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IntroductionPrevious studies demonstrated that the implementation of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guideline-based bundle, consisting of different supportive measures in patients at high risk for acute kidney injury (AKI), might reduce rate and severity of AKI after surgery. However, the effects of the care bundle in broader population of patients undergoing surgery require confirmation.Methods and analysisThe BigpAK-2 trial is an international, randomised, controlled, multicentre trial. The trial aims to enrol 1302 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the intensive care or high dependency unit and are at high-risk for postoperative AKI as identified by urinary biomarkers (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2*insulin like growth factor binding protein 7 (TIMP-2)*IGFBP7)). Eligible patients will be randomised to receive either standard of care (control) or a KDIGO-based AKI care bundle (intervention). The primary endpoint is the incidence of moderate or severe AKI (stage 2 or 3) within 72 hours after surgery, according to the KDIGO 2012 criteria. Secondary endpoints include adherence to the KDIGO care bundle, occurrence and severity of any stage of AKI, change in biomarker values during 12 hours after initial measurement of (TIMP-2)*(IGFBP7), number of free days of mechanical ventilation and vasopressors, need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), duration of RRT, renal recovery, 30-day and 60-day mortality, intensive care unit length-of-stay and hospital length-of-stay and major adverse kidney events. An add-on study will investigate blood and urine samples from recruited patients for immunological functions and kidney damage.Ethics and disseminationThe BigpAK-2 trial was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of the University of Münster and subsequently by the corresponding Ethics Committee of the participating sites. A study amendment was approved subsequently. In the UK, the trial was adopted as an NIHR portfolio study. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and will guide patient care and further research.Trial registration numberNCT04647396.

This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Analysis of Medicago Spp., Medicago truncatula is a forage crop of choice for farmers, and it is a model species for molecular research. The growth and development and subsequent yields are limited by water availability mainly in arid and semi-arid regions. Our study aims to evaluate the morpho-physiological, biochemical and molecular responses to water deficit stress in four lines (TN6.18, JA17, TN1.11 and A10) of M. truncatula. The results showed that the treatment factor explained the majority of the variation for the measured traits. It appeared that the line A10 was the most sensitive and therefore adversely affected by water deficit stress, which reduced its growth and yield parameters, whereas the tolerant line TN6.18 exhibited the highest root biomass production, a significantly higher increase in its total protein and soluble sugar contents, and lower levels of lipid peroxidation with greater cell membrane integrity. The expression analysis of the DREB1B gene using RT-qPCR revealed a tissue-differential expression in the four lines under osmotic stress, with a higher induction rate in roots of TN6.18 and JA17 than in A10 roots, suggesting a key role for DREB1B in water deficit tolerance in M. truncatula., This study was supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (CBBC02 LR15) and the National Research Foundation of South Africa (GUN 95358) in the framework of the Tunisian-South African Joint Research Collaboration Program (2016–2017).

This article belongs to the Special Issue Gene Transcriptional Regulation in Crops during Postharvest., Despite the fact that many studies have examined the effectiveness of different gaseous postharvest treatments applied at low temperature to maintain table grape quality, the use of ethanol vapor has hardly been investigated. Thus, this work has studied the effectiveness of ethanol vapor-generating sachets in the maintenance of It 681–30 table grape quality, a new cultivar, during storage at low temperature and after the shelf-life period at 20 °C. To this end, various quality assessments have been carried out and the effect of the ethanol treatment on the expression of different genes (phenylpropanoids, transcription factors, PRs, and aquaporins) was determined. The results indicated that the application of ethanol vapor reduced the total decay incidence, weight loss, and the rachis browning index in It 681–30 grapes stored at 0 °C and after the shelf-life period at 20 °C, as compared to non-treated samples. Moreover, the modulation of STS7 and the different PR genes analyzed seems to play a part in the molecular mechanisms activated to cope with fungal attacks during the postharvest of It 681–30 grapes, and particularly during the shelf-life period at 20 °C. Furthermore, the expression of aquaporin transcripts was activated in samples showing higher weight loss. Although further work is needed to elucidate the role of ethanol in table grape quality, the results obtained in this work provide new insight into the transcriptional regulation triggered by ethanol treatment., This work was supported by CICYT projects AGL2014-53081-R and AGL2017-85291-R (MINECO/AEI/FEDER, UE).

A study was performed on a collection of 84 isolates from decaying plant tissues and soils in Argentina previously identified as Trichoderma harzianum. Based on multiple phenotypic characters and multilocus phylogenetic analyses, 10 species were distinguished, three of which are described as new species: T. austroindianum, T. hortense, and T. syagri. Among the remaining seven identified species, the following five can be added to the Argentine mycobiota: T. afarasin, T. afroharzianum, T. endophyticum, T. guizhouense, and T. neotropicale. Trichoderma afroharzianum and T. endophyticum were the most frequent species found in the samples. In addition, a collection of isolates previously identified as T. harzianum with antagonistic abilities were reidentified as T. afroharzianum, thus highlighting the importance of correct identification of biocontrol species. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria/[2019-PD-E4-I069-001]/INTA/Argentina Agencia Nacional de Promoción de la Investigación, el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación/[PICT2018-4436]/ANPCyT/Argentina UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA)

This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Analysis of Medicago Spp., We used an integrated morpho-physiological, biochemical, and genetic approach to investigate the salt responses of four lines (TN1.11, TN6.18, JA17, and A10) of Medicago truncatula. Results showed that TN1.11 exhibited a high tolerance to salinity, compared with the other lines, recording a salinity induced an increase in soluble sugars and soluble proteins, a slight decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, and less reduction in plant biomass. TN6.18 was the most susceptible to salinity as it showed less plant weight, had elevated levels of MDA, and lower levels of soluble sugars and soluble proteins under salt stress. As transcription factors of the APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor (AP2/ERF) family play important roles in plant growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, we performed a functional characterization of MtERF1 gene. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that MtERF1 is mainly expressed in roots and is inducible by NaCl and low temperature. Additionally, under salt stress, a greater increase in the expression of MtERF1 was found in TN1.11 plants than that in TN6.18. Therefore, the MtERF1 pattern of expression may provide a useful marker for discriminating among lines of M. truncatula and can be used as a tool in breeding programs aiming at obtaining Medicago lines with improved salt tolerance., This study was supported by the Tunisian–South African project (2016–2017) and the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (CBBC02 LR15).

