Dating and functional characterization of duplicated genes in the apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) by analyzing EST data

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gene duplication is central to genome evolution. In plants, genes can be duplicated through small-scale events and large-scale duplications often involving polyploidy. The apple belongs to the subtribe Pyrinae (Rosaceae), a diverse lineage that originated via allopolyploidization. Both small-scale duplications and polyploidy may have been important mechanisms shaping the genome of this species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This study evaluates the gene duplication and polyploidy history of the apple by characterizing duplicated genes in this species using EST data. Overall, 68% of the apple genes were clustered into families with a mean copy-number of 4.6. Analysis of the age distribution of gene duplications supported a continuous mode of small-scale duplications, plus two episodes of large-scale duplicates of vastly different ages. The youngest was consistent with the polyploid origin of the Pyrinae 37-48 MYBP, whereas the older may be related to γ-triplication; an ancient hexapolyploidization previously characterized in the four sequenced eurosid genomes and basal to the eurosid-asterid divergence. Duplicated genes were studied for functional diversification with an emphasis on young paralogs; those originated during or after the formation of the Pyrinae lineage. Unequal assignment of single-copy genes and gene families to Gene Ontology categories suggested functional bias in the pattern of gene retention of paralogs. Young paralogs related to signal transduction, metabolism, and energy pathways have been preferentially retained. Non-random retention of duplicated genes seems to have mediated the expansion of gene families, some of which may have substantially increased their members after the origin of the Pyrinae. The joint analysis of over-duplicated functional categories and phylogenies, allowed evaluation of the role of both polyploidy and small-scale duplications during this process. Finally, gene expression analysis indicated that 82% of duplicated genes, including 80% of young paralogs, showed uncorrelated expression profiles, suggesting extensive subfunctionalization and a role of gene duplication in the acquisition of novel patterns of gene expression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study reports a genome-wide analysis of the mode of gene duplication in the apple, and provides evidence for its role in genome functional diversification by characterising three major processes: selective retention of paralogs, amplification of gene families, and changes in gene expression.</p

Topical Analgesia with Lidocaine Plus Diclofenac Decreases Pain in Benign Anorectal Surgery: Randomized, Double-blind, and Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a topical formulation containing lidocaine plus diclofenac (CLIFE1) compared to CLIFE2 (lidocaine), to decrease pain in benign anorectal surgery (BARS) to date not evaluated. Background: More than 50% of patients undergoing BARS, especially hemorrhoidectomy, suffer from moderate and severe postoperative pain. This remains an unresolved problem that could be addressed with the new CLIFE1 topical treatment. Methods: A multicenter, randomized double-blind, active-controlled parallel-group superiority trial, was conducted in two Spanish hospitals. Patients undergoing BARS (hemorrhoids, anal fistula and anal fissure) were randomized at the end of surgery at a 1:1 ratio to receive first dose either CLIFE1 (n=60) or CLIFE2 (n=60) anorectal topical treatment, and after every 12 hours for the first three postoperative days and once a day from the fourth to sixth. The primary outcome was average of pain decrease after topical treatment, measured with visual analogue scale (VAS) by the patients themselves, the evening in the surgery day and four times daily for the first three postoperative days. Results: The results of 120 patients included out of 150 selected undergoing BARS show a decrease in pain after CLIFE1 topical treatment (7.47±13.2) greater than with CLIFE2 (4.38±6.75), difference -3.21 (95% CI) -5.75; -0.676; p=0.008), decreasing significantly postoperative pain (≥ 9 mm, VAS) in 35% of patients undergoing benign anorectal surgery, compared to 18.33 % treated with lidocaine. Conclusions: The CLIFE1 topical treatment shows better analgesic efficacy than CLIFE2 in BARS

Genetic diversity in local Spanish pear cultivars assessed by molecular characterization with SSRs

