1,692 research outputs found
Developmental and metabolic plasticity of white-skinned grape berries in response to <i>Botrytis cinerea</i> during noble rot
Noble rot results from exceptional infections of ripe grape (Vitis vinifera) berries by Botrytis cinerea. Unlike bunch rot, noble rot promotes favorable changes in grape berries and the accumulation of secondary metabolites that enhance wine grape composition. Noble rot-infected berries of cv SĂŠmillon, a white-skinned variety, were collected over 3 years from a commercial vineyard at the same time that fruit were harvested for botrytized wine production. Using an integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics approach, we demonstrate that noble rot alters the metabolism of cv SĂŠmillon berries by inducing biotic and abiotic stress responses as well as ripening processes. During noble rot, B. cinerea induced the expression of key regulators of ripening-associated pathways, some of which are distinctive to the normal ripening of red-skinned cultivars. Enhancement of phenylpropanoid metabolism, characterized by a restricted flux in white-skinned berries, was a common outcome of noble rot and red-skinned berry ripening. Transcript and metabolite analyses together with enzymatic assays determined that the biosynthesis of anthocyanins is a consistent hallmark of noble rot in cv SĂŠmillon berries. The biosynthesis of terpenes and fatty acid aroma precursors also increased during noble rot. We finally characterized the impact of noble rot in botrytized wines. Altogether, the results of this work demonstrated that noble rot causes a major reprogramming of berry development and metabolism. This desirable interaction between a fruit and a fungus stimulates pathways otherwise inactive in white-skinned berries, leading to a greater accumulation of compounds involved in the unique flavor and aroma of botrytized wines.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale
CD69 expression on regulatory T cells protects from immune damage after myocardial infarction.
Increasing evidences advocate for an important function of T cells in controlling immune homeostasis and pathogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI), although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, a broad analysis of immune markers in 283 patients revealed a significant CD69 overexpression on Treg cells after MI. Our results in mice showed that CD69 expression on Treg cells increased survival after left-anterior-descending coronary artery (LAD)-ligation. Cd69-/- mice developed strong IL-17+ γδT cell responses after ischemia that increased myocardial inflammation and, consequently, worsened cardiac function. CD69+ Treg cells, by induction of AhR-dependent CD39 ectonucleotidase activity, induced apoptosis and decreased IL-17A production in γδT cells. Adoptive transfer of CD69+ Treg cells to Cd69-/- mice after LAD-ligation reduced IL-17+ γδT cell recruitment, thus increasing survival. Consistently, clinical data from two independent cohorts of patients indicated that increased CD69 expression in peripheral blood cells after acute MI was associated with a lower risk of re-hospitalization for heart failure (HF) after 2.5 years of follow-up. This result remained significant after adjustment for age, sex and traditional cardiac damage biomarkers. Our data highlight CD69 expression on Treg cells as a potential prognostic factor and a therapeutic option to prevent HF after MI.This study was supported by competitive grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
(MCIN), through the Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII)-Fondo de InvestigaciĂłn Sanitaria
(PI22/01759) to P.M.; RTI2018-094727-B-100 to J. M-G; Comunidad de Madrid grants
S2017/BMD-3671-INFLAMUNE-CM to P.M. and FSM.; FundaciĂł La MaratĂł TV3 (20152330
31) to J.M-G and F.S-M.; Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciĂłn (MCIN) RTI2018-099357-B-I00, and CIBERFES (CB16/10/00282), Human Frontier Science Program (grant RGP0016/2018),
and Leducq Transatlantic Networks (17CVD04) to JAE. AC is supported by Marie SkĹodowska-
Curie grant (agreement No. 713673). R.B-D. is supported by FormaciĂłn de Profesorado
Universitario (FPU16/02780) program from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and
Sports. The CNIC is supported by the ISCIII, the MCIN and the Pro CNIC Foundation, and is a
Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (SEV-2015-0505).S
Developmental and metabolic plasticity of white-skinned grape berries in response to <i>Botrytis cinerea</i> during noble rot
Noble rot results from exceptional infections of ripe grape (Vitis vinifera) berries by Botrytis cinerea. Unlike bunch rot, noble rot promotes favorable changes in grape berries and the accumulation of secondary metabolites that enhance wine grape composition. Noble rot-infected berries of cv SĂŠmillon, a white-skinned variety, were collected over 3 years from a commercial vineyard at the same time that fruit were harvested for botrytized wine production. Using an integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics approach, we demonstrate that noble rot alters the metabolism of cv SĂŠmillon berries by inducing biotic and abiotic stress responses as well as ripening processes. During noble rot, B. cinerea induced the expression of key regulators of ripening-associated pathways, some of which are distinctive to the normal ripening of red-skinned cultivars. Enhancement of phenylpropanoid metabolism, characterized by a restricted flux in white-skinned berries, was a common outcome of noble rot and red-skinned berry ripening. Transcript and metabolite analyses together with enzymatic assays determined that the biosynthesis of anthocyanins is a consistent hallmark of noble rot in cv SĂŠmillon berries. The biosynthesis of terpenes and fatty acid aroma precursors also increased during noble rot. We finally characterized the impact of noble rot in botrytized wines. Altogether, the results of this work demonstrated that noble rot causes a major reprogramming of berry development and metabolism. This desirable interaction between a fruit and a fungus stimulates pathways otherwise inactive in white-skinned berries, leading to a greater accumulation of compounds involved in the unique flavor and aroma of botrytized wines.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157: H7 from healthy dairy cattle in Mid-West Brazil: occurrence and molecular characterization
Rapid Determination of Myosin Heavy Chain Expression in Rat, Mouse, and Human Skeletal Muscle Using Multicolor Immunofluorescence Analysis