Sucrose is a key player in strawberry metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying sucrose status in strawberries during later ripening stages and postharvest storage remains quite limited. Therefore, we identified members of various gene families encoding key enzymes involved in sucrose metabolism, analyzed their expression profiles and determined the sugar content in strawberries at different ripening stages and postharvest treatments. Three different ripening stages around harvest time, almost red (AR), full red (FR) and dark red (DR) were analyzed, as well as after pre-treatment with high CO2 levels (18 % CO2, 2 d) during low temperature (LT) storage and further shelf-life at 20 °C. The accumulation of sucrose, hexoses, trehalose, myo-inositol, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) was analyzed. Our results indicate that the transition from FR to DR stages was characterized by a prominent accumulation of hexoses, sucrose and a sharp decrease in the levels of FOS. We therefore suggest that FOS, in addition to their protective role in stressful conditions, are also important metabolic signals of the end of ripening process. The highest levels of RFOs was detected in strawberries at LT in air, making them a possible marker of damage, an idea reinforced too by the low RFOs and high myo-inositol quantities found in high CO2 protective treatment. Interestingly, the sucrose accumulation in fully ripe strawberries and in high CO2-treated ones was linked to a significant decrease in the expression of FvVIN2 (vacuolar invertase), an opposite trend to that observed in fruit stored in air. Furthermore, high levels of CO2 prevented both the upregulation of FvSS1 and the sharp increase in the expression of FvCWINV1 observed at low temperature in air. The efficiency of high CO2 pre-treatment on sucrose accumulation was particularly evident during the shelf-life period at 20 °C (SL) after LT storage. Our study provides new insights into how strawberries become sweet by retaining sucrose content. Additionally, our results clearly highlight the need to specify the sugar status at harvest to know the effectiveness of a treatment in maintaining quality attributes., This work was supported by the spanish CICYT project AGL2017-85291-R (MINECO/AEI/FEDER, UE).

Wild tomato species represent a rich gene pool for numerous desirable traits lost during domestication. Here, we exploited an introgression population representing wild desert-adapted species and a domesticated cultivar to establish the genetic basis of gene expression and chemical variation accompanying the transfer of wild-species-associated fruit traits. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis of 580 lines coupled to pathogen sensitivity assays resulted in the identification of genomic loci associated with levels of hundreds of transcripts and metabolites. These associations occurred in hotspots representing coordinated perturbation of metabolic pathways and ripening-related processes. Here, we identify components of the Solanum alkaloid pathway, as well as genes and metabolites involved in pathogen defense and linking fungal resistance with changes in the fruit ripening regulatory network. Our results outline a framework for understanding metabolism and pathogen resistance during tomato fruit ripening and provide insights into key fruit quality traits., This project has received funding from the European Research Council (grant agreement 204575-SAMIT), EU Framework Program FP7/2007–2013 (grant agreement 613692-TriForC) and the Israel Science Foundation (grant number 1805/15). We thank the Adelis Foundation, Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Jeanne and Joseph Nissim Foundation for Life Sciences, Tom and Sondra Rykoff Family Foundation Research and Raymond Burton Plant Genome Research Fund for supporting A.A.’s laboratory activity. A.K. is thankful for a short-term EMBO fellowship (EMBO-ASTF-146-2014).

Background Huntington's disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, HTT. Age at onset has been used as a quantitative phenotype in genetic analysis looking for Huntington's disease modifiers, but is hard to define and not always available. Therefore, we aimed to generate a novel measure of disease progression and to identify genetic markers associated with this progression measure. Methods We generated a progression score on the basis of principal component analysis of prospectively acquired longitudinal changes in motor, cognitive, and imaging measures in the 218 indivduals in the TRACK-HD cohort of Huntington's disease gene mutation carriers (data collected 2008–11). We generated a parallel progression score using data from 1773 previously genotyped participants from the European Huntington's Disease Network REGISTRY study of Huntington's disease mutation carriers (data collected 2003–13). We did a genome-wide association analyses in terms of progression for 216 TRACK-HD participants and 1773 REGISTRY participants, then a meta-analysis of these results was undertaken. Findings Longitudinal motor, cognitive, and imaging scores were correlated with each other in TRACK-HD participants, justifying use of a single, cross-domain measure of disease progression in both studies. The TRACK-HD and REGISTRY progression measures were correlated with each other (r=0·674), and with age at onset (TRACK-HD, r=0·315; REGISTRY, r=0·234). The meta-analysis of progression in TRACK-HD and REGISTRY gave a genome-wide significant signal (p=1·12 × 10−10) on chromosome 5 spanning three genes: MSH3, DHFR, and MTRNR2L2. The genes in this locus were associated with progression in TRACK-HD (MSH3 p=2·94 × 10−8 DHFR p=8·37 × 10−7 MTRNR2L2 p=2·15 × 10−9) and to a lesser extent in REGISTRY (MSH3 p=9·36 × 10−4 DHFR p=8·45 × 10−4 MTRNR2L2 p=1·20 × 10−3). The lead single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TRACK-HD (rs557874766) was genome-wide significant in the meta-analysis (p=1·58 × 10−8), and encodes an aminoacid change (Pro67Ala) in MSH3. In TRACK-HD, each copy of the minor allele at this SNP was associated with a 0·4 units per year (95% CI 0·16–0·66) reduction in the rate of change of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Motor Score, and a reduction of 0·12 units per year (95% CI 0·06–0·18) in the rate of change of UHDRS Total Functional Capacity score. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age of onset. Interpretation The multidomain progression measure in TRACK-HD was associated with a functional variant that was genome-wide significant in our meta-analysis. The association in only 216 participants implies that the progression measure is a sensitive reflection of disease burden, that the effect size at this locus is large, or both. Knockout of Msh3 reduces somatic expansion in Huntington's disease mouse models, suggesting this mechanism as an area for future therapeutic investigation. Funding The European Commission FP7 NeurOmics project; CHDI Foundation; the Medical Research Council UK; the Brain Research Trust; and the Guarantors of Brain.

