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This present study was undertaken to (i) assess the performance of hybrids under heat stress, (ii) determine the combining abilities of parental lines and their crosses, and (iii) identify the most efficient heterotic grouping method to classify the lines. We evaluated two sets of hybrids generated using the NC II design and a partial diallel mating design. Most crosses outperformed their parents and the best commercial hybrids for fruit weight per plant (FWP), fruit set (FS), fruit weight (FW), and the number of fruits per plant (NFP) under heat stress. The specific (SCA) and the general (GCA) combining ability variances were significantly higher than zero. The crosses Fla.7171 × P005 and CLN2026D × ATS020 had positive SCA effects and high per se performance for FW and FWP. BJ01 was the best combiner for FWP, NFP, and FS. The SNP‐based heterotic grouping was 28% more efficient than the heterotic grouping based on the GCA of multiple traits method and classified the lines into three groups. These findings provide a foundation for speeding up heat‐tolerant hybrid in tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The damaging effects of air pollution on the skin are becoming increasingly researched and the outcomes of this research are now a major influence in the selection and development of protective ingredients for skincare formulations. However, extensive research has not yet been conducted into the specific cellular defense systems that are being affected after exposure to such pollutants. Research investigating the affected systems is integral to the development of suitable interventions that are capable of augmenting the systems most impacted by air pollutant exposure. The following studies involved exposing primary human dermal fibroblasts to different concentrations of particulate matter and analyzing its effects on mitochondrial complex activity, nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 localization using immunocytochemistry and protein expression of electron transport chain complex proteins, sirtuin‐1 (SIRT1), and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α) using western blotting. Particulate matter‐induced alterations in both mitochondrial complex protein and activity, indicating oxidative stress, which was also complimented by increased expression of antioxidant proteins GSTP1/2 and SOD2. Particulate matter also seemed to modify expression of the proteins SIRT1 and PGC‐1α which are heavily involved in the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism. Given the reported results indicating that particulate matter induces damage through oxidative stress and has a profound effect on mitochondrial homeostasis, interventions involving targeted mitochondrial antioxidants may help to minimize the damaging downstream effects of pollutant‐induced oxidative stress originating from the mitochondria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate gene effects and heritability of fruit and flower characters in melon, three experiments were performed. In the first experiment, 48 genotypes of different melon groups were planted to choose the monoecious melon. To investigate the sex modification regarding fruit traits, seven parents, including a monoecious type and andromonoecious types, crossed in a full diallel scheme to obtain all possible combinations. Evaluation amongst all genotypes revealed one Cantaloupensis and all Flexuosus genotypes with monoecious flowers. Floral and fruit characters of F1 hybrids obtained from the diallel cross, were recorded. All hybrids that have been crossed with the monoecious parent revealed the monosexual progenies. Most of the floral characters with high GCA/SCA values remarked the additive gene effect. There were also cytoplasmic effects on flower and fruit traits. The significant GCA /SCA estimates observed for fruit traits such as yield, fruit length, fruit length to width, flesh thickness referred to the importance of additive gene effects. It could be demonstrated that classic hybridization holds great potential in controlling flowering habit and yield‐related fruit traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a large proportion of the world's population living in areas where air quality does not meet current WHO guidelines, combined with the knowledge that pollutants can interact with human skin, it is now of even greater importance that the effects of air pollutant exposure on human skin be investigated. To evaluate the damaging effects of a known component of air pollution (particulate matter) on human primary dermal fibroblasts. These studies were undertaken by exposing primary human dermal fibroblasts to different concentrations of particulate matter and analyzing the effects over time using resazurin reduction assays. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to determine if particulate matter caused activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, and phosphorylation of histone H2AX, a known marker of double‐strand DNA breaks. Dot blotting was also used to analyze expression changes in secreted MMP‐1, MMP‐3, and TGFβ. Particulate matter was found to dose‐dependently increase cellular viability, activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, increase double‐strand DNA breaks, and increase the expression of MMP‐1, MMP‐3, and TGFβ. With the potential of air pollutants such as particulate matter to not only modulate the expression of proteins implicated in skin aging, but also affect cells at a genetic level, brings a pressing need for further investigation so protective strategies can be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato leaf mould disease is a serious foliar disease caused by Cladosporium fulvum, resulting in a significant reduction in yield and quality, especially under protected cultivation. Finding new resistant genes against leaf mould has become one of the important goals of tomato breeding. Cf‐12‐tomato showed good resistance to several C. fulvum races. The Cf‐12 was mapped using re‐sequencing and BSA methods. Allelism test for Cf‐12, Cf‐5 and Cf‐9 was performed. The results showed that Cf‐12 is an independently assigned C. fulvum resistance gene. About 67,853 high‐quality polymorphic SNPs were found and 233 genes were annotated in three associated regions of 5.85 Mb on Chr. 6s. Three genes with typical Cf‐type characters encoding the leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like protein were screened out. Using qRT‐PCR, structural and phylogenetic analysis, only the Solyc06g008265.1.1‐CGN7495 was finally identified. An effective InDel marker, InD‐3F/1R, was designed for MAS breeding. Our research provides new insights into the mapping of the Cf‐12, and provides a basis for Cf‐12 cloning and the Cf genetic evolution analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) causes substantial yield losses in the tropics and subtropics. Disease management options by chemicals are limited, and host resistance is the cheapest and easiest means of control. However, sources of bacterial wilt resistance in tomato are limited. The disease often coincides with higher temperatures in the tropics, and resistance sources that are more heat stable are particularly valuable for breeding of tropically adapted tomato cultivars. The objectives of this study were to identify tomato accessions that demonstrate relatively high bacterial wilt resistance under high temperatures and to identify accessions that may possess QTLs other than Bwr‐6 and Bwr‐12 (two major disease resistance QTLs against bacterial wilt), which could be exploited in future breeding. Sixty‐seven tomato entries reported as bacterial wilt resistant were evaluated in a greenhouse against one strain each of phylotype I (Pss4) and phylotype IIB (Pss1632) of the RSSC (average temperature ≥29°C). Of those, five and 19 were homozygous for Bwr‐6 and Bwr‐12, respectively, and six were homozygous for both QTLs. Bwr‐12 contributed to resistance against phylotype I strain but not against the phylotype II strain. Bwr‐6 contributed to resistance against both phylotype strains. Entries with both QTLs as a group performed relatively better against the phylotype I strain. Entry "94T765‐24‐79", which lacked Bwr‐6 and Bwr‐12, demonstrated relatively high resistance against the phylotype II strain and may carry new QTL/s. As new bacterial wilt resistance QTLs are mapped and markers designed, pyramiding multiple bacterial wilt resistance QTLs into new varieties should be straightforward, thereby increasing the chances of obtaining stable resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of high‐purity synthetic trans‐capsaicin (CNTX‐4975) in patients with chronic moderate‐to‐severe osteoarthritis (OA)–associated knee pain. Methods: In this phase II multicenter double‐blind study, patients ages 45–80 years who had stable knee OA were randomized in a 2:1:2 ratio to receive a single intraarticular injection of placebo, CNTX‐4975 0.5 mg, or CNTX‐4975 1.0 mg. The primary efficacy end point was area under the curve (AUC) for change from baseline in daily Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain with walking score (range 0–10, 0 = none and 10 = extreme) through week 12. Secondary efficacy end points included a similar AUC analysis of outcomes in patients treated with CNTX‐4975 0.5 mg, and evaluations extending to 24 weeks. Results: Efficacy was evaluated in 172 patients (placebo group, n = 69; CNTX‐4975 0.5 mg group, n = 33; CNTX‐4975 1.0 mg group, n = 70). At week 12, greater decreases in the AUC for the pain score were observed with CNTX‐4975 in the 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg groups versus placebo (0.5 mg group least squares mean difference [LSMD] −0.79, P = 0.0740; 1.0 mg group LSMD −1.6, P < 0.0001). Significant improvements were maintained at week 24 in the 1.0 mg group (LSMD −1.4, P = 0.0002). Treatment‐emergent adverse events were similar in the placebo and CNTX‐4975 1.0 mg groups. Conclusion: In this study, CNTX‐4975 provided dose‐dependent improvement in knee OA–associated pain. CNTX‐4975 1.0 mg produced a significant decrease in OA knee pain through 24 weeks; CNTX‐4975 0.5 mg significantly improved pain at 12 weeks, but the effect was not evident at 24 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies is characterized by transient clinical features, including fluctuating cognition and visual hallucinations, implicating dysfunction of cerebral hub regions, such as the pulvinar nuclei of the thalamus. However, the pulvinar is typically only mildly affected by Lewy body pathology in dementia with Lewy bodies, suggesting additional factors may account for its proposed dysfunction.Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of postmortem pulvinar tissue using whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing, protein expression analysis, and histological evaluation.Results: We identified 321 transcripts as significantly different between dementia with Lewy bodies cases and neurologically normal controls, with gene ontology pathway analysis suggesting the enrichment of transcripts related to synapses and positive regulation of immune functioning. At the protein level, proteins related to synaptic efficiency were decreased, and general synaptic markers remained intact. Analysis of glial subpopulations revealed astrogliosis without activated microglia, which was associated with synaptic changes but not neurodegenerative pathology.Discussion: These results indicate that the pulvinar, a region with relatively low Lewy body pathological burden, manifests changes at the molecular level that differ from previous reports in a more severely affected region. We speculate that these alterations result from neurodegenerative changes in regions connected to the pulvinar and likely contribute to a variety of cognitive changes resulting from decreased cortical synchrony in dementia with Lewy bodies. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tomato leaf miner ( Tuta absoluta) is a serious pest of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum) in the tropics and subtropics. Previous World Vegetable Center studies identified selected accessions of S. galapagense, S. cheesmaniae and S. pimpinellifolium that were resistant to whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci Genn.) and spider mite ( Tetranychus urticae Koch). Here, we evaluated these accessions for resistance to T. absoluta based on the number of eggs from choice bioassays, and larval mortality and adults emerged percentages in no-choice feeding bioassays at WorldVeg Eastern and Southern Africa (WorldVeg) and the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology ( icipe). At WorldVeg, S. galapagense exhibited high resistance in both choice and no-choice bioassays. There was strong negative correlation between larval mortality and adults emerged percentages in the no-choice feeding bioassays. Results from the icipe experiments were consistent with those of the WorldVeg screening, except for S. pimpinellifolium accession , which was susceptible at icipe. Tuta absoluta is rapidly spreading and the resistance sources reported here will be valuable in breeding tomato varieties resistant to this insect and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is one of the most destructive diseases of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) that mainly occurs in cool and wet environments. With the spread of the A2 mating type and new clonal lineages, fewer fungicides provide effective control of the disease, which has increased its worldwide threat. Host resistance could contribute significantly to sustainable disease control. Ph-3 is a race-specific late blight resistance gene commonly used in commercial tomato breeding. Availability of precise and easy to use gene-based markers would facilitate selection. In this study, a Ph-3 on-gene cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker, Ph3.gsm/ HincII, was developed based on the published gene sequence of Ph-3. The effectiveness of the marker was evaluated along with other published Ph-3 markers using an F9 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from NC 23E-2(93) × L3708. Markers Ph3.gsm/ HincII and TG328/ BstNI accurately genotyped the RIL population for Ph-3. In addition, Ph3.gsm/ HincII was able to differentiate variable susceptible alleles. This reliable codominant DNA marker would be very useful in marker-assisted selection, particularly for resistance gene pyramiding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus ( TYLCV) is one of the most widespread begomoviruses transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci that cause tomato yellow leaf curl virus diseases ( TYLCDs). TYLCD losses can be especially severe in open-field tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops. TYLCV is particularly well known and widespread in the Mediterranean (Med) countries where TYLCD control is mostly based on insecticidal control of B. tabaci populations. Unfortunately, Tunisian B. tabaci populations include Middle East-Asia Minor I and the Med species that have developed resistance to many classes of insecticides. Therefore, TYLCD-resistant cultivars are essential for sustainable disease management. Six TYLCD resistance