Nozzle Classification for Drift Reduction in Orchard Spraying: Identification of Drift Reduction Class Threshold Nozzles

In fruit growing high values of spray drift are found compared to arable field applications. In arable spraying drift reducing nozzles are certified for use as drift reducing measures. The nozzles which may potentially reduce drift in fruit growing are not jet classified as drift reducing nozzles, although they are available on the market. The development of a nozzle classification system to identify the drift reduction potential of spray nozzles used in fruit crop spraying would open this market. The results of the initial setup of a nozzle classification system for spray drift reduction in orchard spraying based on drop size measurements is described. An evaluation was made of measured drop size characteristics of a series of nozzles in reference to performed field measurements of two characteristic nozzles; Albuz lilac and Lechler ID9001. Based on these anchor points the ranking of the volume fraction of drops smaller than 100 ¿m (V100) of the nozzle to be classified could be scaled to yield a potential drift reduction, assuming a linear relationship between V100 and spray drift deposition. Within this system, the determination of threshold nozzles for the drift reduction classes 50%, 75%, 90% and 95% drift reduction are described. Identified threshold nozzles for these classes are TeeJet DG8002, Albuz AVI 80015, Lechler ID9001 and Albuz TVI80025 all at 7 bar spray pressure, except for the Lechler ID 9001 which is used at 5 bar pressure. These nozzles will be used in field drift measurements to validate the mode

Comparative genomics among cyst nematodes reveals distinct evolutionary histories among effector families and an irregular distribution of effector-associated promoter motifs

JvS, MH and SvdE were supported by a grant from the Applied and Technical Science domain (TTW) of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) under grant no. 14708. PT received support from the University of St Andrews Bioinformatics Unit (AMD3BIOINF), funded by Wellcome Trust ISSF award 105621/Z/14/Z. MS benefitted from funding by a VENI grant (17282) from the NWO domain Applied and Engineering Sciences.Potato cyst nematodes (PCNs), an umbrella term used for two species, Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis, belong worldwide to the most harmful pathogens of potato. Pathotype-specific host plant resistances are an essential handle for PCN control. However, the poor delineation of G. pallida pathotypes hampers the efficient use of available host plant resistances. Long-read sequencing technology allowed us to generate a new reference genome of G. pallida population D383 and, as compared to the current reference, the new genome assembly is 42 times less fragmented. For comparison of diversification patterns of six effector families between G. pallida and G. rostochiensis, an additional reference genome was generated for an outgroup, the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii (IRS population). Large evolutionary contrasts in effector family topologies were observed. While VAPs diversified before the split between the three cyst nematode species, the families GLAND5 and GLAND13 only expanded in PCN after their separation from the genus Heterodera. Although DNA motifs in the promoter regions thought to be involved in the orchestration of effector expression ('DOG boxes') were present in all three cyst nematode species, their presence is not a necessity for dorsal gland-produced effectors. Notably, DOG box dosage was only loosely correlated with expression level of individual effector variants. Comparison of the G. pallida genome with those of two other cyst nematodes underlined the fundamental differences in evolutionary history between effector families. Re-sequencing of PCN populations with deviant virulence characteristics will allow for the linking of these characteristics with the composition of the effector repertoire as well as for the mapping of PCN diversification patterns resulting from extreme anthropogenic range expansion.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Endothelial or vascular smooth muscle cell-specific expression of human NOX5 exacerbates renal inflammation, fibrosis and albuminuria in the Akita mouse

Aims/hypothesis: Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a detrimental role in the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Renal oxidative stress activates proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and profibrotic factors in DKD. Increased expression of the prooxidant enzyme NADPH oxidase (NOX) 5 in kidneys of diabetic individuals has been hypothesised to correlate with renal injury and progression of DKD. Since the gene encoding NOX5 is not expressed in the mouse genome, we examined the effect of inducible human NOX5 expression in renal cells, selectively in either endothelial cells or vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs)/mesangial cells in a model of insulin-deficient diabetes, the Akita mouse. Methods: Renal structural injury, including glomerulosclerosis, mesangial expansion and extracellular matrix protein accumulation, as well as renal inflammation, ROS formation and albuminuria, were examined in the NOX5 transgenic Akita mouse model of DKD. Results: Expression of NOX5 in either endothelial cells or VSMCs/mesangial cells in diabetic Akita mice was associated with increased renal inflammation (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, NF-κB and toll-like receptor-4) and glomerulosclerosis, as well as upregulation of protein kinase C-α and increased expression of extracellular matrix genes (encoding collagen III, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin) and proteins (collagen IV), most likely mediated via enhanced renal ROS production. The effect of VSMC/mesangial cell-specific NOX5 expression resulted in more pronounced renal fibrosis in comparison with endothelial cell-specific NOX5 expression in diabetic mice. In addition, albuminuria was significantly increased in diabetic VEcad+NOX5+ mice (1192 ± 194 μg/24 h) when compared with diabetic VEcad+NOX5− mice (770 ± 98 μg/24 h). Furthermore, the regulatory components of NOX5 activation, including heat shock protein 90 and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 6, were upregulated only in the presence of both NOX5 and diabetes. Conclusions/interpretation: The findings from this study highlight the importance of NOX5 in promoting diabetes-related renal injury and provide the rationale for the development of a selective NOX5 inhibitor for the prevention and/or treatment of DKD

