Berry abscission is related to berry growth in Vitis labruscana 'Concord' and Vitis vinifera 'Riesling'

Research Note

Effects of the whole vine versus single shoot-crop level on fruit growth in Vitis labruscana 'Concord'

The fruit growth response to the whole vine and single shoot crop level was studied in Vitis labruscana 'Concord' grown in the North-Eastern United States. In vines thinned to lower and higher yields (equivalent to 12 and 21 t·ha-1), different number of clusters per shoot were retained after cluster thinning one week after set. Results showed that the seasonal accumulation of berry dry weight, fruit fresh weight, and the berry total soluble solids at harvest were only affected by the whole vine crop level. This suggests that under the conditions of this experiment shoots are not autonomous in terms of carbon partitioning to the fruit. Hence, crop level effects on fruit development can be considered and modelled on a whole vine basis.

The effects of pre- and post-veraison water stress on growth and physiology of potted Pinot Noir grapevines at varying crop levels

The interactions of water stress timing and crop level on growth, gas exchange, water relations and ripening of potted Pinot Noir grapevines were examined. Pre-veraison water stress induced a greater reduction of shoot and berry growth and a more rapid limitation of net photosynthesis (Pn) and stomatal conductance (g(s)) as compared to post-veraison stress. At the end of stress, when mid-day and pre-dawn leaf water potential were below -1.1 and -0.6 MPa, the reduction in Pn of stressed vines was more marked in the 2- and 4-cluster plants versus 1-cluster plant. Crop level had almost no significant effects on gas-exchange, growth and ripening and but few interactions with timing of water stress. These responses seem to reflect the high leaf area-to-fruit ratios at each crop level which probably buffered the effects of reduced leaf function induced by water stress

Laser scanning estimation of relative light interception by canopy components in different grapevine training systems

The fractional light interception by different parts of vines trained to various systems was estimated by a modified point-quadrat method using an over-row solar are positioning device equipped with a laser to simulate sunbeam position and angle at any latitude and time of the day. Laser readings were also combined with total vine light interception estimates via a line sensor to calculate the total light intercepted by specific canopy components. At each sampling date (late June and September, corresponding to fruit set and full canopy), type and position of organs were directly detected by the laser beam. Regardless of sampling date, the relative amount of light captured by the renewal-fruiting area (nodes 1 to 6) of simple cordon (SC) and double curtain (GDC) was considerably higher than that of spur-pruned cordon (SPC), whose vegetative area (distal to node 6) received about two-thirds of the incoming light. Relative light interception by main and lateral leaves was rather constant for GDC, thus reflecting the negligible regrowth after topping. By contrast, SC and SPC showed a much stronger response to topping which caused an increase of light interception by laterals (19 % for SC and +21 % for SPC). Frequencies of relative intercepted light by main leaves as a function of node position showed a peak around nodes 6-8, a zone where maximum leaf size is attained in all systems and on all dates. Instead, lateral leaves predominantly exposed to light were within the three basal nodes of the lateral shoots. Estimates of relative and total light for different vine parts at any time during the season as detected by laser scanning can objectively assess important characteristics of grapevine training systems, e.g. cluster and basal node exposure to light

The interaction of phylloxera infection, rootstock, and irrigation on young Concord grapevine growth

Concord roots are moderately resistant to phylloxera, which form nodosities on the fine roots and weaken the root system. Rootstocks and vineyard floor management both have the potential to eliminate or reduce the effect of phylloxera in New York Concord vineyards. Young, container-grown Concord grapevines were used to evaluate the interaction between rootstock (own-rooted, Couderc 3309), irrigation, and phylloxera infection on vine growth. Phylloxera inoculation alone caused a 21 % decrease in vine dry mass and lack of irrigation (mid-day stem water potential: -0.9 to -1.0 M Pa) alone caused a 34 % decrease in vine dry mass. The combination of phylloxera stress and water stress was additive and caused a 54 % decrease in vine dry mass. Because C3309 rootstock is resistant to phylloxera, the grafted vines showed a response to irrigation but not phylloxera inoculation. This container study shows the potential benefits of irrigating own-rooted Concord grapevines or the use of rootstocks without irrigation to withstand phylloxera infection.

