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Peter Lawrence, FRS, is a fly geneticist based at the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge. During his illustrious career he has carried out pioneering work on pattern formation and polarity, and his contributions have been recognised by many honours, including the Prince of Asturias prize with Gines Morata and election to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He is also an outspoken critic of the current scientific system and particularly how it affects young scientists. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Peter, and we asked him about the influence of his mentor Sir V. B. Wigglesworth, writing his first grant at age 65 and his time as an editor of Development., (© 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

14 p., Pond physical characteristics (connectivity, hydroperiod) have shown to be highly relevant in explaining species presence, reproductive success, and survival in breeding-pond amphibians. However, few studies have addressed the influence that these factors may have on the genetic variability of pond populations. We examined genetic variation at 11 microsatellite loci in Iberian endemic, the pygmy newt (Triturus pygmaeus), from 58 breeding ponds in the Doñana National Park (Andalusia), including both temporary ponds and artificially deepened ponds that remain wet during the whole year. Temporary ponds are located in the North part of the region where the surrounding habitat-wet meadows-facilitates the connectivity among populations, whereas the deepest ponds (‘zacallones’) are located in the southern edge embedded in a matrix of unsuitable habitat (thickets and dry underbrush). We investigated genetic diversity and structure within and among ponds. Our results show that both regions (Doñana-North and Doñana-South) are well-differentiated and form two main clusters. We found higher genetic diversity within ponds from the North region, which also exhibited a higher degree of genetic admixture in comparison with populations from the southern edge. Although we found an isolation-by-distance pattern within each cluster, it arose due to the effect of a few isolated ponds located on the edge of each zone, suggesting the existence of substantial gene flow between ponds in the core area. According to our findings, landscape’s permeability to movement (pond connectivity) may constitute a more important factor than hydroperiod length in determining the genetic diversity and viability of pygmy newt populations in this area. Although Doñana populations show a good state, more peripheral and isolated populations present a more worrisome condition as a result of fragmentation and thus, require conservation efforts. Our study provides key insights that could help guide management practices of this threatened and poorly-studied salamander., Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. This study was funded by the grants of the Government of Andalusia (Consejería de Economía, Innovación y Ciencia) through the projects P07-RNM-02928 and RNM8147. V. García-Navas was supported by a “Ramón y Cajal” contract (ref. RYC2019-026703-I) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

20 p.-7 fig.-1 tab., New drugs against visceral leishmaniasis with mechanisms of action differing from existing treatments and with adequate cost, stability, and properties are urgently needed. No antitubulin drug is currently in the clinic against Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean area. We have designed and synthesized a focused library of 350 compounds against the Leishmania tubulin based on the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and sequence differences between host and parasite. The compounds synthesized are accessible, stable, and appropriately soluble in water. We assayed the library against Leishmania promastigotes, axenic, and intracellular amastigotes and found 0, 8, and 16 active compounds, respectively, with a high success rate against intracellular amastigotes of over 10%, not including the cytotoxic compounds. Five compounds have a similar or better potency than the clinically used miltefosine. 14 compounds showed a host-dependent mechanism of action that might be advantageous as it may render them less susceptible to the development of drug resistance. The active compounds cluster in five chemical classes that provide structure-activity relationships for further hit improvement and facilitate series development. Molecular docking is consistent with the proposed mechanism of action, supported by the observed structure-activity relationships, and suggests a potential extension to other Leishmania species due to sequence similarities. A new family of diarylsulfonamides designed against the parasite tubulins is active against Leishmania infantum and represents a new class of potential drugs with favorable cost, stability, and aqueous solubility for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). These results could be extended to other clinically relevant species of Leishmania spp., This work was supported by Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Castilla y León (SA030U16 and SA262P189) and the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (RTI2018-099474-BI00) co-funded by the EU's European Regional Development Fund-FEDER, the EUROLISH NET project (Marie Sklodowska Curie ITN-ETN, EU H2020) and Fundación Ramón Areces (2017–2019). MG acknowledges a predoctoral grant EDU/602/2016 from Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Castilla y León.

This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-021-00493-7. Fungi are highly important biotic components of terrestrial ecosystems, but we still have a very limited understanding about their diversity and distribution. This data article releases a global soil fungal dataset of the Global Soil Mycobiome consortium (GSMc) to boost further research in fungal diversity, biogeography and macroecology. The dataset comprises 722,682 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) derived from PacBio sequencing of full-length ITS and 18S-V9 variable regions from 3200 plots in 108 countries on all continents. The plots are supplied with geographical and edaphic metadata. The OTUs are taxonomically and functionally assigned to guilds and other functional groups. The entire dataset has been corrected by excluding chimeras, index-switch artefacts and potential contamination. The dataset is more inclusive in terms of geographical breadth and phylogenetic diversity of fungi than previously published data. The GSMc dataset is available over the PlutoF repository.

21 p.-4 fig.-3 tab., Searching for improved indolesulfonamides with higher polarities, 45 new analogues with modifications on the sulfonamide nitrogen, the methoxyaniline, and/or the indole 3-position were synthesised. They show submicromolar to nanomolar antiproliferative IC50 values against four human tumour cell lines and they are not P-glycoprotein substrates as their potencies against HeLa cells did not improve upon cotreatment with multidrug resistance (MDR) inhibitors. The compounds inhibit tubulin polymerisation in vitro and in cells, thus causing a mitotic arrest followed by apoptosis as shown by cell cycle distribution studies. Molecular modelling studies indicate binding at the colchicine site. Methylated sulfonamides were more potent than those with large and polar substitutions. Amide, formyl, or nitrile groups at the indole 3-position provided drug-like properties for reduced toxicity, with Polar Surface Areas (PSA) above a desirable 75 Å2. Nitriles 15 and 16 are potent polar analogues and represent an interesting class of new antimitotics., This work was financially supported by the Consejería de Educacion de la Junta de Castilla y León [SA262P18 and SA116P20], co-funded by the EU’s European Regional Development Fund-FEDER, and the Spanish Ministry of Science,Innovation, and Universities [RTI2018-099474-B-I00 and SAF2017-89672-R].

