Responses of four winegrape varieties to managed water stress and partial defoliation in an arid environment

In viticulture, the imposition of managed water deficits is a strategy which has been used to increase both water use efficiency and winemaking quality in arid climates. Partial defoliation early in the season is another innovative practice that may also be used as an aid in regulating yield components and improving fruit quality. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of managed water stress and early season partial defoliation on crop yield and quality in two autochthonous (‘Frappato’ and ‘Nero d’Avola’) and two international varieties (‘Syrah’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’) growing in an arid environment. The four treatments were: (i) no leaf removal, un-irrigated, (ii) no leaf removal, irrigated at 30 % of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc), (iii) partial leaf removal, un-irrigated, and (iv) partial leaf removal, irrigated at 30 % of estimated ETc. The results confirm the effectiveness of partial defoliation in yield management which leads to smaller clusters. Managed water stress was also an effective strategy for reducing berry size, improving must quality and generally enhancing anthocyanin accumulation.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of stylar canal cells identifies novel candidate genes implicated in the self-incompatibility response of Citrus clementina

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Reproductive biology in citrus is still poorly understood. Although in recent years several efforts have been made to study pollen-pistil interaction and self-incompatibility, little information is available about the molecular mechanisms regulating these processes. Here we report the identification of candidate genes involved in pollen-pistil interaction and self-incompatibility in clementine (<it>Citrus clementina </it>Hort. ex Tan.). These genes have been identified comparing the transcriptomes of laser-microdissected stylar canal cells (SCC) isolated from two genotypes differing for self-incompatibility response ('Comune', a self-incompatible cultivar and 'Monreal', a self- compatible mutation of 'Comune').</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The transcriptome profiling of SCC indicated that the differential regulation of few specific, mostly uncharacterized transcripts is associated with the breakdown of self-incompatibility in 'Monreal'. Among them, a novel F-box gene showed a drastic up-regulation both in laser microdissected stylar canal cells and in self-pollinated whole styles with stigmas of 'Comune' in concomitance with the arrest of pollen tube growth. Moreover, we identify a non-characterized gene family as closely associated to the self-incompatibility genetic program activated in 'Comune'. Three different aspartic-acid rich (Asp-rich) protein genes, located in tandem in the clementine genome, were over-represented in the transcriptome of 'Comune'. These genes are tightly linked to a DELLA gene, previously found to be up-regulated in the self-incompatible genotype during pollen-pistil interaction.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The highly specific transcriptome survey of the stylar canal cells identified novel genes which have not been previously associated with self-pollen rejection in citrus and in other plant species. Bioinformatic and transcriptional analyses suggested that the mutation leading to self-compatibility in 'Monreal' affected the expression of non-homologous genes located in a restricted genome region. Also, we hypothesize that the Asp-rich protein genes may act as Ca²⁺"entrapping" proteins, potentially regulating Ca²⁺homeostasis during self-pollen recognition.</p

Acute inflammatory cardiomyopathy: apparent neutral prognostic impact of immunosuppressive therapy

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Proposal for a New Diagnostic Histopathological Approach in the Evaluation of Ki-67 in GEP-NETs

Abstract Introduction: Studies have shown that the Ki-67 index is a valuable biomarker for the diagnosis, and classification of gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). We re-evaluated the expression of Ki-67 based on the intensity of the stain, basing our hypothesis on the fact that the Ki-67 protein is continuously degraded. Background: The aim was to evaluate whether a new scoring method would be more effective in classifying NETs by reducing staining heterogeneity. Methods: Patients with GEP-NET (n = 87) were analyzed. The classification difference between the two methods was determined. Results: The classification changed significantly when the Ki-67 semiquantal index was used. The percentage of G1 patients increased from 18.4% to 60.9%, while the G2 patients decreased from 66.7% to 29.9% and the G3 patients also decreased from 14.9% to 9.2%. Moreover, it was found that the traditional Ki-67 was not significantly related to the overall survival (OS), whereas the semiquantal Ki-67 was significantly related to the OS. Conclusions: The new quantification was a better predictor of OS and of tumor classification. Therefore, it could be used both as a marker of proliferation and as a tool to map tumor dynamics that can influence the diagnosis and guide the choice of therapy

Lymphocytic Myocarditis: A Genetically Predisposed Disease?