Escovopsis atlas, E. catenulata, E. longivesica, E. primorosea, and E. pseudoweberi spp. nov. are described from fungal gardens of higher attine ants in Argentina. All these species possess clear diagnostic features: E. atlas characterized by subglobose vesicles; E. catenulata by the presence of claviform vesicles forming short chains; E. longivesica by longer vesicles than the rest of the species; E. primorosea by pink coloration of colony in mCYA medium; and E. pseudoweberi by the smallest conidia known in the genus. Fil: Marfetán, Jorge Ariel. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Hormigas; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Cafaro, Matías J.. Universidad de Puerto Rico; Puerto Rico Fil: Folgarait, Patricia Julia. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Hormigas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Aspergillus fuscicans, a new species within Aspergillus section Usti from Argentinean semi-arid soil is introduced. Molecular, morphological and physiological studies were conducted, based on sequence analysis of partial β-tubulin and calmodulin sequence data. Aspergillus fuscicans formed a distinct, well-defined clade related to A. calidoustus and A. pseudodeflectus. In addition, A. fuscicans was able to grow and sporulate at 37 ºC, and had a negative Ehrlich reaction. Morphological and physiological features could be used to differentiate the new species from its phylogenetically related taxa. Fil: Romero, Stella Maris. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Comerio, Ricardo Mario. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional La Pampa-San Luis. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Barrera, Viviana Andrea. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina

Mycocitrus Möller is a tropical genus that comprises two species, which form large orange stromata on bamboo culms. An ongoing survey of macrofungi in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, has produced four collections of Mycocitrus aurantium Möller. This species is considered rare and few records of it are found in the literature. The goals of this work are to improve what is known about the morphology, report the first culture and discuss the phylogenetic position of M. aurantium. Morphological and phylogenetic studies were carried out using fresh specimens and cultures. A phylogeny was constructed based on sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. Currently, Mycocitrus is placed in the Bionectriaceae (Hypocreales); however, its placement at the family level is unclear when considering morphological characters alone. Mycocitrus Möller corresponde a um gênero tropical que contém duas espécies que formam grandes estromas em colmos de bambu. Durante um levantamento de macrofungos no estado de Santa Catarina foram coletados quatro espécimes de Mycocitrus aurantium Möller, uma espécie considerada rara por ter sido pouco citada na literatura. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram contribuir para o conhecimento sobre a morfologia da espécie, comunicar pela primeira vez a obtenção de cultura da espécie e discutir seu posicionamento filogenético com base em dados moleculares. Estudos morfológicos e filogenéticos foram conduzidos a partir de espécimes frescos e culturas. A filogenia apresentada foi construída com base na sequência do espaçador interno transcrito do DNA ribossomal (ITS). Atualmente, o gênero Mycocitrus é aceito na família Bionectriaceae (Hypocreales); entretanto, este posicionamento não se sustenta quando apenas os caracteres morfológicos são levados em consideração. Fil: Loguercio Leite, Clarice. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Trierveiler Pereira, Larissa. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Gerlach, Alice. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: de Campos Santana, Marisa. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Carmaran, Cecilia Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentina

El término dificultad de aprendizaje alude a factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos del individuo, que pueden intervenir negativamente en el aprendizaje escolar. El análisis de las causas de fracaso escolar desde la perspectiva de salud puede contribuir a optimizar el desarrollo de políticas educativas. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal de niños de 8 a 14 años, asistidos en la Policlínica Municipal de La Paloma (Montevideo, Uruguay), entre julio del 2012 y marzo del 2013. Se definió retraso escolar como la repetición de un año escolar y fracaso a la repetición de 2 o más años. Ingresaron 120 niños.La media de edad fue 9,8 años. La prevalencia de retraso escolar fue de 40%, y de fracaso escolar 21,6%. Se detectaron como posibles factores asociados al retraso/fracaso escolar la no concurrencia a educación inicial y el antecedente de hermanos repetidores.

El presente artículo muestra los resultados y reflexiones obtenidos a través de la investigación que tuvo como objetivo analizar los criterios de calidad de un objeto de aprendizaje abierto encaminado a competencias para saber comunicarse y validar dichos objetos en función de su contenido, estructura pedagógica, y tecnológica, lenguaje gráfico y textual y usabilidad para aportar a la formación de profesores, con el fin de llegar a fundamentar teórica, pedagógica y tecnológicamente un objeto de aprendizaje. Se partió de la interrogante: ¿Cuáles son los criterios de calidad que debe cubrir un objeto de aprendizaje (OA) orientado al desarrollo de competencias para saber comunicarse? Bajo un enfoque cuantitativo de tipo exploratorio, en el estudio se aplicaron cuestionarios electrónicos a 34 docentes de una Universidad Tecnológica y a ocho expertos en competencia comunicativa, pedagogía, tecnología y diseño gráfico. La información indicó que los criterios de calidad de un OA son el manejo efectivo del contenido de la competencia a aprender, la equilibrada composición de su estructura pedagógica, la eficiencia en la estructura tecnológica y el correcto manejo del lenguaje gráfico y textual.

