Use of computer-assisted hexapod external fixators for complex foot and ankle reconstructions - An analysis of functional outcomes and complications.

Introduction: Foot and ankle pathology can often require complex surgical reconstruction. Until recently, circular external fixators such as the Ilizarov frame have proven to be useful, yet they fall short when progressive, precise corrections are required. Computer-assisted hexapod external fixators seek to address many of the shortfalls of traditional circular fixators.

Quantitative genetic analysis of floral traits shows current limits but potential evolution in the wild.

The vast variation in floral traits across angiosperms is often interpreted as the result of adaptation to pollinators. However, studies in wild populations often find no evidence of pollinator-mediated selection on flowers. Evolutionary theory predicts this could be the outcome of periods of stasis under stable conditions, followed by shorter periods of pollinator change that provide selection for innovative phenotypes.

Changes in lipid metabolism driven by steroid signalling modulate proteostasis in C. elegans.

Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases can be caused by mutations that enhance protein aggregation, but we still do not know enough about the molecular players of these pathways to develop treatments for these devastating diseases. Here, we screen for mutations that might enhance aggregation in Caenorhabditis elegans, to investigate the mechanisms that protect against dysregulated homeostasis. We report that the stomatin homologue UNC-1 activates neurohormonal signalling from the sulfotransferase SSU-1 in ASJ sensory/endocrine neurons.

Identification of Distinctive Primary Metabolites Influencing Broccoli (, var. ) Taste.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica Plenck) is a cruciferous crop that is considered to be a good source of micronutrients.

Atlas of phenotypic, genotypic and geographical diversity present in the European traditional tomato.

The Mediterranean basin countries are considered secondary centres of tomato diversification. However, information on phenotypic and allelic variation of local tomato materials is still limited. Here we report on the evaluation of the largest traditional tomato collection, which includes 1499 accessions from Southern Europe.

European traditional tomatoes galore: a result of farmers' selection of a few diversity-rich loci.

A comprehensive collection of 1254 tomato accessions, corresponding to European traditional and modern varieties, early domesticated varieties, and wild relatives, was analyzed by genotyping by sequencing. A continuous genetic gradient between the traditional and modern varieties was observed. European traditional tomatoes displayed very low genetic diversity, with only 298 polymorphic loci (95% threshold) out of 64 943 total variants.

Haplotype analyses reveal novel insights into tomato history and domestication driven by long-distance migrations and latitudinal adaptations.

A novel haplotype-based approach that uses Procrustes analysis and automatic classification was used to provide further insights into tomato history and domestication. Agrarian societies domesticated species of interest by introducing complex genetic modifications. For tomatoes, two species, one of which had two botanical varieties, are thought to be involved in its domestication: the fully wild Solanum pimpinellifolium (SP), the wild and semi-domesticated Solanum lycopersicum var.

Distinctive Traits for Drought and Salt Stress Tolerance in Melon ( L.).

Melon ( L.) is a crop with important agronomic interest worldwide. Because of the increase of drought and salinity in many cultivation areas as a result of anthropogenic global warming, the obtention of varieties tolerant to these conditions is a major objective for agronomical improvement.

Discovery of a Major QTL Controlling Trichome IV Density in Tomato Using K-Seq Genotyping.

Trichomes are a common morphological defense against pests, in particular, type IV glandular trichomes have been associated with resistance against different invertebrates. Cultivated tomatoes usually lack or have a very low density of type IV trichomes. Therefore, for sustainable management of this crop, breeding programs could incorporate some natural defense mechanisms, such as those afforded by trichomes, present in certain species.

Exploiting the diversity of tomato: the development of a phenotypically and genetically detailed germplasm collection.

A collection of 163 accessions, including , var. and var. , was selected to represent the genetic and morphological variability of tomato at its centers of origin and domestication: Andean regions of Peru and Ecuador and Mesoamerica.

A Major QTL Located in Chromosome 8 of Is Responsible for Resistance to .

(ToLCNDV) is a bipartite whitefly transmitted begomovirus, responsible since 2013 of severe damages in cucurbit crops in Southeastern Spain. Zucchini () is the most affected species, but melon () and cucumber () are also highly damaged by the infection. The virus has spread across Mediterranean basin and European countries, and integrated control measures are not being enough to reduce economic losses.

Whole-genome resequencing of morphotypes to discover genomic variants associated with morphology and horticulturally valuable traits.

contains two cultivated subspecies, each of which encompasses four fruit-shape morphotypes (cultivar groups). The Pumpkin, Vegetable Marrow, Cocozelle, and Zucchini Groups are of subsp. and the Acorn, Crookneck, Scallop, and Straightneck Groups are of subsp.

De novo European eel transcriptome provides insights into the evolutionary history of duplicated genes in teleost lineages.

