Inhibitory Properties of Cinnamon Bark Oil against Postharvest Pathogen Penicillium digitatum In Vitro

Penicillium digitatum is a major postharvest pathogen that threatens the global citrus fruit industry and causes great economic losses annually. In the present study, inhibitory properties of cinnamon bark oil (CBO) against P. digitatum in vitro were investigated. Results indicated that 0.03% CBO could efficiently inhibit the spore germination, germ tube elongation, mycelial growth, colonial expansion and conidial accumulation of P. digitatum. The results of fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and MitoTraker Orange (MTO) staining also proved the suppression effects of CBO against P. digitatum. Meanwhile, CBO could inhibit green mold rots induced by P. digitatum in citrus fruit when the working concentration of CBO exceeded 0.06%. In addition, the expressions of 12 genes critical for the growth and virulence of P. digitatum were also significantly regulated under CBO stress. Through a transcriptomic analysis, a total of 1802 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in P. digitatum after 4 h and 8 h of CBO treatment. Most of the DEG products were associated with carbohydrate, amino acid and lipid metabolism. They directly or indirectly led to the disturbance of the membrane and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results may deepen the understanding of antifungal properties of CBO against P. digitatum and provide the theoretical foundation to uncover the antifungal mechanism of CBO at the molecular level.

It's time to regulate - The importance of accurate surgical-grade tourniquet autoregulation in blood flow restriction exercise applications

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the efficacy of five common blood flow restriction (BFR) systems to accurately maintain and autoregulate BFR pressure in the tourniquet cuff near target pressure throughout exercise.

DESIGN

Randomised crossover design.

SETTING

Laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

15 healthy individuals.

OUTCOME MEASURES

1) Percentage of total BFR time that surgical-grade tourniquet autoregulation, defined as automatic and rapid self-regulation of cuff pressure to within ±15 mmHg of initial target pressure within 1 s in the presence of transient pressure changes associated with exercise, was provided; 2) pressure change in the BFR cuff throughout exercise, by comparing the initial target pressure to the measured pressure at completion of BFR exercise.

RESULTS

One BFR system could provide surgical-grade tourniquet autoregulation for the whole duration (100 ± 0%) of the BFR exercise in all subjects. In two of the five BFR systems evaluated, measured cuff pressure at the end of exercise was not different (p < 0.05) to the initial target pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical-grade tourniquet autoregulation is important to consistently and reliably apply a targeted BFR pressure stimulus. This may allow BFR methodology and protocols to be accurately implemented and controlled so that the results can be more meaningfully compared, leading to the potential optimization of applications.

The Identification and Comparative Analysis of Non-Coding RNAs in Spores and Mycelia of Penicillium expansum

Penicillium expansum is the most popular post-harvest pathogen and causes blue mold disease in pome fruit and leads to significant economic losses worldwide every year. However, the fundamental regulation mechanisms of growth in P. expansum are unclear. Recently, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have attracted more attention due to critical roles in normalizing gene expression and maintaining cellular genotypes in organisms. However, the research related to ncRNAs in P. expansum have not been reported. Therefore, to provide an overview of ncRNAs on composition, distribution, expression changes, and potential targets in the growth process, a comparative transcriptomic analysis was performed on spores and mycelia of P. expansum in the present study. A total of 2595 novel mRNAs, 3362 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), 10 novel microRNAs (miRNAs), 86 novel small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and 11,238 circular RNAs (circRNAs) were predicted and quantified. Of these, 1482 novel mRNAs, 5987 known mRNAs, 2047 lncRNAs, 40 miRNAs, 38 novel siRNAs, and 9235 circRNAs were differentially expressed (DE) in response to the different development stages. Afterward, the involved functions and pathways of DE RNAs were revealed via Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database enrichment analysis. The interaction networks between mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs were also predicted based on their correlation coefficient of expression profiles. Among them, it was found that miR168 family members may play important roles in fungal growth due to their central location in the network. These findings will contribute to a better understanding on regulation machinery at the RNA level on fungal growth and provide a theoretical basis to develop novel control strategies against P. expansum.

