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PREMISE OF THE STUDY Widespread associations between selfing rate and floral size within and among taxa suggest that these traits may evolve in concert. Does this association develop immediately, because of shared genetic/developmental control, or stepwise with selection shaping the evolution of one trait following the other? If the former, then association ought to appear within and across selfing populations. We explore this fundamental question in three populations of the mixed-mater Collinsia verna where autonomous selfing (AS) ability has been shown to be under selection by the pollination environment. METHODS We grew clonal replicates of C. verna in a controlled environment to characterize broad-sense genetic correlations among traits within populations and to assess whether divergence in mating system and floral traits among these populations is consistent with their previously observed selection pressures. KEY RESULTS As predicted by their respective pollination environments, we demonstrate significant genetic divergence among populations in AS ability. However, patterns of divergence in floral traits (petal, stamen, and style size, stigmatic receptivity, and stigma-anther distance) were not as expected. Within populations, genetic variation in AS appeared largely independent from floral traits, except for a single weak negative association in one population between flower size and AS rate. CONCLUSIONS Together, these results suggest that associations between selfing rate and floral traits across Collinsia species are not reflected at microevolutionary scales. If C. verna were to continue evolving toward the selfing syndrome, floral trait evolution would likely follow stepwise from mating system evolution. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Therapeutic activity has referred to for many species of the Apiaceae family since ancient times. Polish herbal manuscripts are important historical sources which allow analysis of knowledge development on Apiaceae as medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to analyze four works, published by Stefan Falimirz, 1534; Marcin of Urzedowo, 1595; Szymon Syreński, 1613; and Krzysztof Kluk 1786-1788 (Vol. I-III), focusing on monographs of Apiaceae species, which were studied with respect to nomenclature, taxonomy and phytochemical and utilitarian characteristics as well. The evolution of the list of species exploited, the orientations and objectives for medicinal usage, and the scientific value in the light of the past and present state of knowledge were elaborated and evaluated as a potential approach for modern pharmacology. Polish materia medica was based on Hippocrates’ humoral theory that lasted until the 18th century with little variation. The earliest herbal manuscripts, dating back to the 16th century, were translations of numerous sources, and natural remedy usage was primarily based on ancient works. Publications of the 17th and 18th century had a more significant input in materia medica development as a result of the academic education and personal experience of the authors, and conscious reference to up-to-date botanical and pharmacological European literature. Monographs of Apiaceae species included in the four manuscripts were analyzed, verified according to current classification and compiled with respect to therapeutic and utilitarian use. Pharmacological activity, often multidirectional, was referred to for all species mentioned, and partial approval has been found in modern research.

Forests in eastern North America are experiencing high densities of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and encroachment by invasive plants, both of which threaten native biodiversity. We review the literature on deer and invasive plant impacts focusing on studies that simultaneously evaluate the consequences of both. Deer have more frequent and more consistently negative effects than invasive plants. Widespread deer impacts now threaten many native plant species through much of their range. In contrast, invasive plant effects currently remain more localized and/or of smaller extent within forests. Deer impacts are also cumulative, hitting preferred plant species especially hard as they decline in density. This generates difficult-to-reverse legacy effects. Invasive plant effects, in contrast, tend to be more diffuse and may be more readily reversed. High deer populations also shift physical and chemical conditions in soils promoting “invasion cascades” involving non-native earthworms and certain introduced plants. Removing invasive plants without reducing deer populations can increase deer impacts on native species. Management should be integrated to address both deer and invasive plants. To safeguard and restore native biota when resources are limited, however, it may be most effective for managers to first reduce deer populations before investing in efforts to reduce invasive populations (except when invasions are at an early stage). We should rethink and reform traditional approaches to managing deer so that we can better integrate land vegetation with wildlife management to achieve broad public objectives. Interacting effects of high ungulate populations and invasive plants deserve further study to determine whether similar recommendations apply to other regions.

All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, exerts a potential role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It has been shown that atRA ameliorates atherosclerosis while the exact mechanism underlying this protection remains unknown. This study investigated the influence of atRA on insulin resistance (IR), atherosclerosis, and the process of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) browning. Moreover, syntheses of adiponectin, adipokine with anti-atherogenic effects, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, were determined in PVAT. Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (Apo-E) and control C57BL/6J wild-type mice were treated with atRA (5 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (corn oil) by plastic feeding tubes for 8 weeks. Long-term atRA treatment in Apo-E mice did not affect insulin resistance. AtRa administration ameliorated atherosclerosis, induced PVAT browning, and increased adiponectin production in PVAT in Apo-E mice. Furthermore, atRA increased nitric oxide (NO) level but did not affect adiponectin concentration in the aorta of Apo-E mice. These results indicate that atRA ameliorates atherosclerosis in Apo-E mice. We also observed the browning of PVAT. Besides, atRA increased the synthesis of adiponectin in PVAT and augmented NO level in the aorta in ApoE mice.

In many tumors, cells transition reversibly between slow-proliferating tumor-initiating cells (TIC) and their differentiated, faster-growing progeny. Yet, how transcriptional regulation of cell-cycle and self-renewal genes is orchestrated during these conversions remains unclear. In this study, we show that as breast TIC form, a decrease in cell-cycle gene expression and increase in self-renewal gene expression are coregulated by SOX2 and EZH2, which colocalize at CpG islands. This pattern was negatively controlled by a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that we named Stem Cell Inhibitory RNA Transcript (SCIRT), which was markedly upregulated in tumorspheres but colocalized with and counteracted EZH2 and SOX2 during cell-cycle and self-renewal regulation to restrain tumorigenesis. SCIRT specifically interacted with EZH2 to increase EZH2 affinity to FOXM1 without binding the latter. In this manner, SCIRT induced transcription at cell-cycle gene promoters by recruiting FOXM1 through EZH2 to antagonize EZH2-mediated effects at target genes. Conversely, on stemness genes, FOXM1 was absent and SCIRT antagonized EZH2 and SOX2 activity, balancing toward repression. These data suggest that the interaction of an lncRNA with EZH2 can alter the affinity of EZH2 for its protein-binding partners to regulate cancer cell state transitions. Significance: These findings show that a novel lncRNA SCIRT counteracts breast tumorigenesis by opposing transcriptional networks associated with cell cycle and self-renewal. See related commentary by Pardini and Dragomir, p. 535

A two- year-old Sphynx cat, an unneutered female with multiple erythematous papules with hyperpigmentation was presented. In skin biopsy, in the dermis, well differentiated monomorphic mast cells were found. Fungal culture was positive for Microsporum canis. Diagnosis of urticaria pigmentosa following M. canis infection was made. The animal was successfully treated with itraconazole orally and shampoo containing chlorhexidine and miconazole. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of urticaria pigmentosa following the dermatophyte infection in a Sphynx cat.