NADPH Oxidase 5 Is a Pro‐Contractile Nox Isoform and a Point of Cross‐Talk for Calcium and Redox Signaling‐Implications in Vascular Function

Background NADPH Oxidase 5 (Nox5) is a calcium‐sensitive superoxide‐generating Nox. It is present in lower forms and higher mammals, but not in rodents. Nox5 is expressed in vascular cells, but the functional significance remains elusive. Given that contraction is controlled by calcium and reactive oxygen species, both associated with Nox5, we questioned the role of Nox5 in pro‐contractile signaling and vascular function. Methods and Results Transgenic mice expressing human Nox5 in a vascular smooth muscle cell–specific manner (Nox5 mice) and Rhodnius prolixus, an arthropod model that expresses Nox5 endogenoulsy, were studied. Reactive oxygen species generation was increased systemically and in the vasculature and heart in Nox5 mice. In Nox5‐expressing mice, agonist‐induced vasoconstriction was exaggerated and endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation was impaired. Vascular structural and mechanical properties were not influenced by Nox5. Vascular contractile responses in Nox5 mice were normalized by N‐acetylcysteine and inhibitors of calcium channels, calmodulin, and endoplasmic reticulum ryanodine receptors, but not by GKT137831 (Nox1/4 inhibitor). At the cellular level, vascular changes in Nox5 mice were associated with increased vascular smooth muscle cell [Ca2+]i, increased reactive oxygen species and nitrotyrosine levels, and hyperphosphorylation of pro‐contractile signaling molecules MLC20 (myosin light chain 20) and MYPT1 (myosin phosphatase target subunit 1). Blood pressure was similar in wild‐type and Nox5 mice. Nox5 did not amplify angiotensin II effects. In R. prolixus, gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction was blunted by Nox5 silencing, but not by VAS2870 (Nox1/2/4 inhibitor). Conclusions Nox5 is a pro‐contractile Nox isoform important in redox‐sensitive contraction. This involves calcium‐calmodulin and endoplasmic reticulum–regulated mechanisms. Our findings define a novel function for vascular Nox5, linking calcium and reactive oxygen species to the pro‐contractile molecular machinery in vascular smooth muscle cells

Pesticide Exposure of Residents Living Close to Agricultural Fields in the Netherlands:Protocol for an Observational Study

Background: Application of pesticides in the vicinity of homes has caused concern regarding possible health effects in residents living nearby. However, the high spatiotemporal variation of pesticide levels and lack of knowledge regarding the contribution of exposure routes greatly complicates exposure assessment approaches. Objective: The objective of this paper was to describe the study protocol of a large exposure survey in the Netherlands assessing pesticide exposure of residents living close ( Methods: We performed an observational study involving residents living in the vicinity of agricultural fields and residents living more than 500 m away from any agricultural fields (control subjects). Residential exposures were measured both during a pesticide use period after a specific application and during the nonuse period for 7 and 2 days, respectively. We collected environmental samples (outdoor and indoor air, dust, and garden and field soils) and personal samples (urine and hand wipes). We also collected data on spraying applications as well as on home characteristics, participants' demographics, and food habits via questionnaires and diaries. Environmental samples were analyzed for 46 prioritized pesticides. Urine samples were analyzed for biomarkers of a subset of 5 pesticides. Alongside the field study, and by taking spray events and environmental data into account, we developed a modeling framework to estimate environmental exposure of residents to pesticides. Results: Our study was conducted between 2016 and 2019. We assessed 96 homes and 192 participants, including 7 growers and 28 control subjects. We followed 14 pesticide applications, applying 20 active ingredients. We collected 4416 samples: 1018 air, 445 dust (224 vacuumed floor, 221 doormat), 265 soil (238 garden, 27 fields), 2485 urine, 112 hand wipes, and 91 tank mixtures. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study on residents' exposure to pesticides addressing all major nondietary exposure sources and routes (air, soil, dust). Our protocol provides insights on used sampling techniques, the wealth of data collected, developed methods, modeling framework, and lessons learned. Resources and data are open for future collaborations on this important topic

