A novel micronutrient blend mimics calorie restriction transcriptomics in multiple tissues of mice and increases lifespan and mobility in C. elegans.

We previously described a novel micronutrient blend that behaves like a putative calorie restriction mimetic. The aim of this paper was to analyze the beneficial effects of our micronutrient blend in mice and C. elegans, and compare them with calorie restriction. Methods: Whole transcriptomic analysis was performed in the brain cortex, skeletal muscle and heart in three groups of mice: old controls (30 months), old + calorie restriction and old + novel micronutrient blend. Longevity and vitality were tested in C. elegans. Results: The micronutrient blend elicited transcriptomic changes in a manner similar to those in the calorie-restricted group and different from those in the control group. Subgroup analysis revealed that nuclear hormone receptor, proteasome complex and angiotensinogen genes, all of which are known to be directly related to aging, were the most affected. Furthermore, a functional analysis in C. elegans was used. We found that feeding C. elegans the micronutrient blend increased longevity as well as vitality. Conclusions: We describe a micronutrient supplement that causes similar changes (transcriptomic and promoting longevity and vitality) as a calorie restriction in mice and C. elegans, respectively, but further studies are required to confirm these effects in human

Patrones de desprendimiento de cítricos y respuesta del árbol bajo recolección mecanizada con sistemas sacudidores de copa

La recolección mecanizada es una importante alternativa para afrontar los problemas de disponibilidad de mano de obra, los costes de producción y mejorar la rentabilidad de la explotación. La viabilidad de la recolección mecanizada está marcada por la calidad de la fruta y la eficiencia su derribo y para ello es necesaria una adaptación entre máquina y árbol. El objetivo del trabajo es la determinación del patrón de abscisión de naranja dulce con sistema sacudidor de copa en comparación con otros sistemas de desprendimiento y, al mismo tiempo, establecer recomendaciones para alcanzar un elevado porcentaje de derribo. Se ensayaron 4 parcelas de naranja variedad ‘Valencia’ durante las campañas 2017/2018, empleando un sacudidor de copa Oxbo-3210. El patrón de desprendimiento según el tipo de recolección fue determinado junto el análisis de la vibración en la copa del árbol. La frecuencia de rotura tipo AZ-C predominó en caída natural (89,0%) y la recolección manual (79,5%) y se fue igualando con AZ-A en el sacudidor de copa (58,8%). La zona de contacto con las varas mostró un valor medio de ARMS de 2,3 veces mayor que la zona sin contacto, además de un 85% de desprendimiento frente a un 27%. Se definió que la forma de seto ancho debe ser adaptado para facilitar el acceso de las varas y que la máquina debe ajustarse entre el valor ARMS y el tiempo mayor de 300 ms-2 para lograr un desprendimiento del 100%

Hemispheric Sunspot Numbers R_n and R_s: Catalogue and N-S asymmetry analysis

Sunspot drawings are provided on a regular basis at the Kanzelhoehe Solar Observatory, Austria, and the derived relative sunspot numbers are reported to the Sunspot Index Data Center in Brussels. From the daily sunspot drawings, we derived the northern, R_n, and southern, R_s, relative sunspot numbers for the time span 1975-2000. In order to accord with the International Sunspot Numbers R_i, the R_n and R_s have been normalized to the R_i, which ensures that the relation R_n + R_s = R_i is fulfilled. For validation, the derived R_n and R_s are compared to the international northern and southern relative sunspot numbers, which are available from 1992. The regression analysis performed for the period 1992-2000 reveals good agreement with the International hemispheric Sunspot Numbers. The monthly mean and the smoothed monthly mean hemispheric Sunspot Numbers are compiled into a catalogue. Based on the derived hemispheric Sunspot Numbers, we study the significance of N-S asymmetries and the rotational behavior separately for both hemispheres. We obtain that about 60% of the monthly N-S asymmetries are significant at a 95% level, whereas the relative contributions of the northern and southern hemisphere are different for different cycles. From the analysis of power spectra and autocorrelation functions, we derive a rigid rotation with about 27 days for the northern hemisphere, which can be followed for up to 15 periods. Contrary to that, the southern hemisphere reveals a dominant period of about 28 days, whereas the autocorrelation is strongly attenuated after 3 periods. These findings suggest that the activity of the northern hemisphere is dominated by an active zone, whereas the southern activity is mainly dominated by individual long-lived sunspot groups.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, data catalogue online available at http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/390/70

Olive Actual “on Year” Yield Forecast Tool Based on the Tree Canopy Geometry Using UAS Imagery

Olive has a notable importance in countries of Mediterranean basin and its profitability depends on several factors such as actual yield, production cost or product price. Actual “on year” Yield (AY) is production (kg tree-1) in “on years”, and this research attempts to relate it with geometrical parameters of the tree canopy. Regression equation to forecast AY based on manual canopy volume was determined based on data acquired from different orchard categories and cultivars during different harvesting seasons in southern Spain. Orthoimages were acquired with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) imagery calculating individual crown for relating to canopy volume and AY. Yield levels did not vary between orchard categories; however, it did between irrigated orchards (7000–17,000 kg ha-1) and rainfed ones (4000–7000 kg ha-1). After that, manual canopy volume was related with the individual crown area of trees that were calculated by orthoimages acquired with UAS imagery. Finally, AY was forecasted using both manual canopy volume and individual tree crown area as main factors for olive productivity. AY forecast only by using individual crown area made it possible to get a simple and cheap forecast tool for a wide range of olive orchards. Finally, the acquired information was introduced in a thematic map describing spatial AY variability obtained from orthoimage analysis that may be a powerful tool for farmers, insurance systems, market forecasts or to detect agronomical problems

