Hybrid Grapes for a Sustainable Viticulture in South Italy: Parentage Diagram Analysis and Metal Assessment in a Homemade Wine of Chambourcin Cultivar

The aim of this work was to explore a more sustainable approach in the viticulture of Mediterranean countries that could derive from growing hybrid grape varieties inheriting tolerance/resistance characters from the wild vines utilized for their selection. Among the plethora of hybrid grapes developed in the last decades, some are able to produce high-quality wines whose flavor resembles European varieties, thus overcoming a typical limit of several old hybrids based on V. labrusca whose wine was characterized by a distinctive wild flavor. In this context, we examined some characteristics of Chambourcin, one of the most promising hybrid cultivars producing quality red wine and requiring much less phytosanitary interventions than European grapevine. In detail, the scope of this study included the investigation of the parentage diagram for this hybrid grape variety and the chemical analysis of a Chambourcin wine produced in South Italy. We filled the gaps corresponding to some of the Vitis ancestors participating in its complex pedigree by means of a literature analysis and a mathematical approach. We found high ancestry of V. vinifera (about 41%), followed by V. berlandieri (about 28%), V. rupestris (about 19%) and to a lesser extent other American wild vines. The significant content of V. berlandieri and V. rupestris genome in Chambourcin explains the considerable resistance of this variety to the two main pathogens affecting grapevines, i.e., downy mildew and powdery mildew. We then analyzed an organic Chambourcin wine produced in South Italy from grapes obtained without any phytosanitary treatment by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) in order to assess heavy metal content and found it comparable to other (red and rosè) V. vinifera wines obtained from family-run vineyards. Heavy metals contents detected were not of concern for any of the wines analyzed, however, copper accumulation in V. vinifera vineyard soils, and pollution deriving from other phytosanitary chemicals remain issues that in the case of Chambourcin vineyards could be solved at least in large part.

The Connection between Czc and Cad Systems Involved in Cadmium Resistance in Pseudomonas putida

Heavy metal pollution is widespread and persistent, and causes serious harm to the environment. Pseudomonas putida, a representative environmental microorganism, has strong resistance to heavy metals due to its multiple efflux systems. Although the functions of many efflux systems have been well-studied, the relationship between them remains unclear. Here, the relationship between the Czc and Cad systems that are predominantly responsible for cadmium efflux in P. putida KT2440 is identified. The results demonstrated that CzcR3, the response regulator of two-component system CzcRS3 in the Czc system, activates the expression of efflux pump genes czcCBA1 and czcCBA2 by directly binding to their promoters, thereby helping the strain resist cadmium stress. CzcR3 can also bind to its own promoter, but it has only a weak regulatory effect. The high-level expression of czcRS3 needs to be induced by Cd2+, and this relies on the regulation of CadR, a key regulator in the Cad system, which showed affinity to czcRS3 promoter. Our study indicates that the Cad system is involved in the regulation of the Czc system, and this relationship is important for maintaining the considerable resistance to cadmium in P. putida.

Clostridioides difficile SpoVAD and SpoVAE interact and are required for DPA uptake into spores

Clostridioides difficile spores, like the spores from most endospore-forming organisms, are a metabolically dormant stage of development with a complex structure that conveys considerable resistance to environmental conditions, e.g. , wet heat. This resistance is due to the large amount of dipicolinic acid (DPA) that is taken up by the spore core, preventing rotational motion of the core proteins. DPA is synthesized by the mother cell and its packaging into the spore core is mediated by the products of the spoVA operon, which has a variable number of genes, depending on the organism. C. difficile encodes 3 spoVA orthologues, spoVAC, spoVAD, and spoVAE. Prior work has shown that C. difficile SpoVAC is a mechanosensing protein responsible for DPA release from the spore core upon the initiation of germination. However, the roles of SpoVAD and SpoVAE remain unclear in C. difficile . In this study we analyzed the roles of SpoVAD and SpoVAE and found that they are essential for DPA uptake into the spore, similar to SpoVAC. Using split luciferase protein interaction assays we found that these proteins interact, and we propose a model where SpoVAC/SpoVAD/SpoVAE proteins interact at or near the inner spore membrane, and each member of the complex is essential for DPA uptake into the spore core. Importance C. difficile spore heat resistance provides an avenue for it to survive the disinfection protocols in hospital and community settings. The spore heat resistance is mainly the consequence of the high DPA content within the spore core. By elucidating the mechanism by which DPA is taken up by the spore core, this study may provide insight in how to disrupt the spore heat resistance with the aim of making the current disinfection protocols more efficient at preventing the spread of C. difficile in the environment.