Skeletal muscle is a heterogeneous tissue comprised of fibers with different morphological, functional, and metabolic properties. Different muscles contain varying proportions of fiber types; therefore, accurate identification is important. A number of histochemical methods are used to determine muscle fiber type; however, these techniques have several disadvantages. Immunofluorescence analysis is a sensitive method that allows for simultaneous evaluation of multiple MHC isoforms on a large number of fibers on a single cross-section, and offers a more precise means of identifying fiber types. In this investigation we characterized pure and hybrid fiber type distribution in 10 rat and 10 mouse skeletal muscles, as well as human vastus lateralis (VL) using multicolor immunofluorescence analysis. In addition, we determined fiber type-specific cross-sectional area (CSA), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, and Îą-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) activity. Using this procedure we were able to easily identify pure and hybrid fiber populations in rat, mouse, and human muscle. Hybrid fibers were identified in all species and made up a significant portion of the total population in some rat and mouse muscles. For example, rat mixed gastrocnemius (MG) contained 12.2% hybrid fibers whereas mouse white tibialis anterior (WTA) contained 12.1% hybrid fibers. Collectively, we outline a simple and time-efficient method for determining MHC expression in skeletal muscle of multiple species. In addition, we provide a useful resource of the pure and hybrid fiber type distribution, fiber CSA, and relative fiber type-specific SDH and GPD activity in a number of rat and mouse muscles
Biogeographical analyses to facilitate targeted conservation of orchid diversity hotspots in Costa Rica
Aim: We conduct a biogeographical assessment of orchids in a global biodiversity
hotspot to explore their distribution and occurrences of local hotspots while identifying geographic attributes underpinning diversity patterns. We evaluate habitat
characteristics associated with orchid diversity hotspots and make comparisons to
other centres of orchid diversity to test for global trends. The ultimate goal was to
identify an overall set of parameters that effectively characterize critical habitats to
target in local and global orchid conservation efforts.
Location: Costa Rica; Mesoamerica.
Taxon: Orchidaceae.
Methods: Data from an extensive set of herbarium records were used to map orchid
distributions and to identify diversity hotspots. Hotspot data were combined with
geographic attribute data, including environmental and geopolitical variables, and a
random forest regression model was utilized to assess the importance of each variable for explaining the distribution of orchid hotspots. A likelihood model was created based on variable importance to identify locations where suitable habitats and
unidentified orchid hotspots might occur.
Results: Orchids were widely distributed and hotspots occurred primarily in mountainous regions, but occasionally at lower elevations. Precipitation and vegetation
cover were the most important predictive variables associated with orchid hotspots.
Variable values underpinning Costa Rican orchid hotspots were similar to those reported at other sites worldwide. Models also identified suitable habitats for sustaining orchid diversity that occurred outside of known hotspots and protected areas.
Main conclusions: Several orchid diversity hotspots and potentially suitable habitats
occur outside of known distributions and/or protected areas. Recognition of these
sites and their associated geographic attributes provides clear targets for optimizing
orchid conservation efforts in Costa Rica, although certain caveats warrant consideration. Habitats linked with orchid hotspots in Costa Rica were similar to those documented elsewhere, suggesting the existence of a common biogeographical trend
regarding critical habitats for orchid conservation in disparate tropical regions.Universidad de Puerto Rico/[]/UPR/Puerto RicoUniversidad de Costa Rica/[]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::VicerrectorĂa de InvestigaciĂłn::Unidades de InvestigaciĂłn::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::JardĂn BotĂĄnico Lankester (JBL
Exhausted Cytotoxic Control of Epstein-Barr Virus in Human Lupus
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) pathology has long been associated with an increased Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) seropositivity, viremia and cross-reactive serum antibodies specific for both virus and self. It has therefore been postulated that EBV triggers SLE immunopathology, although the mechanism remains elusive. Here, we investigate whether frequent peaks of EBV viral load in SLE patients are a consequence of dysfunctional anti-EBV CD8+ T cell responses. Both inactive and active SLE patients (nâ=â76 and 42, respectively), have significantly elevated EBV viral loads (Pâ=â0.003 and 0.002, respectively) compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls (nâ=â29). Interestingly, less EBV-specific CD8+ T cells are able to secrete multiple cytokines (IFN-Îł, TNF-Îą, IL-2 and MIP-1β) in inactive and active SLE patients compared to controls (Pâ=â0.0003 and 0.0084, respectively). Moreover, EBV-specific CD8+ T cells are also less cytotoxic in SLE patients than in controls (CD107a expression: Pâ=â0.0009, Granzyme B release: Pâ=â0.0001). Importantly, cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific responses were not found significantly altered in SLE patients. Furthermore, we demonstrate that EBV-specific CD8+ T cell impairment is a consequence of their Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) receptor up-regulation, as blocking this pathway reverses the dysfunctional phenotype. Finally, prospective monitoring of lupus patients revealed that disease flares precede EBV reactivation. In conclusion, EBV-specific CD8+ T cell responses in SLE patients are functionally impaired, but EBV reactivation appears to be an aggravating consequence rather than a cause of SLE immunopathology. We therefore propose that autoimmune B cell activation during flares drives frequent EBV reactivation, which contributes in a vicious circle to the perpetuation of immune activation in SLE patients
Performance and Operation of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter
The operation and general performance of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter
using cosmic-ray muons are described. These muons were recorded after the
closure of the CMS detector in late 2008. The calorimeter is made of lead
tungstate crystals and the overall status of the 75848 channels corresponding
to the barrel and endcap detectors is reported. The stability of crucial
operational parameters, such as high voltage, temperature and electronic noise,
is summarised and the performance of the light monitoring system is presented
An Update on EMU Sovereign Yield Spread Drivers in Times of Crisis: A Panel Data Analysis
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