The landscape of long noncoding RNA expression in the goat brain.

The brain regulates multiple metabolic processes, such as food intake, energy expenditure, insulin secretion, hepatic glucose production, and glucose and fatty acid metabolism in adipose tissue, which are fundamental for the maintenance of energy and glucose homeostasis during lactation and pregnancy. In addition, brain expression has a fundamental impact on the development of maternal behavior. Although brain functions are partly regulated by long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), their expression profiles have not been characterized in depth in any ruminant species. We have sequenced the transcriptome of 12 brain tissues from 3 goats that were 1 mo pregnant and 4 nonpregnant goats to investigate their lncRNA expression patterns. Between 4,363 (adenohypophysis) and 4,604 (olfactory bulb) lncRNAs were expressed in brain tissues, leading us to establish a set of 794 already annotated lncRNAs and 5,098 novel lncRNA candidates. The detected lncRNAs shared features with those of other mammals, and tissue-specific lncRNAs were enriched in brain development-related terms. Differential expression analyses between goats that were 1 mo pregnant and nonpregnant goats showed that the lncRNA expression profiles of certain brain regions experience substantial changes associated with early pregnancy (238 lncRNAs are differentially expressed in the olfactory bulb), but others do not. Enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed lncRNAs from the olfactory bulb are co-expressed with genes previously linked to behavioral changes related to pregnancy. These findings provide a first characterization of the landscape of lncRNA expression in the goat brain and provides valuable clues to understand the molecular events triggered by early pregnancy in the central nervous system.

Experiences of health and social professionals using care technologies with older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perceptions and experiences of health and social care professionals concerning the use of technology for the care of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND MEASURES: A phenomenological qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design using semi-structured interviews. SAMPLE: Twenty Spanish health and social care workers in six Spanish cities between February and July 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic care workers have become more familiar with technology devices, but they also recognize certain barriers for the implementation of technology, mainly in nursing homes and homecare, related to concerns of lack of humanization and difficulties in accessing and using these devices. CONCLUSION: Politicians and social and healthcare managers should be aware of the benefits of techno-care, reducing the difficulties in implementing it and making more funding and further training available to care providers.

The relevance of multiple clinical specimens in the diagnosis of monkeypox virus, Spain, June 2022.

A monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak has been ongoing worldwide since May 2022. The role of specimens other than skin lesions for MPXV diagnosis is unknown. We evaluated 140 different clinical specimens by real-time PCR. The highest positivity rates (97%) were from skin lesions of any part of the body, followed by plasma, pharyngeal and anal swabs. Testing specimens from multiple sites may improve the sensitivity and reduce false-negative test results.

Short-Term Effects of Overnight Orthokeratology on Corneal Sub-basal Nerve Plexus Morphology and Corneal Sensitivity.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a short period of orthokeratology (OK) on corneal sub-basal nerve plexus (SBNP) morphology and corneal sensitivity. METHODS: Measurements were made in 56 right eyes of 56 subjects with low-to-moderate myopia who wore 2 OK lens designs (Group CRT: HDS 100 Paragon CRT, n=35; Group SF: Seefree; n=21) for a period of 1 month and in 15 right eyes of noncontact lens wearers as controls. The variables determined in each participant were corneal sensitivity using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer and 12 SBNP variables determined on laser scanning confocal microscopy images using 3 different software packages. Correlation between SBNP architecture and corneal sensitivity was also examined. RESULTS: Few changes were observed over the 1-month period in the variables examined in the OK treatment and control groups. However, significant reductions were detected over time in the number of nerves in the central cornea in the groups CRT (P=0.029) and SF (P=0.043) and in central corneal sensitivity in CRT (P=0.047) along with significant increases in central and midperipheral corneal Langerhans cell counts in SF (P=0.001 and 0.048, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides useful data to better understand the anatomical changes induced by OK in corneal SBNP. The different response observed to the 2 OK lens designs requires further investigation.

Tear Film Osmolarity in Response to Long-Term Orthokeratology Treatment.