Invasive species utilize a wide array of trait strategies to establish in novel ecosystems. Among these traits is the capacity to produce allelopathic compounds that can directly inhibit neighboring native plants or indirectly suppress native plants via disruption of beneficial belowground microbial mutualisms, or altered soil resources. Despite the well-known prevalence of allelopathy among plant taxa, the pervasiveness of allelopathy among invasive plants is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the majority of the 524 invasive plant species in our database produce allelochemicals with the potential to negatively affect native plant performance. Moreover, allelopathy is widespread across the plant phylogeny, suggesting that allelopathy could have a large impact on native species across the globe. Allelopathic impacts of invasive species are often thought to be present in only a few plant clades (e.g., Brassicaceae). Yet our analysis shows that allelopathy is present in 72% of the 113 plant families surveyed, suggesting that this ubiquitous mechanism of invasion deserves more attention as invasion rates increase across the globe.

Plants are the foundation of the food web and therefore interact directly and indirectly with myriad organisms at higher trophic levels. They directly provide nourishment to mutualistic and antagonistic primary consumers (e.g., pollinators and herbivores), which in turn are consumed by predators. These interactions produce cascading indirect effects on plants (either trait-mediated or density-mediated). We review how predators affect plant-pollinator interactions and thus how predators indirectly affect plant reproduction, fitness, mating systems, and trait evolution. Predators can influence pollinator abundance and foraging behavior. In many cases, predators cause pollinators to visit plants less frequently and for shorter durations. This decline in visitation can lead to pollen limitation and decreased seed set. However, alternative outcomes can result due to differences in predator, pollinator, and plant functional traits as well as due to altered interaction networks with plant enemies. Furthermore, predators may indirectly affect the evolution of plant traits and mating systems.

Background Nanoparticles (NPs) serve various industrial and household purposes, and their increasing use creates an environmental hazard because of their uncontrolled release into ecosystems. An important aspect of the risk assessment of NPs is to understand their interactions with plants. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Au (10 and 20 ppm), Ag, and Pt (20 and 40 ppm) NPs on oakleaf lettuce, with particular emphasis on plant antioxidative mechanisms. Nanoparticles were applied once on the leaves of 2-week-old lettuce seedlings, after next week laboratory analyses were performed. Results The antioxidant potential of oakleaf lettuce seedlings sprayed with metal NPs at different concentrations was investigated. Chlorophylls, fresh and dry weight were also determined. Foliar exposure of the seedlings to metal NPs did not affect ascorbate peroxidase activity, total peroxidase activity increased after Au-NPs treatment, but decreased after applying Ag-NPs and Pt-NPs. Both concentrations of Au-NPs and Pt-NPs tested caused an increase in glutathione (GSH) content, while no NPs affected L-ascorbic acid content in the plants. Ag-NPs and Pt-NPs applied as 40 ppm solution increased total phenolics content by 17 and 15%, respectively, compared to the control. Carotenoids content increased when Ag-NPs and Au-NPs (20 and 40 ppm) and Pt-NPs (20 ppm) were applied. Plants treated with 40 ppm of Ag-NPs and Pt-NPs showed significantly higher total antioxidant capacity and higher concentration of chlorophyll a (only for Ag-NPs) than control. Pt-NPs applied as 40 ppm increased fresh weight and total dry weight of lettuce shoot. Conclusions Results showed that the concentrations of NPs applied and various types of metal NPs had varying impact on the antioxidant status of oakleaf lettuce. Alteration of POX activity and in biosynthesis of glutathione, total phenolics, and carotenoids due to metal NPs showed that tested nanoparticles can act as stress stimuli. However, judging by the slight changes in chlorophyll concentrations and in the fresh and dry weight of the plants, and even based on the some increases in these traits after M-NPs treatment, the stress intensity was relatively low, and the plants were able to cope with its negative effects.

Inbreeding is a potent evolutionary force shaping the distribution of genetic variation within and among populations of plants and animals. Yet, our understanding of the forces shaping the expression and evolution of nonrandom mating in general, and inbreeding in particular, remains remarkably incomplete. Most research on plant mating systems focuses on self‐fertilization and its consequences for automatic selection, inbreeding depression, purging, and reproductive assurance, whereas studies of animal mating systems have often assumed that inbreeding is rare, and that natural selection favors traits that promote outbreeding. Given that many sessile and sedentary marine invertebrates and marine macroalgae share key life history features with seed plants (e.g., low mobility, modular construction, and the release of gametes into the environment), their mating systems may be similar. Here, we show that published estimates of inbreeding coefficients (F IS) for sessile and sedentary marine organisms are similar and at least as high as noted in terrestrial seed plants. We also found that variation in F IS within invertebrates is related to the potential to self‐fertilize, disperse, and choose mates. The similarity of F IS for these organismal groups suggests that inbreeding could play a larger role in the evolution of sessile and sedentary marine organisms than is currently recognized. Specifically, associations between traits of marine invertebrates and F IS suggest that inbreeding could drive evolutionary transitions between hermaphroditism and separate sexes, direct development and multiphasic life cycles, and external and internal fertilization.

Funder: Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and University. BFU2016-80570-R, Funder: Cancer Research UK (CRUK); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000289, Funder: Fundación Científica Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (Scientific Foundation, Spanish Association Against Cancer); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100002704, As the catalog of oncogenic driver mutations is expanding, it becomes clear that alterations in a given gene might have different functions and should not be lumped into one class. The transcription factor GATA3 is a paradigm of this. We investigated the functions of the most common GATA3 mutation (X308_Splice) and five additional mutations, which converge into a neoprotein that we called “neoGATA3,” associated with excellent prognosis in patients. Analysis of available molecular data from >3000 breast cancer patients revealed a dysregulation of the ER-dependent transcriptional response in tumors carrying neoGATA3-generating mutations. Mechanistic studies in vitro showed that neoGATA3 interferes with the transcriptional programs controlled by estrogen and progesterone receptors, without fully abrogating them. ChIP-Seq analysis indicated that ER binding is reduced in neoGATA3-expressing cells, especially at distal regions, suggesting that neoGATA3 interferes with the fine tuning of ER-dependent gene expression. This has opposite outputs in distinct hormonal context, having pro- or anti-proliferative effects, depending on the estrogen/progesterone ratio. Our data call for functional analyses of putative cancer drivers to guide clinical application.

High salt levels are one of the significant and major limiting factors on crop yield and productivity. Out of the available attempts made against high salt levels, engineered nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely employed and considered as effective strategies in this regard. Of these NPs, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and selenium functionalized using chitosan nanoparticles (Cs–Se NPs) were applied for a quite number of plants, but their potential roles for alleviating the adverse effects of salinity on stevia remains unclear. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is one of the reputed medicinal plants due to their diterpenoid steviol glycosides (stevioside and rebaudioside A). For this reason, the current study was designed to investigate the potential of TiO2 NPs (0, 100 and 200 mg L−1) and Cs–Se NPs (0, 10 and 20 mg L−1) to alleviate salt stress (0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl) in stevia. The findings of the study revealed that salinity decreased the growth and photosynthetic traits but resulted in substantial cell damage through increasing H2O2 and MDA content, as well as electrolyte leakage (EL). However, the application of TiO2 NPs (100 mg L−1) and Cs–Se NPs (20 mg L−1) increased the growth, photosynthetic performance and activity of antioxidant enzymes, and decreased the contents of H2O2, MDA and EL under the saline conditions. In addition to the enhanced growth and physiological performance of the plant, the essential oil content was also increased with the treatments of TiO2 (100 mg L−1) and Cs–Se NPs (20 mg L−1). In addition, the tested NPs treatments increased the concentration of stevioside (in the non-saline condition and under salinity stress) and rebaudioside A (under the salinity conditions) in stevia plants. Overall, the current findings suggest that especially 100 mg L−1 TiO2 NPs and 20 mg L−1 Cs–Se could be considered as promising agents in combating high levels of salinity in the case of stevia.