Anthocyanins contribute to the appearance of fruit by conferring to them a red, blue or purple colour. In a food context, they have also been suggested to promote consumer health. In purple tomato tissues, such as hypocotyls, stems and purple fruits, various anthocyanins accumulate. These molecules have characteristic patterns of modification, including hydroxylations, methylations, glycosylations and acylations. The genetic basis for many of these modifications has not been fully elucidated, and nor has their role in the functioning of anthocyanins. In this paper, AnthOMT, an O-methyltransferase (OMT) mediating the methylation of anthocyanins, has been identified and functionally characterized using a combined metabolomics and transcriptomics approach. Gene candidates were selected from the draft tomato genome, and their expression was subsequently monitored in a tomato seedling system comprising three tissues and involving several time points. In addition, we also followed gene expression in wild-type red and purple transgenic tomato fruits expressing Rosea1 and Delila transcription factors. Of the 57 candidates identified, only a single OMT gene showed patterns strongly correlating with both accumulation of anthocyanins and expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes. This candidate (AnthOMT) was compared to a closely related caffeoyl CoA OMT by recombinant expression in Escherichia coli, and then tested for substrate specificity. AnthOMT showed a strong affinity for glycosylated anthocyanins, while other flavonoid glycosides and aglycones were much less preferred. Gene silencing experiments with AnthOMT resulted in reduced levels of the predominant methylated anthocyanins. This confirms the role of this enzyme in the diversification of tomato anthocyanins.

tilbohypoxylon quisquiliarum var. quisquiliarum se cita por primera vez para la micobiota argentina. Se describe e ilustra el teleomorfo y anamorfo. Se registran por primera vez los sinemas creciendo en su hábitat natural. Se presenta una clave dicotómica de las especies de Stilbohypoxylon halladas hasta ahora en la Argentina y un mapa con su distribución en el país.

Based on a combination of morphological, molecular phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic evidence, a new species of Daldinia from Northwest of Argentina is described. Daldinia korfii is morphologically related to D. placentiformis, but differs in having brown vinaceous, KOH-extractable pigments and the tissue below the perithecial layer is composed of inconspicuous to conspicuous alternating zones in the new taxon. Fil: Sir, Esteban Benjamin. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Dirección de Botánica. Instituto de Micologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Lambert, C.. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung; Alemania Fil: Wendt, L.. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung; Alemania Fil: Hladki, Adriana Ines. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Dirección de Botánica. Instituto de Micologia; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Stadler, M.. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung; Alemania

Ethylene response factors (ERFs) play an important role in plants by regulating defense response through interaction with various stress pathways. After harvest, table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) are subject to a range of problems associated with postharvest storage at 0°C, such as fungal attack, water loss and rachis browning. The application of a 3-day high CO2 treatment maintained fruit quality and activated the induction of transcription factors belonging to different families such as ERF. In this paper, we have isolated five VviERFs from table grapes cv. Cardinal, whose deduced amino acid sequence contained the conserved apetalous (AP2)/ERF domain. The phylogeny and putative conserved motifs in VviERFs were analyzed and compared with those previously reported in Vitis. VviERFs-c gene expression was studied by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in the different tissues of bunches stored at low temperature and treated with high levels of CO2. The results showed that in most of the tissues analyzed, VviERFs-c gene expression was induced by the storage under normal atmosphere although the application of high levels of CO2 caused a greater increase in the VviERFs-c transcript accumulation. The promoter regions of two PRs (pathogenesis related proteins), Vcchit1b and Vcgns1, were obtained and the in silico analysis revealed the presence of a cis-acting ethylene response element (GCC box). In addition, expression of these two PR genes was analyzed in the pulp and rachis of CO2-treated and non-treated table grapes stored at 0°C and results showed significant correlations with VviERF2-c and VviERF6L7-c gene expression in rachis, and between VviERF11-c and Vcchit1b in pulp. Finally by using electro mobility shift assays, we denoted differences in binding of VviERFs to the GCC sequences present in the promoters of both PRs, with VviERF6L7-c being the only member which did not bind to any tested probe. Overall, our results suggest that the beneficial effect of high CO2 treatment maintaining table grape quality seems to be mediated by the regulation of ERFs and in particular VviERF2-c might play an important role by modulating the expression of PR genes., This work was supported by the European Union under the 7th Framework Programme FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG no. 321694 and by CICYT projects AGL2011-26742 and AGL2014-53081-R. IR and MV-H were supported by a postdoctoral Juan de la Cierva contract from the MICINN and a predoctoral contract from the MEC, respectively., USD 2,116.5 APC fee funded by the EC FP7 Post-Grant Open Access Pilot

International audience; OBJECTIVE: There is controversy about the clinical consequences of intermediate alleles (IAs) in Huntington disease (HD). The main objective of this study was to establish the clinical manifestations of IA carriers for a prospective, international, European HD registry.METHODS: We assessed a cohort of participants at risk with RESULTS: Of 12,190 participants, 657 (5.38%) with CONCLUSIONS: Although aging worsened the UHDRS scores independently of the genetic status, IAs might confer a late-onset abnormal motor and cognitive phenotype. These results might have important implications for genetic counseling.CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01590589.

