Physiological Responses to Drought Stress in Jatropha curcas Seedlings

Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate the physiological mechanisms of Jatropha curcas seedlings exposed to drought and the possible influence of seedling age. Study Design: A pot experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design with two seedling ages (2- and 3-month-old seedlings), two treatments per age (Watered: fully irrigated, and Unwatered: Not irrigated), six replicates (24 pots). Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was performed in a greenhouse facility located at the Experimental Station “Mauro Deidda” (Department of Agriculture of University of Sassari) at Ottava (Sassari, Italy) between June and September 2011. Methodology: To investigate the responses of 2- and 3-month-old J. curcas seedlings exposed to drought stress on 4th, 8th, 12th, 19th, and 26th day from treatment’s beginning, leaf and soil water content, biometric, gas exchange, and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements were performed; on 26th day from treatment’s beginning, biometric destructive measurements were carried out. Results: Results support the hypothesis that J. curcas is appropriate to be cultivated in areas with limited water availability or prolonged periods of drought and highlight that mechanisms of drought response are highly influenced by seedling age. J. curcas seedlings maintained a good leaf water status by means of an effective stomatal closure, associated with a reduced aboveground growth and an increased root:shoot ratio. Under drought stress, 2-month seedlings showed a higher allocation of resources to roots compared to 3-month seedlings. Drought resulted in more detrimental effects on the photosynthetic response of 3-month seedlings, inducing the reduction of stomata conductance and the loss of photosystem II integrity. 2-month seedlings were instead able to activate mechanisms of drought tolerance through the activation of excess energy dissipation mechanisms. Conclusion: In the early stage of crop establishment, the transplanting of J. curcas 2-month seedlings proved to be more effective in order to avoid water stress related consequences

Detección de Glifosato y AMPA en suelos del área agrícola de Entre Ríos y la valoración de efectos en matrices biológicas

Se evaluaron residuos de glifosato en muestras de suelo y rastrojo de los lotes Los Hermanitos y Alberdi (Argiudol vértico y Argiudol ácuico) de la provincia de Entre Ríos y se determinó el efecto biológico como una aproximación al estudio de contaminantes originados por la producción agrícola. Se determinó la concentración del herbicida, se realizaron relevamientos de oligoquetos y ensayos de toxicidad con Eisenia fétida y se aplicaron bioensayos de germinación con especies sensibles. Se detectó glifosato y ácido aminometilfosfónico (AMPA) en los suelos estudiados durante las campañas 2015 – 2017, alcanzando concentraciones máximas de 222 ppb y 620 ppb, respectivamente. Se observó relación lineal negativa entre la Capacidad de Intercambio Catiónico y el contenido de glifosato en los suelos estudiados, con dependencia de la relación encontrada entre el contenido de materia orgánica y el contenido de herbicida hallado. Cuando se utilizó rastrojo como sustrato   en los bioensayos con lechuga y tomate, se detectó fitotoxicidad en uno de los lotes. La mayor abundancia de especies de lombricesse registró en el lote Alberdi (5 especies) y de los sitios de referencia, se destacó el correspondiente a Los Hermanitos (6 especies). La biomasa y densidad presentaron variaciones en los sitios agrícolas para cada campaña, como así también en la cantidad de juveniles y el número de adultos

European experts consensus: BRCA/homologous recombination deficiency testing in first-line ovarian cancer

Background: Homologous recombination repair (HRR) enables fault-free repair of double-stranded DNA breaks. HRR deficiency is predicted to occur in around half of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas. Ovarian cancers harbouring HRR deficiency typically exhibit sensitivity to poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi). Current guidelines recommend a range of approaches for genetic testing to identify predictors of sensitivity to PARPi in ovarian cancer and to identify genetic predisposition. Design: To establish a European-wide consensus for genetic testing (including the genetic care pathway), decision making and clinical management of patients with recently diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, and the validity of biomarkers to predict the effectiveness of PARPi in the first-line setting. The collaborative European experts’ consensus group consisted of a steering committee (n = 14) and contributors (n = 84). A (modified) Delphi process was used to establish consensus statements based on a systematic literature search, conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Results: A consensus was reached on 34 statements amongst 98 caregivers (including oncologists, pathologists, clinical geneticists, genetic researchers, and patient advocates). The statements concentrated on (i) the value of testing for BRCA1/2 mutations and HRR deficiency testing, including when and whom to test; (ii) the importance of developing new and better HRR deficiency tests; (iii) the importance of germline non-BRCA HRR and mismatch repair gene mutations for predicting familial risk, but not for predicting sensitivity to PARPi, in the first-line setting; (iv) who should be able to inform patients about genetic testing, and what training and education should these caregivers receive. Conclusion: These consensus recommendations, from a multidisciplinary panel of experts from across Europe, provide clear guidance on the use of BRCA and HRR deficiency testing for recently diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer

Involvement of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase in the short-term response of Arabidopsis thaliana cultured cells to oligogalacturonides

Treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana cells with oligoga-lacturonides (OG) initiates a transient production of reactive oxygen species (IROS), the concentration of which in the medium peaks after about 20 min of treatment. The analysis of OG effects on Ca2+ fluxes shows that OG influence both Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ efflux (measured as Ca-45(2+) fluxes) in a complex way. During the first 10-15 min, OG stimulate Ca2+ influx and decrease its efflux, while at successive times of treatment, OG cause an increase of Ca2+ efflux and a slight decrease of its influx. Treatment with sub-muM concentrations of eosin yellow (EY), which selectively inhibits the Ca2+-ATPase of plasma membrane (PM), completely prevents the OG-induced increase in Ca2+ efflux. EY also suppresses the transient feature of OG-induced ROS accumulation, keeping the level of ROS in the medium high. The biochemical analysis of PM purified from OG-treated cells indicates that treatment with OG for 15 to 45 min induces a significant decrease in Ca2+-ATPase activation by exogenous calmodulin (CaM), and markedly increases the amount of CaM associated with the PM. During the same time span, OG do not influence the expression of At-ACA8, the main isoform of PM Ca2+-ATPase in suspension-cultured A. thaliana cells, and of CaM genes. Overall, the reported results demonstrate that the PM Ca2+-ATPase is involved in the response of plant cells to OG and is essential in regulation of the oxidative burst

Longitudinal Ultrasound-Guided Injection Curriculum for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents.

Physiatrists are increasingly using musculoskeletal ultrasound for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, a standardized longitudinal curriculum for instructing physical medicine and rehabilitation residents in performing ultrasound-guided interventional procedures has yet to be established. The purpose of this study is to develop and assess the effectiveness of a longitudinal curriculum in training residents to perform common ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal injections using fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens. The course included six weekly hands-on educational sessions, divided by anatomical region, integrated into an established anatomy and physical examination curriculum. After completion of the curriculum, residents reported improved comfort and confidence and displayed improved competence in performing these injections. Other physiatry residency programs should consider implementing longitudinal, hands-on cadaveric training courses to better prepare trainees to perform ultrasound-guided injections as part of their future clinical practice