Tomato: a crop species amenable to improvement by cellular and molecular methods

Tomato is a crop plant with a relatively small DNA content per haploid genome and a well developed genetics. Plant regeneration from explants and protoplasts is feasable which led to the development of efficient transformation procedures. In view of the current data, the isolation of useful mutants at the cellular level probably will be of limited value in the genetic improvement of tomato. Protoplast fusion may lead to novel combinations of organelle and nuclear DNA (cybrids), whereas this technique also provides a means of introducing genetic information from alien species into tomato. Important developments have come from molecular approaches. Following the construction of an RFLP map, these RFLP markers can be used in tomato to tag quantitative traits bred in from related species. Both RFLP's and transposons are in the process of being used to clone desired genes for which no gene products are known. Cloned genes can be introduced and potentially improve specific properties of tomato especially those controlled by single genes. Recent results suggest that, in principle, phenotypic mutants can be created for cloned and characterized genes and will prove their value in further improving the cultivated tomato.

A systematic review of interventions to reduce hospitalisation in Parkinson's disease

The neurodegenerative process in Parkinson's disease (PD) results in a relentless progression of motor and non-motor symptoms. Affected individuals are frequently hospitalised for complications of the disease including falls, fractures, infections, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. When admitted to hospital, inpatient care is often suboptimal as it focusses on the primary cause of admission, and is associated with poor patient outcomes and significant healthcare costs.AimTo review existing literature for evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing hospital admissions in PD.MethodsElectronic literature search in EMBASE, MEDLINE and CINAHL databases for studies evaluating interventions to reduce hospital admissions in PD. We included publications with full abstracts, published in the English language and addressing interventions to reduce hospital admissions in PD.ResultsTo date there are no randomised controlled trials addressing the topic. We identified nine relevant retrospective studies. Results from these studies suggest an association between frequent neurologist consultations, open access clinics, and medication compliance with a reduction in PD hospital admissions and emergency room visits.ConclusionThis systematic review highlights the lack of robust evidence for measures aimed at reducing hospital admissions in people with PD. Future prospective studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed interventions

O g\ueanero Calostoma (Boletales, Agaricomycetidae) em \ue1reas de cerrado e semi-\ue1rido no Brasil

O gênero Calostoma está representado no Brasil por duas espécies: C. cinnabarinum Desv., registrada pela primeira vez no Brasil e C. zanchianus (Rick) Baseia & Calonge, que ocorrem nas regiões sul, sudeste e nordeste. São fornecidas descrições, ilustrações e imagens em MEV da ornamentação dos esporos