Plant biostimulants as natural alternatives to synthetic auxins in strawberry production: physiological and metabolic insights

The demand for high-quality strawberries continues to grow, emphasizing the need for innovative agricultural practices to enhance both yield and fruit quality. In this context, the utilization of natural products, such as biostimulants, has emerged as a promising avenue for improving strawberry production while aligning with sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural approaches. This study explores the influence of a bacterial filtrate (BF), a vegetal-derived protein hydrolysate (PH), and a standard synthetic auxin (SA) on strawberry, investigating their effects on yield, fruit quality, mineral composition and metabolomics of leaves and fruits. Agronomic trial revealed that SA and BF significantly enhanced early fruit yield due to their positive influence on flowering and fruit set, while PH treatment favored a gradual and prolonged fruit set, associated with an increased shoot biomass and sustained production. Fruit quality analysis showed that PH-treated fruits exhibited an increase of firmness and soluble solids content, whereas SA-treated fruits displayed lower firmness and soluble solids content. The ionomic analysis of leaves and fruits indicated that all treatments provided sufficient nutrients, with heavy metals within regulatory limits. Metabolomics indicated that PH stimulated primary metabolites, while SA and BF directly affected flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis, and PH increased fruit quality through enhanced production of beneficial metabolites. This research offers valuable insights for optimizing strawberry production and fruit quality by harnessing the potential of natural biostimulants as viable alternative to synthetic compounds.

Adverse effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Sodium-glucose cotransoporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2Is) improve prognosis in heart failure (HF) patients both with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, these drugs can have some side effects. To estimate the relative risk of side effects in HF patients treated with SGLT-2Is irrespective from left ventricular EF and setting (chronic and non-chronic HF). Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling patients with HFrEF, 4 RCTs enrolling non-chronic HF, and 3 RCTs enrolling HFpEF were included. Among side effects, urinary infection, genital infection, acute kidney injury, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, bone fractures, and amputations were considered in the analysis. Overall, 24,055 patients were included in the analysis: 9020 (38%) patients with HFrEF, 12,562 (52%) with HFpEF, and 2473 (10%) with non-chronic HF. There were no differences between SGLT-2Is and placebo in the risk to develop diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, bone fractures, and amputations. HFrEF patients treated with SGLT-2Is had a significant reduction of acute kidney injury (RR = 0.54 (95% CI 0.33-0.87), p = 0.011), whereas no differences have been reported in the HFpEF group (RR = 0.94 (95% CI 0.83-1.07), p = 0.348) and non-chronic HF setting (RR = 0.79 (95% CI 0.55-1.15), p = 0.214). A higher risk to develop genital infection (overall 2.57 (95% CI 1.82-3.63), p < 0.001) was found among patients treated with SGLT-2Is irrespective from EF (HFrEF: RR = 1.96 (95% CI 1.17-3.29), p = 0.011; HFpEF: RR = 3.04 (95% CI 1.88-4.90), p < 0.001). The risk to develop urinary infections was increased among SGLT-2I users in the overall population (RR = 1.13 (95% CI 1.00-1.28), p = 0.046) and in the HFpEF setting (RR = 1.19 (95% CI 1.02-1.38), p = 0.029), whereas no differences have been reported in HFrEF (RR = 1.05 (95% CI 0.81-1.36), p = 0.725) and in non-chronic HF setting (RR = 1.04 (95% CI 0.75-1.46), p = 0.806). SGLT-2Is increase the risk of urinary and genital infections in HF patients. In HFpEF patients, the treatment increases the risk of urinary infections compared to placebo, whereas SGLT-2Is reduce the risk of acute kidney disease in patients with HFrEF.

Sacubitril/valsartan and arrhythmic burden in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to assess whether angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) decreases ventricular arrhythmic burden compared to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonist (ACE-I/ARB) treatment in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. Further, we assessed if ARNI influenced the percentage of biventricular pacing. A systematic review of studies (both RCTs and observational studies) including HFrEF patients and those receiving ARNI after ACE-I/ARB treatment was conducted using Medline and Embase up to February 2023. Initial search found 617 articles. After duplicate removal and text check, 1 RCT and 3 non-RCTs with a total of 8837 patients were included in the final analysis. ARNI was associated with a significative reduction of ventricular arrhythmias both in RCT (RR 0.78 (95% CI 0.63-0.96); p = 0.02) and observational studies (RR 0.62; 95% CI 0.53-0.72; p < 0.001). Furthermore, in non-RCTs, ARNI also reduced sustained (RR 0.36 (95% CI 0.2-0.63); p < 0.001), non-sustained VT (RR 0.67 (95% CI 0.57-0.80; p = 0.007), ICD shock (RR 0.24 (95% CI 0.12-0.48; p < 0.001), and increased biventricular pacing (2.96% (95% CI 2.25-3.67), p < 0.001). In patients with chronic HFrEF, switching from ACE-I/ARB to ARNI treatment was associated with a consistent reduction of ventricular arrhythmic burden. This association could be related to a direct pharmacological effect of ARNI on cardiac remodeling.Trial registration: CRD42021257977.

Enhancing the Fruit Yield and Quality in Pomegranate: Insights into Drip Irrigation and Mulching Strategies

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a fruit tree that is globally distributed, especially in warm areas with low annual rainfall and limited water availability. This species exemplifies the critical role of water in agriculture and the need for efficient irrigation practices due to its characteristics, cultivation requirements, and geographic diffusion. In this study, we investigated the effects of drip irrigation and mulching on the vegetative growth, yield, and fruit quality attributes of pomegranate. The experiment involved three irrigation regimes (100% of evapotranspiration, 80%, and 60%) and three mulching treatments (no mulch, plastic mulch, and organic mulch) in a factorial combination. Both irrigation and mulching had significant positive influences on the yield and fruit quality attributes. Specifically, deficit irrigation strategies showed a negative impact on the fruit yield per tree, with a greater effect observed as the severity of the irrigation deficit increased. Mulching, on the other hand, led to a significant increase in the fruit yield, primarily attributed to an increase in fruit size. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that irrigation and mulching treatments had distinct effects on fruit traits such as the fruit length, width, volume, and rind thickness. Interestingly, the study highlighted that the effects of irrigation and mulching on fruit quality attributes were mostly independent of each other, suggesting an additive influence rather than an interaction between the two factors. These findings underscore the importance of considering irrigation and mulching practices for optimizing fruit quality in pomegranate cultivation, particularly in semi-arid regions. The results contribute valuable insights for farmers and researchers seeking to enhance fruit production and quality.

Advancing the Conservation and Utilization of Barley Genetic Resources: Insights into Germplasm Management and Breeding for Sustainable Agriculture

Barley is a very important crop particularly in marginal dry areas, where it often serves as the most viable option for farmers. Additionally, barley carries great significance in the Western world, serving not only as a fundamental crop for animal feed and malting but also as a nutritious food source. The broad adaptability of barley and its ability to withstand various biotic and abiotic stresses often make this species the sole cereal that can be cultivated in arid regions. The collection and utilization of barley genetic resources are crucial for identifying valuable traits to enhance productivity and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. This review aims to provide an overview of the management and exploitation of barley genetic resources. Furthermore, the review explores the relationship between gene banks and participatory breeding, offering insights into the diversity and utilization of barley genetic resources through some examples such as the initiatives undertaken by ICARDA. Finally, this contribution highlights the importance of these resources for boosting barley productivity, addressing climate change impacts, and meeting the growing food demands in a rapidly changing agriculture. The understanding and utilizing the rich genetic diversity of barley can contribute to sustainable agriculture and ensure the success of this vital crop for future generations globally.