genes ( Ty) have been introgressed from wild species into cultivated tomato and are available for breeding. Information on the Ty genes or gene combinations is useful for breeding resistant cultivars. To this end, 14 tomato lines carrying different Ty gene combinations and two susceptible tomato entries were evaluated for TYLCD incidence and severity in two field trials during late season in Tunisia. Entries with Ty-1/ Ty-3 + Ty-2 offered the highest levels of resistance in Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J. Neurochem. (2012) 123, 298-309. Abstract Lewy body disease (LBD) development is enhanced by mutations in the GBA gene coding for glucocerebrosidase (GCase). The mechanism of this association is thought to involve an abnormal lysosomal system and we therefore sought to evaluate if lysosomal changes contribute to the pathogenesis of idiopathic LBD. Analysis of post-mortem frontal cortex tissue from 7 GBA mutation carriers with LBD, 5 GBA mutation carriers with no signs of neurological disease and human neural stem cells exposed to a GCase inhibitor was used to determine how GBA mutation contributes to LBD. GBA mutation carriers demonstrated a significantly reduced level of GCase protein and enzyme activity and retention of glucocerebrosidase isoforms within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This was associated with enhanced expression of the lysosomal markers LAMP1 and LAMP2, though the expression of ATP13A2 and Cathepsin D was reduced, along with the decreased activity of Cathepsin D. The ER unfolded protein response (UPR) regulator BiP/GRP78 was reduced by GBA mutation and this was a general phenomenon in LBD. Despite elevation of GRP94 in LBD, individuals with GBA mutations showed reduced GRP94 expression, suggesting an inadequate UPR. Finally, human neural stem cell cultures showed that inhibition of GCase causes acute reduction of BiP, indicating that the UPR is affected by reduced glucocerebrosidase activity. The results indicate that mutation in GBA leads to additional lysosomal abnormalities, enhanced by an impaired UPR, potentially causing α-synuclein accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the consequences of the Senate electoral cycle and bicameralism for distributive politics, introducing the concept of contested credit claiming, i.e., that members of a state's House and Senate delegations must share the credit for appropriations that originate in their chamber with delegation members in the other chamber. Using data that isolate appropriations of each chamber, we test a model of the strategic incentives contested credit claiming creates. Our empirical analysis indicates that the Senate electoral cycle induces a back-loading of benefits to the end of senatorial terms, but that the House blunts this tendency with countercyclical appropriations. Our analysis informs our understanding of appropriations earmarking and points a way forward in studying the larger consequences of bicameral legislatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous records of annual landings and fishing effort exist in the Atlantic purse-seine fishery for Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus since 1940 and the Gulf of Mexico fishery for Gulf menhaden B. patronus since 1946. Currently, year-ahead forecasts of landings from these species-specific fisheries separated by the Florida peninsula are provided to the industry by means of multiple linear-regression models that relate landings and effort over the data series. Here, we compare three methods for this purpose--multiple regression, time series, and artificial neural networks--to determine whether forecast accuracy can be increased. Best-fit models were developed with each method for each fishery, and then 10-year retrospective analyses of 1-year-ahead catch forecasts were compared among the three methods. In general, multiple-regression and artificial neural network models were similar in their fit to the data series and both were better than time series models, judging from the Akaike information criterion, the correlation between observed and predicted catches, the mean prediction error, and the root mean square error of prediction. A 10-year retrospective analysis (1993-2002) of 1-year-ahead catch forecasts indicates that the three methods provided similar within-stock mean absolute forecast errors (19-21% in the Atlantic and 15-20% in the Gulf), with generally better forecasts for the Gulf fishery. Overall, multiple-regression and artificial neural network models provide lower average catch forecast errors and better tics to the fishery data, whereas similar forecast errors are provided by a univariate time series model (autoregressive integrated moving average model) in the Atlantic and a multivariate time series model (state space model) in the Gulf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce apoptosis in gastrointestinal cancer cell lines. Similar actions on normal gastric epithelial cells could contribute to NSAID gastropathy. The present work therefore compared the actions of diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, NS-398, on a primary culture of guinea-pig gastric mucous epithelial cells. 