Lateral resolution of electrostatic force microscopy for mapping of dielectric interfaces in ambient conditions

The attainable lateral resolution of electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) in an ambient air environment on dielectric materials was characterized on a reference sample comprised of two distinct, immiscible glassy polymers cut in a cross-section by ultramicrotomy. Such a sample can be modeled as two semi-infinite dielectrics with a sharp interface, presenting a quasi-ideal, sharp dielectric contrast. Electric polarizability line profiles across the interface were obtained, in both lift-mode and feedback-regulated dynamic mode EFM, as a function of probe/surface separation, for different cases of oscillation amplitudes. We find that the results do not match predictions for dielectric samples, but comply well or are even better than predicted for conductive interfaces. A resolution down to 3 nm can be obtained by operating in feedback-regulated EFM realized by adopting constant-excitation frequency-modulation mode. This suggests resolution is ruled by the closest approach distance rather than by average separation, even with probe oscillation amplitudes as high as 10 nm. For better comparison with theoretical predictions, effective probe radii and cone aperture angles were derived from approach curves, by also taking into account the finite oscillation amplitude of the probe, by exploiting a data reduction procedure previously devised for the derivation of interatomic potentials

¿Los cultivos de cobertura pueden modificar el patrón de nodulación de soja (Glycine max L.)?

El patrón de nodulación del cultivo de soja puede ser modificado por factores de manejo como la calidad de rastrojos de los cultivos, la inoculación y la fertilización. Se realizó un ensayo en la EEA INTA Marcos Juárez con diseño en bloques aleatorizados con tres repeticiones para evaluar el efecto de diferentes antecesores invernales: (C) centeno (Secale cereale L.), (V) vicia (Vicia villosa L.) y un testigo (T) sin cultivo de cobertura (CC) en el patrón de nodulación. En suelo se determinó el contenidos de nitratos (NO3-) a la siembra, R2 y R5 de soja, mientras que en planta se midió la relación C/N del residuo superficial, el número de nódulos totales por planta (NNT), el peso seco de nódulos (PN), la materia seca (MS) y el contenido de nitrógeno (N) en R2 y R5. Los datos fueron evaluados estadísticamente a través de un análisis de la varianza y un análisis de regresión lineal. La inclusión de CC no modifico los contenidos de NO3-, la producción de MS y la absorción de N por la planta en los períodos evaluados. La relación C/N del residuo superficial tampoco presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas, pero fue menor a 25 en el antecesor V en R2 y R5. Los antecesores CC no modificaron el PN, pero si afectaron el NNT. Se observó una relación lineal negativa y significativa entre los contenidos de NO3- a la siembra y el NNT. De esta forma, leguminosas utilizadas como CC pueden modificar componentes del patrón de nodulación.Soybean nodulation could be modified by factors such as quality of crop residues, inoculation and fertilization. A trial was performed in EEA INTA Marcos Juárez with randomized block design with three replications for evaluated the effect of different winter soil management: (R),rye (Secale Cereale L), (V) hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and control (C) without cover crops (CC) in soybean nodulation. In soil nitrate content (NC) at sowing, R2 and R5 stages was determined, while in soybean plant C/N ratio of soil residues, number of nodules (NN), weight of nodules (WN), soybean dry matter (DM) and soybean nitrogen content (SNC) in R2 and R5 stage was determined. Results were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance and linear regression analysis. CC was not modified the soil nitrate content, DM or SNC in R2 or R5 stages. The C/N ratio of crops residue in V was low 25 at R2 and R5 stages. CC was not modified WN, but changes in NN were observed. A negative relationship between SNC and NN were observed. Thus, legume CC might be modified soybean nodulation.Gerencia de Comunicación e Imagen InstitucionalFil: Navarro, G. Universidad Nacional de Villa María. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Boccolini, Monica Fabiola. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez. Área Suelos y Producción Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Baigorria, Tomás. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez. Área Suelos y Producción Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Aimetta, Maria Bethania. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez. Área Suelos y Producción Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Bertolla, A. Universidad Nacional de Villa María. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Cazorla, Cristian Roman. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez. Área Suelos y Producción Vegetal; Argentin

A putative genomic island, PGI-1, in Ralstonia solanacearum biovar 2 revealed by subtractive hybridization

Ralstonia solanacearum biovar 2, a key bacterial pathogen of potato, has recently established in temperate climate waters. On the basis of isolates obtained from diseased (potato) plants, its genome has been assumed to be virtually clonal, but information on environmental isolates has been lacking. Based on differences in pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns, we compared the genomes of two biovar 2 strains with different life histories. Thus, genomic DNA of the novel environmental strain KZR-5 (The Netherlands) was compared to that of reference potato strain 715 (Bangladesh) by suppressive subtractive hybridization. Various strain-specific sequences were found, all being homologous to those found in the genome of reference potato strain 1609. Approximately 20% of these were related to genes involved in recombinational processes. We found a deletion of a 17.6-Kb region, denoted as a putative genomic island PGI-1, in environmental strain KZR-5. The deleted region was, at both extremes, flanked by a composite of two insertion sequence (IS) elements, identified as ISRso2 and ISRso3. The PGI-1 region contained open reading frames that putatively encoded a (p)ppGpp synthetase, a transporter protein, a transcriptional regulator, a cellobiohydrolase, a site-specific integrase/recombinase, a phage-related protein and seven hypothetical proteins. As yet, no phenotype could be assigned to the loss of PGI-1. The ecological behavior of strain KZR-5 was compared to that of reference strain 715. Strain KZR-5 showed enhanced tolerance to 4°C as compared to the reference strain, but was not affected in its virulence on tomato

Integrative omics identifies conserved and pathogen-specific responses of sepsis-causing bacteria

