Direct Evidence for a Radial Gradient in Age of the Apple Fruit Cuticle

The pattern of cuticle deposition plays an important role in managing strain buildup in fruit cuticles. Cuticular strain is the primary trigger for numerous fruit-surface disorders in many fruit crop species. Recent evidence indicates a strain gradient may exist within the apple fruit cuticle. The outer layers of the cuticle are more strained and thus more susceptible to microcracking than the inner layers. A radial gradient in cuticle age is the most likely explanation. Our study aimed to establish whether (or not) deposition of new cutin in a developing apple fruit occurs on the inner surface of the cuticle, i.e., immediately abutting the outward-facing epidermal cell wall. Developing apples were fed with 13C oleic acid through the skin. Following a 14-d period for incorporation, the fruit was harvested and the cuticular membranes (CMs) isolated enzymatically. The CMs were then ablated to varying extents from the inner or the outer surfaces, using a cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP). Afterwards, the ablated CMs were dewaxed and the 13C contents were determined by mass spectrometry. The incorporation of 13C in the cutin fraction was higher than in the wax fraction. The 13C content was highest in non-ablated, dewaxed CM (DCM) and decreased as ablation depth from the inner surface increased. There was no change in 13C content when ablation was carried out from the outer surface. As fruit development proceeded, more 13C label was found towards the middle of the DCM. These results offered direct evidence for deposition of cutin being on the inner surface of the cuticle, resulting in a radial gradient in cuticular age—the most recent deposition (youngest) being on the inner cuticle surface (abutting the epidermal cell wall) and the earliest deposition (oldest) being on the outer surface (abutting the atmosphere). Copyright © 2021 Si, Khanal, Schlüter and Knoche

Impact analysis of climate change for an Alpine catchment using high resolution dynamic downscaling of ECHAM4 time slices

International audienceGlobal climate change affects spatial and temporal patterns of precipitation and so has a major impact on surface and subsurface water balances. While global climate models are designed to describe climate change on global or continental scales, their resolution is too coarse for them to be suitable for describing regional climate change. Therefore, regional climate models are applied to downscale the coarse meteorological fields to a much higher spatial resolution to take account of regional climate phenomena. The changes of atmospheric state due to regional climate change must be translated into surface and sub-surface water fluxes so that the impact on water balances in specific catchments can be investigated. This can be achieved by the coupled regional climatic/hydrological simulations presented here. The non-hydrostatic regional climate model MCCM was used for dynamic downscaling for two time slices of a global climate model simulation with the GCM ECHAM4 (IPCC scenario IS92a, "business as usual") from 2.8° × 2.8° to 4 × 4 km2 resolution for the years 1991?1999 and 2031?2039. This allowed derivation of detailed maps showing changes in precipitation and temperature in a region of southern Germany and the central Alps. The performance of the downscaled ECHAM4 to reproduce the seasonality of precipitation in central Europe for the recent climate was investigated by comparison with dynamically downscaled ECMWF reanalyses in 20 × 20 km2 resolution. The downscaled ECHAM4 fields underestimate precipitation significantly in summer. The ratio of mean monthly downscaled ECHAM4 and ECMWF precipitation showed little variation, so it was used to adjust the course of precipitation for the ECHAM4/MCCM fields before it was applied in the hydrological model. The high resolution meteorological fields were aggregated to 8-hour time steps and applied to the distributed hydrological model WaSiM to simulate the water balance of the alpine catchment of the river Ammer (c. 700 km2) at 100 × 100 m2 resolution. To check the reliability of the coupled regional climatic/hydrological simulation results for the recent climate, they were compared with those of a station-based hydrological simulation for the period 1991?1999. This study shows the changes in the temperature and precipitation distributions in the catchment from the recent climate to the future climate scenario and how these will affect the frequency distribution of runoff. Keywords: coupled climate-hydrology simulations, dynamic downscaling, distributed hydrological modelling, ECHAM4 climate scenario, alpine hydrolog

