Drought adaptation of stay-green sorghum is associated with canopy development, leaf anatomy, root growth, and water uptake

Stay-green sorghum plants exhibit greener leaves and stems during the grain-filling period under water-limited conditions compared with their senescent counterparts, resulting in increased grain yield, grain mass, and lodging resistance. Stay-green has been mapped to a number of key chromosomal regions, including Stg1, Stg2, Stg3, and Stg4, but the functions of these individual quantitative trait loci (QTLs) remain unclear. The objective of this study was to show how positive effects of Stg QTLs on grain yield under drought can be explained as emergent consequences of their effects on temporal and spatial water-use patterns that result from changes in leaf-area dynamics. A set of four Stg near-isogenic lines (NILs) and their recurrent parent were grown in a range of field and semicontrolled experiments in southeast Queensland, Australia. These studies showed that the four Stg QTLs regulate canopy size by: (1) reducing tillering via increased size of lower leaves, (2) constraining the size of the upper leaves; and (3) in some cases, decreasing the number of leaves per culm. In addition, they variously affect leaf anatomy and root growth. The multiple pathways by which Stg QTLs modulate canopy development can result in considerable developmental plasticity. The reduction in canopy size associated with Stg QTLs reduced pre-flowering water demand, thereby increasing water availability during grain filling and, ultimately, grain yield. The generic physiological mechanisms underlying the stay-green trait suggest that similar Stg QTLs could enhance post-anthesis drought adaptation in other major cereals such as maize, wheat, and rice

Σχεδιασμός κοχλιοφόρου αντλίας κονιαμάτων με μεταβλητή διατομή

Crop growth simulation models require robust ecophysiological functionality to support credible simulation of diverse genotype × management × environment (G × M × E) combinations. Most efforts on modeling the nitrogen (N) dynamics of crops use a minimum, critical, and maximum N concentration per unit biomass based empirically on experimental observations. Here we present a physiologically more robust approach, originally implemented in sorghum, which uses the N content per unit leaf area as a key driver of N demand. The objective was to implement the conceptual framework of the APSIM sorghum nitrogen dynamics model in APSIM maize and to validate the robustness of the model across a range of G × M × E combinations. The N modelling framework is described and its parameterisation for maize is developed based on three previously reported detailed field experiments, conducted at Gatton (27°34'S, 152°20'), Queensland, Australia, supplemented by literature data. There was considerable correspondence with parameterisation results found for sorghum, suggesting potential for generality of this framework for modelling crop N dynamics in cereals. Comprehensive model testing indicated accurate predictions at organ and crop scale across a diverse range of experiments and demonstrated that observed responses to a range of management factors were reproduced credibly. This supports the use of the model to extrapolate and predict performance and adaptation under new G × M × E combinations. Capturing this advance with reduced complexity compared to the N concentration approach provides a firm basis to progress the role of modelling in exploring the genetic underpinning of complex traits and in plant breeding and crop improvement generally

Fatty acid 16:4(n-3) stimulates a GPR120-induced signaling cascade in splenic macrophages to promote chemotherapy resistance

Although chemotherapy is designed to eradicate tumor cells, it also has significant effects on normal tissues. The platinum-induced fatty acid 16:4(n-3) (hexadeca-4,7,10,13-tetraenoic acid) induces systemic resistance to a broad range of DNA-damaging chemotherapeutics. We show that 16:4(n-3) exerts its effect by activating splenic F4/80+/CD11blow macrophages, which results in production of chemoprotective lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs). Pharmacologic studies, together with analysis of expression patterns, identified GPR120 on F4/80+/CD11blow macrophages as the relevant receptor for 16:4(n-3). Studies that used splenocytes from GPR120-deficient mice have confirmed this conclusion. Activation of the 16:4(n-3)-GPR120 axis led to enhanced cPLA2 activity in these splenic macrophages and secretion of the resistance-inducing lipid mediator, lysophosphatidylcholine(24:1). These studies identify a novel and unexpected function for GPR120 and suggest that antagonists of this receptor might be effective agents to limit development of chemotherapy resistance.—Houthuijzen, J. M., Oosterom, I., Hudson, B. D., Hirasawa, A., Daenen, L. G. M., McLean, C. M., Hansen, S. V. F., van Jaarsveld, M. T. M., Peeper, D. S., Jafari Sadatmand, S., Roodhart, J. M. L., van de Lest, C. H. A., Ulven, T., Ishihara, K., Milligan, G., Voest, E. E. Fatty acid 16:4(n-3) stimulates a GPR120-induced signaling cascade in splenic macrophages to promote chemotherapy resistance

