ECOLOGICAL PLASTICITY AND STABILITY OF PROSPECTIVE PEA LINES

The studies were carried out in order to assess the parameters of the adaptability of promising pea samples in terms of yield to identify the best genotypes for the conditions of middle Volga region. The work was carried out in 2018-2020 in the central zone of Ulyanovsk region. The object of the research was 10 pea samples, the standard was Ukaz variety. According to the methods of S.A. Eberhart, W.A. Russell, V.V. Khangildina and S.P. Martynova determined the adaptability of breeding samples using the following indicators: coefficient of variation (V%), homeostaticity (Hom), breeding value (Sc), stability index (Sj2), linear coefficient regression (bi), point stability estimate (Hi). On average, over three years of research, the greatest increase in yield, compared to the standard, was noted for Ulyanovskiy yubileiny variety - 0.43 t/ha. The genotypes of Ulyanovskiy yubileiny, Viridis and line 657/14 with the smallest values of the coefficients of variation - 14.6, 22.4, 23.4%, respectively, are attributed to the most stable in terms of the coefficient of variation V. The most valuable in terms of plasticity and stability were the Ukaz variety (bi=1.15 and Sj2=0.02) and line 559/11 (1.14 and 0.00 respectively). Line 621/14 (bi=1.42 and Sj2=0.15) was recognized as an intensive variety with very low phenotypic stability and line 752/14 (1.29 and 0.11 respectively), with a reduced variety. Lines 215/11, 533/14, 657/14 were distinguished by very high phenotypic stability (bi=0,91…1,07, Sj2=0,00…0,03). The highest level of homeostaticity in combination with breeding value was observed in the promising pea cultivar Ulyanovskiy Yubileiny (Hom=15.33 and Sc=1.67) and line 215/11 (Hom=7.74 and Sc=1.22). According to the point assessment of Hi stability, significant advantages were revealed in Ulyanovskiy yubileiny variety (Hi =4.22) and line 215/11 (1.33). According to the sum of the ranks of the six parameters of adaptability, the leading positions were occupied by lines 533/14 (27), 215/11 (32) and promising varieties Ulyanovskiy yubileiny (32), Viridis (32). According to the test results, two samples in 2020 were submitted for state variety testing

Adaptive potential of winter bread wheat varieties according to grain quality in the Middle Volga region

The current study was carried out on the experimental plots of the Samarsky Research Institute of Agriculture in 2014–2020 in order to estimate the adaptive potential of the approved winter wheat varieties of the Samarsky RIA according to grain quality under varying weather conditions. Mass fraction of protein and gluten in grain, gluten quality, falling number were established according to GOST. The adaptive potential for all grain quality traits was evaluated according to A.A. Rossiell, J. Hamblin (1981), the factor of phenotypic stability of traits was determined according to D. Lewis (1954), the coefficient of traits’ variability was estimated according to B.A. Dospekhov (1979) in Microsoft Office Excel. Over the years the average mass fraction of protein in grain of the studied varieties was 15.7% (the variety ‘Malakhit’), 15.6% (‘Svetoch’,) 15.3% (‘Bezenchukskaya 380’), 14.1% (‘Biryuza’), 14.4% (‘Bazis’), 15,5% (‘Viyuga’) with 5.9; 5.4; 11.6; 6.7; 14.5; 10.9% of variability respectively. There have been identified the winter bread wheat varieties ‘Malakhit’, ‘Svetoch’, ‘Biryuza’ and ‘Viyuga’ with high phenotypic stability of the trait ‘mass fraction of protein in grain’ (SF = 1.2). The average (in 2014-2020) mass fraction of crude gluten in grain was 33.6% (‘Malakhit’), 33.2% (‘Svetoch’), 32.8% (‘Bezenchukskaya 380’), 30.5% (‘Biryuza’), 30.6% (‘Bazis’), 34.2% (‘Viyuga’) with 7.8; 8.6; 17.4; 15.2; 17.1; 15.0% of variability respectively. The phenotypic stability of the trait ‘mass fraction of crude gluten in grain’ of the varieties ‘Malakhit’ and ‘Svetoch’ was high (SF = 1.2 and 1.3, respectively). There have been identified the varieties ‘Malakhit’, ‘Svetoch’, ‘Bezenchukskaya 380’, ‘Biryuza’, ‘Bazis’, ‘Viyuga’ with high phenotypic stability of the trait ‘gluten quality’ (SF = 1.2; 1.3; 1.2; 1.1; 1.2; 1.2 respectively). The average (in 2014-2020) value of the trait ‘falling number’ of the varieties was 232c (‘Malakhit’), 240c (‘Svetoch’), 258c (‘Bezenchukskaya 380’), 349c (‘Biryuza’), 223c (‘Bazis’), 347c (‘Viyuga’) with 34.7; 42.6; 11.2; 21.6; 43.3, 24.8% of variability respectively. There have been identified phenotypically stable varieties according to the trait ‘falling number’, namely ‘Bezenchukskaya 380’ (SF = 1.3), ‘Viyuga’ (SF = 1.9). According to the maximum expressivity and phenotypic stability of the traits ‘grain quality’, ‘mass fraction of protein and gluten in grain’, ‘falling number’ there have been identified the winter bread wheat varieties ‘Bezenchukskaya 380’, ‘Biryuza’ and ‘Viyuga’.

