

The European Union Reference Laboratory for Genetically Modified Food and Feed (EURL-GMFF), established by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, in collaboration with the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL), has carried out a collaborative study to assess the performance of a quantitative event-specific method to detect and quantify the MIR162 transformation event (unique identifier SYN-IR162-4) in maize DNA. The collaborative study was conducted according to internationally accepted guidelines (1, 2). In accordance to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed and with Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, Syngenta Seeds S.A.S. provided the detection method and the control samples (genomic DNA extracted from homogenised seeds containing the transformation event and from conventional homogenised seeds). The EURL-GMFF prepared the validation samples (calibration samples and blind samples at unknown GM percentage [DNA/DNA]). The collaborative study involved twelve laboratories from nine European countries. The results of the international collaborative study met the ENGL performance requirements. The method is therefore considered applicable to the control samples provided, in accordance with the requirements of Annex I-2.C.2 to Commission Regulation (EC) No 641/2004. The results of the collaborative study are made publicly available at http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/.JRC.I.3-Molecular Biology and Genomic

In-house validation of an Event-specific Method for the Quantification of Oliseed Rape MS1 using Real-time PCR

The European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (EU-RL GMFF), established by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, has carried out an in-house validation study to assess the performance of a quantitative event-specific method on the oilseed rape event MS1 (unique identifier ACS-BN004-7). In accordance to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed and to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, Syngenta Crop Protection AG) provided the detection method and the control samples. The EU-RL GMFF prepared the validation samples [calibration samples and blind samples at different GM percentages (DNA/DNA)]. The results of the in-house validation were evaluated with respect to method acceptance criteria and method performance requirements recommended by the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) (http://gmocrl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/guidancedocs.htm) and to its applicability in different real-time PCR instruments. The results obtained indicate that the method complies with the ENGL criteria. The method is therefore considered applicable to the control samples provided, in accordance with the requirements of Annex I – 2.C.2 to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004.JRC.I.3-Molecular Biology and Genomic

Report on the Verification of the Performance of MON 89034, 1507, MON 88017 and 59122 Event-specific Methods on the Maize Event MON 89034 x 1507 x MON 88017 x 59122 Using Real-Time PCR. Validation Report and Protocols

The European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (EURL-GMFF), established by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, has carried out a verification study to assess the performance of four quantitative event-specific methods on the maize event MON 89034 x 1507 x MON 88017 x 59122 (unique identifier MON-89Ø34-3 x DAS-Ø15Ø7-1 x MON-88Ø17-3 x DAS-59122-7) which combines the MON 89034, 1507, MON 88017 and 59122 transformation events. The four methods have been validated individually on single-trait events, to detect and quantify each event in maize samples. This study was conducted according to internationally accepted guidelines (1, 2). In accordance to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed and to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences provided the detection methods and the control samples: genomic DNA from homogenised seeds of MON 89034 x 1507 x MON 88017 x 59122 maize (258-4CC, 258-4JJ, 258-4B, 258-4N) and from homogenised seeds of conventional maize (10001262-V). The EURL-GMFF prepared the verification samples (calibration samples and blind samples at different GM percentages). The results of the verification study were evaluated with reference to ENGL method performance requirements (http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/guidancedocs.htm) and to the validation results on the individual parental events (http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/statusofdoss.htm). The results of this EURL-GMFF verification study are publicly available at http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/.JRC.DG.I.4 - Molecular biology and genomic

In-house validation of an Event-specific Method for the Quantification of Oliseed Rape Topas 19/2 using Real-time PCR

The European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (EU-RL GMFF), established by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, has carried out an in-house validation study to assess the performance of a quantitative event-specific method on the oilseed rape event Topas 19/2 (unique identifier ACS-BN007-1). In accordance to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed and to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, Bayer CropScience provided the detection method and the control samples. The EU-RL GMFF prepared the validation samples [calibration samples and blind samples at different GM percentages (DNA/DNA)]. The results of the in-house validation were evaluated with respect to method acceptance criteria and method performance requirements recommended by the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) (http://gmocrl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/guidancedocs.htm) and to its applicability in different real-time PCR instruments. The results obtained indicate that the method complies with the ENGL criteria. The method is therefore considered applicable to the control samples provided, in accordance with the requirements of Annex I – 2.C.2 to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004.JRC.I.3-Molecular Biology and Genomic

Improvement of European translational cancer research. Collaboration between comprehensive cancer centers

Even though the increasing incidence of cancer is mainly a consequence of a population with a longer life span, part of this augmentation is related to the increasing prevalence of patients living with a chronic cancer disease. To fight the problem, improved preventive strategies are mandatory in combination with an innovative health care provision that is driven by research. To overcome the weakness of translational research the OECI is proposing a practical approach as part of a strategy foreseen by the EUROCAN+PLUS feasibility study, which was launched by the EC in order to identify mechanisms for the coordination of cancer research in Europe

CP asymmetry in B→ϕKSB \to \phi K_S in a general two-Higgs-doublet model with fourth-generation quarks

We discuss the time-dependent CP asymmetry of decay $B \to \phi K_S$ in an extension of the Standard Model with both two Higgs doublets and additional fourth-generation quarks. We show that although the Standard Model with two-Higgs-doublet and the Standard model with fourth generation quarks alone are not likely to largely change the effective $\sin 2 \beta$ from the decay of $B \to \phi K_S$, the model with both additional Higgs doublet and fourth-generation quarks can easily account for the possible large negative value of $\sin 2 \beta$ without conflicting with other experimental constraints. In this model, additional large CP violating effects may arise from the flavor changing Yukawa interactions between neutral Higgs bosons and the heavy fourth generation down type quark, which can modify the QCD penguin contributions. With the constraints obtained from $b \to s \bar{s} s$ processes such as $B \to X_s \gamma$ and $\Delta m_{B_s^0}$, this model can lead to the effective $\sin 2 \beta$ to be as large as $- 0.4$ in the CP asymmetry of $B \to \phi K_S$.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, references added, to appear in Eur.Phys.J.

The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

Background: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats. Results: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits. Conclusions: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation

Rare Copy Number Variants in \u3cem\u3eNRXN1\u3c/em\u3e and \u3cem\u3eCNTN6\u3c/em\u3e Increase Risk for Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a model neuropsychiatric disorder thought to arise from abnormal development and/or maintenance of cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits. TS is highly heritable, but its underlying genetic causes are still elusive, and no genome-wide significant loci have been discovered to date. We analyzed a European ancestry sample of 2,434 TS cases and 4,093 ancestry-matched controls for rare (\u3c 1% frequency) copy-number variants (CNVs) using SNP microarray data. We observed an enrichment of global CNV burden that was prominent for large (\u3e 1 Mb), singleton events (OR = 2.28, 95% CI [1.39–3.79], p = 1.2 × 10−3) and known, pathogenic CNVs (OR = 3.03 [1.85–5.07], p = 1.5 × 10−5). We also identified two individual, genome-wide significant loci, each conferring a substantial increase in TS risk (NRXN1 deletions, OR = 20.3, 95% CI [2.6–156.2]; CNTN6 duplications, OR = 10.1, 95% CI [2.3–45.4]). Approximately 1% of TS cases carry one of these CNVs, indicating that rare structural variation contributes significantly to the genetic architecture of TS