Proteomic Changes in Response to Colorless nonripening Mutation during Tomato Fruit Ripening

SlSPL-CNR is a multifunctional transcription factor gene that plays important roles in regulating tomato fruit ripening. However, the molecular basis of SlSPL-CNR in the regulatory networks is not exactly clear. In the present study, the biochemical characteristics and expression levels of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis in Colorless nonripening (Cnr) natural mutant were determined. The proteomic changes during the ripening stage were also uncovered by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based quantitative proteomic analysis. Results indicated that both the lycopene content and soluble solid content (SSC) in Cnr fruit were lower than those in wild-type AC fruit. Meanwhile, pH, flavonoid content, and chlorophyll content were higher in Cnr fruit. Expressions of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis were also downregulated or delayed in Cnr fruit. Furthermore, 1024 and 1234 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were respectively identified for the breaker and 10 days postbreaker stages. Among them, a total of 512 proteins were differentially expressed at both stages. In addition, the functions of DEPs were classified by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Results would lay the groundwork for wider explorations of the regulatory mechanism of SlSPL-CNR on tomato fruit ripening.

Cinnamon Oil Inhibits Penicillium expansum Growth by Disturbing the Carbohydrate Metabolic Process

Penicillium expansum is a major postharvest pathogen that mainly threatens the global pome fruit industry and causes great economic losses annually. In the present study, the antifungal effects and potential mechanism of cinnamon oil against P. expansum were investigated. Results indicated that 0.25 mg L⁻¹ cinnamon oil could efficiently inhibit the spore germination, conidial production, mycelial accumulation, and expansion of P. expansum. In addition, it could effectively control blue mold rots induced by P. expansum in apples. Cinnamon oil could also reduce the expression of genes involved in patulin biosynthesis. Through a proteomic quantitative analysis, a total of 146 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involved in the carbohydrate metabolic process, most of which were down-regulated, were noticed for their large number and functional significance. Meanwhile, the expressions of 14 candidate genes corresponding to DEPs and the activities of six key regulatory enzymes (involving in cellulose hydrolyzation, Krebs circle, glycolysis, and pentose phosphate pathway) showed a similar trend in protein levels. In addition, extracellular carbohydrate consumption, intracellular carbohydrate accumulation, and ATP production of P. expansum under cinnamon oil stress were significantly decreased. Basing on the correlated and mutually authenticated results, we speculated that disturbing the fungal carbohydrate metabolic process would be partly responsible for the inhibitory effects of cinnamon oil on P. expansum growth. The findings would provide new insights into the antimicrobial mode of cinnamon oil.

Testing the framework in real life – application for country HSPA process

The ability to use the existing health system assessment tools, HSPA processes and widely available indicators is an important, although not exhaustive, part of the practical application of the framework. With this in mind, we created an annotated template that can be used along with HSPA framework for UHC to facilitate information collection and harmonisation.

This annotated template was tested for Estonia and Azerbaijan with the aim to help with evaluating the transferability of HSPA information between existing approaches and in different settings. More specifically, we tested the extent to which information on assessment areas of the framework can be extracted from the existing sources; the ease of use and clarity of the annotated template; and how the information collected through the annotated template can be combined into a meaningful health system performance assessment, in line with health system goals.

The test showed that the information for Estonia and Azerbaijan could be obtained to complete much of the template. This can be done through a country-led performance assessment process that ensures that the indicative measures in the annotated template are relevant to the country context. The information collected also needs to be assessed in the context of policy priorities of the national health systems. Thus, more detailed guidance on the use of the framework can help to streamline such national processes and clarify the linkages between performance of specific functions and overall health system performance.

Molecular and functional characterization of the SBP-box transcription factor SPL-CNR in tomato fruit ripening and cell death

SlSPL-CNR, an SBP-box transcription factor (TF) gene residing at the epimutant Colourless non-ripening (Cnr) locus, is involved in tomato ripening. This epimutant provides a unique model to investigate the (epi)genetic basis of fruit ripening. Here we report that SlSPL-CNR is a nucleus-localized protein with a distinct monopartite nuclear localization signal (NLS). It consists of four consecutive residues ' 30KRKR33' at the N-terminus of the protein. Mutation of the NLS abolishes SlSPL-CNR's ability to localize in the nucleus. SlSPL-CNR comprises two zinc-finger motifs (ZFMs) within the C-terminal SBP-box domain. Both ZFMs contribute to zinc-binding activity. SlSPL-CNR can induce cell death in tomato and tobacco, dependent on its nuclear localization. However, the two ZFMs have differential impacts on SlSPL-CNR's induction of severe necrosis or mild necrotic ringspot. NLS and ZFM mutants cannot complement Cnr fruits to ripen. SlSPL-CNR interacts with SlSnRK1. Virus-induced SlSnRK1 silencing leads to reduction in expression of ripening-related genes and inhibits ripening in tomato. We conclude that SlSPL-CNR is a multifunctional protein that consists of a distinct monopartite NLS, binds to zinc, and interacts with SlSnRK1 to affect cell death and tomato fruit ripening.