Enhancing Crop Resilience to Drought Stress through CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing

With increasing frequency and severity of droughts in various parts of the world, agricultural productivity may suffer major setbacks. Among all the abiotic factors, drought is likely to have one of the most detrimental effects on soil organisms and plants. Drought is a major problem for crops because it limits the availability of water, and consequently nutrients which are crucial for plant growth and survival. This results in reduced crop yields, stunted growth, and even plant death, according to the severity and duration of the drought, the plant's developmental stage, and the plant's genetic background. The ability to withstand drought is a highly complex characteristic that is controlled by multiple genes, making it one of the most challenging attributes to study, classify, and improve. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) technology has opened a new frontier in crop enhancement, revolutionizing plant molecular breeding. The current review provides a general understanding of principles as well as optimization of CRISPR system, and presents applications on genetic enhancement of crops, specifically in terms of drought resistance and yield. Moreover, we discuss how innovative genome editing techniques can aid in the identification and modification of genes conferring drought tolerance.

Antioxidant Potential of Glutathione and Crosstalk with Phytohormones in Enhancing Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants

Glutathione (GSH) is an abundant tripeptide that can enhance plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Its main role is to counter free radicals and detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in cells under unfavorable conditions. Moreover, along with other second messengers (such as ROS, calcium, nitric oxide, cyclic nucleotides, etc.), GSH also acts as a cellular signal involved in stress signal pathways in plants, directly or along with the glutaredoxin and thioredoxin systems. While associated biochemical activities and roles in cellular stress response have been widely presented, the relationship between phytohormones and GSH has received comparatively less attention. This review, after presenting glutathione as part of plants' feedback to main abiotic stress factors, focuses on the interaction between GSH and phytohormones, and their roles in the modulation of the acclimatation and tolerance to abiotic stress in crops plants.

Is the sarcomatous component (homologous vs heterologous) the prognostic "driving force" in early-stage uterine carcinosarcomas? A retrospective multicenter study

PURPOSE

Uterine carcinosarcomas (UCSs) are aggressive biphasic malignancies, with a carcinomatous/epithelial component and a sarcomatous/mesenchymal counterpart. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the sarcomatous component (homologous vs heterologous) on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

METHODS

This is a multicenter observational retrospective study conducted in patients with stage I and II UCSs.

RESULTS

Ninety-five women with histological diagnosis of early-stage UCSs were retrieved: 60 (63.2%) had tumors with homologous sarcomatous components, and 35 (36.8%) with heterologous. At univariate analysis, a stromal invasion ≥ 50%, the presence of clear cell, serous or undifferentiated carcinomatous component, the heterologous sarcomatous component and FIGO stage IB and II were shown to be variables with a statistically significant negative impact on PFS. Similarly, a depth of invasion ≥ 50%, the heterologous sarcomatous component and FIGO stage IB and II were statistically negative prognostic factors also concerning OS. At multivariate analysis, only the heterologous sarcomatous component was confirmed to be a statistically significant negative prognostic factor both on PFS (HR 2.362, 95% CI 1.207-4.623, p value = 0.012) and on OS (HR 1.950, 95% CI 1.032-3.684, p = 0.040).

CONCLUSION

Carcinomatous and sarcomatous components both played a role in tumor progression and patients' survival. However, only the sarcomatous component retained a statistical significance at the multivariable model suggesting its preeminent prognostic role in early-stage UCSs.

Early Canopy Management Practices Differentially Modulate Fruit Set, Fruit Yield, and Berry Composition at Harvest Depending on the Grapevine Cultivar

The size and number of the berries and the rachis length are the main elements that define bunch compactness in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). This trait is of scientific and commercial interest because it strongly influences phytosanitary status and quality of the fruits. In this work, we investigated the effect of different canopy management strategies based on apical shoot and/or leaf removal applied at the early stage (pre-bloom) in altering the key determinants of bunch compactness. Specifically, we compared apical defoliation (removal of the first half of the shoot leaves from the top), basal defoliation (removal of the second half), and shoot trimming (removal of the apical half of the shoot) to untreated controls. The work was carried out in two red varieties ('Aglianico' and 'Casavecchia') that have contrasting bunch compactness (compact and loose, respectively). We measured relevant morphological traits, photosynthetic rates, fertility, fruit set, bunch architecture, and fruit main compositional parameters. This study demonstrates that the position of the removed shoot leaves along with the shoot trimming differentially modified fruit set, the number of berries per bunch, and berry fresh weight and composition at harvest. Nonetheless, the influence on bunch compactness was limited mainly because of photosynthetic and morphological factors strongly associated with the cultivar.

Morphological and Genetic Clonal Diversity within the 'Greco Bianco' Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Variety

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) has been propagated vegetatively for hundreds of years. Therefore, plants tend to accumulate somatic mutations that can result in an intra-varietal diversity capable of generating distinct clones. Although it is common that winemakers request specific clones or selections for planting new vineyards, relatively limited information is available on the extent, degree, and morphological impact of the clonal diversity in traditional, highly valued grapevine varieties within production areas protected by geographical denomination of origin. Here, we present a morphological and genetic investigation of the intra-varietal diversity in 'Greco Bianco', the grapevine variety used to produce the DOCG and PDO "Greco di Tufo" wine. Seventeen clones from different farms (all within the allowed production area) were phenotypically characterized using ampelographic and ampelometric traits. The clones were also genotyped with Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) and retrotransposon-based DNA markers (REMAP). The morphological analysis indicated a uniformity in the qualitatively scored traits, and a limited variability for the quantitative traits of the bunch and of the berry composition. The molecular markers also depicted variability among clones, which was more evident with the use of REMAPs. The comparison of the discriminatory information of the three analyses indicated that they provided different estimates of the level of diversity. The evaluation described herein of the clonal variability has implications for the management and protection of clonal selections in 'Greco Bianco' and prompts for further multidisciplinary investigations on its possible role in winemaking.

Current Trends and Perspectives on Predictive Models for Mildew Diseases in Vineyards

Environmental and economic costs demand a rapid transition to more sustainable farming systems, which are still heavily dependent on chemicals for crop protection. Despite their widespread application, powdery mildew (PM) and downy mildew (DM) continue to generate serious economic penalties for grape and wine production. To reduce these losses and minimize environmental impacts, it is important to predict infections with high confidence and accuracy, allowing timely and efficient intervention. This review provides an appraisal of the predictive tools for PM and DM in a vineyard, a specialized farming system characterized by high crop protection cost and increasing adoption of precision agriculture techniques. Different methodological approaches, from traditional mechanistic or statistic models to machine and deep learning, are outlined with their main features, potential, and constraints. Our analysis indicated that strategies are being continuously developed to achieve the required goals of ease of monitoring and timely prediction of diseases. We also discuss that scientific and technological advances (e.g., in weather data, omics, digital solutions, sensing devices, data science) still need to be fully harnessed, not only for modelling plant-pathogen interaction but also to develop novel, integrated, and robust predictive systems and related applied technologies. We conclude by identifying key challenges and perspectives for predictive modelling of phytopathogenic disease in vineyards.

Biomimetic Strategies for Developing Abiotic Stress-Tolerant Tomato Cultivars: An Overview

The tomato is one of the most important vegetables in the world. The demand for tomatoes is high in virtually any country, owing to their gastronomic versatility and nutritional and aromatic value. Drought, salinity, and inadequate temperature can be major factors in diminishing yield, affecting physiological and biochemical processes and altering various metabolic pathways, from the aggregation of low molecular-weight substances to the transcription of specific genes. Various biotechnological tools can be used to alter the tomato genes so that this species can more rapidly or better adapt to abiotic stress. These approaches range from the introgression of genes coding for specific enzymes for mitigating a prevailing stress to genetic modifications that alter specific metabolic pathways to help tomato perceive environmental cues and/or withstand adverse conditions. In recent years, environmental and social concerns and the high complexity of the plant response may increase the attention of applied plant biotechnology toward biomimetic strategies, generally defined as all the approaches that seek to develop more sustainable and acceptable strategies by imitating nature's time-tested solutions. In this review, we provide an overview of some of the genetic sequences and molecules that were the objects of biotechnological intervention in tomato as examples of approaches to achieve tolerance to abiotic factors, improving existing nature-based mechanisms and solutions (biomimetic biotechnological approaches (BBA)). Finally, we discuss implications and perspectives within the GMO debate, proposing that crops modified with BBA should receive less stringent regulation.