The eggplant is a warm-climate crop of high economic importance. In many Asian and Mediterranean countries, eggplants are essential components of everyday dishes, while in Central Europe they have become popular only in recent years. Eggplants are harvested at an immature stage and have low storage value; therefore, the sale of fruits in local markets requires an appropriate production strategy. In Poland, consumer demand for eggplants is currently met by imports and domestic production, which, until recently, has been carried out only in greenhouses, ensuring the availability of fresh fruits but resulting in high selling prices. The demand for eggplants is growing among Polish consumers, and, accordingly, field production is expected to gradually gain in importance due to the fruit’s profitability. Accordingly, the biology and farming practices of this warm-climate crop remain in the investigation phase in temperate climate. This review aims to report the status of current knowledge regarding the technologies affecting the biology, cultivation, and nutritional value of eggplant grown in temperate climatic zone.

We explore the relationship between plant mating system (selfing or outcrossing) and niche breadth to gain new insights into processes that drive species distributions. Using a comparative approach with highly selfing versus highly outcrossing sister species, we test the extent to which: (1) species pairs have evolved significant niche divergence and less niche overlap, (2) selfers have wider niche breadths than outcrossers or vice versa, and (3) niches of selfers and outcrossers are defined by significant differences in environmental variables. We applied predictive ecological niche modeling approaches to estimate and contrast niche divergence, overlap and breadth, and to identify key environmental variables associated with each species' niche for seven sister species with divergent mating systems. Data from 4862 geo-referenced herbarium occurrence records were compiled for 14 species in Collinsia and Tonella (Plantaginaceae) and 19 environmental variables associated with each record. We found sister species display significant niche divergence, though not as a function of divergence time, and overall, selfers have significantly wider niche breadths compared to their outcrossing sisters. Our results suggest that a selfing mating system likely contributes to the greater capacity to reach, reproduce, establish, and adapt to new habitats, which increases niche breadth of selfers.

This study investigated if genetic diversity among cauliflower cultivars (white ‘Xenia’ F1, green ‘Vitaverde’ F1, purple ‘Graffiti’ F1, orange ‘Sunset’ F1, romanesco ‘Celio’ F1) and transplant chilling are reflected in the content of 17 elements in mature curds. Transplants at 40 days after sowing were exposed to 4 °C (chilling) and 18 °C (control) for 7 days and then planted in the field till harvest maturity. The lowest Ag, Al, Co, and Li contents were found in ‘Celio’ F1 cauliflower, which also had the highest Ba and Sr levels. Orange curds of ‘Sunset’ F1 were the richest in Al, and high in Li, Sc, and Sn. Chilling applied to the transplants increased Ag, Ba, Co, Sc, Sr, and Tb, and decreased the Y content of mature curds. Transplant chilling can permanently alter plant metabolism, and subsequently may affect the mineral composition of the curds.

Interacting species can respond differently to climate change, causing unexpected consequences. Many understorey wildflowers in deciduous forests leaf out and flower in the spring when light availability is the highest before overstorey canopy closure. Therefore, different phenological responses by understorey and overstorey species to increased spring temperature could have significant ecological implications. Pairing contemporary data with historical observations initiated by Henry David Thoreau (1850s), we found that overstorey tree leaf out is more responsive to increased spring temperature than understorey wildflower phenology, resulting in shorter periods of high light in the understorey before wildflowers are shaded by tree canopies. Because of this overstorey-understorey mismatch, we estimate that wildflower spring carbon budgets in the northeastern United States were 12-26% larger during Thoreau's era and project a 10-48% reduction during this century. This underappreciated phenomenon may have already reduced wildflower fitness and could lead to future population declines in these ecologically important species.

The invasive plant, garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), has the potential to affect soil microbial communities and ecosystem processes in temperate hardwood forests primarily through the release of allelopathic chemicals into the soil. These forest soils are also often affected (directly and indirectly) by the high abundance of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which can alter plant community composition and productivity. We examined the joint effects of deer and garlic mustard on soil microbial communities, soil nutrients and a native plant species’ vital rates in a temperate forest 8 years after initiation of a paired plot deer exclusion/access study where garlic mustard was either removed from half of each plot or remained at ambient level in the other plot half. We examined soil microbial communities using DNA-based techniques and quantified nutrient availability and physicochemical properties. Deer exclusion affected the community structure of AM fungi, particularly when garlic mustard was present, but had no effect on soil chemistry. Garlic mustard removal plots showed no changes for soil fungi, but displayed higher soil carbon content. Interestingly, we found significant changes to native plant vital rates that mirrored soil responses; the presence of garlic mustard led to higher mortality of large, mature plants and reduced native plant cover and biomass. Our data suggest herbivore-plant-soil feedbacks and synergies can interact to negatively affect the soil ecology of forests. Management activities that reduce deer or invasive plant abundance may positively affect soil microbial communities and chemistry in temperate forests.

The evolutionary transition from outcross- to self-fertilization is one of the most common in angiosperms and is often associated with a parallel shift in floral morphological and developmental traits, such as reduced flower size and pollen to ovule ratios, known as the “selfing syndrome.” How these convergent phenotypes arise, the extent to which they are shaped by selection, and the nature of their underlying genetic basis are unsettled questions in evolutionary biology. The genus Collinsia (Plantaginaceae) includes seven independent transitions from outcrossing or mixed mating to high selfing rates accompanied by selfing syndrome traits. Accordingly, Collinsia represents an ideal system for investigating this parallelism, but requires genomic resource development. We present a high quality de novo genome assembly for the highly selfing species Collinsia rattanii. To begin addressing the basis of selfing syndrome developmental shifts, we evaluate and contrast patterns of gene expression from floral transcriptomes across three stages of bud development for C. rattanii and its outcrossing sister species Collinsia linearis. Relative to C. linearis, total gene expression is less variable among individuals and bud stages in C. rattanii. In addition, there is a common pattern among differentially expressed genes: lower expression levels that are more constant across bud development in C. rattanii relative to C. linearis. Transcriptional regulation of enzymes involved in pollen formation specifically in early bud development may influence floral traits that distinguish selfing and outcrossing Collinsia species through pleiotropic functions. Future work will include additional Collinsia outcrossing-selfing species pairs to identify genomic signatures of parallel evolution.

Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in nanoparticle (NP) technology used in household and industrial products. It could cause an accumulation and dispersion of NPs in the environment, with possible harmful effects on living organisms. Nanoparticles significantly affect plants and alter their physiology and biochemical pathways, and nanotechnology can be used to improve plant characteristics that are desirable by humans. Therefore, more extensive studies of NP interactions with plants are still needed. The aim of this report is to investigate the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) on the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, fresh and dry weights, and malondialdehyde contents in oakleaf lettuce seedlings. Plants were foliar treated with a 0.75% suspension of TiO2-NPs, while control plants were sprayed with deionized water. Leaves were sampled 4, 7, 9, 11, and 13 days after the treatment. The effects of TiO2-NPs were time-dependent, but the most spectacular changes were observed 4 days after the treatment. Exposure of the plants to TiO2-NPs significantly increased the contents of glutathione at all sampling points, total phenolics at days 4 and 13, and L-ascorbic acid at 4, 7, and 11 days after the treatment. Elevated levels of ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase activities were recorded at days 4 and 13, respectively. Total antioxidant capacity increased initially in treated seedlings, when compared with the control, and then decreased. On day 7, higher fresh and dry weights, as well as malondialdehyde contents in TiO2-NPs treated plants were observed, compared with the control. The study demonstrated that the activation of some antioxidant system components due to TiO2-NPs treatment was connected with the induction of mild oxidative stress, with no external symptoms of NP toxicity in oakleaf lettuce.

Exposure of vegetable seedlings to lowered temperature affects their growth and the content of certain chemical constituents. Chilling activates defensive mechanisms against stress and leads to acclimatization which increases plant ability to withstand harsh field conditions. Thus, seedlings subjected to low-temperature treatment had altered metabolic pathways, and these changes can persist until harvest. We therefore assessed: (i) the direct response of broccoli seedlings to 1 week or 2 weeks at lowered temperatures (6 °C, 10 °C, 14 °C, and 18 °C—control), and (ii) the long-term effects of the latter treatments on phytochemical components level in mature heads of broccoli cultivated in the field. Chilling stress decreased seedling shoot and root fresh and dry weights, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf perimeter, and leaf width. The most spectacular reductions in these parameters were observed at 6 °C and 10 °C. Longer exposure to lowered temperature resulted in greater reduction in the values of morphological traits. Chilling led to reduction in L-ascorbic acid content in broccoli seedlings, while a 6 °C temperature caused an increase in soluble sugars. The highest content of dry weight, soluble sugars, and L-ascorbic acid were observed in the heads of plants exposed to 14 °C, however, the content of dry weight (at 10 °C) and L-ascorbic acid (at 6 °C and 10 °C) also increased in broccoli heads in comparison with the control. Longer chilling (for 2 weeks) generally increased the content of these constituents in mature broccoli. Lower temperature (6–14 °C) applied at seedling stage increased P and Zn contents in broccoli heads in comparison to the control, whereas plants treated with 10 °C had more K, Fe, and, together with 6 °C treatment, Cu. The lowest temperature applied to the seedlings (6 °C) caused an increase in Mn content, while no effects of seedling chilling was noted for Ca levels. Significant linear correlations were noted and regression models were developed for the content of dry weight, soluble sugars, and L-ascorbic acid in the broccoli heads based on the chosen seedling parameters. The results show that the effect of lowered temperature to which the seedlings were subjected persists also in the further stages of plant ontogenesis, causing permanent changes in the chemical composition of mature broccoli heads.

Plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPM) play vital roles in maintaining crop fitness and soil health in stressed environments. Research have included analysis-based cultivation of soil-microbial-plant relationships to clarify microbiota potential. The goal of the research was to (i) evaluate the symbiotic microorganism effects on tomato seedling fitness under stressed conditions simulating a fragile soil susceptible to degradation; (ii) compare the plant-microbial interactions after inoculation with microbial isolates and fungi-bacteria consortia; (iii) develop an effective crop-microbial network, which improves soil and plant status. The experimental design included non-inoculated treatments with peat and sand at ratios of 50:50, 70:30, 100:0 (v:v), inoculated treatments with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Azospirillum brasilense (AZ) using the aforementioned peat:sand ratios; and treatment with peat co-inoculated with AMF and Saccharothrix tamanrassetensis (S). AMF + AZ increased root fresh weight in peat substrate compared to the control (4.4 to 3.3 g plant–1). An increase in shoot fresh weight was detected in the AMF + AZ treatment with a 50:50 peat:sand ratio (10.1 to 8.5 g plant-1). AMF + AZ reduced antioxidant activity (DPPH) (18–34%) in leaves, whereas AMF + S had the highest DPPH in leaves and roots (45%). Total leaf phenolic content was higher in control with a decreased proportion of peat. Peroxidase activity was enhanced in AMF + AZ and AMF + S treatments, except for AMF + AZ in peat. Microscopic root assays revealed the ability of AMF to establish strong fungal-tomato symbiosis; the colonization rate was 78–89%. AMF + AZ accelerated K and Mg accumulation in tomato leaves in treatments reflecting soil stress. To date, there has been no relevant information regarding the successful AMF and Saccharothrix co-inoculation relationship. This study confirmed that AMF + S could increase the P, S, and Fe status of seedlings under high organic C content conditions. The improved tomato growth and nutrient acquisition demonstrated the potential of PGPM colonization under degraded soil conditions.

Summary The efficacy of ALVAC-based HIV and SIV vaccines in humans and macaques correlates with antibodies to envelope variable region 2 (V2). We show here that vaccine-induced antibodies to SIV variable region 1 (V1) inhibit anti-V2 antibody-mediated cytotoxicity and reverse their ability to block V2 peptide interaction with the α4β7 integrin. SIV vaccines engineered to delete V1 and favor an α helix, rather than a β sheet V2 conformation, induced V2-specific ADCC correlating with decreased risk of SIV acquisition. Removal of V1 from the HIV-1 clade A/E A244 envelope resulted in decreased binding to antibodies recognizing V2 in the β sheet conformation. Thus, deletion of V1 in HIV envelope immunogens may improve antibody responses to V2 virus vulnerability sites and increase the efficacy of HIV vaccine candidates., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • HIV vaccine candidate protects against SIVmac251 acquisition • V1 deleted envelope immunogens with V2 in α-helical conformation are protective • V2-specific ADCC as correlate of risk • Anti-V1 antibodies interfere with V2-specific ADCC, Immunology; molecular structure; virology

The mechanisms causing invasive species impact are rarely empirically tested, limiting our ability to understand and predict subsequent changes in invaded plant communities. Invader disruption of native mutualistic interactions is a mechanism expected to have negative effects on native plant species. Specifically, disruption of native plant‐fungal mutualisms may provide non‐mycorrhizal plant invaders an advantage over mycorrhizal native plants. Invasive Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) produces secondary chemicals toxic to soil microorganisms including mycorrhizal fungi, and is known to induce physiological stress and reduce population growth rates of native forest understory plant species. Here, we report on a 11‐yr manipulative field experiment in replicated forest plots testing if the effects of removal of garlic mustard on the plant community support the mutualism disruption hypothesis within the entire understory herbaceous community. We compare community responses for two functional groups: the mycorrhizal vs. the non‐mycorrhizal plant communities. Our results show that garlic mustard weeding alters the community composition, decreases community evenness, and increases the abundance of understory herbs that associate with mycorrhizal fungi. Conversely, garlic mustard has no significant effects on the non‐mycorrhizal plant community. Consistent with the mutualism disruption hypothesis, our results demonstrate that allelochemical producing invaders modify the plant community by disproportionately impacting mycorrhizal plant species. We also demonstrate the importance of incorporating causal mechanisms of biological invasion to elucidate patterns and predict community‐level responses.