The state of the art in European research on reducing social exclusion and stigma related to mental health: A systematic mapping of the literature

Stigma and social exclusion related to mental health are of substantial public health importance for Europe. As part of ROAMER (ROAdmap for MEntal health Research in Europe), we used systematic mapping techniques to describe the current state of research on stigma and social exclusion across Europe. Findings demonstrate growing interest in this field between 2007 and 2012. Most studies were descriptive (60%), focused on adults of working age (60%) and were performed in Northwest Europe—primarily in the UK (32%), Finland (8%), Sweden (8%) and Germany (7%). In terms of mental health characteristics, the largest proportion of studies investigated general mental health (20%), common mental disorders (16%), schizophrenia (16%) or depression (14%). There is a paucity of research looking at mechanisms to reduce stigma and promote social inclusion, or at factors that might promote resilience or protect against stigma/social exclusion across the life course. Evidence is also limited in relation to evaluations of interventions. Increasing incentives for cross-country research collaborations, especially with new EU Member States and collaboration across European professional organizations and disciplines, could improve understanding of the range of underpinning social and cultural factors which promote inclusion or contribute toward lower levels of stigma, especially during times of hardship.

[An epidemiologic study of pelvic organ prolapse in urban Chinese women: a population-based sample in China]

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in a representative sample of Chinese urban women. Methods: A total of 29613 Chinese urban women were recruited to this cross-sectional study between February 2014 and March 2016. The prevalence of POP, defined as any stage Ⅱ or higher POP resulting in symptoms, was assessed using questionnaires and physical examinations. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with POP. Results: 2 864 of 29 613 women (9.67%) had POP. The prevalence of POP increased with age ranging from 1.23% (82/6 646) of women aged between 20 and 29 years to 26.11% (727/2 784) for those aged 70 years or older (P<0.000 1). Overweight and obese women were more likely to have POP than normal weight women [AOR=1.56, 95%CI 1.42-1.72 vs AOR=1.74, 95%CI 1.48-2.03]. In the multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors were cough (AOR=1.70, 95%CI 1.44-2.02), constipation (AOR=2.05, 95%CI 1.82-2.32), physical disease (AOR=1.27, 95%CI 1.15-1.41), and gynecological diseases (AOR=2.08, 95%CI 1.89-2.29). Nulliparous (AOR=0.12, 95%CI 0.06-0.22) and caesarean section (CS) (AOR=0.55, 95%CI 0.47-0.64) were protective factors for POP. Conclusions: POP affects nearly 10% of women in Chinese urban region. The prevalence of POP increases significantly with age. The independent risk factors for POP are body mass index, cough, constipation, physical disease and gynecological diseases. Nulliparous and CS are protective factors for POP.

Mini review: Revisiting mobile RNA silencing in plants

Non-cell autonomous RNA silencing can spread from cell to cell and over long-distances in animals and plants. This process is genetically determined and requires mobile RNA signals. Genetic requirement and molecular nature of the mobile signals for non-cell-autonomous RNA silencing were intensively investigated in past few decades. No consensus dogma for mobile silencing can be reached in plants, yet published data are sometimes inconsistent and controversial. Thus, the genetic requirements and molecular signals involved in plant mobile silencing are still poorly understood. This article revisits our present understanding of intercellular and systemic non-cell autonomous RNA silencing, and summarises current debates on RNA signals for mobile silencing. In particular, we discuss new evidence on siRNA mobility, a DCL2-dependent genetic network for mobile silencing and its potential biological relevance as well as 22 nt siRNA being a mobile signal for non-cell-autonomous silencing in both Arabidopsis and Nicotiana benthamiana. This sets up a new trend in unravelling genetic components and small RNA signal molecules for mobile silencing in (across) plants and other organisms of different kingdoms. Finally we raise several outstanding questions that need to be addressed in future plant silencing research.