PURPOSE: To compare tear film osmolarity (TFO) measurements in non-contact lens (CL) wearers and wearers of hydrogel or overnight orthokeratology (OK) CLs, and to assess possible effects of long-term OK on TFO. METHODS: Overall, 108 subjects with moderate myopia participated in 2 experiments, and TFO was measured using the TearLab osmolarity system. In experiment 1, TFO measurements were made in 77 right eyes of 23 non-CL wearers, 26 hydrogel wearers, and 28 OK wearers. Subjects in the last 2 groups had worn their CL for at least 3 years. In experiment 2, 31 individuals (habitual soft CL wearers) were enrolled for prospective long-term follow-up of OK treatment. These subjects were fitted with Paragon-CRT (n=16) or Seefree (n=15) lenses, and TFO readings were taken at baseline and after 1 month and 1 year of lens wear and after 1 month of OK treatment interruption. RESULTS: Values of TFO were within the normal limits in all 3 subject groups, although significantly lower osmolarities (P<0.01) were observed in non-CL wearers (281.7±5.9 mOsm/L) compared with hydrogel (291±16.5 mOsm/L) or OK lens wearers (301.7±10.8 mOsm/L). In experiment 2, TFO differed significantly at baseline between the Paragon-CRT and Seefree groups (P<0.05), and a significant decrease in TFO compared with baseline (P<0.01) was observed in the Paragon-CRT group after 1 month of cessation of lens wear. CONCLUSION: Higher TFO values were observed in lens wearers (hydrogel or OK) than non-CL wearers. After interruption of OK treatment, TFO returned to similar values to those found in non-CL wearers.

Long-Term Impacts of Orthokeratology Treatment on Sub-Basal Nerve Plexus and Corneal Sensitivity Responses and Their Reversibility.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of one year of overnight orthokeratology (OK) treatment on the sub-basal nerve plexus (SBNP) and corneal sensitivity and to assess the reversibility of these effects one month after treatment interruption. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects with low-moderate myopia underwent OK treatment for one year. Fifteen non-contact lens wearers served as controls. At the time points baseline, one year of treatment, and one month after removing the OK lenses, two tests were conducted: corneal sensitivity (Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer) and SBNP imaging by in vivo confocal microscopy. RESULTS: In participants wearing OK lenses, significant reductions over the year were produced in SBNP nerve density (P=0.001 and P=0.006) and number of nerves (P<0.001 and P=0.001) in the central and mid-peripheral cornea, respectively. Differences over the year were also detected in central objective tortuosity (P=0.002). After lens removal, baseline values of nerve density (P=0.024 and P=0.001) and number of nerves (P=0.021 and P<0.001) for the central and mid-peripheral cornea, respectively, were not recovered. At one month post-treatment, a difference was observed from one-year values in central corneal sensitivity (P=0.045) and mid-peripheral Langerhans cell density (P=0.033), and from baseline in mid-peripheral objective tortuosity (P=0.049). Direct correlation was detected at one year between nerve density and tortuosity both in the central (P<0.01; r=0.69) and mid-peripheral cornea (P<0.01; r=0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term OK treatment led to reduced SBNP nerve density and this was directly correlated with corneal tortuosity. After one month of treatment interruption, nerve density was still reduced.

Binocular function changes produced in response to overnight orthokeratology.

PURPOSE: To analyze the binocular function changes produced on subjects undergoing overnight orthokeratology (OK) treatment over short-term (3 months) and long-term (3 years) wear. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal study on young adult subjects with low to moderate myopia was carried out. Binocular function was assessed by the following sequence of tests: Distance and near horizontal phoria (Von Graefe technique), distance and near horizontal vergence ranges (Risley rotary prisms), accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A) ratio (gradient method) and the near point of convergence (standard push-up technique). The short-term sample consisted of: 21 subjects in the control group, 26 in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) treatment lenses group and 25 in a Seefree treatment lenses group. Those subjects were evaluated at baseline and at a 3-month follow-up visit. Twenty one subjects were old CRT wearers that attended a 3-year follow-up visit (long-term group). RESULTS: A statistically significant difference over the 3-month treatment was found for divergence at distance: the break point decreased 1.4 Δ (p = 0.0006) in the CRT group and the recovery point increased 1.2 Δ (p = 0.001) in the Seefree group. Also, the Seefree group had an exophoric trend of 2.3 Δ at near (p = 0.02) and a base-out break decrease of 2.3 Δ (p = 0.03). For the long-term group, only the base-out break point at distant vision showed a statistically significant difference of 4.9 Δ (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: OK induces minimal changes in the binocular function for either short-term or long-term periods, apart from a near exophoric trend over the short-term period.