Despite widespread evidence that biological invasion influences both the biotic and abiotic soil environments, the extent to which these two pathways underpin the effects of invasion on plant traits and performance remains unknown. Leveraging a long-term (14-year) field experiment, we show that an allelochemical-producing invader affects plants through biotic mechanisms, altering the soil fungal community composition, with no apparent shifts in soil nutrient availability. Changes in belowground fungal communities resulted in high costs of nutrient uptake for native perennials and a shift in plant traits linked to their water and nutrient use efficiencies. Some plants in the invaded community compensate for the disruption of nutritional symbionts and reduced nutrient provisioning by sanctioning more nitrogen to photosynthesis and expending more water, which demonstrates a trade-off in trait investment. For the first time, we show that the disruption of belowground nutritional symbionts can drive plants towards alternative regions of their trait space in order to maintain water and nutrient economics.

Nanoparticles (NPs) significantly modify the physiological functions and metabolome of plants. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of CeO2, Fe2O3, SnO2, TiO2, and SiO2 nanoparticles, applied in foliar spraying of oakleaf lettuce at concentrations 0.75% to 6%, on the antioxidant enzyme activity and content of non-enzymatic antioxidants, chlorophyll pigments, fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW). It was found that 3% Fe2O3-NPs caused a 27% decrease in fresh weight compared to control plants. Fe2O3-NPs caused an increase in dry weight (g 100 g&minus, 1 FW) when compared to the control for all concentrations, but total DW (g per plant) was similar for all NPs treatments. Significant increases in chlorophyll a + b content after treatment with 1.5% and 6% SiO2-NPs, 3% Fe2O3-NPs, and 3% TiO2-NPs were noted. Fe2O3-NPs caused a significant increase in the activity of ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and catalase (only for 3% Fe2O3-NPs). SnO2-NPs decreased ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX) activity (for all tested concentrations) but increased catalase (CAT) activity when a 3% suspension of these NPs was applied. The level of glutathione (GSH) increased due to application of all metal/metalloid oxides, with the exception of SnO2-NPs. When all concentrations of TiO2-NPs were applied, L-ascorbic acid increased significantly, as well as increasing at higher concentrations of SiO2-NPs (3% and 6%) and at 0.75% and 3% Fe2O3-NPs. SiO2-NPs and TiO2-NPs significantly elevated the carotenoid and total phenolic content in treated plants compared to the control. The total antioxidant capacity of plants treated with 3% CeO2-NPs was almost twice as high as that of the control.

Pollinators are widely invoked to explain the evolution of selfing despite genetic conditions favoring outcrossing. But their role in maintaining outcrossing despite genetic conditions favoring selfing remains unexplored. We use consumer-resource models to explicitly consider the how the plant-pollinator mutualism can constrain the evolution of selfing. We model outcrossing as a function of attractiveness and account for the cost of attractiveness as a saturating, linear, or exponential function alongside the costs of selfing: inbreeding depression and pollen discounting. We show specific, clear combinations of ecological and genetic conditions where pure selfing can invade a resident population of partial selfers. Complete selfing can evolve in the face of pollen discounting so long as there is a cost to pollinator attraction and reward. However, we also predict conditions under which mixed mating is maintained even when inbreeding depression is low. Our model highlights how under some scenarios mixed mating represents the worst of both worlds, leaving plants to pay the costs of both inbreeding depression and attraction and even leading to extinction. By linking pollinator attraction to the selfing rate, our models provide a likely common mechanism to explain pollen discounting and an alternative evolutionary pathway to the selfing syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in freeze-dried extracts of rose fruits (Rosa rugosa) obtained using various extraction techniques and to determine the effect of a selected extract on bacterial survival in model fluids imitating protein food. Ethanolic extracts from rose fruits showed higher antioxidant activity compared to other tested extracts. The rose fruits aqueous extract showed the highest inhibitory activity against most of the 10 bacterial strains tested. From the group of Gram-positive bacteria, the Bacillus cereus strain proved to be the most sensitive to the action of the rose extract. From the Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most sensitive. The reduction in the number of bacterial cells in matrices imitating protein food depended on the concentration of the aqueous extract used. However, at none of the concentrations used was a complete inhibition of bacterial growth observed. We have confirmed that the traditional extraction and freeze-drying of rose fruits is still suitable for the food industry due to obtaining extracts with good antibacterial and antioxidant properties and the use of bio-solvents, such as water or ethanol, which are easily available in high purity and completely biodegradable.

Defects in transcriptional regulators of pancreatic exocrine differentiation have been implicated in pancreatic tumorigenesis, but the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The locus encoding the transcription factor HNF1A harbors susceptibility variants for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), while KDM6A, encoding Lysine‐specific demethylase 6A, carries somatic mutations in PDAC. Here, we show that pancreas‐specific Hnf1a null mutant transcriptomes phenocopy those of Kdm6a mutations, and both defects synergize with Kras G12D to cause PDAC with sarcomatoid features. We combine genetic, epigenomic, and biochemical studies to show that HNF1A recruits KDM6A to genomic binding sites in pancreatic acinar cells. This remodels the acinar enhancer landscape, activates differentiated acinar cell programs, and indirectly suppresses oncogenic and epithelial–mesenchymal transition genes. We also identify a subset of non‐classical PDAC samples that exhibit the HNF1A/KDM6A‐deficient molecular phenotype. These findings provide direct genetic evidence that HNF1A deficiency promotes PDAC. They also connect the tumor‐suppressive role of KDM6A deficiency with a cell‐specific molecular mechanism that underlies PDAC subtype definition., Cooperation between a transcription factor and an epigenetic modifier reveals how defective transcriptional control can contribute to development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Environmental conditions impose restrictions and costs on reproduction. Multiple reproductive options exist when increased reproductive costs drive plant populations toward alternative reproductive strategies. Using 4 years of demographic data across a deer impact gradient, where deer alter the abiotic environment, we parameterize a size-dependent integral projection model for a sexually labile and unpalatable forest perennial to investigate the demographic processes driving differentiation in the operational sex ratio (OSR) of local populations. In addition to a relative increase in asexual reproduction, our results illustrate that nontrophic indirect effects by overabundant deer on this perennial result in delayed female sex expression to unsustainably large plant sizes and lead to more pronounced plant shrinkage following female sex expression, effectively increasing the cost of reproduction. Among plants of reproductive age, increased deer impact decreases the size-dependent probability of flowering and reduces reproductive consistency over time. This pattern in sex expression skews populations toward female-biased OSRs at low deer impact sites and male-biased OSRs at intermediate and high deer impact sites. While this shift toward a male-biased OSR may ameliorate pollen limitation, it also decreases the effective population size when coupled with increased asexual reproduction. The divergence of reproductive strategies and reduced lifetime fitness in response to indirect deer impacts illustrate the persistent long-term effects of overabundant herbivores on unpalatable understory perennials.

