Age-dependent atrial arrhythmic phenotype secondary to mitochondrial dysfunction in Pgc-1β deficient murine hearts

Introduction: Ageing and several age-related chronic conditions including obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and represent independent risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF). Materials and methods: Atrial arrhythmogenesis was investigated in Langendorff-perfused young (3–4 month) and aged (>12 month), wild type (WT) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ coactivator-1β deficient (Pgc-1β ) murine hearts modeling age-dependent chronic mitochondrial dysfunction during regular pacing and programmed electrical stimulation (PES). Results and discussion: The Pgc-1β genotype was associated with a pro-arrhythmic phenotype progressing with age. Young and aged Pgc-1β hearts showed compromised maximum action potential (AP) depolarization rates, (dV/dt) , prolonged AP latencies reflecting slowed action potential (AP) conduction, similar effective refractory periods and baseline action potential durations (APD ) but shortened APD in APs in response to extrasystolic stimuli at short stimulation intervals. Electrical properties of APs triggering arrhythmia were similar in WT and Pgc-1β hearts. Pgc-1β hearts showed accelerated age-dependent fibrotic change relative to WT, with young Pgc-1β hearts displaying similar fibrotic change as aged WT, and aged Pgc-1β hearts the greatest fibrotic change. Mitochondrial deficits thus result in an arrhythmic substrate, through slowed AP conduction and altered repolarisation characteristics, arising from alterations in electrophysiological properties and accelerated structural change.We acknowledge financial support from the Medical Research Council (MR/M001288/1), the Wellcome Trust (105727/Z/14/Z), British Heart Foundation (PG/14/79/31102 and PG/15/12/31280), Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) UK, The McVeigh Benefaction and the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Education, Malaysia (FRGS/2/2014/SKK01/PERDANA/02/1)

Genetic analysis indicate superiority of perfomance of cape goosberry (Physalis peruviana L.) hybrids

The use of hybrids as a new type of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) cultivars could improve yield in this crop, but little or no information is available on hybrid perfomance. We studied several vegetative characters, yield, fruit weight and fruit shape, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and ascorbic acid content (AAC) in three hybrids of cape gooseberry and their parents grown outdoors and in a glasshouse. The highest yields were obtained with hybrids, specially in a glasshouse. Interaction dominance environment for yield was very important; a higher dominance effect was detected in the glasshouse, than that observed outdoors. Quality characters were highly affected by the environment and showed variable results for the different families. For fruit composition traits, the additive and additive environment interactions were most important. Broad-sense heritability for all characters was high to medium (0.48-0.91), indicating that a high response to selection would be expected. Hybrids can improve cape gooseberry yield without impairing fruit quality.Leiva-Brondo, M.; Prohens Tomás, J.; Nuez Viñals, F. (2001). Genetic analysis indicate superiority of perfomance of cape goosberry (Physalis peruviana L.) hybrids. Journal of New Seeds. 3(3):71-84. doi:10.1300/J153v03n03_04718433Abak, K., Güler, H. Y., Sari, N., & Paksoy, M. (1994). EARLINESS AND YIELD OF PHYSALIS (P. IXOCARPA BROT. AND P. PERUVIANA L.) IN GREENHOUSE, LOW TUNNEL AND OPEN FIELD. Acta Horticulturae, (366), 301-306. doi:10.17660/actahortic.1994.366.37Kang, M. S. (1997). Using Genotype-by-Environment Interaction for Crop Cultivar Development. Advances in Agronomy Volume 62, 199-252. doi:10.1016/s0065-2113(08)60569-6Klinac, D. J. (1986). Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) production systems. New Zealand Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 14(4), 425-430. doi:10.1080/03015521.1986.10423060Mather, K., & Jinks, J. L. (1977). Introduction to Biometrical Genetics. doi:10.1007/978-94-009-5787-9Mazer, S. J., & Schick, C. T. (1991). Constancy of population parameters for life history and floral traits in Raphanus sativus L. I. Norms of reaction and the nature of genotype by environment interactions. Heredity, 67(2), 143-156. doi:10.1038/hdy.1991.74Nyquist, W. E., & Baker, R. J. (1991). Estimation of heritability and prediction of selection response in plant populations. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 10(3), 235-322. doi:10.1080/07352689109382313Pearcy, R. W. (1990). Sunflecks and Photosynthesis in Plant Canopies. Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology, 41(1), 421-453. doi:10.1146/annurev.pp.41.060190.002225Péron, J. Y., Demaure, E., & Hannetel, C. (1989). POSSIBILITIES OF TROPICAL SOLANACEAE AND CUCURBITACEAE INTRODUCTION IN FRANCE. Acta Horticulturae, (242), 179-186. doi:10.17660/actahortic.1989.242.24Proctor, F. J. (1990). THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY MARKET FOR TROPICAL FRUIT AND FACTORS LIMITING GROWTH. Acta Horticulturae, (269), 29-40. doi:10.17660/actahortic.1990.269.