In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Phenols and Oleanolic Acid from Mango Peel and Their Cytotoxic Effect on A549 Cell Line

Mango peel, the main by-product of juice processing, possesses appreciable quantities of bioactive phenolic compounds and is worthy of further utilization. The present work reports for the first time the HPLC analysis and in vitro antioxidant evaluation of mango peel phenols (MPPs) and their cytotoxic effect on the A549 lung cancer cell line. These results indicated that mango peel has the total phenolic content of 723.2 ± 0.93 mg·kg−1 dry mango peel (DMP), which consisted mainly of vanillic aldehyde, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, procyanidin B₂ and oleanolic acid. Antioxidant assays showed that MPPs had strong antioxidant activities, with 92 ± 4.2% of DPPH radical scavenging rate, 79 ± 2.5% of ABTS radical inhibition rate and 4.7 ± 0.5 μM Trolox equivalents per kg−1 DMP of ferric reducing power. Gallic acid possess a stronger antioxidant capacity than other phenols. In vitro cytotoxic tests suggested that mango peel extract (MPE) had an IC50 value of 15 mg·mL−1 and MPPs had a stronger inhibitory effect on the A549 cell line. Oleanolic acid exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity, with an IC50 value of 4.7 μM, which was similar with that of the positive control 5-fluorouracil.

Identification of differentially expressed genes involved in spore germination of Penicillium expansum by comparative transcriptome and proteome approaches

In this study, Penicillium expansum, a common destructive phytopathogen and patulin producer was isolated from naturally infected apple fruits and identified by morphological observation and rDNA-internal transcribed spacer analysis. Subsequently, a global view of the transcriptome and proteome alteration of P. expansum spores during germination was evaluated by RNA-seq (RNA sequencing) and iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) approaches. A total of 3,026 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 77 differentially expressed predicted transcription factors and 489 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. The next step involved screening out 130 overlapped candidates through correlation analysis between the RNA-seq and iTRAQ datasets. Part of them showed a different expression trend in the mRNA and protein levels, and most of them were involved in metabolism and genetic information processing. These results not only highlighted a set of genes and proteins that were important in deciphering the molecular processes of P. expansum germination but also laid the foundation to develop effective control methods and adequate environmental conditions.

Antimicrobial evaluation of the crude extract of symbiotic fungi from marine sponge Reniera japonica

<p>Marine sponge-derived microbes are one of the rich sources of bioactive natural products with a broad spectrum of bioactivities. The present work focuses on the isolation and antimicrobial screening of the marine sponge-associated fungi from Reniera japonica MNP-2016. The results indicated that five fungi (L1-2, L2-1, L4, L8-1 and L14) were successfully isolated. Bioassay tests showed that only strain L14 had strong inhibitory effect on the pathogens, Staphyloccocus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. 18S rDNA sequence analysis indicated that strain L14 was ascribed to Aspergillus genus. To the best of our knowledge, this work was the first report on the isolation and antimicrobial evaluation of fungi from R. japonica.</p><p><strong>Video Clip of Methodology</strong>:</p><p>1 min 13 sec:   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/RSA2icw3emg">Full Screen</a>   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSA2icw3emg">Alternate</a></p>

Isolation and antifungal screening of endophytic fungi from Erigeron canadensis

<p class="Abstract">Sixteen fungal strains isolated from the Erigeron canadensis, one of traditional Chinese medicines used to treat the pathogenic infection and dysentery, were evaluated for their antifungal activities against one human pathogen Candida albicans, and two phytopathogens, Colletotrichum fructicola and Rhizoctonia cerealis. The bioassay results indicated that the ethyl acetate extract of the fermentation broth of these fungal endophytes had stronger antimicrobial activities. Among these endophytic strains, the ethyl acetate extracts of strains NPR003 and NPR005 showed the strongest inhibitory effects and has potential application in the discovery of new antifungal agents. This was the first report on the isolation of endophytic fungi from E. canadensis and evaluation of their antifungal activities.</p><p class="Abstract"><strong>Video Clip of Methodology</strong>:</p><p class="Abstract">1  min 4 sec   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/EdohQU3anR4">Full Screen</a>   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdohQU3anR4">Alternate</a></p>

The response of growth and patulin production of postharvest pathogen Penicillium expansum to exogenous potassium phosphite treatment

In this study, the effects of exogenous potassium phosphite (Phi) on growth and patulin production of postharvest pathogen Penicillium expansum were assessed. The results indicated that P. expansum under 5mmol/L Phi stress presented obvious development retardation, yield reduction of patulin and lower infectivity to apple fruit. Meanwhile, expression analysis of 15 genes related to patulin biosynthesis suggested that Phi mainly affected the early steps of patulin synthetic route at transcriptional level. Furthermore, a global view of proteome and transcriptome alteration of P. expansum spores during 6h of Phi stress was evaluated by iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) and RNA-seq (RNA sequencing) approaches. A total of 582 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and 177 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were acquired, most of which participated in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, genetic information processing and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Finally, 39 overlapped candidates were screened out through correlational analysis between iTRAQ and RNA-seq datasets. These findings will afford more precise and directional clues to explore the inhibitory mechanism of Phi on growth and patulin biosynthesis of P. expansum, and be beneficial to develop effective controlling approaches based on Phi.

