Use of kaolin as a reflective clay improves olive tree physiological and yield responses under different environmental conditions

Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) growing area is threatened by the current and predicted adverse environmental conditions, affecting negatively plant performance and yield. Thus, agronomic strategies to offset those negative effects and improve olive orchards sustainability need to be implemented. In this regard, we propose the use of kaolin particle film, a natural heat and irradiance reflecting clay. To achieve a more comprehensive response about kaolin (5%) action, during two consecutive years we performed two different experiments, in different geographical locations of Portugal north-west with “Cobrançosa” cultivar: established olive trees under conventional rainfed conditions and under deficit irrigation (27.5% of ETc). Generally, during the summer period, kaolin was effective in improving water status and photosynthetic response, by reducing both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations. Moreover, improved leaf gas exchange restauration after the first rains persists during the winter months in rainfed conditions. Kaolin also reduces leaf sclerophylly, inducing shade-related leaf characteristics. As a result of better physiological performance achieved with kaolin application, yield increased 97% and 54.6% in rainfed and deficit irrigation conditions, respectively. Overall, the results of the present investigation revealed a cost-effective strategy to attenuate the negative effects of summer stress in olive trees, while allows to save water. Ultimately, this practice might contribute to increase the sustainability and competitiveness of this sector and anticipate solutions to the negative effects of climate change.This work was funded by the INTERACT project – “Integrative Research in Environment, Agro-Chains and Technology”, no. NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000017, in its line of research entitled ISAC, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through NORTE 2020 (North Regional Operational Program 2014/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fruit yield and quality of olives under different deficit irrigation strategies

The Mediterranean Basin is a climate change hot spot where substantial warming and lower water availability is predicted. This scenario poses considerable challenges to olive groves, a crop with great ecological and socioeconomic importance. ln order to overcome these constrains, new cropping practices focusing on water use efficiency must be investigated. ln this work we aimed to investigate water management practices that can ensure the adequate compromise between yield and the quality of olive products. The study was conducted in Quinta do Prado, Lodões, Vila Flor (41 °20'13.3"N, 7°05'54.2"W) and a full irrigation (FI) control, applied daily, equivalent to 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), was compared with three deficit irrigation strategies (DIS): regulated deficit irrigation (RDI; 80% of ETc in phases I and III of fruit growth and 10% of ETc in pit hardening stage, phase TI; 56 % of the ETc in all season), sustained deficit irrigation (SDI; 27.5% of ETc), and sustained deficit irrigation adopted by the farmer (SDIAF; 21.2% of ETc, applied weekly). The impact of treatments on fruit yield and quality during 2016 were evaluated. Using FI treatment as reference, no significant influence of RDI and SDI treatments were felt in crop yield, while the SDlAF treatment reduced it significantly (P<O.Ol ). Fruit quality analysis showed that the SDI treatment Ied to higher antioxidant activity than in FI and SDIAF treatments. However, the SDIAF strategy led to higher accumulation of both total phenols and flavonoids (P<O.Ol ). The fruit fat content was significantly higher in deficit irrigation treatments, when compared to the FI treatment. lrrigation treatments also induced changes in fruit fatty acids profile (P<O.OOl) since palmitoleic acid (C16:1) decreased in the deficit irrigation treatments, linoleic acid (Cl8:2) decreased in the SDIAF treatment, and linolenic acid (C18:3) decreased in RDI and SDI treatments. Except for SDIAF, despite the great disparity in the amount of water used among treatments, there were no significant differences in fruit production. Hence, with an increase of 30% in water consumption, changing from the SDlAF to the SDl treatment, this particular farmer can increase the orchard production, without losing fruit fat content and antioxidant capacity. This work gives new insights about the effect of DlS when used in olive orchards and might help to illustrate the sustainability of these management practices.To Anabela Fernandes-Silva for the calculation of ETc. This work was funded by the INTERACT project- "Integrati ve Research in Environment, Agm·Chaius and Technology", no. NORTE-01-0 145 -FEDER-000017, in its lines of research entitled TS AC, co-financied by the European Regional Devdopment Fund (ERDF) through NORTE 2020 (North Regional Operational Program 201412020). SM (PD/BD/135327/2017), EM (PD/BD/128274/2017), CB (PD/BD/52543/2014), LR (PD/BD/113612/2015) and lP (PD/BD/113611/2015) acknowledge the financial support provided by the FCT-Portut,'Uese Fow1dation for Scienco and Technology, underthe Doctoral Programm Agricultural Production Chains- from fork to farm" (PD/00122/2012)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fluorescent Magnetic Bioprobes by Surface Modification of Magnetite Nanoparticles

