Virulence of Phytophthora infestans isolates from potato in Spain

The oomycete Phytophthora infestans is responsible for the disease known as late blight in potato and tomato. It is the plant pathogen that has caused the greatest impact on humankind so far and, despite all the studies that have been made, it remains the most important in this crop. In Spain during the last years a greater severity of the disease has been observed in both, potato and tomato, probably due to genetic changes in pathogen populations described recently. The aim of this study was the characterization of the physiological strains of 52 isolates of P. infestans obtained in different potato-growing areas in Spain. For this purpose, inoculations on detached leaves were performed in order to determine compatibility or incompatibility reactions. A total of 17 physiological races were found. The less frequent virulence factors were Avr5 and Avr8. By studying the epidemiology of the pathogen, a specific breeding program for late blight resistance can be implemented.

Physiological and Molecular Characterization of New Apricot Cultivars Grafted on Different Prunus Rootstocks

In the last years, an important renewal of plant material from different breeding programs is taking place in apricot in order to improve resistance to biotic stresses, extension of the harvest season, fruit quality, and productivity. However, the graft compatibility of many of these cultivars with most popular Prunus rootstocks is unknown, and this is an essential agronomical trait for their better performance and longevity. Hence, the introduction of new cultivars requires knowledge of the extent and nature of incompatibility reactions before releasing these cultivars on the market. In this study, the determination of graft compatibility was carried out in 13 new apricot cultivars grafted on four Prunus rootstocks: ‘Marianna2624′ (P. cerasifera ×x P. musoniana), ‘Miragreen’ (P. cerasifera × P. davidiana), ‘Mirared’ (P. cerasifera × Nemared), and ‘Montclar’ (P. persica L. seedlings) at early stages of development. By combining cytomorphological, anatomical, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene expression analysis at the graft interface, as well as different vegetative parameters, the results highlighted ‘Miragreen’ and ‘Mirared’ as promising rootstocks for apricot, showing the highest degree of compatibility with more than 90% of the apricot cultivars. These results provide useful information for breeders and growers by selecting the most suitable scion-rootstock for efficient orchard design by planting compatible graft combinations.

LC–MS based metabolic fingerprinting of apricot pistils after self-compatible and self-incompatible pollinations

Key message LC-MS based metabolomics approach revealed that putative metabolites other than flavonoids may significantly contribute to the sexual compatibility reactions in Prunus armeniaca. Possible mechanisms on related microtubule-stabilizing effects are provided. Abstract Identification of metabolites playing crucial roles in sexual incompatibility reactions in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) was the aim of the study. Metabolic fingerprints of self-compatible and self-incompatible apricot pistils were created using liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry followed by untargeted compound search. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed 15 significant differential compounds among the total of 4006 and 1005 aligned metabolites in positive and negative ion modes, respectively. Total explained variance of 89.55% in principal component analysis (PCA) indicated high quality of differential expression analysis. The statistical analysis showed significant differences between genotypes and pollination time as well, which demonstrated high performance of the metabolic fingerprinting and revealed the presence of metabolites with significant influence on the self-incompatibility reactions. Finally, polyketide-based macrolides similar to peloruside A and a hydroxy sphingosine derivative are suggested to be significant differential metabolites in the experiment. These results indicate a strategy of pollen tubes to protect microtubules and avoid growth arrest involved in sexual incompatibility reactions of apricot.

Stability of 0.5% Glucose-Containing Balanced Electrolyte Solutions for Patients on Ketogenic Diets: A Laboratory Study