Morphological, Biochemical, and Molecular Diversity of an Indian Ex Situ Collection of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Pomegranate (Punica granatum, L.) is a fruit tree that is increasingly popular worldwide due to the health-related properties of the fruit juice. While several studies highlighted the rich phytochemical diversity, few efforts have been devoted to an integrative understanding of the level of diversity of this species. This study investigated the diversity of 40 pomegranate accessions in an Indian ex situ collection by using twenty-nine morphological traits, six biochemical parameters, and twenty-nine Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers. Among the evaluated traits, fruit volume (23.34% CV), fruit weight (21.12% CV), and fruit color (*a) (22.69 % CV) largely contributed to the morphological classification. Based on Mahalanobis D² distance and Tocher's clustering, the 40 pomegranate accessions were grouped into eight clusters, partly consistent with their origin. Specifically, cultivars introduced from foreign countries were present in distinct clusters. The SSR marker analysis generated 66 alleles. The observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.05 to 0.63, with a mean value of 0.30. Maximum molecular genetic dissimilarity was observed between 'IC-318720' and 'Gul-e-Shah Red' (0.30). The neighbor-joining dendrogram separated wild accessions from cultivated varieties. The combination of morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization allowed for comprehensively characterizing the pomegranate diversity and provided information on the relationships between the different aspects of the diversity. This work also suggests that the origin of the accessions is an important factor of discrimination and that the level of admixture between local and foreign material is currently limited.

Effect of Salt Addition and Fermentation Time on Phenolics, Microbial Dynamics, Volatile Organic Compounds, and Sensory Properties of the PDO Table Olives of Gaeta (Italy)

'Oliva di Gaeta' is almost certainly the most important and well-known PDO denomination for table olives in Italy. Their production is based on a specific two-stage trade preparation called the 'Itrana' method. In this work, we investigated how variations in the duration of the initial water fermentation (i.e., 15 and 30 days) and the salt concentration (i.e., 6% and 8% NaCl) influence the chemical features, microbial dynamics, polyphenols, volatile organic compounds, and sensory features of 'Oliva di Gaeta'. The time of the addition of salt did not affect the final concentration in the brine, but a longer initial water fermentation (before salt addition) led to lower pH values. The bacterial count constantly increased until the salt addition (i.e., either 15 or 30 days), while the yeast population peaked on day 30. Generally, the two different salt concentrations did not affect the count of microorganisms at the end of fermentation, with the only exception being a higher lactic acid bacteria count for the treatment with 6% salt added at 30 days. At commercial maturity, the crucial bitter tastant oleuropein was not completely removed from the drupes, and differences in salt concentration and the length of the first-stage water fermentation did not influence its content at the end of olive curing. Richer volatile profiles of olives were detected with higher-salt treatments, while the combination of low salt and early saline treatment provided a more distinct profile. Longer initial water fermentation caused a small increase in some phenolic compounds (e.g., iso-verbascoside, verbascoside, and hydroxytyrosol-glucoside). A panel test indicated that salt application at 30 days resulted in a more "Sour" and "Bitter" taste, irrespective of the salt concentration. The low salt concentration coupled with the late saline treatment resulted in more "Fruity" notes, probably due to the higher production of esters by lactobacilli. The slightly bitter perception of the olives was consistent with the partial removal of oleuropein. Our work revealed the characteristics of the 'Itrana' method and that the variation in salt concentration and its time of application changes parameters ranging from the microbial dynamics to the sensory profile. Specifically, our data indicate that 6% NaCl coupled with a longer initial water fermentation is the most different condition: it is less effective in blocking microbial growth but, at the same time, is more potent in altering the nutritional (e.g., polyphenols) and sensorial qualities (e.g., bitterness and fruitiness) of 'Oliva di Gaeta'.

Pollen-Pistil Interaction in Response to Pollination Variants in Subtropical Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) Varieties

The Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) is a fruit tree globally cultivated in temperate regions of the world. Its floral biology and yield are affected by several factors, with issues related to self- and cross- (in) compatibility among varieties being emblematic of the whole Rosaceae family. The aim of this work was to elucidate the fruit set, dynamics of pollen tube growth in pistil, and yield and other fruiting attributes, in 'Satluj Purple' and 'Kala Amritsari', probably the most popular subtropical Japanese plum varieties in northern regions of India. Specifically, we examined the response of six different pollination variants, namely to self-pollination, open-pollination with the two cultivars located in adjacent rows, open-pollination with the two cultivars located in distant rows, manual cross-pollination, supplementary pollination, and floral bouquet. During the two years of the investigation, both plum cultivars showed good in vitro pollen germination (on average, above 50%) at different sucrose concentrations, with the highest values for the 'Satluj Purple' and for the 15% concentration. In vivo, the analysis of the pollen growth in the various sections of the style indicated the best performance when pistils of 'Satluj Purple' were pollinated by pollen grains of cv. 'Kala Amritsari'. Cross-pollination also registered faster growth of pollen tube in pistil with the lowest number of incompatible pollen tubes compared to open- and self-pollination. From the productive point of view, cross-pollination showed the most pronounced results among the different pollination variants, with the highest initial fruit set (36.6%) and yield (28.0 kg/tree), and the shorter fruit development in 'Satluj Purple' (fruit set and yield in self-pollinated 'Satluj Purple' trees were 3.3% and 2.0 kg/tree, respectively). Conversely, the use of 'Satluj Purple' pollen for 'Kala Amritsari' showed poor results. Finally, in our study, 'Kala Amritsari' showed self-compatibility. We conclude that the main cause of poor fruit set in 'Satluj Purple' is self-incompatibility. The relevant genotypic-specific effects revealed by the analysis of the various pollination treatments also highlighted the importance of interplanting to increase fruit set and yield for subtropical Japanese plum varieties.

Chemical, Functional, and Technological Features of Grains, Brans, and Semolina from Purple and Red Durum Wheat Landraces

A main reason of the increasing interest in cereal landraces is their potential to offer more diversified and functional staple food. For instance, landraces are an underexploited resource of pigmented varieties, appreciated for the high accumulation of phytochemicals with known health benefits. This study characterized the chemical, functional, and technological features of the bran, semolina, and grains of two durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum, Desf.) landraces, named ‘Purple’ and ‘Red’ for their grain color, collected in Ethiopia and grown and sold in southern Italy as a niche product. Specifically, we analyzed the protein content, dry gluten, ash, total polyphenols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and specific phenolic acids. We also evaluated the antioxidant activity using DPPH- and ABTS-based methods. The two landraces had positive nutritional features, such as a high protein content, a rich and composite range of secondary metabolites (which include specific phenolic acids and anthocyanins), and antioxidant activities in all the fractions analyzed. The germplasm under investigation therefore has a well-justified potential to yield functional products and to diversify durum wheat-based foods.