This study deals with an extensive evaluation focusing on phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic infrageneric relationships of the genus Annulohypoxylon (Xylariaceae, Ascomycota), whose species are ubiquitously associated with seed plants as endophytes and saprotrophs in all forested areas of the world. Using evidence from phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and morphological data, various varieties within the genus are raised to species level, leading to the new combinations for A. areolatum (≡ A. bovei var. microsporum), A. macrosporum (≡ A. leptascum var. macrosporum), and A. microdiscum (≡ A. moriforme var. microdiscum). Annulohypoxylon substygium nom. nov. is applied for A. stygium var. annulatum and the four new tropical and subtropical species A. massivum, A. violaceopigmentum, A. viridistratum and A. yungensis are introduced. Furthermore, A. leucadendri is excluded from the genus as its morphological characters disagree with the generic concept, the recently erected A. palmicola is synonymized with A. leptascum and A. austrobahiense has been reassigned to the genus Hypoxylon. In addition, the key taxa A. annulatum and A. truncatum have been reinvestigated and epitypes have been defined. For the first time, a dichotomous key to the genus is provided. A phylogenetic β-tubulin tree in conjunction with stromatal HPLC profiles clearly shows that Annulohypoxylon comprises two distinct lineages. The A. cohaerens/multiforme group might eventually warrant segregation into a new genus as further molecular data become available. Fil: Kuhnert, Eric. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH; Alemania. German Centre for Infection Research; Alemania Fil: Sir, Esteban Benjamin. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Lambert, Christopher. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH; Alemania. German Centre for Infection Research; Alemania Fil: Hyde, Kevin D.. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Hladki, Adriana Ines. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Rohde, Manfred. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH; Alemania Fil: Stadler, Marc. Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH; Alemania. German Centre for Infection Research; Alemania

With the advance to one scientific name for each fungal species, the generic names in the class Sordariomycetes typified by sexual and asexual morphs are evaluated based on their type species to determine if they compete with each other for use or protection. Recommendations are made for which of the competing generic names should be used based on criteria such as priority, number of potential names changes, and frequency of use. Some recommendations for well-known genera include Arthrinium over Apiospora, Colletotrichum over Glomerella, Menispora over Zignoëlla, Microdochium over Monographella, Nigrospora over Khuskia, and Plectosphaerella over Plectosporium. All competing generic names are listed in a table of recommended names along with the required action. If priority is not accorded to sexually typified generic names after 2017, only four names would require formal protection: Chaetosphaerella over Oedemium, Diatrype over Libertella, Microdochium over Monographella, and Phaeoacremonium over Romellia and Togninia. Concerning species in the recommended genera, one replacement name (Xylaria benjaminii nom. nov.) is introduced, and the following new combinations are made: Arthrinium sinense, Chloridium caesium, C. chloroconium, C. gonytrichii, Corollospora marina, C. parvula, C. ramulosa, Juncigena fruticosae, Melanospora simplex, Seimatosporium massarina, Sporoschisma daemonoropis, S. taitense, Torpedospora mangrovei, Xylaria penicilliopsis, and X. termiticola combs. nov. Fil: Réblová, Martina. Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. Department of Taxonomy; República Checa Fil: Miller, Andrew N.. University of Illinois; Estados Unidos Fil: Rossman, Amy Y.. State University of Oregon; Estados Unidos Fil: Seifert, Keith A.. Ottawa Research and Development Centre. Biodiversity (Mycology and Microbiology); Canadá Fil: Crous, Pedro W.. CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Institute; Países Bajos Fil: Hawksworth, David L.. Universidad Complutense de Madrid; España. Natural History Museum; Reino Unido. Royal Botanic Gardens; Reino Unido Fil: Abdel Wahab, Mohamed A.. Sohag University. Faculty of Science. Department of Botany and Microbiology; Egipto Fil: Cannon, Paul F.. Royal Botanic Gardens; Reino Unido Fil: Daranagama, Dinushani A.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: De Beer, Z. Wilhelm. University of Pretoria. Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology; Sudáfrica Fil: Huang, Shi Ke. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Hyde, Kevin D.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Jayawardena, Ruvvishika. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Jaklitsch, Walter. BOKU-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. Department of Forest and Soil Sciences; Austria. Universidad de Viena; Austria Fil: Gareth Jones, E. B.. King Saud University. College of Science. Department of Botany and Microbiology; Arabia Saudita Fil: Ju, Yu Ming. Academia Sinica. Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology; China Fil: Judith, Caroline. Goethe Universitat Frankfurt; Alemania Fil: Maharachchikumbura, Sajeewa S. N.. Sultan Qaboos University. College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. Department of Crop Sciences; Omán Fil: Pang, Ka Lai. National Taiwan Ocean University. Institute of Marine Biology and Centre of Excellence for the Oceans; China Fil: Petrini, Liliane E.. Società Micologica di Lugano; Suiza Fil: Raja, Huzefa A.. University of North Carolina; Estados Unidos Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Shearer, Carol. University of Illinois; Estados Unidos Fil: Senanayake, Indunil C.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Voglmayr, Hermann. Universidad de Viena; Austria Fil: Weir, Bevan S.. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Wijayawarden, Nalin N.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia

The discovery of an interesting new synnematous Talaromyces species from Argentinean semi-arid soil has enlarged the number of synnema producing species. Talaromyces systylus sp. nov., phylogenetically distinct from other species in the genus, was characterized by the production of indeterminate synnemata on Malt Extract Agar and coarsely rough-walled, globose conidia and conidial chains associated in columns. Optimal growing temperature was 30 ºC. Talaromyces systylus was compared with other related species, morphologically and phylogenetically based on ITS, BenA and CaM markers. Fil: Romero, Stella Maris. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Barrera, Viviana Andrea. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina Fil: Comerio, Ricardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina

The objective of this study is to analyze the educational practices of using Blackboard in blended learning environments with students of higher education to understand the relationship between technological appropriation and standards of educational technology. To achieve that goal, the following research question was raised: ¿To what extent are the standards of education technology with the appropriation of technology in blended learning environments in higher educa­tion related? The contextual framework of this work includes the following topics: the institution, teaching, teachers and students. The design methodology that was used is of a correlation type. Correlations were carried out to determine the frequency and level in the technological standards as well as the appropriation of technology. In the comparison of the results obtained by the students, the teachers and the platform; we found that students in the school study showed a high degree of technology ownership and this was the same for the performance shown on the technological standards. It was established that teachers play a key role in developing the techno­logical appropriation of students and performance in technology standards.