Nano selenium as antioxidant agent in a multilayer food packaging material.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were incorporated in a flexible multilayer plastic material using a water-base adhesive as vehicle for SeNPs. The antioxidant performance of the original solutions containing spherical SeNPs of 50-60 nm diameter, the adhesive containing these SeNPs, and the final multilayer plastic material to be used as food packaging were quantitatively measured. The radical scavenging capacity due to SeNPs was quantified by a free radical assay developed in the laboratory and by the diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. DPPH was not efficient to measure the scavenging capacity in the multilayer when the free radical scavenger is not in the surface in contact with it. Several multilayer laminated structures composed by [PET (20 m)-adhesive-LDPE (with variable thickness from 35 to 90 µm)] were prepared and measured, demonstrating for the first time that free radicals derived from oxygen (OH·, O2·, and O2H) cross the PE layer and arrive at the adhesive. SeNPs remain as such after manufacture and the final laminate is stable after 3 months of storage. The antioxidant multilayer is a non-migrating efficient free radical scavenger, able to protect the packaged product versus oxidation and extending the shelf life without being in direct contact with the product. Migration tests of both Se and SeNPs to simulants and hazelnuts demonstrated the non-migrating performance of this new active packaging. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Accommodative changes produced in response to overnight orthokeratology.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate short-term (3 months) and long-term (3 years) accommodative changes produced by overnight orthokeratology (OK). METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal study on young adult subjects with low to moderate myopia was carried out. A total of 93 patients took part in the study. Out of these, 72 were enrolled into the short-term follow-up: 21 were on a control group, 26 on a Paragon CRT contact lenses group, and 25 on a Seefree contact lenses group. The other 21 patients were old CRT wearers on long-term follow-up. Accommodative function was assessed by means of negative and positive relative accommodation (NRA / PRA), monocular accommodative amplitude (MAA), accommodative lag, and monocular accommodative facility (MAF). These values were compared among the three short-term groups at the follow-up visit. The long- and short-term follow-up data was compared among the CRT groups. RESULTS: Subjective accommodative results did not suffer any statistically significant changes in any of the accommodative tests for any of the short-term groups when compared to baseline. There were no statistically significant differences between the three short-term groups at the follow-up visit. When comparing the short- and long-term groups, only the NRA showed a significant difference (p = 0.0006) among all the accommodation tests. CONCLUSIONS: OK does not induce changes in the ocular accommodative function for either short-term or long-term periods.

Moderate Water Stress Impact on Yield Components of Greenhouse Tomatoes in Relation to Plant Water Status.

The scarcity of water resources affects tomato production. Deficit irrigation may optimize water management with only a low reduction in yield. Deficit irrigation scheduling based on applied water presented no clear conclusions. Water stress management based on plant water status, such as water potential, could improve the scheduling. The aim of this work was to evaluate the physiological and yield responses of different tomato cultivars to deficit irrigation. Three experiments were carried out in 2020 and 2022 at the University of Seville (Spain). "Cherry" and "chocolate Marmande" cultivars with an indeterminate growth pattern were grown in a greenhouse. Treatments were: Control (full irrigated) and Deficit. Deficit plants were irrigated based on water potential measurements. Moderate water stress did not significantly reduce the yield, although it affected other processes. Fruit size and total soluble solids were the most sensitive parameters to water stress. The latter increased only when persistent water stress was applied. However, truss development and fruit number were not affected by the level of water stress imposed. Such results suggest that moderate water stress, even in sensitive phenological stages such as flowering, would not reduce yield. Deficit irrigation scheduling based on plant water status will allow accurate management of water stress.

In vitro study to assess modulation of Candida biofilm by Escherichia coli from vaginal strains.