Tomato Prosystemin Is Much More than a Simple Systemin Precursor

Simple Summary

Prosystemin is a 200 amino acid precursor that releases, upon wounding and biotic attacks, an 18 amino acid peptide called Systemin. This peptide was traditionally considered as the principal actor of the resistance of tomato plants induced by triggering multiple defense pathways in response to a wide range of biotic/abiotic stress agents. Recent findings from our group discovered the disordered structure of Prosystemin that promotes the binding of different molecular partners and the possible activation of multiple stress-related pathways. All of our recent findings suggest that Prosystemin could be more than a simple precursor of Systemin peptide. Indeed, we hypothesized that it contains other sequences able to activate multiple stress-related responses. To verify this hypothesis, we produced a truncated Prosystemin protein deprived of the Systemin peptide and the relative deleted gene. Experiments with transgenic tomato plants overexpressing the truncated Prosystemin and with plants exogenously treated with the recombinant truncated protein demonstrated that both transgenic and treated plants modulated the expression of defense-related genes and were protected against a noctuid moth and a fungal pathogen. Taken together, our results demonstrated that Prosystemin is not a mere scaffold of Systemin, but itself contains other biologically active regions.

Abstract

Systemin (Sys) is an octadecapeptide, which upon wounding, is released from the carboxy terminus of its precursor, Prosystemin (ProSys), to promote plant defenses. Recent findings on the disordered structure of ProSys prompted us to investigate a putative biological role of the whole precursor deprived of the Sys peptide. We produced transgenic tomato plants expressing a truncated ProSys gene in which the exon coding for Sys was removed and compared their defense response with that induced by the exogenous application of the recombinant truncated ProSys (ProSys_(1-178), the Prosystemin sequence devoid of Sys region). By combining protein structure analyses, transcriptomic analysis, gene expression profiling and bioassays with different pests, we demonstrate that truncated ProSys promotes defense barriers in tomato plants through a hormone-independent defense pathway, likely associated with the production of oligogalacturonides (OGs). Both transgenic and plants treated with the recombinant protein showed the modulation of the expression of genes linked with defense responses and resulted in protection against the lepidopteran pest Spodoptera littoralis and the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Our results suggest that the overall function of the wild-type ProSys is more complex than previously shown, as it might activate at least two tomato defense pathways: the well-known Sys-dependent pathway connected with the induction of jasmonic acid biosynthesis and the successive activation of a set of defense-related genes, and the ProSys_(1-178)-dependent pathway associated with OGs production leading to the OGs mediate plant immunity.

The role of brachytherapy (interventional radiotherapy) for primary and/or recurrent vulvar cancer: a Gemelli Vul.Can multidisciplinary team systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our systematic review was to assess the role of interventional radiotherapy (IRT, brachytherapy) in the management of primary and/or recurrent vulvar carcinoma.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic research using PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane library was performed. ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for ongoing or recently completed trials, and PROSPERO was searched for ongoing or recently completed systematic reviews. Only full-text English-language articles related to IRT for treatment of primary or recurrent VC were identified and reviewed. Conference paper, survey, letter, editorial, book chapter and review were excluded. Time restriction (1990-2018) as concerns the years of the publication was considered.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Primary disease: the median 5-year LC was 43.5% (range 19-68%); the median 5-year DFS was 44.5% (range 44-81%); the median 5-year OS was 50.5% (range 27-85%). Recurrent disease: the median 5-year DFS was 64% (range 56-72%) and the median 5-year OS was 45% (range 33%-57%). Acute ≥ grade 2 toxicity was reported in three patients (1.6%). The severe late toxicity rates (grade 3-4) ranged from 0% to 14.3% (median 7.7%).

CONCLUSION

IRT as part of primary treatment for primary and/or recurrent vulvar cancer is associated with promising clinical outcomes.

Diversity and Relationships among Neglected Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Landraces Using Morphological Traits and SSR Markers: Implications for Agro-Biodiversity Conservation

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is an economically important tree species globally cultivated in temperate areas. Italy has an ample number of traditional varieties, but numerous landraces are abandoned and at risk of extinction because of increasing urbanization, agricultural intensification, and varietal renewal. In this work, we investigated the morphological and genetic diversity present in an ex-situ collection of 28 neglected varieties belonging to the so-called "Vesuvian apricot". Our aim was to understand the level of diversity and the possible link between the promotion of specific fruit types (e.g., by public policies) and the intraspecific variation in apricot. The combination of five continuous and seven categorical traits allowed us to phenotypically distinguish the varieties; while fruit quality-related attributes displayed high variation, both apricot size and skin colour were more uniform. The twelve fluorescent-based Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) markers identified cultivar-specific molecular profiles and revealed a high molecular diversity, which poorly correlated with that described by the morphological analysis. Our results highlighted the complementary information provided by the two sets of descriptors and that DNA markers are necessary to separate morphologically related apricot landraces. The observed morphological and genetic differences suggest a loss of diversity influenced by maintenance breeding of specific pomological traits (e.g., skin colour and size). Finally, our study provided evidence to recommend complementary strategies to avoid the loss of diversity in apricot. Actions should pivot on both the promotion of easily identified premium products and more inclusive biodiversity-centred on-farm strategies.

An Endophytic Fungi-Based Biostimulant Modulates Volatile and Non-Volatile Secondary Metabolites and Yield of Greenhouse Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) through Variable Mechanisms Dependent on Salinity Stress Level

Salinity in water and soil is one of the major environmental factors limiting the productivity of agronomic and horticultural crops. In basil (Ocimum basilicum L., Lamiaceae) and other Ocimum species, information on the plant response to mild salinity levels, often induced by the irrigation or fertigation systems, is scarce. In the present work, we tested the effectiveness of a microbial-based biostimulant containing two strains of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma koningii in sustaining greenhouse basil yield traits, subjected to two mild salinity stresses (25 mM [low] and 50 mM [high] modulated by augmenting the fertigation osmotic potential with NaCl) compared to a non-stressed control. The impact of salinity stress was further appraised in terms of plant physiology, morphological ontogenesis and composition in polyphenols and volatile organic compounds (VOC). As expected, increasing the salinity of the solution strongly depressed the plant yield, nutrient uptake and concentration, reduced photosynthetic activity and leaf water potential, increased the Na and Cl and induced the accumulation of polyphenols. In addition, it decreased the concentration of Eucalyptol and β-Linalool, two of its main essential oil constituents. Irrespective of the salinity stress level, the multispecies inoculum strongly benefited plant growth, leaf number and area, and the accumulation of Ca, Mg, B, p-coumaric and chicoric acids, while it reduced nitrate and Cl concentrations in the shoots and affected the concentration of some minor VOC constituents. The benefits derived from the inoculum in term of yield and quality harnessed different mechanisms depending on the degree of stress. under low-stress conditions, the inoculum directly stimulated the photosynthetic activity after an increase of the Fe and Mn availability for the plants and induced the accumulation of caffeic and rosmarinic acids. under high stress conditions, the inoculum mostly acted directly on the sequestration of Na and the increase of P availability for the plant, moreover it stimulated the accumulation of polyphenols, especially of ferulic and chicoric acids and quercetin-rutinoside in the shoots. Notably, the inoculum did not affect the VOC composition, thus suggesting that its activity did not interact with the essential oil biosynthesis. These results clearly indicate that beneficial inocula constitute a valuable tool for sustaining yield and improving or sustaining quality under suboptimal water quality conditions imposing low salinity stress on horticultural crops.

Isosmotic Macrocation Variation Modulates Mineral Efficiency, Morpho-Physiological Traits, and Functional Properties in Hydroponically Grown Lettuce Varieties (Lactuca sativa L.)

The management of mineral elements in agriculture is important for their nutritional role for plants and dietary value for humans, sparking interest in strategies that can increase mineral use efficiency and accumulation in plant food. In this work, we evaluated the effects of the isosmotic variations of the concentration on three macrocations (K, Ca, and Mg) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Our aim was to improve the nutritional components of this valuable dietary source of minerals. Using a full factorial design, we analyzed mineral utilization efficiency (UtE), leaf morphology, gas exchange parameters, phenolic profiles (through ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole-time-of-flight (UHPLC-QTOF) mass spectrometry), and enzymatic activities in two phytochemically diverse butterhead lettuce varieties (red or green). Plants were fed in hydroponics with three nutrient solutions (NSs) with different ratios of K, Ca, and Mg. The variation of these minerals in the edible product was associated with alterations of the morphology and physiology of the leaves, and of the quality and functional properties of lettuce, with a trade-off between total accumulation and mineral UtE. Moreover, in non-limiting conditions of nutrient availability, significant mineral interactions were also present. The flexibility of the plant response to the different ratios of macrocations, and the observed large intraspecific variation, were adequate to provide mineral-specific phytochemical profiles to the edible product. Specifically, the full-red lettuce provided more interesting results in regard to the compositional and functional attributes of the leaves.