Outlook on vegetable production in Turkey

Although a spectacular development realized in recent years in industrial and service sectors, agriculture still retains its important role in the economy of Turkey. Agriculture provides about 35% employment within the working population and ensures 14% of GNP. Vegetable growing is one of the most dynamic activities in agriculture and horticulture. The total vegetable production is nearly 30 million tons, potatoes included, produced on approximately 1.2 million ha. There is a linear increase in the production and growth rate is 3.5% per year. About 75% of produced vegetables are consumed freshly in the country, 22% of them are used in processing and 3% is exported. Half of the processed products is exported. The main vegetable growing areas are the Mediterranean, the Aegean and Marmara's coastal regions. 85% of total production is realized on open field and 15% under protection. Greenhouses and plastic tunnels areas reached 30 and 23 thousand hectares, respectively. Protected cultivation is mainly located in Mediterranean Region. Vegetable growing enterprises are very small and this situation cause serious difficulties in mechanization and commercialization. A new tendency in recent years is the establishment of big and modern farms, especially for greenhouse growing. The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs promotes modernization of techniques and technologies used in this sector as well as seed and nursery business

Effects of plant density and number of shoots on yield and fruit characteristics of peppers grown in glasshouses [Bitki Yogunlugu ve Sürgün Sayisinin Sera Biber Yetiştiriciliginde Verim ve Meyve Özellikleri Üzerine Etkileri]

Plant density and pruning systems play a key role in the effective use of the area inside the greenhouse. Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars. Amazon-long green and Balo bell-shape type, were grown in the winter cultivation period in a glasshouse. A constant space of 80 cm between rows with different within-row spacings (45 cm, 30 cm and 15 cm) and shoot numbers (between one and four shoots per plant) were applied to optimize plant density and number of shoots. Wider within-row spacing and higher shoot numbers per plant increased the number of leaves. However, the individual leaf blade area was higher for narrower within-row spacings with fewer shoots. While higher plant densities with a greater number of shoots reduced photosynthetically active radiation, they increased the leaf area index at fruiting level. In order to obtain high yields an assumption of 80 × 15 cm with two shoots per plant is suggested for peppers. When expensive seed is used then a 80 × 30 cm spacing with three shoots per plant might be more economical. Plant density and the number of shoots did not affect fruit quality characteristics, such as fruit weight, length, diameter, volume, dry matter, total soluble solids and the pH of the flesh in either cultivar

Progress in the production of haploid embryos, plants and doubled haploids in cucumber (c. sativus l.) by gamma irradiated pollen, in turkey

Parthenogenetic haploid embryos in situ were induced following pollination with gamma-irradiated pollen. The embryos were rescued and cultured in vitro giving rise to haploid plantlets which when treated with colchicine resulted in cucumber plants with doubled chromosome number, so called doubled haploids. The study was carried out between 1991 and 1996. After having managed the production of haploid embryos, haploid plants and doubled haploids, it was decided that the effect of the irradiation doses, timing of pollination and maternal effect on the frequency of haploids induced be studied in more detail. The most suitable period of time for pollination was determined to be between May and September under the climatical conditions of Mediteranean Costal Region of Turkey. When tested on 27 different genotypes, the highest frequency of haploids were induced by low doses of irradiation (200, 300Gy), expressing genotypic independence. The haploid embryos readily germinated on the E20A medium, becoming haploid plantlets which then were multiplied by cuttings. The chromosome number of haploid plantlets were doubled by colchicine treatment in vitro, after which presumably doubled plantlets were acclimatized, transferred to soil and grown under greenhouse conditions. Finally the seeds were obtained from the doubled haploid cucumber plants. A one year working calendar is developed and presented for all these processes to obtain doubled haploid cucumber lines

Effect of colchicine treatment with different doses and periods on in vitro chromosome doublication in haploid watermelon [Haploid karpuzda in vitro kromozom katlanmasi amaciyla degişik doz ve sürelerde uygulanan kolhisinin etkisi]

Differents colchicine doses (0.5% and 1%) and treatment periods (1, 2, 4 and 6 hours) were tested in vitro conditions in order to obtain dihaploid lines from parthenogenetic haploid plants which achieved by irradiated pollen. Treatments were made to 3-4 weeks age in vitro microcuttings of Sugar Baby, Halep Karasi and Crimson Sweet varieties. 64 percent of the plants treated with 0.5% colchicine stayed alive and 56% of the plants were developed into a new plant. At the doses of 1% the rate of alive and growing plant decrease to 40%. As for as the treatment periods were considered the highest death were observed from the 6 hours treatment. Results showed that in order to obtain dihaploid lines by colchicine treatment for either 4 hours at 0.5 % or 2 hours at 1 % for microcuttings were the most favorable condition. Higher doses and long period treatment resulted in death plant and low doses and short period treatment didn't change the ploidy level

