Ligulate inflorescence of Helianthus x multiflorus, cv. Soleild’Or, correlates with a mis-regulation of a CYCLOIDEA gene characterised by insertion of a transposable element

Members of CYCLOIDEA (CYC)/TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 (TB1) transcription factor family are essential to control flower symmetry and inflorescence architecture. In the Helianthus annuus genome, ten CYC/TB1 genes have been identified. Studies performed on mutants recognised HaCYC2c as one of the key players controlling zygomorphism in sunflower. We identified CYC2c genes in the diploid Helianthus decapetalus (HdCYC2c) and in the interspecific hybrid Helianthus × multiflorus (H × mCYC2cA and H × mCYC2cB), a triploid (2n = 3× = 51), originated from unreduced eggs of H. decapetalus fertilised by reduced H. annuus male gametes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that HdCYC2c and H × mCYC2c were placed within a CYC2 subclade together with HaCYC2c but distinct from it. The present data showed that in H. × multiflorus the allele derived from H. annuus is deleted or highly modified.\ud The H. × multiflorus taxon exists as radiate and ligulate inflorescence types. We analysed CYC2c expression in H. decapetalus and in the cultivar ‘Soleil d'Or’ of H. × multiflorus, a ligulate inflorescence type with actinomorphic corolla of disk flowers transformed into a zygomorphic ray‐like corolla. In H. decapetalus, the HdCYC2c gene showed differential expression between developing flower types, being up‐regulated in the corolla of ray flowers in comparison to the disk flower corolla. In H. × multiflorus, an insertion of 865 bp, which is part of a CACTA transposable element, was found in the 5′‐untranslated region (5′‐UTR) of H × mCYC2cB. This insertion could promote, even with epigenetic mechanisms, ectopic expression of the gene throughout the inflorescence, resulting in the observed loss of actinomorphy and originating a ligulate head

Vibrations of the S1 state of fluorobenzene-h5 and fluorobenzene-d5 via resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy

We report resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization spectra of the isotopologues fluorobenzeneh5 and fluorobenzene-d5. By making use of quantum chemical calculations, the changes in the wavenumber of the vibrational modes upon deuteration are examined. Additionally, the mixing of vibrational modes both between isotopologues and also between the two electronic states is discussed. The isotopic shifts lead to dramatic changes in the appearance of the spectrum as vibrations shift in and out of Fermi resonance. Assignments of the majority of the fluorobenzene-d5 observed bands are provided, aided by previous results on fluorobenzene-h5

Review: Current status of corpus luteum assessment by doppler ultrasonography to diagnose non-pregnancy and select embryo recipients in cattle.

A number of potentials uses of Doppler ultrasonography have been explored in the last decades, both as research tools in reproductive physiology investigations and for the reproductive management of farm animals. The objective of this review was to address some of the recent strategies developed in fixedtime reproductive programs and resynchronization of ovulation in cattle, based on the evaluation of corpus luteum function by color-Doppler ultrasound imaging. Recent studies in dairy and beef cattle pointed out to a high accuracy when Doppler ultrasonography is used to assess the functionality of the corpus luteum and identify non-pregnant females at 20?24 days after breeding. Therefore, super-early resynchronization programs starting in the second week after timed-artificial insemination or embryo transfer have been developed and are being implemented in commercial assisted reproduction programs; thus, anticipating conception with proven semen or genetically superior embryos. In addition, assessment of corpus luteum blood perfusion can be used for identifying high fertility embryo recipients in fixedtime embryo transfer programs

Augmentation of abscisic acid (ABA) levels by drought does not induce short-term stomatal sensitivity to CO2 in two divergent conifer species

