Unraveling the shifts in the belowground microbiota and metabolome of Pinus pinaster trees affected by forest decline.

Pinus pinaster Aiton (maritime pine) stands are suffering a generalized deterioration due to different decline episodes throughout all its distribution area. It is well known that external disturbances can alter the plant associated microbiota and metabolome, which ultimately can entail the disruption of the normal growth of the hosts. Notwithstanding, very little is known about the shifts in the microbiota and the metabolome in pine trees affected by decline.

Depigmented, Polymerized Cat Epithelium Extract Is Safe and Improves Rhinitis and Asthma Symptoms in Cat-Allergic Patients: A Real-World Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Exposure to cat allergens is often difficult to avoid. Here, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of a depigmented, polymerized cat epithelium extract (Dpg-pol-cat) for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma.

Methods: Real-world, retrospective study of patients ≥12 years of age with cat allergy and moderate to severe allergic rhinitis/rhinoconjunctivitis, with or without asthma, who started allergen immunotherapy (AIT) with Dpg-pol-cat extract during routine visits to the Allergy Department.

Comparative Stem Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Pathways Associated with Drought Tolerance in Maritime Pine Grafts.

The maritime pine ( Ait.) is a highly valuable Mediterranean conifer. However, recurrent drought events threaten its propagation and conservation.

Population-level coding of avoidance learning in medial prefrontal cortex.

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been proposed to link sensory inputs and behavioral outputs to mediate the execution of learned behaviors. However, how such a link is implemented has remained unclear. To measure prefrontal neural correlates of sensory stimuli and learned behaviors, we performed population calcium imaging during a new tone-signaled active avoidance paradigm in mice.

Maritime Pine Rootstock Genotype Modulates Gene Expression Associated with Stress Tolerance in Grafted Stems.

Climate change-induced hazards, such as drought, threaten forest resilience, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the Mediterranean Basin. Maritime pine ( Aiton), a model species in Western Europe, plays a crucial role in the Mediterranean forest due to its genetic diversity and ecological plasticity. This study characterizes transcriptional profiles of scion and rootstock stems of four graft combinations grown under well-watered conditions.

Bacteriome dataset from the rhizosphere of trees in a and dominated forest subjected to drought conditions.

The Mediterranean basin is drastically affected by intense and frequent droughts, which jeopardize the diversity and survival of its forest, for example, forests. The dynamics of the bacterial communities inhabiting the rhizosphere of and other plants from a pine dominated forest under contrasting hydric conditions was monitored. The forest was located in Sierra de Oria (southeast Spain), and it was mainly composed by , woody shrub species and herbaceous plants.

Correlating the above- and belowground genotype of Pinus pinaster trees and rhizosphere bacterial communities under drought conditions.

Increasing temperatures along with severe droughts are factors that may jeopardize the survival of the forests in the Mediterranean basin. In this region, Pinus pinaster is a common conifer species, that has been used as a model species in evolutionary studies due to its adaptive response to changing environments. Although its drought tolerance mechanisms are already known, knowledge about the dynamics of its root microbiota is still scarce.

Comprehensive analysis of the isomiRome in the vegetative organs of the conifer Pinus pinaster under contrasting water availability.

An increasing number of microRNAs (miRNAs) and miRNA-related sequences produced during miRNA biogenesis, comprising the isomiRome, have been recently highlighted in different species as critical mediators of environmental stress responses. Conifers have some of the largest known genomes but an extensive characterization of the isomiRome from any conifer species has been lacking. We provide here a comprehensive overview of the Pinus pinaster isomiRome expressed in roots, stem and needles under well-watered and drought conditions.

Molecular study of drought response in the Mediterranean conifer Ait.: Differential transcriptomic profiling reveals constitutive water deficit-independent drought tolerance mechanisms.

Adaptation of long-living forest trees to respond to environmental changes is essential to secure their performance under adverse conditions. Water deficit is one of the most significant stress factors determining tree growth and survival. Maritime pine ( Ait.

Genomics of Clinal Local Adaptation in Under Continuous Environmental and Spatial Genetic Setting.

Understanding the consequences of local adaptation at the genomic diversity is a central goal in evolutionary genetics of natural populations. In species with large continuous geographical distributions the phenotypic signal of local adaptation is frequently clear, but the genetic basis often remains elusive. We examined the patterns of genetic diversity in , a keystone species in many Eurasian ecosystems with a huge distribution range and decades of forestry research showing that it is locally adapted to the vast range of environmental conditions.

Analysis of neuronal ensemble activity reveals the pitfalls and shortcomings of rotation dynamics.

Back in 2012, Churchland and his colleagues proposed that "rotational dynamics", uncovered through linear transformations of multidimensional neuronal data, represent a fundamental type of neuronal population processing in a variety of organisms, from the isolated leech central nervous system to the primate motor cortex. Here, we evaluated this claim using Churchland's own data and simple simulations of neuronal responses. We observed that rotational patterns occurred in neuronal populations when (1) there was a temporal sequence in peak firing rates exhibited by individual neurons, and (2) this sequence remained consistent across different experimental conditions.

