Micropropagation enhances in vitro establishment and multiplication of new cultures from field grown plants of ‘Adesoto 101’ (Prunus insititia) rootstock

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 658: I International Symposium on Rootstocks for Deciduous Fruit Tree Species. 6 Pag., 2 Fig. The definitive version is available at: http://www.actahort.org/The establishment of new in vitro cultures is often a difficult task due to low growth of initial explants. The explant has to adapt to the new nutritional and environmental conditions, in addition to the surface-disinfection process. Since the explant origin plays an important role, in this work, the effect of the origin of the explants (micropropagated or conventionally propagated plants) in both establishment and multiplication of the in vitro cultures has been studied. While Adesoto 101 (Prunus insititia) shows interesting features as a rootstock, it has a poor rooting ability by cuttings, what makes micropropagation the method of choice. Explants (axillary buds), taken from plants previously micropropagated, were compared to those from conventionally propagated plants. Field-grown and framegrown plants were used as explant source. Three culture media, widely used for fruit trees, were compared for both establishment and multiplication of the cultures: Murashige y Skoog (1962), Woody Plant Medium (Lloyd and McCown, 1981) and Quoirin and Lepoivre (1977). These media were supplemented with sucrose (3%) and Difco-Bacto Agar (0.7 %). Best results during establishment were obtained with explants from micropropagated plants grown either in the frame or in the field. Plants were severely pruned to form hedges, however field growing affected negatively the establishment of new in vitro cultures compared to frame growing. The multiplication rate of new cultures was positively affected by previous in vitro micropropagation of mother plants, while the multiplication rate of cultures originated from plants propagated by cuttings decreased noticeably. Culture medium composition had a different effect depending on the micropropagation phase. While WP gave the best results during establishment, MS, with a higher mineral salts concentration, induced the highest multiplication rate.This work has been funded in part by grants AGF98-0277-C4-01 and AGL2001- 2414-C04-01 both from CICYT, and CONSI+D-DGA P012/2001Peer reviewe

Descriptive Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Counseling and Coordination Model in Psychosocial Care. Integration of Health Care and Social Rehabilitation

Introduction: A psychosocial outreach clinic was established to offer counseling and coordination of healthcare and complementary services for persons with psychosocial and mental problems. The cost-effectiveness of these services was measured based on a pre-post comparison. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted with clients of the outreach clinic. Data on resource consumption and quality of life were collected at baseline and follow-up after 3, 6, and 12 months using the Client Sociodemographic and Service Receipt Inventory to assess service utilization, and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey to assess quality of life. The objective of the present analysis was to estimate the relation between monetary expenditure and QALYs (quality-adjusted life-years), before and after the outreach clinic was established, descriptively. The analysis was constructed from payer’s perspective and was supplemented by a sensitivity analysis. Results: A total of 85 participants were included. Total annual expenditures before the intervention were 5,832 € per client for all service segments. During the 12-months study duration expenditures decreased to 4,350 € including the costs associated with outreach clinic services. QALYs for the 12-month study period were 0.6618 and increased about 0.0568 compared to the period before. Discussion: Despite methodological limitations due to small sample size, a pre-post comparison and the retrospective cost data collection, this study suggests acceptability of the outreach clinic as cost-effective. Conclusion: The activities of the outreach clinic as an integrated care model seem to be cost-effective regarding the relation between monetary expenditures and clients’ quality of life

Integrative analysis of the heat shock response in Aspergillus fumigatus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Aspergillus fumigatus </it>is a thermotolerant human-pathogenic mold and the most common cause of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised patients. Its predominance is based on several factors most of which are still unknown. The thermotolerance of <it>A. fumigatus </it>is one of the traits which have been assigned to pathogenicity. It allows the fungus to grow at temperatures up to and above that of a fevered human host. To elucidate the mechanisms of heat resistance, we analyzed the change of the <it>A. fumigatus </it>proteome during a temperature shift from 30°C to 48°C by 2D-fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE). To improve 2D gel image analysis results, protein spot quantitation was optimized by missing value imputation and normalization. Differentially regulated proteins were compared to previously published transcriptome data of <it>A. fumigatus</it>. The study was augmented by bioinformatical analysis of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) in the promoter region of genes whose corresponding proteins were differentially regulated upon heat shock.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>91 differentially regulated protein spots, representing 64 different proteins, were identified by mass spectrometry (MS). They showed a continuous up-, down- or an oscillating regulation. Many of the identified proteins were involved in protein folding (chaperones), oxidative stress response, signal transduction, transcription, translation, carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism. A correlation between alteration of transcript levels and corresponding proteins was detected for half of the differentially regulated proteins. Interestingly, some previously undescribed putative targets for the heat shock regulator Hsf1 were identified. This provides evidence for Hsf1-dependent regulation of mannitol biosynthesis, translation, cytoskeletal dynamics and cell division in <it>A. fumigatus</it>. Furthermore, computational analysis of promoters revealed putative binding sites for an AP-2alpha-like transcription factor upstream of some heat shock induced genes. Until now, this factor has only been found in vertebrates.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our newly established DIGE data analysis workflow yields improved data quality and is widely applicable for other DIGE datasets. Our findings suggest that the heat shock response in <it>A. fumigatus </it>differs from already well-studied yeasts and other filamentous fungi.</p