Strategies of herbaceous species in deciduous forests are often characterized by the timing of life history phases (e.g. emergence, flowering, leaf senescence) relative to overstory tree canopy closure. Although springtime photosynthesis is assumed to account for the majority of their annual carbon budgets, the 12-month photosynthetic trajectories of forest herbs have not been quantified. We measured the temporal dynamics of carbon assimilation for seven native herbaceous perennials and the biennial Alliaria petiolata, a widespread invader in eastern North American forests. We assessed the relative importance of spring, summer, and autumn to species-level annual carbon budgets. Spring-emerging species showed significant variation in carbon assimilation patterns. High spring irradiance before canopy closure accounted for 39-100% of species-level annual carbon assimilation, but summer and autumn accounted for large proportions of some species' carbon budgets (up to 58% and 19%, respectively). Alliaria was phenologically unique, taking advantage both autumn and spring irradiance. Although spring-emerging understory species are often expected to rely on early-season irradiance, our results highlight interspecific differences and the importance of mid-late season carbon gain. Phenological strategies of forest herbs are a continuum rather than discrete categories, and invasive species may follow strategies that are underrepresented in the native flora.

Under field conditions, crops are exposed simultaneously to more than one environmental stress factor. Controlled abiotic stress applied at the transplant stage can be used as a tool for inducing stress memory, improving stress tolerance after transplanting, and enhancing the nutraceutical value of the yield. The aim of present study was to determine the effect of dark-chilling at 2 °C for 1 and 2 weeks on the tolerance of broccoli seedlings of various ages against adverse conditions in the field and the chemical composition of the inflorescences. Two separate planting programmes were undertaken in the summer. In general, planting delay by about 1 month resulted in an increase in dry weight of about 3%, ascorbic acid (38%), soluble sugars (18%), K (14%), P (13%), Zn (12%), Fe (8%), and Mn (9%) in broccoli inflorescences. Planting of young, 4-week-old seedlings resulted in higher ascorbic acid content in broccoli inflorescences of about 15%, soluble sugars (7%), K (5%), P (6%), Mg (4%), Na (11%), and Zn (3%) in broccoli inflorescences as compared to 10-week-old ones. Chilling of seedlings for two weeks caused an increase in dry weight in broccoli inflorescences of about 6%, ascorbic acid (15%), soluble sugars (12%), K (2%), P (2%), Mg (5%), Zn (3%), Fe (4%), and Mn (6%) as compared to the non-chilled control. The results indicated that the age of the seedlings and dark-chilling influenced the level of chemicals related to taste and biological value of broccoli inflorescences in a complex way. There was no general superiority or interaction of any of the experimental factors affecting all health-related compounds. Dark-chilling can be considered as a practice of broccoli seedling management before transplanting, positively affecting some yield parameters through stress memory induction.

Endophytes are isolated from every plant species investigated to date, so the metabolome coevolution has been affecting the plants’ (microbiota) ethnobotanic, especially therapeutic, usage. Asteraceae fulfill the rationale for plant selection to isolate endophytes since most of the species of this family have a long tradition of healing usage, confirmed by modern pharmacognosy. The present review compiles recent references on the endophyte−Asteraceae spp. interactions, targeting the secondary metabolites profile as created by both members of this biological system. Endophyte fungi associated with Asteraceae have been collected globally, however, dominant taxa that produce bioactive compounds were specific for the plant populations of different geographic origins. Endophytic fungi richness within the host plant and the biological activity were positively associated. Moreover, the pharmacological action was linked to the plant part, so differential forms of biological interactions in roots, stem, leaves, inflorescences were developed between endophytic fungi and host plants. The comparative analysis of the Asteraceae host and/or fungal endophyte therapeutic activity showed similarities that need a future explanation on the metabolome level.

The globe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori], an ancient vegetable originated in the Mediterranean Basin, is currently cultivated in many regions of the world under a perennial cycle or as an annual crop, with the first method being more widespread globally. The growing importance of globe artichoke as modern functional food as well as a source of pharmaceuticals has raised new issues that all producers have to face; hence the necessity of contemporaneous development of new centres of production and new technologies application in traditional regions of growing which can complement the global market. This review is focused on development of globe artichoke technology of production in recent several years which meet the diversified requirements of global and local markets. We considered the recent literature to highlight specific applications of modern farming practices and plant breeding along with genetic variation to globe artichoke production system as well as to postharvest management in order to enhance the value added of this commodity. The latter targets are mainly addressed to particular regions of the world and they are based on farmers knowledge, equipment, scale and methods of production, processing, final market. Our reports are focused on sustainable and environmentally friendly methods which can improve the profitability of production as well as product’s quality and quantity traits. We discussed the balanced mineral application which can precisely affect the yield chemical composition, attractiveness and shelf life of globe artichoke heads as well as create the opportunities to attain standardised by-products, valuable on the market of health and convenient food. Further topics were developed, such as introduction of seed propagation, intercropping, grafting, flowering induction, postharvest treatments as linked to different regions and conditions of production. Precise selection of modern management practices was recognised as a main goal to fulfil the requirements of local and global market for fresh, processed and new potential globe artichoke products.

Aberrant PD-L1 (CD274) expression has been described in different types of tumour and linked to tumour aggressiveness and a poor prognosis. In primary colorectal carcinomas (CRCs), CD274 expression was reported to be associated with mismatch repair (MMR)-deficiency, BRAF mutation, and "stem-like" immunophenotype defined by down-regulation of homeobox protein CDX2 and membranous expression of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM). However, the immunophenotype and genotype of CD274-positive metastatic CRC have not been extensively analysed. In this study, 189 CRC metastases were evaluated immunohistochemically for CD274, MMR proteins, CDX2, and ALCAM expression. Immunostaining for CD4, CD8, and FOXP3 was also performed to characterize tumour-associated immune cells. In addition, 34 arbitrarily selected lesions were genotyped using Sanger- and next-generation sequencing. Univariate analyses showed no clear association between CD274 expression and clinicopathological parameters including MMR-deficiency or "stem-like" immunophenotype after adjustment for multiple testing. Comparison of the clinicopathological profiles of CD274-positive primary and metastatic tumours revealed in the latter younger age of occurrence (60.9 ± 13.3 versus 72.6 ± 13.1 years, p = 0.001), cytoplasm-dominant CD274 expression (p < 0.001), infrequent MMR-deficiency (p < 0.001), and common KRAS mutations (54%, p < 0.001). In five cultured colon cancer cell lines, CD274 was expressed and modulated after exogenous exposure to IFNγ and TGF-β1. Thus, CD274 regulation mechanisms might include tumour micro environmental factors. Based on significantly different characteristics in CD274-positive metastatic and primary CRCs, evaluation of metastases should also be considered when planning immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

