A chickpea genetic variation map based on the sequencing of 3,366 genomes.

Zero hunger and good health could be realized by 2030 through effective conservation, characterization and utilization of germplasm resources1. So far, few chickpea (Cicer arietinum) germplasm accessions have been characterized at the genome sequence level2. Here we present a detailed map of variation in 3,171 cultivated and 195 wild accessions to provide publicly available resources for chickpea genomics research and breeding. We constructed a chickpea pan-genome to describe genomic diversity across cultivated chickpea and its wild progenitor accessions. A divergence tree using genes present in around 80% of individuals in one species allowed us to estimate the divergence of Cicer over the last 21 million years. Our analysis found chromosomal segments and genes that show signatures of selection during domestication, migration and improvement. The chromosomal locations of deleterious mutations responsible for limited genetic diversity and decreased fitness were identified in elite germplasm. We identified superior haplotypes for improvement-related traits in landraces that can be introgressed into elite breeding lines through haplotype-based breeding, and found targets for purging deleterious alleles through genomics-assisted breeding and/or gene editing. Finally, we propose three crop breeding strategies based on genomic prediction to enhance crop productivity for 16 traits while avoiding the erosion of genetic diversity through optimal contribution selection (OCS)-based pre-breeding. The predicted performance for 100-seed weight, an important yield-related trait, increased by up to 23% and 12% with OCS- and haplotype-based genomic approaches, respectively.

Characterization of 'QTL-hotspot' introgression lines reveals physiological mechanisms and candidate genes associated with drought adaptation in chickpea.

'QTL-hotspot' is a genomic region on linkage group 04 (CaLG04) in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) that harbours major-effect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for multiple drought-adaptive traits, and it therefore represents a promising target for improving drought adaptation. To investigate the mechanisms underpinning the positive effects of 'QTL-hotspot' on seed yield under drought, we introgressed this region from the ICC 4958 genotype into five elite chickpea cultivars. The resulting introgression lines (ILs) and their parents were evaluated in multi-location field trials and semi-controlled conditions. The results showed that the 'QTL-hotspot' region improved seed yield under rainfed conditions by increasing seed weight, reducing the time to flowering, regulating traits related to canopy growth and early vigour, and enhancing transpiration efficiency. Whole-genome sequencing data analysis of the ILs and parents revealed four genes underlying the 'QTL-hotspot' region associated with drought adaptation. We validated diagnostic KASP markers closely linked to these genes using the ILs and their parents for future deployment in chickpea breeding programs. The CaTIFY4b-H2 haplotype of a potential candidate gene CaTIFY4b was identified as the superior haplotype for 100-seed weight. The candidate genes and superior haplotypes identified in this study have the potential to serve as direct targets for genetic manipulation and selection for chickpea improvement.

SSR markers in revealing extent of genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among chickpea core collection accessions for Western Himalayas.

BACKGROUND: The exploration of genetic diversity is the key source of germplasm conservation and potential to broaden its genetic base. The globally growing demand for chickpea suggests superior/climate-resilient varieties, which in turn necessitates the germplasm characterization to unravel underlying genetic variation. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: A chickpea core collection comprising of diverse 192 accessions which include cultivated Cicer arietinum, and wild C. reticulatum, C. echinospermum, and C. microphyllum species were investigated to analyze their genetic diversity and relationship, by assaying 33 unlinked simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The results amplified a total of 323 alleles (Na), ranging from 2 to 8 with an average of 4.25 alleles per locus. Expected heterozygosity (He) differed from 0.46 to 0.86 with an average of 0.68. Polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.73 to 0.98 with an average of 0.89. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that most of the variation was among individuals (87%). Cluster analysis resulted in the formation of four distinct clusters. Cluster I represented all cultivated and clusters II, III, and IV comprised a heterogeneous group of cultivated and wild chickpea accessions. CONCLUSION: We report considerable diversity and greater resolving power of SSR markers for assessing variability and interrelationship among the chickpea accessions. The chickpea core is expected to be an efficient resource for breeders for broadening the chickpea genetic base and could be useful for selective breeding of desirable traits and in the identification of target genes for genomics-assisted breeding.

