Contenido de aceite en pasta de aceituna sobre una base de peso seco (OPDW): un indicador del tiempo de cosecha óptimo en modernos olivares

In modern oil olive orchards, mechanical harvesting technologies have significantly accelerated harvesting outputs, thereby allowing for careful planning of harvest timing. While optimizing harvest time may have profound effects on oil yield and quality, the necessary tools to precisely determine the best date are rather scarce. For instance, the commonly used indicator, the fruit ripening index, does not necessarily correlate with oil accumulation. Oil content per fruit fresh weight is strongly affected by fruit water content, making the ripening index an unreliable indicator. However, oil in the paste, calculated on a dry weight basis (OPDW), provides a reliable indication of oil accumulation in the fruit. In most cultivars tested here, OPDW never exceeded ca. 0.5 g.g–1 dry weight, making this threshold the best indicator for the completion of oil accumulation and its consequent reduction in quality thereafter. The rates of OPDW and changes in quality parameters strongly depend on local conditions, such as climate, tree water status and fruit load. We therefore propose a fast and easy method to determine and monitor the OPDW in a given orchard. The proposed method is a useful tool for the determination of optimal harvest timing, particularly in large plots under intensive cultivation practices, with the aim of increasing orchard revenues. The results of this research can be directly applied in olive orchards, especially in large-scale operations. By following the proposed method, individual plots can be harvested according to sharp thresholds of oil accumulation status and pre-determined oil quality parameters, thus effectively exploiting the potentials of oil yield and quality. The method can become a powerful tool for scheduling the harvest throughout the season, and at the same time forecasting the flow of olives to the olive mill.En los modernos olivares, las tecnologías de recogida mecánica han acelerado significativamente la recogida de las cosechas, lo que permite la planificación del momento idóneo de la cosecha. Mientras que la optimización de tiempo de cosecha puede tener importantes efectos en la producción de un aceite de calidad, las herramientas para determinar con precisión la mejor fecha de la cosecha son más bien pobres. Por ejemplo, el indicador de uso común, el índice de maduración de la fruta, no se correlaciona necesariamente con la acumulación de aceite. El contenido de aceite por peso de fruto fresco está estrechamente afectado por el contenido de agua de la fruta, por lo que es un indicador poco fiable. Sin embargo, el aceite en la pasta, calculado sobre una base de peso seco (OPDW), proporciona una indicación fiable de la acumulación de aceite en el fruto. En la mayoría de los cultivares analizados aquí, OPDW nunca excedió 0.5 g·g–1 de peso seco, haciendo de este umbral el mejor indicador para la terminación de la acumulación de aceite y su consiguiente reducción de la calidad. Las tasas de OPDW y los cambios en los parámetros de calidad dependen en gran medida de las condiciones locales, como el clima, el estado hídrico del árbol, y la carga frutal. Por tanto, proponemos un método rápido y fácil de determinar y seguir OPDW en un olivar determinado. El método propuesto es una herramienta útil para la determinación del momento óptimo de cosecha, especialmente en las grandes parcelas bajo prácticas intensivas de cultivo, y con el consiguiente aumento de ingresos. Los resultados de esta investigación pueden aplicarse directamente a un olivar, especialmente en operaciones a gran escala. Siguiendo el método propuesto, las parcelas individuales pueden cosecharse de acuerdo con los perfiles de estado de acumulación de aceite y determinados parámetros de calidad del aceite, por lo tanto explotar eficazmente los potenciales de rendimiento de aceite y calidad. El método puede convertirse en una poderosa herramienta de programar la cosecha a lo largo de la temporada, la previsión de este modo el flujo de las aceitunas a la almazara

The Hemopoietic Stem Cell Niche Versus the Microenvironment of the Multiple Myeloma-Tumor Initiating Cell

Multiple myeloma cells are reminiscent of hemopoietic stem cells in their strict dependence upon the bone marrow microenvironment. However, from all other points of view, multiple myeloma cells differ markedly from stem cells. The cells possess a mature phenotype and secrete antibodies, and have thus made the whole journey to maturity, while maintaining a tumor phenotype. Not much credence was given to the possibility that the bulk of plasma-like multiple myeloma tumor cells is generated from tumor-initiating cells. Although interleukin-6 is a major contributor to the formation of the tumor’s microenvironment in multiple myeloma, it is not a major factor within hemopoietic stem cell niches. The bone marrow niche for myeloma cells includes the activity of inflammatory cytokines released through osteoclastogenesis. These permit maintenance of myeloma cells within the bone marrow. In contrast, osteoclastogenesis constitutes a signal that drives hemopoietic stem cells away from their bone marrow niches. The properties of the bone marrow microenvironment, which supports myeloma cell maintenance and proliferation, is therefore markedly different from the characteristics of the hemopoietic stem cell niche. Thus, multiple myeloma presents an example of a hemopoietic tumor microenvironment that does not resemble the corresponding stem cell renewal niche

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells : a systematic reappraisal via the genostem experience