‘Dykcyonarz roślinny’ (‘Dictionary of Plants’) by Krzysztof Kluk, published in 1786 (Vol. I), 1787 (Vol. II), and 1788 (Vol. III), contains the descriptions of 1598 species of algae, fungi and plants, to a large extent with their therapeutic and utilitarian value. The goal of this study was to present ‘Dykcyonarz roślinny’ as an important contribution to the European botanical heritage of the Age of Enlightenment. The accession of the state of knowledge in the area of herbal medicine was studied with analysis of the monographs of selected medicinal species described in ‘Dykcyonarz roślinny’ against their historical and contemporary therapeutic relevance. Monographs were developed based on Krzysztof Kluk's own scientific experience, supplemented by bibliographic references to ancient authors, 16th and 17th century botanists and Kluk's contemporary researchers. The novelty of the ‘Dykcyonarz’ was the regularisation of Polish nomenclature and the simultaneous application of the Linnaean classification system of plants. For the first time in the history of Polish botanical literature, Kluk used comprehensive knowledge of the morphology, anatomy and physiology of plants. He proposed accurate and comprehensible naming of the morphological parts of plants, enabling their precise descriptions. Information on the therapeutic use of herbs is mostly confirmed by modern scientific research. ‘Dykcyonarz roślinny’ by Krzysztof Kluk played an important role in systematising, improving and popularising the knowledge of medicinal plants and incorporated unique ethnobotanical information valuable to modern scientists.

The partial success of the RV144 trial underscores the importance of envelope-specific antibody responses for an effective HIV-1 vaccine. Oligomeric HIV-1 envelope proteins delivered with a potent adjuvant are expected to elicit strong antibody responses with broad neutralization specificity. To test this hypothesis, two SIV envelope proteins were formulated with delta inulin-based adjuvant (Advax) and used to immunize nonhuman primates. Oligomeric gp140-gp145 from SIVmac251 and SIVsmE660 was purified to homogeneity. Oligomers showed high-affinity interaction with CD4 and were highly immunogenic in rabbits, inducing Tier 2 SIV-neutralizing antibodies. The immunogenicity of an oligomeric Env DNA prime and protein boost together with Advax was evaluated in Chinese rhesus macaques. DNA administration elicited antibodies to both envelopes, and titres were markedly enhanced following homologous protein boosts via intranasal and intramuscular routes. Strong antibody responses were detected against the V1 and V2 domains of gp120. During peak immune responses, a low to moderate level of neutralizing activity was detected against Tier 1A/1B SIV isolates, with a moderate level noted against a Tier 2 isolate. Increased serum antibody affinity to SIVmac251 gp140 and generation of Env-specific memory B cells were observed in the immunized macaques. Animals were subjected to low-dose intravaginal challenge with SIVmac251 one week after the last protein boost. One out of three immunized animals was protected from infection. Although performed with a small number of macaques, this study demonstrates the utility of oligomeric envelopes formulated with Advax in eliciting broad antibody responses with the potential to provide protection against SIV transmission.

Because establishing a new population often depends critically on finding mates, individuals capable of uniparental reproduction may have a colonization advantage. Accordingly, there should be an over-representation of colonizing species in which individuals can reproduce without a mate, particularly in isolated locales such as oceanic islands. Despite the intuitive appeal of this colonization filter hypothesis (known as Baker's law), more than six decades of analyses have yielded mixed findings. We assembled a dataset of island and mainland plant breeding systems, focusing on the presence or absence of self-incompatibility. Because this trait enforces outcrossing and is unlikely to re-evolve on short timescales if it is lost, breeding system is especially likely to reflect the colonization filter. We found significantly more self-compatible species on islands than mainlands across a sample of > 1500 species from three widely distributed flowering plant families (Asteraceae, Brassicaceae and Solanaceae). Overall, 66% of island species were self-compatible, compared with 41% of mainland species. Our results demonstrate that the presence or absence of self-incompatibility has strong explanatory power for plant geographical patterns. Island floras around the world thus reflect the role of a key reproductive trait in filtering potential colonizing species in these three plant families.

Chilling influences the growth and metabolism of plants. The physiological response and acclimatization of genotypes in relation to stress stimulus can be different. Two sage cultivars: &lsquo, Icterina&rsquo, and &lsquo, Purpurascens&rsquo, were subjected to 4 &deg, C and 18 &deg, C (control), and sampled between the 5th and 14th day of the treatment. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was up-regulated in chilled &lsquo, on the 14th day, while guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activity increased on the 10th and 12th day in relation to the control. GPX activity of the control &lsquo, was frequently higher than chilled plants, and chilling did not affect APX activity of that cultivar. Catalase activity remained stable in both sage cultivars. Chilled &lsquo, showed a significant increase in total phenolics contents on the 5th, 7th, and 12th day and in total antioxidant capacity on the 5th and 10th day as compared to the control for respective sampling days. Higher malondialdehyde content was found in chilled plants on the 12th, or 14th day, differences reached 26&ndash, 28% of the controls. Chilling caused significant decrease in dry matter content. The stress response was more stable and effective in &lsquo, while more dynamic changes were found for &lsquo, Based on our results, we propose to use &lsquo, for targeted stress-induced studies and &lsquo, for field applications.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a warm climate crop. Its cultivation extends to temperate regions where low temperatures can affect the course of the generative phase, which is primarily sensitive to abiotic stress. The novelty of the present investigation consisted of characterising the heterostyly, pollination, and fertilisation biology of eggplants in field cultivations, which provided a basis for explaining the effect of a protective biostimulant on these processes. We aimed to investigate the flowering biology of three eggplant hybrids treated with G&ouml, emar BM-86&reg, containing Ascophylum nodosum extract, to determine the crucial mechanisms behind the increased flowering and fruit set efficiency and the final effect of increased yield. The flower phenotype (long, medium or short styled), fruit setting, and the number of seeds per fruit were recorded during the two vegetation periods. The numbers of pollen tubes and fertilised ovules in ovaries were evaluated during the generative stage of development to characterise the course of pollination and fertilisation for all types of flowers depending on the cultivar and biostimulant treatment. The expression of heterostyly depended on the eggplant genotype, age of the plant, fruit load, and biostimulant treatment. Domination by long-styled flowers was observed, amounting to 41%, 42%, and 55% of all flowers of &ldquo, Epic&rdquo, F1, &ldquo, Flavine&rdquo, F1, and &ldquo, Gascona&rdquo, F1, respectively. This flower phenotype contained the highest number of pollen tubes in the style and the highest number of fertilised ovules. The biostimulant had a positive effect on the flower and fruit set numbers, as well as on the pollination efficiency in all genotypes. Ascophylum nodosum extract could be used as an efficient stimulator of flowering and fruit setting for eggplant hybrids in field conditions in a temperate climatic zone.