Global-level population genomics reveals differential effects of geography and phylogeny on horizontal gene transfer in soil bacteria.

Although microorganisms are known to dominate Earth's biospheres and drive biogeochemical cycling, little is known about the geographic distributions of microbial populations or the environmental factors that pattern those distributions. We used a global-level hierarchical sampling scheme to comprehensively characterize the evolutionary relationships and distributional limitations of the nitrogen-fixing bacterial symbionts of the crop chickpea, generating 1,027 draft whole-genome sequences at the level of bacterial populations, including 14 high-quality PacBio genomes from a phylogenetically representative subset. We find that diverse Mesorhizobium taxa perform symbiosis with chickpea and have largely overlapping global distributions. However, sampled locations cluster based on the phylogenetic diversity of Mesorhizobium populations, and diversity clusters correspond to edaphic and environmental factors, primarily soil type and latitude. Despite long-standing evolutionary divergence and geographic isolation, the diverse taxa observed to nodulate chickpea share a set of integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) that encode the major functions of the symbiosis. This symbiosis ICE takes 2 forms in the bacterial chromosome-tripartite and monopartite-with tripartite ICEs confined to a broadly distributed superspecies clade. The pairwise evolutionary relatedness of these elements is controlled as much by geographic distance as by the evolutionary relatedness of the background genome. In contrast, diversity in the broader gene content of Mesorhizobium genomes follows a tight linear relationship with core genome phylogenetic distance, with little detectable effect of geography. These results illustrate how geography and demography can operate differentially on the evolution of bacterial genomes and offer useful insights for the development of improved technologies for sustainable agriculture.

Genetic dissection of drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

KEY MESSAGE: Analysis of phenotypic data for 20 drought tolerance traits in 1-7 seasons at 1-5 locations together with genetic mapping data for two mapping populations provided 9 QTL clusters of which one present on CaLG04 has a high potential to enhance drought tolerance in chickpea improvement. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the second most important grain legume cultivated by resource poor farmers in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Drought is one of the major constraints leading up to 50% production losses in chickpea. In order to dissect the complex nature of drought tolerance and to use genomics tools for enhancing yield of chickpea under drought conditions, two mapping populations-ICCRIL03 (ICC 4958 × ICC 1882) and ICCRIL04 (ICC 283 × ICC 8261) segregating for drought tolerance-related root traits were phenotyped for a total of 20 drought component traits in 1-7 seasons at 1-5 locations in India. Individual genetic maps comprising 241 loci and 168 loci for ICCRIL03 and ICCRIL04, respectively, and a consensus genetic map comprising 352 loci were constructed ( http://cmap.icrisat.ac.in/cmap/sm/cp/varshney/). Analysis of extensive genotypic and precise phenotypic data revealed 45 robust main-effect QTLs (M-QTLs) explaining up to 58.20% phenotypic variation and 973 epistatic QTLs (E-QTLs) explaining up to 92.19% phenotypic variation for several target traits. Nine QTL clusters containing QTLs for several drought tolerance traits have been identified that can be targeted for molecular breeding. Among these clusters, one cluster harboring 48% robust M-QTLs for 12 traits and explaining about 58.20% phenotypic variation present on CaLG04 has been referred as "QTL-hotspot". This genomic region contains seven SSR markers (ICCM0249, NCPGR127, TAA170, NCPGR21, TR11, GA24 and STMS11). Introgression of this region into elite cultivars is expected to enhance drought tolerance in chickpea.

Pulmonary Nocardiosis In A Patient With Diabetes Mellitus.

Nocardiosis is considered as one of the rare systemic infections. It is usually prevalent in immunocompromised individuals though few cases have been reported in immunocompetent individuals as well. With the advent of new microbiological classifications and increasing progress in laboratory technology this infection is being diagnosed more frequently. Hence it is important to diagnose and treat this disease timely in order to reduce its associated morbidity and mortality. Nocardiosis is a rare condition and is often overlooked. Hence this case is presented.

Feature-based volumetric defect classification in metal additive manufacturing.