Se irradiaron inflorescencias de maíz con rayos gamma de cobalto-GO, exponiéndolas a una dosis que fluctuó entre 2.50 y 20,000 roentgenios. Veinticuatro y 18 horas después de irradiadas, se recobró el polen para fertilizar las mazorcas. Se obtuvieron los siguientes datos: número de semillas buenas, o sea, semillas bien desarrolladas; porcentaje de germinación de la semilla buena, y altura de las plantas a los 7 y 14 días después de haber germinado la semilla. No se obtuvo semilla, de la que se irradió con una dosis en exceso de 1,000 roentgenios. El polen que se trató por 24 horas afectó poco los caracteres que se midieron, al compararse con el que se trató por 18 horas. La reacción fue general en cuanto a la cantidad de buena semilla producida por mazorca y a su porcentaje de germinación. Las dosis altas disminuyeron tanto la cantidad de semilla buena como el porcentaje de germinación. No hubo evidencia cuanto a la reacción de las plantas irradiadas con referencia a su altura. Si la semilla germina, su crecimiento es igual sin importar la dosis aplicada.

Burning vegetative debris is a worldwide long-standing practice. The current study was designed to examine the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 10 µm (PM10) released from the burning of pruning residues common in Portugal and other countries of the Mediterranean region. Field measurements were conducted to collect PM10 samples from open burning of vines, olive, willow and acacia pruning branches. To assess the cytotoxicity of the PM10 total organic extract, the A549 cell line, representative of the alveolar type II pneumocytes of the human lung, was used. The cytotoxicity was checked using two complementary methods: water-soluble tetrazolium (WST-8) test to evaluate the cell metabolic activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity assay to assess the loss of cell membrane integrity. The mutagenicity of the PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was screened through the Ames test. PM10 organic extracts induced LDH release in a dose-dependent manner. Regarding the cellular metabolic activity, dose-dependency was lacking for the majority of the samples. Combined WST-8 and LDH data indicate that PM10 exposure induce a necrotic cell death pathway in which the cell membrane integrity is lost. Direct and indirect mutagenicity towards the TA98 Salmonella strain has been recorded for the PAH extracts of PM10 collected from combustion of vine and willow branches during the ignition/flaming combustion stage. Significant correlations were found between the cytotoxic responses (WST-8 and LDH) and the PM10 organic component.

Background Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 S antibodies prevent viral replication. Critically ill COVID‐19 patients show viral material in plasma, associated with a dysregulated host response. If these antibodies influence survival and viral dissemination in ICU‐COVID patients is unknown. Patients/Methods We studied the impact of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 S antibodies levels on survival, viral RNA‐load in plasma, and N‐antigenaemia in 92 COVID‐19 patients over ICU admission. Results Frequency of N‐antigenaemia was >2.5‐fold higher in absence of antibodies. Antibodies correlated inversely with viral RNA‐load in plasma, representing a protective factor against mortality (Adjusted HR [CI 95%], p): (S IgM [AUC ≥ 60]: 0.44 [0.22; 0.88], 0.020); (S IgG [AUC ≥ 237]: 0.31 [0.16; 0.61]

The effects of defoliation frequency (21, 28, 35 and 42 days) and defoliation intensity (20, 30 and 40 cm above the ground) on green dry matter (GDM) yield, and chemical composition of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tamani were evaluated under natural field conditions at the Roraima´s savannas. Defoliation regimes affect productivity and chemical composition of M. maximus cv. Tamani forage. The decrease in the pasture defoliation frequency and intensity improved the accumulation of forage, however it reduces the tissue concentrations of N, P, Ca, Mg and K. Irrespective of defoliation frequencies, the highest levels of N (25.31 g kg-1), P (2.11 g kg-1), Mg (2.78 g kg-1) and K (21.13 g kg-1) were recorded for the defoliation intensity at 40 cm above the ground, except for Ca (4.31 g kg-1), where the greatest concentration was obtained with defoliations at 30 cm above the ground. The use of defoliation frequency around 32 days and defoliation intensity of 28 cm above the ground can be considered adequate for the management of pastures of M. maximus cv. Tamani, in order to provides higher forage productivity and quality, regrowth vigor, larger efficiency of forage utilization, greater tissue renewal and canopy structure more favorable to grazing Made available in DSpace on 2021-10-18T19:00:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PubVet-2021-Produtividade-e-composicao-quimica-da-forragem-de-Megathyrsus-maximus-cv.-Tamani-sob-regimes-de-desfolhacao.pdf: 404226 bytes, checksum: 2c10af0da8c33992d6c90beabb689c7f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021