Even in the setting of optimal resuscitation in high-income countries severe sepsis and septic shock have a mortality of 20–40%, with antibiotic resistance dramatically increasing this mortality risk. To develop a reference dataset enabling the identification of common bacterial targets for therapeutic intervention, we applied a standardized genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic technological framework to multiple clinical isolates of four sepsis-causing pathogens: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Exposure to human serum generated a sepsis molecular signature containing global increases in fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis and metabolism, consistent with cell envelope remodelling and nutrient adaptation for osmoprotection. In addition, acquisition of cholesterol was identified across the bacterial species. This detailed reference dataset has been established as an open resource to support discovery and translational research

Ralstonia syzygii, the Blood Disease Bacterium and Some Asian R. solanacearum Strains Form a Single Genomic Species Despite Divergent Lifestyles

The Ralstonia solanacearum species complex includes R. solanacearum, R. syzygii, and the Blood Disease Bacterium (BDB). All colonize plant xylem vessels and cause wilt diseases, but with significant biological differences. R. solanacearum is a soilborne bacterium that infects the roots of a broad range of plants. R. syzygii causes Sumatra disease of clove trees and is actively transmitted by cercopoid insects. BDB is also pathogenic to a single host, banana, and is transmitted by pollinating insects. Sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization studies indicated that despite their phenotypic differences, these three plant pathogens are actually very closely related, falling into the Phylotype IV subgroup of the R. solanacearum species complex. To better understand the relationships among these bacteria, we sequenced and annotated the genomes of R. syzygii strain R24 and BDB strain R229. These genomes were compared to strain PSI07, a closely related Phylotype IV tomato isolate of R. solanacearum, and to five additional R. solanacearum genomes. Whole-genome comparisons confirmed previous phylogenetic results: the three phylotype IV strains share more and larger syntenic regions with each other than with other R. solanacearum strains. Furthermore, the genetic distances between strains, assessed by an in-silico equivalent of DNA-DNA hybridization, unambiguously showed that phylotype IV strains of BDB, R. syzygii and R. solanacearum form one genomic species. Based on these comprehensive data we propose a revision of the taxonomy of the R. solanacearum species complex. The BDB and R. syzygii genomes encoded no obvious unique metabolic capacities and contained no evidence of horizontal gene transfer from bacteria occupying similar niches. Genes specific to R. syzygii and BDB were almost all of unknown function or extrachromosomal origin. Thus, the pathogenic life-styles of these organisms are more probably due to ecological adaptation and genomic convergence during vertical evolution than to the acquisition of DNA by horizontal transfer

Protocol for developing a core outcome set for male infertility research:an international consensus development study

Abstract STUDY QUESTION We aim to develop, disseminate and implement a minimum data set, known as a core outcome set, for future male infertility research. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Research into male infertility can be challenging to design, conduct and report. Evidence from randomized trials can be difficult to interpret and of limited ability to inform clinical practice for numerous reasons. These may include complex issues, such as variation in outcome measures and outcome reporting bias, as well as failure to consider the perspectives of men and their partners with lived experience of fertility problems. Previously, the Core Outcome Measure for Infertility Trials (COMMIT) initiative, an international consortium of researchers, healthcare professionals and people with fertility problems, has developed a core outcome set for general infertility research. Now, a bespoke core outcome set for male infertility is required to address the unique challenges pertinent to male infertility research. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, allied healthcare professionals, scientists, researchers and people with fertility problems, will be invited to participate. Formal consensus science methods will be used, including the modified Delphi method, modified Nominal Group Technique and the National Institutes of Health’s consensus development conference. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS An international steering group, including the relevant stakeholders outlined above, has been established to guide the development of this core outcome set. Possible core outcomes will be identified by undertaking a systematic review of randomized controlled trials evaluating potential treatments for male factor infertility. These outcomes will be entered into a modified Delphi method. Repeated reflection and re-scoring should promote convergence towards consensus outcomes, which will be prioritized during a consensus development meeting to identify a final core outcome set. We will establish standardized definitions and recommend high-quality measurement instruments for individual core outcomes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work has been supported by the Urology Foundation small project award, 2021. C.L.R.B. is the recipient of a BMGF grant and received consultancy fees from Exscentia and Exceed sperm testing, paid to the University of Dundee and speaking fees or honoraria paid personally by Ferring, Copper Surgical and RBMO. S.B. received royalties from Cambridge University Press, Speaker honoraria for Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Singapore, Merk SMART Masterclass and Merk FERRING Forum, paid to the University of Aberdeen. Payment for leadership roles within NHS Grampian, previously paid to self, now paid to University of Aberdeen. An Honorarium is received as Editor in Chief of Human Reproduction Open. M.L.E. is an advisor to the companies Hannah and Ro. B.W.M. received an investigator grant from the NHMRC, No: GNT1176437 is a paid consultant for ObsEva and has received research funding from Ferring and Merck. R.R.H. received royalties from Elsevier for a book, consultancy fees from Glyciome, and presentation fees from GryNumber Health and Aytu Bioscience. Aytu Bioscience also funded MiOXYS systems and sensors. Attendance at Fertility 2020 and Roadshow South Africa by Ralf Henkel was funded by LogixX Pharma Ltd. R.R.H. is also Editor in Chief of Andrologia and has been an employee of LogixX Pharma Ltd. since 2020. M.S.K. is an associate editor with Human Reproduction Open. K.Mc.E. received an honoraria for lectures from Bayer and Pharmasure in 2019 and payment for an ESHRE grant review in 2019. His attendance at ESHRE 2019 and AUA 2019 was sponsored by Pharmasure and Bayer, respectively. The remaining authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) initiative registration No: 1586. Available at www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1586. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE N/A. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT N/A