Antifungal activity of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) against anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) in postharvest mango fruit and its possible mechanisms of action

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is one of the most important postharvest diseases in mango fruit, often causing huge economic losses. In this study, the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) against anthracnose in postharvest mango fruit and the mechanisms involved were investigated. 1-MCP induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, damaged the mitochondria and destroyed the integrity of plasma membrane of spores of C. gloeosporioides, significantly suppressing spore germination and mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. 1-MCP also decreased the decay incidence and lesion expansion of mango fruit caused by C. gloeosporioides. For the first time this study demonstrated that 1-MCP suppressed anthracnose of postharvest mango fruit by directly inhibiting spore germination and mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides, thus providing a promising strategy for disease control.

Automotive shredder residue (ASR) management: An overview

On the basis of statistical data, approximately 6.5 million tons of ELVs were produced in Europe in 2011. ELVs are processed according to a treatment scheme comprising three main phases: depollution, dismantling and shredding. The ferrous fraction represents about 70-75% of the total shredded output, while nonferrous metals represent about 5%. The remaining 20-25% is referred to as automotive shredder residue (ASR). ASR is largely landfilled due to its heterogeneous and complex matrix. With a start date of January 1st 2015, the European Directive 2000/53/EC establishes the reuse and recovery of a minimum of 95% ELV total weight. To reach these targets various post-shredder technologies have been developed with the aim of improving recovery of materials and energy from ASR. In order to evaluate the environmental impacts of different management options of ELVs, the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology has been applied taking into account the potential implication of sustainable design of vehicles and treatment of residues after shredding of ELVs. Findings obtained reveal that a combination of recycling and energy recovery is required to achieve European targets, with landfilling being viewed as the least preferred option. The aim of this work is to provide a general overview of the recent development of management of ELVs and treatment of ASR with a view to minimizing the amount of residues disposed of in landfill.

Review of Italian experience on automotive shredder residue characterization and management

Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR) is a special waste that can be classified as either hazardous or non hazardous depending on the amount of hazardous substances and on the features of leachate gathered from EN12457/2 test. However both the strict regulation concerning landfills and the EU targets related to End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) recovery and recycling rate to achieve by 2015 (Directive 2000/53/EC), will limit current landfilling practice and will impose an increased efficiency of ELVs valorization. The present paper considers ELVs context in Italy, taking into account ASRs physical-chemical features and current processing practice, focusing on the enhancement of secondary materials recovery. The application in waste-to-energy plants, cement kilns or metallurgical processes is also analyzed, with a particular attention to the possible connected environmental impacts. Pyrolysis and gasification are considered as emerging technologies although the only use of ASR is debatable; its mixing with other waste streams is gradually being applied in commercial processes. The environmental impacts of the processes are acceptable, but more supporting data are needed and the advantage over (co-)incineration remains to be proven.

Mechanism of Penicillium expansum in response to exogenous nitric oxide based on proteomics analysis

Penicillium expansum is an important fungal pathogen, which causes blue mold rot in various fruits and produces a mycotoxin (patulin) with potential damage to public health. Here, we found that nitric oxide (NO) donor could significantly inhibit germinability of P. expansum spores, resulting in lower virulence to apple fruit. Based on two dimension electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, we identified ten differentially expressed proteins in response to exogenous NO in P. expansum. Among of them, five proteins, such as glutamine synthetase (GS), amidohydrolase, nitrilases, nitric oxide dioxygenase (NOD) and heat shock protein 70, were up-regulated. Others including tetratricopeptide repeat domain, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase, enolase (Eno), heat shock protein 60 and K homology RNA-binding domain were down-regulated. The expression of three genes associated with the identified proteins (GS, NOD, and Eno) was evaluated at the mRNA level by RT-PCR. Our results provide the novel evidence for understanding the mechanism, by which NO regulates growth of P. expansum and its virulence.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Crop diseases caused by fungal pathogens lead to huge economic losses every year in the world. Application of chemical fungicides to control diseases brings the concern about food and environmental safety. Screening new antimicrobial compounds and exploring involved mechanisms have great significance to development of new disease management strategies. Nitric oxide (NO), as an important intracellular signaling molecule, has been proved to be involved in many physiological processes and defense responses during plant-pathogen interactions. In this study, we firstly found that NO at high concentration could distinctly delay spore germination and significantly reduce virulence of P. expansum to fruit host, identified some important proteins in response to NO stress and characterized the functions of these proteins. These results provide novel evidence for understanding the mechanism of NO regulating virulence of the fungal pathogen, but are beneficial for screening new targets of antifungal compounds.