16 p.-6 fig.-2 tab., The sustainability of control programs for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, for citrus crops in Spain has been threatened by the development of resistance to malathion and lambda-cyhalothrin in recent years. Spinosad is widely used without apparent loss of efficacy. However, a highly resistant strain, JW-100s, has been obtained after laboratory selection. Spinosad resistance in JW-100s has been associated with different mutant alleles of the α6 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (Ccα6) including an isoform-specific truncation allele, Ccα63aQ68*. Using the GAL4 > UAS system in Drosophila melanogaster to demonstrate expression of this truncated α6 subunit, in a dα6 loss-of-function genetic background, does not rescue susceptibility to spinosad, while the expression of Ccα6 wild-type isoforms does. We have also generated C. capitata isolines from JW-100s homozygous for: (1) the Ccα63aQ68*Δ3b-4 allele, which contains the mutation 3aQ68*, and (2) the Ccα63aQ68*–K352* allele, which contains the mutations 3aQ68* and K352*. Neither of these produce complete Ccα6 transcripts. The frequency of resistant alleles declined when in competition with individuals carrying the wild-type allele. Through extensive testing of both biological and behavioral fitness traits, we identified a reduced ability of Ccα63aQ68*Δ3b-4 males to detect the parapheromone and to mate with females carrying the Ccα63aQ68*–K352* allele in competition experiments. Thus, not only the potential for spontaneous resistant mutations to arise in Ccα6 but also their fitness costs must be considered when planning resistance management strategies for C. capitata., This work received financial support from CICYT(AGL2016-76516-R). The Spanish MINECO granted A. Guillem-Amat a predoc (BES-C-2014-068937) and a mobility (EEBB-I-16-11336) fellowships.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are well-studied biocontrol agents of soil-dwelling arthropod pests. The insecticidal efficiency of EPNs is modulated by food web dynamics. EPNs can reproduce in freeze-killed insect larvae, even in competition with free-living bacterivorous nematodes (FLBNs) in the genus Oscheius. The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of EPNs as scavengers when competing with free-living saprophagous nematodes and fungi, and to determine the possible impact on subsequent EPN offspring fitness. Live and freeze-killed larvae of Galleria mellonella were used to evaluate the reproduction rate and progeny fitness of two EPN species, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema feltiae, applied individually or combined with the FLBN species Oscheius onirici or Pristionchus maupasi, or Aspergillus flavus, an opportunistic saprophytic fungus. We hypothesized that (1) EPN scavenging behaviors previously observed (for H. megidis and S. kraussei) apply to other EPN species, (2) infective juveniles (IJs) emerging from freeze-killed larvae will display reduced pathogenicity and reproduction, and (3) fitness reduction will be amplified by exposure to other organisms competing for the resources. The reproduction rate of S. feltiae was lower in freeze-killed larvae than in larvae infected and killed by the nematode, whereas H. bacteriophora failed to reproduce as a scavenger. The S. feltiae F1 IJs that emerged from freeze-killed larvae exhibited lower pathogenicity rates than IJs resulting from entomopathogenic activity, and also lower reproductive rates if they experienced high FLBN competitive pressure during development. This study illustrates that scavenging is a suboptimal alternative pathway for EPNs, especially in the face of scavenger competition, even though it provides a means for some EPN species to complete their life-cycle., This work was supported by the Government of Portugal (FCT), thanks to the “Starting Grant” associate funds (grant number IF/00552/2014/CP1234/CT0007). RCH was awarded with an Investigator Programme contract (FCT, Portugal, grant number IF/00552/2014). Similarly, FAB-P and RB-P were financed by the scientific assistantship fellowships associated with this grant (BI, UAlg-2016/004 and UAlg-2016/003, respectively; Universidade do Algarve, Portugal). Currently, the Government of Spain supports RCH with a Ramon y Cajal contract award (RYC-2016-19939) and the Government of La Rioja (Spain) supports RBP with a predoctoral contract (CAR-2018).

Background: No dairy breed or crossbreed has superior overall performance in all environments; therefore, it is necessary to determine which crossbreed is the most suitable for the Mexican tropic and what proportion of European breed is optimum for reproduction. Objective: To assess the effect of the proportion of Bos taurus (Bt) genes on reproductive performance of Holstein×Zebu (HZ) and Brown Swiss×Zebu (BZ) cows, and compare reproductive performance of these genotypes in a dual-purpose production system. Methods: Cows were maintained in a rotational grazing system on African star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus) in Veracruz, Mexico. Cows were milked twice daily. Calves were kept tied to the side of their dams while the cows were milked. Results: The percentage of Bt genes did not affect (p>0.05) fertility traits (age at first calving, days to first service after calving, services per conception, conception rate at first service, days open until conception, gestation length, and calving interval) of BZ cows. In contrast, HZ cows with less than 75% Holstein (H) genes were 0.3 years younger (p

Aims We described the presence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) and estimated the prevalence of primary and secondary resistance using molecular detection in gastric biopsies of Ecuadorian patients. Methods and Results 66.7% (238/357) of the patients demonstrated the presence of HP using CerTest qPCR. Of these, 69.79% (104/149) were without previous HP eradication treatment and 64.42% (134/208) with prior HP eradication treatment. The mutation-associated resistance rate for clarithromycin was 33.64% (primary resistance) and 32.82% (secondary resistance), whereas that in levofloxacin the primary and secondary resistance was 37.38% and 42%, respectively. For tetracycline and rifabutin, primary and secondary resistance was 0%. Primary and secondary resistance for metronidazole and amoxicillin could not be evaluated by genotypic methods (PCR and sequencing). Conclusions The analysis of mutations in gyrA, 23S rRNA and 16S rRNA is useful to detect bacterial resistance as a guide for eradication therapy following failure of the first-line regimen. Significance and Impact of the Study This study carried out in an Ecuadorian population indicates that the resistance of HP to first-line antibiotics is high, which may contribute to the high rates of treatment failure, and other treatment alternatives should be considered.