The stomata of conifers display very little short-term response to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ca), whereas the stomatal responses of angiosperms to Ca increase in response to water stress. This behaviour of angiosperm stomata appears to be dependent on foliar levels of abscisic acid (ABAf). Here two alternative explanations for the stomatal insensitivity of conifers to Ca are tested: that conifers have either low ABAf or a higher or absent threshold for ABA-induced sensitivity. The responsiveness of stomatal conductance (gs) to a sequence of transitions in Ca (386, 100, and 600 μmol mol−1) was recorded over a range of ABAf in an angiosperm and two divergent conifer species. The different ABA levels were induced by a mild drought cycle. Although the angiosperm and conifer species showed similar proportional increases in ABAf following drought, conifer stomata remained insensitive to changes in Ca whereas angiosperm stomata showed enhanced sensitivity with increasing ABAf. The conifers, however, had much higher ABAf prior to drought than the angiosperm species, suggesting that non-sensitivity to Ca in these conifers was due to an absent or inactive response/signalling pathway rather than insufficient ABAf

Uso de diferentes doses de sêmen congelado/descongelado e fertilidade em cabras leiteiras na contra-estação: resultados preliminares.

Resumo: Para se obter a inseminação intrauterina de maneira rápida em cabras leiteiras, a EMBRAPA desenvolveu uma nova técnica de Inseminação Artificial (IA) (Fonseca et al. 2011, Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos. Circular técnica, 43). Associada a ela, utiliza-se um novo protocolo de sincronização de cio usando dispositivos vaginais (60 mg MAP; Progespon®, Zoetis Indústria de Produtos Veterinários Ltda, Campinas, Brasil) por seis dias, além de 37,5 µg d-cloprostenol (Prolise®; ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina) i.m. e 200 UI eCG (Novormon 5000®; Zoetis, Campinas, Brasil) i.m. 24 h antes da retirada do dispositivo. Todos os procedimentos são feitos entre 17:00 e 18:00h. Após a retirada do dispositivo o estro é monitorado duas vezes por dia por machos inteiros. Paralelo a isto, estudos relacionados a doses inseminantes de sêmen em associação a estas novas biotécnicas precisam ser realizados. A dose preconizada pelo CBRA é de 100 milhões de espermatozoides viáveis por palheta para congelação, com índice maior de 40% de espermatozoides com motilidade progressiva na hora da descongelação. Entretanto, com a nova técnica de IA e novos diluentes (Optixcell®, IMV), estas quantidades provavelmente poderiam ser reduzidas. O objetivo desse estudo foi testar o efeito de diferentes doses de sêmen congelado/descongelado sobre a taxa de gestação de cabras submetidas à indução de estro sincronizado. Os resultados obtidos preliminares sugerem que a dose mínima de sêmen necessária por palhetas seja a de 100 milhões de espermatozoides. Tanto a raça quanto as condições de manejo podem interferir nos resultados de gestação. Isto ressalta a importância de incluir um grupo com monta natural em estudos dessa natureza. A elevação do número de animais por grupo testado permitirá conclusões mais definitivas sobre a dose inseminante a ser utilizada. [Use of different doses of frozen / thawed semen and fertility in dairy goats in non-breeding season: Preliminary results].Edição dos resumos do XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal, Gramado, RS, Brasil, 15 a 17 de maio 2019

Consistent assignment of the vibrations of symmetric and asymmetric para-disubstituted benzene molecules

We give a description of the phenyl-ring-localized vibrational modes of the ground states of the para-disubstituted benzene molecules including both symmetric and asymmetric cases. In line with others, we quickly conclude that the use of Wilson mode labels is misleading and ambiguous; we conclude the same regarding the related ones of Varsányi. Instead we label the modes consistently based upon the Mulliken (Herzberg) method for the modes of para-difluorobenzene (pDFB). Since we wish the labelling scheme to cover both symmetrically- and asymmetrically-substituted molecules, we apply the Mulliken labelling under C2v symmetry. By studying the variation of the vibrational wavenumbers with mass of the substituent, we are able to identify the corresponding modes across a wide range of molecules and hence provide consistent assignments. Particularly interesting are pairs of vibrations that evolve from in- and out-of-phase motions in pDFB to more localized modes in asymmetric molecules. We consider the para isomers of the following: the symmetric dihalobenzenes, xylene, hydroquinone, the asymmetric dihalobenzenes, halotoluenes, halophenols and cresol

Housing Conditions and a Challenge with Lipopolysaccharide on the Day of Estrus Can Influence Gene Expression of the Corpus Luteum in Gilts.

