Effect of heterologous expression of FT gene from Medicago truncatula in growth and flowering behavior of olive plants

Olive (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea) is one of the most important crops of the Mediterranean Basin and temperate areas worldwide. Obtaining new olive varieties adapted to climatic changing conditions and to modern agricultural practices, as well as other traits such as biotic and abiotic stress resistance and increased oil quality, is currently required; however, the long juvenile phase, as in most woody plants, is the bottleneck in olive breeding programs. Overexpression of genes encoding the 'florigen' Flowering Locus T (FT), can cause the loss of the juvenile phase in many perennials including olives. In this investigation, further characterization of three transgenic olive lines containing an FT encoding gene from Medicago truncatula, MtFTa1, under the 35S CaMV promoter, was carried out. While all three lines flowered under in vitro conditions, one of the lines stopped flowering after acclimatisation. In soil, all three lines exhibited a modified plant architecture; e.g., a continuous branching behaviour and a dwarfing growth habit. Gene expression and hormone content in shoot tips, containing the meristems from which this phenotype emerged, were examined. Higher levels of OeTFL1, a gene encoding the flowering repressor TERMINAL FLOWER 1, correlated with lack of flowering. The branching phenotype correlated with higher content of salicylic acid, indole-3-acetic acid and isopentenyl adenosine, and lower content of abscisic acid. The results obtained confirm that heterologous expression of MtFTa1 in olive induced continuous flowering independently of environmental factors, but also modified plant architecture. These phenotypical changes could be related to the altered hormonal content in transgenic plants.

Modification of 13-hydroperoxide lyase expression in olive affects plant growth and results in altered volatile profile

The C6 aldehydes, alcohols, and the corresponding esters are the most important compounds of virgin olive oil aroma. These C6 volatile compounds are synthesized via the 13-hydroperoxide lyase (13-HPL) branch of the lipoxygenase pathway. In this investigation, a functional analysis of the olive (Olea europaea L.) 13-HPL gene by its overexpression and silencing in olive transgenic lines was carried out. With this aim, sense and RNAi constructs of the olive 13-HPL gene were generated and used for the transformation of embryogenic olive cultures. Leaves from overexpressing lines showed a slight increase in 13-HPL gene expression, whereas RNAi lines exhibited a strong decrease in their transcript levels. Quantification of 13-HPL activity in two overexpressing and two RNAi lines showed a positive correlation with levels of transcripts. Interestingly, RNAi lines showed a high decrease in the content of C6 volatiles linked to a strong increase of C5 volatile compounds, altering the volatile profile in the leaves. In addition, the silencing of the 13-HPL gene severely affected plant growth and development. This investigation demonstrates the role of the 13-HPL gene in the biogenesis of olive volatile compounds and constitutes a functional genomics study in olive related to virgin olive oil quality.

[Effectiveness, adherence and usability of a teleneurorehabilitation programme to ensure continuity of care for patients with acquired brain injury during the COVID-19 pandemic]

INTRODUCTION

The health pandemic brought about by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has limited access to neurorehabilitation programmes for many patients who have suffered stroke, traumatic brain injury or acquired brain damage due to some other cause. As telerehabilitation allows for the provision of care in situations of social distancing, it may mitigate the negative effects of confinement. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy, adherence and usability of a teleneurorehabilitation intervention for patients with acquired brain injury.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients included in a face-to-face neurorehabilitation programme at the time of the declaration of the state of alarm in Spain due to COVID-19 and who agreed to participate in the study were included in a teleneurorehabilitation programme. The effectiveness of the programme, understood as an improvement in independence, was quantified with the Barthel index. Adherence to the programme and usability of the tool were explored through questionnaires.

RESULTS

Altogether, 46 patients, accounting for 70.6% of the total, participated in the study. Participants significantly improved their independence and showed an improvement in the Barthel index between the start (77.3 ± 28.6) and the end of the programme (82.3 ± 26). Adherence to the intervention was very high (8.1 ± 2.2 out of 10) and the online sessions were the most highly rated content. The tool used showed a high usability (50.1 ± 9.9 out of 60) and could be used without assistance by more than half the participants.

CONCLUSION

The teleneurorehabilitation intervention was found to be effective in improving patients' independence, and promoted a high degree of adherence and usability.