Volumetric defect types commonly observed in the additively manufactured parts differ in their morphologies ascribed to their formation mechanisms. Using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, this study analyzes the morphological features of volumetric defects, and their statistical distribution, in laser powder bed fused Ti-6Al-4V. The geometries of three common types of volumetric defects; i.e., lack of fusions, gas-entrapped pores, and keyholes, are quantified by nine parameters including maximum dimension, roundness, sparseness, aspect ratio, and more. It is shown that the three defect types share overlaps of different degrees in the ranges of their morphological parameters; thus, employing only one or two parameters cannot uniquely determine a defect's type. To overcome this challenge, a defect classification methodology incorporating multiple morphological parameters has been proposed. In this work, by employing the most discriminating parameters, this methodology has been shown effective when implemented into decision tree (>98% accuracy) and artificial neural network (>99% accuracy).

Allelopathic activity of some Sri Lankan seaweed extracts and the isolation of a new brominated nonaromatic isolaurene type sesquiterpene from red alga Laurencia heteroclada harvey.

This study investigated the allelopathic activity of sixteen seaweed extracts using lettuce seed germination bioassay. The results of the preliminary investigation suggested that the methanol extracts of seven seaweeds demonstrated significant properties inhibitory to seed germination. In addition, chemical investigation of an active extract of the alleopathic Laurencia heteroclada Harvey led to the isolation of four known compounds as well as a new brominated nonaromatic isolaurene type sesquiterpene. The structural elucidation of pure compounds was carried out using spectroscopic methods and by comparison with literature. As seaweeds are highly abundant around Sri Lanka, they could be developed as an ecofriendly natural herbicide in their crude form.

Translational Chickpea Genomics Consortium to Accelerate Genetic Gains in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

The Translational Chickpea Genomics Consortium (TCGC) was set up to increase the production and productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). It represents research institutes from six major chickpea growing states (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh) of India. The TCGC team has been engaged in deploying modern genomics approaches in breeding and popularizing improved varieties in farmers' fields across the states. Using marker-assisted backcrossing, introgression lines with enhanced drought tolerance and fusarium wilt resistance have been developed in the genetic background of 10 elite varieties of chickpea. Multi-location evaluation of 100 improved lines (70 desi and 30 kabuli) during 2016-2017 and 2018-2019 enabled the identification of top performing desi and kabuli lines. In total, 909 Farmer Participatory Varietal Selection trials were conducted in 158 villages in 16 districts of the five states, during 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020, involving 16 improved varieties. New molecular breeding lines developed in different genetic backgrounds are potential candidates for national trials under the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Chickpea. The comprehensive efforts of TCGC resulted in the development and adoption of high-yielding varieties that will increase chickpea productivity and the profitability of chickpea growing farmers.

Acute Spontaneous Cervical Spinal Epidural Haematoma a Very Rare Presentation Mimicking of Carotid Dissection during Sleep.

Acute spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma without any identified etiology is a rare phenomenon and an uncommon cause of acute spinal cord compression. We report a case of acute spontaneous cervical spinal epidural hematoma, with sudden onset of acute neck pain and left-side body weakness during sleep which resembling of cervicle carotid dissection. The pain commenced suddenly, early in the morning while the patient was asleep. He had no previous history of any relevant medical disorder. Cervical Spine MRI revealed a cervical epidural haematoma at C3/C4, mainly on the left side, with spinal cord compression. Therefore, an emergent C3/C6 hemilaminectomy and evacuation of hematoma were carried out within 24 h of presentation. The patient's neck pain resolved after surgery and he was able to walk, though he required bladder catheterization on discharge after 1 week. He has nearly intact motor neurological examination in the second month of the operation.

Physician-patient interactions and communication with conscious patients during simulated cath lab procedures: an exploratory study.

