Concerns were raised about the term ‘information’ Participant 7

Concerns were raised about the term ‘information’. Participant 7 said that it implied see more that the provider “[gave] you the information … [before] sending you away” (P7 45–64 F). Participant 10 equated ‘information’ to receiving “pamphlets, graphs and websites “rather than being engaged in a dialogue” (P10 45–64 M). Nine of 12 participants preferred the question ‘… help you understand your health issues?’ Participant 1, said “this question is asking me to judge how I feel that the provider helped me to understand” (P1 ≥65 F). Participant 5, said, “I think ‘help you understand’ … is more of a collaborative thing” (P5

45–64 F). Item 1 remained unchanged after stage two, when all participant responses (N = 15) indicated good understanding. We wanted to know which of the following terms, ‘understand’, ‘consider carefully’ or ‘pay attention’, best describes the work that providers should do when eliciting patients views, priorities or preferences. We also wanted to know which of the following terms—‘worries and concerns’, ‘matter most to you’ or ‘most important to you’—were the most acceptable phrases for inclusion in the item. Participants said that “people recognize ‘listen’ more than [they recognize] ‘consider’ ” (P1 ≥65 F) and remarked, “… I’m not sure what ‘consider carefully’ means” (P10 <45 M). Participants also preferred check details ‘listen’ over ‘pay

attention’. Participant 9 felt that the term

‘listen’ should be used rather than ‘pay attention’ (P9 45–64 M), participant 10 stated, “you can pay attention without understanding [a patient's preferences]” (P10 <45 M). The term ‘listen’ was introduced and the term ‘consider’ was used without the adverb ‘carefully’ in stage 2. There was significant variation in responses to the terms ‘worries and concerns’, issues that ‘matter most to you’ or issues that are ‘most important to you’. As one participant remarked, the use of the term ‘worries and concerns’ may stimulate anxiety: “you might not even know you’re worried until you leave” (P2 ≥65 F). More participants L-NAME HCl preferred the term ‘what matters most’: a view best summarized as follows: “I do like the second one [‘what matters most to you’] more than the first phrase [‘what is most important to you]. What ‘matters most to me’, … makes me think about values and things of value. Or if you’re a person who wants a more holistic approach, and [that] the provider is willing to take that approach …” (P3 ≥65 M). However, lacking a clear consensus, three terms—‘thoughts and opinions’, ‘what matters most’ as well as the more technically accurate term ‘preferences’—were retained for comparison in stage two interviews. In stage two, the term ‘listen’ was preferred by the majority of participants and was adopted into the final item.

The new version of the STEAM model (St2, STEAM2, Jalkanen et al

The new version of the STEAM model (St2, STEAM2, Jalkanen et al. 2012) used in this study also calculates emissions of CO, CO2 and particulate matter (elementary and organic carbon, ash, hydrated SO4). The main advantage of the

new AIS-based inventory is its excellent temporal and spatial resolution. The modelled 2008–2011 average oxidised nitrogen (NOx), reduced nitrogen (NHx) and sulphur (S) depositions are presented in Figure 1. The dry deposition share of the total NOx deposition increases http://www.selleckchem.com/products/MDV3100.html from 10–20% over the northern Gulf of Bothnia to 20–30% in the Sea of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Riga, being 30–40% in the central Baltic Proper and in the southern Baltic Sea. The share of reduced nitrogen in the total N deposition was less than 30% north of Åland, increasing gradually southwards to over 50% in the Kattegat and Belt Sea areas.