Exploring the Use of Fruit Callus Culture as a Model System to Study Color Development and Cell Wall Remodeling during Strawberry Fruit Ripening

Cell cultures derived from strawberry fruit at different developmental stages have been obtained to evaluate their potential use to study different aspects of strawberry ripening. Callus from leaf and cortical tissue of unripe-green, white, and mature-red strawberry fruits were induced in a medium supplemented with 11.3 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) under darkness. The transfer of the established callus from darkness to light induced the production of anthocyanin. The replacement of 2,4-D by abscisic acid (ABA) noticeably increased anthocyanin accumulation in green-fruit callus. Cell walls were isolated from the different fruit cell lines and from fruit receptacles at equivalent developmental stages and sequentially fractionated to obtain fractions enriched in soluble pectins, ester bound pectins, xyloglucans (XG), and matrix glycans tightly associated with cellulose microfibrils. These fractions were analyzed by cell wall carbohydrate microarrays. In fruit receptacle samples, pectins were abundant in all fractions, including those enriched in matrix glycans. The amount of pectin increased from green to white stage, and later these carbohydrates were solubilized in red fruit. Apparently, XG content was similar in white and red fruit, but the proportion of galactosylated XG increased in red fruit. Cell wall fractions from callus cultures were enriched in extensin and displayed a minor amount of pectins. Stronger signals of extensin Abs were detected in sodium carbonate fraction, suggesting that these proteins could be linked to pectins. Overall, the results obtained suggest that fruit cell lines could be used to analyze hormonal regulation of color development in strawberry but that the cell wall remodeling process associated with fruit softening might be masked by the high presence of extensin in callus cultures.

Usage of the Heterologous Expression of the Antimicrobial Gene afp From Aspergillus giganteus for Increasing Fungal Resistance in Olive

The antifungal protein (AFP) produced by Aspergillus giganteus, encoded by the afp gene, has been used to confer resistance against a broad range of fungal pathogens in several crops. In this research, transgenic olive plants expressing the afp gene under the control of the constitutive promoter CaMV35S were generated and their disease response against two root infecting fungal pathogens, Verticillium dahliae and Rosellinia necatrix, was evaluated. Embryogenic cultures derived from a mature zygotic embryo of cv. 'Picual' were used for A. tumefaciens transformation. Five independent transgenic lines were obtained, showing a variable level of afp expression in leaves and roots. None of these transgenic lines showed enhanced resistance to Verticillium wilt. However, some of the lines displayed a degree of incomplete resistance to white root rot caused by R. necatrix compared with disease reaction of non-transformed plants or transgenic plants expressing only the GUS gene. The level of resistance to this pathogen correlated with that of the afp expression in root and leaves. Our results indicate that the afp gene can be useful for enhanced partial resistance to R. necatrix in olive, but this gene does not protect against V. dahliae.

Generation and Selection of Transgenic Olive Plants

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most important oil crops in the Mediterranean basin. Biotechnological improvement of this species is hampered by the recalcitrant nature of olive tissue to regenerate in vitro. In previous investigations, our group has developed a reliable Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol using olive somatic embryos as explants ( Torreblanca et al., 2010 ). Embryogenic cultures derived from radicles of matured zygotic embryos are infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, AGL1 strain, containing a binary plasmid with the gene of interest and the nptII selection gene. After a meticulous selection procedure, carried out using solid and liquid media supplemented with paromomycin, the putative transformed lines are established. A preliminary confirmation of their transgenic nature is carried out through PCR amplification. Afterwards, plants can be obtained through an efficient regeneration protocol, whose main characteristics are the use of a low-ionic-strength mineral formulation, a phase in liquid medium for synchronization of cultures and the use of semi-permeable cellulose acetate membranes for embryo maturation ( Cerezo et al., 2011 ). Final confirmation of transgene insertion is carried out through Southern or Northern analysis using leaf samples of regenerated plants.

[Acute obstructive renal failure secondary to retroperitoneal mass]

The acute renal failure is a grave pathology, of rapid establishment and relatively frequent in the hospital environment. We can describe three etiological groupS, which are responsible for it, amongst which are emphasized the pre-renal reasons. The obstructive pathology, of minor incidence, increases with the age. It is described the case of a 67-yr-old patient who was admitted in the Nephrology Service because of abrupt decline of the renal function. Among the initial symptoms, he presented arterial hypertension (190/90) and preserved diuresis. Blood analysis: urea 199 mg/dl, creatinine 7.7 mg/dl, without proteinuria. Sonography reported a bilateral ureteral hydronephrosis with simple cyst of possible ischemic origin. In view of the absence of previous biochemical data of renal failure, we considered possible reasons which start with an acute pattern. In initial evaluation, pre-renal etiology was not seen (high blood pressure, right cardiac systole function). The absence of prostatic syndrome and sonography discovery did not justify a diagnosis of urinary tract obstruction. Finally, abdominal-pelvic scan showed a periaortic retroperitoneal mass which included both ureters and appeared to trigger the obstruction. Combined efforts were pursued with the Urology Service, which implanted a bilateral "double J" catheter and later operated surgically on the patient, carrying out an alternating ureterolysis of both ureters. The biopsy manifested a retroperitoneal fibrosis, and the renogram showed a residual renal function of 20% in the right kidney and 80% in the left kidney. Due to the failure of the previous measures and as a last therapeutic recourse when one year had passed from the diagnosis, a continuous regimen with tamoxifen (anti-estrogen drug) in dose of 20 mg/dl each 12 hours was started, which began a progressive remission in the size of the observed mass by scan (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR). The treatment was completed during 12 months and in this time, the levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were reduced gradually too. Finally, at the end of the treatment, the magnetic resonance demonstrate the complete disappearance of the fibrosis.

