Understanding mutational and selective processes that govern gene duplication in mammals

Abstract : Gene duplication is an essential source of material for the origin of genetic novelties. The reverse transcription of source gene mRNA followed by the genomic insertion of the resulting cDNA - retroposition - has provided the human genome with at least ~3600 detectable retrocopies. We find that ~30% of these retrocopies are transcribed, generally in testes. Their transcription often relies on preexisting regulatory elements (or open chromatin) close to their insertion site, which is illustrated by mRNA molecules containing retrocopies fused to their neighboring genes. Retrocopies appear to have been profoundly shaped by selection. Consistently, human retrocopies with an intact open reading (ORF) are more often transcribed than retropseudogenes, which leads to a minimal estimate of 120 functional retrogenes present in our genome. We also performed an analysis of Ka/Ks for human retrocopies. This analysis demonstrates that several intact retrocopies evolved under purifying selection and yields an estimated formation rate of ~1 retrogene per million year in the primate lineage. Using DNA sequencing and evolutionary simulations, we have identified 7 such primate-specific retrogenes that emerged on the lineage leading to humans In therian genomes, we found an excess of retrogenes with X-linked parents. Expression analyses support the idea that this "out of X" movement was driven by natural selection to produce autosomal functional counterparts for X-linked genes, which are silenced during male meiosis. Phylogenetic dating of this "out of X" movement suggests that our sex chromosomes arose about 180 MYA ago and are thus much younger than previously thought. Finally, we have also analyzed young gene duplications (and deletions) that arose by non allelic-homologous recombination and are not fixed in species. Using wild-caught and laboratory animals, we detected thousands of DNA segments that are polymorphic in copy number in mice. These copy number variants were found to profoundly alter the transcriptome of several mouse tissues. Strikingly, their influence on gene expression is not limited to the gene they contain but seems to extend to genes located up to 1.5 million bases away.

Iowa Pore Index Test, MLR-80-2, 1980

The objective of the investigation was the development of a test that would readily identify the potential of an aggregate to cause D-cracking because of its susceptivity to critical saturation. A Press-Ur-Meter was modified by replacing the air chamber with a one-inch diameter plastic tube calibrated in milli-. It was concluded that the pore index was sufficiently reliable to determine the D-cracking potential of limestone aggregates in all but a few cases where marginal results were obtained. Consistently poor or good results were always in agreement with established service records or concrete durability testing. In those instances where marginal results are obtained, the results of concrete durability testing should be considered when making the final determination of the D-cracking susceptibility of the aggregate in question. The following applications for the pore index test have been recommended for consideration: concrete durability testing be discontinued in the evaluation process of new aggregate sources with pore index results between 0-20 (Class 2 durability) and over 35 (Class 1) durability; composite aggregates with intermediate pore index results of 20-35 be tested on each stone type to facilitate the possible removal of low durability stone from the production process; and additional investigation should be made to evaluate the possibility of using the test to monitor and upgrade the acceptance of aggregate from sources associated with D-cracking.

Análise de risco em quatro sistemas de rotação de culturas para trigo, num período de dez anos, em Passo Fundo, RS

Num período de dez anos (1980 a 1989), foi conduzido, na Embrapa-Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo (CNPT), em Passo Fundo, RS, experimento reunindo quatro sistemas de rotação de culturas para trigo (Triticum aestivum L.): sistema I (trigo/soja); sistema II (trigo/soja, colza/soja, cevada/soja e tremoço ou serradela/milho); sistema III (trigo/soja, trevo vesiculoso/trevo vesiculoso, trevo vesiculoso/milho, de 1980 a 1983, e trigo/soja, aveia branca/soja e ervilhaca/milho, de 1984 a 1989); e sistema IV (trigo/soja, colza/soja, linho/soja e tremoço ou serradela/milho). Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e parcelas com área útil de 120 m². No presente trabalho, mostra-se a análise de risco naquele período. Foram aplicados dois tipos de análise na receita líquida dos sistemas: análise da média variância e análise de risco (distribuição de probabilidade acumulada e dominância estocástica). Pela análise da média variância da receita líquida, os sistemas II e IV foram superiores aos sistemas I e III. Pelo método da dominância estocástica, o sistema II apresentou- se como a melhor alternativa de produção a ser oferecida aos agricultores, do ponto de vista de lucratividade e menor risco.