Нейроендокринний супровід поліваріантних ефектів біоактивної води Нафтуся на рівень хронічного стресу у жінок з різним оваріальним статусом

Проанализированы изменения нейроэндокринных показателен, сопутствующие поливариантным эффектам биоактивной воды Нафтуся курорта Трускавец на уровень хронического стресса у женщин детородного возраста с различным овариальным статусом. Обнаружена значительная (R=0,59) каноническая корреляционная связь между динамикой нейро-гормонального индекса стресса, с одной стороны, и вегетативной реактивности, лютеинизирующего гормона, тиреотропного гормона, тироксина и прогестерона - с другой стороны.The changes in neuroendocrine parameters, concomitant multivariate effects of bioactive water Naftussya spa Truskavets to the level of chronic stress in women of childbearing age with different ovarian status. A significant (R=0,59) canonical correlation between the dynamics of the neuro-hormonal index of stress, on the one hand, and autonomic reactivity, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine and progesterone - the other side

Adaptation of barley to harsh Mediterranean environments = Aanpassing van gerst aan ongunstige Mediterrane milieu's

Research ObjectivesBarley is in Syria the dominant crop in areas receiving less than 300 mm annual precipitation. Grain yield is often below 1 ton ha -1, and is reduced by low temperatures in winter and terminal drought stress in spring. Variation in the timing and intensity of the stresses, however, can cause considerable fluctuations in yield between both locations and seasons. For environments where low yields are predictable, but not the stresses causing these low yields, selection for a stable yield across years and a reduced risk of no grain yield, is more important than selection for yield potential. Breeding targeted at these environments, however, is hampered by genotypex environment interactions.This thesis had several aims. The first was the identification of a combination of morphological and physiological traits, or a plant ideotype, related to adaptation of barley to environments where both low temperatures early in the season and high temperatures and drought during grain filling (terminal drought) are likely. A next step was assessing the effect of plant ideotype on yield in contrasting environments and the identification of the most appropriate environment to select for plant ideotype and yield under stress. These results together culminated in the development of a selection procedure for breeding programs targeted at harsh Mediterranean environments.ResultsAdaptation of barley to Mediterranean environments depends on the development pattern of the apex. Within a group of 36 cultivars, four contrasting development patterns were distinguished, of which two were adapted. The first pattern constituted early heading spring types: they did not have a vernalization requirement, were cold sensitive, but avoided terminal drought stress. This pattern is especially adapted to Mediterranean environments with mild winters and terminal drought, like those in Jordan and North Africa. The second pattern represented medium early heading winter types. They had a mild vernalization requirement, a very rapid development in spring and are especially adapted to Mediterranean environments where both cold winters and terminal drought are likely, e.g., those in northern Syria. Two other development patterns, late heading spring types and late heading winter types, are unadapted to Mediterranean environments, because of an inadequate avoidance of terminal drought stress: the former group had a too slow development in spring, whereas in the second group development was delayed too much by a too high vernalization requirement. The development pattern of the apex thus depended on the vernalization requirement in winter and the response to photoperiod in spring.To select indirectly for development pattern, morphological traits were identified, which are related to the rate of development in winter or spring. In winter, a slow development was strongly associated with a plant ideotype, which could be described by a prostrate growth habit, dark plant colour, and cold tolerance. This ideotype was characteristic of winter types. In spring, a rapid development resulted in an early heading. Selection for these traits together thus enabled selection for an appropriate development pattern. The results indicate that it is the combination of traits, rather than an individual trait, which determines adaptation of barley to Mediterranean environments.Plant ideotype in winter and heading date both influence yield. Cold tolerance and a prostrate growth habit and dark plant colour in winter had a positive effect on yield in low-yielding (LY) environments, but a weakly negative effect in high-yielding (HY) environments. Early heading was very important in LY environments, but of minor importance in HY environments, apparently because terminal drought stress was less important in those environments. Early heading winter types thus had the highest yield in LY environments. This was caused by a fast crop growth rate in early spring, combined with a long green leaf area duration. In addition, the yield of early heading winter types was little affected by frost, what improved yield stability. The differences between HY and LY environments, concerning the effect of plant ideotype and heading date on yield, show that HY environments are not representative of LY environments. Selection for yield in HY environments has the risk of selection for a plant ideotype which is not adapted to LY environments.Implications for Plant BreedingYield selection in early generations is difficult, especially under harsh conditions. Based on the results presented in this thesis, a selection procedure can be proposed, where ideotype breeding and empirical yield selection complement each other. In early generations (F 3 - F 4 ), selection must focus on the identification of ideotypes which are adapted to the LY target environment. This can be done in HY environments by selection for plant ideotype in winter and heading date in spring. In later generations, the adapted material can be tested for yield in the LY target environment; in addition, selection for other desirable traits can be done. Since empirical selection for yield in LY Mediterranean environments is most efficient if selection is carried out in representative LY environments, using adapted germplasm, the proposed combination of ideotype breeding and empirical yield selection seems to be efficient: it combines a low risk of losses of adapted germplasm in early generations with a relatively efficient empirical selection in later generations.The proposed selection procedure is easily applicable and can be used for many crops and types of stress environments. Essential is, before yield testing, the identification of a plant ideotype which is adapted to the dominant stresses in the LY target environment. Because landraces are often adapted to the local environment, landraces may be very useful in this identification

