Leaf heteroblasty in Passiflora edulis as revealed by metabolic profiling and expression analyses of the microRNAs miR156 and miR172

Juvenile-to-adult phase transition is marked by changes in leaf morphology, mostly due to the temporal development of the shoot apical meristem, a phenomenon known as heteroblasty. Sugars and microRNA-controlled modules are components of the heteroblastic process in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. However, our understanding about their roles during phase-changing in other species, such as Passiflora edulis, remains limited. Unlike Arabidopsis, P. edulis (a semi-woody perennial climbing vine) undergoes remarkable changes in leaf morphology throughout juvenile-to-adult transition. Nonetheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown.Here we evaluated the molecular mechanisms underlying the heteroblastic process by analysing the temporal expression of microRNAs and targets in leaves as well as the leaf metabolome during P. edulis development.Metabolic profiling revealed a unique composition of metabolites associated with leaf heteroblasty. Increasing levels of glucose and α-trehalose were observed during juvenile-to-adult phase transition. Accumulation of microRNA156 (miR156) correlated with juvenile leaf traits, whilst miR172 transcript accumulation was associated with leaf adult traits. Importantly, glucose may mediate adult leaf characteristics during de novo shoot organogenesis by modulating miR156-targeted PeSPL9 expression levels at early stages of shoot development.Altogether, our results suggest that specific sugars may act as co-regulators, along with two microRNAs, leading to leaf morphological modifications throughout juvenile-to-adult phase transition in P. edulis

Open heavy-flavour production and elliptic flow in p-Pb collisions at the LHC with ALICE

Measurements of open heavy flavour production in p-A collisions allow the investigation of Cold Nuclear Matter effects. In addition, they are an important tool for a complementary investigation of the long-range correlations found in small systems in the light flavour sector. In this work, production measurements of D mesons at mid-rapidity in p-Pb collisions at root S-NN = 5.02 TeV are reported. Production yields are also reported for the heavy-flavour hadron decay electrons at central rapidity at root(SNN) = 5.02 and 8.16 TeV. The elliptic flow (nu(2)) of heavy-flavour hadron decay electrons in high multiplicity p-Pb collisions at root(SNN) = 5.02 TeV is found to be positive with a significance larger than 5 sigma

The Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex in Aspergillus nidulans

Extent: 6p.A mutation screen in Aspergillus nidulans uncovered mutations in the acdX gene that led to altered repression by acetate, but not by glucose. AcdX of A. nidulans is highly conserved with Spt8p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and since Spt8p is a component of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex, the SAGA complex may have a role in acetate repression in A. nidulans. We used a bioinformatic approach to identify genes encoding most members of the SAGA complex in A. nidulans, and a proteomic analysis to confirm that most protein components identified indeed exist as a complex in A. nidulans. No apparent compositional differences were detected in mycelia cultured in acetate compared to glucose medium. The methods used revealed apparent differences between Yeast and A. nidulans in the deubiquitination (DUB) module of the complex, which in S. cerevisiae consists of Sgf11p, Sus1p, and Ubp8p. Although a convincing homologue of S. cerevisiae Ubp8p was identified in the A. nidulans genome, there were no apparent homologues for Sus1p and Sgf11p. In addition, when the SAGA complex was purified from A. nidulans, members of the DUB module were not co-purified with the complex, indicating that functional homologues of Sus1p and Sgf11p were not part of the complex. Thus, deubiquitination of H2B-Ub in stress conditions is likely to be regulated differently in A. nidulans compared to S. cerevisiae.Paraskevi Georgakopoulos, Robin A. Lockington, Joan M. Kell

A survey of the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of patients with suspected Lynch syndrome in Latin America

Background: Genetic counselling and testing for Lynch syndrome (LS) have recently been introduced in several Latin America countries. We aimed to characterize the clinical, molecular and mismatch repair (MMR) variants spectrum of patients with suspected LS in Latin America. Methods: Eleven LS hereditary cancer registries and 34 published LS databases were used to identify unrelated families that fulfilled the Amsterdam II (AMSII) criteria and/or the Bethesda guidelines or suggestive of a dominant colorectal (CRC) inheritance syndrome. Results: We performed a thorough investigation of 15 countries and identified 6 countries where germline genetic testing for LS is available and 3 countries where tumor testing is used in the LS diagnosis. The spectrum of pathogenic MMR variants included MLH1 up to 54%, MSH2 up to 43%, MSH6 up to 10%, PMS2 up to 3% and EPCAM up to 0.8%. The Latin America MMR spectrum is broad with a total of 220 different variants which 80% were private and 20% were recurrent. Frequent regions included exons 11 of MLH1 (15%), exon 3 and 7 of MSH2 (17 and 15%, respectively), exon 4 of MSH6 (65%), exons 11 and 13 of PMS2 (31% and 23%, respectively). Sixteen international founder variants in MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 were identified and 41 (19%) variants have not previously been reported, thus representing novel genetic variants in the MMR genes. The AMSII criteria was the most used clinical criteria to identify pathogenic MMR carriers although microsatellite instability, immunohistochemistry and family history are still the primary methods in several countries where no genetic testing for LS is available yet. Conclusion: The Latin America LS pathogenic MMR variants spectrum included new variants, frequently altered genetic regions and potential founder effects, emphasizing the relevance implementing Lynch syndrome genetic testing and counseling in all of Latin America countries.Radium Hospital Foundation (Oslo, Norway) in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript, Helse Sør-Øst (Norway) in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript, the French Association Recherche contre le Cancer (ARC) in the analysis, and interpretation of data, the Groupement des Entreprises Françaises dans la Lutte contre le Cancer (Gefluc) in the analysis, and interpretation of data, the Association Nationale de la Recherche et de la Technologie (ANRT, CIFRE PhD fellowship to H.T.) in the analysis, and interpretation of data and by the OpenHealth Institute in the analysis, and interpretation of data. Barretos Cancer Hospital received financial support by FINEP-CT-INFRA (02/2010)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Presença de folhas e ácido indol butírico no enraizamento de estacas de quiri

