A new Vrs1 allele identified in 2-row Spanish landraces

1 .pdf copy (A3) of the original poster presented by the Authors.Vrs1, the gene determining the type of spike in barley has been extensively studied. The wild dominant allele encodes a homeodomain-leucine zipper transcription factor whose activity results in a two-rowed spike, whereas the recessive allele produces a six-row phenotype. Phylogenetic analysis of barley cultivars identified two alleles in two-rowed types and at least four different alleles in six-rowed barleys. Previous results genotyping with MWG699, a marker closely linked to Vrs1, suggested different geographic origins for six-row alleles, among them the vrs1.a2 allele originated in the Western Mediterranean. Using this same marker, we showed that a large proportion of Spanish and Moroccan landraces (both 2- and 6-rowed) as well as Moroccan Hordeum spontaneum lines, all shared the same haplotype. We then analyzed the sequence of the Vrs1 gene in those lines. All (11) six-rowed barleys sequenced carried the vrs1.a2 allele, but we found different Vrs1 alleles among 2-rowed types: the material from Morocco, both wild (3) and cultivated (2), carried the Vrs1.b2 allele, which was absent from the Spanish 2-rowed landraces studied. The most common allele among these was Vrs1.b3, in 46 lines out of 53 evaluated. The other seven lines presented a new Vrs1 allele, Vrs1.b5. This new allele contains a ‘T’ insertion in exon 2, originally proposed as the causal mutation giving rise to the 6-row vrs1.a2 allele, but has an additional upstream deletion that results in the change of 15 amino acids and a potentially functional protein. These results add a new hypothesis to the origin of the 6-rowed vrs1.a2 allele, which could result from a mutation either at the Vrs1.b2 allele (classical hypothesis) or at the newly found Vrs1.b5 allele identified in Spanish landraces.Peer reviewe

Resequencing the Vrs1 gene in Spanish barley landraces revealed reversion of six-rowed to two-rowed spike

Six-rowed spike 1 (Vrs1) is a gene of major importance for barley breeding and germplasm management as it is the main gene determining spike row-type (2-rowed vs. 6-rowed). This is a widely used DUS trait, and has been often associated to phenotypic traits beyond spike type. Comprehensive re-sequencing Vrs1 revealed three two-rowed alleles (Vrs1.b2; Vrs1.b3; Vrs1.t1) and four six-rowed (vrs1.a1; vrs1.a2; vrs1.a3; vrs1.a4) in the natural population. However, the current knowledge about Vrs1 alleles and its distribution among Spanish barley subpopulations is still underexploited. We analyzed the gene in a panel of 215 genotypes, made of Spanish landraces and European cultivars. Among 143 six-rowed accessions, 57 had the vrs1.a1 allele, 83 were vrs1.a2, and three showed the vrs1.a3 allele. Vrs1.b3 was found in most two-rowed accessions, and a new allele was observed in 7 out of 50 two-rowed Spanish landraces. This allele, named Vrs1.b5, contains a ‘T’ insertion in exon 2, originally proposed as the causal mutation giving rise to the six-row vrs1.a2 allele, but has an additional upstream deletion that results in the change of 15 amino acids and a potentially functional protein. We conclude that eight Vrs1 alleles (Vrs1.b2, Vrs1.b3, Vrs1.b5, Vrs1.t1, vrs1.a1, vrs1.a2, vrs1.a3, vrs1.a4) discriminate two and six-rowed barleys. The markers described will be useful for DUS identification, plant breeders, and other crop scientists.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness grants AGL2010-21929, AGL2013-48756-R, RFP2012-00015-00-00, RTA2012-00033-C03-02, and EUI2009-04075 (national code for Plant-KBBE project ExpResBar). CPC was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness grant no. BES-2011-045905 (linked to project AGL2010-21929). TK and SS were supported by a research fund by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan (Genomics for Agricultural Innovation grants no. TRS1002). SS was supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellow for Research Abroad and a Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) (no. 16 K18635)

Evolutionary history of barley cultivation in Europe revealed by genetic analysis of extant landraces