By allowing for the creation of embryo banks, reproductive biotechnologies play an essential role in the preservation of endangered goat breeds' genetic diversity. This study focused on comparing both available embryo collection methods [laparotomy (LAP) vs. nonsurgical embryo recovery (NSER)] in Canindé goats to create an embryo bank for later use in a breed conservation program. Twelve females were superovulated and subjected to either the LAP or NSER technique for embryo recovery. The recovery rate was similar (

Onion is among the most consumed vegetables in Uruguay, grown in the northwestern and southern regions of the country. The onion supply presents interannual variations associated with significant postharvest losses, mainly caused by bacterial rots. Besides bulb rotting, onion leaf lesions as well as infections on seed-stalks during seed production may be devastating for some varieties under conducive conditions. This research aimed to identify the causal agents of bulb rots and leaf blight of onion crops in Uruguay. Symptomatic bulbs, seeds-stalks, and leaves were collected from commercial fields from 2015 to 2020. Bacterial colonies were isolated and identified at genera level using physiological tests and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. A collection of 59 Pantoea spp. isolates was obtained (11 from bulbs and 48 from leaves and seeds-stalks). Multilocus sequence analysis using four housekeeping genes (rpoB, gyrB, leuS, and fusA) allowed the assignment of the isolates to five Pantoea species: P. ananatis, P. agglomerans, P. allii, P. eucalypti, and P. vagans. The last two species were not previously reported as onion pathogens elsewhere. The ability to cause disease symptoms was tested by leaf inoculation and red onion scale assays. P. ananatis isolates showed the highest aggressiveness in both assays. Specific isolates from P. allii (MAI 6022), P. eucalypti (MAI 6036), P. vagans (MAI 6050), and Pantoea sp. (MAI 6049) ranked second in aggressiveness on onion leaves, whereas only three isolates belonging to P. eucalypti (MAI 6036 and MAI 6058) and P. agglomerans (MAI 6045) exhibited the same scale-clearing phenotype as P. ananatis. Leaf inoculation assays were also performed on a set of eight onion cultivars and breeding lines. Overall, P. ananatis MAI 6032 showed the highest aggressiveness in all tested cultivars, followed by P. eucalypti MAI 6036. The presence of new reported bacterial species leads to complex disease management and highlights the need for further studies on virulence factors and the epidemiology of these pathogens.

The luminescent characteristics of spherical hafnia/silica (HfO2/SiO2) nanoparticles (NPʼs) co-doped with Tb3+/Yb3+ were analysed. These NPʼs were synthesized using the spray pyrolysis technique. The addition of SiO2 and Tb3+/Yb3+ was found to induce a cubic phase in HfO2. The luminescent spectra presented the characteristic emission peaks for inter-electronic energy levels transitions of the Tb3+ and Yb3+ ions, with an excitation band centred at 270 nm. Under solid-state laser excitation at 980 nm an upconversion emission related to the Tb3+ ion was observed. The maximum emission peak in the visible region was at 543 nm, associated with 5D4 → 7F5 transitions of the Tb3+ ions and an IR emission peak at 970 nm (2F5/2 → 2F7/2) pertaining to Yb3+, with irradiation at 270 nm (UV). The energy transfer mechanism from Tb3+→Yb3+ (excitation at 270 nm), is discussed based on the time decay of the luminescence intensity analysis and the energy transfer efficiency (ηET) and was determined to be in the range of 29.2%–40.8%.

BackgroundThe Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is the target for many COVID-19 vaccines. Here we report results for phase 1 clinical trial of two COVID-19 vaccine candidates based on recombinant dimeric RBD (d-RBD).MethodsWe performed a randomized, double-blind, phase I clinical trial in the National Centre of Toxicology in Havana. Sixty Cuban volunteers aged 19-59 years were randomized into three groups (20 subjects each): 1) FINLAY-FR-1 (50 mcg d-RBD plus outer membrane vesicles from N. meningitidis); 2) FINLAY-FR-1A-50 mcg d-RBD (three doses); 3) FINLAY-FR-1A-25 mcg d-RDB (three doses). The FINLAY-FR-1 group was randomly divided to receive a third dose of the same vaccine candidate (homologous schedule) or of FINLAY-FR-1A-50 (heterologous schedule). The primary outcomes were safety and reactogenicity. The secondary outcome was vaccine immunogenicity. Humoral response at baseline and following each vaccination was evaluated using live-virus neutralization test, anti-RBD IgG ELISA and in-vitro neutralization test of RBD:hACE2 interaction.ResultsMost adverse events were of mild intensity (63.5%), solicited (58.8%), and local (61.8%); 69.4% with causal association with vaccination. Serious adverse events were not found. The FINLAY-FR-1 group reported more adverse events than the other two groups. After the third dose, anti-RBD seroconversion was 100%, 94.4% and 90% for the FINLAY-FR-1, FINLAY-FR-1A-50 and FINLAY-FR-1A-25 respectively. The in-vitro inhibition of RBD:hACE2 interaction increased after the second dose in all formulations. The geometric mean neutralizing titres after the third dose rose significantly in the group vaccinated with FINLAY-FR-1 with respect to the other formulations and the COVID-19 Convalescent Serum Panel. No differences were found between FINLAY-FR-1 homologous or heterologous schedules.ConclusionsVaccine candidates were safe and immunogenic, and induced live-virus neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The highest values were obtained when outer membrane vesicles were used as adjuvant.Trial registryhttps://rpcec.sld.cu/en/trials/RPCEC00000338-En

Objectives The main goal of this study was to accurately detect azole resistance in species of the Aspergillus fumigatus complex by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Methods Identification of isolates (n = 868) was done with MALDI-TOF MS using both commercial and in-house libraries. To determine azole susceptibility, the EUCAST E.Def. 9.3.2 method was applied as the reference standard. Identification of resistant isolates was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. Protein spectra obtained by MALDI-TOF MS were analysed to differentiate species within the A. fumigatus complex and to detect azole-resistant A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolates. Results Correct discrimination of A. fumigatus sensu stricto from cryptic species was accomplished in 100% of the cases applying principal component analysis (PCA) to protein spectra generated by MALDI-TOF MS. Furthermore, a specific peak (4586 m/z) was found to be present only in cryptic species. The application of partial least squares (PLS) discriminant analysis allowed 98.43% (±0.038) discrimination between susceptible and azole-resistant A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolates. Finally, based on PLS and SVM, A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolates with different cyp51A gene mutations were correctly clustered in 91.5% of the cases. Conclusions MALDI-TOF MS combined with peak analysis is a novel tool that allows the differentiation of A. fumigatus sensu stricto from other species within the A. fumigatus complex, as well as the detection of azole-resistant A. fumigatus sensu stricto. Although further studies are still needed, the results reported here show the great potential of MALDI-TOF and machine learning for the rapid detection of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates from clinical origins.

