Microarray analysis and scale-free gene networks identify candidate regulators in drought-stressed roots of loblolly pine (P. taeda L.)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Global transcriptional analysis of loblolly pine (<it>Pinus taeda </it>L.) is challenging due to limited molecular tools. PtGen2, a 26,496 feature cDNA microarray, was fabricated and used to assess drought-induced gene expression in loblolly pine propagule roots. Statistical analysis of differential expression and weighted gene correlation network analysis were used to identify drought-responsive genes and further characterize the molecular basis of drought tolerance in loblolly pine.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Microarrays were used to interrogate root cDNA populations obtained from 12 genotype × treatment combinations (four genotypes, three watering regimes). Comparison of drought-stressed roots with roots from the control treatment identified 2445 genes displaying at least a 1.5-fold expression difference (false discovery rate = 0.01). Genes commonly associated with drought response in pine and other plant species, as well as a number of abiotic and biotic stress-related genes, were up-regulated in drought-stressed roots. Only 76 genes were identified as differentially expressed in drought-recovered roots, indicating that the transcript population can return to the pre-drought state within 48 hours. Gene correlation analysis predicts a scale-free network topology and identifies eleven co-expression modules that ranged in size from 34 to 938 members. Network topological parameters identified a number of central nodes (hubs) including those with significant homology (E-values ≤ 2 × 10^-30) to 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, zeatin O-glucosyltransferase, and ABA-responsive protein. Identified hubs also include genes that have been associated previously with osmotic stress, phytohormones, enzymes that detoxify reactive oxygen species, and several genes of unknown function.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PtGen2 was used to evaluate transcriptome responses in loblolly pine and was leveraged to identify 2445 differentially expressed genes responding to severe drought stress in roots. Many of the genes identified are known to be up-regulated in response to osmotic stress in pine and other plant species and encode proteins involved in both signal transduction and stress tolerance. Gene expression levels returned to control values within a 48-hour recovery period in all but 76 transcripts. Correlation network analysis indicates a scale-free network topology for the pine root transcriptome and identifies central nodes that may serve as drivers of drought-responsive transcriptome dynamics in the roots of loblolly pine.</p

Electrical Domain in IFC and product domains in the international and national regulatory framework. Proposal of CEI Guidelines for a standardized data model.

reservedOggetto di questa tesi è l’analisi dei domini di prodotto del mondo elettrico, in primo luogo in relazione alle classi definite dallo standard ISO IFC all’interno di IfcElectricalDomain e di IfcBuildingControlsDomain, con l’interesse di poterle mettere in parallelo con le prescrizioni normative internazionali prodotte da IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) e con i corrispettivi disposti nazionali elaborati dal CEI (Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano). Dalla collaborazione con quest’ultimo ente si conducono degli esercizi di allineamento tra dizionari, finalizzati a comprendere in quale misura possa definirsi la compatibilità fra i sistemi di classificazione summenzionati. Si parte dallo studio delle ontologie del dominio elettrico e dei documenti normativi che ne determinano la struttura logica e semantica, fino a trovare una soluzione applicativa nella proposta di Linee Guida CEI per un modello informativo standardizzato. Alla luce di quanto emerso si giunge a suggerire una corrispondenza fra classi ed enumerativi presenti nel data model IFC con le classi di prodotti del mondo elettrico impiegati in ambito italiano nella progettazione di impianti elettrici per costruzioni ad uso civile. I lavori condotti con il Sottocomitato 3D CEI intendono definire le modalità operative per coinvolgere diversi comitati di prodotto nella validazione delle proposte di allineamento e nel suggerimento di nuovi enumerativi, fino a tradurre i risultati della ricerca in un documento normativo ad uso di tutti gli attori coinvolti nella progettazione impiantistica. Parallelamente si è svolto un percorso di stage presso uno studio di progettazione integrata, dove si è avuto modo di toccare con mano le prassi di modellazione di impianti elettrici tramite software BIM. In questa sede si è voluto comprendere quali fossero gli oggetti che vengono comunemente modellati e gli aspetti chiave da tenere in considerazione per una loro classificazione, relativamente a logiche legate all’uso di software proprietari, nella fattispecie in ambiente Revit Autodesk. Le valutazioni che ne conseguono tengono conto dei casi d’uso con cui è stato possibile misurarsi, narrate sia durante gli incontri del sottocomitato CEI che dalla letteratura, in particolar modo dalle esperienze di standardizzazione nord-americane. Ci si spinge fino allo studio delle proprietà attribuibili a codesti oggetti del mondo elettrico e alle modalità con cui queste possono essere veicolate ed esportate in formato interoperabile. L’imminente obbligo di consegna dei progetti pubblici di qualsiasi importo in un formato interoperabile costituisce il motivo principale, per il quale sia enti di normazione che professionisti del settore sono spinti ad interessarsi ad una proposta standardizzata di classi IFC, da impiegarsi come contenuto informativo di un progetto eseguito con metodologia BIM. Ci si auspica che possa diffondersi la cultura dell’“openBIM”, a favore di un maggior dialogo tra applicativi informatici, fra interlocutori ed in un’ottica di gestione degli asset digitalizzata ed integrata