Purpose Ketogenic diets (KDs) are used to treat epilepsies resistant to pharmacotherapy or some inborn errors of metabolism. For prolonged anesthesia, use of balanced electrolyte solutions (BESs) supplemented with 0.5% glucose has been advocated to maintain ketosis while preventing hypoglycemia. Unfortunately, there is no BES containing 0.5% glucose available from pharmacies. In a laboratory study, we investigated the physical and chemical stability of different BES mixtures containing 0.5% glucose. Methods In total, six approaches were chosen to create a BES with 0.5% glucose: three different glucose-free BESs were supplemented with glucose. Additionally, commercially available BES containing 1% glucose was diluted with three different glucose-free BESs to obtain a solution containing 0.5% glucose. Turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity, and macroscopic appearance of these solutions were measured immediately, at 24 hours, and after 7 days, and were compared with the original BES. Results Turbidity, pH, and electrical conductivity, as well as macroscopic appearance did not exceed the changes of the controls. Conclusions No signs of incompatibility reactions could be observed in a 1-week time period. Our study supports the stability of the examined BES containing 0.5% glucose for prolonged anesthesia in patients on KD. Clinical studies are needed to evaluate if BES containing 0.5% glucose is superior in patients on KDs.

Maternal-fetal Blood Major Crossmatching in Merino Sheep

To determine the incidence of ex vivo incompatibility between ovine maternal RBCs and fetal plasma, we performed cross-matching of blood samples from ewes and from lambs delivered by cesarean section. Twenty-one date-mated singleton pregnant Merino ewes were anesthetized for cesarean delivery of the fetus. At the time of delivery, paired maternal and fetal blood samples were collected and subsequently separated for storage as packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. Gel column major cross matching was performed within 2 wk. All fetus-dam crossmatches were major crossmatches, combining fetal (recipient) plasma with dam (donor) RBCs. 172 individual dam-dam cross matches were performed. Two of these tests were incompatible (1.2%). In addition, 19 fetal blood samples collected immediately after cesarean delivery were crossmatched with 21 maternal samples to generate 174 maternal-fetal individual cross matches. No maternal-fetal incompatibility reactions were observed. The results of this study demonstrate that all maternal donors and fetal recipients were compatible. In addition, the incidence of an incompatible crossmatch between adult ewes was 1.2%. These data suggest that lambs may not be born with antibodies against other blood types, but rather may acquire such antibodies at some time during early life. In addition, these data suggest the risk of incompatibility reactions between ewes of a similar breed and from a single farm of origin is very low.

High-resolution temporal transcript profiling during Arabidopsis thaliana gynoecium morphogenesis uncovers the chronology of gene regulatory network activity and reveals novel developmental regulators

The gynoecium is the most complex organ formed by the flowering plants. It encloses the ovules, provides a surface for pollen contact and self-incompatibility reactions, allows pollen tube growth and, post fertilization, and develops into the fruit. Consequently, the regulation of gynoecium morphogenesis is complex and appropriate timing of this process in part determines reproductive success. However, little is known about the global control of gynoecium development, even though many regulatory genes have been characterized. Here, we characterized dynamic gene expression changes using laser-microdissected gynoecium tissue from four developmental stages in Arabidopsis. We provide a high-resolution map of global expression dynamics during gynoecium morphogenesis and link these to the gynoecium interactome. We reveal groups of genes acting together early and others acting late in morphogenesis. Clustering of co-expressed genes enables comparisons between the leaf, shoot apex, and gynoecium transcriptomes allowing the dissection of common and distinct regulators. Furthermore, our results lead to the discovery of the LESSER FERTILITY1-4 (LEF1-4) genes, which, when mutated, lead to impaired gynoecium expansion, illustrating that global transcriptome analyses reveal yet unknown developmental regulators. Our data show that highly interacting proteins, such as SEPALLATA3, AGAMOUS, and TOPLESS are expressed more evenly during development, but switch interactors in time, whereas stage-specific proteins have only few interactors. Our analysis connects specific transcriptional regulator activities, protein interactions, and underlying metabolic processes towards the development of a dynamic network model for gynoecium development.

Colloidal aspects of incompatibility reactions of bentonite with saline leachates as indicated from a modified fluid loss test

The fluid loss test has been used by geotechnical engineers for rapid evaluation of the hydraulic barrier properties of bentonites. In this study, a modified fluid loss test, along with viscometric and electrophoretic mobility measurements, was used to assess the colloidal interactions of three powdered sodium bentonites with saline leachates, namely 0–2 N solutions of NaCl and CaCl2. The results indicate that the fluid loss test provides robust and reliable information on the water retention of bentonite; moreover, it gives information on the aggregate structure, size, and settling of bentonite flocs and on the high-salt stabilization phenomena (packing and densification of clay aggregates) in saline leachates. Quantifying the water retention characteristics, along with the colloidal (i.e., flocculation) behaviour, using the fluid loss test, provides detailed understanding of barrier properties of bentonites important for various applications (e.g., barrier systems, dewatering).