Asian soybean rust, caused by the pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is the main soybean disease in Mexico and worldwide, threatening its production. Knowledge about the virulence of Mexican rust populations (MRPs) is crucial to develop or introduce soybean cultivars with resistance to this disease. This study investigated the geographic variation in the virulence of 19 MRPs collected in two states of Mexico (Tamaulipas and Chiapas) using a set of 12 differential soybean varieties. The inoculation of MRPs showed that there was no large difference in virulence to differentials carrying Rpp4 or Rpp5 between MRPs from the two states. However, a contrasting phenotype was observed on Rpp1, Rpp1-b, Rpp2, and Rpp3. In the comparative analysis of virulence profiles with 157 and 20 P. pachyrhizi samples from South America and Asia, respectively, the MRPs from Chiapas form an isolated cluster, including the Tamaulipas state. The MRPs from Tamaulipas clustered with South American samples because of common characteristics, such as virulence to Rpp1 and avirulence to Rpp1-b. However, opposite reactions on Rpp1 and Rpp1-b that have been reported in major U.S. pathogens were also observed in Chiapas samples. A common trend between Chiapas and major U.S. pathogens was also observed in Rpp3. The main conclusion of the present study is that the 1,000-km distance between these two states in Mexico makes a big difference in the virulence of Asian soybean rust. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

The two most important activities in maize breeding are the development of inbred lines with high values of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), and the identification of hybrids with high yield potentials. Genomic selection (GS) is a promising genomic tool to perform selection on the untested breeding material based on the genomic estimated breeding values estimated from the genomic prediction (GP). In this study, GP analyses were carried out to estimate the performance of hybrids, GCA, and SCA for grain yield (GY) in three maize line-by-tester trials, where all the material was phenotyped in 10 to 11 multiple-location trials and genotyped with a mid-density molecular marker platform. Results showed that the prediction abilities for the performance of hybrids ranged from 0.59 to 0.81 across all trials in the model including the additive effect of lines and testers. In the model including both additive and non-additive effects, the prediction abilities for the performance of hybrids were improved and ranged from 0.64 to 0.86 across all trials. The prediction abilities of the GCA for GY were low, ranging between − 0.14 and 0.13 across all trials in the model including only inbred lines; the prediction abilities of the GCA for GY were improved and ranged from 0.49 to 0.55 across all trials in the model including both inbred lines and testers, while the prediction abilities of the SCA for GY were negative across all trials. The prediction abilities for GY between testers varied from − 0.66 to 0.82; the performance of hybrids between testers is difficult to predict. GS offers the opportunity to predict the performance of new hybrids and the GCA of new inbred lines based on the molecular marker information, the total breeding cost could be reduced dramatically by phenotyping fewer multiple-location trials.

Trichoderma gamsii T6085 has been investigated for many years as a beneficial isolate for use in the biocontrol of Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat caused primarily by Fusarium graminearum. Previous work focused on application of T6085 to wheat spikes at anthesis, whereas application to soil before or at sowing has received limited attention. In the present study, the competitive ability of T6085 on plant residues against F. graminearum was investigated. Results showed a significant reduction of wheat straw colonization by the pathogen and of the development of perithecia, not only when T6085 was applied alone but also in the presence of a F. oxysporum isolate (7121), well known as a natural competitor on wheat plant residues. T6085 was able to endophytically colonize wheat roots, resulting in internal colonization of the radical cortex area, without reaching the vascular system, as confirmed by confocal microscopy. This intimate interaction with the plant resulted in a significant increase of the expression of the plant defense-related genes PAL1 and PR1. Taken together, competitive ability, endophytic behavior, and host resistance induction represent three important traits that can be of great use in the application of T6085 against FHB not only on spikes at anthesis but potentially also in soil before or at sowing.

V. Andrés’s laboratory is supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN)/Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (grant PID2019-108489RBI00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) with cofund from Fondo Social Europeo “El FSE invierte en tu futuro”. The CNIC is supported by the MICIN, the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, the Pro-CNIC Foundation, and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (grant CEX2020-001041-S funded by MICIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033). J. Díez is consultant to AstraZeneca, Bayer, and Vifor Pharma. Sí

Camera trapping is a widely used tool in wildlife research and conservation, and a plethora of makes and models of camera traps have emerged. However, insufficient attention has been paid to testing their performance, particularly under field conditions. In this study, we have comparatively tested five of the most frequently used makes of camera trap (Bushnell, KeepGuard, Ltl Acorn, Reconyx and Scoutguard) to identify the key factors behind their probability of detection (i.e. the probability that the camera successfully capturing a usable photograph of an animal passing through the field of view) and trigger speed (i.e. the time delay between the instant at which a motion is detected, and the time at which the picture is taken). We used 45 cameras (nine devices of each make) with infrared flash in a field experiment in which a continuous remote video was used in parallel (as a gold-standard) to discover the animals that entered the camera trap detection zone. The period (day/night), distance between animals and cameras, model, species, deployment height and activation sensitivity were significantly related to the probability of detection. This probability was lower during the night than during the day. There was a greater probability of detecting a given species when the cameras were set at its shoulder height. The interaction between species and the distance between the animals and the cameras significantly affected the trigger speed, meaning that the closer the animals that entered the detection zone, the higher the trigger speed, with substantial differences among species. This was probably related by movement speed. In conclusion, this study shows differences in the performance of camera trap models and settings, signifying that caution is required when making direct comparisons among results obtained in different experiments, or when designing new ones. These results provide empirical guidelines for best practices in camera trapping and highlight the relevance of field experiments for testing the performance of the camera traps., PP received support from the MINECO-UCLM through an FPU grant (FPU16/00039). PA and JV are partly supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) research grant (REF: PID2019-111699RB-I00).

