Arbuscular mycorrhizal contribution to nitrogen uptake of grapevines

The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in supporting tree nutrition has been recognized for many species, including grapes. This study aimed at determining whether AMF contribute to nitrogen (N) uptake by grapevines using 15N-enriched fertilizer to follow N transfer from the soil to the plant. Grapevines ['Nero'/'SO4'], grown in sand for 10 weeks, were divided into three fertilization treatments: (1) unlabeled NH4NO3; (2) 15NH415NO3 provided to root; (3) 15NH415NO3 provided to hyphae. The latter was obtained by splitting the pots in two compartments by a net impenetrable to roots, and adding the fertilizer only where AMF hyphae could develop. The vines were excavated and dry matter, total N and 15N concentration of each organ determined. Root AMF colonization (RLC) was evaluated on fresh roots. The nitrogen derived from fertilizer (Ndff) was calculated from the excess of 15N respect to its natural abundance. Total biomass growth (~37 g/vine) and RLC (38 % on average) were not statistically different among the three treatments. 15N was mostly allocated to roots, shoots and leaves, while trunks were only barely enriched. The vines receiving N directly to roots had higher N concentration and total N than vines relying on AMF, however the amount of Ndff, roughly 500 µg·vine-1, was not different between the two treatments. These results indicate that vines growing in the compartmentalized pots might have had an initial shortage of N due to not fully developed AMF. Once the hyphal compartment was colonized, AMF contributed to N translocation to vines, as demonstrated by the same amount of Ndff found in the two treatments. Although preliminary, this study demonstrates the potentially important role of AMF to mineral nitrogen nutrition of grapevines and calls for further studies in pot and in the field

Species diversity and community composition of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in apple roots are affected by site and orchard management

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial microrganisms which establish mutualistic symbioses with the roots of most food crops, improving plant performance, nutrient uptake and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. A better understanding of the factors affecting AMF occurrence and diversity is fundamental to implement sustainable agricultural managements effectively profiting from beneficial plant symbionts. Here, we investigated AMF occurrence, diversity and community composition in the roots of apple trees from 21 orchards in South Tyrol, as affected by location, management (organic vs integrated) and altitude, by PCR cloning and sequencing and PCR-DGGE of partial 18S rRNA gene. The screening of 448 clones from 21 clone libraries allowed the identification of 6 native AMF at the species level: Glomus indicum, Sclerocystis sinuosa, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizoglomus irregulare, Septoglomus constrictus and Claroideoglomus lamellosum. The most abundant genera were represented by Glomus (29.7% of the sequences), Paraglomus (19.4%), Claroideoglomus (17.2%), Sclerocystis (16.1%) and Rhizoglomus (12.3%). Septoglomus, Diversispora and Funneliformis sequences corresponded to less than 4% of total sequences. Although the degree of root colonization was unaffected by treatments, ANOSIM analysis of PCR-DGGE clusters revealed significant differences in apple root AMF diversity between sites and agricultural managements. Species richness was significantly higher in organically managed orchards than in integrated ones. Our findings provide insights into important factors affecting native AMF communities of apple trees, which could be exploited in sustainable fruit production systems, where beneficial soil biota boost biogeochemical cycles, energy fluxes and crop productivity

Existe relação da amplitude de distribuição das hemácias com a presença e gravidade da pré-eclâmpsia?

Introduction: Preeclampsia is one of the main causes of the maternal and perinatal mortality all over the world. The relationship between the amplitude of red cells distribution (Red Cell Distribution Width – RDW) and arterial hypertension is already well documented, though there is a shortage of data relating RDW with preeclampsia. Methods: Analytical observational study conducted in the years 2014 and 2015, composed by 108 patients in the study group (50 mild preeclampsia and 58 severe preeclampsia) and 101 patients in the control group. The hemoglobin, RDW, platelets and other hematological indices were measured as part of the automated hemogram. Results: There was no difference in RDW between the pregnant women in the control group and the ones in the mild preeclampsia group (14,68 ± 1,64 vs. 14,22 ± 1,87), the control group and the severe preeclampsia group (14,68 ± 1,64 vs. 14,24 ± 1,78) and the control group and preeclampsia group (14,68 ± 1,64 vs. 14,23 ± 1,81). Conclusion: The levels of maternal serum RDW are not associated with the presence of preeclampsia and the levels of its severity.Dissertação (Mestrado)Introdução: A pré-eclâmpsia é uma das principais causas de mortalidade materna e perinatal em todo o mundo. A relação entre a amplitude de distribuição das hemácias (Red Cell Distribution Width - RDW) e hipertensão arterial já está bem documentada, porém há uma escassez de dados relacionando RDW com pré-eclâmpsia. Material e métodos: Estudo observacional analítico retrospectivo, realizado no período de 2014 e 2015, composto por 108 participantes no grupo de estudo (50 pré-eclâmpsia leve e 58 pré-eclâmpsia grave) e 101 participantes no grupo controle. A hemoglobina, RDW, plaquetas e outros índices hematológicos foram medidos como parte do hemograma automatizado. Resultados: Não houve diferença no RDW entre as gestantes do grupo controle e grupo com pré-eclâmpsia leve (14,68 ± 1,64 vs. 14,22 ± 1,87; p=0,385), grupo controle e grupo com pré-eclâmpsia grave (14,68 ± 1,64 vs. 14,24 ± 1,78; p=0,386) e grupo controle e grupo com pré-eclâmpsia (14,68 ± 1,64 vs. 14,23 ± 1,81; p=0,063). Conclusão: Os níveis de RDW sérico materno não estão associados com a presença da pré-eclâmpsia e os graus de gravidade da doença