Banana Cultivar Field Screening for Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 in the Northern Territory

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense, causal agent of Panama disease, is one of the biggest threats to global banana production, particularly the Cavendish competent tropical race 4 (Foc TR4). It continues to spread globally with detections occurring in regions of the Middle East and new continents such as Africa and South America in the last decade. As the search was on for new management strategies and resistant cultivars to combat the disease, a banana cultivar-screening trial took place in the Northern Territory of Australia, which examined the responses of 24 banana cultivars to the soil borne fungus. These cultivars included material from TBRI, FHIA and selections from Thailand, Indonesia and Australia and evaluated for their resistance to tropical race 4 for two cropping cycles. Several cultivars displayed considerable resistance to Foc TR4, including several FHIA parental lines and hybrids, the Cavendish (AAA) selections GCTCV 215 and GCTCV 247 from TBRI and an Indonesian selection CJ19 showed either very little to no plant death due to the disease.

Clostridioides difficile SpoVAD and SpoVAE interact and are required for DPA packaging into spores

Clostridioides difficile spores, like the spores from most endospore-forming organisms, are a metabolically dormant stage of development with a complex structure that conveys considerable resistance to environmental conditions, e.g., dry heat. This resistance is due to the large amount of dipicolinic acid (DPA) that is packaged into the spore core, thereby replacing the majority of water. DPA is synthesized by the mother cell and its packaging into the spore core is regulated by the spoVA operon that has a variable number of genes, depending on the organism. C. difficile encodes 3 spoVA orthologues, spoVAC, spoVAD, and spoVAE. Prior work has shown that C. difficile SpoVAC is a mechanosensing protein responsible for DPA release from the spore core upon the initiation of germination. However, the roles of SpoVAD and SpoVAE remain unclear in C. difficile. In this study we analyzed the roles of SpoVAD and SpoVAE and found that they are essential for DPA packaging into the spore, similar to SpoVAC. Using split luciferase protein interaction assays we found that these proteins interact, and we propose a model where SpoVAC / SpoVAD / SpoVAE proteins interact at or near the inner spore membrane, and each member of the complex is essential for DPA packaging into the spore

Creating collaboration for contentious projects on managed aquifer recharge: two cases from Finland

In Finland, community water supply has increasingly relied on natural groundwater and artificially recharged groundwater as the raw water source. Several managed aquifer recharge (MAR) projects have been co-created with involved parties and have proceeded well, while some cases have raised considerable resistance among the stakeholders. It seems that success or failure in MAR cooperation is related to management cultures and the ways in which various interests are taken into account, from the very beginning and throughout the process. Empirically, this paper builds on comparison between two conflictual case studies in Finland: one in the Tampere region and the other in the Turku region. The study analyses the major constraints of these projects through the lens of collaborative rationality, also drawing upon discourse analysis and negotiation theory. The material is gathered through thematic interviews of stakeholders, newspaper articles and a stakeholder workshop. The results indicate that conventional management approaches, drawing from expert-based instrumental rationality, were insufficient in both cases. The collaborative rationality framework suggests that legitimacy for the groundwater projects should be gained through joint knowledge production and inclusive multiparty interaction for creating options for collaboration. Both cases lacked the tools and know-how for authentic dialogue and collaboration. The emerging paradigm emphasizes more collaborative approaches for natural resources management and urban planning. While MAR projects operate inside these areas and are highly complex in nature, it is essential to embrace the emerging paradigm in order to promote MAR systems along with their huge potential.