Bimodal nanoprobes comprising both magnetic and optical functionalities have been prepared via a sequential two-step process. Firstly, magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) with well-defined cubic shape and an average dimension of 80 nm were produced by hydrolysis of iron sulfate and were then surface modified with silica shells by using the sol-gel method. The Fe3O4@SiO2 particles were then functionalized with the fluorophore, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), mediated by assembled shells of the cationic polyelectrolyte, polyethyleneimine (PEI). The Fe3O4 functionalized particles were then preliminary evaluated as fluorescent and magnetic probes by performing studies in which neuroblast cells have been contacted with these nanomaterials

Antiviral, Immunomodulatory and Antiproliferative Activities of Recombinant Soluble IFNAR2 without IFN-beta Mediation

Soluble receptors of cytokines are able to modify cytokine activities and therefore the immune system, and some have intrinsic biological activities without mediation from their cytokines. The soluble interferon beta (IFN-ss) receptor is generated through alternative splicing of IFNAR2 and has both agonist and antagonist properties for IFN-ss, but its role is unknown. We previously demonstrated that a recombinant human soluble IFN-ss receptor showed intrinsic therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Here we evaluate the potential biological activities of recombinant sIFNAR2 without the mediation of IFN-ss in human cells. Recombinant sIFNAR2 down-regulated the production of IL-17 and IFN-? and reduced the cell proliferation rate. Moreover, it showed a strong antiviral activity, fully protecting the cell monolayer after being infected by the virus. Specific inhibitors completely abrogated the antiviral activity of IFN-ss, but not that of the recombinant sIFNAR2, and there was no activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Consequently, r-sIFNAR2 exerts immunomodulatory, antiproliferative and antiviral activities without IFN-ss mediation, and could be a promising treatment against viral infections and immune-mediated diseases

Neuroprotective effects of insulin-like growth factor II in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Progressive degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway is a core, currently irreversible pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that leads to a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms. Here, we aimed to study the potential neuroprotective effects of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) in a PD mouse model based on the chronic administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and probenecid (MPTP/p), which induces loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNc). Male C57BL6/J mice (N=36) received a 5-week treatment with MPTP/p (or vehicle) and were co-treated with chronic IGF-II (or saline) from either the beginning of the procedure (plus an additional week, days 1-44) or once the MPTP/p insult was already triggered (days 21-44). Baseline and post-treatment measurements for motor performance in the Rotarod and self-grooming in an Open Field were taken. Likewise, dopaminergic (TH, DAT) and neuroinflammatory-related (GFAP) markers in the SNc and the dorsal striatum were studied by immunohistochemistry. Our results revealed that both early and delayed IGF-II co-treatment were successful in preventing motor and behavioral impairment in the MPTP/p model. Moreover, chronic IGF-II protected against MPTP/p-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SNc and promoted a significant recovery of dopaminergic activity in the terminals located in the dorsal striatum, further reducing reactive astrocytosis in these brain regions. Thus, we demonstrated the neuroprotective role of IGF-II in a mouse model of PD, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutical target for treating this disease. Funding: UMA18-FEDERJA-004, PID2020-113806RB-I00. Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Association of statin pre-treatment with baseline stroke severity and outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke and received reperfusion treatment: An observational study

