Diverse Ecological Strategies Increase Invasion Resistance in an Experimental Grassland Restoration.

Understanding how the characteristics of native plant communities influence invasion is a pressing question, with implications for theory and management. For decades, the primary native community characteristic used in tests of biotic resistance was species richness. However, previous studies have demonstrated that evolutionary history and functional traits shape the invasion process, as ecological theory predicts.

Stromal Gene Therapy Mediates Prolonged Protection Against Corneal Neovascularization Induced by an Aggressive Angiogenic Insult.

Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is both a sight-threatening condition in and of itself and a major risk factor associated with corneal graft failure. Here, we determine the effectiveness of an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-based gene therapy targeting both hematic and lymphatic neovascularization in a murine model of severe CoNV. We first assessed the profile of transgene expression mediated by intrastromal injection of AAV2/8[Y733F] via longitudinal visualization of an enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGFP) transgene and found that this serotype mediates a temporary (∼18 day) transduction of the corneal epithelium and sustained (≥148 day) transduction within the stroma.

Managing bipolar affective disorder in chronic kidney disease when lithium is no longer an option.

The therapeutic benefits of lithium use in bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) are well established; however, it can cause adverse side effects including chronic kidney disease and progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We describe the cases of two patients with BPAD stable on lithium for many years. In both cases, kidney function declined towards ESRD, prompting cessation of lithium therapy and precipitating a period of mental instability.

Association of two missense mutations in the MSS51 and KAT6B genes with body weight at different ages in cows of the Yaroslavl breed.

The Yaroslavl cattle is a native Russian dairy breed developed in the 19th century from the Northern Great Russian cattle, which were adapted to withstand harsh climates and poor forage conditions. Previous studies identified two breed-specific missense mutations in the MSS51 (Ala415Glu) and KAT6B (Val105Met) genes that negatively impact the body weight of the animals. This study aimed to confirm the association of these missense mutations in the MSS51 and KAT6B genes, along with the mutant haplotype containing both mutations, with live weight at various ages in the Yaroslavl breed using an expanded sample set.