El secreto de Vera Drake (2004) y Las Normas de la Casa de la Sidra (1999): el aborto en el cine y su utilización en la docencia

El Secreto de Vera Drake (2004) de Mike Leigh y de Las Normas de la Casa de la Sidra (1999) de Lasse Hallström presentan la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo y las circunstancias que la rodean en un total de diez abortos y un parto. El Secreto de Vera Drake nos muestra a una mujer de clase media-baja que"ayuda a chicas jóvenes" a poner fin a embarazos no deseados sin aceptar dinero a cambio. Su secreto se desvelará cuando una de las jóvenes a la que practicó un aborto sufre complicaciones y es condenada. Las Normas de la Casa de la Sidra presenta la historia de Homer Wells, un joven que nace y crece en un orfanato donde su responsable, el Dr. Larch, le enseña a asistir partos y a practicar abortos. Un día Homer siente la necesidad de volar libre fuera del orfanato e inicia un viaje que le acercará a otras realidades que le llevarán a reconsiderar su postura en contra del aborto. Ambas películas pueden ser un material útil para estudiar aspectos clínicos, éticos y sociodemográficos del aborto inducido en las enseñanzas de medicina, enfermería y matrona.

Iowa Motorcycle Ride Meter, HR-1019, 1980

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) through the Highway Division is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of roadways that will provide a high level of serviceability to the motorist. First, the motorist expects to be able to get where he wants to go, but now he also demands a minimum level of comfort. In the construction of new roadways, the public is quick to express dissatisfaction with rough pavements. The Highway Division of the Iowa DOT (formerly Iowa State Highway Commission) has a specification which requires a "smooth-riding surface". For over 40 years, new portland cement concrete (pcc) pavement has been checked with a 10-foot rolling straightedge. The contractor is required to grind, saw or mill off all high spots that deviate more than 1/8" from the 10-foot straight line. Unfortunately, there are instances where a roadway that will meet the above criteria does not provide a "smooth-riding surface". The roadway may have monger undulations (swales) that result in an undesirable ride. The objective of this project was to develop a repeatable, reliable time stable, lightweight test unit to measure the riding quality of pcc pavement at normal highway speed the day after construction.

High Range Water Reducer in Portland Cement Concrete Made with D-Cracking Susceptible Coarse Aggregate, HR-1021, 1980

The objective of this research was to determine of the use of High Range Water Reducers (HRWR) (resulting in a lower water content ratio) with a D-cracking susceptible crushed limestone coarse aggregate would yield significant improvement in the durability.

Thin Maintenance Surfaces - Phase I, TR-435, 1999

The first phase of a two-phase research project was conducted to develop guidelines for Iowa transportation officials on the use of thin maintenance surfaces (TMS) for asphaltic concrete and bituminous roads. Thin maintenance surfaces are seal coats (chip seals), slurry seals, and micro-surfacing. Interim guidelines were developed to provide guidance on which roads are good candidates for TMS, when TMS should be placed, and what type of thin maintenance surface should be selected. The guidelines were developed specifically for Iowa aggregates, weather, traffic conditions, road user expectations, and transportation official expectations. In addition to interim guidelines, this report presents recommendations for phase-two research. It is recommended that test section monitoring continue and that further investigations be conducted regarding thin maintenance surface aggregate, additional test sections, placed, and a design method adopted for seal coats.

Avaliação do progresso genético obtido em 22 anos no melhoramento do arroz irrigado em Minas Gerais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho do programa de melhoramento genético do arroz irrigado, no Estado de Minas Gerais. Foram utilizados os dados de produtividade de grãos dos ensaios comparativos avançados de cultivares e linhagens de arroz irrigado, conduzidos em várias microrregiões do Estado de Minas Gerais, durante o período de 1974/75 a 1995/96. O ganho genético médio obtido em todo o período foi de 33 kg/ha/ano (0,98%), sendo altamente significativo (P<0,01). O período de 22 anos foi subdividido em duas fases: na primeira (1974/75 a 1979/80), observou-se um ganho de 203 kg/ha/ano (6,06%), o qual foi altamente significativo, e a segunda fase (1980/81 a 1995/96) apresentou um ganho de 15 kg/ha/ano (0,25%), o qual não foi significativo. Atribui-se o alto ganho da primeira fase à substituição de cultivares tradicionais de porte alto e de baixo potencial produtivo por cultivares melhoradas, como Inca, BG 90-2 e MG 2. Na segunda fase do programa, deu-se um enfoque maior à obtenção de cultivares mais resistentes a doenças e com melhor qualidade de grãos, resultando em ganhos não-significativos quanto à produtividade de grãos.