There was a rather sharp dry deposition gradient over the shorelines for both selleck chemicals llc nitrogen compounds. The 2008–2011 average depositions of NOx and S caused by the international ship traffic in the BS are presented in Figure 2 and the ship deposition shares of the respective total deposition in Figure 3. The annual sums of the total and ship-emission-originated depositions of sulphur and nitrogen to the BS with a map of BS sub-basins – the Gulf of Bothnia (B1), the Gulf of Finland (B2), the northern Baltic Proper (B3), the southern Baltic Proper (B4) and the Kattegat and the Belt Sea (B5) – are presented Calpain in Figure 4. The ship emission originated deposition of oxidised nitrogen increased between 2008 to 2011 from 12 to 14% of the BS total NOx deposition, while the respective sulphur deposition declined from 28 to 20% of the total due to the sulphur directive restrictions. Sulphur is effectively dry-deposited

into the sea, only 19–25% of the ship emission originated sulphur deposition is wet deposition. The total modelled NOx deposition to the BS was respectively 6% and 15% lower in 2008 and 2011 but 1% and 5% higher in 2009 and 2010 than the most recent EMEP estimates from HELCOM 2013. The modelled deposition of NHx was respectively 18, 22, 5 and 15% lower than the EMEP estimate for the years 2008–2011. One reason for the difference is the high deposition gradient at the coastline: in Hilatar, the deposition was integrated only over grid points with 100% open water (372 954 km2), while the complete 0.068° Hirlam BS mask of 420 325 km2, also covered non-marine water areas in the BS coastal zone. Total depositions have a rather high seasonal variation (Figure 5). During spring and early summer when the MABL is usually stably stratified, accumulated precipitation is low and storms are rare, depositions have their minimum values.

The integrity of plasmatic and acrosomal membranes and mitochondr

The integrity of plasmatic and acrosomal membranes and mitochondrial function were evaluated by the association of propidium iodide (PI; Sigma, St. Louis,

MO, USA), fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA; Sigma), iodide of 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloride-1,1′,3,3′-tetraetyl-benzimidazolyl-carbocyanine (JC-1; Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR, USA) and Hoechst 33342 (H342; Molecular Probes) fluorescent probes using the protocol of Celeghini et al. [4]. The probe JC-1 was used to measure changes in mitochondrial membrane check details potential; the green fluorescence from JC-1 occurs at low membrane potential, whereas the red–orange fluorescence is due to formation of aggregates at high membrane potential [7] and [8]. The reading was done with the use of an epifluorescent microscope (Nikon, Eclipse 80i, Melville, NY, USA) with BIRB 796 research buy a triple filter (D/F/R, C58420) presenting the UV-2E/C sets (excitation 340–380 nm and emission 435–485 nm), B-2E/C (465–495 nm excitation and 515–555 nm emission) and G-2E/C (540–525 nm excitation and 605–655 nm emission), with magnification of 1000×. Two hundred cells were examinated and classified, based on the fluorescence emitted by each probe, using the classification proposed by Celeghini et al. [4]. The experimental statistical design was distributed in random blocks, with five treatments (PC, NC, T50, T100 e T150) and four days of collection. The data generated was evaluated by variance analysis and then

mean comparison by the Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD) test, adopting a significance level of 5%. Semen cryopreservation affected the subjective sperm motility (MES), as this parameter was significantly greater (P < 0.001) in fresh semen (85% ± 0.0) than in the post thawed in all treatments (PC = 42.5 ± 4.3, Morin Hydrate NC = 46.2 ± 1.2, T50 = 48.7 ± 1.2, T100 = 48.7 ± 1.2, and T150 = 48.7 ± 3.1%). However there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the treatments after thawing, as seen in Fig. 1A. The subjective sperm vigor (VES) of the thawed semen demonstrated that 100% of evaluations were considered with

vigor 3 in the T100, similar to the PC ( Fig. 1B). Total motility (MT) and progressive motility (MP) of thawed semen in the different treatments can be observed in Fig. 2. The total and progressive motility in the treatments were: PC = 65.0 ± 8.3 and 54.0 ± 6.6; NC = 63.5 ± 2.9 and 49.2 ± 3.1; T50 = 62.2 ± 4.3 and 52.0 ± 3.1; T100 = 70.0 ± 3.7 and 59.5 ± 3.1 and T150 = 62.7 ± 6.3 and 52.0 ± 5.2%, with no significant difference (P > 0.05) observed among the treatments. Sperm velocity after thawing was evaluated with the CASA system as mean path velocity (VAP), progressive straight velocity (VSL) and curvilinear velocity (VCL). In Table 1, the three velocity parameters are showed for each respective treatment, where VAP presented values ranging from 93.9 (T100) to 102.2 μm/s (T50). The VSL obtained by the CASA system demonstrated values between 78.