Circulating sex steroids during pregnancy and maternal risk of non-epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Sex steroid hormones have been proposed to play a role in the development of non-epithelial ovarian cancers (NEOC) but so far no direct epidemiological data are available.METHODS: A case-control study was nested within the Finnish Maternity Cohort, the world's largest bio-repository of serum specimens from pregnant women. Study subjects were selected among women who donated a blood sample during a singleton pregnancy that led to the birth of their last child preceding diagnosis of NEOC. Case subjects were 41 women with sex-cord stromal tumors (SCST) and 21 with germ cell tumors (GCT). Three controls, matching the index case for age, parity at the index pregnancy, and date at blood donation were selected (n=171). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione, 17-OH-progesterone, progesterone, estradiol and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were estimated through conditional logistic regression.RESULTS: For SCST, doubling of testosterone, androstenedione and 17-OH-progesterone concentrations were associated with about 2-fold higher risk of SCST [ORs and 95% CI of 2.16 (1.25-3.74), 2.16 (1.20-3.87), and 2.62 (1.27-5.38), respectively]. These associations remained largely unchanged after excluding women within 2, 4 or 6 years lag-time between blood donation and cancer diagnosis. Sex steroid hormones concentrations were not related to maternal risk of GCT.CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective study providing initial evidence that elevated androgens play a role in the pathogenesis of SCST. Impact: Our study may note a particular need for larger confirmatory investigations on sex steroids and NEOC

Relation of carbohydrate reserves with the forthcoming crop, flower formation and photosynthetic rate, in the alternate bearing Salustiana sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.)

[EN] The aim of this work was to assess the relation between carbohydrate levels and flower and fruit production, as well as the role of carbohydrates on CO(2) fixation activity, by analysis of leaves, twigs and roots from the alternate bearing 'Salustiana' cultivar of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck). A heavy crop load (on year) did not affect photosynthesis activity when compared to non-fruiting trees (off year). Fruiting trees accumulated most of the fixed carbon in mature fruits, whilst no accumulation was observed in roots before harvest. Non-fruiting trees transported part of the fixed carbon to the roots and mobilize it for growth processes and, at the end of the season (December), store it as reserves. Reserve carbohydrates accumulation in leaves started by early December for both tree types, showing the same levels in on and off trees until spring bud sprouting. A heavy flowering after an off year caused the rapid mobilization of the stored reserves, which were exhausted at full bloom. We found no evidence on carbon fixation regulation by either fruit demand or carbohydrate levels in leaves. Carbohydrate reserves played little or no role over fruit set, which actually relied on current photosynthesisWe thank Ing. Agr. J.M. Torres (ANECOOP, Valencia, Spain) for providing the orchard facilities and logistic help, the R + D + i Linguistic Assistance Office at the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia for their help in revising this article and Y. Bordon for her cooperation in some experiments. Thanks are due also to Dr. Olivares for the critical review of the manuscript. This research was funded by grants from the Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacion (GV-CAPA00-11) and the Conselleria diEmpresa, Universitat i Ciencia, Generalitat Valenciana (Grupos 04/059).Monerri Huguet, MC.; Fortunato De Almeida, A.; Molina Romero, RV.; González Nebauer, S.; García Luís, MD.; Guardiola Barcena, JL. (2011). Relation of carbohydrate reserves with the forthcoming crop, flower formation and photosynthetic rate, in the alternate bearing Salustiana sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.). Scientia Horticulturae. 129(1):71-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2011.03.009S7178129

FORG3D: Force-directed 3D graph editor for visualization of integrated genome scale data