The map-1 Gene Family in Root-Knot Nematodes, Meloidogyne spp.: A Set of Taxonomically Restricted Genes Specific to Clonal Species

Taxonomically restricted genes (TRGs), i.e., genes that are restricted to a limited subset of phylogenetically related organisms, may be important in adaptation. In parasitic organisms, TRG-encoded proteins are possible determinants of the specificity of host-parasite interactions. In the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita, the map-1 gene family encodes expansin-like proteins that are secreted into plant tissues during parasitism, thought to act as effectors to promote successful root infection. MAP-1 proteins exhibit a modular architecture, with variable number and arrangement of 58 and 13-aa domains in their central part. Here, we address the evolutionary origins of this gene family using a combination of bioinformatics and molecular biology approaches. Map-1 genes were solely identified in one single member of the phylum Nematoda, i.e., the genus Meloidogyne, and not detected in any other nematode, thus indicating that the map-1 gene family is indeed a TRG family. A phylogenetic analysis of the distribution of map-1 genes in RKNs further showed that these genes are specifically present in species that reproduce by mitotic parthenogenesis, with the exception of M. floridensis, and could not be detected in RKNs reproducing by either meiotic parthenogenesis or amphimixis. These results highlight the divergence between mitotic and meiotic RKN species as a critical transition in the evolutionary history of these parasites. Analysis of the sequence conservation and organization of repeated domains in map-1 genes suggests that gene duplication(s) together with domain loss/duplication have contributed to the evolution of the map-1 family, and that some strong selection mechanism may be acting upon these genes to maintain their functional role(s) in the specificity of the plant-RKN interactions

NADPH oxidase 5 is a pro‐contractile Nox isoform and a point of cross‐talk for calcium and redox signaling‐implications in vascular function

Background: NADPH Oxidase 5 (Nox5) is a calcium‐sensitive superoxide‐generating Nox. It is present in lower forms and higher mammals, but not in rodents. Nox5 is expressed in vascular cells, but the functional significance remains elusive. Given that contraction is controlled by calcium and reactive oxygen species, both associated with Nox5, we questioned the role of Nox5 in pro‐contractile signaling and vascular function. Methods and Results: Transgenic mice expressing human Nox5 in a vascular smooth muscle cell–specific manner (Nox5 mice) and Rhodnius prolixus, an arthropod model that expresses Nox5 endogenoulsy, were studied. Reactive oxygen species generation was increased systemically and in the vasculature and heart in Nox5 mice. In Nox5‐expressing mice, agonist‐induced vasoconstriction was exaggerated and endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation was impaired. Vascular structural and mechanical properties were not influenced by Nox5. Vascular contractile responses in Nox5 mice were normalized by N‐acetylcysteine and inhibitors of calcium channels, calmodulin, and endoplasmic reticulum ryanodine receptors, but not by GKT137831 (Nox1/4 inhibitor). At the cellular level, vascular changes in Nox5 mice were associated with increased vascular smooth muscle cell [Ca2+]i, increased reactive oxygen species and nitrotyrosine levels, and hyperphosphorylation of pro‐contractile signaling molecules MLC20 (myosin light chain 20) and MYPT1 (myosin phosphatase target subunit 1). Blood pressure was similar in wild‐type and Nox5 mice. Nox5 did not amplify angiotensin II effects. In R. prolixus, gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction was blunted by Nox5 silencing, but not by VAS2870 (Nox1/2/4 inhibitor). Conclusions: Nox5 is a pro‐contractile Nox isoform important in redox‐sensitive contraction. This involves calcium‐calmodulin and endoplasmic reticulum–regulated mechanisms. Our findings define a novel function for vascular Nox5, linking calcium and reactive oxygen species to the pro‐contractile molecular machinery in vascular smooth muscle cells

Структура вірусних діарей у дітей на Сумщині

Гострі кишкові інфекції (ГКІ) стійко посідають одне з провідних місць серед усіх інфекційних захворювань, характеризуються широкою поширеністю, високою частотою розвитку тяжких форм і ускладнень. Прогрес у галузі лабораторних методів діагностики дозволив істотно розширити уявлення про етіологічні чинники хвороби: у країнах, що розвиваються, домінують діарейні інфекції бактерійної етіології, а в економічно розвинених країнах - вірусної. При цитуванні документа, використовуйте посилання http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3228