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is caused by biofilm formation and epithelial invasion. In addition, Escherichia coli (EC) can establish a vaginal intracellular reservoir modulating Candida spp. biofilm production. We aimed to analyze the behavior of Candida albicans (CA) and EC biofilm both in single cultures and in co-cultures. Methods: We prospectively collected CA and EC isolates from vaginal swabs over 6 months. We selected positive cultures with both CA and EC (cases) and a comparator group with either CA or EC (controls). We analyzed overall biomass production and metabolic activity in single cultures and in co-cultures based on staining assays, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess biofilm occupation. We also analyzed clinical manifestations. Results: We cultured 455 samples, 16 (3.5%) of which had CA and EC (cases); only CA or EC (controls) was detected, respectively, in 72 (15.8%) and 98 (21.5%). Biomass production and metabolic activity were significantly more pronounced in co-cultures in both groups. CLSM and SEM, on the other hand, showed the biofilm of each species to be significantly reduced when they were cultured together, with higher values in CA (percentage biofilm reduction: CA, 95.8% vs. EC, 36.2%, p < 0.001). There were no clinically significant differences between co-infected patients and patients infected only by C. albicans. Conclusion: Ours is the first study assessing co-cultures of CA and EC in a large collection of samples. We observed that coinfection of CA and EC was unusual (3.5%) and promoted high biomass, whereas microscopy enabled us to detect a reduction in biofilm production when microorganisms were co-cultured. No differences in symptoms were observed.

A protein-coding gene expression atlas from the brain of pregnant and non-pregnant goats.

Background: The brain is an extraordinarily complex organ with multiple anatomical structures involved in highly specialized functions related with behavior and physiological homeostasis. Our goal was to build an atlas of protein-coding gene expression in the goat brain by sequencing the transcriptomes of 12 brain regions in seven female Murciano-Granadina goats, from which three of them were 1-month pregnant. Results: Between 14,889 (cerebellar hemisphere) and 15,592 (pineal gland) protein-coding genes were expressed in goat brain regions, and most of them displayed ubiquitous or broad patterns of expression across tissues. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering based on the patterns of mRNA expression revealed that samples from certain brain regions tend to group according to their position in the anterior-posterior axis of the neural tube, i.e., hindbrain (pons and medulla oblongata), midbrain (rostral colliculus) and forebrain (frontal neocortex, olfactory bulb, hypothalamus, and hippocampus). Exceptions to this observation were cerebellum and glandular tissues (pineal gland and hypophysis), which showed highly divergent mRNA expression profiles. Differential expression analysis between pregnant and non-pregnant goats revealed moderate changes of mRNA expression in the frontal neocortex, hippocampus, adenohypophysis and pons, and very dramatic changes in the olfactory bulb. Many genes showing differential expression in this organ are related to olfactory function and behavior in humans. Conclusion: With the exception of cerebellum and glandular tissues, there is a relationship between the cellular origin of sampled regions along the anterior-posterior axis of the neural tube and their mRNA expression patterns in the goat adult brain. Gestation induces substantial changes in the mRNA expression of the olfactory bulb, a finding consistent with the key role of this anatomical structure on the development of maternal behavior.

[Diseases associated with bloodstream infections caused by the new species included in the old Streptococcus bovis group]. / Cuadros clínicos asociados a bacteriemia causada por las nuevas especies incluidas en el antiguo grupo Streptococcus bovis.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify possible diseases associated with bloodstream infections caused by new species of S. bovis group isolated in blood cultures and by studying patient records METHODS: Forty-four consecutive blood culture isolates initially designated S. bovis were further characterised using phenotypic methods Patient records were examined. RESULTS: We identified 15 Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus, 24 Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus, and 5 Streptococcus infantarius isolates in 44 BSI episodes. CONCLUSIONS: The association between S. bovis bacteraemia and endocarditis and/or colon carcinoma is highly dependent on the causative species. Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus is a surrogate for endocarditis and/or bowel disease, whereas Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus is a surrogate for hepato-biliary disease.

Endocarp Development Study in Full Irrigated Olive Orchards and Impact on Fruit Features at Harvest.

