Responses to Increased Salinity and Severe Drought in the Eastern Iberian Endemic Species Thalictrum maritimum (Ranunculaceae), Threatened by Climate Change

[EN] Thalictrum maritimum is an endangered, endemic species in East Spain, growing in areas of relatively low salinity in littoral salt marshes. A regression of its populations and the number of individuals has been registered in the last decade. This study aimed at establishing the causes of this reduction using a multidisciplinary approach, including climatic, ecological, physiological and biochemical analyses. The climatic data indicated that there was a direct negative correlation between increased drought, especially during autumn, and the number of individuals censused in the area of study. The susceptibility of this species to water deficit was confirmed by the analysis of growth parameters upon a water deficit treatment applied under controlled greenhouse conditions, with the plants withstanding only 23 days of complete absence of irrigation. On the other hand, increased salinity does not seem to be a risk factor for this species, which behaves as a halophyte, tolerating in controlled treatments salinities much higher than those registered in its natural habitat. The most relevant mechanisms of salt tolerance in T. maritimum appear to be based on the control of ion transport, by (i) the active transport of toxic ions to the aerial parts of the plants at high external salinity¿where they are presumably stored in the leaf vacuoles to avoid their deleterious effects in the cytosol, (ii) the maintenance of K+ concentrations in belowground and aboveground organs, despite the increase of Na+ levels, and (iii) the salt-induced accumulation of Ca2+, particularly in stems and leaves. This study provides useful information for the management of the conservation plans of this rare and endangered species.This research was funded by GENERALITAT VALENCIANA, grant number AICO/2017/039, to M. 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Insights on Salt Tolerance of Two Endemic Limonium Species from Spain

[EN] We have analysed the salt tolerance of two endemic halophytes of the genus Limonium, with high conservation value. In the present study, seed germination and growth parameters as well as different biomarkers-photosynthetic pigments, mono and divalent ion contents-associated to salt stress were evaluated in response to high levels of NaCl. The study was completed with an untargeted metabolomics analysis of the primary compounds including carbohydrates, phosphoric and organic acids, and amino acids, identified by using a gas chromatography and mass spectrometry platform. Limonium albuferae proved to be more salt-tolerant than L. doufourii, both at the germination stage and during vegetative growth. The degradation of photosynthetic pigments and the increase of Na+/K+ ratio under salt stress were more accentuated in the less tolerant second species. The metabolomics analysis unravelled several differences between the two species. The higher salt tolerance of L. albuferae may rely on its specific accumulation of fructose and glucose under high salinity conditions, the first considered as a major osmolyte in this genus. In addition, L. albuferae showed steady levels of citric and malic acids, whereas the glutamate family pathway was strongly activated under stress in both species, leading to the accumulation of proline (Pro) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).This research was funded by GENERALITAT VALENCIANA, grant number AICO/2017/039, to M. Boscaiu.González-Orenga, S.; Ferrer-Gallego, PP.; Laguna, E.; López-Gresa, MP.; Donat-Torres, MP.; Verdeguer Sancho, MM.; Vicente, O.... (2019). Insights on Salt Tolerance of Two Endemic Limonium Species from Spain. Metabolites. 9(12):1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo9120294S12291

Multidisciplinary studies supporting conservation programmes of two rare, endangered Limonium species from Spain

[EN] Background and aims Two local threatened endemics from Valencian salt marshes were analysed from a multidisciplinary perspective combining field studies with experiments performed under greenhouse-controlled conditions. The work aimed to investigate the habitat of the two species but also to explore their limits of tolerance to severe drought and salinity and the mechanisms behind their stress responses. Methods The number of individuals in several populations, climatic conditions, soil characteristics and accompanying vegetation in the natural habitats were analysed in the field study. Plants obtained by seed germination were grown in the greenhouse and subjected to one month of water and salt stress treatments. Growth and biochemical parameters were analysed after the treatments were finalised. Results No correlation between climatic parameters and the number of individuals censed of the two Limonium species could be established. Although L. dufourii was found in more saline soils in the natural habitats, under controlled greenhouse conditions, this species was more severely affected by salt treatment than L. albuferae, which is more susceptible to water stress. A common biochemical response was the increase of proline under all stress treatments, but mostly in water-stressed plants. Oxidative stress markers, MDA and H2O2, did not indicate significant differences between the treatments. The differences in the two species¿ responses to the two kinds of stress were correlated with the activation of the antioxidant enzymes, more pronounced in conditions of salt stress in L. albuferae and of water stress in L. dufourii. Conclusions Although L. albuferae is found in sites with lower salinity in the natural habitats, the greenhouse experiment indicated that it tolerates higher concentrations of salt than L. dufouri, which is more resistant to drought. The two species efficiently mitigate oxidative stress by activation of antioxidant enzymes. The results obtained may be helpful for the conservation management of the two species: whereas salinity is not problematic, as the two species tolerated under controlled conditions salinities far beyond those in their natural environments, water scarcity may be a problem for L. albuferae, which proved to be more susceptible to water deficit.This research was supported by the project AICO/2017/039 from Generalitat Valenciana. We are indebted to Dr Inmaculada Bautista (Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain) for her valuable suggestions for improving the manuscript. Thanks to Inmaculada Ferrando Pardo for helping in the study and conservation of the seeds in the Centre for Forest Research and Experimentation of the Valencian Region (CIEF).González-Orenga, S.; Donat-Torres, MP.; Llinares Palacios, JV.; Navarro, A.; Collado, F.; Ferrer-Gallego, PP.; Laguna Lumbreras, E.... (2021). Multidisciplinary studies supporting conservation programmes of two rare, endangered Limonium species from Spain. Plant and Soil. 466(1-2):505-524. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-05059-95055244661-