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genomics research produces vast amounts of experimental data that needs to be integrated in order to understand, model, and interpret the underlying biological phenomena. Interpreting these large and complex data sets is challenging and different visualization methods are needed to help produce knowledge from the data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To help researchers to visualize and interpret integrated genomics data, we present a novel visualization method and bioinformatics software tool called FORG3D that is based on real-time three-dimensional force-directed graphs. FORG3D can be used to visualize integrated networks of genome scale data such as interactions between genes or gene products, signaling transduction, metabolic pathways, functional interactions and evolutionary relationships. Furthermore, we demonstrate its utility by exploring gene network relationships using integrated data sets from a <it>Caenorhabditis elegans </it>Parkinson's disease model.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have created an open source software tool called FORG3D that can be used for visualizing and exploring integrated genome scale data.</p

FLPe functions in zebrafish embryos

To assay the efficiency of the FLP/FRT site-specific recombination system in Danio rerio, a construct consisting of a muscle-specific promoter driving EGFP flanked by FRT sites was developed. FLPe capped RNA was microinjected into transgenic single cell stage zebrafish embryos obtained by crossing hemizygous transgenic males with wild-type females. By 48 h post fertilization (hpf), the proportion of embryos displaying green fluorescence following FLPe RNA microinjection was significantly lower (7.7%; P < 0.001) than would be expected from a cross in the absence of the recombinase (50%). Embryos that retained fluorescence displayed marked mosaicism. Inheritance of the excised transgene in non-fluorescent, transgenic embryos was verified by PCR analysis and FLPe-mediated recombination was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Sperm derived from confirmed transgenic males in these experiments was used to fertilize wild-type eggs to determine whether germline excision of the transgene had occurred. Clutches sired by FLPe-microinjected males contained 0–4% fluorescent embryos. Transgenic males that were phenotypically wild-type produced no fluorescent progeny, demonstrating complete excision of the transgene from their germline. FLPe microinjected males that retained some fluorescent muscle expression produced a small proportion of fluorescent offspring, suggesting that in mosaic males not all germline cells had undergone FLPe-mediated transgene excision. Our results show that FLPe, which is derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is an efficient recombinase in zebrafish maintained at 28.5°C

Targeted Deletion of the Metastasis-Associated Phosphatase Ptp4a3 (PRL-3) Suppresses Murine Colon Cancer

Ptp4a3 (commonly known as PRL-3) is an enigmatic member of the Ptp4a family of prenylated protein tyrosine phosphatases that are highly expressed in many human cancers. Despite strong correlations with tumor metastasis and poor patient prognosis, there is very limited understanding of this gene family's role in malignancy. Therefore, we created a gene-targeted murine knockout model for Ptp4a3, the most widely studied Ptp4a family member. Mice deficient for Ptp4a3 were grossly normal. Fewer homozygous-null males were observed at weaning, however, and they maintained a decreased body mass. Although Ptp4a3 is normally associated with late-stage cancer and metastasis, we observed increased Ptp4a3 expression in the colon of wildtype mice immediately following treatment with the carcinogen azoxymethane. To investigate the role of Ptp4a3 in malignancy, we used the most commonly studied murine colitis-associated colon cancer model. Wildtype mice treated with azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate developed approximately 7-10 tumors per mouse in the distal colon. The resulting tumor tissue had 4-fold more Ptp4a3 mRNA relative to normal colon epithelium and increased PTP4A3 protein. Ptp4a3-null mice developed 50% fewer colon tumors than wildtype mice after exposure to azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate. Tumors from the Ptp4a3-null mice had elevated levels of both IGF1Rβ and c-MYC compared to tumors replete with Ptp4a3, suggesting an enhanced cell signaling pathway engagement in the absence of the phosphatase. These results provide the first definitive evidence implicating Ptp4a3 in colon tumorigenesis and highlight the potential value of the phosphatase as a therapeutic target for early stage malignant disease. © 2013 Zimmerman et al