Making Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptability Real in Africa with Conservation Agriculture

In this report, the authors have gathered essential information on how the agricultural sector can respond to climate change through Conservation Agriculture (CA). This document aims to serve as a basis for decision-making based on science and agricultural experimentation in Africa

Mutations in TRAPPC11 are associated with a congenital disorder of glycosylation.

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a heterogeneous and rapidly growing group of diseases caused by abnormal glycosylation of proteins and/or lipids. Mutations in genes involved in the homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the Golgi apparatus (GA), and the vesicular trafficking from the ER to the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) have been found to be associated with CDG. Here, we report a patient with defects in both N- and O-glycosylation combined with a delayed vesicular transport in the GA due to mutations in TRAPPC11, a subunit of the TRAPPIII complex. TRAPPIII is implicated in the anterograde transport from the ER to the ERGIC as well as in the vesicle export from the GA. This report expands the spectrum of genetic alterations associated with CDG, providing new insights for the diagnosis and the understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms underlying glycosylation disorders

Leigh syndrome is the main clinical characteristic of PTCD3 deficiency

Mitochondrial translation defects are a continuously growing group of disorders showing a large variety of clinical symptoms including a wide range of neurological abnormalities. To date, mutations in PTCD3, encoding a component of the mitochondrial ribosome, have only been reported in a single individual with clinical evidence of Leigh syndrome. Here, we describe three additional PTCD3 individuals from two unrelated families, broadening the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of this disorder, and provide definitive evidence that PTCD3 deficiency is associated with Leigh syndrome. The patients presented in the first months of life with psychomotor delay, respiratory insufficiency and feeding difficulties. The neurologic phenotype included dystonia, optic atrophy, nystagmus and tonic-clonic seizures. Brain MRI showed optic nerve atrophy and thalamic changes, consistent with Leigh syndrome. WES and RNA-seq identified compound heterozygous variants in PTCD3 in both families: c.[1453-1G>C];[1918C>G] and c.[710del];[902C>T]. The functional consequences of the identified variants were determined by a comprehensive characterization of the mitochondrial function. PTCD3 protein levels were significantly reduced in patient fibroblasts and, consistent with a mitochondrial translation defect, a severe reduction in the steady state levels of complexes I and IV subunits was detected. Accordingly, the activity of these complexes was also low, and high-resolution respirometry showed a significant decrease in the mitochondrial respiratory capacity. Functional complementation studies demonstrated the pathogenic effect of the identified variants since the expression of wild-type PTCD3 in immortalized fibroblasts restored the steady-state levels of complexes I and IV subunits as well as the mitochondrial respiratory capacity. Additionally, minigene assays demonstrated that three of the identified variants were pathogenic by altering PTCD3 mRNA processing. The fourth variant was a frameshift leading to a truncated protein. In summary, we provide evidence of PTCD3 involvement in human disease confirming that PTCD3 deficiency is definitively associated with Leigh syndrome.© 2022 The Authors. Brain Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Neuropathology

Sub-critical long-term operation of industrial scale hollow-fibre membranes in a submerged anaerobic MBR (HF-SAnMBR) system

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term performance of hollow-fibre (HF) membranes used to treat urban wastewater in a submerged anaerobic MBR when operating sub-critically. To this end, a demonstration plant with two industrial scale HF ultrafiltration membrane modules was operated under different conditions. The main factor affecting membrane performance was the concentration of mixed liquor total solids (MLTS). The reversible fouling rate remained low even when MLTS levels (about 25 g L−1) in the membrane tank were high. No chemical cleaning was conducted whilst operating the plant for more than one year because no irreversible fouling problems were detected. The almost complete absence of irreversible fouling was mainly attributed to: operating at sub-critical filtration conditions; establishing a proper membrane operating mode; and to the characteristics of the anaerobic environment. No chemical precipitation problems were observed in the membranes due to the relatively low operating pH (always below 7) of the sludge. The biogas sparging encouraged high levels of dissolved CO2 in the sludge, resulting in pH levels below 7 and alkalinity values around 600 mg CaCO3 L−1.This research work has been supported by the Spanish Research Foundation (CICYT Projects CTM2008-06809-C02-01 and CTM2008-06809-C02-02, and MICINN FPI Grant BES-2009-023712) and Generalitat Valenciana (Projects GVA-ACOMP2010/130 and GVA-ACOMP2011/1182), which are gratefully acknowledged.Robles Martínez, Á.; Ruano García, MV.; Ribes Bertomeu, J.; Ferrer, J. (2012). Sub-critical long-term operation of industrial scale hollow-fibre membranes in a submerged anaerobic MBR (HF-SAnMBR) system. Separation and Purification Technology. 100:88-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2012.09.010S889610