Characteristics of Acute Transfusion Reactions and its related factors in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Jakarta, Indonesia

Latar belakang: Reaksi transfusi akut (RTA) merupakan sekelompok kejadian yang tidak diinginkan akibat pemberian transfusi darah. Manifestasi dari RTA bervariasi dari yang ringan hingga mengancam nyawa. Saat ini, data mengenai reaksi transfusi di Indonesia masih sangat terbatas. Dalam studi ini, kami bertujuan untuk memberikan gambaran mengenai karakteristik RTA dan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhinya. Metode: Studi ini merupakan studi retrospektif yang melibatkan 288 subyek dengan RTA. Studi dilakukan di Rumah Sakit Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, dimulai sejak Januari hingga Desember 2017. RTA dikelompokkan berdasarkan sistem tubuh yang mengalami manifestasi, serta derajat manifestasinya. Hasil: Sel darah merah merupakan produk darah utama yang ditransfusikan ke subyek, diikuti dengan konsentrat trombosit, plasma segar beku, dan kriopresipitat. Lima gejala utama dari RTA adalah gatal, demam/kenaikan suhu tubuh, menggigil, urtikaria, dan angioedema. Berdasarkan sistem tubuh yang terkena, umumnya RTA bermanifestasi sebagai gejala pada kulit (56.6%). Berdasarkan derajat manifestasinya, RTA umumnya dikategorikan dalam derajat ringan (55.9%). Anak-anak cenderung mengalami manifestasi yang ringan (64.8%) dan utamanya bermanifestasi pada kulit (65.4%). Riwayat transfusi mempengaruhi derajat RTA secara signifikan. RTA derajat sedang dan gejala konstitusional lebih banyak ditemukan pada subyek yang mendapat PRC dibanding produk darah lainnya. Kesimpulan: Umumnya RTA bermanifestasi sebagai gejala dermatologi. Hanya sedikit kasus RTA yang disebabkan oleh reaksi inkompatibilitas. Manifestasi dan derajat RTA juga dipengaruhi oleh umur, riwayat transfusi, dan jenis komponen darah. Kata kunci: Transfusi darah, reaksi transfusi akut, riwayat transfuse, usia Abstract Background: Acute transfusion reactions (ATRs) are a group of adverse events caused by blood transfusions. Manifestations of ATRs vary from mild to life threatening. At present, data about transfusion reactions in Indonesia are still limited. In this study, we aim to determine the characteristics of ATRs and its related factors. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 288 subjects with ATRs. The study was conducted in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, started from January to December 2017. ATRs were categorized based on the body systems affected and degree of manifestations. Results: Packed red cells (PRC) was the predominant blood product (51.4%) which was transfused to subjects, followed by thrombocyte concentrate (TC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and cryoprecipitate. Five most common predominant symptoms of ATRs were pruritus/itch, febrile/increased temperature, chills, transient urticaria, and angioedema. Based on the affected body systems, the majority of ATRs manifested as dermatologic symptoms (56.6%). Based on the degree of manifestations, the majority of ATRs were categorized as mild degree (55.9%). Children tended to have milder symptoms (64.8%), which mostly manifested as dermatologic symptoms (65.4%). History of transfusion affected the degree of ATR significantly. Moderate degree of ATRs and constitutional symptoms were found more common in subjects who received PRC than other blood products. Conclusion: Most of ATRs manifest as dermatologic symptoms, which represent allergic reactions. Only a small portion of ATRs are caused by incompatibility reactions. The manifestation and degree of ATRs are also affected by age, history of transfusion, and type of blood components. Keywords: Blood transfusion, acute transfusion reaction, transfusion history, age