Ideas and perspectives : Tracing terrestrial ecosystem water fluxes using hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes – challenges and opportunities from an interdisciplinary perspective

The authors thank Marialaura Bancheri, Michele Bottazzi, Roman Cibulka, Massimo Esposito, Alba Gallo, Cesar D. Jimenez-Rodriguez, Angelika Kuebert, Ruth Magh, Stefania Mambelli, Alessia Nannoni, Paolo Nasta, Vladimir Rosko, Andrea Rücker, Noelia Saavedra Berlanga, Martin Šanda, and Anna Scaini for their contributions during the discussion at the workshop “Isotope-based studies of water partitioning and plant–soil interactions in forested and agricultural environments”. The authors also thank “Villa Montepaldi” and the University of Florence for the access to the workshop location, and the municipality of San Casciano in Val di Pesa for logistical support. The authors thank the Department of Innovation, Research and University of the Autonomous Province of Bozen/Bolzano for covering the Open Access publication costs. Last, but not least, the authors wish to thank Matthias Sprenger, Stephen Good, and J. Renée Brooks, as well as the Editor David R. Bowling, whose constructive reviews greatly improved this manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

COVID-19 Severity in Multiple Sclerosis: Putting Data Into Context

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is unclear how multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the severity of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to compare COVID-19-related outcomes collected in an Italian cohort of patients with MS with the outcomes expected in the age- and sex-matched Italian population. METHODS: Hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death after COVID-19 diagnosis of 1,362 patients with MS were compared with the age- and sex-matched Italian population in a retrospective observational case-cohort study with population-based control. The observed vs the expected events were compared in the whole MS cohort and in different subgroups (higher risk: Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score > 3 or at least 1 comorbidity, lower risk: EDSS score 64 3 and no comorbidities) by the \u3c72 test, and the risk excess was quantified by risk ratios (RRs). RESULTS: The risk of severe events was about twice the risk in the age- and sex-matched Italian population: RR = 2.12 for hospitalization (p < 0.001), RR = 2.19 for ICU admission (p < 0.001), and RR = 2.43 for death (p < 0.001). The excess of risk was confined to the higher-risk group (n = 553). In lower-risk patients (n = 809), the rate of events was close to that of the Italian age- and sex-matched population (RR = 1.12 for hospitalization, RR = 1.52 for ICU admission, and RR = 1.19 for death). In the lower-risk group, an increased hospitalization risk was detected in patients on anti-CD20 (RR = 3.03, p = 0.005), whereas a decrease was detected in patients on interferon (0 observed vs 4 expected events, p = 0.04). DISCUSSION: Overall, the MS cohort had a risk of severe events that is twice the risk than the age- and sex-matched Italian population. This excess of risk is mainly explained by the EDSS score and comorbidities, whereas a residual increase of hospitalization risk was observed in patients on anti-CD20 therapies and a decrease in people on interferon

Serum IgG against Simian Virus 40 antigens are hampered by high levels of sHLA-G in patients affected by inflammatory neurological diseases, as multiple sclerosis

Background: Many investigators detected the simian polyomavirus SV40 footprints in human brain tumors and neurologic diseases and recently it has been indicated that SV40 seems to be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. Interestingly, SV40 interacts with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules for cell entry. HLA class I antigens, in particular non-classical HLA-G molecules, characterized by an immune-regulatory function, are involved in MS disease, and the levels of these molecules are modified according with the disease status. Objective: We investigated in serum samples, from Italian patients affected by MS, other inflammatory diseases (OIND), non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND) and healthy subjects (HS), SV40-antibody and soluble sHLA-G and the association between SV40-prevalence and sHLA-G levels. Methods: ELISA tests were used for SV40-antibodies detection and sHLA-G quantitation in serum samples. Results: The presence of SV40 antibodies was observed in 6 % of patients affected by MS (N = 4/63), 10 % of OIND (N = 8/77) and 15 % of NIND (N = 9/59), which is suggestive of a lower prevalence in respect to HS (22 %, N = 18/83). MS patients are characterized by higher sHLA-G serum levels (13.9 \ub1 0.9 ng/ml; mean \ub1 St. Error) in comparison with OIND (6.7 \ub1 0.8 ng/ml), NIND (2.9 \ub1 0.4 ng/ml) and HS (2.6 \ub1 0.7 ng/ml) subjects. Interestingly, we observed an inverse correlation between SV40 antibody prevalence and sHLA-G serum levels in MS patients. Conclusion: The data obtained showed a low prevalence of SV40 antibodies in MS patients. These results seems to be due to a generalized status of inability to counteract SV40 infection via antibody production. In particular, we hypothesize that SV40 immune-inhibitory direct effect and the presence of high levels of the immune-inhibitory HLA-G molecules could co-operate in impairing B lymphocyte activation towards SV40 specific peptides

