Genetic basis of variation for root traits and response to heat stress in durum wheat

Durum wheat is the second most important wheat species worldwide and the most important crop in several Mediterranean countries including Italy. Durum wheat is primarily grown under rainfed conditions where episodes of drought and heat stress are major factors limiting grain yield. The research presented in this thesis aimed at the identification of traits and genes that underlie root system architecture (RSA) and tolerance to heat stress in durum wheat, in order to eventually contribute to the genetic improvement of this species. In the first two experiments we aimed at the identification of QTLs for root trait architecture at the seedling level by studying a bi-parental population of 176 recombinant inbred lines (from the cross Meridiano x Claudio) and a collection of 183 durum elite accessions. Forty-eight novel QTLs for RSA traits were identified in each of the two experiments, by means of linkage- and association mapping-based QTL analysis, respectively. Important QTLs controlling the angle of root growth in the seedling were identified. In a third experiment, we investigated the phenotypic variation of root anatomical traits by means of microscope-based analysis of root cross sections in 10 elite durum cultivars. The results showed the presence of sizeable genetic variation in aerenchyma-related traits, prompting for additional studies aimed at mapping the QTLs governing such variation and to test the role of aerenchyma in the adaptive response to abiotic stresses. In the fourth experiment, an association mapping experiment for cell membrane stability at the seedling stage (as a proxy trait for heat tolerance) was carried out by means of association mapping. A total of 34 QTLs (including five major ones), were detected. Our study provides information on QTLs for root architecture and heat tolerance which could potentially be considered in durum wheat breeding programs.

FEM and experimental analysis of a wind turbine blade

This paperwork compares the a numerical validation of the finite element model (FEM) with respect the experimental tests of a new generation wind turbine blade designed by TPI Composites Inc. called BSDS (Blade System Design Study). The research is focused on the analysis by finite element (FE) of the BSDS blade and its comparison with respect the experimental data from static and dynamic investigations. The goal of the research is to create a general procedure which is based on a finite element model and will be used to create an accurate digital copy for any kind of blade. The blade prototype was created in SolidWorks and the blade of Sandia National Laboratories Blade System Design Study was accurately reproduced. At a later stage the SolidWorks model was imported in Ansys Mechanical APDL where the shell geometry was created and modal, static and fatigue analysis were carried out. The outcomes of the FEM analysis were compared with the real test on the BSDS blade at Clarkson University laboratory carried out by a new procedures called Blade Test Facility that includes different methods for both the static and dynamic test of the wind turbine blade. The outcomes from the FEM analysis reproduce the real behavior of the blade subjected to static loads in a very satisfying way. A most detailed study about the material properties could improve the accuracy of the analysis.

Assessment of the resilience of coral reefs to natural and human disturbances by means of recruitment panels in Indo-Pacific

Indo-Pacific region encompasses about 75% of world's coral reefs, but hard coral cover in this region experienced a 32% region-wide decline since 1970s. This great change is primarily ascribable to natural and anthropogenic pressures, including climate change and human activities effects. Coral reef conservation requires management strategies oriented to maintain their diversity and the capacity to provide ecosystem goods and services. Coral reef resilience, i.e. the capacity to recover after disturbances, is critical to their long-term persistence. The aims of the present study were to design and to test field experiments intended to measure changes in recruitment processes, as a fundamental aspect of the coral reef resilience. Recruitment experiments, using artificial panels suspended in the water column, were carried out in two Indo-Pacific locations affected by different disturbances: a new mine in Bangka Island (Indonesia), and the increased sedimentation due to coastal dynamics in Vavvaru Island (Maldives). One (or more) putatively disturbed site(s) was selected to be tested against 3 randomly selected control sites. Panels’ arrangement simulates 2 proximities to living corals, i.e. the sources of propagules: few centimetres and 2 meters over. Panels were deployed simultaneously at each site and left submerged for about five months. Recruits were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level and recruited assemblages were analysed in terms of percent cover. In general it was not possible to detect significant differences between the benthic assemblages recruited in disturbed and control sites. The high variability observed in recruits assemblages structure among control sites may be so large to mask the possible disturbance effects. Only few taxa showed possible effects of the disturb they undergo. The field tests have highlighted strengths and weaknesses of the proposed approach and, based on these results, some possible improvements were suggested.