Use of Social Media and Online-based Tools in Academia: Results of the Science 2.0-Survey 2014: Data Report 2014

The Science 2.0-Survey investigates the dissemination and use of online tools and social media applications among scientists of all disciplines at German universities (institutions of higher education) and research institutions (Leibniz, Helmholtz, Max Planck institutes). Results show that digital, online-based tools have found widespread use and acceptance in academia and must therefore be considered a central component of scientific working processes. Furthermore the data gathered also make it clear that certain usage patterns begin to emerge and stabilise as routines in everyday academic work. The most popular tools are the online encyclopedia Wikipedia (95% of all respondents use it professionally), mailing lists (78%), online archives/databases (75%) and content sharing/cloud services such as Dropbox or Slideshare (70%). Meanwhile, social bookmarking services remain largely untapped and unknown among scientists (only 5% professional usage). Online tools and social media applications are most commonly utilised in a research context. In addition to Wikipedia (67%), the top three tools used for research purposes are online archives/databases (63%), reference management software (49%) and content sharing/cloud services (43%). In teaching, learning management systems (32%) play a significant role, even though this mainly applies to universities. Video/photo communities (25%), online archives/databases (23%) and content sharing/cloud services (21%) are also used by scientists in the context of teaching. However, there seems to be some backlog in the fi eld of science communication. Scientists are rarely active in this area; 45 per cent of respondents say science communication is not part of their range of duties, while for another 40 per cent such activities comprise no more than 10 per cent of their daily workload. When active in the fi eld of science communication, scientists seem to favour classic online-based tools such as mailing lists (44%) or videoconferences/VoIP (35%), while typical Web 2.0 tools such as weblogs (10%) or microblogs (6%) are rarely used in this context. Social network sites (SNS) with a professional and/or academic orientation (30%), however, are relatively common for communication purposes in academia. The situation is similar for science administration practices where, although the use of online-based tools and social media applications is more common, no more than one-quarter of the scientists use a particular tool, while personal organizers/schedule managers (27%) dominate. The main factors cited by scientists as preventing them from using online-based tools and social media applications professionally are a lack of added value for their own work (30%), insufficient technical assistance (21%) and insufficient time to become familiar with the handling of the tools (15%). In particular, many scientists do not use microblogs (53%), discussion forums (41%) and weblogs (40%) professionally because they cannot see any added value in using them. With regard to the attitudes of scientists in relation to the use of online tools and social media applications, results show that they are aware of privacy issues and have relatively high concerns about the spread of and access to personal data on the Internet. However, scientists generally have few reservations about dealing with social media and show themselves to be open to new technological developments. This report documents the results of a Germany-wide online survey of a total of 2,084 scientists at German universities (1,419) and research institutions (665). The survey explores the usage of 18 online tools and social media applications for daily work in research, teaching, science administration and science communication. In addition to the frequency and context of use, the survey also documents reasons for the non-use of tools, as well as general attitudes towards the Internet and social media. The survey was conducted between 23 June 2014 and 20 July 2014 and is a joint project of the Leibniz Research Alliance „Science 2.0“, led by the Technische Universität Dresden’s Media Center.:Executive summary 1. Introduction 2. Methodology and research design 3. Characterisation of the data sample Gender Age Type of institution Academic position Duration of employment in academic context Subject group Fields of activity 4. Use of social media and online-based tools 4.1 General use of social media und online-based tools General usage Devices 4.2 Use of social media und online-based tools in academic work Professional and private usage Frequency of professional usage Professional usage by gender Professional usage by age Professional usage by subject group Professional usage by position 4.3 Use of online-based tools and social media applications in various areas of academic activity 4.3.1 Use of online-based tools and social media applications in research 4.3.2 Use of online-based tools and social media applications in teaching 4.3.3 Use of online-based tools and social media applications in science administration 4.3.4 Use of online-based tools and social media applications in science communication 4.4 Barriers to the use of social media applications and online-based tools in everyday academic life Reasons for professional non-use of online tools 4.5 Active and passive use of social media applications in everyday academic life 5. Attitudes to the use of social media applications and online-based tools in everyday academic life Overall attitudes Attitude measurement reliability analysis Attitudes by gender Attitudes by age Attitudes by position Attitudes by subject group References Cover letter English Cover letter German Questionnaire English Questionnaire Germa

