Meeting Summary of the 6th European Workshop on Plant Chromatin 2019 in Cologne, Germany

In June 2019, more than a hundred plant researchers met in Cologne, Germany, for the 6th European Workshop on Plant Chromatin (EWPC). This conference brought together a highly dynamic community of researchers with the common aim to understand how chromatin organization controls gene expression, development, and plant responses to the environment. New evidence showing how epigenetic states are set, perpetuated, and inherited were presented, and novel data related to the three-dimensional organization of chromatin within the nucleus were discussed. At the level of the nucleosome, its composition by different histone variants and their specialized histone deposition complexes were addressed as well as the mechanisms involved in histone post-translational modifications and their role in gene expression. The keynote lecture on plant DNA methylation by Julie Law (SALK Institute) and the tribute session to Lars Hennig, honoring the memory of one of the founders of the EWPC who contributed to promote the plant chromatin and epigenetic field in Europe, added a very special note to this gathering. In this perspective article we summarize some of the most outstanding data and advances on plant chromatin research presented at this workshop

Bento Sanches Dorta representante portugués del progreso científico de la ilustración

Tese de mestrado em História e Filosofia das Ciências, apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2011Bento Sanches Dorta fue un astrónomo y geógrafo portugués formado en matemáticas en la Universidad de Coimbra con condición de voluntario. En el año 1781 fue enviado a Brasil para la determinación de la frontera entre las posesiones españolas y portuguesas de América del Sur. Tras su llegada al nuevo continente, estuvo siete años sin recibir órdenes definitivas relativas al trabajo que, en primera instancia, le fue encomendado. No obstante, se puede apreciar cómo su instrucción en la Universidad de Coimbra en el período posterior a las Reformas Pombalinas, y los principios básicos de la Ilustración calaron de lleno en el portugués, incitando su interés por la física experimental y por las matemáticas. Esto explica que, durante su estancia en Brasil, pusiera todo su empeño en el registro de observaciones meteorológicas y astronómicas, así como en la realización de otras actividades científicas que, hasta el momento, son casi desconocidas. En este trabajo se ha tratado de trazar un recorrido que nos permita conocer en profundidad y, con ello, entender y sacar a la luz la labor que este português realizó en la colonia portuguesa. Se propone para ello describir inicialmente el contexto histórico en el cual estaba sumergido el científico, investigar su biografía, redescubrir y analizar sus producciones, y, por último, estudiar en profundidad sus registros y aportaciones científicas. Por ello, con esta investigación, no sólo se desea contribuir al desarrollo de la historiografía de la ciencia; se aspira también a sacar a la luz el esfuerzo realizado por Bento Sanches Dorta como hombre de ciencias, como científico Ilustrado.Bento Sanches Dorta was a Portuguese astronomer and geographer who studied mathematics in the University of Coimbra as volunteer student. In the year 1781 he was sent to Brazil in a geographical mission, to demarcate the limits of the Portuguese and Spanish territory in southern America. When Sanches Dorta arrived in Brazil, he was looking forward to receiving the orders from his supervisors for seven years. Thereby he was influenced by his education in the University of Coimbra due to the Pombaline reforms as well as due to the enlightened ideals of his time. Both of this woke his interest in physics and mathematics. For this reason, while he was in Brazil, he performed frequent meteorological and astronomical observations. Furthermore, he engaged in other scientific activity. Nevertheless, until now, most of his scientific contributions are unknow. The present work tries to know, understand and reveal the work that Bento Sanches Dorta carried out in Brazil. Its goal is to describe the historical context of the scientist, investigate his biography, rediscover and analize his publications, and finally, study his records and scientific contributions in depth. For this reason, with this investigation, we are notjust contributing to the development of the historiography of science; we are revealing the effort that Bento Sanche Dorta made as scientist as well

Looking at the past and heading to the Future : Meeting summary of the 6th European Workshop on Plant Chromatin 2019 in Cologne, Germany

Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaIn June 2019, more than a hundred plant researchers met in Cologne, Germany, for the 6th European Workshop on Plant Chromatin (EWPC). This conference brought together a highly dynamic community of researchers with the common aim to understand how chromatin organization controls gene expression, development, and plant responses to the environment. New evidence showing how epigenetic states are set, perpetuated, and inherited were presented, and novel data related to the three-dimensional organization of chromatin within the nucleus were discussed. At the level of the nucleosome, its composition by different histone variants and their specialized histone deposition complexes were addressed as well as the mechanisms involved in histone post-translational modifications and their role in gene expression. The keynote lecture on plant DNA methylation by Julie Law (SALK Institute) and the tribute session to Lars Hennig, honoring the memory of one of the founders of the EWPC who contributed to promote the plant chromatin and epigenetic field in Europe, added a very special note to this gathering. In this perspective article we summarize some of the most outstanding data and advances on plant chromatin research presented at this workshop

Effectiveness of Worksite Wellness Programs based on physical activity to improve workers’ health and productivity: a systematic review