Endocarp development in olive trees includes three periods: growth (Period I), massive sclerification (Period II) and maximum hardening (Period III). The two first are strongly related to yield and irrigation management. Period I was reported to coincide with mesocarp cell division and thus with final fruit size. Period II was considered to be the most drought-resistant phenological stage. However, little is known in olive trees about the length of these periods and their capacity for predicting fruit size at harvest. The aim of this work was to evaluate the length of both periods in different cultivars and different location of full irrigated orchards. We also aimed to study the fruit feature impact on harvest at the end of Period I. Data from full irrigated olive orchards of cv Cornicabra, Arbequina and Manzanilla in two different locations (Ciudad Real, Central Spain, and Seville, South Spain) were used. The pattern of pit-breaking pressure throughout the season was measured with fruit samples for several years (2006 to 2022). These data and climatic data were used to compare different estimation methods for the length of Period I and II of endocarp development. Then, fruit volume and dry weight at the end of Period I were used to estimate fruit features at harvest. Results suggest that the Period I length was less temperature- and cultivar-dependent than expected. The duration of this period was almost constant at around 49 days after full bloom. Thermal time was negatively correlated with fruit size at the end of Period I. On the contrary, a lineal thermal model presented the lowest variability when estimating the Period II length, which was also affected by the cultivar. The best fit between fruit dry weight and volume at Period I vs. harvest was unique for oil cultivars (Cornicabra and Arbequina), while cv Manzanilla presented a different relationship. A temperature increase in the future would not affect the Period I length but would reduce the fruit size at the end of this period and at harvest.

Predator control of marine communities increases with temperature across 115 degrees of latitude.

Early naturalists suggested that predation intensity increases toward the tropics, affecting fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes by latitude, but empirical support is still limited. Several studies have measured consumption rates across latitude at large scales, with variable results. Moreover, how predation affects prey community composition at such geographic scales remains unknown. Using standardized experiments that spanned 115° of latitude, at 36 nearshore sites along both coasts of the Americas, we found that marine predators have both higher consumption rates and consistently stronger impacts on biomass and species composition of marine invertebrate communities in warmer tropical waters, likely owing to fish predators. Our results provide robust support for a temperature-dependent gradient in interaction strength and have potential implications for how marine ecosystems will respond to ocean warming.

Selenoproteins: the key factor in selenium essentiality. State of the art analytical techniques for selenoprotein studies.

Selenium is an essential element for human health. The benefits of selenium are many including protection against cancer, heart diseases and other cardiovascular and muscle disorders. Selenium is also helpful in controlling gastrointestinal disorders, enhancing immunity of the human body and reducing age-related diseases. The health-promoting properties of Se are due to vital functions of selenoproteins in which selenium is present as selenocysteine, the 21st amino acid. To date, dozens of selenoprotein families have been described though many have roles that have not been fully elucidated. Selenoproteins research has attracted tremendous interest from different scientific areas. Analytical chemists have not remained indifferent to the attractive features of these unique proteins. Different analytical techniques, such as multidimensional chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), electrospray (tandem) mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of flight (MALDI-TOF) and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SDS-PAGE-LA-ICPMS), have been applied to the determination of selenoproteins and selenium-containing proteins. This review describes the best-characterized selenoproteins to date in addition to the major contributions of analytical chemistry to the field of selenoproteins. The article also highlights the challenges of combining elemental and molecular mass spectrometry for the determination of selenoproteins and selenium-containing proteins.

The Re-Addition of Seminal Plasma after Thawing Does Not Improve Buck Sperm Quality Parameters.

In order to achieve a higher post-thaw buck sperm quality, an approach in the thawing protocol of cryopreserved sperm doses under in vitro capacitation conditions mimicking the in vivo female environment was studied. Therefore, functional and kinetic characteristics of buck thawed sperm from males of different ages, the season of collection, and melatonin implanted males in the non-breeding season were assessed after 3 h of incubation in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) media with 20% of buck seminal plasma (SP). Previously, fresh ejaculates were collected via artificial vagina from eight males of the Cabra Blanca de Rasquera breed during two consecutive years in breeding and non-breeding periods. Prior to semen collection in non-breeding seasons, males were split into two groups: one group was implanted with melatonin, while the other was not. In each group, semen samples were pooled, centrifuged, and diluted in an extender containing 15% powdered egg yolk and 5% glycerol before freezing. After thawing, sperm were washed and incubated in three different media: (a) control media (modified phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), (b) IVF commercial media, and (c) IVF media + 20% SP. Sperm motility was evaluated by CASA, while plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, mitochondria activity, and DNA fragmentation were analysed by flow cytometer at 0 h and after 3 h incubation. A significant reduction in motility, mitochondrial activity, plasma, and acrosome membrane integrity were observed after incubation in the presence of SP, although similar to that observed in IVF media alone. DNA integrity was not affected under in vitro capacitation conditions, regardless of SP addition. In conclusion, the addition of SP failed to improve post-thaw buck sperm quality under in vitro conditions irrespective of male age, the season of collection, and melatonin implant.

