29 research outputs found
RNAi-mediated silencing of Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) endogenous genes using orally-supplied double-stranded RNAs produced in Escherichia coli
BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, is a major pest affecting fruit and vegetable production worldwide, whose control is mainly based on insecticides. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) able to down-regulate endogenous genes, thus affecting essential vital functions via RNA interference (RNAi) in pests and pathogens, is envisioned as a more specific and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional insecticides. However, this strategy has not been explored in medfly yet. RESULTS: Here, we screened seven candidate target genes by injecting in adult medflies gene-specific dsRNA hairpins transcribed in vitro. Several genes were significantly down-regulated, resulting in increased insect mortality compared to flies treated with a control dsRNA targeting the green fluorescent protein (GFP) complementary DNA (cDNA). Three of the dsRNAs, homologous to the beta subunit of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase (ATPsynbeta), a vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase), and the ribosomal protein S13 (RPS13), were able to halve the probability of survival in only 48âh after injection. We then produced new versions of these three dsRNAs and that of the GFP control as circular molecules in Escherichia coli using a two-self-splicing-intron-based expression system and tested them as orally-delivered insecticidal compounds against medfly adults. We observed a significant down-regulation of V-ATPase and RPS13 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) (approximately 30% and 90%, respectively) compared with the control medflies after 3âdays of treatment. No significant mortality was recorded in medflies, but egg laying and hatching reduction was achieved by silencing V-ATPase and RPS13. CONCLUSION: In sum, we report the potential of dsRNA molecules as oral insecticide in medfly
Caracterização morfológica de acessos de batata-doce do banco de germoplasma da UFVJM, Diamantina
Estabilidade da produção forrageira em clones de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.)
Quality control of B-lines analysis in stress Echo 2020
Background
The effectiveness trial âStress echo (SE) 2020â evaluates novel applications of SE in and beyond coronary artery disease. The core protocol also includes 4-site simplified scan of B-lines by lung ultrasound, useful to assess pulmonary congestion.
Purpose
To provide web-based upstream quality control and harmonization of B-lines reading criteria.
Methods
60 readers (all previously accredited for regional wall motion, 53 B-lines naive) from 52 centers of 16 countries of SE 2020 network read a set of 20 lung ultrasound video-clips selected by the Pisa lab serving as reference standard, after taking an obligatory web-based learning 2-h module (
http://se2020.altervista.org
). Each test clip was scored for B-lines from 0 (black lung, A-lines, no B-lines) to 10 (white lung, coalescing B-lines). The diagnostic gold standard was the concordant assessment of two experienced readers of the Pisa lab. The answer of the reader was considered correct if concordant with reference standard reading ±1 (for instance, reference standard reading of 5 B-lines; correct answer 4, 5, or 6). The a priori determined pass threshold was 18/20 (â„ 90%) with R value (intra-class correlation coefficient) between reference standard and recruiting center)â>â0.90. Inter-observer agreement was assessed with intra-class correlation coefficient statistics.
Results
All 60 readers were successfully accredited: 26 (43%) on first, 24 (40%) on second, and 10 (17%) on third attempt. The average diagnostic accuracy of the 60 accredited readers was 95%, with R value of 0.95 compared to reference standard reading. The 53 B-lines naive scored similarly to the 7 B-lines expert on first attempt (90 versus 95%, pâ=âNS). Compared to the step-1 of quality control for regional wall motion abnormalities, the mean reading time per attempt was shorter (17â±â3 vs 29â±â12 min, pâ<â.01), the first attempt success rate was higher (43 vs 28%, pâ<â0.01), and the drop-out of readers smaller (0 vs 28%, pâ<â.01).
Conclusions
Web-based learning is highly effective for teaching and harmonizing B-lines reading. Echocardiographers without previous experience with B-lines learn quickly.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
DivergĂȘncia genĂ©tica entre acessos de batata-doce utilizando descritores morfoagronĂŽmicos das raĂzes
Seleção de genĂłtipos de alface para cultivo protegido: divergĂȘncia genĂ©tica e importĂąncia de caracteres
Identification in eggplant of a variant of citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd) with a 96 nucleotide duplication in the right terminal region of the rod-like secondary structure
Analysis of eggplants, kept for years under greenhouse conditions after having been mechanically inoculated with nucleic acid preparations from field-grown eggplants containing two viroids, Eggplant latent viroid (ELVd) and Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd), revealed the presence of an additional larger viroid RNA. Molecular characterization of this RNA showed that it is a stable 467-nt variant of CEVd with a 96-nt duplication of the right terminal region (CEVd-D96) that preserves the rod-like secondary structure. The coexistence in eggplant of CEVd (371 nt) and CEVd-D96, and the fact that they have an almost identical sequence, strongly suggests the emergence of the latter from the former through an internal recombination mediated by a jumping RNA polymerase with low processivity. CEVd-D96 from eggplant is similar to the CEVd-D92 variant characterized previously in a hybrid tomato, suggesting that certain hosts may play a critical role in selecting and replicating this class of enlarged variants
Readily Available Water Access is Associated with Greater Milk Production in Grazing Dairy Herds
In this cross-sectional study, we measured the association between water provision and milk production on intensively managed small-scale grazing dairy herds. Farms (n = 53) were categorized according to water provision as follows: (1) Restrictedâcows did not have access to a water trough while on pasture; and (2) Unrestrictedâcows had free access to a water trough while on pasture. Herd main breed and feeding practices were included in a model to assess the effect of water provision category on farm average milk yield/cow/d. The effect of pasture condition and environmental variables on milk production were also assessed, however were not retained on the final model. Herds provided with unrestricted access to drinking water produced on average 1.7 L more milk per cow/d (p = 0.03) than herds with restricted access to drinking water. Predominantly Holstein herds produced 2.8 L more milk per cow/d (p < 0.01) than non-Holstein herds. Each extra kg of concentrate offered per day increased milk yield by 1.1 L/cow/d (p < 0.01). In conclusion, providing free access to drinking water while grazing was associated with greater milk production.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofOther UBCNon UBCReviewedFacult