Background Although the scientific literature has previously described the impact of worksite programs based on physical activity (WPPAs) on employees’ productivity and health in different contexts, the effect of these programs has not been analyzed based on the characteristics or modalities of physical activity (PA) performed (e.g., aerobic exercise, strength training, flexibility). In addition, studies on WPPAs usually report health and productivity outcomes separately, not integrated into a single study. Knowing the health and economic-related impacts of a WPPAs could provide useful information for stakeholders and policy development. Objective The purpose of this review was as follows: (1) to analyze the effect of different modalities of WPPAs on employees’ productivity and health and (2) to investigate the economic impact of WPPAs. Methods This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021230626) and complies with PRISMA guidelines. Only randomized controlled trials from 1997 to March 2021 were included. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and full texts for study eligibility, extracted the data, and performed a quality assessment using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk-of-Bias Tool for randomized trials. Population, instruments, comparison, and outcome (PICO) elements were used to define eligibility criteria. Eight-hundred sixty relevant studies were found through electronic searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases. Once the eligibility criteria were applied, a total of 16 papers were included. Results Workability was the productivity variable most positively impacted by WPPAs. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and musculoskeletal symptoms health variables improved in all the studies included. It was not possible to fully examine the effectiveness of each exercise modality because of the heterogeneity in methodology, duration, and working population. Finally, cost-effectiveness could not be analyzed because this information was not reported in most studies. Conclusion All types of WPPAs analyzed improved workers’ productivity and health. However, the heterogeneity of WPPAs does not allow to identify which modality is more effective

CHD3 Proteins and Polycomb Group Proteins Antagonistically Determine Cell Identity in Arabidopsis

Dynamic regulation of chromatin structure is of fundamental importance for modulating genomic activities in higher eukaryotes. The opposing activities of Polycomb group (PcG) and trithorax group (trxG) proteins are part of a chromatin-based cellular memory system ensuring the correct expression of specific transcriptional programs at defined developmental stages. The default silencing activity of PcG proteins is counteracted by trxG proteins that activate PcG target genes and prevent PcG mediated silencing activities. Therefore, the timely expression and regulation of PcG proteins and counteracting trxG proteins is likely to be of fundamental importance for establishing cell identity. Here, we report that the chromodomain/helicase/DNA–binding domain CHD3 proteins PICKLE (PKL) and PICKLE RELATED2 (PKR2) have trxG-like functions in plants and are required for the expression of many genes that are repressed by PcG proteins. The pkl mutant could partly suppress the leaf and flower phenotype of the PcG mutant curly leaf, supporting the idea that CHD3 proteins and PcG proteins antagonistically determine cell identity in plants. The direct targets of PKL in roots include the PcG genes SWINGER and EMBRYONIC FLOWER2 that encode subunits of Polycomb repressive complexes responsible for trimethylating histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Similar to mutants lacking PcG proteins, lack of PKL and PKR2 caused reduced H3K27me3 levels and, therefore, increased expression of a set of PcG protein target genes in roots. Thus, PKL and PKR2 are directly required for activation of PcG protein target genes and in roots are also indirectly required for repression of PcG protein target genes. Reduced PcG protein activity can lead to cell de-differentiation and callus-like tissue formation in pkl pkr2 mutants. Thus, in contrast to mammals, where PcG proteins are required to maintain pluripotency and to prevent cell differentiation, in plants PcG proteins are required to promote cell differentiation by suppressing embryonic development

Influence of non-occupational physical activity on burnout syndrome, job satisfaction, stress and recovery in fitness professionals

Background: This study aimed (1) to analyse the effect of non-occupational physical activity (NOPA) on the stress levels of fitness professionals, and (2) to apply a questionnaire to workers measuring burnout syndrome, working conditions and job satisfaction, and to compare the results with physiological stress and recovery measured objectively through heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: The HRV of 26 fitness instructors was recorded during 2–5 workdays using Firstbeat Bodyguard 2. Participants also completed a questionnaire (CESQT) measuring working conditions and job satisfaction variables and occupational burnout syndrome. Results: NOPA showed a negative association with both the percentage of stress (p < 0.05) and stress–recovery ratio (p < 0.01), and a positive association with the percentage of recovery (p < 0.05). Better work conditions (working hours, salary satisfaction and length of service) were associated with lower stress in fitness professionals. Conclusion: NOPA appears to improve the stress levels of fitness instructors in this study cohort. Self-reported burnout levels measured through the CESQT questionnaire do not coincide with the physiological stress responses measured through HRV. Better working conditions appear to reduce the stress response in fitness professionals

On the value of early marine weather observations: The Malaspina expedition (1789–94)

Great advances in meteorological science were made in the late eighteenth century. In particular, meteorological instruments were carried on ships and the first systematic meteorological readings over the oceans were made. One of these collections of instrumental meteorological readings was carried out by the Malaspina expedition (1789–94), organized by the Spanish Crown to study its vast possessions around the world. We have recovered meteorological variables such as air temperature (maximum and minimum), atmospheric pressure (maximum and minimum), wind (intensity and direction), and appearance (state of the sky) from the documentation generated by the explorers during the journey. In total, nearly 13, 000 instrumental data have been digitized and rescued from this maritime expedition. The comparison of daily temperature and pressure observations with reanalysis and weather stations data shows a good overall agreement. Moreover, apparent discrepancies during several anchored periods have allowed for testing the consistency and quality of these early instrumental marine weather readings