Comprehensive assessment of gesture production: a new test of upper limb apraxia (TULIA)

BACKGROUND: Only few standardized apraxia scales are available and they do not cover all domains and semantic features of gesture production. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a newly developed test of upper limb apraxia (TULIA), which is comprehensive and still short to administer. METHODS: The TULIA consists of 48 items including imitation and pantomime domain of non-symbolic (meaningless), intransitive (communicative) and transitive (tool related) gestures corresponding to 6 subtests. A 6-point scoring method (0-5) was used (score range 0-240). Performance was assessed by blinded raters based on videos in 133 stroke patients, 84 with left hemisphere damage (LHD) and 49 with right hemisphere damage (RHD), as well as 50 healthy subjects (HS). RESULTS: The clinimetric findings demonstrated mostly good to excellent internal consistency, inter- and intra-rater (test-retest) reliability, both at the level of the six subtests and at individual item level. Criterion validity was evaluated by confirming hypotheses based on the literature. Construct validity was demonstrated by a high correlation (r = 0.82) with the De Renzi-test. CONCLUSION: These results show that the TULIA is both a reliable and valid test to systematically assess gesture production. The test can be easily applied and is therefore useful for both research purposes and clinical practice.

Effect of smoking on the results of a chlorhexidine digluconate treatment extended up to 3 months after scaling and root planing-a pilot study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of smoking on a prolongated chlorhexidine digluconate regimen after scaling and root planing. Forty-two smokers (test group) and 85 nonsmoking patients (control group) with generalized chronic periodontitis were examined for clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BoP), and Plaque Index (Pl) at baseline and after 1 and 3 months. During scaling and root planing, a 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate solution and a 1% chlorhexidine digluconate gel were used. The subjects used a 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate solution twice daily for 3 months. The Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. There were significant improvements of all studied variables after 1 and 3 months in both groups. After 3 months, the mean improvement in the test group was 1.62 mm for CAL, 2.85 mm for PD, and 48% for BoP; in the control group, the values were 2.18 mm for CAL, 2.81 mm for PD, and 47% for BoP. Only the maximum changes of CAL between 1 and 3 months (test group, 0.32 mm vs 0.69 mm in the control group) and PD (test group, 0.47 mm vs 0.76 mm in the control group) were significantly different between the groups (P < .05 and P = .05, respectively). The present data appear to suggest that the use of chlorhexidine digluconate twice daily during a period of 3 months following nonsurgical periodontal therapy may result in significant clinical improvements in smokers and nonsmokers.

In vitro evaluation of surface roughness, adhesion of periodontal ligament fibroblasts, and Streptococcus gordonii following root instrumentation with Gracey curettes and subsequent polishing with diamond-coated curettes