Effects of the low tunnel and sowing dates on the yield, plant growth and some agronomic characteristics of sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. Saccharata) [Alçak tünel uygulamasi ve farkli ekim zamanlannin şeker misirda (Zea mays L. var. Saccharata) verim, bitki büyümesi ve bazi agronomik özellikler üzerine etkileri]

The effects of the low tunnel on the yield, the earliness, plant growth and the agronomic characteristics of the sweet corn that was sown at three different sowing times within 10 days intervals since February 12th were studied. The first emergence, the full emergence and the silking time of plants from sowing time were determined during two years. Also, some other characters such as the total yield, the early yield, the ear weight with or without husk, the ear length, the ear diameter, the number of kernels per ear, the weight of kernels and TSSC (%) were investigated. The first emergence, the full emergence, and the male flowering dates were verified in sowing periods respectively. The low tunnel application gained approximetly 14, 8 and 7 days earliness in respect to the full emergence at the first, the second and the third sowing period respectively. Both sowing periods and the low tunnel application affected the earliness importantly, but the effect of the low tunnel was important than that of sowing dates. Different sowing dates didn't affect the total yield, however the tunnel aplication increased the early yield (20 %). The effect of the low tunnel on the yield was the result of the increase of the ear weight. Low tunnel application changed the crop quality significantly, but different sowing dates didn't change the quality of crop significantly

Haploidy in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.): A critical review

Results on the induction of haploidy in tomato via both gynogenesis and microspore embryogenesis in vitro are far from satisfactory. The number of reports available on the gynogenic induction via in vitro non-fertilized ovary culture, wide hybridization and the use of irradiated pollen are limited. The main reason for this may be the difficulty experienced in working with this species. Therefore, many failed attempts have not been reported. Non-fertilized ovary culture and wide hybridization using Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. as the male parent seem to be promising (Bal and Abak, Pak J Biol Sci 6:745-749, 2003a, b). Further efforts in this line may improve results obtained earlier. Several reports (Gresshoff and Doy, Planta 107:161-170, 1972; Sharp et al., Planta 104:357-361, 1972; Zamir et al., Plant Sci Lett 17:353-361, 1980; Chlyah and Taarji, Proc. Int. Symp. Plant tissue and cell culture application to crop improvement. 24-29 Sept. 1984; Jaramillo and Summers, J Amer Soc Hort Sci 115:1047-1050, 1990, HortScience 26:915-916, 1991; Summers et al., HortScience 27:838-840, 1992) are available on anther culture of tomato but a working protocol is yet to be developed. For the induction of anther callus, anthers carrying microspores at the meiotic stages appear to be the most responsive. However, the callus and the regenerants obtained were mainly of somatic origin. Somatic tissues of tomato anthers carrying the meiotic stages are highly responsive to tissue culture manipulations in comparison to anther tissues of the later stages. Therefore, reports on the induction of callus from anthers carrying early microspore stages should be met with caution. If culturing young anthers is of any help then it may be that the anther tissues are nursing the microspores and bringing them to the responsive uninucleate stage. Following the first report by Sharp et al. (Planta 104:357-361, 1972) on the induction of microspore embryogenesis, using a modified version of the microspore culture, reports concentrated only on anther culture (reviewed by Chlyah et al., Haploids in crop improvement I. Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry 12. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1990). Based on findings reported by Yinnan et al. (J Agric Biotechnol, http://www.cau.edu.cn/ agrocbi/periodical/ nyswjsxb/ nysw99/ nysw9901/ 990115.htm , 1999) and Bal and Abak (Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip 19:35-42, 2005) on the induction of symmetrical division of microspore nuclei from uninucleate microspores, the formation of multicellular structures and globular embryos, it is likely that the future of tomato haploidy lies in the technique of isolated microspore culture. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

Determination of a suitable formula for the calculation of sum growing degree days in watermelon (citrullus lanatus (thunb.) mansf.)

The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of adaptation to watermelon of the temperature sum methods by the calculation of the Sum Growing Degree Days (SGDD), which was already used successfully in other crops. In the experiments, ten watermelon cultivars which express various degrees of earliness were used. These genotypes were sown at various dates and the experiments were carried out for two successive years. Variations in the daily temperatures were created under different growing conditions i.e. greenhouse, high tunnel, low tunnel and the open field. The duration of the period from sowing to harvesting date as well as temperatures encountered were recorded, for all the experiments. All the total SGDDs were calculated by three different models using the temperatures of three daily maximums i.e. 30°C, 32°C and 35°C and four bases i.e. 10°C, 13°C, 15°C and 18°C, being 36 equations altogether. The F test was applied to the data obtained and CVs were calculated. The formula, i.e. SGDD=Z(Tmax+Tmin)/2-Tb, (Tmax+Tmin)/2)>Tb, using 18°C as the base temperature (Tb) was determined to be the most suitable compared to the rest