Background: This exploratory study investigates the feasibility for observing and evaluating intraoperative communication practices using simulation techniques. Complex procedures are increasingly performed on patients under local anaesthesia, where patients are fully conscious. Interventional cardiac procedures are one such example where patients have reported high levels of anxiety undergoing procedures. Although communication styles can serve to alleviate patient anxiety during interventions, leading to a better patient experience, there has been little observational research on communication, while patient perspectives in intraoperative contexts have been underexplored. Methods: In this mixed-methods study, observational analysis was conducted on 20 video-recorded simulated scenarios, featuring physician operators (of varied experience levels), communication and interactions with a simulated patient (trained actor), in a controlled and highly realistic catheter laboratory setting. Two independent raters and the simulated patient embedded in scenarios retrospectively rated physician communication styles and interactions with the patient via four key parameters. Patient perspectives of communication were further explored via a quantitative measure of anxiety and semistructured qualitative interviews. Results: While independent ratings of physician-patient communications demonstrated few discernible differences according to physicians' experience level, patient ratings were consistently higher for experienced physicians and lower for novice physicians for the four interaction styles. Furthermore, the patient's anxiety scores were differentiable according to operators' experience level. Thematic analysis provided further insights into how patient perspectives, including affective dimensions are characterised, and how physician interactions can amplify or attenuate feelings of anxiety through tone of voice, continuity in communication during the procedure, communicating while multitasking and connecting with the patient. Conclusions: Our findings indicate underlying patient assumptions about physicians' experience levels, intraoperative communication styles and impact on anxiety. While observational methods can be applied to simulated intraoperative clinical contexts, evaluation techniques such as observational rating tools need to incorporate patient perspectives about undergoing conscious surgery.

Distributed Simulation as a modelling tool for the development of a simulation-based training programme for cardiovascular specialties.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Distributed Simulation is the concept of portable, high-fidelity immersive simulation. Here, it is used for the development of a simulation-based training programme for cardiovascular specialities. We present an evidence base for how accessible, portable and self-contained simulated environments can be effectively utilised for the modelling, development and testing of a complex training framework and assessment methodology. Iterative user feedback through mixed-methods evaluation techniques resulted in the implementation of the training programme. APPROACH: Four phases were involved in the development of our immersive simulation-based training programme: (1) initial conceptual stage for mapping structural criteria and parameters of the simulation training framework and scenario development (n = 16), (2) training facility design using Distributed Simulation, (3) test cases with clinicians (n = 8) and collaborative design, where evaluation and user feedback involved a mixed-methods approach featuring (a) quantitative surveys to evaluate the realism and perceived educational relevance of the simulation format and framework for training and (b) qualitative semi-structured interviews to capture detailed feedback including changes and scope for development. Refinements were made iteratively to the simulation framework based on user feedback, resulting in (4) transition towards implementation of the simulation training framework, involving consistent quantitative evaluation techniques for clinicians (n = 62). For comparative purposes, clinicians' initial quantitative mean evaluation scores for realism of the simulation training framework, realism of the training facility and relevance for training (n = 8) are presented longitudinally, alongside feedback throughout the development stages from concept to delivery, including the implementation stage (n = 62). FINDINGS: Initially, mean evaluation scores fluctuated from low to average, rising incrementally. This corresponded with the qualitative component, which augmented the quantitative findings; trainees' user feedback was used to perform iterative refinements to the simulation design and components (collaborative design), resulting in higher mean evaluation scores leading up to the implementation phase. CONCLUSIONS: Through application of innovative Distributed Simulation techniques, collaborative design, and consistent evaluation techniques from conceptual, development, and implementation stages, fully immersive simulation techniques for cardiovascular specialities are achievable and have the potential to be implemented more broadly.

MUC4 expression and localization in gastrointestinal tract and skin of human embryos.

MUC4 is a heterodimeric membrane mucin, composed of two tightly linked subunits and implicated in the protection of wet-surfaced epithelia. Although human MUC4 and its rat analogue Muc4/sialomucin complex have been extensively studied in the adult human and in the adult and embryonic rat, respectively, there has been little attention paid to date to the human embryo. Based on studies with our monoclonal antibody 1G8 and commercial tissue arrays, we describe some unexpected features of the expression of MUC4 in human embryonic epithelia. In the human small intestine and colon, MUC4 appears at an earlier relative stage of development, compared to gestation time, than in the rat. Interestingly, MUC4 also appears in the embryo in the skin, then disappears late in gestation, consistent with its absence in adult skin. These results are consistent with an important protective role for MUC4 in the human embryo that is different from that in the rat or in the adult human.