Brain-computer interfaces for post-stroke motor rehabilitation: a meta-analysis.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can provide sensory feedback of ongoing brain oscillations, enabling stroke survivors to modulate their sensorimotor rhythms purposefully. A number of recent clinical studies indicate that repeated use of such BCIs might trigger neurological recovery and hence improvement in motor function. Here, we provide a first meta-analysis evaluating the clinical effectiveness of BCI-based post-stroke motor rehabilitation.

Mineral Profile of Children's Fast Food Menu Samples.

Children's fast food menus, including hamburgers served with french fries, dessert, and a soft drink, were analyzed to obtain the mineral profile of trace elements. The developed analytical methodology involved sample digestion under pressure inside a microwave oven with a mixture of HNO3 and H2O2 and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The method was validated by carrying out the analysis of certified reference materials (NIST 1570a spinach leaves, NCS ZC73016 chicken, and NIST 1568a rice flour) and using recovery experiments.

Single-Copy Genes as Molecular Markers for Phylogenomic Studies in Seed Plants.

Phylogenetic relationships among seed plant taxa, especially within the gymnosperms, remain contested. In contrast to angiosperms, for which several genomic, transcriptomic and phylogenetic resources are available, there are few, if any, molecular markers that allow broad comparisons among gymnosperm species. With few gymnosperm genomes available, recently obtained transcriptomes in gymnosperms are a great addition to identifying single-copy gene families as molecular markers for phylogenomic analysis in seed plants.

Comparison of Mineral Contents in Three Different Tobacco Formulations.

We identified and quantified a variety of mineral elements in 18 tobacco samples purchased from a Tunisian market. In total, 25 mineral elements have been measured in cigarettes, water pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy following microwave-assisted digestion. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSSTM, version 18.

Analysis of DNA Cytosine Methylation Patterns Using Methylation-Sensitive Amplification Polymorphism (MSAP).

Different molecular techniques have been developed to study either the global level of methylated cytosines or methylation at specific gene sequences. One of them is the methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism technique (MSAP) which is a modification of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). It has been used to study methylation of anonymous CCGG sequences in different fungi, plants, and animal species.

Comprehensive monitoring of organic micro-pollutants in surface and groundwater in the surrounding of a solid-waste treatment plant of Castellón, Spain.

The solid-waste treatment plant of RECIPLASA is located in the municipality of Onda (Castellón province), which is an important agricultural area of Spain, with predominance of citrus crops. In this plant, all urban solid wastes from the town of Castellón (around 200,000 inhabitants) and other smaller towns as Almassora, Benicàssim, Betxí, Borriana, L'Alcora, Onda and Vila-Real are treated. In order to evaluate the potential impact of this plant on the surrounding water, both surface and groundwater, a comprehensive monitoring of organic pollutants has been carried out along 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Near Infrared Spectroscopy Detection and Quantification of Herbal Medicines Adulterated with Sibutramine.

There is an increasing demand for herbal medicines in weight loss treatment. Some synthetic chemicals, such as sibutramine (SB), have been detected as adulterants in herbal formulations. In this study, two strategies using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy have been developed to evaluate potential adulteration of herbal medicines with SB: a qualitative screening approach and a quantitative methodology based on multivariate calibration.

Massive sequencing of Ulmus minor's transcriptome provides new molecular tools for a genus under the constant threat of Dutch elm disease.

Elms, especially Ulmus minor and U. americana, are carrying out a hard battle against Dutch elm disease (DED). This vascular wilt disease, caused by Ophiostoma ulmi and O.

Advancing towards universal screening for organic pollutants in waters.

Environmental analytical chemists face the challenge of investigating thousands of potential organic pollutants that may be present in the aquatic environment. High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) hyphenated to chromatography offers the possibility of detecting a large number of contaminants without pre-selection of analytes due to its accurate-mass full-spectrum acquisition at good sensitivity. Interestingly, large screening can be made even without reference standards, as the valuable information provided by HRMS allows the tentative identification of the compound detected.

Molecular response to water stress in two contrasting Mediterranean pines (Pinus pinaster and Pinus pinea).

Adaptation to water stress has determined the evolution and diversification of vascular plants. Water stress is forecasted to increase drastically in the next decades in certain regions, such as in the Mediterranean basin. Consequently, a proper knowledge of the response and adaptations to drought stress is essential for the correct management of plant genetic resources.

Identification of water stress genes in Pinus pinaster Ait. by controlled progressive stress and suppression-subtractive hybridization.

Climate change is a major challenge particularly for forest tree species, which will have to face the severe alterations of environmental conditions with their current genetic pool. Thus, an understanding of their adaptive responses is of the utmost interest. In this work we have selected Pinus pinaster as a model species.