Ludwig’s Angina: Clinical Profile and Microbiology with Antibiotic Resistance and Sensitivity at Referral Hospital

Objective: To assess the distribution of sex and age, comorbidity factors, etiology, management protocol, isolated organisms, antibiotic resistance and sensitivity. Material and Methods: Retrospective observational study based on medical records in 2007 – 2016 and microbiological examination data from 2012 – 2016. Results: The proportion of males was greater than females 1.8 (71): 1 (29). Mean age 41 ±SD 16.99. The most comorbidity diagnoses were type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) 24.5% (27) and the most complications were sepsis 21.8% (24). The most common etiology was odontogenic infection 92%. Patients underwent drainage incisions and were treated with empiric ceftriaxone and metronidazole for an average of 7 days of treatment. Outcomes recovery were 93.7% (102) and were death 5.4% (6). The three most common types of bacteria as the etiology were Enterobacter spp. 32% (9), Streptococcus spp. 25% (7), Staphylococcus spp. 18% (5). Ceftriaxone showed considerable resistance to gram-negative bacteria as well as to gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus spp.). Conclusion: The ratio of male to female was 1.8:1 and odontogenic infection was 92%. DM increases the risk of complications of sepsis and prolongs the day of care. A drainage incision should be performed immediately. Gram negative bacteria were the most common bacteria found. The efficacy of using ceftriaxone as empirical therapy needs to be reviewed.

Competing modes of responsibility in research organisations—Insights from an international comparison

Based on findings from research in the incorporation of responsible research and innovation in research organisations in twelve European and non-European countries, the article discusses how old (i.e. internal) and new (i.e. external) modes of responsibility coexist and compete with each other in actual research practice. Although the analysis shows ubiquitous perceived need for re-arranging the relations between science and society in order to legitimise scientific research in organisations, it also finds that the incumbent structures and cultures of internal thinking are still dominant in most organisations, which leads to considerable resistance to change. In particular, for public engagement and reflexive anticipatory ethics, strategies of conceptual and procedural demarcation are evident. Organisations adapt public engagement or reflexive ethics as extraordinary or experimental activities thus allowing for the continuation of the status quo in the perspective of the ‘republic of science’, keeping ‘internal’ affairs unaffected by societal intervention.

The Place of Islam in the Foundation of Modern Social Theory

The relation between Islam and the West has a long history full of confrontation. Islam always represents the closest “other” for the West, and being otherized by it is not only a cultural but also a strategic matter. Controlling and shaping the perceptions of Islam is essential for continuing the political hegemony of the West. On this basis, the 19th century witnessed the spread of Western hegemony throughout the world, including the Middle East. In this period, although Western expansion faced considerable resistance in Muslim societies, the political, economic, military, scientific, intellectual, and cultural influence of modernity spread all over the world. The encounter between Muslim societies and the West went beyond the sheer geographical dimension. The Western vision, founded and reinforced by orientalism, considers Islam as a suppressed enemy who may make a comeback. This chapter will question the place of Islam in modern social theory. The central thesis is on Islam being not only the other of the modern Western identity but also a founder of the modern world. By discussing the central place of Islam in the debates of social theory’s founders such as Tocqueville, Marx, and Weber, Islam as part and parcel of the modern world will become apparent.

Penicillium italicum: An Underexplored Postharvest Pathogen

In the agricultural sector, citrus is one of the most important fruit genus in the world. In this scenario, Brazil is the largest producer of oranges; 34% of the global production, and exporter of concentrated orange juice; 76% of the juice consumed in the planet, summing up US$ 6.5 billion to Brazilian GDP. However, the orange production has been considerable decreasing due to unfavorable weather conditions in recent years and the increasing number of pathogen infections. One of the main citrus post-harvest phytopathogen is Penicillium italicum, responsible for the blue mold disease, which is currently controlled by pesticides, such as Imazalil, Pyrimethanil, Fludioxonil, and Tiabendazole, which are toxic chemicals harmful to the environment and also to human health. In addition, P. italicum has developed considerable resistance to these chemicals as a result of widespread applications. To address this growing problem, the search for new control methods of citrus post-harvest phytopathogens is being extensively explored, resulting in promising new approaches such as biocontrol methods as “killer” yeasts, application of essential oils, and antimicrobial volatile substances. The alternative methodologies to control P. italicum are reviewed here, as well as the fungal virulence factors and infection strategies. Therefore, this review will focus on a general overview of recent research carried out regarding the phytopathological interaction of P. italicum and its citrus host.