Sulfur (S) affects the plant life cycle and crop yield and has nutritional importance for human and animal diet. Its deficiency is one of the major problems in agriculture. However, the plant-specific LSU (response to Low SUlfur) gene family has not been extensively analyzed in major plant species such as grasses. In this study, we have performed in silico genome-wide analysis of LSU genes in 6 grass species, including Brachypodium distachyon, Sorghum bicolor, Oryza sativa, Zea mays, Triticum aestivum, and Panicum virgatum. All identified LSU genes contained one exon encoding proteins of acidic character with cytoplasmic localization. In silico analysis of ciselements revealed that sulfur-responsive elements (SURE boxes, SUlfur Response Element, GAGAC motif) were present in all LSU genes. In phylogenetic analysis, dicot and monocot LSU genes were separated. Expression profiles of B. distachyon BdLSU1 and BdLSU2 genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR method. Two Brachypodium LSU genes demonstrated different expression patterns when subjected to 48 h of S-depletion treatment. In roots, the BdLSU2 gene was upregulated, while BdLSU1 was downregulated. In leaves, expression levels were decreased for both genes. Analysis of the BdLSU expression under drought, cold, salt, and heat stresses was carried out based on the Brachypodium stress atlas. Results showed that BdLSU genes are not specific to S limitation; indeed, they may be involved in different stress conditions by cooperating with their interacting partner proteins. The results of this study could significantly contribute to the understanding of LSU genes in plants, particularly in grass species. These results may also support plant molecular studies by aiding the understanding of the sulfur assimilation pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No summary available.

Will Wade and the LSU Tigers are looking to rebuild ahead of the 2026-27 men's college basketball season. The Tigers had a tough season last year, going 14-16 overall and finishing No. 16 in the SEC. LSU was led by senior guard Max Mackinnon in scoring at 15.7 points per game, with senior forward... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No summary available.

English: Well over a century has passed since two cadets of the Ole War Skule decided to create a brass band for their university, beginning a tradition that continues to the present day. World renowned for its commitment to excellence, Louisiana State University’s Golden Band from Tigerland celebrates the sports endeavors of the school teams, creates pride in school traditions, and entertains millions of fans every year. This history of LSU’s beloved marching band moves from its military inspiration through the directorships of Castro Carazo, William F. Swor, and Frank B. Wickes to the first female drum major, Kristie Smith, in 1999. The book highlights the band’s recent triumphs as well. The excitement of the Pregame Salute, the triumphant spirit of the halftime show, and the hard work that goes into the performances are all captured here in 150 spectacular photographs.The book serves as an enduring tribute to the generations of LSU students whose talent and energy transformed a small brass group into an acclaimed marching band.

The brevetoxin producing dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, is the target of several monitoring and research programs in the Gulf of Mexico, where it forms extensive and frequently long-lived annual blooms that can cause human intoxication and fish kills, as well as severe economic losses to coastal communities. Rapid, reliable methods for the detection and enumeration of K. brevis cells, as well as their discrimination from morphologically similar species, are valuable tools for managers and scientists alike. Our aim was to produce a species-specific molecular probe that would serve as a tool to facilitate the efficient and reliable detection of K. brevis in the Gulf of Mexico. We sequenced a fragment of the large-subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU rDNA) from five K. brevis cultures isolated from the Texas Gulf coast, the Florida Gulf coast, and the Atlantic coast of Florida, and detected no differences among these isolates. A consensus sequence was thus compiled and compared to a previously published sequence from Karenia mikimotoi, the closest known phylogenetic relative to K. brevis, for the purpose of identifying unique K. brevis signature sequences. Fluorescently-labeled (FITC) oligonucleotide probes targeting these regions of the K. brevis LSU rRNA were designed to include at least two base pair differences, as compared to K. mikimotoi. Among seven probes designed, one uniquely identified all K. brevis isolates to the exclusion of all other species tested (Kbprobe-7), including a Gulf of Mexico K. mikimotoi isolate (Sarasota, FL) and several additional Gymnodinium species, as well as other dinoflagellate, diatom, and raphidophyte taxa. Importantly, K. brevis cells in samples taken during a 2001 bloom, fixed with a mixture of modified saline ethanol and 10% formalin, and stored at 4 °C for 7 months were successfully labeled with Kbprobe-7. In addition, preliminary analysis of labeled cells by flow cytometry revealed that K. brevis could be distinguished from K. mikimotoi in solution, suggesting other potential applications of this probe.