Biostimulation as a Means for Optimizing Fruit Phytochemical Content and Functional Quality of Tomato Landraces of the San Marzano Area

The effect of plant biostimulation on fruits of traditional tomato germplasm is largely unknown. We examined how a tropical plant-derived biostimulant impacts the nutritional, functional, and compositional characteristics of tomato fruits from four landraces, collected in the San Marzano (SM) tomato Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) region, by profiling primary and secondary metabolites. Biostimulation was not able to completely reshuffle the morpho-physiological and nutritional profile of the four landraces. Their distinct phytochemical profile indicated a genotype-specific tuning of the analyzed traits, which also included an improved yield and fruit quality. Biostimulation of SM1 and SM3 increased photosynthetic accumulation of carbohydrate reserves, improved mineral nutrient use efficiency and consequently, yield (+21% and 34%, respectively). Moreover, biostimulation augmented the nutraceutical properties of the SM2 landrace. Interestingly, the plant-derived product increased in all genotypes lycopene, but not polyphenol accumulation in fruits. Our results show the potential of biostimulatory applications towards optimizing the fruit quality of the acclaimed SM landraces, which is suitable to satisfy both the rising consumer demand for premium traditional tomatoes and the technological needs of the food industry.

Zucchini Plants Alter Gene Expression and Emission of (E)-β-Caryophyllene Following Aphis gossypii Infestation

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is widely cultivated in temperate regions. One of the major production challenges is the damage caused by Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae), a polyphagous aphid, which can negatively affect its host plant, both directly by feeding and indirectly by vectoring viruses. To gain insights into the transcriptome events that occur during the zucchini-aphid interaction and to understand the early-to-late defense response through gene expression profiles, we performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) on zucchini leaves challenged by A. gossypii (24, 48, and 96 h post-infestation; hpi). Data analysis indicated a complex and dynamic pattern of gene expression and a transient transcriptional reconfiguration that involved more than 700 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including a large number of defense-related genes. The down-regulation of key genes of plant immunity, such as leucine-rich repeat (LRR) protein kinases, transcription factors, and genes associated with direct (i.e., protease inhibitors, cysteine peptidases, etc.) and indirect (i.e., terpene synthase) defense responses, suggests the aphid ability to manipulate plant immune responses. We also investigated the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from infested plants and observed a reduced emission of (E)-β-caryophyllene at 48 hpi, likely the result of aphid effectors, which reflects the down-regulation of two genes involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoids. We showed that (E)-β-caryophyllene emission was modified by the duration of plant infestation and by aphid density and that this molecule highly attracts Aphidius colemani, a parasitic wasp of A. gossypii. With our results we contributed to the identification of genes involved in cucurbit plant interactions with phloem feeders. Our findings may also help pave the way toward developing tolerant zucchini varieties and to identify molecules for sustainable management of harmful insect populations.

Morpho-Physiological Responses and Secondary Metabolites Modulation by Preharvest Factors of Three Hydroponically Grown Genovese Basil Cultivars

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an economically important leafy vegetable especially in Mediterranean countries. In Italian gastronomy, the large elliptical leaves of the Genovese type are mostly used for the well-known pesto sauce, and almost all (>90%) professional production is for the food industry. The growing demand for fresh leaves with standardized technological and sensory characteristics has prompted basil producers to adopt advanced cultivation methods such as the floating raft system (FRS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive, qualitative, and physiological performance of three Genovese basil cultivars ("Aroma 2," "Eleonora," and "Italiano Classico") in two successive harvests and at two densities (159 and 317 plants m^-2). Caffeic, chicoric, rosmarinic, and ferulic acid were determined through the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, whereas the extraction and quantification of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were performed by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC/MS). "Aroma 2" showed the highest fresh yield and photosynthetic rate together with the lowest nitrate content. For all the tested cultivars, the higher density, while reducing the number of leaves per plant, resulted in higher fresh and dry production per unit area, without altering the aroma profile. Successive harvests resulted in a significant increase in both the yield (37.5%) and the total phenolic acids (75.1%) and favored Eucalyptol and 1-octen-3-ol accumulation (+25.9 and +15.1%, respectively). The here presented comprehensive and multifactorial assessment of the productive and qualitative response of basil provides evidence of the positive effects (from biomass to specialized metabolites) that can be obtained from the management of the pre-harvest factors in soilless cultivation. In addition, it also highlights the role and constraints of the genetic factor in the observed response. We also discuss the implications of our work considering the impact for the food processing industry. Future research may explore the phenolic acids accumulation as a possible fortification means to extend the pesto sauce shelf life, reducing the need of added antioxidants and thermal processing.

Comparative analysis of genomic- and EST-SSRs in European plum (Prunus domestica L.): implications for the diversity analysis of polyploids

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are among the most useful DNA markers in plant science. The aim of this study was to compare the features and usefulness of genomic SSR (gSSR) and EST-SSRs in European plum (Prunus domestica L.), an economically important, hexaploid stone fruit crop globally cultivated to produce fleshy fruits and derived foodstuff. The analysis of an ample set of morphologically diverse varieties indicated that gSSRs and EST-SSRs provide different estimates of some of the locus-based indicators of diversity. Moreover, the two classes of SSRs gave different, weakly correlated, estimations of distance-based parameters with gSSRs being more powerful for discriminating purposes. The two SSR classes provide complementary information in European plum, making the contribution of EST-SSRs useful not only as non-neutral markers. The differences between SSR classes are discussed considering the neutral and non-neutral evolution, and the polyploidy and asexual propagation of the cultivated tree varieties.

Biochemical, Physiological, and Productive Response of Greenhouse Vegetables to Suboptimal Growth Environment Induced by Insect Nets

Simple Summary

Global warming jeopardizes agriculture, which must satisfy the demands of the world’s expanding population for both staple and high-quality products while ensuring increased sustainability. Environmental and regulatory pressure has prompted farmers to convert their production strategies towards sustainable agriculture systems, by introducing for instance, integrated pest management strategies. Insect nets are a suitable tool for pest control but require careful assessment of their effects on the generated microclimate. The low porosity, mandatory for proper exclusion, results in suboptimal airflow and in temperature rise with detrimental effects on crop production and quality. The biochemical and morpho-physiological changes induced by high-temperature impact vegetable crop performance and product quality in advanced growing systems, and also represent a challenge for the most impoverished developing countries of the world, which rely on local horticultural products as a key source of dietary diversity.

Abstract

Environmental pressure poses a major challenge to the agricultural sector, which requires the development of cultivation techniques that can effectively reduce the impact of abiotic stress affecting crop yield and quality (e.g., thermal stress, wind, and hail) and of biotic factors, such as insect pests. The increased consumer interest in premium-quality vegetables requires the implementation of sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) strategies towards an ever-increasing insect pressure, also boosted by cultivation under protected structures. In this respect, insect nets represent an excellent, eco-friendly solution. This review aims to provide an integrative investigation of the effects of the insect screens in agriculture. Attention is dedicated to the impact on growth, yield, and quality of vegetables, focusing on the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of response to heat stress induced by insect screens. The performance of insect nets depends on many factors—foremost, on the screen mesh, with finer mesh being more effective as a barrier. However, finer mesh nets impose high-pressure drops and restrict airflow by reducing ventilation, which can result in a detrimental effect on crop growth and yield due to high temperatures. The predicted outcomes are wide ranging, because heat stress can impact (i) plant morpho-physiological attributes; (ii) biochemical and molecular properties through changes in the primary and secondary metabolisms; (iii) enzymatic activity, chloroplast proteins, and photosynthetic and respiratory processes; (iv) flowering and fruit settings; (v) the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs); and (vi) the biosynthesis of secondary biomolecules endowed with antioxidant capacity.