[Backgroun] Statins have an important role in stroke prevention, especially in high-risk populations and may also affect the initial stroke severity and outcomes in patients taking them before an ischemic stroke.[Aims] Our aim was to evaluate the association of statin pre-treatment with the severity in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).[Methods] We analyzed AIS patients received intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and recorded in the SITS International Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy Registry from 2011 to 2017. We identified patients with statin information at baseline. The primary outcome was baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Secondary outcomes were NIHSS score at 24 h, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) and functional outcome at 90 days after acute intervention. Multivariable linear and logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) was used to quantify the effect of statin pre-treatment.[Results] Of 93,849 patients, 23,651 (25.2%) were treated with statins prior the AIS. Statin pre-treatment group was older and had higher comorbidity. Median NIHSS at baseline was similar between groups. In the adjusted and PSM analysis, statin pre-treatment was inversely associated with baseline NIHSS (odds ratio (OR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.6–0.99 and OR for PSM 0.73, 95% CI = 0.54–0.99, p = 0.004) and independently associated with mild stroke defined as NIHSS ⩽8 in adjusted and PSM analysis (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.1–1.34, p < 0.001 and OR for PSM 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05–1.31, p = 0.007). Regarding secondary outcomes, there were no differences in functional outcomes, death nor SICH rates between groups.[Conclusion] Prior treatment with statins was associated with lower NIHSS at baseline. However, this association did not translate into any difference regarding functional outcome at 90 days. No association was found regarding SICH. These findings indicate the need of further studies to assess the effect on statin pre-treatment on initial stroke severity.Peer reviewe

Supplemental material for Association of statin pre-treatment with baseline stroke severity and outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke and received reperfusion treatment: An observational study

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-wso-10.1177_17474930221095965 for Association of statin pre-treatment with baseline stroke severity and outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke and received reperfusion treatment: An observational study by Irene Escudero-Martínez, Marius Matusevicius, Ana Pavia-Nunes, Petr Sevcik, Miroslava Nevsimalova, Viiu-Marika Rand, Janika Kõrv, Manuel Cappellari, Robert Mikulik, Danilo Toni and Niaz Ahmed in International Journal of Stroke.Boehringer Ingelheim.Peer reviewe

Late gadolinium enhancement distribution patterns in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy: Genotype-phenotype correlation.

AIMS Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is frequently found in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), there is little information about its frequency and distribution pattern according to underlying genetic substrate. We sought to describe LGE patterns according to genotype and to analyze the risk of major ventricular arrhythmias (MVA) according to patterns. METHODS AND RESULTS Cardiac magnetic resonance findings and LGE distribution according to genetics was performed in a cohort of 600 DCM patients followed at 20 Spanish centers. After exclusion of individuals with multiple causative gene variants or with variants in infrequent DCM-causing genes, 577 patients (34% females, mean age 53.5 years, LVEF 36.9 ± 13.9%) conformed the final cohort. A causative genetic variant was identified in 219 (38%) patients and 147 (25.5%) had LGE. Significant differences were found comparing LGE patterns between genes (P < 0.001). LGE was absent or rare in patients with variants in TNNT2, RBM20 and MYH7 (0%, 5% and 20%, respectively). Patients with variants in DMD, DSP and FLNC showed predominance of LGE subepicardial pattern (50%, 41% and 18%, respectively) whereas patients with variants in TTN, BAG3, LMNA and MYBPC3 showed unspecific LGE patterns. Genetic yield differed according to LGE pattern. Patients with subepicardial, lineal midwall, transmural, right ventricular insertion points or with combination of LGE patterns showed increased risk of MVA compared with patients without LGE. CONCLUSION LGE patterns in DCM has a specific distribution according to the affected gene. Certain LGE patterns are associated with increased risk of MVA and with increased yield of genetic testing.This study has been funded by Instituto Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the projects ‘PI18/0004, PI19/01283, and PI20/0320’ (co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund ‘A way to make Europe’/‘Investing in your future’). The Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, the Hospital Universitario Vall Hebrón, the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, and the Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca are members of the European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence, and Complex Diseases of the Heart (ERN GUARD-Heart). F.d.F. receives grant support from ISCIII (CM20/00101). R.B. receives funding from the Obra Social la Caixa Foundation. M.B. receives funding from ISCIII (PI19/01283). The CNIC is supported by the ISCIII, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of the Spanish Government (MCIN), and Pro CNIC Foundation.S

