Expression Profiles and DNA-Binding Affinity of Five ERF Genes in Bunches of Vitis vinifera cv. Cardinal Treated with High Levels of CO2 at Low Temperature

Ethylene response factors (ERFs) play an important role in plants by regulating defense response through interaction with various stress pathways. After harvest, table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) are subject to a range of problems associated with postharvest storage at 0°C, such as fungal attack, water loss and rachis browning. The application of a 3-day high CO2 treatment maintained fruit quality and activated the induction of transcription factors belonging to different families such as ERF. In this paper, we have isolated five VviERFs from table grapes cv. Cardinal, whose deduced amino acid sequence contained the conserved apetalous (AP2)/ERF domain. The phylogeny and putative conserved motifs in VviERFs were analyzed and compared with those previously reported in Vitis. VviERFs-c gene expression was studied by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in the different tissues of bunches stored at low temperature and treated with high levels of CO2. The results showed that in most of the tissues analyzed, VviERFs-c gene expression was induced by the storage under normal atmosphere although the application of high levels of CO2 caused a greater increase in the VviERFs-c transcript accumulation. The promoter regions of two PRs (pathogenesis related proteins), Vcchit1b and Vcgns1, were obtained and the in silico analysis revealed the presence of a cis-acting ethylene response element (GCC box). In addition, expression of these two PR genes was analyzed in the pulp and rachis of CO2-treated and non-treated table grapes stored at 0°C and results showed significant correlations with VviERF2-c and VviERF6L7-c gene expression in rachis, and between VviERF11-c and Vcchit1b in pulp. Finally by using electro mobility shift assays, we denoted differences in binding of VviERFs to the GCC sequences present in the promoters of both PRs, with VviERF6L7-c being the only member which did not bind to any tested probe. Overall, our results suggest that the beneficial effect of high CO2 treatment maintaining table grape quality seems to be mediated by the regulation of ERFs and in particular VviERF2-c might play an important role by modulating the expression of PR genes.This work was supported by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG no. 321694 and by CICYT projects AGL2011-26742 and AGL2014-53081-R. IR and MV-H were supported by a postdoctoral Juan de la Cierva contract from the MICINN and a predoctoral contract from the MEC, respectively.USD 2,116.5 APC fee funded by the EC FP7 Post-Grant Open Access PilotPeer reviewe

Análisis del tratamiento de la nutrición de las plantas en los libros de texto de 5º y 6º de Primaria

En el presente trabajo se realiza un análisis exhaustivo de seis libros de texto de Ciencias Naturales de cuatro editoriales diferentes, pertenecientes a los cursos de 5º y 6º de Educación Primaria. Para realizar el análisis, se determinan unos conceptos relevantes para la comprensión de la nutrición de las plantas por parte de los alumnos. Se analizan los libros para comprobar si en ellos se incluyen todos los conceptos clave previamente determinados. Se realiza una comparativa, tanto entre las diferentes editoriales, para comprobar si se da un tratamiento distinto entre ellas al apartado de la nutrición en las plantas, como entre ambos cursos, observando qué conceptos se tratan en cada uno de ellos