The Metabolic Reprogramming Induced by Sub-Optimal Nutritional and Light Inputs in Soilless Cultivated Green and Red Butterhead Lettuce

Sub-optimal growing conditions have a major effect on plants; therefore, large efforts are devoted to maximizing the availability of agricultural inputs to crops. To increase the sustainable use of non-renewable inputs, attention is currently given to the study of plants under non-optimal conditions. In this work, we investigated the impact of sub-optimal macrocations availability and light intensity in two lettuce varieties that differ for the accumulation of secondary metabolites (i.e., 'Red Salanova' and 'Green Salanova'). Photosynthesis-related measurements and untargeted metabolomics were used to identify responses and pathways involved in stress resilience. The pigmented ('Red') and the non-pigmented ('Green Salanova') lettuce exhibited distinctive responses to sub-optimal conditions. The cultivar specific metabolomic signatures comprised a broad modulation of metabolism, including secondary metabolites, phytohormones, and membrane lipids signaling cascade. Several stress-related metabolites were altered by either treatment, including polyamines (and other nitrogen-containing compounds), phenylpropanoids, and lipids. The metabolomics and physiological response to macrocations availability and light intensity also implies that the effects of low-input sustainable farming systems should be evaluated considering a range of cultivar-specific positive and disadvantageous metabolic effects in addition to yield and other socio-economic parameters.

The Strength of the Nutrient Solution Modulates the Functional Profile of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce in a Genotype-Dependent Manner

Considering that functional components of plant foods are mainly secondary-metabolism products, we investigated the shaping of health-promoting compounds in hydroponically grown butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata) as a function of the strength of the nutrient solution utilized. To this aim, untargeted metabolomics profiling, in vitro antioxidant capacity (total phenolics, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays), and the inhibition of selected enzyme activities were investigated in two butterhead lettuce cultivars with different pigmentation, i.e., green and red Salanova. Full-strength nutrition, together with half- and quarter-strength solutions of macronutrients, was tested. Our results indicate that by reducing the nutrients strength, we could elicit a distinctive shaping of the phenolic profile of lettuce. It is noteworthy that only specific classes of phenolics (namely, lignans and phenolic acids, followed by flavones and anthocyanins) were modulated by the induction of nutritional eustress (fold-change values in the range between -5 and +11). This indicates that specific responses, rather than a generalized induction of phenolic compounds, could be observed. Nonetheless, a genotype-dependent response could be observed, with the red cultivar being much more responsive to nutritional deprivation than the green Salanova lettuce. Indeed, analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed a genotype x nutrition interaction in red Salanova (p < 0.001). As a consequence of the changes in phenolic composition, also the antioxidant capacity (p < 0.001) and amylase inhibition (p < 0.001) properties were affected by the growing conditions. However, the effect on cholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibition was poorly affected by the nutritional strength. Provided that yields are not compromised, the application of a controlled nutritional eustress in hydroponically cultivated lettuce may represent a valuable strategy to produce food with tailored functional features in a sustainable manner.

Phytochemical Profile, Mineral Content, and Bioactive Compounds in Leaves of Seed-Propagated Artichoke Hybrid Cultivars

The globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. Scolymus (L.) Hegi) is a multi-year species rich in various classes of phytochemicals with known nutritional and pharmacological properties, such as polyphenols, sesquiterpene lactones, and terpenoids. Over the last decade, hybrids cultivars are transforming the artichoke market for their higher uniformity and stability over the traditional landraces, further increasing the potential of the artichoke as a source of commercial extracts and bioactive molecules. Our aim was to investigate the mineral and phytochemical profiles of leaves from seven seed-propagated hybrids by using an untargeted metabolomic approach based on ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Metabolomics identified several compounds in the tested varieties, namely 98 polyphenols, 123 sesquiterpene lactones, and 221 other metabolites. The phenolic content ranged from 3.01 mg Eq./g fw (for 'Opera') to 4.71 mg Eq./g fw (for 'Opal'). Sesquiterpene lactones were, on average, 2.11 mg Eq./g fw. Multivariate statistics (HCA, PCA and OPLS-DA) highlighted the main metabolomics differences among cultivars, which weakly correlated with their agronomic classification. The seven cultivars showed distinctive metabolomics profiles, with 'Opal' and 'Istar' being the most valuable hybrids. The 3-hydroxyphenyl-valeric acid (a medium-chain fatty acid) and the 6-Gingesulfonic acid (a methoxyphenol) were the most discriminant markers. Our findings illustrated the quantitative and qualitative variation of several classes of phytochemicals in seed-propagated artichoke cultivars and allowed identifying distinctive metabolic signatures for both phenolic compounds and sesquiterpene lactones. This work supports the exploitation of the artichoke leaves from hybrid cultivars as a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals.

Understanding the Morpho-Anatomical, Physiological, and Functional Response of Sweet Basil to Isosmotic Nitrate to Chloride Ratios

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a leafy green with a short-production cycle that is emerging as a model species among aromatic plants. Modulating the mineral composition of the nutrient solution has proved to be a valuable tool to uncover the mechanisms and responses that higher plants adopt in relation to the availability of mineral nutrients. The aim of this work was to examine the effects on basil of four isosmotic nutrient solutions with different nitrate to chloride ratios. These two anions share uptake and transport mechanisms in plants and are often considered antagonist. To this goal, we analyzed morpho-anatomical and physiological parameters as well as quality-related traits, such as the antioxidant capacity, the leaf color, the mineral composition, and the aromatic profile in relation to the nutrient ratios. Moreover, using a full factorial design, we analyzed leaves in two consecutive harvests. The data indicated a broad, multifaceted plant response to the different nutritional ratios, with almost all the recorded parameters involved. Overall, the effects on basil can be explained by considering an interdependent combination of the nitrate and chloride roles in plant nutrition and physiology. Our work revealed the extent of the modification that can be achieved in basil through the modification of the nutrient solution. It also provided indications for more nutrient efficient growing conditions, because a moderate increase in chloride limits the expected negative impact of a sub-optimal nitrate fertilization.

Metabolic Insights into the Anion-Anion Antagonism in Sweet Basil: Effects of Different Nitrate/Chloride Ratios in the Nutrient Solution

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a highly versatile and globally popular culinary herb, and a rich source of aromatic and bioactive compounds. Particularly for leafy vegetables, nutrient management allows a more efficient and sustainable improvement of crop yield and quality. In this work, we investigated the effects of balanced modulation of the concentration of two antagonist anions (nitrate and chlorine) in basil. Specifically, we evaluated the changes in yield and leaf metabolic profiles in response to four different NO3-:Cl- ratios in two consecutive harvests, using a full factorial design. Our work indicated that the variation of the nitrate-chloride ratio exerts a large effect on both metabolomic profile and yield in basil, which cannot be fully explained only by an anion-anion antagonist outcome. The metabolomic reprogramming involved different biochemical classes of compounds, with distinctive traits as a function of the different nutrient ratios. Such changes involved not only a response to nutrients availability, but also to redox imbalance and oxidative stress. A network of signaling compounds, including NO and phytohormones, underlined the modeling of metabolomic signatures. Our work highlighted the potential and the magnitude of the effect of nutrient solution management in basil and provided an advancement towards understanding the metabolic response to anion antagonism in plants.