Virus-induced gene complementation in tomato

Virus-induced gene complementation (VIGC), a plant virus technology based on Potato virus X for transient overexpression of endogenous genes complemented tomato mutants, resulting in non-ripening fruits to ripen. This efficient "gain-of-function" approach involves no stable transformation, and reveals a fruit-specific transcriptional network that may exist among key transcription factors in modulating tomato ripening. Thus, VIGC represents a novel and feasible strategy for gene functional analysis in plants.

High-throughput sequencing and degradome analysis identify miRNAs and their targets involved in fruit senescence of Fragaria ananassa

In non-climacteric fruits, the respiratory increase is absent and no phytohormone is appearing to be critical for their ripening process. They must remain on the parent plant to enable full ripening and be picked at or near the fully ripe stage to obtain the best eating quality. However, huge losses often occur for their quick post-harvest senescence. To understanding the complex mechanism of non-climacteric fruits post-harvest senescence, we constructed two small RNA libraries and one degradome from strawberry fruit stored at 20°C for 0 and 24 h. A total of 88 known and 1224 new candidate miRNAs, and 103 targets cleaved by 19 known miRNAs families and 55 new candidatemiRNAs were obtained. These targets were associated with development, metabolism, defense response, signaling transduction and transcriptional regulation. Among them, 14 targets, including NAC transcription factor, Auxin response factors (ARF) and Myb transcription factors, cleaved by 6 known miRNA families and 6 predicted candidates, were found to be involved in regulating fruit senescence. The present study provided valuable information for understanding the quick senescence of strawberry fruit, and offered a foundation for studying the miRNA-mediated senescence of non-climacteric fruits.

Virus-induced gene complementation reveals a transcription factor network in modulation of tomato fruit ripening

Plant virus technology, in particular virus-induced gene silencing, is a widely used reverse- and forward-genetics tool in plant functional genomics. However the potential of virus technology to express genes to induce phenotypes or to complement mutants in order to understand the function of plant genes is not well documented. Here we exploit Potato virus X as a tool for virus-induced gene complementation (VIGC). Using VIGC in tomato, we demonstrated that ectopic viral expression of LeMADS-RIN, which encodes a MADS-box transcription factor (TF), resulted in functional complementation of the non-ripening rin mutant phenotype and caused fruits to ripen. Comparative gene expression analysis indicated that LeMADS-RIN up-regulated expression of the SBP-box (SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like) gene LeSPL-CNR, but down-regulated the expression of LeHB-1, an HD-Zip homeobox TF gene. Our data support the hypothesis that a transcriptional network may exist among key TFs in the modulation of fruit ripening in tomato.

Avoidable mortality in Estonia: exploring the differences in life expectancy between Estonians and non-Estonians in 2005-2007

OBJECTIVES

A considerable increase in social inequalities in mortality was observed in Eastern Europe during the post-communist transition. This study evaluated the contribution of avoidable causes of death to the difference in life expectancy between Estonians and non-Estonians in Estonia.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive study.

METHODS

Temporary life expectancy (TLE) was calculated for Estonian and non-Estonian men and women aged 0-74 years in 2005-2007. The ethnic TLE gap was decomposed by age and cause of death (classified as preventable or treatable).

RESULTS

The TLE of non-Estonian men was 3.53 years less than that of Estonian men, and the TLE of non-Estonian women was 1.36 years less than that of Estonian women. Preventable causes of death contributed 2.19 years to the gap for men and 0.78 years to the gap for women, while treatable causes contributed 0.67 and 0.33 years, respectively. Cardiorespiratory conditions were the major treatable causes of death, with ischaemic heart disease alone contributing 0.29 and 0.08 years to the gap for men and women, respectively. Conditions related to alcohol and substance use represented the largest proportion of preventable causes of death.