Nanostructured curcumin with choline and geranic acid ionic liquid (CAGE-IL): potential for incorporation into pharmaceutical gel formulations

Curcumin, a phytochemical, exhibits several biological properties and has been studied for the treatment of psoriasis. To facilitate its transdermal permeation, permeation enhancers such as choline and geranic acid ionic liquid (CAGE-IL) have been studied. From this perspective, the research effort entertained herein aimed at developing and evaluating the stability of an emulsion prepared with curcumin (phytochemical from Curcuma longa L.) and locust bean gum (extracted from the seeds of the carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua), with CAGE-IL as a facilitator of transdermal permeation. Stability studies were carried out for six months, with analyses being performed at time intervals of 0 (24 h), 30, 60, 90, and 180 days. The samples were kept at 40 ± 2 °C, with 75 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). The parameters analyzed were morphological characteristics, pH (5.8-6.0), and spreadability. The samples were shown to be stable during the timeframe studied, maintaining adequate physicochemical characteristics and meeting quality specifications for cutaneous applications. CAGE-IL, in addition to facilitating permeation of the active substance, also favored the formation of a stable emulsion encompassing nanosized particles (134.3 ± 2.6 nm) in a simple fashion and with only a few components

Normalization of measured energy consumption to inform both design and operational decisions

The building sector is one of the most resource-intensive and carbon-intensive sectors in the European Union and globally. Reliable building performance data are essential for providing the evidence needed in the design of energy efficiency interventions and planning of decarbonisation strategies for the existing stock. Indeed, the development of effective solutions aimed at lowering energy consumption, emissions and costs in existing buildings is an open challenge where actual performance characterisation is crucial. The normalisation of measured energy consumption with respect to weather and usage patterns may be performed in a straightforward and scalable manner leveraging state-of-the-art approaches that can, in turn, be linked to more detailed simulation techniques and used to inform both design and operational decisions. In this study, 10 public buildings in the Italian city of Melzo were analysed and modelled to address the above-mentioned challenges while streamlining and partially automating the process of building stock digitalisation

Performance of Choline Geranate Deep Eutectic Solvent as Transdermal Permeation Enhancer: An In Vitro Skin Histological Study

In the present research work, we addressed the changes in skin by which deep eutectic solvents (DES) enhanced transdermal permeation of bioactive compounds and propose a rationale for this mechanism. Several studies showed that these unusual liquids were ideal solvents for transdermal delivery of biomolecules, but to date, no histological studies relating the action of DES to changes in the structure of the outer skin barrier have been reported. In the research effort described herein, we presented an in-depth analysis of the changes induced in the skin by choline geranate DES, a compound with proven capabilities of enhancing transdermal permeation without deleterious impacts on the cells. The results obtained showed that a low percentage of DES acted as a transient disruptor of the skin structure, facilitating the passage of bioactive compounds dissolved in it