Molecular analysis of a sunflower gene encoding an homologous of the B subunit of a CAAT binding factor

A genomic DNA fragment containing the complete LEAFY COTYLEDON1-LIKE (HaL1L) gene was retrieved by chromosome walking. Its sequence was confirmed and elongated by screening a sunflower genomic DNA BAC Library. HaL1L, whose cDNA had already been sequenced and characterized, encodes a NF-YB subunit of a CCAAT box-binding factor (NF-Y) involved in the early stages of zygotic and somatic embryogenesis in the Helianthus genus. In the HaL1L 50-flanking region, elements specific to a putative TATA-box promoter and two ‘‘CG isles’’ were identified. An investigation of the methylation status of these CG rich DNA regions showed that differentially methylated cytosines were recognizable in the DNA of embryos on the fifth day after pollination in comparison to leaf DNA suggesting that during plant development epigenetic regulation of HaL1L transcription was achieved by methylating cytosine residues. We also searched the HaL1L nucleotide sequence for cis-regulatory elements able to interact with other transcription factors (TFs) involved in the HaL1L regulation. Of the elements identified, one of the most intriguing is WUSATA, the target sequence for the WUSCHEL (WUS) TF, which may be part of a complex regulation network controlling embryo development. In this article, we show that the WUSATA target site, located in the intron of HaL1L, is able to bind the TF WUS. Interestingly, we found auxin and abscisic acid responsive motifs in the HaL1L promoter region suggesting that this gene may additionally by under hormonal control. Finally, the presence of a cytoplasmic polyadenylation signal downstream to the coding region indicates that this gene may also be controlled at the translation level by a temporarily making the pre-synthesized HaL1L mRNA unavailable for protein synthesis

Ligulate inflorescence of Helianthus x multiflorus, cv. Soleild’Or, correlates with a mis-regulation of a CYCLOIDEA gene characterised by insertion of a transposable element

Members of CYCLOIDEA (CYC)/TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 (TB1) transcription factor family are essential to control flower symmetry and inflorescence architecture. In the Helianthus annuus genome, ten CYC/TB1 genes have been identified. Studies performed on mutants recognised HaCYC2c as one of the key players controlling zygomorphism in sunflower. We identified CYC2c genes in the diploid Helianthus decapetalus (HdCYC2c) and in the interspecific hybrid Helianthus × multiflorus (H × mCYC2cA and H × mCYC2cB), a triploid (2n = 3× = 51), originated from unreduced eggs of H. decapetalus fertilised by reduced H. annuus male gametes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that HdCYC2c and H × mCYC2c were placed within a CYC2 subclade together with HaCYC2c but distinct from it. The present data showed that in H. × multiflorus the allele derived from H. annuus is deleted or highly modified.\ud The H. × multiflorus taxon exists as radiate and ligulate inflorescence types. We analysed CYC2c expression in H. decapetalus and in the cultivar ‘Soleil d'Or’ of H. × multiflorus, a ligulate inflorescence type with actinomorphic corolla of disk flowers transformed into a zygomorphic ray‐like corolla. In H. decapetalus, the HdCYC2c gene showed differential expression between developing flower types, being up‐regulated in the corolla of ray flowers in comparison to the disk flower corolla. In H. × multiflorus, an insertion of 865 bp, which is part of a CACTA transposable element, was found in the 5′‐untranslated region (5′‐UTR) of H × mCYC2cB. This insertion could promote, even with epigenetic mechanisms, ectopic expression of the gene throughout the inflorescence, resulting in the observed loss of actinomorphy and originating a ligulate head

Genotipizzazione delle accessioni della collezione ‘Vitiarium’

The 231 accessions of the most famous grapevine collection in Tuscany, the ‘Vitiarium’, have been genotyped analysing the polymorphism of 14 SSR loci. The analysis reveal 130 varieties belong to 28 international and 30 Italian varieties, 30 Tuscan local varieties and 42 unique genotypes, exclusive of the ‘Vitiarium’. Several synonyms, homonyms and misnomer have been identified. All data will be uploaded in the Italian Vitis Database

Rentabilidade econômica da produção de uva em louveira (sp) em diferentes sistemas de produção.

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido junto aos produtores de uva do município de Louveira (SP) objetivando realizar uma análise de custo/benefício de três sistemas de produção aqui referidos por sistema tradicional, sistema alternativo 1 e sistema alternativo 2. Louveira é uma região com relevo ondulado e montanhoso com declives acentuados, e afloramentos rochosos. A fertilidade do solo varia de média a baixa e na maior parte do município os solos são muito susceptíveis à erosão. Embora a uva seja uma cultura que se adapta bem às condições edafoclimáticas de Louveira, para que o seu cultivo seja sustentável, dada as características citadas acima, o manejo da cultura deve utilizar técnicas que preservem a estrutura do recurso solo. No município ocorrem cerca de 3.500.000 pés de uva, distribuídos entre 397 produtores, 98% dos quais constituem agricultores familiares. Os produtores podem ser diferenciados quanto à tecnologia, uso de capital e práticas de cobertura no solo, no entanto, utilizam a mesma técnica de preparo do solo, tanto na implantação quanto na renovação da cultura, que ocorre a cada quinze anos. Foram analisadas três propriedades em áreas de LATOSSOLOS VERMELHO-AMARELOS argilosos, pouco profundos, bem drenados e de baixa fertilidade, derivados de filitos, gnaisses, xistos e granitos (Comissão de Solos, 1960; Oliveira et al., 1999). Os custos e benefícios foram avaliados sob a ótica da rentabilidade privada de uma atividade econômica, o que permite evidenciar a rentabilidade dos processos produtivos do ponto de vista privado ou do agricultor (NORONHA,1997). Os dados sobre custo, produtividade e preço foram levantados junto à Casa da Agricultura de Louveira para a produção de uva Niagara Rosada, no sistema latada. Esses parâmetros são concordantes com os publicados pela EMBRAPA (Maia e Mello, 2003). O Quadro 1 evidencia as diferenças de custo de produção, produtividade e preço da uva Niagara Rosada para os três sistemas de produção

