Substantial Equivalence of a Transgenic Lemon Fruit Showing Postharvest Fungal Pathogens Resistance.

The development of genetically modified (GM) crops speeds up the obtainment of novel varieties with improved agronomic characteristics. However, the risk evaluation of the use of GMs is mandatory before their release in the market. In this paper, an untargeted and comprehensive nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomic study was carried out on the peel and flesh of a transgenic lemon clone (E23) expressing the chit42 gene and exhibiting an increased tolerance to some pathogenic fungi and on its wild type. Results highlighted a substantial equivalence of the metabolomics profile of the transgenic clone compared to the wild type. In addition, an enhanced response of the E23 clone toward fungal pathogens affecting the postharvest management in lemon was evidenced. These results confirm the potential of genetic engineering for the punctual modification of specific agronomic traits without altering the whole pattern of metabolites and open new perspectives for a more sustainable and effective management of specific postharvest diseases in citrus.

Comparing stemness gene expression between stem cell subpopulations from peripheral blood and adipose tissue.

Cell therapy presents a promising alternative for the treatment of degenerative diseases. The main sources of adult stem cells are bone marrow, adipose tissue and peripheral blood. Within those tissues, there are cell subpopulations that share pluripotential characteristics. Nevertheless, there is insufficient data to determine which of these stem cell subtypes would have a better possibility to differentiate to a specific tissue. The objective of this research was to analyze and compare the stemness genes expression from peripheral blood and adipose tissue of plastic adherent cells, and those immune-selected by the CD133+ and CD271+ membrane markers. On all cell subpopulation groups, self-renew capacity, the membranes markers CD73, CD90 and CD105, as well as the stemness genes NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, REX1, NOTCH1 and, NESTIN expression were analyzed. Results showed that all samples presented the minimal criteria to define them as human stem cells. All cell subpopulation were capable of self-renewal. Nevertheless, the subpopulation cell types showed differences on the time needed to reach confluence. The slowest doubling times were for those cells bearing the CD133 marker from both sources. Surface markers determined by flow cytometry were positive for CD73, CD90 and, CD105, and negative for CD45. The stemness gene expression was positive in all subpopulation. However, there were significant differences in the amount and pattern of expression among them. Those differences could be advantageous in finding the best option for their application on cell therapy. Cells with high expression of OCT4 gene could be a better opportunity for neuron differentiation like CD133+ blood cells. On the other hand, lowest expression of NOTCH1 on CD271+ cells from the same source could be a better possibility for myoblast differentiation. The observed differences could be used as an advantage to find which cell type and from the different source; this represents the best option for its application on cell therapy. Experiments focused on the best response to specific differentiation, are conducted in order to confirm those possibilities.

Grape and environmental mycoflora monitoring in old, traditionally cultivated vineyards on Mount Etna, southern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Grape contamination by several fungal species occurs during a vineyard's preharvest and harvest. Agronomic management and microclimatic conditions can affect fungi occurrence and epidemiology, thus explaining qualitative differences in mycoflora composition, including the presence of phytopathogenic or mycotoxigenic fungi. In this study a two-year grape, air and soil mycoflora monitoring programme was undertaken in vineyards on Mount Etna (eastern Sicily, Italy). The mycoflora composition was investigated at pea berry and veraison phenological phases from air and soil and at ripening from sample grapes. RESULTS: Mycoflora in air and soil varied according to the phenological stage. In the air samples, penicillia were dominant over aspergilli at the pea berry phase, but their ratio was inverted at early veraison. Black aspergilli (BA) were isolated from the vine environment and grape samples, where BA were represented mainly by Aspergillus niger aggregate, which showed no or low ochratoxin A (OTA) production. Aspergillus carbonarius was either not identified or identified at low frequency, although most of the isolates produced OTA. CONCLUSION: Monitoring focused on the environmental mycoflora composition and highlighted the good health profile of various Sicilian autochthonous grape cultivars. In addition, data suggest that the lower relative humidity occurring at the highest altitudes reduces BA incidence. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Amibas de vida libre y anemia aplástica grave en niños / Aplastic anemia and free-living amoeba in two children

Introducción. Las amibas de vida libre habitualmente viven como fagótrofas en el agua y suelo donde se alimentan de bacterias; también pueden producir infecciones del sistema nervioso central y otros tejidos en seres humanos y animales. La anemia aplástica es una entidad caracterizada por pancitopenia secundaria a disminución de la producción en médula ósea de todos los elementos formes de la sangre y ausencia de enfermedad primaria que infiltre, reemplace o anule la hematopoyesis activa. Casos clínicos. Se presentan 2 niños con historia de sangrados, pancitopenia y el diagnóstico de anemia aplástica grave por biopsia y aspirado de médula ósea, que finalmente fallecieron. Se muestran los hallazgos de amibas de vida libre en la médula. Conclusión. En estos casos no se encontró agente causal de la anemia aplástica, y se sugiere a las amibas como oportunistas del padecimiento.