Effect of different treatments on germination of Romi red grape seeds

Germination of seeds required a stratification period either at cold (5 ± 1 °C) or warm (18 ± 1 °C) conditions. Besides, production of normal seedlings (seedlings with plumule) needed stratification of at least 60 d. Cold stratification treatments increased pronouncedly the percentages of seed germination and normal seedlings when seeds were first subjected to warm stratification conditions. Soaking the seeds in IAA, IBA or Ethrel at different concentrations before sowing failed completely to produce normal seedlings. Conversely, the best results with respect to germination i;ercentage and normal seedlings were obtained with GA-, especially at 5000 ppm, followed by thiourea and kinetin. Applying GA3 to seeds immediately before stratification was more effective than adding it after stratification.Der Einfluß verschiedener Behandlungsbedingungen auf die Samenkeimung bei der Rebsorte Romi redDie Samen der Rebsorte Romi red keimten nur nach Stratifikation, entweder unter Kälte- oder unter Wärmebedingungen (5 ± 1 °C bzw. 18 ± 1 °C). Normale Sämlinge, d. h. solche mit Plumula, entwickelten sich nur bei einer Stratifikationsdauer von mindestens 60 d. Durch Kaltstratifikation wurde der Anteil keimender Samen und normaler Sämlinge bedeutend erhöht, wenn die Samen zuvor warmstratifiziert worden waren. Das Einweichen der Samen vor der Aussaat in unterschiedlichen Konzentrationen von IAA, IBA oder Ethrel förderte die Bildung normaler Sämlinge in keiner Weise. Umgekehrt wurden im Hinblick auf die Samenkeimung und die Bildung normaler Sämlinge die besten Ergebnisse mit GA3, vor allem in der Konzentration von 5000 ppm erzielt; auch Thioharnstoff und Kinetin zeigten einen positiven Einfluß. GA3-Behandlung der Samen unmittelbar vor der Stratifikation war wirksamer als danach

Meristem Tip Culture for In Vitro Eradication of Grapevine Leaf Roll-associated Virus-1 (GLRaV-1) and Grapevine Fan Leaf Virus (GFLV) from Infected Flame Seedless Grapevine Plantlets

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera cv. Flame Seedless) was found infected with viral diseases; showing thicker leaves than normal, brittle, with margins rolled downwards and yellowish, which were identified as Grapevine Leaf roll-associated Virus-1 (GLRaV-1). Other symptoms were observed on leaves. The infected leaves showed malformation with abnormal gather primary veins, giving the leaf the appearance of an open fan, including yellowing and mosaic pattern on leaves, or bright yellow bands along major veins. Fan-shaped leaves were associated with mosaic or vein banding symptoms, these observations were identified as Grapevine Fan leaf Virus (GFLV). Both viruses were detected using Double Antibody Sandwich – Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The use of tissue culture was investigated as a mean to eliminate the two viruses. Virus-free plants were produced within six months using meristem tip culture. Woody plant (WP) medium supplied with benzyl amino purine BAP (4.44 µM) was used for shoot proliferation, and indole butyric acid IBA (0.2 µM) for plantlets rooting. Before acclimatization, the plantlets were submitted to DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR in order to evaluate virus eradication. GLRaV-1 and GFLV free plants (95 and 90 %, respectively) were obtained from the optimum size (0.5 mm) of meristem tips (as indexed by DAS-ELISA). Of these, 82.5 and 75 % plants were found negative for GLRaV-1 and GFLV, respectively, as diagnosed by RT-PCR. RT-PCR and meristem tip culture were found to be reliable methods for virus indexing and elimination of GLRaV-1 and GFLV

Estimating landscape irrigated areas and potential water conservation at the rural-urban interface using remote sensing and GIS

Research goals were to analyze patterns of urban landscape water use, assess landscape water conservation potential, and identify locations with capacity to conserve. Methodological contributions involved acquiring airborne multispectral digital images over two urban cities which were processed, classified, and imported into a GIS environment where landscaped area were extracted and combined with property and water billing data and local evapotranspiration rates to calculate landscape irrigation applications exceeding estimated water needs. Additional analyses were conducted to compare classified aerial images to ground-measured landscaped areas, landscaped areas to total parcel size, water use on residential and commercial properties, and turf areas under tress when they were leafed out and bare. Results verified the accuracy and value of this approach for municipal water management, showed more commercial properties applied water in excess of estimated needs compared to residential ones, and that small percentages of users accounted for most of the excess irrigatio

The prognostic significance of minimal residual disease in adult Egyptian patients with precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

