Molecular genetic analysis of fruit development in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.)

Plant hormones regulate progression through the different phases of plant development in response to endogenous and environmental cues. Gene expression studies, as well as genetic and molecular analysis of mutants with altered hormonal responses, are two common approaches to elucidate hormone response pathways. This dissertation compares ovary and fruit development in both wild-type tomatoes and the diageotropica (dgt) auxin-resistant mutant, and analyzes the interactions between the plant hormones auxin and ethylene that regulate gravitropism and lateral root formation. Fruit development is dramatically affected by the dgt mutation; resulting in reduced fruit weight, lower numbers of locules and seeds, delayed time to flowering, and extended developmental time between anthesis and the onset of fruit ripening. Relative quantification of expression patterns for genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis (the ACC synthase, LeACS, gene family) and auxin responsiveness (the Aux/IAA, LeIAA, family of auxin responsive genes) was used to provide insights into the involvement of auxin and ethylene in the regulation of fruit development in tomato. Only a subset of the LeACS and LeIAA gene family members are affected by the dgt lesion, specifically at early stages of fruit development. Changes in cell number and size during ovary and early fruit development were monitored by microscopic analysis. The difference in final fruit size between dgt and wild-type tomatoes correlates with differences in cell number and size that are established pre-anthesis. Differences in the percentage of nuclei present at 2C and 4C at preanthesis and anthesis in dgt versus wild-type ovaries suggests a possible delay in cell cycle progression in the dgt ovaries. The expression of four LeIAA genes exhibited differential developmental specificity in developing fruits, as well as differential regulation by the DGT gene product. Interactions between auxin and ethylene were further investigated by analyzing gravitropic responsiveness and lateral root formation in dgt and ethylene-resistant Never-ripe (Nr) tomato seedlings, Fl, and backcross populations. The Nr lesion has no effect on the reduced gravitropic response of dgt plants, while the dgt mutant is partially dominant with respect to gravitropism. In regard to lateral root formation, dgt is completely recessive and seems to be epistatic to Nr

Characterization of insect galls from a vegetation area in Altinópolis, São Paulo State, Brazil

Herein, we studied the occurrence of insect galls from natural vegetation around the Itambé Cave, Altinópolis, SP, Brazil. A sampling effort of 7.5 hours resulted in 41 gall morphotypes on 21 host plant species from 14 families. The richest families of host plants in morphotypes were Fabaceae (N = 11), Euphorbiaceae (N = 7), and Malpighiaceae (N = 5). Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (N = 8), Croton floribundus Spreng. (N = 7), Diplopterys pubipetala (A. Juss.) W.R. Anderson & C.C. Davis (N = 5), and Bauhinia holophylla (Bong.) Steud. (N = 4) were the super host plant species. Among the gall makers obtained, cecidomyiids were reared in 81% of cases and Hemiptera (Diaspididae), Hymenoptera (Eurytomidae), Coleoptera (Apion sp./Apionidae), and Lepidoptera in 4.5% of cases, each. The parasitoids belong to the Chalcidoidea superfamily (Hymenoptera). One new species of Camptoneuromyiia (Cecidomyiidae) was found in Smilax oblongifolia Pohl ex Griseb. (Smilacaceae) as inquiline and a new species of Lestodiplosis in Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae) was a predator. We also present the first register of Bauhinia holophylla as host plants of Cecidomyiidae, and we expand the occurrence of Rochadiplosis tibouchinae Tavares and Couridiplosis vena to São Paulo State. The results of this paper are a continuation of the description of gall morphotypes from the vegetation in Northeastern São Paulo State, and they also increase knowledge about the diversity of host plant and gall-maker associations in the Neotropical region

Blockchain, criptoactivos e inteligencia artificial (BCIA): desafíos para la contabilidad y la auditoria 4.0 : Proyectando un futuro, hoy