The merging of community ecology and phylogenetic biology allows us to link broader evolutionary processes to local ecological processes, thereby increasing our understanding of community assembly. A recurrent way to test how species assemblages respond to different abiotic conditions and evaluate the role of evolutionary constraints in community assembly is through using environmental gradients as natural treatments. Here, we combine phylogenetic and trait-based methods to evaluate how the phylogenetic diversity and composition of bird assemblages and their community-weighted traits vary along an elevational gradient in the Swiss Alps. For this purpose, we used four life-history traits considered to be key indicators of individual species response to environmental changes: clutch size, number of breeding attempts, dispersal capacity and lifespan. Controlling for phylogeny, we determined whether environmental filters (elevation, habitat type) act on these traits independently of the level of relatedness among species. We found that phylogenetic dispersion decreases with elevation, but the signature of phylogenetic clustering was weak. Phylogenetic fuzzy weighting showed that the distribution of bird species across plots was related to the two environmental gradients; nonetheless, such influence was not determined by the phylogenetic relationships in either case. That is, there are no specific clades associated with particular elevation or habitat types. We also found that high elevation communities around the treeline were composed of species with lower reproductive rates, reduced lifespan, and lower dispersal capacity, which would make them less resilient to environmental change. Although traits showed moderate phylogenetic signal, only the lifespan was phylogenetically structured. In the remaining cases, the trait-environment association was not mediated by the phylogenetic relationships among taxa. Our study indicates that evolutionary constraints do not represent a significant driver of community assembly in Alpine bird communities and support the notion that phylogeny may often not be a good proxy for traits subject to environmental filtering.

Although providing the basis for seed germination studies, there is little information available on seed imbibition curves for Brazilian forest species. Among the few studied species, the theoretical triphasic pattern may not apply, hampering the conduction of subsequent studies that require a clear definition of imbibition phases. In this paper, we characterize the seed imbibition curves of 25 Brazilian forest species and compare them with those from other studies and with the classic triphasic pattern. We collected seeds of the chosen species in the region of Lavras, MG, Brazil, and measured their fresh weight before and during the entire germination process. Seed weight data were used to calculate the weight gain percentage of each species. We defined the imbibition curves of Peltophorum dubium seeds using seed fresh weight and seed weight gain percentage of both single and multiple samples, as well as using water content (on fresh and dry bases) to compare potential changes in imbibition patterns caused by differences in data. When only weight gain was considered, we observed the triphasic pattern in 11 species; however, only in four of them, the germination coincided with the third phase of imbibition. The triphasic pattern did not emerge for the remaining 14 species. Considering seed water content instead of weight resulted in some changes in the pattern of the imbibition curve, influencing the accuracy of the results.

Background Miniature pigs have gained popularity as companion animals in the recent years in Spain. Due to the fact that their abandonment and crossing breeds with wild boars can cause severe problems, investigation about the health status is needed. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine their health status according to the clinical findings during physical examination and the results of antibody serology tests against selected infectious diseases. Methods Two‐hundred and eleven miniature pigs (Sus scrofa) were included in the study. Their origin, age, sex, housing conditions and diet were recorded. Results The housing of the animals ranged from wild animals to ones living in animal sanctuaries. The diet varied from a natural one in the wild to commercial and homemade food. Thirty animals out of two‐hundred and eleven were hybrids between miniature pigs and wild boars according to morphological characteristics. Antibody serology techniques of Influenza A virus, Hepatitis E virus, brucellosis, tuberculosis, African swine fever, Classical swine fever and Aujeszky's disease was performed. The prevalence for Influenza A was 5.30%, for Hepatitis E was 5.35% and the rest tested negative. It is important to control and monitor these zoonotic infections to prevent Public Health problems. Conclusions The results obtained from this investigation demonstrated that the animals' health status in this study is optimal and the diseases prevalence is similar or minor when compared to previous studies. This study confirms the hybridization of miniature pig and wild boar in Catalonia., This paper describes a research project about health status of free‐ranging pure and cross‐mixed miniature swine population from North East Spain based on analysis of diet, environment, clinical findings, physical examination, and antibody serology techniques.

Despite their ecological importance, sponges are often avoided in biodiversity studies and monitoring programs because they are notoriously difficult to identify using morphological or molecular methods. Here, we investigate the metabarcoding performance of universal degenerate cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) primers in detecting species from this challenging phylum in a cryptobenthic community. Twenty‐two modified Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) were deployed for 2 years in mesocosms receiving unfiltered seawater from an adjacent reef slope. Upon recovery, each unit was inspected by a marine sponge taxonomist who used a combination of taxonomy, imagery, and DNA barcoding (28S rRNA and COI) to identify sponges and generate a validated taxonomic richness value for each ARMS unit. A total of 69 unique sponge barcoded morphologies (BMs) were identified from the classes Calcarea, Demospongiae, and Homoscleromorpha. Metabarcoding identified 41 unique sponge molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) from Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha but the primers failed to amplify any species from the class Calcarea which comprised 22% of the BMs. Sponge richness did not differ between BMs and MOTUs assigned to the classes Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha. However, assignments at the order and family level in Demospongiae underscore known limitations in sponge taxonomic resolution using the COI gene. The prevalence of false positives within the order Suberitida and the pervasiveness of false negatives within the order Haplosclerida highlighted both technical and biological constraints in the metabarcoding method. Overall, these results confirm the need for discretion in sponge MOTU assignments using universal degenerate barcoding primers that target a short fragment of the COI gene. However, they also demonstrate that COI metabarcoding is capable of capturing sponge richness from a complex natural community.

