Marker-Assisted Pyramiding of Blast-Resistance Genes in a japonica Elite Rice Cultivar through Forward and Background Selection

Rice blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is one of the main rice diseases worldwide. The pyramiding of blast-resistance (Pi) genes, coupled to Marker-Assisted BackCrossing (MABC), provides broad-spectrum and potentially durable resistance while limiting the donor genome in the background of an elite cultivar. In this work, MABC coupled to foreground and background selections based on KASP marker assays has been applied to introgress four Pi genes (Piz, Pib, Pita, and Pik) in a renowned japonica Italian rice variety, highly susceptible to blast. Molecular analyses on the backcross (BC) lines highlighted the presence of an additional blast-resistance gene, the Pita-linked Pita2/Ptr gene, therefore increasing the number of blast-resistance introgressed genes to five. The recurrent genome was recovered up to 95.65%. Several lines carrying four (including Pita2) Pi genes with high recovery percentage levels were also obtained. Phenotypic evaluations confirmed the effectiveness of the pyramided lines against multivirulent strains, which also had broad patterns of resistance in comparison to those expected based on the pyramided Pi genes. The developed blast-resistant japonica lines represent useful donors of multiple blast-resistance genes for future rice-breeding programs related to the japonica group

The IGF2 methylation score for adrenocortical cancer:an ENSAT validation study

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is diagnosed using the histopathological Weiss score (WS), but remains clinically elusive unless it has metastasized or grows locally invasive. Previously, we proposed the objective IGF2 methylation score as diagnostic tool for ACC. This multicenter European cohort study validates these findings. Patient and tumor characteristics were obtained from adrenocortical tumor patients. DNA was isolated from frozen specimens, where after DMR2, CTCF3, and H19 were py rosequenced. The predictive value of the methylation score for malignancy, defined by the WS or metastasis development, was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic and Cox regression analyses. Seventy-six ACC patients and 118 patients with adrenocortical adenomas were included from seven centers. The methylation score and tumor size were independently associated with the pathological ACC diagnosis (OR 3.756 95% CI 2.224-6.343; OR 1.467 95% CI 1.202-1.792, respectively; Hosmer-Lemeshow test P = 0.903), with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.957 (95% CI 0. 930-0.984). The methylation score alone resulted in an AUC of 0.910 (95% CI 0.8 66-0.952). Cox regression analysis revealed that the methylation score, WS and tumor size predicted development of metastases in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only the WS predicted development of metastasis (OR 1.682 95% CI 1.285-2.202; P <0.001). In conclusion, we validated the high diagnostic accuracy of the IGF2 methylation score for diagnosing ACC in a multicenter European cohort study. Considering the known limitations of the WS, the objective IGF2 methylation score could potentially provide extra guidance on decisions on postoperative strategies in adrenocortical tumor patients

Impact of the introduction of organised screening for cervical cancer in Turin, Italy: cancer incidence by screening history 1992–98

After an organised cervical screening programme was introduced in Turin in 1992, the age-adjusted cervical cancer incidence ratio in 1992–98 was 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59–1.09) for invited vs not invited women and 0.25 (95% CI 0.13–0.50) for attenders vs non attenders. An organised screening programme can further reduce cervical cancer incidence in an area where substantial spontaneous activity was previously present

Elementos conceptuales y metodológicos para la evaluación de impactos ambientales acumulativos (eiaac) en bosques subtropicales : el caso del este de salta, argentina

163-178Northern Argentina experienced an unprecedented deforestation rate of xerophitic forests as a consequence of agricultural expansion. In the Province of Salta, 26 percent of the forest were removed between 1977 and 2008. At the end of 2007, just before the No. 26331 Law of Native Forest Protection was voted by the Congress, the highest annual rate of deforestation was registered, reaching a value of 2.1 percent. Regarding this situation, indigenous people of Eastern Salta along with the "criollos" (local small ranchers) appealed to the National Supreme Court of Justice for legal protection. The Court requested the province to elaborate a Cumulative Environmental Effects Assessment (CEEA) regarding the process of logging and deforestation in four departments of Salta Province (San Martín, Rivadavia, Santa Victoria, and Orán). The aim of this work is to present a conceptual framework to conduct a CEEA in eastern Salta and to present the evidences and existing methodologies to characterize the impacts of deforestation. The conceptual framework suggested depends on the quantitative characterization of the changes in the provision level of key ecosystem services as a function of the stress and/or disturbance level (in this case deforestation). Based on the literature and our own data, the effects of deforestation on four key ecosystem services have been assessed: C dynamics, energy balance and greenhouse gases emissions, water dynamics and landscape structure. Deforestation produced emissions of 2000 t of CH 4, 200 t of N 2O, above 20 Gg of C/year, a 1.1 watt/m2 reduction in reflected radiation and 4400 TJ radiative energy emissions caused by deforestation fires, increases in the risk of soil salinization and landscape fragmentation. Considering these aspects of the structure and functioning of the ecosystems provides objective elements to evaluate management alternatives and to elaborate monitoring programmes. To consider such management and monitoring alternatives arises technical challenges but also institutional and political ones

