Performance of yam microtubers from temporary immersion system in field conditions

The yam clones ´Pacala Duclos´ and ´Belep´ of Dioscorea alata were used to evaluate the performance of microtubers formed in temporary immersion systems (TIS) in field conditions. Previously sprouted microtubers with a fresh weight higher than 3.0 gFW were used while in vitro plants and tuber crowns from conventional propagation methods served as control. In both clones there were no significant differences in qualitative morphological characters between plants from microtubers and in vitro plants for all traits but both differed significantly from plants obtained from tuber crowns. The same trend was observed for number, length, diameter and fresh weight of tubers produced 36 weeks after field planting. The number of tubers formed per plant raised from microtubers doubled that raised from tuber crowns in both clones. Microtubers from temporary immersion systems can be grown on the field and used in original seed production programs.Key words: Microtuber, yam, field, temporary immersion system

Isolated diaphragm weakness and the diagnostic value of phrenic nerve stimulation

Acute onset, atraumatic, bilateral diaphragm paralysis due to isolated bilateral phrenic neuropathy is uncommon. Respiratory physicians should be alert to this disorder because it is associated with considerable morbidity and diagnosis is often delayed. These case reports highlight important aspects of the presentation, investigations and management of this disorder

Effects of different culture conditions (photoautotrophic, photomixotrophic) and the auxin indole-butyric acid on the in vitro acclimatization of papaya (Carica papaya L. var. Red Maradol) plants using zeolite as support

Plant regeneration of papaya via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis has been successful;  however, the biggest problem of in vitro culture of this species is the acclimatization of regenerated  plants, where over 70% of the plants are lost before being planted in the field. Decreasing the relative humidity inside the culture vessel and thus increasing the ventilation, appears to have a greater effect on  the adaptation of papaya plants, strengthening the function of the stomata and with this, allowing better  control of water loss from the leaves. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different  concentrations of sucrose and indole-butyric acid (IBA) on rooting and in vitro acclimatization of plants  using sterile zeolite as support and culture vessels with increased ventilation. Three concentrations of  sucrose (0, 10 and 20 g L-1) were studied with and without auxin and as the control treatment, the  rooting culture medium with agar during 17, 27 and 37 culture days. The highest percentage of rooting  was recorded at 37 culture days in the treatment without sucrose and IBA with 80.0% and zeolite as  support. The best photosynthetic values were achieved when in vitro shoots were grown in culture  medium with auxin and different concentrations of sucrose, even though they were also high in the  treatment without the presence of IBA and without sucrose at 17 days of culture. The combined effect of the zeolite, auxin (IBA), without sucrose in the culture medium and increased ventilation allowed   photoautotrophic culture conditions which had effect of the increasing plant survival under ex vitro  acclimatization conditions.Key words: Carica papaya, photosynthesis, roots formation

Determinación por AFLP de la estabilidad genética de plantas de yuca obtenidas por embriogenesis somática y organogenesis

AFLP techniques have been reported to determine the genetic stability at a molecular level of cassava plants propagated by several methods: somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis and field conditions. ‘CMC-76’, ‘CEMSA 74-725’ and ‘Señorita’ clones from the germplasm collection kept at the INIVIT were used. Two Kit for AFLPs were applied, one of them combined selection primers +2/+3 (AFLP Analysis System II GibcoBRL) and the other +3/+3 (AFLP® Analysis System I, GibcoBRL®). 44 combination primers (EcoRI + 2 ó EcoRI + 3) were tested and five were selected as the most efficient. Plants derived from different propagation methods within each clone resulted identical genetically and differences were only observed in the three studied clones. This result corroborates the efficiency of AFLPs to study the genetic stability of micropropagated material, storaged at medium term or in cryoconservation. Besides, plants obtained with these techniques can be used for the production of high quality planting material in this crop.Key word: genetic stability, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesisSe describe el empleo de la técnica de AFLP para determinar a nivel molecular la estabilidad genética de las plantas de yuca (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) propagadas por diferentes métodos: embriogénesis somática, organogénesis y tradicional en campo. Se utilizaron los clones CMC-76, CEMSA 74-725 y Señorita del banco de germoplasma del INIVIT. Se aplicaron dos Kit para AFLP, uno con una combinación de cebadores de selección +2/+3 (AFLP® Analysis System II, GibcoBRL®) y otro +3/+3 (AFLP® Analysis System I, GibcoBRL®). Se estudiaron 44 combinaciones de cebadores (EcoRI+2 ó EcoRI+3 x MseI+3) y se seleccionaron cinco como los más eficientes. Se encontró que las plantas procedentes de los diferentes métodos de propagación estudiados dentro de cada clon, resultaron genéticamente idénticas y sólo fueron observadas diferencias entre los tres clones estudiados. Este resultado confirmó la utilidad de los AFLP para el estudio de la estabilidad genética de los materiales micropropagados, conservados a mediano plazo o crioconservados. Además, las plantas obtenidas por estas técnicas pueden ser utilizadas para la producción de material de plantación de alta calidad en este cultivo.Palabras clave: embriogénesis somática, estabilidad genética, Manihot esculenta, organogénesi