Taxonomic names are key links between various databases that store information on different organisms. Several global fungal nomenclural and taxonomic databases (notably Index Fungorum, Species Fungorum and MycoBank) can be sourced to find taxonomic details about fungi, while DNA sequence data can be sourced from NCBI, EBI and UNITE databases. Although the sequence data may be linked to a name, the quality of the metadata is variable and generally there is no corresponding link to images, descriptions or herbarium material. There is generally no way to establish the accuracy of the names in these genomic databases, other than whether the submission is from a reputable source. To tackle this problem, a new database (FacesofFungi), accessible at www.​facesoffungi.​org (FoF) has been established. This fungal database allows deposition of taxonomic data, phenotypic details and other useful data, which will enhance our current taxonomic understanding and ultimately enable mycologists to gain better and updated insights into the current fungal classification system. In addition, the database will also allow access to comprehensive metadata including descriptions of voucher and type specimens. This database is user-friendly, providing links and easy access between taxonomic ranks, with the classification system based primarily on molecular data (from the literature and via updated web-based phylogenetic trees), and to a lesser extent on morphological data when molecular data are unavailable. In FoF species are not only linked to the closest phylogenetic representatives, but also relevant data is provided, wherever available, on various applied aspects, such as ecological, industrial, quarantine and chemical uses. The data include the three main fungal groups (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Basal fungi) and fungus-like organisms. The FoF webpage is an output funded by the Mushroom Research Foundation which is an NGO with seven directors with mycological expertise. The webpage has 76 curators, and with the help of these specialists, FoF will provide an updated natural classification of the fungi, with illustrated accounts of species linked to molecular data. The present paper introduces the FoF database to the scientific community and briefly reviews some of the problems associated with classification and identification of the main fungal groups. The structure and use of the database is then explained. We would like to invite all mycologists to contribute to these web pages. Fil: Jayasiri, Subashini C.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Hyde, Kevin D.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. World Agro forestry Centre East and Central Asia Office; China. King Saud University. College of Science. Botany and Microbiology Department; Arabia Saudita Fil: Ariyawansa, Hiran A.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology; China Fil: Bhat, Jayarama. Goa University. Department of Botany; India Fil: Buyck, Bart. Museum National D; Francia Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Taylor, Joanne E.. Royal Botanic Gardens; Reino Unido Fil: Tsui, Clement K. M.. University Of British Columbia; Canadá Fil: Vizzini, Alfredo. University of Turin. Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology; Italia Fil: Abdel wahab, Mohamed A.. Sohag University. Faculty of Science. Department of Botany and Microbiology; Egipto Fil: Wen, Tingchi. Guizhou University. Ministry of Education. Engineering Research Center of Southwest Bio-Pharmaceutical Resources; China Fil: Boonmee, Saranyaphat. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Dai, Dong Qin. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. World Agro forestry Centre East and Central Asia Office; China Fil: Daranagama, Dinushani A.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. Chinese Academy of Sciences. Institute of Microbiology. State Key Laboratory of Mycology; China Fil: Dissanayake, Asha J.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences. Institute of Plant and Environment Protection; China Fil: Ekanayaka, Anusha H.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Fryar, S. C.. Flinders University. School of Biology; Australia Fil: Hongsanan, Sinang. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Jayawardena, Ruvishika S.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences. Institute of Plant and Environment Protection; China Fil: Li, Wenjing. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. World Agro forestry Centre East and Central Asia Office; China Fil: Perera, Rekhani H.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Phookamsak, R.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia Fil: Silva, Nimali I. de. Chiang Mai University. Faculty of Science. Department of Biology; Tailandia Fil: Thambugala, Kasun M.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology; China Fil: Tian, Qing. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. World Agro forestry Centre East and Central Asia Office; China Fil: Wijayawardene, Nalin N.. Mae Fah Luang University. Center of Excellence in Fungal Research; Tailandia. Guizhou University. Ministry of Education. Engineering Research Center of Southwest Bio-Pharmaceutical Resources; China Fil: Zhao, Ruilin. Chinese Academy of Sciences. Institute of Microbiology. State Key Laboratory of Mycology; China Fil: Zhao, Qi. World Agro forestry Centre East and Central Asia Office; China. Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Science. Biotechnology and Germplasm Resources Institute; China Fil: Kang, Jichuan. Guizhou University. Ministry of Education. Engineering Research Center of Southwest Bio-Pharmaceutical Resources; China Fil: Promputtha, Itthayakorn. Chiang Mai University. Faculty of Science. Department of Biology; Tailandia

Two new genera and four new species of bulbil-forming basidiomycetes are described. Phylogenetic analyses of nuLSU and ITS sequences place them in Cantharellales. A facultative lichenicolous species with yellow to orange-yellow bulbils from South America groups with the type of Burgella and is consequently described as B. lutea. The new species and genus Burgellopsis nivea is introduced for material from Scotland with white bulbils overgrowing saxicolous lichens. An obligate lichenicolous species with particularly large, applanate bulbils developing over Peltigerales in South America could not be placed accurately using ITS sequences and is described as the new species and genus Bulbilla applanata. A European species with brown, facultatively lichenicolous bulbils grouped with Ceratobasidium and Thanatephorus species and is described as the new Ceratobasidium bulbillifaciens. Fil: Diederich, Paul. Museum National D; Francia Fil: Lawrey, James D.. George Mason University; Estados Unidos Fil: Capdet, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Pereira, Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Etayo, Javier. Navarro Villoslada 16; España Fil: Flakus, Adam. Polish Academy of Sciences; Argentina Fil: Sikaroodi, Masoumeh. George Mason University; Estados Unidos Fil: Ertz, Damien. Jardin botanique national de Belgique; Bélgica