Pulsed Polarization-Based NOₓ Sensors of YSZ Films Produced by the Aerosol Deposition Method and by Screen-Printing

The pulsed polarization technique on solid electrolytes is based on alternating potential pulses interrupted by self-discharge pauses. Since even small concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the ppm range significantly change the polarization and discharge behavior, pulsed polarization sensors are well suited to measure low amounts of NOx. In contrast to all previous investigations, planar pulsed polarization sensors were built using an electrolyte thick film and platinum interdigital electrodes on alumina substrates. Two different sensor layouts were investigated, the first with buried Pt electrodes under the electrolyte and the second one with conventional overlying Pt electrodes. Electrolyte thick films were either formed by aerosol deposition or by screen-printing, therefore exhibiting a dense or porous microstructure, respectively. For screen-printed electrolytes, the influence of the electrolyte resistance on the NOx sensing ability was investigated as well. Sensors with buried electrodes showed little to no response even at higher NOx concentrations, in good agreement with the intended sensor mechanism. Electrolyte films with overlying electrodes, however, allowed the quantitative detection of NOx. In particular, aerosol deposited electrolytes exhibited high sensitivities with a sensor output signal ΔU of 50 mV and 75 mV for 3 ppm of NO and NO2, respectively. For screen-printed electrolytes, a clear trend indicated a decrease in sensitivity with increased electrolyte resistance

Wissenschaft im Modus 2.0? Potenziale und Realisierung von E-Science am Beispiel der sächsischen Wissenschaftslandschaft

"Der Rückblick auf 20 Jahre World Wide Web aus der Perspektive der Wissenschaft macht eine gewisse Ambivalenz im Wechselverhältnis zwischen beiden deutlich: Auf der einen Seite gehörte die Wissenschaft zu den 'early adopters' der neuen Technologie beziehungsweise war sogar einer der wichtigsten 'innovators'. Auf der anderen Seite erweist sich die Wissenschaft heute im Vergleich zu anderen gesellschaftlichen Bereichen wie etwa Wirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft als vergleichsweise langsam in der Adoption der neuen Technologien und der damit verbundenen Möglichkeiten. Der vorliegende Beitrag greift dieses Spannungsverhältnis auf und versucht mit Hilfe empirischer Befragungsdaten zu klären, welche Potenziale der Nutzung von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien in der Wissenschaft, kurz 'E-Science', in der wissenschaftlichen Praxis gegenwärtig tatsächlich realisiert werden. Dazu wird zunächst der Diskurs um E-Science vor dem Hintergrund aktueller Veränderungen des Wissenschaftssystems beleuchtet und der Begriff E-Science genauer eingegrenzt. In einem zweiten Schritt werden diejenigen Potenziale von E-Science systematisch zusammengestellt und diskutiert, die in der inzwischen immerhin fast 15jährigen Diskussion über die Bedeutung der Nutzung digitaler und vernetzter Technologien in der Wissenschaft identifiziert wurden. Anschließend wird anhand der Ergebnisse einer Onlinebefragung von 765 Wissenschaftler/innen in Sachsen sowie ergänzend durchgeführten vertiefenden Interviews untersucht, inwiefern die neuen Möglichkeiten tatsächlich genutzt werden und welche individuellen und strukturellen Bedingungen dabei eine Rolle spielen. Es zeigt sich, dass insgesamt die Potenziale nur zu einem Teil ausgeschöpft werden, wobei der Adoptionsprozess noch in einem frühen Stadium ist. Besonders die Verwendung von Web 2.0-Anwendungen und die Veränderung der akademischen Lehre bleiben hinter den Prognosen im Diskurs über E-Science deutlich zurück. Als wichtigste Einflussgrößen können die pragmatische Orientierung der Wissenschaftler/ innen auf den Nutzen der Technologien (auf individueller Ebene) sowie der Konkurrenzdruck (auf Ebene des Systems) identifiziert werden. Als Ansatzpunkte für eine verbesserte Ausschöpfung der Potenziale ergeben sich die Verbesserung der Information über die technischen Möglichkeiten und die gezielte Förderung von Infrastrukturen für onlinegestützte wissenschaftliche Tätigkeiten." (Autorenreferat