Background The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a worldwide devastating pest of potato plants and other Solanaceae characterized by its remarkable ability to evolve resistance to insecticides. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry3Aa toxin represents an environmentally-safe alternative for CPB control but larvae susceptibility to this toxin has been reported to vary depending on the host plant on which larvae feed. To gain more insight into how nutrition mediates Bt tolerance through effects on gene expression here we explored the post-transcriptional regulation by miRNAs of the CPB-ADAM10 gene encoding the Cry3Aa toxin functional receptor ADAM10. Results The lower CPB-ADAM10 gene expression in CPB larvae fed on potato plants cv. Vivaldi than those fed on potato cv. Monalisa or tomato plants was inversely related to Cry3Aa toxicity. By high-throughput sequencing we identified seven CPB miRNAs and one potato miRNA predicted to base pair with the CPB-ADAM10 mRNA. No differential expression of the endogenous lde-miR1175-5p was found in larvae feeding on any of the two potato plant varieties. However, statistically significant increased amounts of potato stu-miR171c-5p were detected in CPB larvae fed on potato cv. Vivaldi compared to larvae fed on potato cv. Monalisa. Conclusion Our results support a role for dietary miRNAs in Bt toxicity by regulating CPB-ADAM10 gene encoding the Cry3Aa toxin receptor ADAM10 in CPB larvae and open up the possibility of exploiting plant natural variation in miRNAs to provide more sustainable potato crops protection against CPB. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Funding This study had the support of Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) through the Strategic Project UID/MAR/04292/2020 to MARE, UIDB/50011/2020 & UIDP/50011/2020 to CICECO, and the University of Aveiro and FCT/MCT for the fnancial support for LAQV-REQUIMTE research Unit (FCT UIDB/50006/2020) through national founds, and, where applicable, co-fnanced by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. This work was also funded by the project “Valorização dos subprodutos do processo biotecnológico de produção de esqualeno e DHA pela microalga Aurantiochytrium sp.” (AlgaValue) (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-017680) supported by COMPETE 2020, and Integrated Programme of SR&TD “SmartBioR” (reference Centro-01–0145-FEDER-000018) cofunded by Centro 2020 program, Portugal2020, European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund. The authors also thank the funding from Project AgroForWealth (CENTRO-01–0145-FEDER-000001), funded by Centro2020, through FEDER and PT2020 and University of Aveiro. Aurantiochytrium sp. is an emerging alternative source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and squalene, playing an important role in the phasing out of traditional fish sources for these compounds. Novel lipid extraction techniques with a focus on sustainability and low environmental footprint are being developed for this organism, but the exploration of other added-value compounds within it is still very limited. In this work, a combination of novel green extraction techniques (high hydrostatic pressure extraction (HPE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)) and traditional techniques (organic solvent Soxhlet extraction and hydrodistillation (HD)) was used to obtain lipophilic extracts of Aurantiochytrium sp., which were then screened for antioxidant (DPPH radical reduction capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assays), lipid oxidation protection, antimicrobial, anti-aging enzyme inhibition (collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase), and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of NO production) activities. The screening revealed promising extracts in nearly all categories of biological activity tested, with only the enzymatic inhibition being low in all extracts. Powerful lipid oxidation protection and anti-inflammatory activity were observed in most SFE samples. Ethanolic HPEs inhibited both lipid oxidation reactions and microbial growth. The HD extract demonstrated high antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiinflammatory activities making, it a major contender for further studies aiming at the valorization of Aurantiochytrium sp. Taken together, this study presents compelling evidence of the bioactive potential of Aurantiochytrium sp. and encourages further exploration of its composition and application. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Armoured dinosaurs are well known for their evolution of specialized tail weapons—paired tail spikes in stegosaurs and heavy tail clubs in advanced ankylosaurs1. Armoured dinosaurs from southern Gondwana are rare and enigmatic, but probably include the earliest branches of Ankylosauria2–4. Here we describe a mostly complete, semi-articulated skeleton of a small (approximately 2 m) armoured dinosaur from the late Cretaceous period of Magallanes in southernmost Chile, a region that is biogeographically related to West Antarctica5. Stegouros elengassen gen. et sp. nov. evolved a large tail weapon unlike any dinosaur: a flat, frond-like structure formed by seven pairs of laterally projecting osteoderms encasing the distal half of the tail. Stegouros shows ankylosaurian cranial characters, but a largely ancestral postcranial skeleton, with some stegosaur-like characters. Phylogenetic analyses placed Stegouros in Ankylosauria; specifically, it is related to Kunbarrasaurus from Australia6 and Antarctopelta from Antarctica7, forming a clade of Gondwanan ankylosaurs that split earliest from all other ankylosaurs. The large osteoderms and specialized tail vertebrae in Antarctopelta suggest that it had a tail weapon similar to Stegouros. We propose a new clade, the Parankylosauria, to include the first ancestor of Stegouros—but not Ankylosaurus—and all descendants of that ancestor. Stegouros elengassen, an ankylosaur from the late Cretaceous of Chile, has a large tail weapon, named a macuahuitl after the Aztec club, with a frond-like structure formed by seven pairs of laterally projecting osteoderms encasing the distal half of the tail.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are a new class of anti-cancer therapy that involves manipulating autologous or allogeneic T cells to express a CAR directed against a membrane antigen. In Europe, tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah™) has marketing authorization for the treatment of relapsed / refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children and young adults, in addition to the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); the marketing authorization for axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta™) is for the treatment of relapsed / refractory high-grade B-cell lymphoma and for the treatment of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. Both cell products are genetically modified autologous T cells directed against CD19. These recommendations, drawn up by a working group of the Francophone Society of Bone Marrow transplantation and cellular Therapy (SFGM-TC) relate to the management of patients and the supply chain: medium-term complications, in particular cytopenias and B-cell aplasia, nursing and psychological supportive care. In another work, we will address long-term monitoring, post-marketing authorization pharmacovigilance and issues relating to JACIE and regulatory authorities. These recommendations are not prescriptive; their aim is to provide guidelines for the use of this new therapeutic approach. The purpose of this workshop is to outline the organizational aspects of this new therapeutic approach.