2 Cell number was assessed by staining with crystal violet. Apoptotic activity was determined by condensation and fragmentation of nuclei and by assay of caspase-3-like activity. Necrosis was evaluated from release of cellular enzymes. 3 Ibuprofen (250 µM for 24 h) promoted cell loss, and apoptosis, under both basal conditions and when apoptosis was increased by 25 µM N-Hexanoyl-D-sphingosine (C[sub 6]-ceramide). 4 Diclofenac (250 µM for 24 h) reduced the proportion of apoptotic nuclei from 5.2 to 2.1%, and caused inhibition of caspase-3-like activity, without causing necrosis under basal conditions. No such reduction in apoptotic activity was evident in the presence of 25 µM C[sub 6]-ceramide. 5 The inhibitory effect of diclofenac on basal caspase-3-like activity was also exhibited by the structurally similar mefenamic and flufenamic acids (1-250 µM), but not by niflumic acid. 6 Inhibition of superoxide production by the cells increased caspase-3-like activity, but the inhibitory action of diclofenac on caspase activity remained. Diclofenac did not affect superoxide production. 7 Diclofenac inhibited caspase-3-like activity in cell homogenates and also inhibited human recombinant caspase-3. 8 In conclusion, NSAIDs vary in their effect on apoptotic activity in a primary culture of guineapig gastric mucous epithelial cells, and the inhibitory effect of diclofenac on basal apoptosis could involve an action on caspase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise responses were evaluated in 42 primary anorexic females (Pri-AN; mean age 18.8 years) and 33 bulimic females (Bul-AN; mean age 19.7 years) and compared with 14 healthy unconditioned lean females (Lean Control; mean age 19.6 years). All subjects performed isometric handgrip at 50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) for 90 seconds and treadmill exercise to subjective exhaustion (Balke Protocol). Resting heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were not different in the three groups. Maximal grip strength and 90 second isometric handgrip systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly lower (p < .05) in Pri-AN compared with Bul-AN and Lean Controls. With treadmill exercise, maximal HR and BP were similar for all groups. However, estimated treadmill work capacity (METs) for Pri-AN (10.7 ± 3) and Bul-AN (10 ± 8.3) was significantly lower (p < .05) then Lean Control subjects (12.3 ± 3). There was a positive correlation between maximal SBP and body weight (wt), percent body fat (% fat) and lean body mass (LBM). These findings indicate that Pri-AN and Bul-AN are associated with a substantial reduction in aerobic capacity. The attenuated Bp response to exercise seen in both anorexia groups appears to be a general function of tissue mass and may be an appropriate adaptation tow eight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five women diagnosed as having classical anorexia nervosa were studied at rest and following a maximal effort treadmill test prior to (AN-I) and after hospital treatment (AN-II). A group of 14 lean women (matched for age percent body fat, height, weight, and fitness level as closely as possible) were studied as lean controls (CL). Before treatment, AN-I had significantly less plasma long-chain acyl carnitines than LC (4.59 versus 6.16 μM); whereas short-chain acyl carnitines were nearly twice as high (9.01 versus 4.91 μM, AN-I versus LC) at rest. Following maximal exercise LC women demonstrated a sharp increase in short-chain acyl carnitines (from 4.91 to 8.83 μM), whereas the AN-I group showed no change in these derivatives relative to their resting level (from 9.01 to 10.49 μM). Long-chain acyl carnitines, however, were reduced in AN-I compared with LC after exercise (2.37 versus 6.55 μM, respectively). Following hospital treatment short-chain acyl carnitines at rest were reduced toward normal (6.68 μM) in the AN-I, although the long-chain acyl forms still remained lower (3.21 μM) than in the LC (6.16 μM). However, ever after hospital treatment the AN-II group did not show the typical increase in short-chain acyl carnitines with an acute bout of exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromium-51 induced in the Hanford production reactors was used to measure Columbia River flow times between the reactors and Astoria, Oregon. This opportunity came during the summer of 1966 when all reactors were inoperative for the first time in 22 years. Chromium-51, introduced into the river as chromate anion (51CrS) tends to remain in solution, thus providing a suitable water-mass tracer. The complex inverse relationship of flow time to volume discharge is seen in our values of 12 days flow time from the reactors to Astoria, Oregon, during an average discharge of 290,000 cfs and 19 days flow time at a low volume discharge of 130,000 cfs. Such short travel time could be critical in the event of an accidental release into the river of extremely hazardous levels of radioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]