Effects of Promalin on Fruit Growth and Cuticle Properties of 'Pinova' Apple

Promalin (Valent BioSciences, Libertyville, IL, USA) is a proprietary mixture of gibberellin A4+7 and 6-benzyladenine that is widely used in apple production to improve the fruit shape, size, and skin quality. Promalin typically increases fruit size and length. However, the increased growth likely increases the strain in the fruit skin, which may exacerbate microcracking of the cuticle and, consequently, russeting. This study aimed to monitor the growth-stimulating effect of Promalin in three different regions of fruits and investigate whether Promalin affects cuticular microcracking via effects on the deposition of cuticular components or via the accumulation of strain in the cuticle. Four Promalin sprays (20 mg L-1) were applied to runoff; the first was applied at full bloom, and the remaining sprays were applied at approximately weekly intervals thereafter. Fruit surface areas and fruit surface area growth rates of the Promalin-treated fruits were higher than those of the untreated control fruits. Promalin increased the fruit length, but it had no effect on the fruit equatorial diameter. In Promalin-treated fruits, the base of each sepal extended, thickened, and became fleshy as early as 15 days after full bloom (DAFB). Allometric growth analyses revealed higher constant differential growth ratios of the pedicel and calyx length (before 36 DAFB) in Promalin-treated fruits than in control fruits. After 36 DAFB, the difference in constant differential growth ratios between Promalin-treated fruits and control fruits decreased. Cuticle mass per unit area increased with time in all regions of the fruit surface and was slightly (+3.3%) but significantly higher in fruits treated with Promalin than in control fruits. Additionally, the biaxial strain release was slightly and significantly lower in Promalin-treated fruits than in control fruits. When the isolated, cuticle was ablated from the inner surface and dewaxed, strain relaxation in the control fruits was higher than that in the Promalin-treated fruits. It was concluded that Promalin treatment increases the length of the fruit by increasing the lengths of the pedicel and calyx regions early during fruit development. Promalin only slightly increased cuticle deposition and fixation of cuticular strain. Promalin had no effects on microcracking or russeting

Regional climate model simulations as input for hydrological applications: evaluation of uncertainties

International audienceThe ERA15 Reanalysis (1979-1993) has been dynamically downscaled over Central Europe using 4 different regional climate models. The regional simulations were analysed with respect to 2m temperature and total precipitation, the main input parameters for hydrological applications. Model results were validated against three reference data sets (ERA15, CRU, DWD) and uncertainty ranges were derived. For mean annual 2 m temperature over Germany, the simulation bias lies between -1.1°C and +0.9°C depending on the combination of model and reference data set. The bias of mean annual precipitation varies between -31 and +108 mm/year. Differences between RCM results are of the same magnitude as differences between the reference data sets

The function of copulatory plugs in Caenorhabditis remanei: hints for female benefits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mating plugs that males place onto the female genital tract are generally assumed to prevent remating with other males. Mating plugs are usually explained as a consequence of male-male competition in multiply mating species. Here, we investigated whether mating plugs also have collateral effects on female fitness. These effects are negative when plugging reduces female mating rate below an optimum. However, plugging may also be positive when plugging prevents excessive forced mating and keeps mating rate closer to a females' optimum. Here, we studied these consequences in the gonochoristic nematode <it>Caenorhabditis remanei</it>. We employed a new CO₂-sedation technique to interrupt matings before or after the production of a plug. We then measured mating rate, attractiveness and offspring number.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The presence of a mating plug did not affect mating rate or attractiveness to roving males. Instead, females with mating plugs produced more offspring than females without copulatory plugs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our experiment suggests that plugging might have evolved under male-male competition but represents a poor protection against competing males in our experiment. Even if plugging does not reduce mating rate, our results indicate that females may benefit from being plugged in a different sense than remating prevention.</p

OXIDATION RATES OF MAJOR FATTY ACIDS IN FASTING NEONATAL PIGS

Thirty-two pigs were used to compare the oxidation rates of uniformly labeled (U-14C) palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1) and linoleic (18:2) acids in fasting neonatal pigs. The pigs were allowed to nurse the sow for 24 to 48 h following birth. Subsequently, they were removed, an indwelling catheter was surgically placed in the external iliac vein and the pigs were fasted for 12 h to attain a postabsorptive state. The 14C fatty acids were administered as a single infusion (10 / μCi) via the catheter, and recovery of the label as expired 14CO2 was determined at 45-min intervals for a 6-h period. Blood samples were taken following the infusion (15, 60, 120, 240, 360 min) to monitor activity maintained within the free fatty acid (FFA) fraction of the plasma pool. The oxidation rate of each fatty acid was corrected for the difference in dose dilution using a uniform factor based on plasma concentration of 18:1. The cumulative 6-h 14CO2 recovery rates (percentage of dose) were 19.1, 6.6, 30.1 and 13.1% for 16:0, 18:0, 18:1 and 18:2, respectively. Oleic acid was oxidized at a more (P\u3c.05) rapid rate than the other fatty acids. Palmitic acid and 18:2 were oxidized more rapidly than 18:0, although the difference between 18:0 and 18:2 was not significant. Plasma FFA pools differed with respect to the proportion of infused activity remaining at various times after administration. At 60 and 120 min postinfusion, the greatest (P\u3c.05) proportion of activity was maintained in the 18:1 pool (11.9 and 6.6%, respectively, vs 7.7 and 4.3% for 16:0, 6.9 and 3.9% for 18:2 and 3.6 and 2.2% for 18:0). Palmitic acid and 18:2 had a greater (P\u3c.05) level of activity in the plasma FFA pool at 60 min than did 18:0. This same pattern was observed through 2 h, but by 240 min postinfusion, the proportion of activity remaining in each of the plasma pools was similar. Rate of oxidation appeared to correspond with plasma concentration and proportion of activity remaining in the plasma FFA pool