CONCLUSIONS

Inequalities in health behaviours underlie the ethnic TLE gap in Estonia, rather than inequalities in access to health care or the quality of health care. Public health interventions should prioritize primary prevention aimed at alcohol and substance use, and should be implemented in conjunction with wider social policy measures.

Ambient pH stress inhibits spore germination of Penicillium expansum by impairing protein synthesis and folding: a proteomic-based study

Spore germination is the first step for fungal pathogens to infect host plants. The pH value, as one of the most important environmental parameters, has critical influence on spore germination. In this study, effects of ambient pH on spore germination were determined by culturing spores of Penicillium expansum in medium with pH values at 2.0, 5.0 and 8.0, and involved mechanisms were further investigated through methods of comparative proteomics. The results demonstrated that spore germination of P. expansum was obviously inhibited at pH 2.0 and 8.0. Using quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer, 34 proteins with significant changes in abundance were identified. Among them, 17 proteins were related to protein synthesis and folding, and most of them were down-regulated at pH 2.0 and 8.0. Accordingly, lower content of total soluble proteins and higher ratio of aggregated proteins were observed in spores at pH 2.0 and 8.0. In addition, it was found that ambient pH could affect intracellular pH and ATP level of P. expansum spores. These findings indicated that ambient pH might affect spore germination of P. expansum by changing intracellular pH and regulating protein expression. Further, impairing synthesis and folding of proteins might be one of the main reasons.

Response of jujube fruits to exogenous oxalic acid treatment based on proteomic analysis

In this study, we found that oxalic acid (OA) at the concentration of 5 mM could delay jujube fruit sene-scence by reducing ethylene production, repressing fruit reddening and reducing alcohol content, which consequently increased fruit resistance against blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum. In order to gain a further understanding of the mechanism by which OA delays senescence and increases disease resistance of jujube fruit, we used a proteomics approach to compare soluble proteome of jujube fruits treated with water or 5 mM OA for 10 min. A total of 25 differentially expressed proteins were identified by using electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Among these proteins, alcohol dehydrogenase 1, which plays a direct role in ethanol metabolism, was repressed, and the abundances of three photosynthesis-related proteins was enhanced in jujube fruit after OA treatment. The protein identified as a cystathionine beta-synthase domain-containing protein, which can regulate ethylene precursors, was also induced by OA treatment. The activity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase was significantly suppressed in OA-treated jujube fruit. In addition, three proteins related to the defense/stress response were up-regulated by OA, and contributed to the establishment of systemic resistance induced by OA in jujube fruits. These results indicated that OA treatment might affect ethanol and ethylene metabolism, resulting in delaying senescence, and increase resistance of jujube fruits against fungal pathogens.

Short Communication: Changes in Micromineral, Magnesium, Cytokine, and Cortisol Concentrations in Blood of Dairy Goats Following Intramammary Inoculation with Staphylococcus aureus

The aim of this study was to investigate mineral metabolism and immune response in dairy goats following intramammary inoculation with varying doses of Staphylococcus aureus. Blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after intramammary inoculation. Lowered plasma Fe concentrations were observed from 12 to 24 h postinoculation in groups SAA (Staph. aureus at 10(4) cfu, n = 5) and SAB (Staph. aureus at 10(8) cfu, n = 5). Plasma Cu concentrations increased in group SAB 2 h after inoculation and maintained greater concentrations until the end of the experiment compared with the control group (phosphate-buffered saline, n = 5). Increased plasma Zn concentrations in group SAB were observed 48 h after inoculation, and the concentration was still greater 72 h after inoculation compared with the control group. Greater plasma Mg concentrations were detected in groups SAA and SAB compared with the control group at all timepoints after inoculation. Plasma Mg concentrations were generally greater in group SAA than in group SAB through 72 h (except at 2 h). Plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were unchanged following intramammary inoculation with Staph. aureus throughout the study. Plasma IL-6 concentrations in groups SAA and SAB increased gradually compared with the control group and peaked at 48 h after inoculation. In group SAB, serum cortisol concentrations started to increase from 8 h postinoculation and peaked at 12 h postinoculation. In conclusion, increasing the inoculum dose does not induce more rapid proinflammatory cytokine responses, whereas the data indicate that mineral metabolic alterations occur during the course of Staph. aureus mastitis in the goat.