A NEW MICROZONE FOR SEED POTATO PRODUCTION IN ROMANIA - HUEDIN AREA - IN CLUJ COUNTY

In the continental temperate climatic area virotical infection of potato was conditioned by the sources of virotical infection and by then viroses vectors. In Huedin micro area, situated intermountain in Cluj County at 600 m altitude, which humid and cool climate and isolated in space in natural way. Were tested 4 types of potato varieties sensitive or resistant at the main viruses of potato: PVY and PLRV. The results of researches was demonstrated that potato seed production can be obtained in the same quality with those produced into the seed traditional areals, when specific elements of classical technology are respected, as they are: in field isolation, early picking up and elimination of any virused plant, systematically control diseases and predators invasion mainly aphids, vegetation interruption at maxim fly of aphids

A NEW MICROZONE FOR SEED POTATO PRODUCTION IN ROMANIA - HUEDIN AREA - IN CLUJ COUNTY

In the continental temperate climatic area virotical infection of potato was conditioned by the sources of virotical infection and by then viroses vectors. In Huedin micro area, situated intermountain in Cluj County at 600 m altitude, which humid and cool climate and isolated in space in natural way. Were tested 4 types of potato varieties sensitive or resistant at the main viruses of potato: PVY and PLRV. The results of researches was demonstrated that potato seed production can be obtained in the same quality with those produced into the seed traditional areals, when specific elements of classical technology are respected, as they are: in field isolation, early picking up and elimination of any virused plant, systematically control diseases and predators invasion mainly aphids, vegetation interruption at maxim fly of aphids

Modulation of VEGF-A alternative splicing as a novel treatment in chronic kidney disease.

This is the final version of the article. Available from MDPI via the DOI in this record.Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a prominent pro-angiogenic and pro-permeability factor in the kidney. Alternative splicing of the terminal exon of VEGF-A through the use of an alternative 3' splice site gives rise to a functionally different family of isoforms, termed VEGF-Axxxb, known to have anti-angiogenic and anti-permeability properties. Dysregulation of the VEGF-Axxx/VEGF-Axxxb isoform balance has recently been reported in several kidney pathologies, including diabetic nephropathy (DN) and Denys-Drash syndrome. Using mouse models of kidney disease where the VEGF-A isoform balance is disrupted, several reports have shown that VEGF-A165b treatment/over-expression in the kidney is therapeutically beneficial. Furthermore, inhibition of certain splice factor kinases involved in the regulation of VEGF-A terminal exon splicing has provided some mechanistic insight into how VEGF-A splicing could be regulated in the kidney. This review highlights the importance of further investigation into the novel area of VEGF-A splicing in chronic kidney disease pathogenesis and how future studies may allow for the development of splicing-modifying therapeutic drugs.This work was supported by grants to Seb Oltean from British Heart Foundation (PG/15/53/31371), Richard Bright VEGF Research Trust and Diabetes UK (17/000568). These grants include funds for Open Access publishing

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease

This is the final version. Available from JoVE via the DOI in this record.The use of murine models to mimic human kidney disease is becoming increasingly common. Our research is focused on the assessment of glomerular function in diabetic nephropathy and podocyte-specific VEGF-A knock-out mice; therefore, this protocol describes the full kidney work-up used in our lab to assess these mouse models of glomerular disease, enabling a vast amount of information regarding kidney and glomerular function to be obtained from a single mouse. In comparison to alternative methods presented in the literature to assess glomerular function, the use of the method outlined in this paper enables the glomerular phenotype to be fully evaluated from multiple aspects. By using this method, the researcher can determine the kidney phenotype of the model and assess the mechanism as to why the phenotype develops. This vital information on the mechanism of disease is required when examining potential therapeutic avenues in these models. The methods allow for detailed functional assessment of the glomerular filtration barrier through measurement of the urinary albumin creatinine ratio and individual glomerular water permeability, as well as both structural and ultra-structural examination using the Periodic Acid Schiff stain and electron microscopy. Furthermore, analysis of the genes dysregulated at the mRNA and protein level enables mechanistic analysis of glomerular function. This protocol outlines the generic but adaptable methods that can be applied to all mouse models of glomerular disease

Alternative Splicing in Angiogenesis

This is the final version. Available from MDPI via the DOI in this record.Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA allows the generation of multiple splice isoforms from a given gene, which can have distinct functions. In fact, splice isoforms can have opposing functions and there are many instances whereby a splice isoform acts as an inhibitor of canonical isoform function, thereby adding an additional layer of regulation to important processes. Angiogenesis is an important process that is governed by alternative splicing mechanisms. This review focuses on the alternative spliced isoforms of key genes that are involved in the angiogenesis process; VEGF-A, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, NRP-1, FGFRs, Vasohibin-1, Vasohibin-2, HIF-1α, Angiopoietin-1 and Angiopoietin-2.British Heart FoundationDiabetes U

Modulation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Activity through Alternative Splicing of Ligands and Receptors in the VEGF-A/VEGFR Axis.