La blockchain ya está aquí y dos de las profesiones que se verán afectadas por su presencia son la contabilidad y la auditoria. La llegada de la blockchain plantea muchos interrogantes a los profesionales de la auditoría y del mundo contable. Aspectos como las repercusiones que tendrá la tecnología blockchain en la profesión, desde cómo contabilizar hasta su repercusión en el control por parte de los auditores de las criptomonedas / criptoactivos son aspectos que todavía están sometidos a estudios y debates. No obstante, la blockchain también supone la aparición de oportunidades que facilitarán y provocarán cambios en el ejercicio de la profesión de auditoría; con la blockchain, de momento, están garantizadas la seguridad y transparencia de las transacciones. Dos de los aspectos que más preocupan al auditor cuando realiza su función. El presente trabajo plantea un análisis, FODA, de manera de poder identificar frente a que riesgos y potenciales oportunidades nos encontramos ante el surgimiento de los activos llamados “criptoactivos”. A su vez se genera un marco comparativo de la normativa de Argentina y España para determinar si existe o no regulación sobre los mismos y como se ve la profesión contable – auditora frente a este escenario. En el artículo se vislumbran las nuevas oportunidades que la blockchain comportará para la profesión auditora y el tratamiento contable que, de acuerdo con la normativa contable de Argentina, España y de los países Europa, y de las directivas comunitarias, tienen que tener las criptomonedas / criptoactivos. Oportunidades que se encuentran en pleno desarrollo y conllevan grandes desafíos y alertas para el ejercicio de la práctica auditora y el mundo contable.Instituto de Investigaciones y Estudios Contable

PIPKs are essential for rhizoid elongation and caulonemal cell development in the moss Physcomitrella patens

PtdIns-4,5-bisphosphate is a lipid messenger of eukaryotic cells playing critical roles in processes such as cytoskeleton organization, intracellular vesicular trafficking, secretion, cell motility, regulation of ion channels and nuclear signalling pathways. The enzymes responsible for the synthesis of PtdIns(4,5)P2 are phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs). The moss Physcomitrella patens contains two PIPKs, PpPIPK1 and PpPIPK2. To study their physiological role, both genes were disrupted by targeted homologous recombination and as a result mutant plants with lower PtdIns(4,5)P2 levels were obtained. A strong phenotype for pipk1, but not for pipk2 single knockout lines, was obtained. The pipk1 knockout lines were impaired in rhizoid and caulonemal cell elongation, whereas pipk1-2 double knockout lines showed dramatic defects in protonemal and gametophore morphology manifested by the absence of rapidly elongating caulonemal cells in the protonemal tissue, leafy gametophores with very short rhizoids, and loss of sporophyte production. pipk1 complemented by overexpression of PpPIPK1 fully restored the wild type phenotype whereas overexpression of the inactive PpPIPK1E885A did not. Overexpression of PpPIPK2 in the pipk1-2 double knockout did not restore the wild type phenotype demonstrating that PpPIPK1 and PpPIPK2 are not functionally redundant. In vivo imaging of the cytoskeleton network revealed that the shortened caulonemal cells in the pipk1 mutants was the result of the absence of the apicobasal gradient of cortical F-actin cables normally observed in wild type caulonemal cells. Our data indicate that both PpPIPKs play a crucial role in the development of the moss P. patens, and particularly in the regulation of tip growth