Camila Zambone C Da Silva was a recipient of graduate fellowship

Camila Zambone C. Da Silva was a recipient of graduate fellowships from FAPESP (grant 07/56280-0). “
“The author name of Cynthia Shannon Weickert was published incorrectly as Cynthia Shannon Weicker. The correct author name is Cynthia Shannon Weickert. “
“The aim of this paper is to present a theory that tries to bridge the gap between ongoing oscillatory brain activity in the alpha frequency range and the generation of early components of the visual event-related

potential (ERP). It is suggested that early ERP components – and the P1 in particular – are generated at least in part by oscillations in the alpha frequency range (cf. Klimesch et al., 2007a, Klimesch et al., 2007b and Sauseng Bcl-2 inhibitor et al., 2007 for an extensive discussion and review of this issue). Thus, see more we start with a brief outline of the functionality

of alpha in this section. Then, in Section 2, we discuss the functionality of the P1 in relation to alpha on the basis of a brief selective literature review. In Section 3, the details of the proposed theory are presented, and its explanatory power and predictions are discussed. The central hypothesis thereby is that the P1 amplitude reflects inhibition that enables the suppression of task irrelevant and potentially competing processes. Finally, in Section 4, we focus on a variety of implications of this theory with respect to cognitive and physiological either processes. The proposed theory is based on two general assumptions about the generation and modulation of the visual P1 component. (1) The first assumption relates the P1 component to alpha oscillations and comprises three aspects: (1a) The P1 is generated and modulated at least in part by alpha oscillations. The inhibition-timing hypothesis is the central link between the inferred (physiological and cognitive) functionality of alpha and the P1. Thus, we start with a brief summary of this hypothesis (see Klimesch et al. 2007a for an extensive review). The central idea is that alpha reflects inhibitory processes

(operating under top–down control or in a default like mode) that control cortical activation. Alpha amplitude (or power) is associated with a certain level of inhibition whereas phase reflects the time and direction of a rhythmic change in inhibition (build up of and release from inhibition). For event-related processes and the generation of early ERP components we assume that alpha phase reorganization will be a powerful mechanism for the event-related timing of cortical processes that underlie the generation of the P1 (cf. Klimesch et al., 2007b). With respect to its cognitive functionality, we have suggested that alpha reflects a basic processing mode that controls the flow of information in the cortex of the human brain (Klimesch et al., 2007a and Klimesch et al., 2007b).

We used adult individuals of L terrestris obtained from two comm

We used adult individuals of L. terrestris obtained from two commercial suppliers (R. Pechmann, Langenzersdorf, Austria; Denu’s Würmer Stuttgart, Germany), with a mean initial biomass of 3684 ± 365 mg. Adult and semi-adult individuals of A. caliginosa, with a mean initial biomass of 705 ± 54 mg were collected by hand-sorting from a garden soil south of Vienna, Austria in March 2008. After four days in the labelled soil, earthworms were transferred into new boxes containing 200 g unlabelled and sterilized moist soil. Boxes were again stored in the

dark at 15 °C and re-randomized daily. On days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 after transferring the earthworms into unlabelled soil, a pooled sample Buparlisib cost of casts (a small portion of all casts present in a box taken with a laboratory scoop’s point) and one earthworm were collected from each replicate and analysed (see below). Since we planned to use labelled

selleck compound casts of L. terrestris for a subsequent experiment, we wanted to test how the isotopic enrichment would be affected by storage. Therefore, after the last worm was taken out of the boxes on day 21 of the above described sampling period, labelled L. terrestris casts from treatment “once + incub” were stored in two different ways. First, three boxes containing the labelled casts were stored in the dark at 15 °C in a conditioning cabinet with no additional moisture being added throughout the storage period. Second, six cast samples from each box were packed separately in plastic tissue capsules with grid openings on each side (volume ca. 3 ml;