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Reference Values for Peak Exercise Cardiac Output in Healthy Individuals

BACKGROUND: Cardiac output (Q\u2d9) is a key parameter in the assessment of cardiac function, its measurement being crucial for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of all heart diseases. Until recently, Q\u2d9 determination at peak exercise has been possible through invasive methods, so that normal values were obtained in studies based on small populations. METHODS: Nowadays, peak Q\u2d9 can be measured noninvasively by means of the inert gas rebreathing (IGR) technique. The present study was undertaken to provide reference values for peak Q\u2d9 in the normal general population and to obtain a formula able to estimate peak exercise Q\u2d9 from measured peak oxygen uptake (V\u2d9o2). RESULTS: We studied 500 normal subjects (age, 44.9 \ub1 1.5 years; range, 18-77 years; 260 men, 240 women) who underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test with peak Q\u2d9 measurement by IGR. In the overall study sample, peak Q\u2d9 was 13.2 \ub1 3.5 L/min (men, 15.3 \ub1 3.3 L/min; women, 11.0 \ub1 2.0 L/min; P < .001) and peak V\u2d9o2 was 95% \ub1 18% of the maximum predicted value (men, 95% \ub1 19%; women, 95% \ub1 18%). Peak V\u2d9o2 and peak Q\u2d9 progressively decreased with age (R2, 0.082; P < .001; and R2, 0.144; P < .001, respectively). The V\u2d9o2-derived formula to measure Q\u2d9 at peak exercise was (4.4 7 peak V\u2d9o2) + 4.3 in the overall study cohort, (4.3 7 peak V\u2d9o2) + 4.5 in men, and (4.9 7 peak V\u2d9o2) + 3.6 in women. CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous measurement of Q\u2d9 and V\u2d9o2 at peak exercise in a large sample of healthy subjects provided an equation to predict peak Q\u2d9 from peak V\u2d9o2 values

Interleukin-1β levels predict long-term mortality and need for heart transplantation in ambulatory patients affected by idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

The prognostic stratification of patients with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy (iDCM) is a difficult task. Here, we assessed the additive value of the evaluation of biomarkers of inflammasome activation and systemic inflammation for the long-term risk stratification of iDCM patients

Intravenous continuous home inotropic therapy in advanced heart failure: Insights from an observational retrospective study

Introduction: Intravenous inotropic support represents an important therapeutic option in advanced heart failure (HF) as bridge to heart transplantation, bridge to mechanical circulatory support, bridge to candidacy or as palliative therapy. Nevertheless, evidence regarding risks and benefits of its use is lacking. Methods: we conducted a retrospective single center study, analysing the effect of inotropic therapies in an outpatient cohort, evaluating the burden of hospitalizations, the improvement in quality of life, the incidence of adverse events and the evolution of organ damage. Results: twenty-seven patients with advanced HF were treated in our Day Hospital service from 2014 to 2021. Nine patients were treated as bridge to heart transplant while eighteen as palliation. Comparing data regarding the year before and after the beginning of inotropic infusion, we observed a reduction of hospitalization (46 vs 25, p<0,001), an improvement of natriuretic peptides, renal and hepatic function since the first month (p<0,001) and a better quality of life in 53% of the population treated. Two hospitalizations for arrhythmias and seven hospitalizations for catheter-related complications were registered. Conclusions: in a selected population of advanced HF patients, continuous home inotropic infusion were able to reduce hospitalizations, improving end organ damage and quality of life. We provide a practical guidance on starting and maintaining home inotropic infusion while monitoring a challenging group of patients

Current treatment and immunomodulation strategies in Acute Myocarditis

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium characterized by a great heterogeneity of presentation and evolution. Treatment of myocarditis is often supportive and the evidence for immunosuppression is scarce and debated. Conventional treatment is based on clinical presentation, ranging from conservative to advanced mechanical assist devices. In this setting, immunosuppression and immunomodulation therapies are mostly reserved for patients presenting with major clinical syndromes. In this review, we will summarise the current evidence and strategies for conventional and immunosuppressive treatments for patients presenting with acute myocarditis

A framework for prioritising present and potentially invasive mammal species for a national list

The European Union (EU) has recently adopted a regulation on invasive alien species that foresees the possibility of developing lists of species of National Concern. We developed a prioritisation process for alien mammals already established in Italy, but not yet included in the EU list (n = 6 species) and a systematic horizon-scanning procedure to obtain ranked lists for those species that are already introduced worldwide or traded in Italy (n = 213). Experts were asked to score these species, by evaluating their likelihood of establishment and spread and the magnitude of their potential impacts on biodiversity, economy, human-health and society. The manageability of each species was also evaluated, both for the proritisation and the horizon-scanning processes. We produced five lists that ranked species according to their potential spread and impacts and their manageability. These will allow policy-makers to select outputs according to a balance between risk assessment and risk management, establishing priorities for alien species management at the national level