Potassium phosphite increases tolerance to UV-B in potato

The use of biocompatible chemical compounds that enhance plant disease resistance through Induced Resistance (IR) is an innovative strategy to improve the yield and quality of crops. Phosphites (Phi), inorganic salts of phosphorous acid, are environment friendly, and have been described to induce disease control. Phi, similar to other plant inductors, are thought to be effective against different types of biotic and abiotic stress, and it is assumed that the underlying signaling pathways probably overlap and interact. The signaling pathways triggered by UV-B radiation, for instance, are known to crosstalk with other signaling routes that respond that biotic stress. In the present work, the effect of potassium phosphite (KPhi) pre-treatment on UV-B stress tolerance was evaluated in potato leaves. Plants were treated with KPhi and, after 3 days, exposed to 2 h/day of UV-B (1.5 Watt m(-2)) for 0, 3 and 6 days. KPhi pre-treatment had a beneficial effect on two photosynthetic parameters, specifically chlorophyll content and expression of the psbA gene. Oxidative stress caused by UV-B was also prevented by KPhi. A decrease in the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in leaves and an increase in guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also observed. In addition, the expression levels of a gene involved in flavonoid synthesis increased in UV-B-stressed plants only when pre-treated with KPhi. Finally, accumulation of glucanases and chitinases was induced by UV-B stress and markedly potentiated by KPhi pre-treatment. Altogether, this is the first report that shows a contribution of KPhi in UV-B stress tolerance in potato plants

Predictors of tropical cyclone-induced urban tree failure: an international scoping review

Background: Trees are critical components of rural and urban ecosystems throughout the world. While they have adapted to the historic conditions of their native environments, climate change, urbanization, and human-assisted range expansion may test the storm resiliency of many tree species. Objective: In this global multilingual scoping review, we investigate a range of intrinsic (i.e., tree characteristics) and external (i.e., environmental and management) factors which have been used to predict tree failure during tropical cyclones. Design: We searched online databases and journals in English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish to find peer-reviewed papers and dissertations. We retained papers that used ground-based methods to study tree damage following a tropical cyclone and conducted a statistical analysis of factors that influence tree resistance to damage. From each paper we extracted details of study methods, and the relationships between damage and predictors. Results: Our efforts generated 65 peer-reviewed papers and dissertations that met our final criteria for inclusion (i.e., data on the relative proportion of trees failed/intact as assessed no more than a year after the storm event). Of these papers 37 independent variables were assessed to predict tree failure. Research in both urban and rural settings tends to be concentrated in regions frequently impacted by tropical cyclones. Characteristics of species such as wood density have been studied in rural environments and are also relevant predictors for tree failure in urban trees. Environmental characteristics unique to urban settings such as planting areas surrounded by pavement need further research. Several urban studies demonstrate that risk assessment methods can predict tree failure during a storm. Conclusion: Results can be used by future storm researchers to identify both predictors may warrant inclusion in their models as well as predictors which have yet to be tested. Results can also inform planning and activities that can mitigate tropical cyclone damage to the urban forest

Predictors of tropical cyclone-induced urban tree failure: an international scoping review

BackgroundTrees are critical components of rural and urban ecosystems throughout the world. While they have adapted to the historic conditions of their native environments, climate change, urbanization, and human-assisted range expansion may test the storm resiliency of many tree species.ObjectiveIn this global multilingual scoping review, we investigate a range of intrinsic (i.e., tree characteristics) and external (i.e., environmental and management) factors which have been used to predict tree failure during tropical cyclones.DesignWe searched online databases and journals in English, Chinese, French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish to find peer-reviewed papers and dissertations. We retained papers that used ground-based methods to study tree damage following a tropical cyclone and conducted a statistical analysis of factors that influence tree resistance to damage. From each paper we extracted details of study methods, and the relationships between damage and predictors.ResultsOur efforts generated 65 peer-reviewed papers and dissertations that met our final criteria for inclusion (i.e., data on the relative proportion of trees failed/intact as assessed no more than a year after the storm event). Of these papers 37 independent variables were assessed to predict tree failure. Research in both urban and rural settings tends to be concentrated in regions frequently impacted by tropical cyclones. Characteristics of species such as wood density have been studied in rural environments and are also relevant predictors for tree failure in urban trees. Environmental characteristics unique to urban settings such as planting areas surrounded by pavement need further research. Several urban studies demonstrate that risk assessment methods can predict tree failure during a storm.ConclusionResults can be used by future storm researchers to identify both predictors may warrant inclusion in their models as well as predictors which have yet to be tested. Results can also inform planning and activities that can mitigate tropical cyclone damage to the urban forest

The AIR model (Activities, Internal world, Relationships): a pragmatic framework for evaluating co-design

A pragmatic model, AIR (Activities; Internal world; Relationships), is presented for co-design of technologies and products to support well-being of people living with dementia. This model, co-developed with people with lived experience, is aimed at including psychosocial aspects in the prototype development process. The model is then related to a form of mindful evaluation framework that can be employed during the prototype testing of co-designed solutions. The components of this evaluation framework and associated instruments are described

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Synergistic Effect between Amoxicillin and TLR Ligands on Dendritic Cells from Amoxicillin-Delayed Allergic Patients.

