Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been extensively applied as biofertilizers in wheat to promote crop productivity. However, variability in AM root colonization, grain yield, and nutrients was ...observed among wheat genotypes and according to AM genotype and environment.
We hypothesized that wheat response to AM inoculation is more affected by genotype than environment; the response is driven by increases in AM abundance and community structure changes, and not by modification of composition.
We inoculated an indigenous AM consortium on four old genotypes (Bianco Nostrale, Andriolo, Abbondanza, Sieve) and one modern variety (Bologna) of bread wheat for two years. The effect was evaluated by assessing grain yield, nutrients, and quality of processed products (flour and breadsticks), while the AM abundance and the community composition and structure in roots were characterized, at two plant growth stages, using morphological and molecular tools.
The functional traits of AMF and plant were better explained by inoculation than by genotype or environment (33 %, 17 %, 4 % of total explained variance), although significant interactions environment x genotype and genotype x inoculation were highlighted. Consistent increases in AM abundance in Sieve and Bologna were associated with positive changes in grain yield and nutrients, supporting the good responsiveness of these genotypes with inoculated AMF, while the plant response of other genotypes was shaped by air temperature and rainfall. However, we did not find significant correlations between changes in AM colonization and mycorrhizal response ratio, with the exception of P and K. After inoculation, AM community composition was similar in all wheat genotypes, but the structure greatly differed among genotypes in interaction with inoculation and plant growth stage. These changes were significantly related to wheat productivity. A Septoglomus taxon, present in the inoculum, was the best predictor of wheat performance. The characterization of the community structure at early crop development and maturity allowed the identification of fast and latest active AM colonizers. Our results showed for the first time that AM inoculation affect the rheological parameters and nutraceuticals of processed products, although the response was modulated by genotype.
The selection of responsive wheat genotypes is fundamental for the positive outcome of inoculation. The positive effects on wheat productivity and field persistence of the inoculated AMF support the use of indigenous consortia that have low impacts on resident AMF.
Our findings advance the understanding of the facilitative mechanisms that underlie compatibility between AMF and wheat genotypes.
•Indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were applied on wheat for 2 years.•AMF/plant responses were shaped by genotype (G) x inoculation (Inoc) and year x G.•AM composition did not change among genotypes, but AM structure was modified by G and growth stage.•A Septoglomus taxon, present in the inoculum, was the best predictor of wheat performance.•The interaction Inoc x G affects rheological and health-promoting traits of processed products.
Estimating the time since death (post mortem interval, PMI) represents one of the most important tasks in daily forensic casework. For decades, forensic scientists have investigated changes in post ...mortem body composition, focusing on different physical, chemical, or biological aspects, to discover a reliable method for estimating PMI; nevertheless, all of these attempts remain unsuccessful considering the currently available methodical spectrum characterized by great inaccuracies and limitations. However, recent promising approaches focus on the post mortem decomposition of biomolecules. In particular, significant advances have been made in research on the post mortem degradation of proteins. In the present study, we investigated early post mortem changes (during the first 24 h) in the proteome profile of the pig skeletal muscle looking for new PMI specific biomarkers. By mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, we were able to identify a total of nine potential PMI biomarkers, whose quantity changed constantly and progressively over time, directly or inversely proportional to the advancement of post mortem hours. Our preliminary study underlines the importance of the proteomic approach in the search for a reliable method for PMI determination and highlights the need to characterize a large number of reliable marker proteins useful in forensic practice for PMI estimation.
Italy responded to the Covid-19 pandemic early by forcing the entire population into a 2-month domestic confinement. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in the impact of lockdown ...on physical activity and lifestyle habits.
A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in April 2020 on a general population sample residing in Italy. Participants completed validated questionnaires. Gender differences were assessed using a multivariable adjusted logistic regression model using gender as independent and exposures as dependent variables. Metabolic equivalents-hour/week was used to evaluate physical activity.
A total of 2218 participants (761 men and 1457 women) agreed to participate in the study and completed the questionnaire. The survey found that women compared to men showed 1) a lower level of physical activity before the institution of lockdown, 2) a lower tendency to reduce physical activity levels during the lockdown, when gender differences in compliance with guideline recommendations for physical activity disappeared, 3) and a worsening of sleep and stool passage; men experienced an increase in alcohol consumption.
Women, who previously had a lower level of physical activity than men, showed a lower tendency to reduce it during lockdown, revealing greater resilience than men. However, the worsening in sleep, in stool passage, and a trend to weight increase revealed signs of psychological suffering after a protracted lockdown period.