PPP projects that go bankrupt come to early termination and are usually considered a complete failure. While it is true that this outcome is catastrophic for the project shareholders and creditors, it may not be the case for other relevant stakeholders, such as the granting authority, users and society as a whole. Assessing the global outcome of the project requires several detailed ex-post analyses, such as financial analysis, cost-benefit analysis and value for money analysis. Unfortunately, these analyses are seldom performed. To illustrate this point a case study was analysed: the PPP contract for two toll motorways (R-3 and R-5) and a segment of a ring road (M-50) in the vicinity of Madrid, Spain. The results show that the cost of the project to the Government, although higher than estimated on the pre-feasibility study, will be significantly lower than the first and hasty estimates. The project, despite a lower demand than initially expected, is still highly beneficial to society. Finally, using a PPP for this project has allowed the Granting Authority to avoid risks that have materialized with an important cost.

The steady demand for fish in the aquaculture sector has led to the study and implementation of new compounds of natural origin which seek to standardize and maximize production by ensuring reproductive performance. Microalgae have emerged as a renewable source with specific nutritive qualities that allows the enhancement of captive breeding, and the use of local strain aims to facilitate cultivation and reduce production costs. Therefore, in this study, the effect of a diet supplemented with a diatom of the genus Grammatophora obtained from La Paz Bay, Mexico, was evaluated on the reproductive performance of 5-year-old Pacific Red snapper (Lutjanus peru). Two isoproteic and isolipidic diets were compared: the control semi-humid diet (R0) and the experimental enriched diet with 3% of Grammatophora sp. silage made by fermentation (R1). Fishes were fed ad libitum 3 months previous to the spawning season during 7 months. Hatching rate was significantly (P

To evaluate i) the inhibitory and bactericidal activity of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) and its isolated compounds (anacardic acid and cardol) against oral bacteria; ii) the biofilm formation inhibition, resin-dentin bond strength and physicochemical properties of a dental adhesive incorporated with these substances. The antibacterial effect of CNSL, anacardic acid, and cardol were assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (MBC) concentrations. Effect in inhibiting biofilm formation of the adhesive incorporated with the substances (15 μg/ml) against a mixed-species biofilm of Streptococcus mutans and Candida Albicans and was determined by direct contact test. Additional Analysis included microtensile bond strength (μTBS) test, elastic modulus (EM), flexural strength (FS), degree of conversion (DC), water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL). The data were submitted to statistical analysis by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p

El objetivo fue presentar resultados de investigación sobre mejoramiento genético de bovinos productores de carne realizados por el Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, así como los retos y perspectivas de investigación a corto, mediano y largo plazo en dicha área del conocimiento. Se utilizaron tesis de maestría, trabajos de congresos y artículos científicos publicados de 1987 a 2020. En los últimos 34 años, se logró caracterizar productiva y reproductivamente animales Bos indicus y Bos taurus x Bos indicus en condiciones tropicales, implementar evaluaciones genéticas multirraciales para las poblaciones Simmental-Simbrah y Charolais-Charbray, determinar la importancia de los efectos maternos en características de crecimiento y estimar la heredabilidad y correlaciones genéticas para características de crecimiento y reproductivas de machos y hembras en animales Bos taurus y Bos indicus, comprobar que la interacción genotipo-ambiente es un factor importante en la expresión de peso al destete en Simmental, desarrollar factores de ajuste de edad de la madre para pesos al nacimiento y destete, desarrollar un prototipo de evaluación genética nacional para permanencia productiva y otro para fertilidad de vaquillas, estimar la diversidad genética de las poblaciones Simmental, Charolais y Simbrah, e identificar SNP asociados a características de crecimiento en Simmental y Simbrah. En el corto plazo, se espera desarrollar índices de selección y predecir el mérito genético de características de canal; en el mediano, realizar evaluaciones genómicas para tolerancia al estrés calórico, consumo de alimento residual y características de salud; y a largo plazo, realizar predicciones genómicas a través de razas.

BACKGROUND The combination of biocontrol agents is a desirable strategy to improve control efficacy against the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita under field conditions. However, strains compatibility is generally tested in vitro and incompatible combinations are normally not further examined in experiments in planta. Therefore, there is virtually no information on the performance of incompatible strains. In this study, we evaluated two Bacillus strains previously described as incompatible in vitro for effects on plant growth and suppression of M. incognita, pathogenic fungi and nematophagous fungi. RESULTS Strains BMH and INV were shown to be closely related to Bacillus velezensis. These strains, when applied individually, reduced the number of galls and eggs of M. incognita by more than 90% in tomato roots. When BMH and INV were combined (BMH + INV), RKN suppression and tomato shoot weight were lower compared to single-strain applications. Additionally, metabolites in cell-free supernatants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from strains BMH and INV had strong effects against the plant pathogens M. incognita, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsiii, but not against three species of nematophagous fungi. Although strain INV and the combination BMH + INV emitted fewer VOCs than strain BMH, they were still capable of killing second-stage juveniles of M. incognita. CONCLUSIONS Bacillus strains BMH and INV inhibited M. incognita and fungal pathogens, and promoted tomato growth. However, strain INV emitted fewer VOCs and the combination BMH + INV did not enhance the activity of the biocontrol strains against the RKN or their capacity to promote plant growth.