Journal Article;Amoxicillin, a low-molecular-weight compound, is able to interact with dendritic cells inducing semi-maturation in vitro. Specific antigens and TLR ligands can synergistically interact with dendritic cells (DC), leading to complete maturation and more efficient T-cell stimulation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of amoxicillin and the TLR2, 4 and 7/8 agonists (PAM, LPS and R848, respectively) in TLR expression, DC maturation and specific T-cell response in patients with delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions to amoxicillin. Monocyte-derived DC from 15 patients with DTH to amoxicillin and 15 controls were cultured with amoxicillin in the presence or absence of TLR2, 4 and 7/8 agonists (PAM, LPS and R848, respectively). We studied TLR1-9 gene expression by RT-qPCR, and DC maturation, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production by flow cytometry. DC from both patients and controls expressed all TLRs except TLR9. The amoxicillin plus TLR2/4 or TLR7/8 ligands showed significant differences, mainly in patients: AX+PAM+LPS induced a decrease in TLR2 and AX+R848 in TLR2, 4, 7 and 8 mRNA levels. AX+PAM+LPS significantly increased the percentage of maturation in patients (75%) vs. controls (40%) (p=0.036) and T-cell proliferation (80.7% vs. 27.3% of cases; p=0.001). Moreover, the combinations AX+PAM+LPS and AX+R848 produced a significant increase in IL-12p70 during both DC maturation and T-cell proliferation. These results indicate that in amoxicillin-induced maculopapular exanthema, the presence of different TLR agonists could be critical for the induction of the innate and adaptive immune responses and this should be taken into account when evaluating allergic reactions to these drugs.This work was supported by grants from: the Carlos III (ISCIII PS09/00966, PI12/02481 and PI12/02529), Junta de Andalucía (PI-0199/2007, PI-0180/2008, CTS-7433 and CTS 06603), and FIS-Thematic Networks and Co-operative Research Centres: RIRAAF (RD07/0064; RD12/0013). The BBSSPA, Carlos Haya Hospital Unit is supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Health Ministry (Grant nº RD09/0076/00112)” and the board of health ministry of Andalusia.Ye

DC maturation and lymphocyte proliferation after different stimuli.

<p><b>A</b>) Changes in CD86 expression on moDC after stimulation with AX alone or in combination with PAM, LPS or both (left) and with AX alone or in combination with R848 (right). <b>B</b>) Bars represent the percentage of positive cases of DC maturation after stimulation with AX, PAM, LPS and R848 alone or in combination in DC from DTH patients (N=15) (black bars) and controls (N=15) (grey bars). *, p<0.05, represents the significant differences after statistical comparisons (χ² analysis) in the percentage of cases comparing DTH patients to controls. <b>C</b>) Changes in CD3⁺ T-lymphocyte proliferation after stimulation with AX alone or in combination with PAM, LPS or both (left) and with AX alone or in combination with R848 (right). Histograms are representative of one DTH patient. <b>D</b>) Bars represent the percentage of positive cases of LTT after stimulation with AX, PAM, LPS and R848 alone or in combination in T cells from DTH patients (N=15) (black bars) and controls (N=15) (grey bars). *, p<0.05, represents the significant differences after statistical comparisons (χ² analysis) in the percentage of cases comparing DTH patients to controls.</p

TLR expression on moDC without or with stimuli.

<p><b>A</b>) RT-PCR analysis for mRNA expression of different TLRs on imDC from a representative DTH patient. <b>B</b>) Bars represent the median fold increase in TLR2, 4, 7 and 8 expression and MyD88 after stimulation with AX, PAM, LPS and R848 alone or in combination on DC from DTH patients (left) and controls (right). *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001.</p

The AIR model (Activities, Internal world, Relationships): a pragmatic framework for evaluating co-design

A pragmatic model, AIR (Activities; Internal world; Relationships), is presented for co-design of technologies and products to support well-being of people living with dementia. This model, co-developed with people with lived experience, is aimed at including psychosocial aspects in the prototype development process. The model is then related to a form of mindful evaluation framework that can be employed during the prototype testing of co-designed solutions. The components of this evaluation framework and associated instruments are described