Biofilm and Pathogenesis-Related Proteins in the Foodborne P. fluorescens ITEM 17298 With Distinctive Phenotypes During Cold Storage

In food chain, Pseudomonas spp. cause spoilage by reducing shelf life of fresh products, especially during cold storage, with a high economic burden for industries. However, recent studies have shed new light on health risks occurring when they colonize immunocompromised patient tissues. Likewise to P. aeruginosa, they exhibit antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation, responsible for their spread and persistence in the environment. Biofilm formation might be induced by environmental stresses, such as temperature fluctuations causing physiological and metabolic changes exacerbating food spoilage (by protease and pigment synthesis), and the production of adhesion molecules, chemotactic or underestimated virulence factors. In order to provide a new insight into phenotypic biodiversity of Pseudomonas spoilers isolated from cold stored cheese, in this work 19 Pseudomonas spp. were investigated for biofilm, pigments, exopolysaccharide production and motility at low temperature. Only nine strains showed these phenotypic traits and the blue pigmenting cheese strain P. fluorescens ITEM 17298 was the most distinctive. In addition, this strain decreased the survival probability of infected Galleria mellonella larvae, showing, for the first time, a pathogenic potential. Genomic and proteomic analyses performed on the ITEM 17298 planktonic cells treated or not with lactoferrin derived antibiofilm peptides allowed to reveal specific biofilm related-pathways as well as proteins involved in pathogenesis. Indeed, several genes were found related to signaling system by cGMP-dependent protein kinases, cellulose, rhamnolipid and alginate synthesis, antibiotic resistance, adhesion and virulence factors. The proteome of the untreated ITEM 17298, growing at low temperature, showed that most of the proteins associated with biofilm regulation, pigmentation motility, antibiotic resistance and pathogenecity were repressed, or decreased their levels in comparison to that of the untreated cultures. Thus, the results of this work shed light on the complex pathways network allowing psychrotrophic pseudomonads to adapt themselves to food-refrigerated conditions and enhance their spoilage. In addition, the discovery of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance determinants raises some questions about the need to deeper investigate these underestimated bacteria in order to increase awareness and provide input to update legislation on their detection limits in foods

Differential RelA- and RelB-dependent gene transcription in LTβR-stimulated mouse embryonic fibroblasts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lymphotoxin signaling via the lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR) has been implicated in biological processes ranging from development of secondary lymphoid organs, maintenance of spleen architecture, host defense against pathogens, autoimmunity, and lipid homeostasis. The major transcription factor that is activated by LTβR crosslinking is NF-κB. Two signaling pathways have been described, the classical inhibitor of NF-κB α (IκBα)-regulated and the alternative p100-regulated pathway that result in the activation of p50-RelA and p52-RelB NF-κB heterodimers, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using microarray analysis, we investigated the transcriptional response downstream of the LTβR in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and its regulation by the RelA and RelB subunits of NF-κB. We describe novel LTβR-responsive genes that were regulated by RelA and/or RelB. The majority of LTβR-regulated genes required the presence of both RelA and RelB, revealing significant crosstalk between the two NF-κB activation pathways. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis confirmed that LTβR-NF-κB target genes are predominantly involved in the regulation of immune responses. However, other biological processes, such as apoptosis/cell death, cell cycle, angiogenesis, and taxis were also regulated by LTβR signaling. Moreover, LTβR activation inhibited expression of a key adipogenic transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (<it>pparg</it>), suggesting that LTβR signaling may interfere with adipogenic differentiation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Microarray analysis of LTβR-stimulated fibroblasts provided comprehensive insight into the transcriptional response of LTβR signaling and its regulation by the NF-κB family members RelA and RelB.</p