Complications of Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plating for Distal Tibial Fractures.

BACKGROUND: The management of distal tibia fractures continues to remain a source of controversy and debate. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the various complications of minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) using a locking plate for closed fractures of distal tibia in a retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with distal tibial fractures, treated by minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis, were evaluated in a retrospective study. We studied the rate, probable etiological factors and preventive and corrective measures of various complications associated with minimally invasive plating of distal tibia. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 41.16 years (range 22 - 65). There were 13 male and 12 female patients. All fractures united at an average duration of 16.8 weeks. There were two cases of superficial and two cases of deep infection, and deep infections required removal of hardware for cure. There were four cases of ankle stiffness, most of them occurring in intra-articular fractures, three cases of palpable implant, three cases of malunion, one case of loss of reduction and one patient required reoperation. The average AO foot and ankle score was 83.6. CONCLUSIONS: We found MIPPO using locking plate to be a safe and effective method for the treatment of distal tibial fractures in properly selected patients yet can result in a variety of complications if proper precautions before, during and after surgery are not taken care of.

Etiology, presentation and management outcome of pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried to determine etiology, presentation, complications and management outcomes of pneumothorax in patients presenting at two hospitals in NWFP province of Pakistan.. METHODS: Pneumothorax patients reporting at the chest unit of Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, and Pulmonology unit of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from 1999 to 2002 were included in the study. Patients of all ages were included. They were admitted and followed up to the full recovery/late complications. RESULTS: A total of 146 pneumothorax patients reported during this period. Majority of the patients were diagnosed to have pneumothorax due to pulmonary tuberculosis making about 36.30% of the total cases. Second most common cause was primary spontaneous pneumotihorax (19.86%). Bacterial infections were also sizeable at 16.43%. Other causes included COPD, Asthma, latrogenic, Interstitial lung disease, tuberous sclerosis and bronchiectasis. CONCLUSION: It was concluded from this study that pulmonary tuberculosis is the commonest cause of pneumothorax in our setup.

Plate on plate technique of minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis in distal tibial fractures, an easy and inexpensive method of fracture fixation.

BACKGROUND: Plate on plate technique can lessen operative time and patient morbidity. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) using plate on plate technique of locking plate fixation for closed fractures of distal tibia in a prospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with distal tibial fractures were treated by MIPPO using locking plate by plate on plate technique. Preoperative variables including age of patient, mode of trauma, type of fracture and soft tissue status were recorded for each patient. Perioperative variables included surgical time and radiation exposure. Postoperative variables included wound status, time to union, return to activity and the American orthopaedic foot and ankle score (AOFAS). RESULTS: All the fractures had united at one year. The average time to union was 16.8 weeks. There were two cases of superficial infection and two cases of deep infection, which required removal of hardware after the fracture was united. The average AO foot and ankle score was 83.6 in our study population. CONCLUSIONS: MIPPO using locking plate by plate on plate technique was a safe, effective, inexpensive and easily reproducible method for the treatment of distal tibial fractures in properly selected patients, which minimized operative time and soft tissue morbidity.

Phylogenetic diversity of Mesorhizobium in chickpea.

Crop domestication, in general, has reduced genetic diversity in cultivated gene pool of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) as compared with wild species (C. reticulatum, C. bijugum). To explore impact of domestication on symbiosis, 10 accessions of chickpeas, including 4 accessions of C. arietinum, and 3 accessions of each of C. reticulatum and C. bijugum species, were selected and DNAs were extracted from their nodules. To distinguish chickpea symbiont, preliminary sequences analysis was attempted with 9 genes (16S rRNA, atpD, dnaJ, glnA, gyrB, nifH, nifK, nodD and recA) of which 3 genes (gyrB, nifK and nodD) were selected based on sufficient sequence diversity for further phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence diversity for 3 genes demonstrated that sequences from C. reticulatum were more diverse. Nodule occupancy by dominant symbiont also indicated that C. reticulatum (60 percent) could have more various symbionts than cultivated chickpea (80 percent). The study demonstrated that wild chickpeas (C. reticulatum) could be used for selecting more diverse symbionts in the field conditions and it implies that chickpea domestication affected symbiosis negatively in addition to reducing genetic diversity.