Histosette I, Simport, Beloeil, QC, Canada) and buried at a depth of 30 cm in a pot filled with field soil (volume 40 l) in a greenhouse (mean temperature during storing period: 14.5 ± 3.1 °C). A pooled cast sample of each box and a plastic tissue capsule corresponding to each box were taken every two weeks over PAK5 a period of 105 days and prepared for analyses. The earthworm cast samples were dried at 60° for 24 h and homogenized with a ball mill. The earthworms taken from the boxes were rinsed individually with water, dried on tissue paper, weighed and deep-frozen (−20 °C). Later on they were dissected and cleaned of internal organs including intestines by rinsing with a fine stream of distilled water. Only the anterior 15 segments of the frozen earthworms were used to avoid contamination from intestinal contents. Earthworm tissue was dried for 24 h at 60 °C and pulverized manually using a mortar and pestle. Earthworm casts and earthworm tissues were analysed for 13C and 15N by continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS). For calculations, isotopic enrichment was expressed in atom % excess (APE), where APE is the difference in atom % between the sample and the natural abundance level of 13C and 15N in the worm tissue or casts from control treatments (L. terrestris: tissue 1.080 ± 0.002 at.% 13C, 0.369 ± 0.0004 at.% 15N, casts 1.096 ± 0.001 at.% 13C, 0.379 ± 0.006 at.% 15N; A.

, 1998) SE-induced nerve cell damage was considered to occur thr

, 1998). SE-induced nerve cell damage was considered to occur through both necrosis and apoptosis, whereas eosinophilic cells and nuclear fragmentation

in TUNEL staining was observed in SE-submitted animals (Kubova et al., 2004 and Sankar et al., 1998). In addition to the acute neuronal death, early life-induced SE can cause long-standing structural and functional changes in the brain. Raf inhibitor Young rats (until 3 weeks old) submitted to SE presented a severe memory impairment in several tasks such as inhibitory avoidance and water maze at adulthood (de Oliveira et al., 2008, Hoffmann et al., 2004 and Sayin et al., 2004). Moreover, animals also displayed alterations in their emotional behavior, which was characterized by higher Navitoclax purchase levels of anxiety when exposed to the light–dark box and elevated plus maze (de Oliveira et al., 2008 and Sayin et al., 2004). SE-induced neuronal degeneration has been frequently associated with an excessive activation of NMDA ionotropic glutamate receptors (NMDAR) (Holopainen, 2008) and previous studies have demonstrated that pretreatment with NMDAR antagonists is neuroprotective against SE-induced neuronal death (Clifford et al., 1990, Fujikawa, 1995 and Holmes, 2004). However, despite the treatment of patients with SE started after onset of seizures, there are no studies investigating the effects of NMDAR blockage during SE. Thus, it becomes important to know the effectiveness of post-SE Urease onset treatments

with NMDAR antagonists in order to avoid the short- and long-lasting alterations induced by SE. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the putative protective action of a post-SE onset treatment with ketamine, a non-competitive NMDAR antagonist, on SE-induced neuronal death as well as on long-term behavioral alterations in animals submitted to SE early in life. The convulsive pattern presented by LiCl–pilocarpine-treated