•The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Italian population into home isolation for 2 months.•As for physical activity, women were more resilient than men.•Sleep and bowel function worsening in women was linked to mental health score worsening.
Contrasting life-history characteristics of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal families may have important implications for mycorrhizal functioning. Nevertheless, the effect of inoculation with AM ...fungi having different life-history strategies on the quality parameters of tomato fruits was not investigated. In this study, fruit and sauce quality of two tomato varieties were evaluated in field conditions after inoculation with four AM fungal species belonging to Glomeraceae and Gigasporaceae. The functional relationship between AM fungal traits (i.e., root colonization structures, community diversity) and fruit quality parameters was analyzed. AM fungal inoculation increased total phenols (TPC) and lycopene concentration in fruits of both varieties (47% and 247%, respectively) and antioxidant activity in var. Rio Grande (85%). Gigasporaceae were more effective in increasing TPC and antioxidant activity compared to Glomeraceae in var. Rio Grande.
Gigaspora gigantea
outperformed
Scutellospora pellucida
in var. Pisanello for TPC, antioxidant activity, and lycopene
.
Inoculated strains of
G. gigantea
,
S. pellucida
,
Funneliformis mosseae
, and
Sclerocystis sinuosa
were molecularly retrieved within tomato roots. In both varieties, a functional relationship between occurrence of arbuscules in roots and fruit quality was found. In var. Rio Grande, the abundance of some native AM fungal taxa shaped the pattern of fruit quality parameters. Gigasporaceae might be of great relevance for the synthesis of health-promoting compounds in tomato and should be included in biostimulant programmes targeting the production of high-quality vegetables.
Weed development is one of the major constraints to cereal cropping systems in Southern Africa with potential severe crop losses. Understanding weed community responses to different conservation ...agriculture (CA) components (i.e., no-tillage, NT; crop rotation, R; and mulching, M) and/or their combinations is crucial in Southern Africa where farmers apply different combinations depending on local context. Here, for the first time, we assessed how weed density, community diversity and structure respond to different combinations of CA components conventional tillage (CT), CT+M, CT+R, CT+M+R, NT, NT+M, NT+R, NT+M+R. The study was carried out over three seasons at two locations with contrasting soil textures i.e., clayish, and sandy. At the sandy location, across seasons, weed density (number of individuals per unit area) and community diversity (distribution of individuals within the species) were significantly and positively affected by precipitation and not by cropping system. Weed richness (number of species) was affected by the interaction of season and cropping system, with the highest number of weed species being recorded in the NT+M+R system in the seasons with medium to high precipitation. At the clayish location, an opposite pattern was observed, and weed density was lower in seasons with medium-high precipitation than under low precipitation. Weed community diversity was 50 % higher under NT+M than under CT+R, whereas weed species richness decreased with the increase of precipitation. At both locations, the implementation of rotation and mulching either in NT or CT systems resulted in the modification of the structure of weed community with respect to CT and NT alone, and these CA combinations were associated with highest maize grain yield. Overall, eight weed species common to both locations were responsible for most of the community structure differences among cropping systems. Structural equation modelling showed that at the sandy location precipitation did not affect grain yield, but positively affected weed density, diversity, evenness, and richness. By contrast, at the clay location, precipitation positively affected grain yield, but did not modify weed density and evenness, and reduced weed community diversity and richness. At this location, weed density negatively affected grain yield. The differential weed-crop relationship supports the need to find a site-specific equilibrium between the control of weeds and the maintenance of their diversity.
•Rotation & mulch in no-tillage-NT & conventional tillage-CT modified weed community.•In sandy soil rainfall positively affected weed density & diversity and not yield.•In sandy soil weed diversity positively affected grain yield.•In clay soil rainfall positively affected yield & reduced weed diversity & richness.•In clay soil, weed density negatively affected grain yield.
Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by the extracellular accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ), which is accompanied by a robust inflammatory response in the brain. Both of these pathogenic processes ...are regulated by nuclear receptors, including the liver X receptors (LXRs) and peroxisome-proliferator receptor γ (PPARγ). Agonists of LXRs have been demonstrated previously to reduce Aβ levels and improve cognitive deficits in AD mouse models by inducing the transcription and lipidation of apolipoprotein E (apoE). Agonists targeting PPARγ reduce the microglial expression of proinflammatory genes and have also been shown to modulate apoE expression. Here we investigate whether a combination therapy with both LXR and PPARγ agonists results in increased benefits in an AD mouse model. We found that the LXR agonist GW3965 and the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone were individually able to increase the levels of apoE and related genes, decrease the expression of proinflammatory genes, and facilitate Aβ decreases in the hippocampus. Combined treatment with both agonists provoked a further increase in the expression of apoE and a decrease in the soluble and deposited forms of Aβ. The decrease in plaques was associated with increased colocalization between microglia and plaques. In addition, the PPARγ agonist in the combined treatment paradigm was able to counteract the elevation in plasma triglycerides that is a side effect of LXR agonist treatment. These results suggest that combined LXR/PPARγ agonist treatment merits further investigation for the treatment of AD.
Background: In the brain, the type II nuclear receptors LXR and PPARγ control cholesterol efflux and inflammation, key processes in Alzheimer disease pathology.
Results: Combining the LXR and PPARγ agonists decreases the levels of Aβ and inflammation, resulting in improved cognition.
Conclusion: The LXR and PPARγ agonists complement each other, possibly by modulating microglial function.
Significance: Targeting multiple nuclear receptors expands the therapeutic opportunities for AD treatment.
Weeds are responsible for major crop losses worldwide but can provide beneficial agroecosystem services. This study aimed to elucidate how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in weeds respond to host ...identity and conservation agricultural practices. The study was carried out at two locations in Southern Africa during off-season and in-season maize cultivation. Off-season AMF root colonisation, diversity indices and community composition significantly differed among weed species at both locations.
Glomus
sp. VTX00280 explains most of the AMF community differences. In-season, implementation of conventional tillage with mulching alone (CT + M) or together with crop rotation (CT + M + R) resulted in a 20% increase in AMF colonisation of the constantly occurring weed species,
Bidens pilosa
(BIDPI) and
Richardia scabra
(RCHSC), compared with conventional tillage plus rotations (CT + R). The diversity of AMF was highest under no-tillage plus mulching (NT + M). Off-season and in-season AMF structures of both BIDPI and RCHSC were not related, but 39% of the taxa were shared. Structural equation modelling showed a significant effect of the cropping system on weed AMF diversity parameters and weed and maize root colonisation, but no significant influence of weed root AMF traits and maize colonisation was detected on maize yield. This may be explained by the improvement in weed competitive ability, which may have offset the AMF-mediated benefits on yield. Our findings highlight that implementing M and CR to CT and NT positively affected weed AMF colonisation and diversity. The similarity between the off-season and in-season AMF composition of weeds supports the fact that weeds functionally host AMF during the non-crop period.
Lesion and imaging studies have implicated the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in economic decisions and social interactions, yet its exact functions remain unclear. Here, we investigated the ...hypothesis that the vmPFC represents the subjective value or desirability of
outcomes during
decision-making. Both vmPFC-damaged patients and control participants acted as the responder in a single-round ultimatum game. To test outcome valuation, we contrasted concrete, immediately available gains with abstract, future ones. To test social valuation, we contrasted interactions with a human partner and those involving a computer. We found that, compared to controls, vmPFC patients substantially reduced their acceptance rate of unfair offers from a human partner, but only when financial gains were presented as abstract amounts to be received later. When the gains were visible and readily available, the vmPFC patients' acceptance of unfair offers was normal. Furthermore, unlike controls, vmPFC patients did not distinguish between unfair offers from a human agent and those from a computerized opponent. We conclude that the vmPFC encodes the expected value of abstract, future goals in a common neural currency that takes into account both reward and social signals in order to optimize economic decision-making.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study reports direct quantification of arabica in roasted and ground coffee blends of Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora var. robusta. 1H–NMR analysis of water extracts of coffee blends were ...combined with multivariate statistical analysis to obtain an OPLS model with high predictive capability. This approach allowed to evaluate the composition of coffee blends of unknown arabica and robusta content, on the basis of multiple chemical components. Differences in geographical origin of the analyzed samples did not affected the compositional determination of coffee blends. This approach represents a valid tool in authentication procedures of arabica and robusta blends of roasted and ground coffee.
► Quantification of percentage of arabica in roasted and ground coffee blends. ► NMR water soluble metabolites were considered. ► Very high accuracy in prediction of percentage of arabica by OPLS model. ► Geographical origin and roasting conditions did not affect the prediction capability.
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