Publishe

Genetic diversity of the Spanish apple genetic resources using SSRs

The Spanish Program of Plant Genetic Resources integrates, among others, the collections located at Public University of Navarre, Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, Cabildos (Tenerife, La Palma and Gran Canaria), University of Lleida, Estación Experimental de Aula Dei-CSIC and CITA of Aragon. Those collections include mainly local cultivars from their respective regions, covering most of the Spanish apple-growing areas. Though some previous studies about the genetic variability of apple genetics resources from Spain were already performed, a complete analysis is needed in order to evaluate the complete diversity of Malus spp. in Spain. For doing that, the Spanish Government funded the project ¿Harmonization of the methodology of characterization, assessment of genetic diversity and definition of the core collection of the apple germplasm conserved in Spanish genebanks¿. In total, we have evaluated 1206 accessions using standardized methodologies, with SSR markers and morphological descriptors. SSR fingerprinting was performed with 13 SSR markers. SSR profiles were obtained independently and allele sizes were compared using a common set of cultivars selected as references. Results showed 601 genotypes for 1206 accessions. Most of the genotypes (438) were identified only in one accession. The other 163 genotypes were repeated in two to 81 accessions (involving 767 accessions in total). The harmonization of morphological descriptors will allow us to determine if the accessions with the same genotype are synonymies or closely related individuals. Results of this study highlight the interest of coordinated actions in order to optimize the management of germplasm collections and to evaluate the complete genetic diversity of Malus spp. in Spain.Peer Reviewe

Genetic diversity of the Spanish apple genetic resources using SSRs: abstract

PublishedPoster number 6

Characterization of length polymorphisms at the 3'UTR of the maloideae S-RNase and its application for S.Genotyping in european pear (abstract)

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Mecanismos reproductivos que regulan la fructificación en peral (Pyrus communis L.) cv. "Agua de Aranjuez"

202 Pag., Tabl., fig.[ESP] El peral (Pynss communis) es un cultivo con una marcada tendencia a las producciones erráticas cuyas causas no están bien establecidas. Esto puede deberse a la escasa información disponible acerca tanto de su fructificación como de su biología reproductiva. En EspaÑa, al principal cultivar, ‘Agua de Aranjuez’, se le reconoce una marcada tendencia a bajos cuajados, hecho que fue controlado mediante el uso de ácido giberélico, hasta el punto que en la actualidad su producción es totalmente dependiente de este tratamiento. Sin embargo recientemente, la reducción en el uso de hormonas en fluticultura, pone en peligro la producción de este cultivar. La búsqueda de una alternativa, supone el conocimiento de las causas que limitan las producciones, El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido en primer lugar, el de sentar las bases de la fluctificaeión y de la biología reproductiva en peral. En segundo lugar, la evaluación de la receptividad floral y su repercusión en la producción Por último, la búsqueda de una alternativa agronómica para ‘Agua de Aranjuez’ libre del uso de ácido giberélico. Para llevar a cabo este trabajo, se ha utilizado una combinación histoquímica y microscópica, con una caracterización en campo del cuajado.Peer reviewe

Aplicación para la obtención y análisis automático de noticias en el ámbito financiero

Este trabajo desarrolla el análisis, diseño e implementación de un prototipo para un sistema de obtención y análisis automático de noticias, estando enfocado al uso en el ámbito de los mercados financieros.This work develops the analysis, design and prototyping, of a system for the automatic extraction and analysis of news from the Internet; the use of the system will be within the scope of the financial markets.Aquest treball desenvolupa l'anàlisi, disseny i implementació d'un prototip per a un sistema d'obtenció i anàlisi automàtica de notícies, estant enfocat a l'ús en l'àmbit dels mercats financers

Asynchronous development of stigmatic receptivity in the pear (Pyrus communis; Rosaceae) flower

The editor version is available at: http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/90/1/78While stigma anatomy is well documented for a good number of species, little information is available on the acquisition and cessation of stigmatic receptivity. The aim of this work is to characterize the development of stigma receptivity, from anthesis to stigma degeneration, in the pentacarpellar pear (Pyrus communis) flower. Stigma development and stigmatic receptivity were monitored over two consecutive years, as the capacity of the stigmas to offer support for pollen germination and pollen tube growth. In an experiment where hand pollinations were delayed for specified times after anthesis, three different stigmatic developmental stages could be observed: (1) immature stigmas, which allow pollen adhesion but not hydration; (2) receptive stigmas, which allow proper pollen hydration and germination; and (3) degenerated stigmas, in which pollen hydrates and germinates properly, but pollen tube growth is impaired soon after germination. This developmental characterization showed that stigmas in different developmental stages coexist within a flower and that the acquisition and cessation of stigmatic receptivity by each carpel occur in a sequential manner. In this way, while the duration of stigmatic receptivity for each carpel is rather short, the flower has an expanded receptive period. This asynchronous period of receptivity for the different stigmas of a single flower is discussed as a strategy that could serve to maximize pollination resources under unreliable pollination conditions.J. Sanzol was supported by an INIA fellowship and financial support for this work was also provided by INIA (Project grants SC98-049 and RTA 01-103).Peer reviewe

Fructificación del cultivar del peral Agua de Aranjuez. Necesidades de polinización

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