Phenotypic stability and adaptability of sweet sorghum genotypes evaluated in different Brazilian regions

Sweet sorghum is a special purpose sorghum with a sugar-rich stalk, almost like sugarcane. The objective of this work was to evaluate the phenotypic stability and adaptability of sweet sorghum genotypes, in different Brazilian regions, for the production of bioethanol. Twenty-five sweet sorghum genotypes were evaluated in 10 environments distributed in the Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, and Southern regions of Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three repetitions. The following agroindustrial traits were evaluated: fresh biomass yield (FBY), total soluble solids content (TSS) and tons of Brix per hectare (TBH). The adaptability and stability analyzes were performed with the methods GGEbiplot and Annicchiarico methodologies. The Annicchiarico and GGEbiplot adaptability and stability study methods presented satisfactory and consistent results and can be used separately or together in sweet sorghum breeding programs, and B005 and B008 sweet sorghum genotypes presented superior performance, with similar classification in both methods studied.

Colistin Resistance Onset Strategies and Genomic Mosaicism in Clinical Acinetobacter baumannii Lineages

The treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections is based on colistin. As result, COL-resistance (COL-R) can develop and spread. In Acinetobacter baumannii, a crucial step is to understand COL-R onset and stability, still far to be elucidated. COL-R phenotypic stability, onset modalities, and phylogenomics were investigated in a clinical A. baumannii sample showing a COL resistant (COLR) phenotype at first isolation. COL-R was confirmed by Minimum-Inhibitory-Concentrations as well as investigated by Resistance-Induction assays and Population-Analysis-Profiles (PAPs) to determine: (i) stability; (ii) inducibility; (iii) heteroresistance. Genomics was performed by Mi-Seq Whole-Genome-Sequencing, Phylogenesis, and Genomic Epidemiology by bioinformatics. COLRA. baumannii were subdivided as follows: (i) 3 A. baumannii with stable and high COL MICs defining the “homogeneous-resistant” onset phenotype; (ii) 6 A. baumannii with variable and lower COL MICs displaying a “COL-inducible” onset phenotype responsible for adaptive-resistance or a “subpopulation” onset phenotype responsible for COL-heteroresistance. COL-R stability and onset strategies were not uniquely linked to the amount of LPS and cell envelope charge. Phylogenomics categorized 3 lineages clustering stable and/or unstable COL-R phenotypes with increasing genomic complexity. Likewise, different nsSNP profiling in genes already associated with COL-R marked the stable and/or unstable COL-R phenotypes. Our investigation finds out that A. baumannii can range through unstable or stable COLR phenotypes emerging via different “onset strategies” within phylogenetic lineages displaying increasing genomic mosaicism.

Phenotypic Stability Analysis for Seed Yield and its Associated Traits in Advanced Lines of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss)

Phenotypic Stability Analysis for Seed Yield and its Associated Traits In advanced lines of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss)” was carried out to study the effects of different environments on seed yield and its associated traits, to estimate the magnitude of Genotype x Environment interaction and to find out the most stable and high yielding genotype among the selected lines of Indian mustard under different environments of different topography, soil texture and prevailing climatic conditions of Manipur. Fifteen genotypes were evaluated in 3 different locations (Andro, Iroisemba and Senapati) in RBD with 3 replications over two seasons viz; Rabi 2018-19 and 2019-20. The environment wise ANOVA revealed highly significant differences among all the genotypes studied for all the 11 characters of seed yield and its associated traits. The pooled ANOVA also indicated significant differences among the environments, genotypes as well as genotype by environment (GXE) interaction for all the traits. Genotype X Location interaction was observed as the main component for GXE interaction. Genotypes performed better in 2019-20 rabi season as compared to rabi 2018-19. Environment (E-5) i.e. Iroisemba, valley area was the best for expression of most of the characters studied. Stability Analysis using Eberhart and Russell indicated the significance of GXE (linear) for no. of siliqua/plant, no. of seeds/siliqua, siliqua length, no. of primary branches, no. of secondary branches, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to 80% maturity and 1000 seed weight except for plant height and seed yield per plot which shows the substantial amount of predictable G X E interaction for the expression of these characters in the selected genotypes. All the 15 genotypes were tested for 3 stability parameters, viz mean, bi and S2 di. The genotypes CAURMM-3, CAURMM-4, CAURM- 5, CAURM-4, PM- 25, CAURMM-1 and JM-1 were identified to be the high yielding and stable, hence they can be recommended for general cultivation under varied environments of Manipur. CAURM-1 CAURM-2, CAURM-3 had more stable characters although their yield was below the population mean, Therefore, proposed as promising genotypes for general cultivation under intensive input supply as they performed best in favourable environments, while NRCHB 101 found to be suitable for cultivation under poor environments.