Paulownia fortunei (Scrophulariaceae), native to East Asia, has a wide geographical distribution. In this work was studied the rooting of Paulownia fortunei cuttings, with and without leaves, collected in three seasons and treated with the application of indolebutyric acid (IBA). Cuttings were also compared for possible anatomical differences between seasons. Originated from current year shoots in autumn/2011, spring/2011 and summer/2012, two types of cuttings were prepared: one about 10-12 cm long, with bevel cut on the base and straight at the apex, with two leaves reduced to an area of 78.5 cm²; the other with the same specifications, with leaves completely removed. After disinfection, base of the cuttings was treated with IBA (0, 500, 1.000, 1.500 and 2.000 mg L-1). Planting was made in tubes of 110 cm³, with medium size vermiculite particles and carbonized rice hull (1:1) and installed in a greenhouse with intermittent mist. After 60 days it was verified that the absence of leaves favored the adventitious rooting in all the seasons, with the highest rooting percentage in autumn (12.75%). The application of IBA did not have influence on rooting of any type of cuttings. No anatomical differences were observed between the bases of cuttings collected in the studied seasons.Paulownia fortunei (Scrophulariaceae), natural do leste da Ásia, possui ampla distribuição geográfica. Neste trabalho estudou-se a rizogênese de estacas caulinares de quiri com e sem folhas, coletadas em três estações do ano, com a aplicação de ácido indol butírico (IBA), comparando possíveis diferenças anatômicas entre as estações. A partir de brotações do ano no outono/2011, primavera/2011 e verão/2012, foram confeccionados dois tipos de estacas: com cerca de 10-12 cm de comprimento, corte em bisel na base e reto no ápice, com duas folhas reduzidas a uma superfície de 78,5 cm²; e com as mesmas especificações, sem a presença das folhas. Após desinfestação, a base das estacas foi tratada com IBA (0, 500, 1000, 1500 e 2000 mg L-1). O plantio foi realizado em tubetes de 110 cm³, com vermiculita de granulometria média e casca de arroz carbonizada (1:1) acondicionados em casa de vegetação climatizada. Após 60 dias verificou-se que a ausência de folhas favoreceu o enraizamento das estacas em todas as estações, com o  maior enraizamento no outono (12,75%). A aplicação de IBA não influenciou no enraizamento de nenhum dos tipos de estacas. Não foram observadas diferenças anatômicas nas bases das estacas coletadas nas diferentes estações

Phosphorus behavior on an Oxisol fertilized by phosphate alkaline biosolid and cultivated with common bean

This study aimed to evaluate the extractable phosphorus Mehlich-1 in a distrophic Red-Yellow Latosol (Oxisol) which received alkaline sewage sludge (alkaline biosolid) along with 0, 0.436, 0.872 and 1.745 dag kg-1 of P from three different sources and cultivated with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. IPR Uirapuru) in greenhouse. It also aimed to quantify the phosphorus uptake by the plant, plant production and the relative agronomic effectiveness index. For the establishment of the treatment the recommended dose was 45.85 kg ha-1 of P from the treatments, except the control (0 dag kg-1 of P). This dose was calculated for 2.5 kg of this Oxisol from Contenda, Paraná State, Brazil, contained in recepients of 3 dm3 with 6 cultivated bean plants (cv. IPR Uirapuru). Phosphorus added in alkaline biosolid increased the extractable phosphorus (Mehlich-1) in soil and phosphorus accumulated in plants as well as the grain and total dry mass production of bean plants. The best level of phosphorus added to alkaline biosolid was 0.436 dag kg-1 of P from the partially acidulated phosphate rock Alvorada and single superphosphate