Efect of high co2 levels on fungal decay and quality in stored table grapes

[SPA] En este trabajo nos hemos centrado en el efecto del pretratamiento con un 20% CO2+20% O2+60% N2 durante 3 días en el mantenimiento de la calidad del fruto (color, sólidos solubles y acidez titulable), acumulación de antocianos totales, trans-resveratrol en la piel y en la expresión de genes que codifican para proteínas relacionadas con la patogénesis (PR) en uvas de mesa cv. ‘Cardinal’. Nuestros resultados indican que este tratamiento gaseoso redujo los cambios metabólicos asociados a la conservación a 0ºC y fue eficaz en el control fúngico durante el periodo de almacenamiento. Concretamente, el tratamiento limitó la acumulación de antocianos totales asociada con la aplicación de bajas temperaturas (0ºC) durante la fase inicial de conservación. El menor ataque fúngico de las bayas tratadas con altas concentraciones de CO2 se correspondía con una menor expresión del gen que codifica para la quitinasa de clase I. Asimismo, el patrón de cambios en el contenido de resveratrol en la piel de uva durante su conservación a 0ºC y posterior transferencia a temperatura ambiente revelan la eficacia del tratamiento en la restricción del crecimiento fúngico, sin afectar a la calidad del fruto. [ENG] The effect of pretreatment with 20% CO2+20% O2+60% N2 for 3 days was studied with regards to its effectiveness on the maintenance of fruit quality (color, soluble solids content and titratable acidity), total anthocyanins content, trans-resveratrol levels in the skin and the pattern of specific PR genes in table grapes cv. ‘Cardinal’. Our results indicate that this short-term high CO2 treatment reduced the metabolic changes associated with low temperature storage at 0ºC and it was effective for controlling fungal decay during storage period. Specifically, this treatment restrained the accumulation of total anthocyanins observed the first days of storage at 0ºC in non-treated table grapes. The lower fungal decay observed in CO2-treated grapes was consistent with a reduction in the expression of class I chitinase. Moreover, the pattern of changes in trans-resveratrol content in the skin during low temperature storage and upon transfer to 20ºC confirm the efficacy of high CO2 pretreatment in reducing total fungal decay, maintaining fruit quality.Este trabajo está financiado por la CICYT proyecto AGL2005-04502. La cuantificación de trans-resveratrol se realizó en la Unidad de Láseres y Haces Moleculares, Instituto Pluridisciplinar, Madrid. MT.S.-B. y R.M. tienen contratos I3P

Optimizing Lighting in the Workplace and Occupational Risk Prevention through Mobile Applications

Nowadays, there are many problems arising from the exploitation of energy resources and the production and use of energy. This research aims to analyze in which way the development of a mobile application may help on registering the lighting levels from different kind of environments, allowing to manage and assess consumption, comply with current regulations. Furthermore, the application provides information about how to optimize the use of energy and prevent occupational risks resulting from mismanagement. To do this relevant information is stored for the evaluation of the measurements through a rule engine that behaves as an expert system capable of guiding in the decision-making process

Analysis of customer satisfaction using surveys with open questions

In this paper the use of open-ended questionnaires to improve the evaluation of customer satisfaction according to ISO 9001 in small and medium-sized enterprises is analyzed. By obtaining more information in comparison to the closed questions questionnaire some limitations coming from the second one are removed. The open-ended questionnaire is analyzed by applying a semantic study to obtain the root of each word and remove the word that is not relevant for the information needs of the organization. This way the positive or negative trend for each response is identified. This study proofs that the use of open-ended questionnaires facilitates the fulfilment of the ISO 9001 standard. It allows the comparison between the data coming from the Customer Relationship Management System (CRM) and the data obtained through the questionnaire. Furthermore it opens new areas of research based in the use of semantic analysis in quality systems and marketing

Metabolic responses of fruits to controlled atmosphere storage

COST 94: The Post-harvest Treatment of Fruit and Vegetables : Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Fruit and Vegetables : Proceedings of Workshop, April 22-23, 1993, Milan, ItalyPeer Reviewe

Regulación de la maduración de frutos por altas concentraciones de CO2

Los frutos son sistemas complejos capaces de responder, con las reservas de nitrógenoy carbono presentes en el momento de su recolección, a los diferentes factores ambientalesdurante su maduración y conservación. Son conocidos los efectos de altos nivelesde C02 en el retraso de los cambios fisico-químicos que caracterizan el proceso demaduración. Sin embargo, son escasos los conocimientos sobre las bases fisiológicas y moleculares de acción del C02 sobre la regulación del proceso y sobre los mecanismosde adaptación del fruto. En la presente comunicación haremos un análisis Integradodel metabolismo respiratorio del fruto adaptado a elevadas concentraciones de CO~.loque permitirá conocer de forma global, las estrategias del fruto para redirigir las reservasde carbono/nitrógeno hacia la síntesis de metabolitos de defensa cuando las condicionesambientales de conservación le son adversas. En resumen analizaremos el binomiorespiración/resistencia en frutos tratados con altas concentraciones de C02Peer Reviewe