Genostem (acronym for “Adult mesenchymal stem cells engineering for connective tissue disorders. From the bench to the bed side”) has been an European consortium of 30 teams working together on human bone marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) biological properties and repair capacity. Part of Genostem activity has been dedicated to the study of basic issues on undifferentiated MSCs properties and on signalling pathways leading to the differentiation into 3 of the connective tissue lineages, osteoblastic, chondrocytic and tenocytic. We have evidenced that native bone marrow MSCs and stromal cells, forming the niche of hematopoietic stem cells, were the same cellular entity located abluminally from marrow sinus endothelial cells. We have also shown that culture-amplified, clonogenic and highly-proliferative MSCs were bona fide stem cells, sharing with other stem cell types the major attributes of self-renewal and of multipotential priming to the lineages to which they can differentiate (osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells/pericytes). Extensive transcription profiling and in vitro and in vivo assays were applied to identify genes involved in differentiation. Thus we have described novel factors implicated in osteogenesis (FHL2, ITGA5, Fgf18), chondrogenesis (FOXO1A) and tenogenesis (Smad8). Another part of Genostem activity has been devoted to studies of the repair capacity of MSCs in animal models, a prerequisite for future clinical trials. We have developed novel scaffolds (chitosan, pharmacologically active microcarriers) useful for the repair of both bone and cartilage. Finally and most importantly, we have shown that locally implanted MSCs effectively repair bone, cartilage and tendonWork supported by the European Community (Key action 1.2.4-3 Integrated Project Genostem, contract No 503161)

Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Human Mammary Stem/Progenitor Cells in Long Term Culture

Background: Cancer stem cells exhibit close resemblance to normal stem cells in phenotype as well as function. Hence, studying normal stem cell behavior is important in understanding cancer pathogenesis. It has recently been shown that human breast stem cells can be enriched in suspension cultures as mammospheres. However, little is known about the behavior of these cells in long-term cultures. Since extensive self-renewal potential is the hallmark of stem cells, we undertook a detailed phenotypic and functional characterization of human mammospheres over long-term passages. Methodology: Single cell suspensions derived from human breast `organoids' were seeded in ultra low attachment plates in serum free media. Resulting primary mammospheres after a week (termed T1 mammospheres) were subjected to passaging every 7th day leading to the generation of T2, T3, and T4 mammospheres. Principal Findings: We show that primary mammospheres contain a distinct side-population (SP) that displays a CD24(low)/CD44(low) phenotype, but fails to generate mammospheres. Instead, the mammosphere-initiating potential rests within the CD44(high)/CD24(low) cells, in keeping with the phenotype of breast cancer-initiating cells. In serial sphere formation assays we find that even though primary (T1) mammospheres show telomerase activity and fourth passage T4 spheres contain label-retaining cells, they fail to initiate new mammospheres beyond T5. With increasing passages, mammospheres showed an increase in smaller sized spheres, reduction in proliferation potential and sphere forming efficiency, and increased differentiation towards the myoepithelial lineage. Significantly, staining for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity revealed a dramatic increase in the number of senescent cells with passage, which might in part explain the inability to continuously generate mammospheres in culture. Conclusions: Thus, the self-renewal potential of human breast stem cells is exhausted within five in vitro passages of mammospheres, suggesting the need for further improvisation in culture conditions for their long-term maintenance

p53 Plays a Role in Mesenchymal Differentiation Programs, in a Cell Fate Dependent Manner

Background: The tumor suppressor p53 is an important regulator that controls various cellular networks, including cell differentiation. Interestingly, some studies suggest that p53 facilitates cell differentiation, whereas others claim that it suppresses differentiation. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate whether this inconsistency represents an authentic differential p53 activity manifested in the various differentiation programs. Methodology/Principal Findings: To clarify this important issue, we conducted a comparative study of several mesenchymal differentiation programs. The effects of p53 knockdown or enhanced activity were analyzed in mouse and human mesenchymal cells, representing various stages of several differentiation programs. We found that p53 downregulated the expression of master differentiation-inducing transcription factors, thereby inhibiting osteogenic, adipogenic and smooth muscle differentiation of multiple mesenchymal cell types. In contrast, p53 is essential for skeletal muscle differentiation and osteogenic re-programming of skeletal muscle committed cells. Conclusions: These comparative studies suggest that, depending on the specific cell type and the specific differentiatio

A COMPARISON OF TWO TECHNIQUES FOR CO_2 ENRICHMENT IN GREENHOUSES IN REGIONS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF SOLAR RADIATION

At the Besor Experiment Station, Israel, two techniques for the enrichment of greenhouses with carbon dioxide were tested and compared with non-enriched growth of tomatoes. With one enrichment technique CO_2 was applied only during those parts of the day when the temperature in the closed greenhouse did not exceed 30℃ (selective enrichment). With the other technique, CO_2 was applied also during those parts of the day when the temperature would have exceeded 30℃, by intermittent cycles of enrichment (greenhouse closed) and aeration (greenhouse open). The effect of each technique on yields was tested in identical greenhouses, in which a local and a Dutch-bred variety of tomato was grown. In both varieties higher yields were obtained with intermittent enrichment compared with selective enrichment or with no enrichment