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an additional usage of a diamond-coated curette on surface roughness, adhesion of periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts, and of Streptococcus gordonii in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Test specimens were prepared from extracted teeth and exposed to instrumentation with conventional Gracey curettes with or without additional use of diamond-coated curettes. Surface roughness (Ra and Rz) was measured before and following treatment. In addition, the adhesion of PDL fibroblasts for 72 h and adhesion of S. gordonii ATCC 10558 for 2 h have been determined. RESULTS: Instrumentation with conventional Gracey curettes reduced surface roughness (median Ra before: 0.36 μm/after: 0.25 μm; p < 0.001; median Rz before: 2.34 μm/after: 1.61 μm; p < 0.001). The subsequent instrumentation with the diamond-coated curettes resulted in a median Ra of 0.31 μm/Rz of 2.06 μm (no significance in comparison to controls). The number of attached PDL fibroblasts did not change following scaling with Gracey curettes. The additional instrumentation with the diamond-coated curettes resulted in a two-fold increase in the number of attached PDL fibroblasts but not in the numbers of adhered bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of root surfaces with conventional Gracey curettes followed by subsequent polishing with diamond-coated curettes may result in a root surface which provides favorable conditions for the attachment of PDL fibroblasts without enhancing microbial adhesion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The improved attachment of PDL fibroblasts and the limited microbial adhesion on root surfaces treated with scaling with conventional Gracey curettes followed by subsequent polishing with diamond-coated curettes may favor periodontal wound healing.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of intrabony periodontal defect treatment by open flap debridement alone or in combination with nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite bone substitute

The aim of this study has been to compare the clinical and radiographic outcome of periodontal intrabony defect treatment by open flap debridement alone or in combination with nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite bone substitute application. Thirty patients diagnosed with advanced periodontits were divided into two groups: the control group (OFD), in which an open flap debridement procedure was performed and the test group (OFD+NHA), in which defects were additionally filled with nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite bone substitute material. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), pocket depth (PD), gingival recession (GR) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured prior to, then 6 and 12months following treatment. Radiographic depth and width of defects were also evaluated. There were no differences in any clinical and radiographic parameters between the examined groups prior to treatment. After treatment, BOP, GI, PD, CAL, radiographic depth and width parameter values improved statistically significantly in both groups. The PI value did not change, but the GR value increased significantly after treatment. There were no statistical differences in evaluated parameters between OFD and OFD+NHA groups 6 and 12months after treatment. Within the limits of the study, it can be concluded that the additional use of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite bone substitute material after open flap procedure does not improve clinical and radiographic treatment outcome.

Fecal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in swine and cattle at slaughter in Switzerland

During the past decade, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae have become a matter of great concern in human medicine. ESBL-producing strains are found in the community, not just in hospital-associated patients, which raises a question about possible reservoirs. Recent studies describe the occurrence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in meat, fish, and raw milk; therefore, the impact of food animals as reservoirs for and disseminators of such strains into the food production chain must be assessed. In this pilot study, fecal samples of 59 pigs and 64 cattle were investigated to determine the occurrence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in farm animals at slaughter in Switzerland. Presumptive-positive colonies on Brilliance ESBL agar were subjected to identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing including the disc diffusion method and E-test ESBL strips. As many as 15.2% of the porcine and 17.1% of the bovine samples, predominantly from calves, yielded ESBL producers. Of the 21 isolated strains, 20 were Escherichia coli, and one was Citrobacter youngae. PCR analysis revealed that 18 strains including C. youngae produced CTX-M group 1 ESBLs, and three strains carried genes encoding for CTX-M group 9 enzymes. In addition, eight isolates were PCR positive for TEM beta-lactamase, but no bla(SHV) genes were detected. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed a high genetic diversity within the strains. The relatively high rates of occurrence of ESBLproducing strains in food animals and the high genetic diversity among these strains indicate that there is an established reservoir of these organisms in farm animals. Further studies are necessary to assess future trends.

Effect of eprinomectin treatment on milk yield and quality in dairy cows in South Tyrol, Italy

The effect of treatment with eprinomectin on milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell counts (SCCs) was studied in 105 dairy cows located on seven farms in South Tyrol, Italy. On each farm, half of the animals were treated with eprinomectin and the other half were used as an untreated control group. Three test day records per animal were obtained before treatment (days -117, -75 and -33) and another three test day records were obtained after treatment (days 22, 62 and 131). Test day records comprised milk yield, milk composition, SCC and days in milk. On the day of treatment, blood samples and faecal samples were taken for parasitological analysis. Cows with positive faecal egg counts yielded less milk. A significant effect of eprinomectin on milk yield was observed after treatment and was most pronounced on the second and the third test days after treatment (+1.90 kg [P=0.002] and +2.63 kg [P<0.001], respectively). Furthermore, a significant decrease in SCC was observed on the second test day after treatment.