The mental health of university students in the United Kingdom

There are increasing concerns globally about the mental health of students (Kadison,& Digeronimo, 2004). In the UK, the actual incidence of mental disturbance is unknown, although university counselling services report increased referrals (Association of University & College Counselling, 2011). This study assesses the levels of mental illness in undergraduate students to examine whether widening participation in education has resulted in increases as hypothesized by the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists (2003, 2011). Patterns of disturbance across years are compared to identify where problems arise. Students (N = 1197) completed the General Health Questionnaire-28 either on day one at university or midway through the academic year for first, second and third year students. Rates of mental illness in students equalled those of the general population but only 5.1% were currently receiving treatment. Second year students reported the most significant increases in psychiatric symptoms. Factors contributing to the problem are discussed

Regeneración de plantas via embriogénesis somática en Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray

Plant regeneration protocols are a requirement to develop plants transformation systems.The capacity of Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray to regenerate plants from embryogenic callus formation was investigated. Two explants were used to form calli on a culture medium containing thidiazuron and indole-3-acetic acid. The embryonic axes showed better capacity than cotyledons to form embryos. Solar light was the most favourable to develop the in vitro plants. The 32% of somatic embryos with complete germination was achieved. These results indicate that somatic embryos formation and their germination in Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray depended on the explant, culture medium and illumination conditions. In vitro-germinated plantlets were established in the greenhouse.Key words: bean, callus formation, plant regeneration, tissue culturePara desarrollar un sistema de transformación genética un requisito fundamental es contar con un protocolo de regeneración de plantas. En el trabajo se investigó la capacidad de Phaseolus acutifolius para regenerar plantas a partir de callos con estructuras embriogénicas. Se utilizaron dos tipos de explantes para la formación de callos en un medio de cultivo que contenía thidiazuron y ácido indol-acético. Los ejes embrionarios mostraron una mejor capacidad que los cotiledones para la formación de embriones somáticos. La luz solar resultó ser la más favorable para el desarrollo de las plantas in vitro. En estas condiciones se alcanzó el 32% de los embriones somáticos con germinación completa. Estos resultados indicanron que la formación de embriones somáticos y su germinación en Phaseolus acutifolius dependieron del explante, el medio de cultivo y las condiciones de iluminación. Las plantas germinadas in vitro, pudieron ser aclimatizadas en el invernadero.Palabras clave: cultivo de tejidos, formación de callos, frijol, regeneración de plantasAbbreviations: BAP 6- Benzylaminopurine, TDZ Thidiazuron, IAA indole-3-acetic acid, GA3 gibberellic acid, AgNO3 silver nitrat

Embriogénesis somática en el cv. Navolean a partir de ápices de brotes de yemas axilares

In order to develop embryogenic cultures in AAB Musa genotypes without persistent male inflorescence, the process has had greater success from proliferating meristems for callus formation with embryogenic structures. Based on the previous information, other alternative explant sources for somatic embryogenesis development in cv. Navolean. Meristematic apexes were cultured in p5 culture medium supplemented with thidiazuron and ancymidol (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, mg.l-1) to obtain axillary buds. Later, axillary buds and proliferated meristems were tested for callus induction with embryogenic structures combinations with different 2,4-D concentrations. The best growth regulator for obtaining axillary buds was ancymidol (0.2 mg.l-1). For callus formation with embryogenic structures, axillary buds at 1.0 mg.l-1 2,4-D provided a higher percentage (13.6%). These results permitted the development of embryogenic cell suspensions from somatic embryos.Key words: Ancymidol, embryogenic cell suspension, plantainEl desarrollo de cultivos embriogénicos en los genotipos AAB de Musa, que no poseen inflorescencia masculina persistente, ha tenido mayor éxito a partir de multiyemas para la formación de los callos con estructuras embriogénicas pero esto pudiera incrementar la variación somaclonal. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior se trabajó en la determinación de otra fuente de explante inicial alternativa para el desarrollo de la embriogénesis somática en el cultivar objeto de estudio. Se cultivaron brotes axilares en el medio de cultivo P5 suplementado con tidiazuron y ancimidol (0.2; 0.4; 0.6 mg.l-1 cada uno por separado) para lograr la brotación de yemas axilares. Posteriormente para formar los callos con estructuras embriogénicas se colocaron los ápices de brotes obtenidos de yemas axilares en un medio de cultivo ZZ con diferentes concentraciones de 2,4-D. El mejor regulador del crecimiento para la brotación de yemas axilares fue el ancimidol (0.2 mg.l-1). Para la formación de callos con estructuras embriogénicas, la concentración de 1.0 mg.l-1 de 2,4-D propiciaron el mayor porcentaje (13.6%). A partir de los embriones somáticos producidos se logró el establecimiento de suspensiones celulares embriogénicas. Se demostró que es posible el desarrollo de la embriogénesis somática en el cv. Navolean no solo a partir de scalps de multiyemas.Palabras clave: ancimidol, plátanos, suspensiones celulares embriogénica