Growth and yield of the sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) as affected by training system

Modern intensive production of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) tends to planting of high quality cultivars on the dwarfing rootstocks in high density orchards. The most productive training system is used, providing an ideal condition for undisturbed growth and yield. The main objective of this study was to determine the best training system of sweet cherry, considering regular and high yields and fruit quality. The three-year study was carried out on a 4-years old sweet cherry orchard with cultivar summit grafted on the dwarfing rootstock Tabel ® Edabriz. Three different training systems (Spanish bush, Spindle bush and "V") were compared. The smaller vegetative growth, expressed as trunk crosssectional area (TCSA) was recorded in Spanish bush (34.68 cm2) when compared to Spindle bush (40.11 cm2) and "V" (40.82 cm2). The largest cumulative yield per hectare was gotten by the training system "V" (41.65 t/ha), followed by Spindle bush (21.12 t/ha) and Spanish bush (11.30 t/ha). Yield efficiency (YE) (kg/cm2) of Spanish bush (0.19 kg/cm2) was significantly lower than that of Spindle bush (0.32 kg/cm2) and "V" (0.28 kg/cm2). Yield per unit land area (YA) (kg/m2) differed in all training systems and the highest was recorded on "V", while the smallest was in Spanish bush. Training system and density did not affect the fruit weight. Results showed that the training system significantly affected the growth and yield of sweet cherry.Key words: Rootstock, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), training system

Involvement of SNPs in miR-3117 and miR-3689d2 in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children. Numerous studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) could play a role in this disease. Nowadays, more than 2500 miRNAs have been described, that regulate more than 50% of genes, including those involved in B-cell maturation, differentiation and proliferation. Genetic variants in miRNAs can alter their own levels or function, affecting their target gene expression, and then, may affect ALL risk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the role of miRNA genetic variants in B-ALL susceptibility. We analyzed all variants in pre-miRNAs (MAF > 1%) in two independent cohorts from Spain and Slovenia and inferred their functional effect by in silico analysis. SNPs rs12402181 in miR-3117 and rs62571442 in miR-3689d2 were associated with ALL risk in both cohorts, possibly through their effect on MAPK signalling pathway. These SNPs could be novel markers for ALL susceptibility

The state of research into children with cancer across Europe : new policies for a new decade

Overcoming childhood cancers is critically dependent on the state of research. Understanding how, with whom and what the research community is doing with childhood cancers is essential for ensuring the evidence-based policies at national and European level to support children, their families and researchers. As part of the European Union funded EUROCANCERCOMS project to study and integrate cancer communications across Europe, we have carried out new research into the state of research in childhood cancers. We are very grateful for all the support we have received from colleagues in the European paediatric oncology community, and in particular from Edel Fitzgerald and Samira Essiaf from the SIOP Europe office. This report and the evidence-based policies that arise from it come at a important junction for Europe and its Member States. They provide a timely reminder that research into childhood cancers is critical and needs sustainable long-term support.peer-reviewe