Management of primary ciliary dyskinesia in European children: recommendations and clinical practice

The European Respiratory Society Task Force on primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in children recently published recommendations for diagnosis and management. This paper compares these recommendations with current clinical practice in Europe. Questionnaires were returned by 194 paediatric respiratory centres caring for PCD patients in 26 countries. In most countries, PCD care was not centralised, with a median (interquartile range) of 4 (2-9) patients treated per centre. Overall, 90% of centres had access to nasal or bronchial mucosal biopsy. Samples were analysed by electron microscopy (77%) and ciliary function tests (57%). Nasal nitric oxide was used for screening in 46% of centres and saccharine tests in 36%. Treatment approaches varied widely, both within and between countries. European region, size of centre and the country's general government expenditure on health partly defined availability of advanced diagnostic tests and choice of treatments. In conclusion, we found substantial heterogeneity in management of PCD within and between countries, and poor concordance with current recommendations. This demonstrates how essential it is to standardise management and decrease inequality between countries. Our results also demonstrate the urgent need for research: to simplify PCD diagnosis, to understand the natural history and to test the effectiveness of interventions.

Impact of the availability of an influenza virus rapid antigen test on diagnostic decision making in a pediatric emergency department

OBJECTIVES: Fever is one of the most commonly seen symptoms in the pediatric emergency department. The objective of this study was to observe how the rapid testing for influenza virus impacts on the management of children with fever. METHODS: We performed a review of our pediatric emergency department records during the 2008/2009 annual influenza season. The BinaxNow Influenza A+B test was performed on patients with the following criteria: age 1.0 to 16.0 years, fever greater than 38.5 °C, fever of less than 96 hours' duration after the onset of clinical illness, clinical signs compatible with acute influenza, and nontoxic appearance. Additional laboratory tests were performed at the treating physician's discretion. RESULTS: The influenza rapid antigen test was performed in 192 children. One hundred nine (57%) were influenza positive, with the largest fraction (101 patients) positive for influenza A. The age distribution did not differ between children with negative and positive test results (mean, 5.3 vs. 5.1 years, not statistically significant). A larger number of diagnostic tests were performed in the group of influenza-negative patients. Twice as many complete blood counts, C-reactive protein determinations, lumbar punctures, and urinalyses were ordered in the latter group. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid diagnosis of influenza in the pediatric emergency department affects the management of febrile children as the confirmation of influenza virus infection decreases additional diagnostic tests ordered.

Cyclin D1 (CCND1) A870G gene polymorphism modulates smoking-induced lung cancer risk and response to platinum-based chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

PURPOSE: The cyclin D1 (CCND1) A870G gene polymorphism is linked to the outcome in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we investigated the impact of this polymorphism on smoking-induced cancer risk and clinical outcome in patients with NSCLC stages I-IV. METHODS: CCND1 A870G genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP) of DNA extracted from blood. The study included 244 NSCLC patients and 187 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were: 70% male, 77% smokers, 43% adenocarcinoma, and 27% squamous cell carcinoma. Eighty-one percent of the patients had stages III-IV disease. Median age at diagnosis was 60 years and median survival was 13 months. Genotype frequencies of patients and controls both conformed to the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. The GG genotype significantly correlated with a history of heavy smoking (>or=40 py, P=0.02), and patients with this genotype had a significantly higher cigarette consumption than patients with AA/AG genotypes (P=0.007). The GG genotype also significantly correlated with tumor response or stabilization after a platinum-based first-line chemotherapy (P=0.04). Survival analysis revealed no significant differences among the genotypes. CONCLUSION: Evidence was obtained that the CCND1 A870G gene polymorphism modulates smoking-induced lung cancer risk. Further studies are required to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms and to test the value of this gene polymorphism as a predictor for platinum-sensitivity in NSCLC patients.