Characterization of insect galls from a vegetation area in Altinópolis, São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract Herein, we studied the occurrence of insect galls from natural vegetation around the Itambé Cave, Altinópolis, SP, Brazil. A sampling effort of 7.5 hours resulted in 41 gall morphotypes on 21 host plant species from 14 families. The richest families of host plants in morphotypes were Fabaceae (N = 11), Euphorbiaceae (N = 7), and Malpighiaceae (N = 5). Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (N = 8), Croton floribundus Spreng. (N = 7), Diplopterys pubipetala (A. Juss.) W.R. Anderson & C.C. Davis (N = 5), and Bauhinia holophylla (Bong.) Steud. (N = 4) were the super host plant species. Among the gall makers obtained, cecidomyiids were reared in 81% of cases and Hemiptera (Diaspididae), Hymenoptera (Eurytomidae), Coleoptera (Apion sp./Apionidae), and Lepidoptera in 4.5% of cases, each. The parasitoids belong to the Chalcidoidea superfamily (Hymenoptera). One new species of Camptoneuromyiia (Cecidomyiidae) was found in Smilax oblongifolia Pohl ex Griseb. (Smilacaceae) as inquiline and a new species of Lestodiplosis in Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae) was a predator. We also present the first register of Bauhinia holophylla as host plants of Cecidomyiidae. We also present the first register of Bauhinia holophylla as host plants of Cecidomyiidae, and we expand the occurrence of Rochadiplosis tibouchinae Tavares, Lopesia spinosa Maia and Couridiplosis vena Maia to São Paulo State. The results of this paper are a continuation of the description of gall morphotypes from the vegetation in Northeastern São Paulo State, and they also increase knowledge about the diversity of host plant and gall-maker associations in the Neotropical region

Jasmonate controls leaf growth by repressing cell proliferation and the onset of endoreduplication while maintaining a potential stand-by mode

Phytohormones regulate plant growth from cell division to organ development. Jasmonates (JAs) are signaling molecules that have been implicated in stress-induced responses. However, they have also been shown to inhibit plant growth, but the mechanisms are not well understood. The effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on leaf growth regulation were investigated in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants altered in JA synthesis and perception, allene oxide synthase and coi1-16B (for coronatine insensitive1), respectively. We show that MeJA inhibits leaf growth through the JA receptor COI1 by reducing both cell number and size. Further investigations using flow cytometry analyses allowed us to evaluate ploidy levels and to monitor cell cycle progression in leaves and cotyledons of Arabidopsis and/or Nicotiana benthamiana at different stages of development. Additionally, a novel global transcription profiling analysis involving continuous treatment with MeJA was carried out to identify the molecular players whose expression is regulated during leaf development by this hormone and COI1. The results of these studies revealed that MeJA delays the switch from the mitotic cell cycle to the endoreduplication cycle, which accompanies cell expansion, in a COI1-dependent manner and inhibits the mitotic cycle itself, arresting cells in G1 phase prior to the S-phase transition. Significantly, we show that MeJA activates critical regulators of endoreduplication and affects the expression of key determinants of DNA replication. Our discoveries also suggest that MeJA may contribute to the maintenance of a cellular “stand-by mode” by keeping the expression of ribosomal genes at an elevated level. Finally, we propose a novel model for MeJA-regulated COI1-dependent leaf growth inhibition

"Teriam feito alguma coisa...". Uma análise sobre as discussões morais no acesso à condição de ativista militar em casos de mortes violentas (Córdoba, Argentina)