Evaluation of zinc levels in the soil and in bean plants

Avaliou-se, em casa de vegetação, na Universidade Federal do Paraná, o efeito residual de níveis e fontes de Zn, nas formas inorgânica e orgânica, sobre o teor deste micronutriente no solo e nas folhas de três cultivares de feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) em um Cambissolo de textura argilosa, da região metropolitana de Curitiba, PR. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições, e os tratamentos foram a combinação de duas formas com quatro níveis de Zn. Os níveis da forma inorgânica foram equivalentes a 0, 3, 6 e 9 kg de Zn/ha fornecidos como sulfato de zinco, aplicados ao solo, e os da forma orgânica foram 0, 20, 30 e 40 g de Zn/ha, de MIQL 2711/87, em tratamento de sementes. Foi avaliado o teor de Zn total e disponível no solo após a colheita do primeiro experimento, e o teor de Zn nas folhas das plantas de feijoeiro, cultivares 'FT 398', 'FT 120' e 'IAPAR 20' do experimento residual. Verificou-se que os resíduos dos níveis de Zn na forma inorgânica influenciam os teores de Zn total e disponível no solo, como também os teores de Zn encontrados nas folhas dos feijoeiros, estes tidos como normais. O maior nível de adubação com Zn na forma orgânica influenciou o teor de Zn disponível no solo, mas não teve efeito significativo sobre os teores foliares.A greenhouse evaluation, at the Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) of residual effects of inorganic and organic Zn levels and sources, on the Zn content in the soil and in leaves of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars, in a clay-texture Cambisol, at Curitiba, PR, Brazil. A complete randomized design was used with three replications, and the treatments were a combination of two forms of Zn with four levels of Zn. The levels of inorganic forms were equivalent to 0, 3, 6 and 9 kg of Zn/ha given as zinc sulphate applied to the soil, and the organic forms were 0, 20, 30 and 40 g of Zn/ha, of MIQL 2711/87, as seed treatment. The total Zn content and Zn availability in the soil after harvest of the first experiment, and the Zn leaf levels of three bean cultivars, 'FT 398', 'FT 120' and 'IAPAR 20' of the residual experiment were evaluated. It was observed that the inorganic Zn levels influenced the total Zn content as well as the available Zn in the soil and the bean leaf contents, which were considered normal. The highest level of organic Zn fertilization influenced the available Zn in the soil, but it was not significant on leaf contents

No-till broccoli farming over pearl millet: weed suppression and yield at consecutive seasons in the southern coast of Brazil

ABSTRACT The pearl millet is a potential feedstock for biomass production under sensitive areas to climate changes, as the southern coast of Brazil. Looking for the sustainability of small-scale vegetable farmers on that region, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pearl millet as a cover crop on suppression of weeds during no-tillage cultivation of broccoli for two consecutive sea sons. The experimental design was a randomized block with four treatments and four replications in split-plot design over time. Soil covering with whole millet; milled millet; spontaneous weeds (fallow) and conventional planting were tested; by they could causes changes in the community of weeds, either in the occurrence of weed species and in the accumulation of their biomass with influence on the yield of broccoli. The weed species density average over the two seasons, from higher to lower, followed respectively: Cyperus rotundus, Eleusine indica, Galinsoga quadriradiata, Cynodon dactylon, Commelina erecta and Amaranthus lividus. It was verified that soil covering with pear millet has altered weeds population dynamic and their biomass, being efficient in suppress the emergence of weeds. At the second season, the soil covered with whole pearl millet increased the yield of broccoli in comparison to the conventional system, being a sustainable technique for family farmers.RESUMEN El mijo perla es una especie potencial para la producción de biomasa en áreas sensibles a los cambios climáticos, como la costa sur de Brasil. Buscando la sostenibilidad de los pequeños productores de hortalizas en esa región, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del mijo perla como cultivo de cobertura en la supresión de las malas hierbas durante el cultivo de brócoli cero labranza durante dos temporadas consecutivas. El diseño experimental fue un bloque aleatorio con cuatro tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones en el diseño de parcelas divididas a lo largo del tiempo. Suelo cubierto con mijo entero; mijo aplastado; malezas espontáneas (barbecho) y la siembra convencional se ensayaron para comprobar si podrían causar cambios en la comunidad de malezas, ya sea en la presencia de especies de malezas y en la acumulación de su biomasa con influencia en el rendimiento del brócoli. La densidad promedio de las especies de malezas durante las dos estaciones, siguió respectivamente: Cyperus rotundus, Eleusine indica, Galinsoga quadriradiata, Cynodon dactylon, Commelina erecta y Amaranthus lividus. Se verificó que la cobertura del suelo con mijo perla ha alterado la dinámica poblacional de las malezas y su biomasa, siendo eficaz para limitar la aparición de malezas. En la segunda temporada, el suelo cubierto con mijo perla entero aumentó el rendimiento del brócoli en comparación con el sistema convencional, siendo una técnica sostenible para los agricultores familiares