[Malnutrition and mortality in hemodialyzed patients]

BACKGROUND

Due to the ageing of the general population and improved techniques, the acceptance rate of patients starting dialysis has increased. Mortality remains high and the factors involved include nutritional parameters, which also seem to be of value for prognosis in this population.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

We proposed a prospective study in our haemodialysis population in order to establish the factors with the greatest predictive value for mortality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred stabilized patients receiving this technique were included in the study, with registration of any concomitant pathologies, their severity and the presence of HBP; we carried out a clinical assessment measuring nutritional parameters and functional capacity, with anthropometric and analytical measurements with dialysis dosage and protein catabolism rate. The observation period lasted for one year. The statistical analysis compared survivors and dead patients by means of a bivariant analysis, and after selecting the significant variables, log regression was applied.

RESULTS

The annual death rate was 15%. The bivariant analysis highlights the greater age and the prevalence of vascular pathology prior to dialysis, with a greater severity score and prior weight loss, as well as a lessened functional capacity and clinical assessment score among the dead patients. The analytical parameters showed lymphocytes to be significantly lower among the deceased. The log regression analysis revealed the predictive value of severity, followed by initial vascular co-morbidity, lymphocyte levels less than 1,200 and the nutritional clinical assessment score.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Severity was the main factor predicting mortality. 2. The presence of vascular co-morbidity at the start of dialysis increased the likelihood of death by more than ten times. 3. Lymphopenia of less than 1,200 and low scores in the subjective overall assessment were predictors of mortality.

Application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to the structure determination of medium and large macrocycles formed by palladium(0)-catalyzed allylation of arenesulfonamides, sulfamide, and cyanamide

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry allowed the direct determination of the extent of macrocyclic and linear oligomer formation in the palladium(0)-catalyzed allylation of highly acidic and non-nucleophilic arenesulfonamides, sulfamide, and cyanamide. Palladium-containing 15-membered-ring macrocyclic compounds gave unusual [M - H](+) ions besides [M + Na](+) and [M + K](+) adducts. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The importance of dosing intravenous calcitriol in dialysis patients with severe hyperparathyroidism

The current study evaluates the use of intravenous (IV) calcitriol in 10 patients with severe hyperparathyroidism (HPTH). Patients with parathyroid hormone (PTH) > 1,200 pg/m and serum P < 6.5 mg/dL were studied. Ten patients with a mean PTH of 1,826 +/- 146 pg/mL were treated for a mean of 48 weeks with a dose of IV calcitriol commensurate to the level of PTH. The initial calcitriol dose had to be increased in seven patients. The mean maximum dose of calcitriol was 3.8 micrograms thrice weekly. There was a dramatic decrease in PTH levels, and by the end of the study it was 211 +/- 48 pg/mL. Alkaline phosphatase decreased from 582 +/- 3 to 120 +/- 12 IU/L. Serum Ca and P remained unchanged in most patients. There were three episodes of hyperphosphatemia in one patient, and another had a hypercalcemic episode. In conclusion, patients with severe HPTH respond very well to IV calcitriol, provided that dosing of calcitriol is commensurate to PTH levels, and hyperphosphatemia is kept under control.

Multivariate analysis of cutaneous markers of aging in chronic hemodialyzed patients

BACKGROUND

Although hemodialysis has been associated with lesions of cutaneous aging, no controlled studies have been done in patients with chronic renal failure under periodic hemodialysis. Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of several clinical parameters of cutaneous aging and their relationship with hemodialysis.

METHODS

One hundred fourteen patients on chronic hemodialysis were investigated for the presence of several cutaneous aging markers in a cross-sectional study, using multivariate analysis to minimize the confounding effect of age.

RESULTS

Skin cancer was diagnosed in 3 patients (2.6%), actinic keratoses in 12 (10.5%), senile lentigo in 22 (20%), senile purpura in 15 (13%), and Favre-Racouchot disease in 6 (5%). There was no association with skin types or facial wrinkles with any other of the skin-aging features studied. Multivariate analysis, controlling for age as a confounding variable, indicated that the degree of facial wrinkles and the decrease in stratum corneum hydration (capacitance) correlated significantly with the length of time on hemodialysis (P = 0.012 and P = 0.012, respectively). Favre-Racouchot disease (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.23, P = 0.055, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99-1.52) and actinic keratoses (OR = 1.15, P = 0.076, CI 0.98-1.34) became increasingly frequent with the duration of chronic hemodialysis.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show a high prevalence of cutaneous aging lesions in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Acceleration of cutaneous aging is associated with time on hemodialysis.

Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with renal disease

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and the epidemiologic factors associated with HCV infection in patients with chronic renal failure before the onset of ESRD. Sex, age, type of renal disease, level of renal function, and history of blood transfusions and invasive procedures were analyzed in 226 patients with renal disease, compared with a population of 1,244 normal subjects and 124 patients with impaired immunity (patients having autoimmune diseases and receiving chemotherapy treatment). Eighteen seropositive patients with renal disease (prevalence, 7.9%) were found, which was significantly higher than the prevalence in the normal population (1.03% in blood donors, 0.98% in pregnant women; P < 0.001, chi 2). There was no significant association of sex, number of blood transfusions, or history of invasive procedures with the presence of HCV antibodies. The prevalence of HCV antibodies was higher (16.6%) in patients with glomerulonephritis compared with patients diagnosed with interstitial nephritis, pyelonephritis, nephrosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, polycystic kidney, and miscellaneous renal diseases (P < 0.01, chi 2). There was a higher prevalence of HCV antibodies in patients with creatinine clearance lower than 30 mL/min (13%) compared with patients with creatinine clearance higher than 30 mL/min (2.7%) (P < 0.01, chi 2). These data suggest that HCV infection may be associated with the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. Alternatively, glomerulonephritis or severe renal insufficiency may increase the likelihood of HCV infection.

Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with renal disease

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and the epidemiologic factors associated with HCV infection in patients with chronic renal failure before the onset of ESRD. Sex, age, type of renal disease, level of renal function, and history of blood transfusions and invasive procedures were analyzed in 226 patients with renal disease, compared with a population of 1,244 normal subjects and 124 patients with impaired immunity (patients having autoimmune diseases and receiving chemotherapy treatment). Eighteen seropositive patients with renal disease (prevalence, 7.9%) were found, which was significantly higher than the prevalence in the normal population (1.03% in blood donors, 0.98% in pregnant women; P < 0.001, chi 2). There was no significant association of sex, number of blood transfusions, or history of invasive procedures with the presence of HCV antibodies. The prevalence of HCV antibodies was higher (16.6%) in patients with glomerulonephritis compared with patients diagnosed with interstitial nephritis, pyelonephritis, nephrosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, polycystic kidney, and miscellaneous renal diseases (P < 0.01, chi 2). There was a higher prevalence of HCV antibodies in patients with creatinine clearance lower than 30 mL/min (13%) compared with patients with creatinine clearance higher than 30 mL/min (2.7%) (P < 0.01, chi 2). These data suggest that HCV infection may be associated with the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. Alternatively, glomerulonephritis or severe renal insufficiency may increase the likelihood of HCV infection.

Hepatitis C virus RNA in patients with anti-HCV on hemodialysis. Relationship to transaminase levels

This study was performed in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were treated with hemodialysis to determine the relationships among alanine amino-transferase (ALT) levels, immunoglobulin (Ig) G anti-HCV, IgM anti-HCV core, and HCV RNA. Of 107 patients on hemodialysis, 27 had positive IgG anti-HCV. Eight of the patients who had HCV were evaluated every 8 months during a period of 2 years, using the following selection criteria: positive IgG against c-22, c33-c, 5-1-1, and c100-3 viral peptides; absence of infection by hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, cytomegalo-virus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, and human immunodeficiency virus, as well as absence of hepatotoxic drugs or cholelithiasis. We considered elevated ALT values as those more than 150% of the upper limit of normal. Three of the patients had persistent elevation of ALT levels, two had alternating elevation of ALT levels, and three had normal ALT levels in all blood samples. Of the 24 blood samples, 11 had elevation of ALT (45.8%) levels that showed positive IgM anti-HCV, but only 7 of these 11 had positive HCV RNA (63.6%). None of the 13 blood samples without elevation of ALT had positive IgM anti-HCV, but 5 had positive HCV RNA (38.5%). We found an excellent correlation between IgM anti-HCV and ALT levels (r = 0.81). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean ALT values on the 12 blood samples that had positive HCV RNA and the mean ALT values of the negative HCV RNA samples (53.5 +/- 28.0 IU/l vs. 37.4 +/- 17.5 IU/l, respectively). IgM anti-HCV is related to the elevation of ALT levels and can be used as a serologic marker to indicate the presence of active HCV induced liver damage. Serum ALT levels do not correlate with the detection of viral genome in sera. IgG anti-HCV is not necessarily associated with HCV RNA or IgM anti-HCV. The absence of IgM and HCV RNA in patients with IgG anti-HCV and normal ALT levels does not necessarily suggest the absence of active HCV infection.