This is the final version. Available from MDPI via the DOI in this record.Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) signaling is essential for physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Alternative splicing of the VEGF-A pre-mRNA gives rise to a pro-angiogenic family of isoforms with a differing number of amino acids (VEGF-Axxxa), as well as a family of isoforms with anti-angiogenic properties (VEGF-Axxxb). The biological functions of VEGF-A proteins are mediated by a family of cognate protein tyrosine kinase receptors, known as the VEGF receptors (VEGFRs). VEGF-A binds to both VEGFR-1, largely suggested to function as a decoy receptor, and VEGFR-2, the predominant signaling receptor. Both VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 can also be alternatively spliced to generate soluble isoforms (sVEGFR-1/sVEGFR-2). The disruption of the splicing of just one of these genes can result in changes to the entire VEGF-A/VEGFR signaling axis, such as the increase in VEGF-A165a relative to VEGF-A165b resulting in increased VEGFR-2 signaling and aberrant angiogenesis in cancer. Research into this signaling axis has recently focused on manipulating the splicing of these genes as a potential therapeutic avenue in disease. Therefore, further research into understanding the mechanisms by which the splicing of VEGF-A/VEGFR-1/VEGFR-2 is regulated will help in the development of drugs aimed at manipulating splicing or inhibiting specific splice isoforms in a therapeutic manner.British Heart FoundationDiabetes U

Targeting Angiogenesis in Prostate Cancer

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from MDPI via the DOI in this record.Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the Western world. Although localized disease can be effectively treated with established surgical and radiopharmaceutical treatments options, the prognosis of castration-resistant advanced prostate cancer is still disappointing. The objective of this study was to review the role of angiogenesis in prostate cancer and to investigate the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapies. A literature search of clinical trials testing the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy in prostate cancer was performed using Pubmed. Surrogate markers of angiogenic activity (microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) expression) were found to be associated with tumor grade, metastasis, and prognosis. Six randomizedstudies were included in this review: two phase II trials on localized and hormone-sensitive disease (n = 60 and 99 patients) and four phase III trials on castration-resistant refractory disease (n = 873 to 1224 patients). Although the phase II trials showed improved relapse-free survival and stabilisation of the disease, the phase III trials found increased toxicity and no significant improvement in overall survival. Although angiogenesis appears to have an important role in prostate cancer, the results of anti-angiogenic therapy in castration-resistant refractory disease have hitherto been disappointing. There are various possible explanations for this lack of efficacy in castration-resistant refractory disease: redundancy of angiogenic pathways, molecular heterogeneity of the disease, loss of tumor suppressor protein phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression as well as various VEGF-A splicing isoforms with pro- and anti-angiogenic activity. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis may help to develop effective anti-angiogenic therapy in prostate cancer.British Heart FoundationDiabetes U

Diabetic Nephropathy: Novel Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Avenues

This is the final version of the article. Available from Hindawi Publishing Corporation via the DOI in this record

A NEW MICROZONE FOR SEED POTATO PRODUCTION IN ROMANIA -HUEDIN AREA -IN CLUJ COUNTY O NOUĂ MICROZONĂ PENTRU PRODUCEREA CARTOFULUI DE SĂMÂNŢĂ ÎN ROMÂNIA -MICROZONA HUEDIN -DIN JUDEŢUL CLUJ

REZUMAT În climatul temperat continental infecţia virotică a cartofului este condiţionată de sursele de infecţie virotică şi de vectorii virozelor. In microzona Huedin, situată intramontan în judeţul Cluj, cu un climat umed şi răcoros (600 m altitudine; 7,2 0 C media anuală a temperaturii, 18 0 C temperatura medie a lunii celei mai calde a anului -iulie, 604,4 mm precipitaţii anuale) şi izolată în spaţiu în mod natural s-au testat 4 tipuri de soiuri de cartof sensibile sau resistente la principalele virusuri ale cartofului: PVY şi PLRV. Rezultatele cercetării au demonstrat că se poate obţine o producţie de sămânţă de aceeaşi calitate cu cea produsă în zonele tradiţionale de producere a cartofului de sămânţă, dacă se respectă elementele specifice din tehnologia cartofului de sămânţă: izolare în spaţiu, eliminare timpurie şi repetată a plantelor infectate cu viroze, combaterea sistematică a bolilor şi dăunătorilor în special a afidelor, întreruperea vegetaţiei la zborul maxim al afidelor. CUVINTE CHEIE: cartof de sămânţă, microzonă, afide, viroze ABSTRACT In the continental temperate climatic area virotical infection of potato was conditioned by the sources of virotical infection and by then viroses vectors. In Huedin micro area, situated intermountain in Cluj County at 600 m altitude, which humid and cool climate and isolated in space in natural way. Were tested 4 types of potato varieties sensitive or resistant at the main viruses of potato: PVY and PLRV. The results of researches was demonstrated that potato seed production can be obtained in the same quality with those produced into the seed traditional areals, when specific elements of classical technology are respected, as they are: in field isolation, early picking up and elimination of any virused plant, systematically control diseases and predators invasion mainly aphids, vegetation interruption at maxim fly of aphids