Mating type and fungicide resistance in populations of Podosphaera xanthii in south Italy

Powdery mildew is one of the most common and severe diseases of cucurbits, causing heavy yield losses in all growing areas when not successfully controlled. Two different fungal species, Podosphaera xanthii and Golovinomyces orontii, are generally recognized as causal agents. The results of monitoring carried out in 2016 and 2018 confirmed that P. xanthii is the exclusive pathogen causing cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM) in southern Italy. P. xanthii is a bipolar heterothallic fungus; a PCR-based method for distinguishing MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs was applied for assessing mating type distribution in fungal populations present on cucurbits in different sites. The idiomorph MAT1-2 was prevalent over the MAT1-1 in 2016, whereas they were approximately in a 1:1 ratio in 2018; this finding corroborated the hypothesis that the MAT1-1 idiomorph was more recently introduced in the area. Cyflufenamid-resistant isolates were widespread in commercial greenhouses and field plantings even though use of this fungicide had been drastically reduced by the farmers 1 year before the monitoring due to the effectiveness losses observed in CPM control. Occurrence of cyflufenamid resistance and its impact on efficacy were evaluated in a field trial comparing different fungicide spray schedules. Cyflufenamid-resistant isolates were detected even at the first appearance of symptoms on leaves, increasing over time. Isolates resistant to cyflufenamid showed a resistance factor as high as 900. Generally, P. xanthii was better controlled when cyflufenamid was used in integrated strategies rather than in spray schedules based on the exclusive use of the fungicide.     

Positive natural selection in the human lineage

Positive natural selection is the force that drives the increase in prevalence of advantageous traits, and it has played a central role in our development as a species. Until recently, the study of natural selection in humans has largely been restricted to comparing individual candidate genes to theoretical expectations. The advent of genome-wide sequence and polymorphism data brings fundamental new tools to the study of natural selection. It is now possible to identify new candidates for selection and to reevaluate previous claims by comparison with empirical distributions of DNA sequence variation across the human genome and among populations. The flood of data and analytical methods, however, raises many new challenges. Here, we review approaches to detect positive natural selection, describe results from recent analyses of genome-wide data, and discuss the prospects and challenges ahead as we expand our understanding of the role of natural selection in shaping the human genome.     

Cadmium,lead and metallothionein contents in cultivated mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Gulf of Naples (Southern Italy)

The concentration of cadmium and lead ions was determined in digestive gland and mantle of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from five aquaculture stations located in the Gulf of Naples (Southern Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea). Metallothionein (MT) levels in the same tissues were also evaluated. This gulf represents a greatly urbanized area, characterized by an important commercial port and past industrial activities, terminated in the last decade of the 20th century. The results were compared with those obtained from mussels cultivated in a more pristine neighbouring area. Data demonstrate that the amount of both metals found in mussels harvested at the highly anthropogenic sites in the Gulf of Naples was comparable with that found in mussels from the more naturalistic site. The content of both cadmium and lead was not related with that of MT. Indeed, the amount of both metals in the digestive gland was greater than in the mantle, whereas the MT preferentially accumulated in the mantle. Possibly, the MT content in mantle was associated to the physiological function of the tissue, rather than heavy metals exposure.     

Influence of Fruit Ripening Stage and Harvest Period on the Antioxidant Content of Sweet Pepper Cultivars

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits are highly appreciated by producers and consumers for their economical and nutritional value. Four different cultivars of coloured peppers in immature and mature stages were harvested throughout the spring and examined for their content of phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and total antioxidant capacity (TAA) as well as for lipid peroxidation and carbonyl proteins as index of oxidative stress. Ripening and harvest period influenced the antioxidants and the development of oxidative processes in the cultivars differently: lipid peroxidation increased in mature peppers except in one cultivar (Y1075), while no changes in protein oxidation or in TAA were produced, except in Y1075 in which both parameters increased. Each cultivar presented differences in antioxidant compounds depending on the harvest period, but we could recommend May as the optimal if all cultivars have to be harvested at the same time, when levels of ascorbate, phenols and TAA were not decreased, fresh weight and proteins were elevated, and levels of oxidation were not as high as in June (except for Y1075). A previous study of the response of each cultivar to different environmental conditions results essential to establish a good program of selection of cultivars with high quality and productivity.     

