Human selection has reshaped crop genomes. Here we report an apple genome variation map generated through genome sequencing of 117 diverse accessions. A comprehensive model of apple speciation and ...domestication along the Silk Road is proposed based on evidence from diverse genomic analyses. Cultivated apples likely originate from Malus sieversii in Kazakhstan, followed by intensive introgressions from M. sylvestris. M. sieversii in Xinjiang of China turns out to be an "ancient" isolated ecotype not directly contributing to apple domestication. We have identified selective sweeps underlying quantitative trait loci/genes of important fruit quality traits including fruit texture and flavor, and provide evidences supporting a model of apple fruit size evolution comprising two major events with one occurring prior to domestication and the other during domestication. This study outlines the genetic basis of apple domestication and evolution, and provides valuable information for facilitating marker-assisted breeding and apple improvement.Apple is one of the most important fruit crops. Here, the authors perform deep genome resequencing of 117 diverse accessions and reveal comprehensive models of apple origin, speciation, domestication, and fruit size evolution as well as candidate genes associated with important agronomic traits.
Root and shoot samples from 24 symptomatic or nonsymptomatic apple trees infected with 'Candidates Phytoplasma mali' were collected at different locations in Germany and France and used to inoculate ...rootstock M11 top grafted with cv. Golden Delicious. Inoculated trees were monitored over a 12-year period for apple proliferation (AP) symptoms and categorized as not or slightly, moderately, or severely affected. Based on symptomatology, the phytoplasma strains were defined as being avirulent to mildly, moderately, or highly virulent. Determination of phytoplasma titers by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with DNA from roots revealed similar phytoplasma concentrations in all virulence groups. Molecular characterization of the strains by differential PCR amplification with five sets of primers resulted in 13 profiles. Six strains that were maintained in periwinkle and tobacco were molecularly characterized in more detail. The genome sizes of these strains as determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using yeast chromosomes as size references ranged between 640 and 680 kb. Cleavage of the chromosome with the rare cutting restriction enzymes ApaI, BamHI,BssHII, MluI, and SmaI resulted in macro fragment patterns distinctly different in all strains. Similar results were obtained by Southern blot hybridization with three probes derived from strain AT. Differential PCR amplification at an annealing temperature of 52 degree C using eight primer pairs derived from strain AT revealed heterogeneity of target sequences among all strains. Based on these results, there is considerable variability in virulence and genomic traits in 'Ca. P. mali'. However, correlations between molecular markers and virulence or phytoplasma titer could not be identified.
BackgroundHeart rate (HR) is a vital sign in the assessment of newborn infants. After birth, clinical assessment of HR may be inaccurate and data from pulse oximetry in the delivery room delayed. A ...digital stethoscope (DS) and mobile technology may offer rapidity and accuracy at a low cost especially in low resource settings.FigureAimTo determine the accuracy and precision of HR obtained by a DS and smart device application.MethodsConvenience sample of stable infants in the NICU were studied using a Stethocloud(TM) v2 digital stethoscope with Neorate 0.1a software application, run on an Apple iPhone(TM) 5S. We measured speed of data acquisition and compared DS HR with 3 lead electrocardiographic (ECG) values at one-second intervals during a 90 second recording using Bland-Altman analysis.ResultsWe studied 57 infants but excluded seven where either the DS did not capture HR within 30 seconds of activation or returned less than ten paired values. Data from 50 infants,mean (SD) corrected gestational age and weight of 34 (4.4) weeks, 1838 (718) g were analysed. Of these infants 50% were female and 34% were receiving positive pressure respiratory support. The mean (SD) time to HR detection by the application from the standby mode was 5(5) seconds. Figure shows the mean difference ( plus or minus 2SD) between ECG and DS HR was 8( plus or minus 50) bpm from 3896 paired readings.ConclusionDS technology to measure infant HR is rapid, promising and accurate but precision should be improved before widespread clinical application.