Pattern of recurrence in patients with endometrial cancer: A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

Endometrial cancer (EC) known prognostic factors are not sufficient to predict either outcome or recurrence rate/site: to investigate EC recurrence patterns according to ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classes, could be beneficial for a more tailored adjuvant treatment and follow-up schedule.

METHODS

758 women diagnosed with EC, and a 5-years follow-up, were enrolled: they were divided into the ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk classes (low LR, intermediate IR, intermediate-high I-HR, and highrisk HR) and surgically treated as recommended, followed by adjuvants therapies when appropriate.

RESULTS

Higher recurrence rate (RR) was significantly detected (p < 0,001) in the HR group (40,3%) compared to LR (9,6%), IR (16,7%) and I-HR (17,1%). Recurrences were detected more frequently at distant sites (64%) compared to pelvic (25,3%) and lymph nodes (10,7%) recurrences (p < 0,0001): only in LR group, no differences were detected between local and distant recurrences. 5-Year distant-free (LR 99%, IR 94%,I-HR 86%, HR 88%) and local-free survivals (LR 99%, IR 100%,I-HR 98%, HR 95%) significantly differ between groups (p < 0,0001 and p = 0,003, respectively). Adjuvant therapy modifies RRs only in LR group (p = 0,01).

CONCLUSION

To identify biological factors to stratify patients at higher risk of relapse is needed. Distant site relapse could be the main reason of endometrial cancer failure follow-up, independently or in addition to their risk class prognosis.

Accumulation of Ascorbic Acid in Tomato Cell Culture: Influence of the Genotype, Source Explant and Time of In Vitro Cultivation

The production and commercialization of natural antioxidants is gaining increasing importance due to their wide range of biological effects and applications. In vitro cell culture is a valuable source of plant bioactive compounds, especially those highly dependent on environmental factors. Nonetheless, research on the accumulation in plant cultured cells of water-soluble antioxidant vitamins, such as the ascorbic acid (AsA), is very limited. Tomato fruits are a main dietary source of vitamin C and in this work, we explored the potential of in vitro cultured cells for AsA accumulation. Specifically, using a full factorial design, we examined the effect of the source explant, the time in tissue culture and the genetic difference present in two Introgression Line (IL7-3 and IL12-4) that harbor Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) for ascorbic acid in fruits. Moreover, we performed an expression analysis of genes involved in AsA metabolism to highlight the molecular mechanisms that can account for the difference between fruit explants and calli. Our work indicated that cultured tomato cells accumulate AsA well beyond the amount present in fruits and that the three factors under investigation and their interaction significantly influence AsA accumulation. The time in tissue culture is the main single factor and, different from the expectations for secondary metabolites, explants from unripe, mature green fruits provided the highest increase in AsA. Moreover, in controlled conditions the genetic differences between the ILs and the control genotype are less relevant for calli cultivated for longer time. Our work showed the potential of tomato cell culture to produce AsA and prompt further refinements towards its possible large-scale exploitation.

The INTERNATIONAL MISSION study: minimally invasive surgery in ovarian neoplasms after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to investigate the extent, feasibility, and outcomes of minimally invasive surgery at the time of interval debulking surgery in different gynecological cancer centers.

METHODS/MATERIALS

In December 2016, 20 gynecological cancer centers were contacted by e-mail, to participate in the INTERNATIONAL MISSION study. Seven centers confirmed and five were included, with a total of 127 patients diagnosed with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and minimally invasive interval surgery. Only women with a minimum follow-up time of 6 months from interval surgery or any cancer-related event before 6 months were included in the survival analysis. Baseline characteristics, chemotherapy, and operative data were evaluated. Survival analysis was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS : All patients had optimal cytoreduction at the time of interval surgery: among them, 122 (96.1%) patients had no residual tumor. Median operative time was 225 min (range 60 - 600) and median estimated blood loss was 100 mL (range 70 - 1320). Median time to discharge was 2 days (1-33) and estimated median time to start chemotherapy was 20 days (range 15 - 60). Six (4.7%) patients experienced intraoperative complications, with one patient experiencing two serious complications (bowel and bladder injury at the same time). There were six (4.7%) patients with postoperative short-term complications: among them, three patients had severe complications. The conversion rate to laparotomy was 3.9 %. Median follow-up time was 37 months (range 7 - 86): 74 of 127 patients recurred (58.3%) and 31 (24.4%) patients died from disease. Median progression-free survival was 23 months and survival at 5 years was 52 % (95% CI: 35 to 67).

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive surgery may be considered for the management of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy, when surgery is limited to low-complexity standard cytoreductive procedures.

Fertility preservation in chemo-radiotherapy for rectal cancer: A combined approach

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Young females affected by rectal cancer need counselling on fertility preservation.

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Ovarian transposition and cryopreservation are feasible.

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Advances in radiation therapy techniques can help reducing fertility impairment.

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A multidisciplinar approach is recommended.

Introduction

Colorectal cancer is a very common form of cancer worldwide, affecting an increasing number of young women. Standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) can pose a threat to fertility in these patients.

Case presentation

We present the case of a young woman affected by LARC who expressed a desire for child-bearing. The treatment she was proposed, according to guidelines, was neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) followed by delayed surgery, carrying with it a high risk for amenorrhea. Counselling was performed before the initiation of treatment, with the aim of preserving fertility by the proposal of GnRH agonist administration, ovarian transposition and ovarian tissue cryopreservation, which the patient accepted. Treatment was then successfully completed. The patient presented regular menstrual period from before the surgery.

Discussion

Ovarian tissue is very sensitive to radiations. Transposition of the organ can prevent ovarian insufficiency by placing it outside the radiation field, while ovarian tissue cryopreservation and orthotopic transplantation offers the possibility to restore fertility in the case of organ failure. We performed both of the techniques. GnRH analogs administration allowed to diminish the risk of ovarian cytotoxicity. Radiation treatment plan was optimized in order to minimize the dose to organs at risk (ovary and vagina in particular); position of the uterus, which is quite radiosensitive too, was monitored with daily cone-beam CT (CBCT).

Conclusion

The strategy proposed seemed safe and effective, resulting in radical treatment and persistence of regular menstrual period. Further studies are needed.

Robotic Single-Port Platform in General, Urologic, and Gynecologic Surgeries: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Robotic platforms have recently acquired progressive importance in different surgical fields, such as urology, gynecology, and general surgery. Through the years, new surgical robots have become available as single-port robotic platform. The study is aimed to value the single-port robotic platform characteristics in different surgical specialties.

METHODS

The terms "LESS" OR "single port" OR "single site" AND "robot" OR "robotic" were systematically used to search the PubMed and Scopus databases. A total of 57 studies were considered eligible for the present review. The articles included were divided according to the surgical field in which the study was conducted: General surgery (29 articles), Gynecology (18 articles), Urology (10 articles).

RESULTS

Most part of the articles showed the feasibility of robotic single-port surgical procedures and described advantages in terms of cosmetic, hospital stay, and in some series even cost reduction. A meta-analysis was conducted, showing a significant increment of complications using RSP if compared with SLPS and a trend (P = 0.008) when RSP was compared with LESS. The comparison of different techniques in terms of conversion to laparotomy did not show any significant difference.

CONCLUSION

Robotic single port potentially furnishes an important surgical and post-operatory improvement; however, some limits still prolong the surgical time and complication rate.