Oestrus Synchronization Treatment Induces Histomorphological Changes on the Uterine Tube Epithelium of the Gilt

The aim of this study was to determine the histomorphological changes that occurred in response to two treatments for oestrus synchronization in three different regions of the gilt's uterine tubes epithelium: the ampulla (AMP), ampulla–isthmic junction (AIJ) and isthmus (IST). Nine prepuberal gilts were divided into three groups (n = 3): (1) eCG 400 IU and hCG 200 IU (eCG/hCG), (2) progesterone agonist (P4) and (3) control group. The number of secretory cells (stained with periodic acid–Schiff reaction or PAS‐positive cells) decreased in the AMP in the P4 treated group when compared to the control group, whereas, no difference was observed in the number of PAS‐negative cells in the AMP of the three groups. A significant decrease in the number of PAS‐positive cells was observed in the AIJ and IST of the P4 treated group when compared to the eCG/hCG and control groups. An increase in the number of PAS‐negative cells was observed in the AIJ and IST in the P4 treated group. The epithelium height in the AMP and AIJ was increased in the eCG/hCG group when compared to the control and P4 groups. In this last group, we observed a reduced height compared with the other two groups for the AIJ. In the IST, there were no significant changes in the epithelium height of the control or the other two groups (eCG/hCG and P4). The epithelial cells of the P4 treated group had the least amount of cytoplasmic granules and the lowest intensity of PAS staining in the AMP, AIJ and IST. Animals treated with eCG/hCG showed an intermediate number of cytoplasmic granules and intensity in all regions evaluated. These data show that P4 treatment for synchronization induces a significant (P < 0.001) decrease of PAS‐positive cells and staining intensity of cytoplasmic granules in the different regions studied and an increased number of PAS‐negative cells in the AIJ and IST epithelium. Moreover, eCG/hCG treatment increased the height of the epithelium in the AMP and AIJ, while in this last region, the P4 treatment decreased the epithelium height. These results show that synchronization treatments with P4 and in a smaller proportion with eCG/hCG can modify the amount of PAS‐positive and PAS‐negative cells, and the epithelium height. This has influence in the secretory activity of the epithelium and possibly alters the fluid microenvironment of the gilt's uterine tube. The biological impact of regional variations in the epithelial cells of the gilt′s uterine tube needs further investigation to understand the implications that the reproductive processes can have in the uterine tube.     

Treatment with eCG Decreases the Vascular Density and Increases the Glandular Density of the Bovine Uterus

The uterus plays an essential role in mammalian reproduction and is a target of several hormonal protocols used to improve fertility in cattle. Many studies highlighted the importance of eCG treatment following fixed‐time artificial insemination in improving follicular growth, ovulation and pregnancy rates in cattle. Moreover, eCG has been implicated in angiogenesis, leading to important changes in uterine blood flow and vascularisation. However, there is still a lack of information regarding the specific alterations induced by eCG upon glandular and vascular characteristics of bovine uterus. To investigate the influence of eCG on: uterine thickness and area; uterine artery diameter and area; uterine vascular and gland density; and the expression of the VEGFA‐system, the uteri of crossbred beef cows were collected. All cows were submitted to follicular wave emergence synchronization. On day four of protocol, cows submitted to superovulation (n = 6) received 2000 IU eCG, on day eight, after expected follicular deviation, cows submitted to stimulatory treatment (n = 5) received 400 IU eCG. Control cows (n = 5) did not receive eCG. On day five po cows were subjected to ultrassonographic evaluation and slaughtered for uterine tissue sampling on day six po. Uterine vessels and glands were quantified by the counting point stereological method. The VEGFA‐system was localized in different cellular types, showing no qualitative or quantitative differences in the site of expression or the intensity of the positive signal among the groups. Vascular density was decreased in the endometrium of stimulated and myometrium of superovulated cows compared with the control ones, which showed higher vascular density in the myometrium and endometrium of the ipsilateral uterine horn. The uterine gland density was higher in superovulated compared with stimulated and control cows. Thus, we can infer that stimulatory or superovulatory treatments with eCG influence the vascular density in the endometrium and myometrium in cattle.     

A web-based ToolBox approach to support adaptive forest management under climate change

The design and implementation of the adaptive forest management (AFM) ToolBox is presented. Design principles derived from previous experiences in decision support system (DSS) development include support for (1) modularity, (2) accessibility via the Internet, (3) inclusion of different types of knowledge and information, (4) the use of different data sources, and (5) specific problem types. As major components of the AFM ToolBox DataBase, Vulnerability Assessment Tools (single user version, group mode) and an optimization tool to generate optimized management plans at the level of management units or landscapes are highlighted. A key feature is the distinction of two archetypical user profiles (manager, analyst). The AFM ToolBox is evaluated against eight criteria for the assessment of DSS. It is concluded that the ToolBox approach setting focus on modularity while avoiding to over-emphasis technical integration provides the right frame to secure the flexibility regarding tools and decision-making processes which is mandatory if a DSS should be taken up by practice.