Analysis and agrometeorological modelling of grapevine responses to different trellising systems

As the greater part of current viticulture is based on traditional trellising systems, usually in single hedgewall training, the aim of this research is to evaluate the possibility of introducing alternative trellising systems in order to improve canopy architecture and leaf distribution, and optimize light interception. In 2001 and 2002 field measurements (agrometeorological variables, vegetative growth, productivity and physiological behaviour) and modeling were performed on Sangiovese grapevines in a Tuscan vineyard with two trellis systems: a single hedgewall and a low double hedgewall (lyre trellis). The vines were spur pruned and cordon trained and the planting density was 6,667 vines/hectare. The two trellising systems were distributed in a randomized block design with 4 replications of 3 rows each. Data were collected from the central row. The simulation was obtained using a model, implemented with the Stella language, consisting of three sub-modules concerning photosynthesis, respiration and biomass accumulation. Light interception was greater for the lyre system than for the single cordon, while no differences were obtained in single leaf photosynthesis measurements between the trellis systems. Vegetative growth was higher for the lyre, indicating that lyre had a higher whole plant photosynthesis. The lyre system had greater yield due to a higher cluster number and a higher cluster weight compared to the single cordon training. No differences in must sugar content, titratable acidity or anthocyanins were observed. Models satisfactorily simulate the growth of grapevine under the single cordon system, while the growth of the lyre vine was extremely underestimated.

Effects of defoliation at fruit set on vine physiology and berry composition in cabernet sauvignon grapevines

Grapevine canopy defoliation is a fundamentally important technique for the productivity and quality of grapes. Leaf removal is a pivotal operation on high-density vines which aims to improve air circulation, light exposure, and leaf gas exchange. The effects of leaf removal (LR) on vine physiology and berry composition in Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines were studied during the 2018–2019 growing season in the Bolgheri area, Tuscany, Italy. The basal leaves were removed at fruit set at two severity levels (removal of four basal leaves of each shoot (LR4) and removal of eight basal leaves (LR8)). The two treatments were compared with the not defoliated control (CTRL). The following physiological parameters of vines were measured: leaf gas exchange, leaf water potential, chlorophyll fluorescence and indirect chlorophyll content. The results showed that defoliation increased single leaf photosynthesis. In addition, qualitative grape parameters (phenolic and technological analyses) and daytime and night-time berry temperature were studied. The results showed that leaf removal had an impact on total soluble solids (°Brix), titratable acidity, and pH. The LR8-treated grapes had higher titratable acidity, while those in the LR4 treatment had higher °Brix and extractable anthocyanin and polyphenol content. Berry weight was not significantly influenced by the timing and severity of basal defoliation. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the effects of defoliation at the fruit set on vines performance

Delivery of thyronamines (TAMs) to the brain: A preliminary study

Recent reports highlighted the significant neuroprotective effects of thyronamines (TAMs), a class of endogenous thyroid hormone derivatives. In particular, 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) has been shown to play a pleiotropic role in neurodegeneration by modulating energy metabolism and neurological functions in mice. However, the pharmacological response to T1AM might be influenced by tissue metabolism, which is known to convert T1AM into its catabolite 3-iodothyroacetic acid (TA1). Currently, several research groups are investigating the pharmacological effects of T1AM systemic administration in the search of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of interlinked pathologies, such as metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). A critical aspect in the development of new drugs for NDDs is to know their distribution in the brain, which is fundamentally related to their ability to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). To this end, in the present study we used the immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line bEnd.3 to develop an in vitro model of BBB and evaluate T1AM and TA1 permeability. Both drugs, administered at 1 µM dose, were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Our results indicate that T1AM is able to efficiently cross the BBB, whereas TA1 is almost completely devoid of this property

Intensidades da poda seca e do desbaste de cacho na composição da uva Cabernet Sauvignon.

A pesquisa foi realizada durante quatro anos, num vinhedo de Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.), em Bento Gonçalves-RS. O objetivo foi determinar o efeito das intensidades da poda seca e do desbaste de cacho em variáveis relacionadas aos componentes de produção da videira e à composição do mosto de uva. Os tratamentos consistiram em dois níveis de poda seca - curta e longa - e quatro de desbaste de cacho (%) - 0; 25; 50 e 75 -; com cinco repetições. O delineamento experimental foi o em blocos casualizados, com os tratamentos em parcelas subdivididas. Os resultados mostram que a poda seca e o desbaste de cacho tiveram efeito altamente significativo na produtividade do vinhedo que, na média dos quatro anos, variou de 10.971 kg/ha ? poda curta, 75% de desbaste ? a 32.819 kg/ha ? poda longa, 0% de desbaste. Houve, também, efeito significativo na produtividade por gema, peso de ramos podados por gema e por hectare, área foliar/peso fresco do fruto e produtividade/peso de ramos podados. Entretanto, o efeito nas variáveis relacionadas a açúcar e acidez do mosto da uva foi pouco expressivo. O componente 1 da análise de componentes principais discriminou o tratamento poda curta a 75% de desbaste de cacho dos tratamentos poda longa-0% de desbaste e poda longa-25% de desbaste

Glycosylation interference on RhoA activation: focus on G-CSF

Glycosylation of cytokines appears to be responsible for several differences in their activity, and focusing on G-CSF, several divergences between the non-glycosylated G-CSF, Filgrastim, and the glycosylated G-CSF, Lenograstim, have been reported. To verify the role of G-CSF glycosylation in mediating these differences we tested in vitro the effects on the RhoA activation of the different G-CSFs, including deglycosylated Lenograstim. The results showed that Filgrastim induced sustained-RhoA activation while Lenograstim did not do so. Deglycosylated Lenograstim mimicked Filgrastim, resulting in RhoA hyper-activation. These in vitro findings demonstrate that the glycosylation of G-CSF plays a crucial role in RhoA activation