Corpus callosum size, is there a sexual difference? / Tamaño del cuerpo calloso, ¿existe una diferencia sexual?

Physical anthropometry is a subdivision of human anatomy science, which has uses in medical industries. A lot of studies showed that genetic, racial, and socioeconomic factors and educational background play rule in anthropometry. We aim this study to determine the presence of differences between gender and corpus callosum size. MRIs were collected from Ardebil and Kermanshah states done in 2013, the participants were informed about this study. They were selected based on age more than 20-years old, absence of demyelization and degenerative diseases, clean history of for neurosurgery, and previous cerebrovascular accidents. MRIs were analyzed by PmsDview program in the midsagittal section by using 9 landmarks, and the data was analyzed by SPSS 19.0. The mean corpus callosum in men was 551.9547±130.55 mm2, and 613.2353±99.98 mm2, and by using t-test (p<0.05), there was no difference in corpus callosum size in both genders. By comparing the results of this study results and other studies we believe that genetic, racial factors, beside education background play great rule to determine corpus callosum size. We suggest that such research to be done in other states of Iran, and Middle East and Asian countries which can confirm genetic and racial factors in anthropometry.

La antropometría física es una rama de la anatomía humana utilizada en las industrias médicas. Una gran cantidad de estudios ha demostrado que factores genéticos, raciales y socioeconómicos, así como antecedentes educativos forman parte de las reglas en la antropometría. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la presencia de diferencias entre el sexo y el tamaño del cuerpo calloso. Se obtuvieron imágenes de resonancia magnética (IRM) pertenecientes a sujetos de los estados de Ardebil y Kermanshah en Irán, el año 2013. Los participantes fueron informados acerca del estudio y seleccionados en base a la edad y debían ser mayores de 20 años. Fueron incluidos casos con ausencia de desmielinización o enfermedades degenerativas, un historial sin antecedentes de neurocirugía o accidentes cerebrovasculares previos. Las IRM fueron analizadas con el programa PmsDview en la sección sagital mediana usando 9 puntos de referencia; los datos se analizaron con el programa SPSS 19.0. El tamaño promedio del cuerpo calloso en los hombres fue 551,9547±130,55 mm2, y en mujeres 613,2353±99,98 mm2. Mediante el uso de la prueba t (p<0,05), no hubo diferencia en el tamaño del cuerpo calloso en ambos sexos. Al comparar estos resultados con otros estudios, existen factores genéticos, raciales, además de la educación, que juegan un papel importante al determinar el tamaño del cuerpo calloso. Sugerimos que este tipo de investigación que se realice en otros estados de Irán, el Medio Oriente y en los países asiáticos, para confirmar que los factores genéticos y raciales modifican la antropometría.

Presence of MUC4 in human milk and at the luminal surfaces of blood vessels.

MUC4 is a heterodimeric membrane mucin, composed of a mucin subunit ASGP-1 (MUC4alpha) and a transmembrane subunit ASGP-2 (MUC4beta), which has been implicated in the protection of epithelial cell surfaces. Surprisingly, development and characterization of a new monoclonal antibody (mAb), called 1G8, against ASGP-2 demonstrated by immunohistochemistry the presence of MUC4 at the luminal surfaces of blood vessels of both normal tissues and tumors. Muc4 was detected with 1G8 and other Muc4 antibodies in blood vessels from humans, rats and mice. This expression of MUC4 in endothelial cells was confirmed by immunoblotting with 1G8 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), human iliac artery endothelial cells (HIAECs), and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs). MUC4 could be observed on HUVECs grown on either plastic or Matrigel. Finally, MUC4 expression in the three types of endothelial cell lines was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). These results provide, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of a member of the MUC gene family and membrane mucin in blood vessels. As a luminal surface component, the MUC4 is situated to contribute to the non-adhesive luminal surface and to act as an intrinsic protection and survival factor.