Contribution of the alkylquinolone quorum sensing system to the interaction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with bronchial epithelial cells.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes infections in patients with compromised epithelial 32 barrier function. Multiple virulence factors produced by P. aeruginosa are controlled 33 by quorum sensing (QS) via 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolone (AQ) signal molecules. Here we 34 investigated the impact of AQs on P. aeruginosa PAO1 infection of differentiated 35 human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). The pqsA-E operon is responsible for the 36 biosynthesis of AQs including the 2-alkyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolones, 4-hydroxy-2-37 alkylquinolines and 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinoline N-oxides as exemplified by PQS, 38 HHQ and HQNO, respectively. PQS and HHQ both act as QS signal molecules while 39 HQNO is a cytochrome inhibitor. PqsE contributes both to AQ biosynthesis and 40 promotes virulence in a PQS-independent manner. Our results show that PQS, HHQ 41 and HQNO were produced during PAO1 infection of HBECs, but no differences in 42 growth or cytotoxicity were apparent when PAO1 and an AQ-negative ΔpqsA mutant 43 were compared. Both strains promoted synthesis of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, 44 interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17C by HBECs and provision of exogenous PQS negatively 45 impacted on this response without affecting bacterial growth. Expression of pqsE and 46 the PQS-independent PqsE-regulated genes mexG and lecA was detected during HBEC 47 infection. Levels were reduced in the ΔpqsA mutant, i.e. in the absence of PQS, and 48 increased by exogenous PQS. These results support an AQ-independent role for PqsE 49 during initial infection of HBEC by P. aeruginosa and for PQS as an enhancer of PqsE 50 and PqsE-controlled virulence determinants and as an immunomodulato

The relationship between maximal left ventricular wall thickness and sudden cardiac death in childhood onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background: Maximal left ventricular wall thickness (MLVWT) is a risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In adults, the severity of left ventricular hypertrophy has a nonlinear relationship with SCD, but it is not known whether the same complex relationship is seen in childhood. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy and SCD risk in a large international pediatric HCM cohort. Methods: The study cohort comprised 1075 children (mean age, 10.2 years [±4.4]) diagnosed with HCM (1–16 years) from the International Paediatric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Consortium. Anonymized, noninvasive clinical data were collected from baseline evaluation and follow-up, and 5-year estimated SCD risk was calculated (HCM Risk-Kids). Results: MLVWT Z score was <10 in 598 (58.1%), ≥10 to <20 in 334 (31.1%), and ≥20 in 143 (13.3%). Higher MLVWT Z scores were associated with heart failure symptoms, unexplained syncope, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, left atrial dilatation, and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. One hundred twenty-two patients (71.3%) with MLVWT Z score ≥20 had coexisting risk factors for SCD. Over a median follow-up of 4.9 years (interquartile range, 2.3–9.3), 115 (10.7%) had an SCD event. Freedom from SCD event at 5 years for those with MLVWT Z scores <10, ≥10 to <20, and ≥20 was 95.6%, 87.4%, and 86.0, respectively. The estimated SCD risk at 5 years had a nonlinear, inverted U-shaped relationship with MLVWT Z score, peaking at Z score +23. The presence of coexisting risk factors had a summative effect on risk. Conclusions: In children with HCM, an inverted U-shaped relationship exists between left ventricular hypertrophy and estimated SCD risk. The presence of additional risk factors has a summative effect on risk. While MLVWT is important for risk stratification, it should not be used either as a binary variable or in isolation to guide implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation decisions in children with HCM