Disease-Modifying Therapies and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Severity in Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the impact of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies on the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Methods: We retrospectively collected data of PwMS with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. All the patients had complete follow-up to death or recovery. Severe COVID-19 was defined by a 3-level variable: mild disease not requiring hospitalization versus pneumonia or hospitalization versus intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death. We evaluated baseline characteristics and MS therapies associated with severe COVID-19 by multivariate and propensity score (PS)-weighted ordinal logistic models. Sensitivity analyses were run to confirm the results. Results: Of 844 PwMS with suspected (n = 565) or confirmed (n = 279) COVID-19, 13 (1.54%) died; 11 of them were in a progressive MS phase, and 8 were without any therapy. Thirty-eight (4.5%) were admitted to an ICU; 99 (11.7%) had radiologically documented pneumonia; 96 (11.4%) were hospitalized. After adjusting for region, age, sex, progressive MS course, Expanded Disability Status Scale, disease duration, body mass index, comorbidities, and recent methylprednisolone use, therapy with an anti-CD20 agent (ocrelizumab or rituximab) was significantly associated (odds ratio [OR] = 2.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18\u20134.74, p = 0.015) with increased risk of severe COVID-19. Recent use (<1 month) of methylprednisolone was also associated with a worse outcome (OR = 5.24, 95% CI = 2.20\u201312.53, p = 0.001). Results were confirmed by the PS-weighted analysis and by all the sensitivity analyses. Interpretation: This study showed an acceptable level of safety of therapies with a broad array of mechanisms of action. However, some specific elements of risk emerged. These will need to be considered while the COVID-19 pandemic persists. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:780\u2013789

Fertilizzazione dei sistemi colturali frutticoli

La concimazione delle specie frutticole passa attraverso il bilancio dei nutrienti, con il quale si determinano le esigenze della specie e le disponibilit\ue0 del terreno. La tecnica di gestione del suolo e l'epoca di fertilizzazione devono rendere massima l'efficienza di utilizzo dei nutrienti. Casi studio relativi alla coltivazione dell'arancio in Sicilia, del melo in Alto Adige, del pero nel ferrarese, del pesco in Romagna e di astoni di melo in vivaio, completano l'argomento, portando esempi pratici legati alle varie caratteristiche del territorio

Nutrient (including iron) demand model in peach trees

1 .pdf copia del póster original presentado por los autores al Simposio Internacional. Se acompaña de 1 .pdf copia del resumen oficial.Nutrient deficiencies occur in most areas devoted to agricultural practices, causing major losses to farmers. For instance, Fe deficiency in fruit trees growing in calcareous soils leads to decreases in fruit quality, yield and to early tree death. Nutritional disorders in crops are often corrected by adding mineral elements in standard routine treatments, often ignoring the real nutritional status of trees. Thereby, application of fertilisers on a regular basis can lead to an excess of available nutrients in relation to the real nutrient demand of crops. Such nutrient surplus can be either immobilised in the soil or leached, and can consequently contaminate superficial and underground waters. Therefore, our knowledge about nutrient budgets in fruit tree crops should be improved. This work is aimed to estimate the amounts of macro- (N, P, K Ca and Mg), and micro-elements (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) needed during a vegetative season by peach trees, by developing and validating a nutrient uptake model. The model is being developed by using orchard characteristics as well as experimental data concerning biomass and nutrient concentration (pruning materials, flowers, fruits, leaves, trunk and root) and growth parameters easy to be measured in the field and related to biomass increase, such as trunk and rootstock diameter. The model is expected to be able to predict the amount of nutrients needed by trees using only growth parameters. The model will be validated and refined with data collected in further growth seasons. Two different peach orchards (Prunus persica L. Batsch) grown in calcareous soils in the Northeast of Spain are being used in this study. Both orchards were flood irrigated, but rootstocks, cultivars, number of trees, frames, tree age and tree dimensions were different in the two orchards used. The use of this kind of models is expected to permit optimization of the amount of fertilizers applied to the orchards, thereby minimizing costs and decreasing soil and water contamination.This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (projects AGL2006-1416 and AGL2007-61948, co-financed with FEDER), the European Commission (EU 6th Framework Integrated Project ISAFRUIT), and the Aragón Government (group A03).Peer reviewe