A mixture of red and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs, at a ratio of 7:3, respectively) were used to analyze the effects of different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) (40, 80, and 120 &micro, mol m&minus, 2 s&minus, 1 hereafter known as LED 40, 80, and 120, respectively) on the micropropagation of Gerbera jamesonii Bolus shoots. The experiment also examined the effect of 6-benzyladenine (BA) in 1, 2.5, and 5 &micro, M concentrations in the media. Biometrical observations and analyses of leaf morphometry and photosynthetic pigment content were conducted. Shoot multiplication increased with an increasing BA concentration. A PPFD of 80 &micro, 1 and 5 &micro, M BA is suggested as efficient for shoot propagation and economically viable. LED 120 increased the leaf blade area and its width, and circularity and elongation ratios. The intensity of light did not affect the fresh weight, which increased at higher BA concentrations (2.5 and 5 &mu, M). The dry weight content decreased with increasing cytokinin concentration, the greatest content was observed on media with 1 &micro, M BA under PPFD 120 &micro, 1. LED 80 increased the photosynthetic pigments content in the leaves in comparison to the standard intensity of LED 40. Increased BA concentration raises the content of chlorophyll a.

Consumer demands regarding eggplant fruits are focused on perfect shape, color, and taste but nutritional and bioactive quality has also become important with rising awareness of food related health. On the other hand, producers value modern cultivars’ earliness, high-yielding, stress-tolerance, and high overall fruit quality. We attempt to link these two standpoints through combining modern hybrids cultivated in the open field of temperate climatic zone with biostimulant application to increase the dynamics of yielding and the quality of fruits. The aim of our research was the determination of the genotypic-dependent response of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) to Ascophyllum nodosum standardized extract (Göemar BM-86) application in field conditions of Poland, with respect to the most important characteristics linked to yield quality and plant stress status. The early and total yield of investigated hybrids was affected by biostimulant application, and this dependence was confirmed statistically for most of the treatments. The increase of ‘Epic’ F1 and ‘Flavine’ F1 yield potential through Göemar BM-86 application was linked to higher fruit number harvested from the plants, while ‘WA 6020’ F1 led to greater fruit weight. Investigated hybrids responded differently to biostimulant treatment with respect to dietary and pro-health value of fruits. Generally, the content of soluble sugar, anthocyanins, and mineral elements as well as was antioxidant activity of fruits were positively affected by biostimulant application. This tendency was statistically confirmed for several experimental treatments. Presented results give a new perspective on seaweed-based biostimulants as elicitors of crop’s self defense mechanisms as well as modulators of fruit setting, productivity and bioactive compounds accumulation in eggplant. ********* In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue. *********

Defects in transcriptional regulators of pancreatic exocrine differentiation have been implicated in pancreatic tumorigenesis, but the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The locus encoding the transcription factor HNF1A harbors susceptibility variants for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), while KDM6A, encoding the histone demethylase UTX, carries somatic mutations in PDAC. Here, we show that pancreas-specific Hnf1a null mutations phenocopy Utx deficient mutations, and both synergize with KrasG12D to cause PDAC with sarcomatoid features. We combine genetic, epigenomic and biochemical studies to show that HNF1A recruits UTX to genomic binding sites in pancreatic acinar cells. This remodels the acinar enhancer landscape, activates a differentiation program, and indirectly suppresses oncogenic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes. Finally, we identify a subset of non-classical PDAC samples that exhibit the HNF1A/UTX-deficient molecular phenotype. These findings provide direct genetic evidence that HNF1A-deficiency promotes PDAC. They also connect the tumor suppressive role of UTX deficiency with a cell-specific molecular mechanism that underlies PDAC subtype definition.

Background Macrolides and lincosamides are two leading types of antibiotics commonly used in therapies. The study examines the differences in resistance to these antibiotics and their molecular bases in S. epidermidis as well as in rarely isolated species of coagulase-negative staphylococci such as S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. warneri and S. simulans. The isolates were tested for the presence of the erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), lnu(A), msr(A), msr(B), mph(C), ere(A) and ere(B) genes. Phenotypic resistance to methicillin and mecA presence were also determined. Results The MLSB resistance mechanism was phenotypically found in isolates of species included in the study. The most prevalent MLSB resistance mechanism was observed in S. hominis, S. haemolyticus and S. epidermidis isolates mainly of the MLSB resistance constitutive type. Macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B resistance genes were rarely detected in isolates individually. The erm(B), ere(A) and ere(B) genes were not found in any of the strains. The erm(A) gene was determined only in four strains of S. epidermidis and S. hominis while lnu(A) was seen in eight strains (mainly in S. hominis). The erm(C) gene was present in most of S. epidermidis strains and predominant in S. hominis and S. simulans isolates. The examined species clearly differed between one another in the repertoire of accumulated genes. Conclusions The presence of genes encoding the MLSB resistance among CoNS strains demonstrates these genes’ widespread prevalence and accumulation in opportunistic pathogens that might become gene reservoir for bacteria with superior pathogenic potential.

Seaweeds are one of the important marine bioresources which are nowadays termed as eco-friendly stimulators of crop growth, stress tolerance, and yielding. In this review, we give an update of the current state of our understanding of the seaweed extracts (SWE) effects on the physiological alterations they induce in Solanaceae vegetables. SWE may provide a powerful and environmentally friendly approach to nutrient management. A pool of common bioactive molecules of SWE provides enhancement of the antioxidant machinery of treated plants providing balanced development, earlier flowering, and enhanced fruiting. The basic mechanisms of SWE action seem to be unspecific for tomato, pepper, and eggplant. They include accelerating growth, nutrient uptake, and photosynthesis performance, which can induce plant tolerance to adverse environmental conditions, improve flowering, fruit setting, and yield, and enhance nutritional quality of the crops. The mechanism of SWE action is complex because of multielement composition and cross-action between constituents.

Kale is a plant known and valued since antiquity as a healthy vegetable crop, used for culinary, decorative, but also healing purposes. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of harvest date on physiological status and nutritional composition of two kale cultivars: ‘Winterbor’ F1 (blue-green leaves) and ‘Redbor’ F1 (red-purple leaves). The leaves were harvested in three periods: before frost (>0°C), after medium (−5.0°C) and heavy frost (−15.0°C). Content of dry weight, soluble sugars, l-ascorbic acid, carotenoids, chlorophylls, polyphenols, anthocyanins, as well as antioxidant activity and peroxidase activity were determined. Cold temperature significantly affected bioactive compounds of kale. The content of dry weight, soluble sugars, l-ascorbic acid, phenolics, and antioxidant activity increased after medium frosts for both cultivars. The level of anthocyanins also increased significantly for the ‘Redbor’ F1 cultivar. After strong frost, most of the tested parameters (content of dry weight, soluble sugars, phenolics, anthocyanins, and total antioxidant and peroxidase activity) significantly increased. The chlorophyll a content was reduced by heavy frost in both seasons. Harvesting kale before and after frost may allow the level of biologically active ingredients to be regulated as cold also significantly affects the physiological status of the plants.