Background: Understanding the evolution of cultivated barley is important for two reasons. First, the evolutionary relationships between different landraces might provide information on the spread and subsequent development of barley cultivation, including the adaptation of the crop to new environments and its response to human selection. Second, evolutionary information would enable landraces with similar traits but different genetic backgrounds to be identified, providing alternative strategies for the introduction of these traits into modern germplasm. Results: The evolutionary relationships between 651 barley landraces were inferred from the genotypes for 24 microsatellites. The landraces could be divided into nine populations, each with a different geographical distribution. Comparisons with ear row number, caryopsis structure, seasonal growth habit and flowering time revealed a degree of association between population structure and phenotype, and analysis of climate variables indicated that the landraces are adapted, at least to some extent, to their environment. Human selection and/or environmental adaptation may therefore have played a role in the origin and/or maintenance of one or more of the barley landrace populations. There was also evidence that at least some of the population structure derived from geographical partitioning set up during the initial spread of barley cultivation into Europe, or reflected the later introduction of novel varieties. In particular, three closely-related populations were made up almost entirely of plants with the daylength nonresponsive version of the photoperiod response gene PPD-H1, conferring adaptation to the long annual growth season of northern Europe. These three populations probably originated in the eastern Fertile Crescent and entered Europe after the initial spread of agriculture. Conclusions: The discovery of population structure, combined with knowledge of associated phenotypes and environmental adaptations, enables a rational approach to identification of landraces that might be used as sources of germplasm for breeding programs. The population structure also enables hypotheses concerning the prehistoric spread and development of agriculture to be addressed

Neuroprotective effects of insulin-like growth factor II in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Progressive degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway is a core, currently irreversible pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that leads to a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms. Here, we aimed to study the potential neuroprotective effects of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) in a PD mouse model based on the chronic administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and probenecid (MPTP/p), which induces loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNc). Male C57BL6/J mice (N=36) received a 5-week treatment with MPTP/p (or vehicle) and were co-treated with chronic IGF-II (or saline) from either the beginning of the procedure (plus an additional week, days 1-44) or once the MPTP/p insult was already triggered (days 21-44). Baseline and post-treatment measurements for motor performance in the Rotarod and self-grooming in an Open Field were taken. Likewise, dopaminergic (TH, DAT) and neuroinflammatory-related (GFAP) markers in the SNc and the dorsal striatum were studied by immunohistochemistry. Our results revealed that both early and delayed IGF-II co-treatment were successful in preventing motor and behavioral impairment in the MPTP/p model. Moreover, chronic IGF-II protected against MPTP/p-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SNc and promoted a significant recovery of dopaminergic activity in the terminals located in the dorsal striatum, further reducing reactive astrocytosis in these brain regions. Thus, we demonstrated the neuroprotective role of IGF-II in a mouse model of PD, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutical target for treating this disease. Funding: UMA18-FEDERJA-004, PID2020-113806RB-I00. Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Candidate genes underlying QTL for flowering time and their interactions in a wide spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cross

Response to vernalization and photoperiod are the main determinants controlling the time to flowering in temperate cereals. While the individual genes that determine a plant's response to these environmental signals are well characterized, the combinatorial effect on flowering time of allelic variants for multiple genes remains unresolved. This study investigated the genetic control of flowering-time in a biparental population of spring barley, derived from a wide cross between a late-flowering European and an early-flowering North-American cultivar. While the major flowering time genes are not segregating in the Beka × Logan cross, large variation in flowering was observed. We identified five QTL, with both parents found to contribute early alleles. The catalog of QTL discovered aligns with several candidate genes affecting flowering time in barley. The combination of particular alleles at HvCEN, HvELF3 and HvFT1 in Logan are responsible for the earliness of this cultivar. Interestingly, earliness for flowering could be further enhanced, with Beka found to contribute three early alleles, including a QTL co-locating with a HvFD-like gene, suggesting that there are diverse aspects of the flowering-time pathway that have been manipulated in these two cultivars. Epistatic interactions between flowering-time QTL or candidate genes were observed in field data and confirmed under controlled conditions. The results of this study link photoperiod-dependent flowering-time genes with earliness per se genes into a single model, thus providing a unique framework that can be used by geneticists and breeders to optimize flowering time in barley.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant numbers AGL2010-21929 and AGL2013-48756-R), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, and the European Regional Development Fund (grant number AGL2016–80967-R), and Government of Aragon (Research Group A08_20R)

Should inflammatory bowel disease clinicians provide their patients with e-Health resources?: patients' and professionals' perspectives

[Abstract] Introduction: The internet is emerging as a source of information for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it is not always reliable and may cause anxiety. We aim to assess patients' information habits and patients' and professionals' perceptions of a national website integrated as an educational resource for the IBD unit. Methods: Patients aged 18-65 years, comfortable with the internet, and attending follow-ups at participating IBD units (March-June 2019) and their professionals were invited to evaluate a recommended website through an online survey. Results: Three hundred eighty-nine patients and 95 professionals completed the survey. The internet (n = 109; 27.4%) was the second preferred source of information after the health care team (n = 229; 57.5%). Eighty percent of patients searched the internet for information on their disease and 28.6% did so at least once a week (n = 114), especially newly diagnosed ones (<2 years). Patients valued a website recommended by their professional (n = 379; 95.2%) and endorsed by the National Working Group (n = 377; 94.7%). They would attend online educational initiatives on the website (n = 279; 70.1%) and complete periodical surveys to improve its usefulness (n = 338; 84.9%). According to IBD professionals, this type of website is the best patient source of supplementary information (n = 76; 80%) and they "prescribe" it to most patients (67.0 ± 25.2%), especially the newly diagnosed patients (52.7 ± 26.5%). It effectively integrates routine face-to-face education (n = 95; 100%). Conclusions: Patients of IBD units, especially newly diagnosed ones, appreciate a trusted e-Health resource to back up professional information. The favorable opinion of patients and professionals will allow its use in training interventions