The type specimens of Auerswaldia, Auerswaldiella, Barriopsis, Botryosphaeria, Leptoguignardia, Melanops, Neodeightonia, Phaeobotryon, Phaeobotryosphaeria, Phyllachorella, Pyrenostigme, Saccharata, Sivanesania, Spencermartinsia and Vestergrenia were examined and fresh specimens of Botryosphaeriales were collected from Thailand. This material is used to provide a systematic treatment of Botryosphaeriales based on morphology and phylogeny. Two new genera, Botryobambusa and Cophinforma are introduced and compared with existing genera. Four species new to science, Auerswaldia dothiorella, A. lignicola, Botryosphaeria fusispora and Phaeobotryosphaeria eucalypti, are also described and justified. We accept 29 genera in Botryosphaeriales, with Macrovalsaria being newly placed. In the phylogenetic tree, the 114 strains of Botyrosphaeriales included in the analysis cluster into two major clades with 80 %, 96 % and 1.00 (MP, ML and BY) support, with Clade A containing the family type of Botryosphaeriaceae, and Clade B containing Phyllosticta, Saccharata and Melanops species. This group may represent Phyllostictaceae. In Clade A the taxa analyzed cluster in eight sub-clades (Clades A1-8). Clade A1 comprises three distinct subclusters corresponding to the genera Diplodia (Diplodia Clade), Neodeightonia (Neodeightonia Clade) and Lasiodiplodia (Lasiodiplodia Clade). Clade A2 clusters into three groups representing Phaeobotryosphaeria (100 %), Phaeobotryon (100 %) and Barriopsis (94 %). Clade A3 incorporates 17 strains that cluster into three well-supported genera (Dothiorella (86 %), Spencermartinsia (100 %) and Auerswaldia (63 %); the position of Macrophomina is not stable. Clade A4 is a single lineage (100 %) representing the new genus Botryobambusa. Clade A5 is a well-supported subclade incorporating Neofussicoccum. Clade A6 represents the type species of Botryosphaeria, three other Botryosphaeria species and two other genera, Neoscytalidium and Cophinforma gen. nov. Clade A7 comprises two Pseudofusicoccum species and Clade A8 has two Aplosporella species. These sub-clades may eventually require separate families but this requires analysis of a much larger dataset. Our data advances the understanding of Botryosphaeriales, there is, however, still much research to be carried out with resolution of families and genera, linkage of sexual and asexual morphs and differentiation of cryptic species. Fil: Liu, Jian Kui. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia. Chinese Academy of Forestry; China Fil: Phookamsak, Rungtiwa. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Doilom, Mingkhuan. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Wikee, Saowanee. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Li, Yan Mei. Chinese Academy of Forestry; China Fil: Ariyawansha, Hiran. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Boonmee, Saranyaphat. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Chomnunti, Putarak. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Dai, Dong Qin. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Bhat, Jayarama D.. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Zhuang, Wen Ying. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China Fil: Monkai, Jutamart. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Jones, E. B. Gareth. University of Malaya; Malasia Fil: Chukeatirote, Ekachai. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Ko Ko, Thida Win. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia Fil: Zhao, Yong Chang. Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Science; China Fil: Wang,Yong. Guizhou University; China Fil: Hyde, Kevin D.. Chinese Academy of Forestry; China. Mae Fah Luang University; Tailandia

During a biodiversity study of micromycetes occurring on bark and decorticated wood of a native gymnosperm, Podocarpus parlatorei Pilg., from Argentina, new taxa of Crassoascus and Iodosphaeria were found. They are described, illustrated and compared with the known species within each genus. Fil: Catania, Myriam del Valle. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a technology that has rapidly emerged for gene function studies in plants. Many advances have been made in applying this technique in an increasing number of crops. Recently, VIGS has been successfully used to silence genes in tomato fruit through agroinfiltration of fruit attached to the plant. The phytoene desaturase (Pds) gene has been widely used as a reporter gene in VIGS experiments, although little is known about the changes that occur due to its silencing in plants. In this paper, we describe the efficient silencing of the Pds gene through the VIGS approach in detached tomato fruits, which makes the VIGS procedure even more versatile and applicable. After 16 days of agroinfiltration, approximately 75% of the tomatoes showed Pds silencing symptoms, although the distribution of silenced areas was variable among fruits. To study the potential effects caused by Pds silencing in detached tomatoes, carotenoids and other semi-polar secondary metabolites were analyzed using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. In addition, potential differences in primary metabolites were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The results indicated that the yellow phenotype observed in Pds-silenced fruit was mainly due to the lack of the red-colored lycopene and therefore to a more pronounced contribution of the yellow-orange carotenoids (lutein, violaxanthin, and zeaxanthin) to the final color of the fruits. Furthermore, the biochemical changes observed in Pds-silenced detached tomatoes suggested that carotenoid and other pathways, e.g. leading to alkaloids and flavonoids, might be affected by the silencing of this reporter gene, and this should be taken into consideration for future experimental designs.