Integrating Genotype by Environment Interaction Analysis, Characterization of Drought Patterns, and Farmer Preferences to Identify Adaptive Plant Traits for Pearl Millet

The efficiency of crop improvement for variable stress environments can be enhanced if adaptive plant traits (morpho-physiological and developmental) can be identified. The desirability of a plant trait in an environment depends on the expected patterns of drought stress, the attitude of farmers towards risk, and on the specific requirements of the local farming system. The aim of this chapter is to identify plant traits for pearl millet that enhance adaptation to the harsh environments of Rajasthan (India), by combining analyses of drought patterns, genotype by environment (GxE) interactions, and farmers' preferences for plant traits. For environments covering the range of rainfall regimes in Rajasthan, we identified drought patterns by estimating plant-available soil water from long-term rainfall data. Environmental and genotypic causes of the GxE interactions were obtained from a multi-environment trial. Village studies provided information on farmers' responses to rainfall patterns and their preference for plant traits. A decline in rainfall in Rajasthan from east to west was associated with a shorter rainy season and increased, more unpredictable, occurrence of drought stress. The GxE interaction showed that phenology was an effective escape mechanism under terminal drought, but that developmental plasticity is required if the dress occurrence is unpredictable. Early flowering of pearl millet was of interest to many farmers across Rajasthan, but the preferred yield component ranged from a large panicle size in wet areas to high tillering (plasticity) in drier areas. This indicates the need for contrasting plant types across rainfall regimes. High tillering was said to improve the fodder value and to stabilize yield in dry seasons. This perception of risk avoidance in dry years was also evident in the practice of replacing pearl millet by a long-duration fodder legume and a short-duration dual-purpose legume for late plantings when drought is expected. Short-duration pearl millet varieties may provide farmers with more opportunities to adjust to the variability in the onset of the rains

Prognostic value of bcl-2 expression in invasive breast cancer.

Expression of the bcl-2 proto-oncogene was studied immunohistochemically in 251 invasive ductal breast carcinomas (median follow-up time 91 months, range 24-186 months) and the results were correlated with clinicopathological data and prognostic variables. Sixty-three (25%) tumours were scored bcl-2 negative and 188 (75%) tumours were bcl-2 positive. No relationship could be observed between bcl-2 status and tumour grade, pTNM staging or menopausal status. A strong positive relationship was demonstrated between bcl-2 immunoreactivity and oestrogen receptor status (P < 0.001) and progesterone receptor status (P < 0.001). No prognostic value was demonstrated for bcl-2 expression on disease-free survival and overall survival in axillary node-negative breast cancer patients. However, in axillary node-positive breast cancer patients multivariate analysis demonstrated absence of bcl-2 expression to be independently related to shortened disease-free survival (P = 0.003) and shortened overall survival (P < 0.001). Our results suggest a potential important role for bcl-2 expression as a modulator of response to adjuvant therapy in breast cancer