Effects of potentised substances on growth kinetics of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe

BACKGROUND: Homeopathic potencies are used as specific remedies in complementary medicine. Since the mode of action is unknown, the presumed specificity is discussed controversially. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of potentised substances on two yeast species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, in a stable and reliable test system with systematic negative controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Yeast cells were cultivated in either potentised substances or water controls in microplates and their growth kinetics were measured photometrically. Water control runs were performed repeatedly to investigate the stability of the experimental set-up (systematic negative controls). RESULTS: 4 out of 14 screened substances seem to have affected the growth curve parameters slope or yield. Out of these substances, azoxystrobin and phosphorus were chosen for 8 further replication experiments, which partly confirmed the results of the screening. On the average of all experiments, azoxystrobin affected the slope of the growth curve of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (p < 0.05), and phosphorus affected the slope of the growth curve of Schizosaccharomyces pombe (p < 0.05). No effects were seen in the water control runs. In addition, significant interactions between treatment with potentised substances and experiment number were observed in all experiments with potentised substances (p < 0.01), but not in the water control runs. CONCLUSIONS: Both yeast species reacted to certain potentised substances by changing their growth kinetics. However, the interactions found point to additional factors of still unknown nature, that modulate the effects of potentised substances. This stable test system with yeasts may be suitable for further studies regarding the efficacy of homeopathic potencies.

Role of the NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG promoter polymorphism in IBD and potential interactions with polymorphisms in the CARD15/NOD2, IKBL, and IL-1RN genes

BACKGROUND: Recently, an association of the NFKB1 polymorphism -94ins/delATTG with ulcerative colitis (UC) has been reported. This 4-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism is localized in the promoter region of the NFKB1 gene and appears to be functionally relevant. The aim of the present study was to confirm the association of the -94ins/delATTG (W/D) NFKB1 promoter polymorphism with UC in a population of German origin and to test for a potential association with Crohn's disease (CD). Furthermore, potential interactions of the -94ins/delATTG polymorphism with the IKBL and the IL-1RN genes should be determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised 630 patients with CD, 365 patients with UC, and 974 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. For statistical evaluation, the chi-square test and the Fisher exact test were used. RESULTS: No significant association of the W/D NFKB1 polymorphism with CD or UC was detected. In addition, no significant interactions between the -94ins/delATTG NFKB1 polymorphism and polymorphisms within the IKBL and the IL-1RN genes, respectively, were found in CD or UC. Also, no significant interactions of the NFKB1 polymorphism with mutations of the CARD15/NOD2 gene and with clinical phenotypes were detected in CD. Moreover, no associations of the NFKB1 polymorphism were found in UC depending on disease localization. CONCLUSIONS: The present study could not confirm the reported association of the -94ins/delATTG NFKB1 polymorphism with UC and also found no evidence for a role of this polymorphism in CD. The results do not give evidence for a role of this NFKB1 polymorphism in the pathogenesis of UC and CD.

NONLINEAR TUBE-FITTING FOR THE ANALYSIS OF ANATOMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURES

We are concerned with the estimation of the exterior surface of tube-shaped anatomical structures. This interest is motivated by two distinct scientific goals, one dealing with the distribution of HIV microbicide in the colon and the other with measuring degradation in white-matter tracts in the brain. Our problem is posed as the estimation of the support of a distribution in three dimensions from a sample from that distribution, possibly measured with error. We propose a novel tube-fitting algorithm to construct such estimators. Further, we conduct a simulation study to aid in the choice of a key parameter of the algorithm, and we test our algorithm with validation study tailored to the motivating data sets. Finally, we apply the tube-fitting algorithm to a colon image produced by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)and to a white-matter tract image produced using diffusion tensor `imaging (DTI).