Occurrence of corn stunt diseases and maize viruses in the Provinces of Tucumán and Córdoba in Argentina

A incidência de doenças causadas por molicutes e por vírus foi avaliada em lavouras de milho (Zea mays) nas Províncias de Tucumán e de Córdoba, na Argentina, em fevereiro de 2000. Na Província de Tucumán verificou-se que 44% das lavouras apresentaram altos níveis de incidência de plantas com sintomas de enfezamentos causados por molicutes (50 a 100%), em altitudes variando de 300 a 2.000 m. A presença de fitoplasma e de espiroplasma foi confirmada em amostras de folhas de plantas com sintomas de enfezamentos, através dos testes de PCR e de "Western blotting". Constatou-se, porém, que a eficiência desses testes para detecção destes patógenos, quando os sintomas apresentados pelas plantas eram muito acentuados, foi da ordem de 70%, e de apenas 30% quando os sintomas eram menos acentuados. Na localidade Jesus Maria, foram encontradas plantas apresentando acentuado nanismo, folhas estreitas e com deformações. Dentre quatro amostras destas plantas, submetidas a testes de PCR, em duas foi detectada a presença de fitoplasma, possivelmente d istinto do "Maize Bushy Stunt Phytoplasma". A cigarrinha Dalbulus maidis, inseto vetor dos molicutes, foi encontrada apenas em Tucumán, estando ausente em Córdoba. O Mal de Rio Cuarto virus foi detectado em seis lavouras em Córdoba, e em três em Tucumán. A cigarrinha Delphacodes kuscheli foi detectada em todas as lavouras em Córdoba, e em apenas três lavouras em Tucumán. O Maize dwarf mosaic virus foi detectado em cerca de 60% das lavouras amostradas nas duas Províncias e o Maize rayado fino virus em apenas uma localidade em Tucumán.The incidence of "corn stunt diseases" and maize (Zea mays) viruses was evaluated in maize fields located at the Provinces of Tucumán and Córdoba in Argentina in February 2000. A high number of plants infected with "corn stunt disease" were observed in Tucumán (up 50 to 100%) in 44% of maize crops surveyed in areas varying from up 300 to 2000 m high. The presence of Maize Bushy Stunt Phytoplasma (MBSP) and Corn Stunt Spiroplasma (CSS) was confirmed by PCR and Western blotting tests. In plants showing typical symptoms of MBSP or CSS, the pathogens were detected in 70% of the samples. However, when symptoms were weak, the efficiency of detection dropped to approximately 30%. In Rio Cuarto, Province of Córdoba, the presence of phytoplasma was detected only in three plants showing red leaf symptoms. In Jesus Maria locality, plants showing symptoms different from those caused by MBSP, were demonstrated to be infected by phytoplasma when analyzed by PCR using universal primers. The leafhopper Dalbulus maidis, vector of MBSP and CSS, was found only in Tucumán. The Mal de Rio Cuarto virus (MRCV) was found in six maize fields in Córdoba and in three maize fields located at 1970 to 2.000 m high in Tucumán. The plant hopper Delphacodes kuscheli, vector of MRCV, was found in both provinces sampled. The Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) was found in 60% of maize crops in both Provinces and the Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV)was found only in one location in Tucumán