Diagnóstico y evaluación de la sustentabilidad de la ganadería de monte en el Chaco Semiárido : El caso de Salta Forestal zona sur, departamento Anta, provincia de Salta

En este trabajo se realizó un diagnóstico de la sustentabilidad de los puestos ganaderos ubicados en la zona Sur de Salta Forestal, en la región del Chaco semiárido de la provincia de Salta. Se estimó para cada caso un índice de diagnóstico y evaluación de sustentabilidad compuesto por 15 indicadores que permite incluir en la evaluación los procesos de gobernanza y toma de decisiones de gestión. Los puestos evaluados presentaron un nivel de sustentabilidad regular. Los principales problemas detectados se relacionan con la falta de presencia estatal e infraestructura pública en la zona, lo que reduce considerablemente la productividad y la rentabilidad de la actividad ganadera en la región. El índice estimado permitió detectar numerosos puntos críticos de los sistemas productivos analizados, lo cual puede facilitar la identificación y la justificación de las medidas correctoras que deberían ser incluidas en un plan de desarrollo más sustentable para la región.This work carried out a diagnosis of the sustainability of livestock establishments located in the south region of the Salta Forestal, in the semi-arid Chaco in Salta Province. An index of diagnosis and evaluation of sustainability made up of 15 indicators that includes the evaluation of government and management decisions was used for each case. The cattle ranching farms studied presented a regular level of sustainability. The main problems observed are related to the lack of State presence and public infrastructure in the area, leading to reduced productivity and profitability of the livestock farmers in the region. The index identified numerous critical points of the productive systems analysed, therefore it can facilitate the identification and justification of the corrective measures that should be included in a plan of sustainable development for the region.Tema 1: Hábitat y energías renovables y ambiente.Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Diagnóstico y evaluación de la sustentabilidad de la ganadería de monte en el Chaco Semiárido : El caso de Salta Forestal zona sur, departamento Anta, provincia de Salta

En este trabajo se realizó un diagnóstico de la sustentabilidad de los puestos ganaderos ubicados en la zona Sur de Salta Forestal, en la región del Chaco semiárido de la provincia de Salta. Se estimó para cada caso un índice de diagnóstico y evaluación de sustentabilidad compuesto por 15 indicadores que permite incluir en la evaluación los procesos de gobernanza y toma de decisiones de gestión. Los puestos evaluados presentaron un nivel de sustentabilidad regular. Los principales problemas detectados se relacionan con la falta de presencia estatal e infraestructura pública en la zona, lo que reduce considerablemente la productividad y la rentabilidad de la actividad ganadera en la región. El índice estimado permitió detectar numerosos puntos críticos de los sistemas productivos analizados, lo cual puede facilitar la identificación y la justificación de las medidas correctoras que deberían ser incluidas en un plan de desarrollo más sustentable para la región.This work carried out a diagnosis of the sustainability of livestock establishments located in the south region of the Salta Forestal, in the semi-arid Chaco in Salta Province. An index of diagnosis and evaluation of sustainability made up of 15 indicators that includes the evaluation of government and management decisions was used for each case. The cattle ranching farms studied presented a regular level of sustainability. The main problems observed are related to the lack of State presence and public infrastructure in the area, leading to reduced productivity and profitability of the livestock farmers in the region. The index identified numerous critical points of the productive systems analysed, therefore it can facilitate the identification and justification of the corrective measures that should be included in a plan of sustainable development for the region.Tema 1: Hábitat y energías renovables y ambiente.Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Diagnóstico y evaluación de la sustentabilidad de la ganadería de monte en el Chaco Semiárido : El caso de Salta Forestal zona sur, departamento Anta, provincia de Salta