animals was similar to that described by de Oliveira et al. (2008). Systemic administration of LiCl–pilocarpine produced defecation, salivation, body tremor, and scratching within 2 to 8 min. This behavioral pattern progressed within 8 to 13 min to increased levels of motor activity and culminated in SE in all animals. SE was characterized by sustained orofacial automatisms, salivation, chewing, forelimb clonus, loss of righting reflex and falling. Animals treated with ketamine after SE onset presented a distinct behavioral pattern of seizures when compared with LiCl–pilocarpine rats. Five minutes after antagonist administration, both groups that received ketamine at 15 min (SE+KET15) or at 60 min (SE+KET60) showed a reduction in the intensity of sustained orofacial automatisms, forelimbs clonus and chewing, without recovery of the loss of righting reflex. The SE-induced motor activity was stopped only 70 min after SE onset for both ketamine-treated groups. Ketamine when administered at doses higher than 45 mg/kg, caused death in all SE-induced animals (data not shown).

, 1996, Majchrowski, 2001 and Woźniak and Dera, 2007) The relati

, 1996, Majchrowski, 2001 and Woźniak and Dera, 2007). The relationship between the number of quanta and the energy of the light absorbed by phytoplankton pigments is given by the so-called quantum equivalent of light energy X, which is equal to the ratio of the number of quanta absorbed to the sum of their energies. By taking this equivalent X into account, we can calculate the energy efficiencies of fluorescence Rfl and PD0325901 rfl on the basis of the corresponding quantum yields of this process Φfl and qfl, using the equations given in Table 1 (lines 1, 2). For these calculations, we take the value of X that we calculated for the

light absorbed by all phytoplankton pigments 1. using the equations from the earlier comprehensive light-photosynthesis model ( Woźniak et al. 2003). The vertical distributions of X in sea waters of different trophic types and at different depths

in the upper water layers, of thicknesses from 1 to 2 times the depth of the euphotic zone, are given in Figure 2. From the characteristics of the variability of X it becomes clear that the energy efficiencies of chlorophyll learn more a fluorescence (Rfl and rfl) are usually somewhat lower than the quantum yields of this process (Φfl and qfl), especially in oligotrophic, mesotrophic and weakly eutrophic basins. Again, the energy efficiencies of photosynthesis (Rph and rph) are usually some four times smaller than the corresponding quantum yields of the process (Φph and qph). This is because a minimum of eight quanta from all the light quanta absorbed by PSP molecules (together with the chlorophyll a molecules at the photosynthetic reaction centres) are required to close off the cycle of endoenergetic chemical

reactions in photosynthesis leading to the assimilation of one atom of carbon, even though not Florfenicol all of the energy of these eight quanta is utilized in these reactions ( Govindjee, 1975 and Najafpour, 2012). The energy equivalent of organic carbon kep contained in various organic substances may fluctuate within quite wide limits, depending on the type of substance involved. For substances photosynthesized by phytoplankton this equivalent kep ≈ 40 kJ g− 1 ( Koblentz Mischke et al. 1985). This calculation shows that for one atom of carbon to be assimilated, that is, for it to be bound in an organic form, the energy contained in two quanta of light from the visible spectrum is more than sufficient. The resulting relationships between the energy efficiencies (Rph and rph) and quantum yields (Φph and qph) of the photosynthesis of phytoplankton in the sea are given in Table 1, lines 2 and 4. Likewise, the efficiencies of the conversion of pigment molecule excitation energy into heat (in the radiationless and nonphotochemical dissipation of this energy) RH and rH differ from the quantum yields of these processes ΦH and qH.

Nazima N Kathiria, Charles B Higgins, and Karen G Ordovas Many

Nazima N. Kathiria, Charles B. Higgins, and Karen G. Ordovas Many novel cardiac MR sequences can be used for assessment of adult patients with congenital heart disease. Although most of these techniques are still primarily used in the research arena,