OXIDATION RATES OF MAJOR FATTY ACIDS IN FASTING NEONATAL PIGS

Thirty-two pigs were used to compare the oxidation rates of uniformly labeled (U-14C) palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1) and linoleic (18:2) acids in fasting neonatal pigs. The pigs were allowed to nurse the sow for 24 to 48 h following birth. Subsequently, they were removed, an indwelling catheter was surgically placed in the external iliac vein and the pigs were fasted for 12 h to attain a postabsorptive state. The 14C fatty acids were administered as a single infusion (10 / μCi) via the catheter, and recovery of the label as expired 14CO2 was determined at 45-min intervals for a 6-h period. Blood samples were taken following the infusion (15, 60, 120, 240, 360 min) to monitor activity maintained within the free fatty acid (FFA) fraction of the plasma pool. The oxidation rate of each fatty acid was corrected for the difference in dose dilution using a uniform factor based on plasma concentration of 18:1. The cumulative 6-h 14CO2 recovery rates (percentage of dose) were 19.1, 6.6, 30.1 and 13.1% for 16:0, 18:0, 18:1 and 18:2, respectively. Oleic acid was oxidized at a more (P\u3c.05) rapid rate than the other fatty acids. Palmitic acid and 18:2 were oxidized more rapidly than 18:0, although the difference between 18:0 and 18:2 was not significant. Plasma FFA pools differed with respect to the proportion of infused activity remaining at various times after administration. At 60 and 120 min postinfusion, the greatest (P\u3c.05) proportion of activity was maintained in the 18:1 pool (11.9 and 6.6%, respectively, vs 7.7 and 4.3% for 16:0, 6.9 and 3.9% for 18:2 and 3.6 and 2.2% for 18:0). Palmitic acid and 18:2 had a greater (P\u3c.05) level of activity in the plasma FFA pool at 60 min than did 18:0. This same pattern was observed through 2 h, but by 240 min postinfusion, the proportion of activity remaining in each of the plasma pools was similar. Rate of oxidation appeared to correspond with plasma concentration and proportion of activity remaining in the plasma FFA pool

Die Kritik der Politischen Ökonomie der Medien/Kommunikation: ein hochaktueller Ansatz

This debate article discusses how topical the approach of the Critique of the Political Economy of Media/Communication is today. The paper analyses the status of this field. At the international level, there is a longer tradition in the Critical Political Economy of Media/Communication, especially in the United Kingdom and North America. Since the start of the new crisis of capitalism in 2008, the interest in Marx’s works has generally increased. At the same time communicative and ideological features of societal changes’ unpredictable turbulences have become evident. This contribution introduces some specific approaches. It also discusses 14 aspects of why the complex, multidimensional, open and dynamic research approach of the critique of capitalism and society that goes back Marx’s theory remains relevant today

Effectiveness of postoperative radiotherapy after radical cystectomy for locally advanced bladder cancer

BACKGROUND: Local-regional failure (LF) for locally advanced bladder cancer (LABC) after radical cystectomy (RC) is common even with chemotherapy and is associated with high morbidity/mortality. Postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) can reduce LF and may enhance overall survival (OS) but has no defined role. We hypothesized that the addition of PORT would improve OS in LABC in a large nationwide oncology database. METHODS: We identified ≥ pT3pN0-3M0 LABC patients in the National Cancer Database diagnosed 2004-2014 who underwent RC ± PORT. OS was calculated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was used to identify predictors of OS. Propensity matching was performed to match RC patients who received PORT vs those who did not. RESULTS: 15,124 RC patients were identified with 512 (3.3%) receiving PORT. Median OS was 20.0 months (95% CI, 18.2-21.8) for PORT vs 20.8 months (95% CI, 20.3-21.3) for no PORT (P = 0.178). In multivariable analysis, PORT was independently associated with improved OS: hazard ratio 0.87 (95% CI, 0.78-0.97); P = 0.008. A one-to-three propensity match yielded 1,858 patients (24.9% receiving PORT and 75.1% without). In the propensity-matched cohort, median OS was 19.8 months (95% CI, 18.0-21.6) for PORT vs 16.9 months (95% CI, 15.6-18.1) for no PORT (P = 0.030). In the propensity-matched cohort of urothelial carcinoma patients (N = 1,460), PORT was associated with improved OS for pT4, pN+, and positive margins (P \u3c 0.01 all). CONCLUSION: In this observational cohort, PORT was associated with improved OS in LABC. While the data should be interpreted cautiously, these results lend support to the use of PORT in selected patients with LABC, regardless of histology. Prospective trials of PORT are warranted