Supplemental red LED light promotes plant productivity, “photomodulate” fruit quality and increases Botrytis cinerea tolerance in strawberry

This work provides new evidences on the effect of pre-harvest red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W - R:G:B; 1:1:1) LED light supplementation on production, nutraceutical quality and Botrytis cinerea control of harvested strawberry fruit. Yield, fruit color, firmness, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, primary and specialized metabolites, expression of targeted genes and mold development were analyzed in fruit from light-supplemented plants, starting from the strawberry flowering, radiating 250 mu mol m-2 s-1 of light for five hours per day (from 11:00 to 16:00 h), until the fruit harvest. Briefly, R light induced the highest productivity and targeted antho-cyanin accumulation, whilst B and G lights increased the accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites especially belonging to ellagitannin and proanthocyanidin classes. R light also promoted pathogen tolerance in fruit by the upregulation of genes involved in cell wall development (F x aPE41), inhibition of fungus poly-galacturonases (F x aPGIP1) and the degradation of B. cinerea beta-glucans (F x aBG2-1). Our dataset highlights the possibility to use red LED light to increase fruit yield, "photomodulate" strawberry fruit quality and increase B. cinerea tolerance. These results can be useful in terms of future reduction of agrochemical inputs through the use of R light, enhancing, at the same time, fruit production and quality. Finally, further analyses might clarify the effect of pre-harvest supplemental G light on postharvest fruit quality

Uso de diferentes doses de sêmen congelado/descongelado e fertilidade em cabras leiteiras na contra-estação: resultados preliminares.

Resumo: Para se obter a inseminação intrauterina de maneira rápida em cabras leiteiras, a EMBRAPA desenvolveu uma nova técnica de Inseminação Artificial (IA) (Fonseca et al. 2011, Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos. Circular técnica, 43). Associada a ela, utiliza-se um novo protocolo de sincronização de cio usando dispositivos vaginais (60 mg MAP; Progespon®, Zoetis Indústria de Produtos Veterinários Ltda, Campinas, Brasil) por seis dias, além de 37,5 µg d-cloprostenol (Prolise®; ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina) i.m. e 200 UI eCG (Novormon 5000®; Zoetis, Campinas, Brasil) i.m. 24 h antes da retirada do dispositivo. Todos os procedimentos são feitos entre 17:00 e 18:00h. Após a retirada do dispositivo o estro é monitorado duas vezes por dia por machos inteiros. Paralelo a isto, estudos relacionados a doses inseminantes de sêmen em associação a estas novas biotécnicas precisam ser realizados. A dose preconizada pelo CBRA é de 100 milhões de espermatozoides viáveis por palheta para congelação, com índice maior de 40% de espermatozoides com motilidade progressiva na hora da descongelação. Entretanto, com a nova técnica de IA e novos diluentes (Optixcell®, IMV), estas quantidades provavelmente poderiam ser reduzidas. O objetivo desse estudo foi testar o efeito de diferentes doses de sêmen congelado/descongelado sobre a taxa de gestação de cabras submetidas à indução de estro sincronizado. Os resultados obtidos preliminares sugerem que a dose mínima de sêmen necessária por palhetas seja a de 100 milhões de espermatozoides. Tanto a raça quanto as condições de manejo podem interferir nos resultados de gestação. Isto ressalta a importância de incluir um grupo com monta natural em estudos dessa natureza. A elevação do número de animais por grupo testado permitirá conclusões mais definitivas sobre a dose inseminante a ser utilizada. [Use of different doses of frozen / thawed semen and fertility in dairy goats in non-breeding season: Preliminary results].Edição dos resumos do XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal, Gramado, RS, Brasil, 15 a 17 de maio 2019

The role of proestrus on fertility and postovulatory uterine function in the cow

Abstract Modern protocols to synchronize ovulations for timed artificial insemination and timed embryo transfer that include manipulations in the proestrus period (i.e., between luteolysis and estrus) affect fertility in cattle. Specifically, stimulating pre-ovulatory follicle growth and exposure to estrogens after CL regression increase the proportion of cows pregnant and decrease late embryo mortality. Such effects may be due to both preovulatory actions of estrogens and post-ovulatory actions of progesterone, as concentrations of the later hormone may be changed in response to manipulations conducted during proestrus. In the first portion of this paper we describe strategies used recently to manipulate the proestrus period in protocols for synchronization of ovulation, and to present evidence of their effects on fertility. Manipulations of timing and prominence of sex steroids during the proestrus and early diestrus that affect fertility may act on targets such as the endometrium. This tissue expresses receptors for both estrogens and progesterone and these hormones change endometrial function to support conceptus growth and pregnancy maintenance. However, specific cellular and molecular mechanisms through which fertility is affected via manipulations of the proestrus are poorly understood. In the second portion of this paper we describe a welldefined animal model to study changes in endometrial function induced by manipulations conducted during the proestrus. Such manipulations induced endometrial changes on sex steroid receptors expression, cell proliferation, oxidative metabolism and eicosanoid synthesis in the uterus, but not on glucose transport to uterine lumen. In summary, evidence is accumulating to support a positive role of increasing duration and estrogen availability during the proestrus on fertility to synchronization protocols. Such positive effects may be through changes in endometrial function to stimulate conceptus growth and survival

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London