click here there are many potential applications in clinical practice. Advanced cardiac MR assessment of myocardial tissue characterization, flow hemodynamics, and myocardial strain are promising tools for diagnostic and prognostic assessment late after repair of congenital heart diseases. Maurice B. Bizino, Michael L. Sala, Paul de Heer, Pieternel van der Tol, Jan W.A. Smit, Andrew G. Webb, Albert de Roos, and Hildebrandus J. Lamb The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by ectopic lipid accumulation. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and spectroscopy can quantify ectopic lipid accumulation. Consequences of MetS AG-014699 purchase can be evaluated with MR on a whole-body level. In the liver, several techniques are used to quantify hepatic steatosis

and differentiate stages of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Cardiac MR can quantify myocardial steatosis and associated complications. In the brain, magnetization transfer imaging and diffusion tensor imaging can detect microstructural brain damage. Various other organs can be assessed with MR. MR is a powerful tool to unravel whole-body MetS pathophysiology, monitor therapeutic efficacy, and establish prognosis. Pierluigi Ciet and Diana E. Litmanovich Because of its lack of ionizing radiation, MR imaging is increasingly used for patients with cardiovascular disease, including young women. However, the risks related Phosphoglycerate kinase to the MR environment need to be acknowledged and prevented. For women, there are unique gender-related safety issues that are important to address in cardiovascular MR examinations. This article familiarizes radiologists with MR safety issues and current, evidence-based recommendations for specific situations such as pregnancy or lactation and imaging of women who have pelvic gynecologic devices such as intrauterine devices. Practical algorithms to minimize risk and increase

MR safety for these women are suggested. Stefan L. Zimmerman Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a rare inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricular myocardium and risk of sudden death from ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plays an important role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients and family members suspected of having ARVC/D. This article discusses the epidemiology and pathophysiology of ARVC/D, reviews typical MR imaging findings and diagnostic criteria, and summarizes potential pitfalls in the MR imaging evaluation of patients suspected of having ARVC/D. Robert Groves, Danielle Chan, Marianna Zagurovskaya, and Shawn D.

Depending on the change in the endotoxicity and composition (Endo

Depending on the change in the endotoxicity and composition (Endolo vs Endohi), the intestinal microbiota might promote intestinal homeostasis or trigger inflammation. Up to this point, we demonstrated that the differences in the LPS of E coli were essential for the ability of E coli to induce or prevent colitis, as shown by feeding experiments with E coliWT inducing inflammation and E coliMUT preventing disease. To demonstrate conclusively that LPS of E coliWT and E coliMUT mediated the pro- or anti-inflammatory effect, we investigated whether the feeding of purified WT LPS from E coliWT (LPSWT) or mutant LPS (LPSMUT) from

E coliMUT could confirm MS-275 ic50 these results ( Supplementary Figure 2). Therefore, we challenged Endolo and EndohiRag1−/− mice with purified LPSWT or LPSMUT. Treatment of EndoloRag1−/− mice with LPSWT, but not with LPSMUT, resulted in induction of colonic inflammation ( Figure 4A), as indicated by an increased histology score ( Figure 4B). In addition,

LPSWT-fed EndohiRag1−/− mice showed increased colonic inflammation as compared with LPSMUT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice ( Figure 4A and B). The histology of the inflamed mucosa resembled the pathology of Endohi mice ( Figure 2B and C). Dose−response experiments clearly demonstrated that the protection of Endohi mice from inflammation followed a LPSMUT dose response ( Supplementary Figure 6). The relative abundance of phyla in intestinal microbiota of LPSWT- and LPSMUT-treated Endolo or EndohiRag1−/− mice was determined CTLA-4 antibody inhibitor ( Supplementary Figure 7, Supplementary Table 3) by 454 sequencing of the 16S rDNA amplicons. However, it remains unclear whether the changes in the composition of the microbiota due to administration of LPS are a cause or consequence