Paralogues pairs are more frequently observed in eels (Anguilla sp.) than in other teleosts. The paralogues often show low phylogenetic distances; however, they have been assigned to the third round of whole genome duplication (WGD), shared by all teleosts (3R), due to their conserved synteny.

The tomato pan-genome uncovers new genes and a rare allele regulating fruit flavor.

Modern tomatoes have narrow genetic diversity limiting their improvement potential. We present a tomato pan-genome constructed using genome sequences of 725 phylogenetically and geographically representative accessions, revealing 4,873 genes absent from the reference genome. Presence/absence variation analyses reveal substantial gene loss and intense negative selection of genes and promoters during tomato domestication and improvement.

Plant Genebanks: Present Situation and Proposals for Their Improvement. the Case of the Spanish Network.

Genebanks were created by the middle of the twentieth century to preserve cultivated biodiversity when landraces began to be substituted by modern varieties. This move was generally accepted as a necessary step to safeguard the future. After about 75 years of collecting and maintaining genetic resources, the increasing ability of biotechnology to create new variability brings the roles of genebanks in the present and near future into question.

Cucurbit Genomics Database (CuGenDB): a central portal for comparative and functional genomics of cucurbit crops.

The Cucurbitaceae family (cucurbit) includes several economically important crops, such as melon, cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin, squash and gourds. During the past several years, genomic and genetic data have been rapidly accumulated for cucurbits. To store, mine, analyze, integrate and disseminate these large-scale datasets and to provide a central portal for the cucurbit research and breeding community, we have developed the Cucurbit Genomics Database (CuGenDB; http://cucurbitgenomics.

Resistance to Plum Pox Virus (PPV) in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is associated with down-regulation of two MATHd genes.

Background: Plum pox virus (PPV), causing Sharka disease, is one of the main limiting factors for Prunus production worldwide. In apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) the major PPV resistance locus (PPVres), comprising ~ 196 kb, has been mapped to the upper part of linkage group 1.

De novo assembly of the zucchini genome reveals a whole-genome duplication associated with the origin of the Cucurbita genus.

The Cucurbita genus (squashes, pumpkins and gourds) includes important domesticated species such as C. pepo, C. maxima and C.

An SNP-based saturated genetic map and QTL analysis of fruit-related traits in Zucchini using Genotyping-by-sequencing.

Background: Cucurbita pepo is a cucurbit with growing economic importance worldwide. Zucchini morphotype is the most important within this highly variable species. Recently, transcriptome and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR)- and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)-based medium density maps have been reported, however further genomic tools are needed for efficient molecular breeding in the species.

GB3.0: a platform for plant bio-design that connects functional DNA elements with associated biological data.

Modular DNA assembly simplifies multigene engineering in Plant Synthetic Biology. Furthermore, the recent adoption of a common syntax to facilitate the exchange of plant DNA parts (phytobricks) is a promising strategy to speed up genetic engineering. Following this lead, here, we present a platform for plant biodesign that incorporates functional descriptions of phytobricks obtained under pre-defined experimental conditions, and systematically registers the resulting information as metadata for documentation.

Analysis of the coding-complete genomic sequence of groundnut ringspot virus suggests a common ancestor with tomato chlorotic spot virus.

Groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV) and tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV) share biological and serological properties, so their identification is carried out by molecular methods. Their genomes consist of three segmented RNAs: L, M and S. The finding of a reassortant between these two viruses may complicate correct virus identification and requires the characterization of the complete genome.

The first de novo transcriptome of pepino (Solanum muricatum): assembly, comprehensive analysis and comparison with the closely related species S. caripense, potato and tomato.

Background: Solanum sect. Basarthrum is phylogenetically very close to potatoes (Solanum sect. Petota) and tomatoes (Solanum sect.

Transcriptome analysis and molecular marker discovery in Solanum incanum and S. aethiopicum, two close relatives of the common eggplant (Solanum melongena) with interest for breeding.

Background: Solanum incanum is a close wild relative of S. melongena with high contents of bioactive phenolics and drought tolerance. S.

A modular toolbox for gRNA-Cas9 genome engineering in plants based on the GoldenBraid standard.

Background: The efficiency, versatility and multiplexing capacity of RNA-guided genome engineering using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology enables a variety of applications in plants, ranging from gene editing to the construction of transcriptional gene circuits, many of which depend on the technical ability to compose and transfer complex synthetic instructions into the plant cell. The engineering principles of standardization and modularity applied to DNA cloning are impacting plant genetic engineering, by increasing multigene assembly efficiency and by fostering the exchange of well-defined physical DNA parts with precise functional information.

Results: Here we describe the adaptation of the RNA-guided Cas9 system to GoldenBraid (GB), a modular DNA construction framework being increasingly used in Plant Synthetic Biology.