SUITABILITY OF GREENHOUSE BUILDING TYPES AND ROOF COVER MATERIALS FOR GROWTH OF EXPORT TOMATOES IN THE BESOR REGION OF ISRAEL : I. EFFECT ON CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Growth conditions in a narrow bay, low roof Dutch greenhouse (Venlo type) and in a wide bay, high roof Israeli greenhouse (Sharsheret type), were studied. Roof-cover materials that were tested in the Israeli greenhouses included glass, polyethylene, corrugated fiberglass and tabular polycarbonate. The differences in climatic conditions between the greenhouses were usually small and without a specific trend. Day temperatures in all building types were 1-6℃ higher than the values measured outdoors simultaneously. During most of the season, excessively high temperatures could be avoided by opening ventilation windows. In the Dutch greenhouse, day temperature control was rather limited. Night temperatures in all greenhouses were usually higher by 1℃ or less than the outside temperature. In the polycarbonate-covered greenhouse, night temperatures were higher. Radiation inside the greenhouses was about 55%-60% of the outside level. In the polycarbonate-covered greenhouse, radiation levels were about 10% lower than the others. The photosynthetically active fraction of global radiation was higher inside the greenhouses than outside

Real-World Translation of Artificial Intelligence in Neuro-Ophthalmology: The Challenges of Making an Artificial Intelligence System Applicable to Clinical Practice

1. Lin D, Xiong J, Liu C, Zhao L, Li Z, Yu S, Wu X, Ge Z, Hu X, Wang B, Fu M, Zhao X, Wang X, Zhu Y, Chen C, Li T, Li Y, Wei W, Zhao M, Li J, Xu F, Ding L, Tan G, Xiang Y, Hu Y, Zhang P, Han Y, li J, Wei L, Zhu P, Liu Y, Chen W, Ting D, Wong T, Chen Y, Lin H. Application of Comprehensive Artificial intelligence Retinal Expert (CARE) system: a national real-world evidence study. Lancet Digit Health. 2021;3:e486-e495. 2. Xie Y, Nguyen Q, Bellemo V, Yip M, Lee M, Hamzah H, Lim G, Hsu W, Lee ML, Wang JJ, Cheng CY, Finkelstein EA, Lamoureux EL, Tan GSW, Wong T. Cost-Effectiveness analysis of an artificial intelligence-assisted deep learning system implemented in the national tele-medicine diabetic retinopathy screening in Singapore. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019;60:5471. 3. Gulshan V, Peng L, Coram M, Stumpe MC, Wu D, Narayanaswamy A, Venugopalan S, Widner K, Madams T, Cuadros J, Kim R, Raman R, Nelson PC, Mega JL, Webster DR. Development and validation of a deep learning algorithm for detection of diabetic retinopathy in retinal fundus Photographs. JAMA. 2016;316:2402-2410. 4. van der Heijden AA, Abramoff MD, Verbraak F, van Hecke M, Liem A, Nijpels G. Validation of automated screening for referable diabetic retinopathy with the IDx-DR device in the Hoorn Diabetes Care System. Acta Ophthalmol. 2018;96:63-68. 5. Milea D, Najjar RP, Jiang Z, Ting D, Vasseneix C, Xu X, Aghsaei Fard M, Fonseca P, Vanikieti K, Lagrèze WA, La Morgia C, Cheung CY, Hamann S, Chiquet C, Sanda N, Yang H, Mejico LJ, Rougier MB, Kho R, Tran THC, Singhal S, Gohier P, Vignal-Clermont C, Cheng Cy, Jonas JB, Yu-Wai-Man P, Fraser CL, Chen JJ, Ambika S, Miller NR, Liu Y, Newman NJ, Wong TY, Biousse V. Artificial intelligence to detect papilledema from ocular fundus Photographs. New Engl J Med. 2020;382:1687-1695

Development, calibration and validation of a greenhouse tomato model: 1. Description of the model.

A dynamic crop growth model, TOMGRO, for an indeterminate tomato variety is presented. The model describes the phenological development and increase in dry weight of various organs (roots, stem nodes, leaves and fruits) from planting till maturity under variable environmental conditions. Phenological development is governed by genetic plant properties and environmental conditions (e.g. air temperature and CO2 level) and expressed in a plastochron index, i.e. the current stem node number. Total dry matter accumulation is based on a quantitative description of the carbon balance, including gross CO2 assimilation, maintenance respiration and growth respiration. Partitioning of dry matter increase over the various organs is governed by their relative sink strengh, defined on the basis of a genetically determined ‘potential’ growth rate, achieved under non-limiting carbohydrate supply. The model is both schematic and modular in set-up. This means it can be adapted easily and most of its subroutines can be replaced easily by others if better descriptions become available. It can also be combined with a more comprehensive model describing greenhouse climate and appears robust for use in procedures of economic optimization of climate conditions in greenhouses or for management purposes