of the altered host immune response along with the development of colitis, and whether this change is an epiphenomenon or shows a causal effect. Feeding LPSWT to EndoloRag1−/− mice Carbohydrate resulted in significantly more activated lp DC in terms of CD40 and MHC class II expression as compared with LPSMUT-treated EndoloRag1−/− mice ( Figure 4C). Lamina propria DC of LPSMUT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice showed significantly lower expressions of CD40 than LPSWT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice and comparable low amounts of MHC class II ( Figure 4C). Feeding LPSWT to EndoloRag1−/− mice resulted in significantly more lp CD4+ T cells as compared with treatment with LPSMUT ( Figure 4D). Total numbers of lp T cells of LPSWT-treated EndoloRag1−/− mice were significantly higher than in LPSMUT-treated EndoloRag1−/− mice ( Figure 4D). In LPSWT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice, the number of CD4+ T cells was significantly increased. In line with histologic scoring, the absence of colitis in LPSMUT-treated EndohiRag1−/− mice was associated with a significantly decreased frequency of lp T cells ( Figure 4D). This was consistent with the total numbers of lp T cells ( Figure 4D).

Diverse cis-elements in the promoters of SiCKX genes suggest that

Diverse cis-elements in the promoters of SiCKX genes suggest that CKX proteins are expressed in different plant tissues. For example, SiCKX1, SiCKX3, SiCKX4, SiCKX5, SiCKX8, SiCKX9, and SiCKX10 all have salt-responsive element (GT1GMSCAM4) ( Table 2) and their gene expressions were obviously up-regulated under salt condition ( Fig. 6). Conversely, other genes (SiCKX2, SiCKX6, SiCKX7, and SiCKX11)

were not responsive to salt stress compared to the control ( Fig. 6) learn more probably due to the lack of the salt-responsive element ( Table 2). Paralogs are genes derived from duplication events within a genome. Segmental (chromosomal segments) duplication, tandem duplication (duplications in a tandem pattern), and transposition events, can result in duplication of gene families [52]. Duplicate genes provide raw materials Selumetinib for evolution of new gene

functions. Phylogenetic analysis has been commonly used to identify gene families and predict their functional orthologs [37], [53] and [54]. However, there is far less evolutionary information about the CKX gene family in foxtail millet. To detect the expansion of this family in S. italica in our study a phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using full-length SiCKX protein sequences ( Fig. 4). The phylogenetic tree divided the SiCKX genes into several distinct groups. Among the 11 proteins, three pairs of paralogous proteins (SiCKX1/SiCKX3, SiCKX2/SiCKX4, and SiCKX10/SiCKX11) and one tandemly duplicated protein (SiCKX5/SiCKX8) were found, suggesting that divergence in each protein pair occurred relatively late. Each of other three SiCKX proteins,

including SiCKX 6, SiCKX7, and SiCKX9, occupied a distinct branch. Furthermore, SiCKX6 was basal to SiCKX2/SiCKX4. These results suggested that SiCKX6, SiCKX7, and SiCKX9 may have diverged earlier from the other SiCKX proteins. Further investigation suggests that both segmental duplication and tandem duplication led to expansion of CKX gene family in the foxtail millet genome ( Fig. 5). Members of the CKX family in wheat, soybean, cotton, Arabidopsis, and Zea mays showed tissue-specific expression patterns. Wheat TaCKX3 was expressed in embryos, and was strongly up-regulated Adenosine triphosphate by 6-BA [31]. In soybean, GmCKX12 and GmCKX16 were abundant in leaves, while GmCKX13 and GmCKX14 were highly expressed in young shoots [32]. GhCKX transcripts were found in cotton roots, hypocotyls, stems, leaves, and ovules. The highest expression level was found at − 1 DPA (day post anthesis) ovule [55]. Arabidopsis AtCKX1 had slightly higher expression in roots while AtCKX2 was better expressed in shoots [56]. In maize, ZmCKX6, ZmCKX10, and ZmCKX12 were abundant and constitutively expressed in roots, shoots, mature leaves, immature ears, and tassels, whereas ZmCKX2 and ZmCKX3 were preferentially expressed in young leaves and mature leaves, respectively [37].