Thirteen ascomycetes are reported from Argentina from fallen woody parts of three palms in two national parks. Berkleasmium corticola, B. sinense, Brachysporiella gayana, Dictyosporium cocophylum, D. zeylanicum, Endocalyx melanoxanthus var. melanoxanthus, Ernakulamia cochinensis, Musicillium theobromae, Sporidesmium macrurum, and Stachylidium bicolor are new records for Argentina. Melanochaeta hemipsila is reported for the first time as a teleomorph in this country. Fil: Capdet, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina

A preliminary account of Xylaria in Argentina is presented based primarily on collections from part of “Las Yungas” biosphere reserve in Tucumán province. The following new taxa are proposed: X. culicicephala, X. tucumanensis, X. filiformioidea, X. stilbohypoxyloides and X. microceras var. yungae. The following new combination is made: X. xylarioides. Material morphologically identical to X. ianthino-velutina was found on wood, but a culture difference was noted. It is keyed out as X. aff. ianthino-velutina. A dichotomous key to twenty-nine taxa known so far from the Northern provinces of Argentina is presented. Fil: Hladki, Adriana Ines. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Dirección de Botánica. Instituto de Micologia; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina

The holotypes and isotypes of 20 Hypoxylon taxa described by Spegazzini have been examined and their taxonomic positions and nomenclatural problems are discussed. Two new combinations, Annulohypoxylon apiahynum comb. nov. and A. subeffusum comb. nov., are proposed. H. goliath is considered a synonym of Rosellinia bunodes. H. albostigmatosum and H. guarapiense are synonyms of H. anthochroum, H. anthracoderma of H. monticulosum, H. mbaiense of H. notatum, H. paulistanum of H. diatrypeoides, H. plumbeum and H. rubiginosum var. microcarpum of H. perforatum. H. porteri and H. intermedium belong in Biscogniauxia capnodes, H. puiggarii in Annulophypoxylon subeffusum, H. subvinosum. in H. lenormandii, H. turbinatum var. guaraniticum in Phylacia turbinata and H. valsarioides in Creosphaeria sassafras. H. leptascum is transferred to A. leptascum, H. circostomum to Nemania circostoma and H. latissimum to N. latissima. The holotype of H. albostigmatosum has been recovered, thus the lectotypification by Shear no longer is needed. H. subnigricans and H. umbilicatum are confirmed as good taxa. H. anthochroum and H. lenormandii are reported as first records from Argentina (Tucumán). Fil: Hladki, Adriana Ines. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Dirección de Botánica. Instituto de Micologia; Argentina Fil: Romero, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; Argentina

Gene expression of a class I chitinase (Vcchit1b) in the skin of table grapes was analyzed as a molecular marker for changes induced at low temperature and also to study the effect of high CO2 levels modulating transcript levels at 0 °C. An active recombinant VcCHIT1b was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and as the protein was produced as insoluble inclusion bodies, it was solubilized and refolded. The purified recombinant chitinase showed an optimum pH of 6.0 and a temperature of 50 °C, retaining activity at 0 and -10 °C. Purified chitinase exerted in vitro antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea. Furthermore, recombinant chitinase was able to cryoprotect lactate dehydrogenase against freeze/thaw inactivation. However, the recombinant VcCHIT1b did not show any antifreeze activity when the thermal hysteresis activity was measured using differential scanning calorimetry. © 2009 American Chemical Society.

Background Protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK) is derived from the CM-101 strain of the fungus Coriolus versicolor and has shown anticancer activity in vitro and in in vivo experimental models and human cancers. Several randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that PSK has great potential in adjuvant cancer therapy, with positive results in the adjuvant treatment of gastric, esophageal, colorectal, breast and lung cancers. These studies have suggested the efficacy of PSK as an immunomodulator of biological responses. The precise molecular mechanisms responsible for its biological activity have yet to be fully elucidated., Methods The in vitro cytotoxic anti-tumour activity of PSK has been evaluated in various tumour cell lines derived from leukaemias, melanomas, fibrosarcomas and cervix, lung, pancreas and gastric cancers. Tumour cell proliferation in vitro was measured by BrdU incorporation and viable cell count. Effect of PSK on human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) proliferation in vitro was also analyzed. Studies of cell cycle and apoptosis were performed in PSK-treated cells., Results PSK showed in vitro inhibition of tumour cell proliferation as measured by BrdU incorporation and viable cell count. The inhibition ranged from 22 to 84%. Inhibition mechanisms were identified as cell cycle arrest, with cell accumulation in G0/G1 phase and increase in apoptosis and caspase-3 expression. These results indicate that PSK has a direct cytotoxic activity in vitro, inhibiting tumour cell proliferation. In contrast, PSK shows a synergistic effect with IL-2 that increases PBL proliferation., Conclusion These results indicate that PSK has cytotoxic activity in vitro on tumour cell lines. This new cytotoxic activity of PSK on tumour cells is independent of its previously described immunomodulatory activity on NK cells., AGL was supported by FIS Postdoctoral Research Contract CP03/00111. Studies were partially supported by a grant from Kureha Chemical Industry (Japan).

Table grapes (Vitis vinifera) cv. Cardinal stored at low temperature were analysed to determine the effect of pretreatment with 20 kPa O2 + 20 kPa CO2 + 60 kPa N2 for 3 days on quality and control of decay. The pattern of stilbene synthase (STS) gene expression and trans-resveratrol levels were also analyzed in grapes during low temperature storage at 0 °C and further shelf-life at 20 °C for 2 days. Our results showed that high CO2 pretreatment was effective for improving appearance of the bunches and maintaining the quality of the berries. In CO2-treated bunches the browning and withering index, the decline in relative water content and the weight loss were also lower than in non-treated ones. The levels of STS mRNA and the accumulation of trans-resveratrol in CO2-treated grapes were much lower than in the non-treated grapes during low temperature storage. Moreover, the pattern of STS gene expression and trans-resveratrol content in CO2-treated grapes was consistent with the reduction of natural total decay produced by this pretreatment. This effective non-stressing treatment avoids the induction of trans-resveratrol during low temperature storage until its synthesis is enhanced during shelf-life at 20 °C. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.