AbstractBackgroundMinimal residual disease (MRD) studies in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) give highly significant prognostic information superior to other standard criteria as age, gender and total leucocytic count (TLC) in distinguishing patients at high and low risk of relapse.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the value of MRD monitoring by flowcytometry (FCM) in predicting outcome in adult Precursor ALL patients.Patients and methodsBone marrow (BM) samples were analyzed by 4-color FCM collected at diagnosis and after induction therapy (MRD1) to correlate MRD positivity with disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsStudy included 57 adult ALL patients (44 males and 13 females) with a median age of 22years (18–49). DFS showed no significant difference with age, gender and initial TLC (p=0.838, 0.888 and 0.743, respectively). Cumulative DFS at 2years was 34% for B-lineage ALL (n: 35) and 57% for T-lineage ALL (n: 18) (p=0.057). Cumulative DFS at 2years was 7% for MRD1 positive (high risk, HR) versus 57% for MRD1 negative patients (Low risk, LR) (p<0.001). Cumulative DFS at 2years was 29% for HR patients (n: 26) versus 55% for LR (n: 27) according to GMALL classification (p=0.064). Cumulative OS did not differ according to age, gender and TLC (p=0.526, 0.594 and 0.513, respectively). Cumulative OS at 2years was 36% for B ALL (n: 39) versus 77% for TALL (n: 18) (p=0.016) and was 49% for Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) negative patients versus 0% for Ph-positive patients (p<0.001). Regarding MRD1, OS at 2years was 18% for MRD1 HR (n: 17) versus 65% for MRD1 LR (n: 38) (p<0.001). OS was 35% for high-risk patients (n: 30) and 62% for low-risk patients (n: 27) classified according to GMALL risk stratification (p=0.017).ConclusionMRD by FCM is a strong independent predictor of outcome in terms of DFS and OS and is a powerful informative parameter in guiding individual treatment in ALL patients

Anti-prostate cancer metabolites from the soil-derived Aspergillus neoniveus

Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks as one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide. Toxicity, lack of clinical efficacy, and development of resistance phenotypes are the main challenges in the control of prostate malignancies. Notably, castration-resistance prostate cancer (CRPCa) is a highly aggressive and metastatic phenotype of the disease with a poor prognosis and very limited therapeutic options. Herein, we report the isolation and genotypic identification of a soil-derived fungus Aspergillus neoniveus using the PCR-based internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region amplification approach. HPLC/MS investigation of the metabolic profile of the ethyl acetate extract from the fungal biomass revealed tentative identification of forty-five compounds belonging to various chemical classes including γ-butyrolactones, alkaloids, phenolics, and quinoids. Furthermore, the chromatographic purification of microbial extract enabled the identification of nervonic acid methyl ester (1) for the first time from endophytic fungi, as well as acetyl aszonalenin (2), and butyrolactone II (3) for the first time from A. neoniveus. The chemical frameworks of the isolated compounds were identified via extensive spectral analysis including 1 and 2D NMR and MS. The X-ray crystal structure and absolute configuration of acetyl aszonalenin (2) were also determined. Additionally, screening of in vitro anticancer activity of the fungal extract revealed its potential antiproliferative and anti-migratory activities against five different prostate cancer cells (PC3, PC-3M, DU-145, CWR-R1ca, and 22Rv1), including different cells with the castration-resistance phenotype. Moreover, the isolated metabolites significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and colonization of human prostate cancer cells at low micromolar levels, thus providing credence for future investigation of these metabolites in relevant anti-prostate cancer animal models. Furthermore, computational target prediction tools identified the cannabinoid G-protein coupled receptors type 1 (CB1) as a potential biological target mediating, at least in part, the anticancer effects of acetylaszonalenin (2). Moreover, molecular modeling and docking studies revealed a favorable binding pose at the CB1 receptor orthosteric ligand pocket aided by multiple polar and hydrophobic interactions with critical amino acids. In conclusion, the Aspergillus neoniveus-derived prenylated indole alkaloid acetylaszonalenin has promising anticancer activity and is amenable to further hit-to-lead optimization for the control of prostate malignancies via modulating CB1 receptor

Stratigraphy of the PB-1 well, Nopal I uranium deposit, Sierra Pena Blanca, Chihuahua, Mexico

