A method to obtain disinfected Globodera infective juveniles directly from cysts

Les systèmes d'inoculation in vitro sont des outils performants et précis pour l'étude des interactions plantes-nématodes. L'obtention de juvéniles stériles est une étape cruciale pour la plupart de ces systèmes. La majorité des protocoles publiés comprennent une désinfection des juvéniles, ce qui conduit à une mortalité élevée. Nous décrivons ici une nouvelle méthode pour désinfecter, rapidement, facilement, et à faible coût des nématodes du genre #Globodera$, en partant de kystes. La mortalité des juvéniles désinfectés est faible (entre 10 et 40% au maximum). Les juvéniles stérilisés infestent les racines de pomme de terre cultivées in vitro et s'y développent normalement. (Résumé d'auteur

Composite Phaseolus vulgaris plants with transgenic roots as research tool

Large seeded grain legumes such as the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) are very important crops with seeds that are major protein source for people in developingcountries, but their yields and improvement lag behind the economically more important cereals. For research purposes, genetic transformation is a powerful tool to obtain valuable information on gene expression and putative gene functions. In addition, through genetic transformation, candidate genes can be evaluated for their potential in agricultural biotechnology applications, such as resistance against biotic stresses. However, it remains difficult to stable genetically transform large seeded grain legumes such as Phaseolus and cowpea using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. In this paper a system is described to obtain so-called transgenic composite plants from P. vulgaris. These have a transgenic root system, obtained through Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformation of de-rooted seedlings. Their potentials for studies on important processes in the root system will be discussed

Transcriptome analysis and systemic RNAi response in the African sweetpotato weevil (Cylas puncticollis, Coleoptera, Brentidae

<div><p>The African sweetpotato weevil (SPW) <i>Cylas puncticollis</i> Boheman is one of the most important constraints of sweetpotato production in Sub-Saharan Africa and yet is largely an uncharacterized insect pest. Here, we report on the transcriptome analysis of SPW generated using an Illumina platform. More than 213 million sequencing reads were obtained and assembled into 89,599 contigs. This assembly was followed by a gene ontology annotation. Subsequently, a transcriptome search showed that the necessary RNAi components relevant to the three major RNAi pathways, were found to be expressed in SPW. To address the functionality of the RNAi mechanism in this species, dsRNA was injected into second instar larvae targeting <i>laccase2</i>, a gene which encodes an enzyme involved in the sclerotization of insect exoskeleton. The body of treated insects showed inhibition of sclerotization, leading eventually to death. Quantitative Real Time PCR (qPCR) confirmed this phenotype to be the result of gene silencing. Together, our results provide valuable sequence data on this important insect pest and demonstrate that a functional RNAi pathway with a strong and systemic effect is present in SPW and can further be explored as a new strategy for controlling this important pest.</p></div

Boll positioning and seed ageing effects on seed quality of cotton in Busia County, Kenya

La graine de coton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) est un produit agricole susceptible de se d\ue9t\ue9riorer pendant le stockage. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9terminer l\u2019effet de la position de la capsule sur les graines de la plante et la p\ue9riode de stockage sur la qualit\ue9 des graines de coton. La vari\ue9t\ue9 de coton KSA 81M a \ue9t\ue9 plant\ue9e au Centre de Formation Agricole de Busia (ATC) et les capsules ont \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9colt\ue9es dans les branches basale, centrale et sup\ue9rieure. Les graines ont \ue9t\ue9 stock\ue9es puis test\ue9es pour d\ue9terminer la qualit\ue9 des graines. En g\ue9n\ue9ral, le pourcentage de germination des graines a diminu\ue9 pendant la p\ue9riode de stockage; tandis que la conductivit\ue9 \ue9lectrique et le temps moyen de germination augmentaient. Remarquablement, la capacit\ue9 germinative des graines provenant des tiges basales est tomb\ue9e en dessous de la capacit\ue9 germinative des graines des branches m\ue9dianes et sup\ue9rieures, apr\ue8s six mois malgr\ue9 un pourcentage de germination initial plus \ue9lev\ue9. En revanche, la conductivit\ue9 \ue9lectrique et le temps moyen de germination des graines des branches basales ont montr\ue9 une augmentation significative apr\ue8s six mois par rapport aux branches moyennes et sup\ue9rieures. Nos r\ue9sultats sugg\ue8rent que la qualit\ue9 des graines de coton des branches basales \ue0 la r\ue9colte est sup\ue9rieure \ue0 la qualit\ue9 des graines des branches m\ue9dianes et sup\ue9rieures. Cependant, lorsqu\u2019elles sont soumises au stockage, les graines des branches basales pr\ue9sentent des changements de d\ue9t\ue9rioration plus \ue9lev\ue9s que ceux obtenus des branches moyenne et sup\ue9rieure. Cela pourrait \ueatre li\ue9 \ue0 la dur\ue9e du d\ue9veloppement des graines et \ue0 l\u2019augmentation des fuites de solut\ue9 apr\ue8s l\u2019imbibition, qui s\u2019accompagne g\ue9n\ue9ralement d\u2019une fuite in\ue9vitable des m\ue9tabolites n\ue9cessaires \ue0 la germination et \ue0 la croissance normale des semis

Magnetic moments of 68^{68}Cug,m^{g,m} and 70^{70}Cug,m1,m2^{g,m_{1},m_{2}} nuclei measured by in-source laser spectroscopy