Transcriptional Regulation of Ascorbic Acid During Fruit Ripening in Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Varieties with Low and High Antioxidants Content

Research on plant antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid (AsA) and polyphenols, is of increasing interest in plant science because of the health benefits and preventive role in chronic diseases of these natural compounds. Pepper (Capiscum annuum L.) is a major dietary source of antioxidants, especially AsA. Although considerable advance has been made, our understanding of AsA biosynthesis and its regulation in higher plants is not yet exhaustive. For instance, while it is accepted that AsA content in cells is regulated at different levels (e.g., transcriptional and post-transcriptional), their relative prominence is not fully understood. In this work, we identified and studied two pepper varieties with low and high levels of AsA to shed light on the transcriptional mechanisms that can account for the observed phenotypes. We quantified AsA and polyphenols in leaves and during fruit maturation, and concurrently, we analyzed the transcription of 14 genes involved in AsA biosynthesis, degradation, and recycling. The differential transcriptional analysis indicated that the higher expression of genes involved in AsA accumulation is a likely explanation for the observed differences in fruits. This was also supported by the identification of gene-metabolite relations, which deserve further investigation. Our results provide new insights into AsA differential accumulation in pepper varieties and highlight the phenotypic diversity in local germplasm, a knowledge that may ultimately contribute to the increased level of health-related phytochemicals.

MetaShot: an accurate workflow for taxon classification of host-associated microbiome from shotgun metagenomic data

Summary

Shotgun metagenomics by high-throughput sequencing may allow deep and accurate characterization of host-associated total microbiomes, including bacteria, viruses, protists and fungi. However, the analysis of such sequencing data is still extremely challenging in terms of both overall accuracy and computational efficiency, and current methodologies show substantial variability in misclassification rate and resolution at lower taxonomic ranks or are limited to specific life domains (e.g. only bacteria). We present here MetaShot, a workflow for assessing the total microbiome composition from host-associated shotgun sequence data, and show its overall optimal accuracy performance by analyzing both simulated and real datasets.

Availability and Implementation

https://github.com/bfosso/MetaShot.

Contact

graziano.pesole@uniba.it.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Renewable Sources of Plant Biostimulation: Microalgae as a Sustainable Means to Improve Crop Performance

Plant biostimulants (PBs) attract interest in modern agriculture as a tool to enhance crop performance, resilience to environmental stress, and nutrient use efficiency. PBs encompass diverse organic and inorganic substances (humic acids and protein hydrolysates) as well as prokaryotes (e.g., plant growth promoting bacteria) and eukaryotes such as mycorrhiza and macroalgae (seaweed). Microalgae, which comprise eukaryotic and prokaryotic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), are attracting growing interest from scientists, extension specialists, private industry and plant growers because of their versatile nature: simple unicellular structure, high photosynthetic efficiency, ability for heterotrophic growth, adaptability to domestic and industrial wastewater, amenability to metabolic engineering, and possibility to yield valuable co-products. On the other hand, large-scale biomass production and harvesting still represent a bottleneck for some applications. Although it is long known that microalgae produce several complex macromolecules that are active on higher plants, their targeted applications in crop science is still in its infancy. This paper presents an overview of the main extraction methods from microalgae, their bioactive compounds, and application methods in agriculture. Mechanisms of biostimulation that influence plant performance, physiology, resilience to abiotic stress as well as the plant microbiome are also outlined. Considering current state-of-the-art, perspectives for future research on microalgae-based biostimulants are discussed, ranging from the development of crop-tailored, highly effective products to their application for increasing sustainability in agriculture.

Plant-to-plant communication triggered by systemin primes anti-herbivore resistance in tomato

Plants actively respond to herbivory by inducing various defense mechanisms in both damaged (locally) and non-damaged tissues (systemically). In addition, it is currently widely accepted that plant-to-plant communication allows specific neighbors to be warned of likely incoming stress (defense priming). Systemin is a plant peptide hormone promoting the systemic response to herbivory in tomato. This 18-aa peptide is also able to induce the release of bioactive Volatile Organic Compounds, thus also promoting the interaction between the tomato and the third trophic level (e.g. predators and parasitoids of insect pests). In this work, using a combination of gene expression (RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR), behavioral and chemical approaches, we demonstrate that systemin triggers metabolic changes of the plant that are capable of inducing a primed state in neighboring unchallenged plants. At the molecular level, the primed state is mainly associated with an elevated transcription of pattern -recognition receptors, signaling enzymes and transcription factors. Compared to naïve plants, systemin-primed plants were significantly more resistant to herbivorous pests, more attractive to parasitoids and showed an increased response to wounding. Small peptides are nowadays considered fundamental signaling molecules in many plant processes and this work extends the range of downstream effects of this class of molecules to intraspecific plant-to-plant communication.

The transcriptional response to the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) reveals extended differences between tolerant and susceptible olive (Olea europaea L.) varieties

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most devastating pest of cultivated olive (Olea europaea L.). Intraspecific variation in plant resistance to B. oleae has been described only at phenotypic level. In this work, we used a transcriptomic approach to study the molecular response to the olive fruit fly in two olive cultivars with contrasting level of susceptibility. Using next-generation pyrosequencing, we first generated a catalogue of more than 80,000 sequences expressed in drupes from approximately 700k reads. The assembled sequences were used to develop a microarray layout with over 60,000 olive-specific probes. The differential gene expression analysis between infested (i.e. with II or III instar larvae) and control drupes indicated a significant intraspecific variation between the more tolerant and susceptible cultivar. Around 2500 genes were differentially regulated in infested drupes of the tolerant variety. The GO annotation of the differentially expressed genes implies that the inducible resistance to the olive fruit fly involves a number of biological functions, cellular processes and metabolic pathways, including those with a known role in defence, oxidative stress responses, cellular structure, hormone signalling, and primary and secondary metabolism. The difference in the induced transcriptional changes between the cultivars suggests a strong genetic role in the olive inducible defence, which can ultimately lead to the discovery of factors associated with a higher level of tolerance to B. oleae.

A comparison between constitutive and inducible transgenic expression of the PhRIP I gene for broad-spectrum resistance against phytopathogens in potato

OBJECTIVES

To engineer broad spectrum resistance in potato using different expression strategies.

RESULTS

The previously identified Ribosome-Inactivating Protein from Phytolacca heterotepala was expressed in potato under a constitutive or a wound-inducible promoter. Leaves and tubers of the plants constitutively expressing the transgene were resistant to Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia solani, respectively. The wound-inducible promoter was useful in driving the expression upon wounding and fungal damage, and conferred resistance to B. cinerea. The observed differences between the expression strategies are discussed considering the benefits and features offered by the two systems.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence is provided of the possible impact of promoter sequences to engineer BSR in plants, highlighting that the selection of a suitable expression strategy has to balance specific needs and target species.

Radical hysterectomy after chemoradiation in FIGO stage III cervical cancer patients versus chemoradiation and brachytherapy: Complications and 3-years survival

BACKGROUND

To compare patterns and rates of early and late complications, and survival outcome in FIGO stage III cervical cancer patients underwent to radical hysterectomy after chemo-radiation (CT-RT) vs. chemo-radiation alone.

METHODS

Between May 1996 and April 2013 150 FIGO stage III cervical cancer patients were treated. We divide patients according to type of treatment: 77 were submitted to standard treatment (Group A), and 73 to completion hysterectomy after chemo-radiation (Group B).

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were superimposable. We observed lower intra-operative and treatment-related early urinary and gastro-intestinal complications in Group B with respect to Group A (p < 0.001). Vascular complications were registered only in Group B (p < 0.001). We found a significantly higher rate of local recurrences in the Group A than in the Group B (p < 0.002). We registered 29 deaths in the Group A and 22 in the Group B (p = 0.021). The 3-years disease-free survival rate in the Group A and in the Group B was 62.9% and 68.3%, respectively (p = 0.686), and the 3-years overall survival rate in the Group A and in the Group B was 63.2% and 67.7%, respectively (p = 0.675).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that radical hysterectomy after CT-RT is an effective therapeutic approach for advanced cervical cancer. Further prospective and randomized studies should be performed in order to solve the question about the standard approach, and how the different pattern of complication could impact on the quality of life.