The Nopal I site in the Pena Blanca uranium district has a number of geologic and hydrologic similarities to the proposed high-level radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, making it a useful analogue to evaluate process models for radionuclide transport. The PB-1 well was drilled in 2003 at the Nopal I uranium deposit as part of a DOE-sponsored natural analogue study to constrain processes affecting radionuclide transport. The well penetrates through the Tertiary volcanic section down to Cretaceous limestone and intersects the regional aquifer system. The well, drilled along the margin of the Nopal I ore body, was continuously cored to a depth of 250 m, thus providing an opportunity to document the local stratigraphy. Detailed observations of these units were afforded through petrographic description and rock-property measurements of the core, together with geophysical logs of the well. The uppermost unit encountered in the PB-1 well is the Nopal Formation, a densely welded, crystal-rich, rhyolitic ash-flow tuff. This cored section is highly altered and devitrified, with kaolinite, quartz, chlorite, and montmorillonite replacing feldspars and much of the groundmass. Breccia zones within the tuff contain fracture fillings of hematite, limonite, goethite, jarosite, and opal. A zone of intense clay alteration encountered in the depth interval 17.45-22.30 m was interpreted to represent the basal vitrophyre of this unit. Underlying the Nopal Formation is the Coloradas Formation, which consists of a welded lithic-rich rhyolitic ash-flow tuff. The cored section of this unit has undergone devitrification and oxidation, and has a similar alteration mineralogy to that observed in the Nopal tuff. A sharp contact between the Coloradas tuff and the underlying Pozos Formation was observed at a depth of 136.38 m. The Pozos Formation consists of poorly sorted conglomerate containing clasts of subangular to subrounded fragments of volcanic rocks, limestone, and chert. Three thin (2-6 m) intervals of intercalated pumiceous tuffs were observed within this unit. The contact between the Pozos Formation and the underlying Cretaceous limestone basement was observed at a depth of 244.40 m. The water table is located at a depth of {approx}223 m. Several zones with elevated radioactivity in the PB-1 core are located above the current water table. These zones may be associated with changes in redox conditions that could have resulted in the precipitation of uraninite from downward flowing waters transporting U from the overlying Nopal deposit. All of the intersected units have low (typically submillidarcy) matrix permeability, thus fluid flow in this area is dominated by fracture flow. These stratigraphic and rock-property observations can be used to constrain flow and transport models for the Pena Blanca natural analogue

QTc and psychopharmacs: are there any differences between monotherapy and polytherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Some psychotropic drugs are connected with prolongation of QT interval, increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and greater incidence of sudden death, especially when used in combination. Concomitant use of antipsychotics and antidepressants is not rare in our clinical practice. The study compares the length of QT interval in patients on monotherapy with an antipsychotic or an antidepressant and patients taking polytherapy (an antipsychotic agent combined with an antidepressant).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-one hospitalized women who met the ICD-10 criteria for schizophrenia, schizoaffective psychosis, delusional disorder and mood disorder were included in the study. The monotherapy group was consisted of thirty-two women treated with an antipsychotic or an antidepressant while the polytherapy group was composed of twenty-nine women treated with an antipsychotic agent plus an antidepressant. Two electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained for each patient: the first was carried out before the treatment and the second after two weeks of treatment.</p> <p>Statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS program and included unpaired and paired t test and Fisher's exact test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean baseline QTc values did not differ between the groups (439 ± 22 ms was the same value found in the both groups; unpaired t test, p > 0.5). Mean QTc intervals after two weeks of treatment were also similar (439 ± 24 ms in the monotherapy group and 440 ± 20 ms in the polytherapy group; unpaired t test, p > 0.5). Fisher's exact test did not reveal significant difference in the number of patients with borderline (451–470 ms) or prolonged (> 470 ms) QTc between groups, neither before treatment nor after two weeks of treatment. Twenty two women of the total of sixty one patients (36%) had QTc > 450 ms before applying therapy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We did not find significant QT prolongation in our patients after two weeks of treatment with antipsychotics and/or antidepressants. The QTc interval length did not differ significantly in the monotherapy and the polytherapy group. More than one third of included women exceeded the threshold value of borderline QTc interval (450 ms) before starting treatment. This finding calls for caution when prescribing drugs to female psychiatric patients, especially if they have other health problems.</p

Paleomagnetism indicates that primary magnetite in zircon records a strong Hadean geodynamo.

Determining the age of the geomagnetic field is of paramount importance for understanding the evolution of the planet because the field shields the atmosphere from erosion by the solar wind. The absence or presence of the geomagnetic field also provides a unique gauge of early core conditions. Evidence for a geomagnetic field 4.2 billion-year (Gy) old, just a few hundred million years after the lunar-forming giant impact, has come from paleomagnetic analyses of zircons of the Jack Hills (Western Australia). Herein, we provide new paleomagnetic and electron microscope analyses that attest to the presence of a primary magnetic remanence carried by magnetite in these zircons and new geochemical data indicating that select Hadean zircons have escaped magnetic resetting since their formation. New paleointensity and Pb-Pb radiometric age data from additional zircons meeting robust selection criteria provide further evidence for the fidelity of the magnetic record and suggest a period of high geomagnetic field strength at 4.1 to 4.0 billion years ago (Ga) that may represent efficient convection related to chemical precipitation in Earth's Hadean liquid iron core