Different healthy habits between northern and southern Spanish school children

Aim: Healthy habits are influenced by several factors such as, geographical location. The aims of this study were to describe and compare healthy habits within two populations of sixth-grade primary school children (aged 11-12 years) from Northern and Southern Spain. Subject and Methods: A cross-sectional study using two representative samples of school children was conducted. Participants came from Logroño (n=329), in the North and Granada (n=284), in the South of Spain. Socio-demographic and anthropometric variables, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, aerobic fitness, and healthy lifestyles were recorded. Results: Boys reported higher level of physical activity and aerobic fitness than girls (p=0.000). Southern school children reported significantly higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (♀: p=0.041; ♂: p=0.008), and lower aerobic fitness (♀: p=0.000; ♂: p=0.042) and hours of nightly sleep (♀: p=0.008, ♂: p=0.007) than Northern school children. Southern boys also reported lower levels of physical activity (p=0.013). There were slight or moderate correlations among all habits measured (physical activity, diet, screen and sleep time). Additionally, physical activity level was inversely related to body mass index in Northern boys (p=0.020) and Southern girls (p=0.024). Conclusions: Results showed differences in physical activity, eating and sleep habits, and aerobic fitness, according to geographical location. The relationships found among lifestyle habits indicate the need of health promotion interventions nationally and considering the differences discussed here

Molecular biomarkers in the context of focal therapy for prostate cancer: Recommendations of a delphi consensus from the focal therapy society

BACKGROUND: Focal therapy (FT) for prostate cancer (PCa) is promising. However, long-term oncological results are awaited and there is no consensus on follow-up strategies. Molecular biomarkers (MB) may be useful in selecting, treating and following up men undergoing FT, though there is limited evidence in this field to guide practice. We aimed to conduct a consensus meeting, endorsed by the Focal Therapy Society, amongst a large group of experts, to understand the potential utility of MB in FT for localized PCa. METHODS: A 38-item questionnaire was built following a literature search. The authors then performed three rounds of a Delphi Consensus using DelphiManager, using the GRADE grid scoring system, followed by a face-to-face expert meeting. Three areas of interest were identified and covered concerning MB for FT, 1) the current/present role; 2) the potential/future role; 3) the recommended features for future studies. Consensus was defined using a 70% agreement threshold. RESULTS: Of 95 invited experts, 42 (44.2%) completed the three Delphi rounds. Twenty-four items reached a consensus and they were then approved at the meeting involving (N.=15) experts. Fourteen items reached a consensus on uncertainty, or they did not reach a consensus. They were re-discussed, resulting in a consensus (N.=3), a consensus on a partial agreement (N.=1), and a consensus on uncertainty (N.=10). A final list of statements were derived from the approved and discussed items, with the addition of three generated statements, to provide guidance regarding MB in the context of FT for localized PCa. Research efforts in this field should be considered a priority. CONCLUSIONS: The present study detailed an initial consensus on the use of MB in FT for PCa. This is until evidence becomes available on the subject

GABAergic Neuron Deficit As An Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy Mechanism: The Role Of BRD2 Haploinsufficiency In Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) syndromes represent about 30% of all epilepsies. They have strong, but elusive, genetic components and sex-specific seizure expression. Multiple linkage and population association studies have connected the bromodomain-containing gene BRD2 to forms of IGE. In mice, a null mutation at the homologous Brd2 locus results in embryonic lethality while heterozygous Brd2+/− mice are viable and overtly normal. However, using the flurothyl model, we now show, that compared to the Brd2+/+ littermates, Brd2+/− males have a decreased clonic, and females a decreased tonic-clonic, seizure threshold. Additionally, long-term EEG/video recordings captured spontaneous seizures in three out of five recorded Brd2+/− female mice. Anatomical analysis of specific regions of the brain further revealed significant differences in Brd2+/− vs +/+ mice. Specifically, there were decreases in the numbers of GABAergic (parvalbumin- or GAD67-immunopositive) neurons along the basal ganglia pathway, i.e., in the neocortex and striatum of Brd2+/− mice, compared to Brd2+/+ mice. There were also fewer GABAergic neurons in the substantia nigra reticulata (SNR), yet there was a minor, possibly compensatory increase in the GABA producing enzyme GAD67 in these SNR cells. Further, GAD67 expression in the superior colliculus and ventral medial thalamic nucleus, the main SNR outputs, was significantly decreased in Brd2+/− mice, further supporting GABA downregulation. Our data show that the non-channel-encoding, developmentally critical Brd2 gene is associated with i) sex-specific increases in seizure susceptibility, ii) the development of spontaneous seizures, and iii) seizure-related anatomical changes in the GABA system, supporting BRD2's involvement in human IGE

National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic (vol 13, 517, 2022) : National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic (Nature Communications, (2022), 13, 1, (517), 10.1038/s41467-021-27668-9)

Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2022.In this article the author name ‘Agustin Ibanez’ was incorrectly written as ‘Augustin Ibanez’. The original article has been corrected.Peer reviewe