ABSTRACT
Effects of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) packaging and nano‐structured silver‐polyethylene (PE/Ag2O) packaging on the overall sensory quality, color, weight and solute loss of fresh‐cut ...apples stored at 5 and 15C were studied in this research. Results showed that, compared with normal LDPE packaging, the PE/Ag2O packaging helped to maintain the freshness of apple slices. Nano‐structured PE/Ag2O bag delayed apple browning and decreased the weight loss of apple slices during storage. In addition, it can also prevent apple slices from microbial spoilage. As a result, the quality of apple slices saved at 5C in PE/Ag2O bag was acceptable in 12 days, while those held in LDPE bag showed some deterioration in 6 days. Furthermore, considering the potential health risk resulting from silver leak, the safety of PE/Ag2O bag was evaluated, and the result indicated an acceptable safety for food packaging.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Types of nano‐structured bags are recently commercialized for food packaging in many countries, but few documents report their performance in quality maintenance. This study indicates that nano‐structured PE/Ag2O bag is effective in maintaining the freshness of apple slices with extended shelf‐life. Results of this work may be useful for promoting the acceptance and application of similar nano‐packaging in the quality maintenance of fresh‐cut products.
Melatonin pre-treatment significantly increases the tolerance of both drought-tolerant Malus prunifolia and drought-sensitive M. hupehensis plants. Its beneficial effects include better water ...conservation in leaves, less electrolyte leakage, steady chlorophyll contents, and greater photosynthetic performance under stress conditions. Melatonin selectively down-regulates MdNCED3, an abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis gene, and up-regulates its catabolic genes, MdCYP707A1 and MdCYP707A2, thereby reducing ABA contents in drought-stressed plants. Melatonin also directly scavenges H₂O₂ and enhances the activities of antioxidant enzymes to detoxify H₂O₂ indirectly. These two mechanisms work synergistically to improve the functions of stomata, i.e. causing them to re-open. Plants can effectively regulate their water balance under drought conditions by up-regulating the expression of melatonin synthesis genes MdTDC1, MdAANAT2, MdT5H4, and MdASMT1. Therefore, inducing melatonin production is an important mechanism by which plants can counteract the influence of this abiotic stressor.
This paper describes the performance of a direct carbon fuel cell. Particular attention was made to investigate the effects of the composition and temperature of the electrolyte on cell operation and ...parameters. Various binary and ternary molten alkali hydroxides have been used as electrolytes. The performance of the fuel cell was investigated at various temperatures for four compositions of the electrolytes. Graphite rod and biochar (apple tree chips carbonized at 873 K) were used as fuels.
Summary
In plants, flavonoids play critical roles in resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and contribute substantially to the quality, flavor, and nutritional quality of many fruit crops. In ...apple (Malus × domestica), inbreeding has resulted in severe decreases in the genetic diversity and flavonoid content. Over the last decade, we have focused on the genetic improvement of apple using wild red‐fleshed apple resources (Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyana). Here, we found that the MYB transcription factors (TFs) involved in the synthesis of proanthocyanidins can be classified into TT2 and PA1 types. We characterized a PA1‐type MYB transcription factor, MdMYBPA1, from red‐fleshed apple and identified its role in flavonoid biosynthesis using overexpression and knockdown‐expression transgenes in apple calli. We explored the relationship between TT2‐ and PA1‐type MYB TFs, and found that MdMYB9/11/12 bind the MdMYBPA1 promoter. In addition, MdMYBPA1 responded to low temperature by redirecting the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway from proanthocyanidin to anthocyanin production. In binding analyses, MdbHLH33 directly bound to the low‐temperature‐responsive (LTR) cis‐element of the MdMYBPA1 promoter and promotes its activity. In addition, the calli expressing both MdMYBPA1 and MdbHLH33, which together form a complex, produced more anthocyanin under low temperature. Our findings shed light on the essential roles of PA1‐type TFs in the metabolic network of proanthocyanidin and anthocyanin synthesis in plants. Studies on red‐fleshed wild apple are beneficial for breeding new apple varieties with high flavonoid contents.
Significance Statement
Wild red‐fleshed apples have higher flavonoid contents than cultivated apples. A PA1‐type MYB transcription factor, MdMYBPA1, from red‐fleshed apple not only plays a role in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis, but also responds to low temperature by redirecting the pathway of flavonoid synthesis from proanthocyanidin to anthocyanin production.
Altemaria rot, caused by Altemaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl., occurs on apple fruit (Malus x domestica Borkh) worldwide and is not controlled with postharvest fungicides currently registered for apple ...in the United States (1). Initial infections can occur in the orchard prior to harvest, or during cold storage, and appear as small red dots located around lenticels (1). The symptoms appear on fruits within a 2 month period after placement into cold storage (3). In February 2013, 'Nittany' apple fruit with round, dark, dry, spongy lesions were collected from bins at commercial storage facility located in Pennsylvania. Symptomatic apples (n = 2 fruits) were placed on paper trays in an 80 count apple box and immediately transported to the laboratory.
PDF