Abstract: The corpus luteum (CL) is a temporary endocrine gland that plays a decisive role in the reproductive physiology of gilts. Recently, it has been suggested that exogenous factors may compromise the normal functioning of the CL. In the present study, we aimed to understand to what extent an acute and systemic challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the day of estrus could compromise gene expression of gilts' CLs housed in different welfare conditions. For this, we housed 42 gilts in three different housing systems: crates, indoor group pens, and outdoor housing. Then, we challenged six females from each group with LPS and eight with saline (SAL) on the day of estrus. After slaughtering the gilts on the fifth day after the challenge, ovaries were collected for gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR. Housing system and LPS challenge did not have a significant interaction for any genes evaluated; thus, their effects were studied separately. We identified significant (p < 0.05) downregulation of the angiogenic genes VEGF and FTL1 among LPS-challenged animals. Meanwhile, we also observed upregulation of HSD3B1 gene among LPS-challenged animals. We found that STAR and LHCGR genes were differentially expressed depending on the housing system, which indicates that the environment may affect adaptation capabilities. Our results indicate that an acute health challenge on the estrus day alters CL gene expression; however, the role of the housing system remains uncertain

Supplemental red LED light promotes plant productivity, “photomodulate” fruit quality and increases Botrytis cinerea tolerance in strawberry

This work provides new evidences on the effect of pre-harvest red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W - R:G:B; 1:1:1) LED light supplementation on production, nutraceutical quality and Botrytis cinerea control of harvested strawberry fruit. Yield, fruit color, firmness, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, primary and specialized metabolites, expression of targeted genes and mold development were analyzed in fruit from light-supplemented plants, starting from the strawberry flowering, radiating 250 mu mol m-2 s-1 of light for five hours per day (from 11:00 to 16:00 h), until the fruit harvest. Briefly, R light induced the highest productivity and targeted antho-cyanin accumulation, whilst B and G lights increased the accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites especially belonging to ellagitannin and proanthocyanidin classes. R light also promoted pathogen tolerance in fruit by the upregulation of genes involved in cell wall development (F x aPE41), inhibition of fungus poly-galacturonases (F x aPGIP1) and the degradation of B. cinerea beta-glucans (F x aBG2-1). Our dataset highlights the possibility to use red LED light to increase fruit yield, "photomodulate" strawberry fruit quality and increase B. cinerea tolerance. These results can be useful in terms of future reduction of agrochemical inputs through the use of R light, enhancing, at the same time, fruit production and quality. Finally, further analyses might clarify the effect of pre-harvest supplemental G light on postharvest fruit quality

The role of proestrus on fertility and postovulatory uterine function in the cow

Abstract Modern protocols to synchronize ovulations for timed artificial insemination and timed embryo transfer that include manipulations in the proestrus period (i.e., between luteolysis and estrus) affect fertility in cattle. Specifically, stimulating pre-ovulatory follicle growth and exposure to estrogens after CL regression increase the proportion of cows pregnant and decrease late embryo mortality. Such effects may be due to both preovulatory actions of estrogens and post-ovulatory actions of progesterone, as concentrations of the later hormone may be changed in response to manipulations conducted during proestrus. In the first portion of this paper we describe strategies used recently to manipulate the proestrus period in protocols for synchronization of ovulation, and to present evidence of their effects on fertility. Manipulations of timing and prominence of sex steroids during the proestrus and early diestrus that affect fertility may act on targets such as the endometrium. This tissue expresses receptors for both estrogens and progesterone and these hormones change endometrial function to support conceptus growth and pregnancy maintenance. However, specific cellular and molecular mechanisms through which fertility is affected via manipulations of the proestrus are poorly understood. In the second portion of this paper we describe a welldefined animal model to study changes in endometrial function induced by manipulations conducted during the proestrus. Such manipulations induced endometrial changes on sex steroid receptors expression, cell proliferation, oxidative metabolism and eicosanoid synthesis in the uterus, but not on glucose transport to uterine lumen. In summary, evidence is accumulating to support a positive role of increasing duration and estrogen availability during the proestrus on fertility to synchronization protocols. Such positive effects may be through changes in endometrial function to stimulate conceptus growth and survival