Adaptability and yield stability of soybean genotypes by mean Eberhart and Russell methods, artificial neural networks and centroid

The soybean crop is prominent in national and international scenarios. A large part of the world production of soybean is cultivated in Brazil and this has been possible due to the performance of different technological areas, among them genetics and plant breeding. Soybean breeding has acted in the development and launch of new cultivars and for this it is required the studies of interaction genotypes x environments and those of adaptability and stability. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the adaptability and phenotypic stability of the grain yield of late-cycle soybean genotypes. Five experiments were conducted in the state of Minas Gerais, each of which was considered as an environment. In each, 17 soybean genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design with three repetitions, for grain yield, in kg ha-1. The data were analyzed by means of individual (each environment) and joint analysis of variance. Subsequently, analyses of adaptability and phenotypic stability were performed using the methods of Eberhart and Russell (1966), Artificial Neural Networks (Nascimento et al., 2013) and Centroid (Rocha, Muro‑Abad, Araujo, & Cruz, 2005). The results indicated the classification of the analyzed genotypes for unfavorable, general or favorable adaptability, with high or low stability. DM-339 is indicated for favorable environments and UFV-18 (Patos de Minas), UFV91-651226, UFV99-8552093, UFV01-871375B, UFV01-66322813 and UFV99-8552099 are indicated as general adaptability, considering the three methods of adaptability and stability analysis.

Human Neural Stem Cells for Cell-Based Medicinal Products

Neural stem cells represent an attractive tool for the development of regenerative therapies and are being tested in clinical trials for several neurological disorders. Human neural stem cells can be isolated from the central nervous system or can be derived in vitro from pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic sources are ethically controversial and other sources are less well characterized and/or inefficient. Recently, isolation of NSC from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with spina bifida and with intracerebroventricular hemorrhage has been reported. Direct reprogramming may become another alternative if genetic and phenotypic stability of the reprogrammed cells is ensured. Here, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of available sources of neural stem cells for the production of cell-based therapies for clinical applications. We review available safety and efficacy clinical data and discuss scalability and quality control considerations for manufacturing clinical grade cell products for successful clinical application.

Stabilizing Genetically Unstable Simple Sequence Repeats in the Campylobacter jejuni Genome by Multiplex Genome Editing: a Reliable Approach for Delineating Multiple Phase-Variable Genes

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading bacterial cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in developed countries and occasionally progresses to the autoimmune disease Guillain-Barré syndrome. A relatively large number of hypermutable simple sequence repeat (SSR) tracts in the C. jejuni genome markedly decreases its phenotypic stability through reversible changes in the ON or OFF expression states of the genes in which they reside, a phenomenon called phase variation.

Current Epigenetic Insights in Kidney Development

The kidney is among the best characterized developing tissues, with the genes and signaling pathways that regulate embryonic and adult kidney patterning and development having been extensively identified. It is now widely understood that DNA methylation and histone modification patterns are imprinted during embryonic development and must be maintained in adult cells for appropriate gene transcription and phenotypic stability. A compelling question then is how these epigenetic mechanisms play a role in kidney development. In this review, we describe the major genes and pathways that have been linked to epigenetic mechanisms in kidney development. We also discuss recent applications of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) techniques in the study of kidney development. Additionally, we summarize the techniques of single-cell epigenomics, which can potentially be used to characterize epigenomes at single-cell resolution in embryonic and adult kidneys. The combination of scRNA-seq and single-cell epigenomics will help facilitate the further understanding of early cell lineage specification at the level of epigenetic modifications in embryonic and adult kidney development, which may also be used to investigate epigenetic mechanisms in kidney diseases.

Engineering of Streptoalloteichus tenebrarius 2444 for Sustainable Production of Tobramycin

Tobramycin is a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic agent. The compound is obtained from the base-catalyzed hydrolysis of carbamoyltobramycin (CTB), which is naturally produced by the actinomycete Streptoalloteichus tenebrarius. However, the strain uses the same precursors to synthesize several structurally related aminoglycosides. Consequently, the production yields of tobramycin are low, and the compound’s purification is very challenging, costly, and time-consuming. In this study, the production of the main undesired product, apramycin, in the industrial isolate Streptoalloteichus tenebrarius 2444 was decreased by applying the fermentation media M10 and M11, which contained high concentrations of starch and dextrin. Furthermore, the strain was genetically engineered by the inactivation of the aprK gene (∆aprK), resulting in the abolishment of apramycin biosynthesis. In the next step of strain development, an additional copy of the tobramycin biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) was introduced into the ∆aprK mutant. Fermentation by the engineered strain (∆aprK_1-17L) in M11 medium resulted in a 3- to 4-fold higher production than fermentation by the precursor strain (∆aprK). The phenotypic stability of the mutant without selection pressure was validated. The use of the engineered S. tenebrarius 2444 facilitates a step-saving, efficient, and, thus, more sustainable production of the valuable compound tobramycin on an industrial scale.