We have obtained information on the atomic hyperfine splitting and, hence, on magnetic moments in neutron rich $^{68, 70}$Cu isotopes by scanning the frequency of the narrow-band laser of the first excitation step in the resonance ionization laser ion source. The deduced magnetic moments are $\mu( ^{68}$Cu$^{g}$, I$^{\pi}$ = 1$^+$) = +2.48(2)(7)$\mu_{N}$ ; $\mu(^{68}$Cu$^{m}$, I$^{\pi}$=6$^{-}$) = +1.24(4)(6)$\mu_{N}$ and $\mu(^{70}$Cu$^{m_{2}}$, I$^{\pi}$=1$^{+}$) = +1.86(4)(6)$\mu_{N}$ ; $\mu(^{70}$Cu$^{g}$, I$^{\pi}$=6$^{-}$) = +1.50(7)(8)$\mu_{N}$. The results of the scans analysis point out on existence of a new isomer in $^{70}$Cu$^{m_{1}}$. It's deduced magnetic moment is (-)3.50(7)(11)$\mu_{N}$ that is in a good agreement with I$^{\pi}$=3$^{-}$ assignment. The method of in-source atomic spectroscopy, as well as the analysis of the obtained data, is described. The results are discussed in terms of single-particle configurations coupled to the $^{68}$Ni core

Effective and specific in planta RNAi in cyst nematodes: expression interference of four parasitism genes reduces parasitic success

Cyst nematodes are highly evolved sedentary plant endoparasites that use parasitism proteins injected through the stylet into host tissues to successfully parasitize plants. These secretory proteins likely are essential for parasitism as they are involved in a variety of parasitic events leading to the establishment of specialized feeding cells required by the nematode to obtain nourishment. With the advent of RNA interference (RNAi) technology and the demonstration of host-induced gene silencing in parasites, a new strategy to control pests and pathogens has become available, particularly in root-knot nematodes. Plant host-induced silencing of cyst nematode genes so far has had only limited success but similarly should disrupt the parasitic cycle and render the host plant resistant. Additional in planta RNAi data for cyst nematodes are being provided by targeting four parasitism genes through host-induced RNAi gene silencing in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, which is a host for the sugar beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii. Here it is reported that mRNA abundances of targeted nematode genes were specifically reduced in nematodes feeding on plants expressing corresponding RNAi constructs. Furthermore, this host-induced RNAi of all four nematode parasitism genes led to a reduction in the number of mature nematode females. Although no complete resistance was observed, the reduction of developing females ranged from 23% to 64% in different RNAi lines. These observations demonstrate the relevance of the targeted parasitism genes during the nematode life cycle and, potentially more importantly, suggest that a viable level of resistance in crop plants may be accomplished in the future using this technology against cyst nematodes

Impacts of morally distressing experiences on the mental health of Canadian health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Research is urgently needed to understand health care workers’ (HCWs’) experiences of moral-ethical dilemmas encountered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and their associations with organizational perceptions and personal well-being. This research is important to prevent long-term moral and psychological distress and to ensure that workers can optimally provide health services.Objective: Evaluate associations between workplace experiences during COVID-19, moral distress, and the psychological well-being of Canadian HCWs. Method: A total of 1362 French- and English-speaking Canadian HCWs employed during the COVID-19 pandemic were recruited to participate in an online survey. Participants completed measures reflecting moral distress, perceptions of organizational response to the pandemic, burnout, and symptoms of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Results: Structural equation modelling showed that when organizational predictors were considered together, resource adequacy, positive work life impact, and ethical work environment negatively predicted severity of moral distress, whereas COVID-19 risk perception positively predicted severity of moral distress. Moral distress also significantly and positively predicted symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and burnout.Conclusions: Our findings highlight an urgent need for HCW organizations to implement strategies designed to prevent long-term moral and psychological distress within the workplace. Ensuring availability of adequate resources, reducing HCW risk of contracting COVID-19, providing organizational support regarding individual priorities, and upholding ethical considerations are crucial to reducing severity of moral distress in HCWs.</p

Impacts of morally distressing experiences on the mental health of Canadian health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Research is urgently needed to understand health care workers’ (HCWs’) experiences of moral-ethical dilemmas encountered throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and their associations with organizational perceptions and personal well-being. This research is important to prevent long-term moral and psychological distress and to ensure that workers can optimally provide health services.Objective: Evaluate associations between workplace experiences during COVID-19, moral distress, and the psychological well-being of Canadian HCWs. Method: A total of 1362 French- and English-speaking Canadian HCWs employed during the COVID-19 pandemic were recruited to participate in an online survey. Participants completed measures reflecting moral distress, perceptions of organizational response to the pandemic, burnout, and symptoms of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Results: Structural equation modelling showed that when organizational predictors were considered together, resource adequacy, positive work life impact, and ethical work environment negatively predicted severity of moral distress, whereas COVID-19 risk perception positively predicted severity of moral distress. Moral distress also significantly and positively predicted symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and burnout.Conclusions: Our findings highlight an urgent need for HCW organizations to implement strategies designed to prevent long-term moral and psychological distress within the workplace. Ensuring availability of adequate resources, reducing HCW risk of contracting COVID-19, providing organizational support regarding individual priorities, and upholding ethical considerations are crucial to reducing severity of moral distress in HCWs.</p

Physical activity to improve cognition in older adults: can physical activity programs enriched with cognitive challenges enhance the effects? A systematic review and meta-analysis

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