La revisión excepcional de precios en Obra Pública. Actualización legislativa 2022

Dentro de las tipologías de contratación de bienes o servicios por parte de la Administración Pública, la contratación de obras establece una serie de particularidades que conllevan el tratamiento singularizado del Contrato de Obras. La implantación del Registro de Contratos del Sector Público permite analizar los datos del mismo para la obtención de una imagen del estado actual de la materia. Hoy en día los contratos de obra representan al menos el 20% del importe total contratado por las Administraciones Públicas, aumentado este porcentaje hasta un 22.8% si se incluyen la concesión de obra pública. Atendiendo a los procedimientos de contratación, el procedimiento abierto es el más utilizado, representa el 49,7% de los contratos. Le sigue en importancia el procedimiento negociado (35,2%), teniendo los demás procedimientos un menor peso. Otro dato importante para tener en cuenta es el importe medio de las distintas tipologías contractuales que permita establecer el orden de magnitud de cada una de ellas. Es significativamente más elevado en el ámbito de la Administración General, principalmente por las grandes infraestructuras que acomete el Estado en materia de carreteras, ferrocarriles, puertos, etc. De los datos expuestos anteriormente se aprecia la importancia que tiene la contratación pública de obras dentro del tejido productivo del país en todos sus niveles. La aparición de circunstancias extraordinarias, como la pandemia desatada por el virus SARS-CoV-2, ha tenido una repercusión directa en el contexto económico y ha derivado en una rotura de las cadenas logísticas, además del aumento exponencial del coste de las materias primas. Como el resto del entorno económico del país, la contratación de obra pública se ha visto gravemente afectada por el encarecimiento de las materias primas. En concreto, los contratistas han visto como el equilibrio económico, en el que se fundamenta la ejecución de este tipo de contratos, ha desaparecido y excedido el principio de riesgo y ventura que deben soportar. La aparición de estas circunstancias era del todo imposible de prever en los procedimientos administrativos en los que se licitaron los contratos y ha derivado en la imposibilidad material de ejecutarlos. El legislador estatal, ante la gravedad de la situación y en el uso de sus facultades competenciales, para atajar la problemática y mitigar los efectos del incremento de costes en las obras, ha optado por la creación de un mecanismo de revisión excepcional de los precios de obra pública y dotado a las comunidades autónomas la potestad de adscribirse, adaptarlo y complementarlo

Aprender bien a ser docente: un nuevo Máster de Formación del Profesorado en Filosofía

Memoria con anexos del Proyecto de innovación docente 92 del curso 2019-20

Seven-versus 14-day course of antibiotics for the treatment of bloodstream infections by Enterobacterales: a randomized, controlled trial

[Objective] To prove that 7-day courses of antibiotics for bloodstream infections caused by members of the Enterobacterales (eBSIs) allow a reduction in patients' exposure to antibiotics while achieving clinical outcomes similar to those of 14-day schemes.[Methods] A randomized trial was performed. Adult patients developing eBSI with appropriate source control were assigned to 7 or 14 days of treatment, and followed 28 days after treatment cessation; treatments could be resumed whenever necessary. The primary endpoint was days of treatment at the end of follow-up. Clinical outcomes included clinical cure, relapse of eBSI and relapse of fever. A superiority margin of 3 days was set for the primary endpoint, and a non-inferiority margin of 10% was set for clinical outcomes. Efficacy and safety were assessed together with a DOOR/RADAR (desirability of outcome ranking and response adjusted for duration of antibiotic risk) analysis.[Results] 248 patients were assigned to 7 (n = 119) or 14 (n = 129) days of treatment. In the intention-to-treat analysis, median days of treatment at the end of follow-up were 7 and 14 days (difference 7, 95%CI 7–7). The non-inferiority margin was also met for clinical outcomes, except for relapse of fever (–0.2%, 95%CI –10.4 to 10.1). The DOOR/RADAR showed that 7-day schemes had a 77.7% probability of achieving better results than 14-day treatments.[Conclusions] 7-day schemes allowed a reduction in antibiotic exposure of patients with eBSI while achieving outcomes similar to those of 14-day schemes. The possibility of relapsing fever in a limited number of patients, without relevance to final outcomes, may not be excluded, but was overcome by the benefits of shortening treatments.This work received technical support from the Spanish Network of Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI) and the Spanish Clinical Research Network (SCReN) of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spanish Government (PT13/0002/0010).Peer reviewe