Las figuras de familiares -especialmente de las madres- han venido ganando legitimidad en los últimos años en Argentina para reclamar por sus víctimas, ocupando también un lugar central en las aproximaciones de las ciencias sociales. Este artículo pretende analizar aquellas contiendas morales que restringen el acceso a la condición de "activista familiar" en los sectores populares, en la medida en que han sido escasamente problematizadas por la academia. El texto se inscribe en una investigación etnográfica y comparativa que desarrollo desde 2007, y que aborda redes de relaciones familiares, sociales y políticas vinculadas a muertes violentas en sectores populares de Córdoba (Argentina). A través del recorrido etnográfico se propone señalar, por un lado, el modo en que la apelación a la figura de la madre para legitimar su intervención política tiende a reforzar las acusaciones morales que pretende trascender. Y por otro, reflexionar sobre las exclusiones de aquellas muertes que quedan aparentemente inscriptas fuera de los "contextos políticos".The figure of the relative (especially the mother) has recently been gaining legitimacy in Argentina during the process of claiming justice for victims of violent deaths. It has also played a vital role in the social sciences. This article aims to analyze the moral strife that limits the access to the status of "family activist" in popular sectors, one that has been scarcely problematized in academia. The text is part of a comparative ethnographic research that has been developed since 2007 that deals with family, social and political relations linked to violent deaths in popular neighborhoods of Córdoba (Argentina). The ethnographic journey, on one hand points outs how the appealing to figure of the mother in order to legitimize her political intervention tends to reinforce the moral accusations that it seeks to transcend. On the other hand, it seeks to reflect on the exclusion of deaths that are thought to be circumscribed outside "political contexts".As figuras familiares -especialmente a das mães- vêm ganhando legitimidade nos últimos anos na Argentina para reivindicar por suas vítimas, ocupando também um lugar central nas aproximações das ciências sociais. Este artigo pretende analisar aquelas discussões morais que restringem o acesso à condição de "ativista militar" nos setores populares, na medida em que têm sido escassamente problematizadas pela academia. O texto se inscreve numa pesquisa etnográfica e comparativa desenvolvida desde 2007 e que aborda redes de relações familiares, sociais e políticas vinculadas a mortes violentas em setores populares de Córdoba (Argentina). Por meio do percorrido etnográfico, propõe-se indicar, por um lado, o modo em que a apelação à figura da mãe pode legitimar sua intervenção política tende a reforçar as acusações morais que pretende transcender. Por outro lado, refletir sobre as exclusões daquelas mortes que ficam aparentemente inscritas fora dos "contextos políticos".Fil: Bermúdez, Natalia Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentin

Anti-RO/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies: Association with mild lupus manifestations in 645 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: To our knowledge there are no studies assessing anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB autoantibodies in a large population of childhood-systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) patients. Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study performed in 10 Pediatric Rheumatology services, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 645 cSLE patients. Results: Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies were evidenced in 209/645 (32%) and 102/645 (16%) of cSLE patients, respectively. Analysis of cSLE patients with and without anti-Ro/SSA antibodies revealed higher frequencies of malar rash (79% vs. 71%, p = 0.032), photosensitivity (73% vs. 65%, p = 0.035), cutaneous vasculitis (43% vs. 35%, p = 0.046) and musculoskeletal involvement (82% vs. 75%, p = 0.046) in spite of long and comparable disease duration in both groups (4.25 vs. 4.58 years, p = 0.973). Secondary Sjogren syndrome was observed in only five patients with this antibody (2.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.0035), two of them with concomitant anti-La/SSB. The presence of associated autoantibodies: anti-Sm (50% vs. 30%, p < 0.0001), anti-RNP (39% vs. 21%, p < 0.0001) and anti-ribossomal P protein (46% vs. 21%, p = 0.002) was also significantly higher in patients with anti-Ro/SAA antibodies. Further evaluation of cSLE patients with the presence of anti-La/SSB antibodies compared to those without these autoantibodies showed that the frequency of alopecia (70% vs. 51%, p = 0.0005), anti-Sm (59% vs. 31%, p < 0.0001) and anti-RNP (42% vs. 23%, p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the former group. Conclusions: Our large multicenter cohort study provided novel evidence in cSLE that anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB antibodies were associated with mild manifestations, particularly cutaneous and musculoskeletal. Secondary Sjogren syndrome was rarely observed in these patients, in spite of comparable frequencies of anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB reported for adult SLE. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Federico FoundationNucleo de Apoio a Pesquisa "Sande da Crianca e do Adolescente" da USP (NAP-CriAd)Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Childrens Inst, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Div Rheumatol, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, Sao Paulo, BrazilSao Paulo State Univ, UNESP, Div Pediat Rheumatol, Fac Med Botucatu, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilInnandade Santa Casa de Misericordia Sao Paulo, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, BrazilHosp Infantil Darcy Vargas, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, Sao Paulo, BrazilHosp Menino Jesus, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, Sao Paulo, BrazilPontifical Catholic Univ Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Pediat Rheumatol Unit, Sao Paulo, BrazilCNPq: 301805/2013-0CNPq: 303752/2015-7CNPq: 301479/2015-1CNPQ: 305068/2014-8CNPQ: 303422/2015-7Web of Scienc