En este trabajo se realizó un diagnóstico de la sustentabilidad de los puestos ganaderos ubicados en la zona Sur de Salta Forestal, en la región del Chaco semiárido de la provincia de Salta. Se estimó para cada caso un índice de diagnóstico y evaluación de sustentabilidad compuesto por 15 indicadores que permite incluir en la evaluación los procesos de gobernanza y toma de decisiones de gestión. Los puestos evaluados presentaron un nivel de sustentabilidad regular. Los principales problemas detectados se relacionan con la falta de presencia estatal e infraestructura pública en la zona, lo que reduce considerablemente la productividad y la rentabilidad de la actividad ganadera en la región. El índice estimado permitió detectar numerosos puntos críticos de los sistemas productivos analizados, lo cual puede facilitar la identificación y la justificación de las medidas correctoras que deberían ser incluidas en un plan de desarrollo más sustentable para la región.This work carried out a diagnosis of the sustainability of livestock establishments located in the south region of the Salta Forestal, in the semi-arid Chaco in Salta Province. An index of diagnosis and evaluation of sustainability made up of 15 indicators that includes the evaluation of government and management decisions was used for each case. The cattle ranching farms studied presented a regular level of sustainability. The main problems observed are related to the lack of State presence and public infrastructure in the area, leading to reduced productivity and profitability of the livestock farmers in the region. The index identified numerous critical points of the productive systems analysed, therefore it can facilitate the identification and justification of the corrective measures that should be included in a plan of sustainable development for the region.Tema 1: Hábitat y energías renovables y ambiente.Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

The EMT transcription factor ZEB1 governs a fitness-promoting but vulnerable DNA replication stress response

The DNA damage response (DDR) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are two crucial cellular programs in cancer biology. While the DDR orchestrates cell cycle progression, DNA repair and cell death, EMT promotes invasiveness, cellular plasticity and intratumor heterogeneity. Therapeutic targeting of EMT transcription factors, such as ZEB1, remains challenging, but tumor-promoting DDR alterations elicit specific vulnerabilities. Using multi-omics, inhibitors and high-content microscopy, we discover a chemoresistant ZEB1 high expressing sub-population (ZEB1hi) with co-rewired cell cycle progression and proficient DDR across tumor entities. ZEB1 stimulates accelerated S-phase entry via CDK6, inflicting endogenous DNA replication stress. However, DDR buildups involving constitutive MRE11-dependent fork resection allow homeostatic cycling and enrichment of ZEB1hi cells during TGFβ-induced EMT and chemotherapy. Thus, ZEB1 promotes G1/S transition to launch a progressive DDR benefitting stress tolerance, which concurrently manifests a targetable vulnerability in chemoresistant ZEB1hi cells. Our study thus highlights the translationally relevant intercept of the DDR and EMT

Epidemiology and costs of cervical cancer screening and cervical dysplasia in Italy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We estimated the number of women undergoing cervical cancer screening annually in Italy, the rates of cervical abnormalities detected, and the costs of screening and management of abnormalities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The annual number of screened women was estimated from National Health Interview data. Data from the Italian Group for Cervical Cancer Screening were used to estimate the number of positive, negative and unsatisfactory Pap smears. The incidence of CIN (cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia) was estimated from the Emilia Romagna Cancer Registry. Patterns of follow-up and treatment costs were estimated using a typical disease management approach based on national guidelines and data from the Italian Group for Cervical Cancer Screening. Treatment unit costs were obtained from Italian National Health Service and Hospital Information System of the Lazio Region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An estimated 6.4 million women aged 25–69 years undergo screening annually in Italy (1.2 million and 5.2 million through organized and opportunistic screening programs, respectively). Approximately 2.4% of tests have positive findings. There are approximately 21,000 cases of CIN1 and 7,000–17,000 cases of CIN2/3. Estimated costs to the healthcare service amount to €158.5 million for screening and €22.9 million for the management of cervical abnormalities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although some cervical abnormalities might have been underestimated, the total annual cost of cervical cancer prevention in Italy is approximately €181.5 million, of which 87% is attributable to screening.</p