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Similar correlations have been found for wood that has been soaked in water. Higher modification temperatures and longer processing times contributed to a lower swelling anisotropy (SA).Lung immunity and susceptibility to infections is subject to interactions between the epithelial layer and immune cells residing in the pulmonary space. Aspergillus (A.) fumigatus, the most prevalent pathogenic fungus, affects both upper and lower respiratory tracts of immunocompromised hosts. Several reports implicate corticosteroids as a major risk factor due to their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, which are exacerbated by long-term treatment regimens. Here we demonstrate for the first time the influence of dexamethasone when it comes to germination and hyphae formation of A. fumigatus in the presence of macrophages within a highly differentiated air-liquid interphase (ALI) epithelial/immune lung model. We illustrate suppressed mucus production within the highly differentiated 3D respiratory model as well as significantly decreased cilia beat frequencies by dexamethasone treatment. This goes along with corticosteroid-mediated macrophage M2 polarization within the epithelial/immune microenvironment. Therefore, we here showed that corticosteroids promote enhanced fungal growth and invasion A. fumigatus by creating a suppressive environment affecting both epithelial as well as immune cells.FBX proteins are subunits of the SCF complex (Skp1-cullin-FBX) belonging to the E3 ligase family, which is involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome 26S (UPS) pathway responsible for the post-translational protein turnover. By targeting, in a selective manner, key regulatory proteins for ubiquitination and 26S proteasome degradation, FBX proteins play a major role in plant responses to diverse developmental and stress conditions. Although studies on the genomic organization of the FBX gene family in various species have been reported, knowledge related to bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is scarce and needs to be broadened. Using the latest assembly of the wheat genome, we identified 3670 TaFBX genes distributed non-homogeneously within the three subgenomes (A, B and D) and between the 21 chromosomes, establishing it as one of the richest gene families among plant species. Based on the presence of the five different chromosomal regions previously identified, the present study focused on the genomic distribution of the TaFBX family and the identification of differentially expressed genes during the embryogenesis stages and in response to heat and drought stress. Most of the time, when comparing the expected number of genes (taking into account the formal gene distribution on the entire wheat genome), the TaFBX family harbors a different pattern at the various stratum of observation (subgenome, chromosome, chromosomal regions). We report here that the local gene expansion of the TaFBX family must be the consequence of multiple and complex events, including tandem and small-scale duplications. CFSE Regarding the differentially expressed TaFBX genes, while the majority of the genes are localized in the distal chromosomal regions (R1 and R3), differentially expressed genes are more present in the interstitial regions (R2a and R2b) than expected, which could be an indication of the preservation of major genes in those specific chromosomal regions.Although plant-based diets provide well-established physical and environmental health benefits, omitting meat or meat products has also been associated with a risk of being deficient in specific nutrients, such as iron. As data on the iron status among Norwegian vegans, vegetarians and pescatarians are lacking, the present study aimed to assess iron status in these groups of healthy adults. Blood markers for iron status were measured in 191 participants (18-60 years old) comprising 106 vegans, 54 vegetarians and 31 pescatarians serum-ferritin (S-Fe), serum-iron (S-Iron) and serum-total iron binding capacity (S-TIBC). Serum-transferrin-saturation (S-TSAT) was estimated (S-Iron/S-TIBC × 100). The median concentration of blood markers for iron status were within the normal range with no difference between the different dietary practices. In total, 9% reported iron supplement use the last 24 h. S-Fe concentrations below reference ( less then 15 μg/L) were found in 8% of the participating women, of which one participant reported iron supplement use. In multiple regression analysis, duration of adherence to dietary practices and the female gender were found to be the strongest predictors for decreased S-Fe concentration. In conclusion, although the participants were eating a plant-based diet, the majority had sufficient iron status. Female vegans and vegetarians of reproductive age are at risk of low iron status and should have their iron status monitored.Leaf rust and powdery mildew are two important foliar diseases in wheat. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, obtained by crossing two bread wheat cultivars (‘Victo’ and ‘Spada’), was evaluated for resistance to the two pathogens at seedling stage. Upon developing a genetic map of 8726 SNP loci, linkage analysis identified three resistance Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs), with ‘Victo’ contributing the resistant alleles to all loci. One major QTL (QPm.gb-7A) was detected in response to Blumeria graminis on chromosome 7A, which explained 90% of phenotypic variation (PV). The co-positional relationship with known powdery mildew (Pm) resistance loci suggested that a new source of resistance was identified in T. aestivum. Two QTLs were detected in response to Puccinia triticina a major gene on chromosome 5D (QLr.gb-5D), explaining a total PV of about 59%, and a minor QTL on chromosome 2B (QLr.gb-2B). A positional relationship was observed between the QLr.gb-5D with the known Lr1 gene, but polymorphisms were found between the cloned Lr1 and the corresponding ‘Victo’ allele, suggesting that QLr.gb-5D could represent a new functional Lr1 allele. Lastly, upon anchoring the QTL on the T. aestivum reference genome, candidate genes were hypothesized on the basis of gene annotation and in silico gene expression analysis.