In vitro activity of ibrexafungerp and comparators against Candida albicans genotypes from vaginal samples and blood cultures.

OBJECTIVES: Emergence of azole resistance may contribute to recurrences of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Thus, new drugs are needed to improve the therapeutic options. We studied the in vitro activity of ibrexafungerp and comparators against Candida albicans isolates from vaginal samples and blood cultures. Furthermore, isolates were genotyped to study compartmentalization of genotypes and the relationship between genotype and antifungal susceptibility. METHODS: Candida albicans unique patient isolates (n = 144) from patients with clinical suspicion of vulvovaginal candidiasis (n = 72 isolates) and from patients with candidaemia (n = 72) were studied. Antifungal susceptibility to amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, isavuconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, micafungin, anidulafungin and ibrexafungerp was tested (EUCAST 7.3.2). Mutations in the erg11 gene were analysed and isolates genotyped. RESULTS: Ibrexafungerp showed high activity (MICs from 0.03 mg/L to 0.25 mg/L) against the isolates, including those with reduced azole susceptibility, and regardless of their clinical source. Fluconazole resistance rate was 7% (n = 5/72) and 1.4% (n = 1/72) in vaginal and blood isolates, respectively. Some amino acid substitutions in the Erg11 protein were observed exclusively in phenotypically fluconazole non-wild type. Population structure analysis suggested two genotype populations, one mostly involving isolates from blood samples (66.3%) and the mostly from vaginal samples (69.8%). The latter group hosted all fluconazole non-wild-type isolates. DISCUSSION: Ibrexafungerp shows good in vitro activity against Candida albicans from vaginal samples including phenotypically fluconazole non-wild-type isolates. Furthermore, we found a certain population structure where some genotypes show reduced susceptibility to fluconazole.

Establishing a Reference Baseline for Midday Stem Water Potential in Olive and Its Use for Plant-Based Irrigation Management.

Midday stem water potential (SWP) is rapidly becoming adopted as a standard tool for plant-based irrigation management in many woody perennial crops. A reference or "baseline" SWP has been used in some crops (almond, prune, grape, and walnut) to account for the climatic influence of air vapor pressure deficit (VPD) on SWP under non-limiting soil moisture conditions. The baseline can be determined empirically for field trees maintained under such non-limiting conditions, but such conditions are difficult to achieve for an entire season. We present the results of an alternative survey-based approach, using a large set of SWP and VPD data collected over multiple years, from irrigation experiments in olive orchards located in multiple countries [Spain, United States (California), Italy, and Argentina]. The relation of SWP to midday VPD across the entire data set was consistent with an upper limit SWP which declined with VPD, with the upper limit being similar to that found in Prunus. A best fit linear regression estimate for this upper limit (baseline) was found by selecting the maximum R 2 and minimum probability for various upper fractions of the SWP/VPD relation. In addition to being surprisingly similar to the Prunus baseline, the olive baseline was also similar (within 0.1 MPa) to a recently published mechanistic olive soil-plant-atmosphere-continuum (SPAC) model for "super high density" orchard systems. Despite similarities in the baseline, the overall physiological range of SWP exhibited by olive extends to about -8 MPa, compared to about -4 MPa for economically producing almond. This may indicate that, despite species differences in physiological responses to low water availability (drought), there may be convergent adaptations/acclimations across species to high levels of water availability. Similar to its use in other crops, the olive baseline will enable more accurate and reproducible plant-based irrigation management for both full and deficit irrigation practices, and we present tentative SWP guidelines for this purpose.

Soy lecithin as a potential alternative to powdered egg yolk for buck sperm cryopreservation does not protect them from mitochondrial damage.

The aim of this study was to address whether soy lecithin (SL) was an effective non-penetrating cryoprotectant for buck sperm cryopreservation in the presence of seminal plasma. There was also an attempt to determine the optimal concentration of BHT as an antioxidant in powdered egg yolk (PEY) or in SL based media. Two ejaculates were collected from six bucks and mixed ejaculates were aliquoted into washed, using centrifugation procedures, and unwashed samples. In Experiment 1, washed sperm were re-suspended in PEY (15%) or SL (1%) media, while unwashed semen was only diluted in SL medium. In Experiment 2, washed and unwashed sperm were diluted in PEY and SL media, respectively, with there being different BHT concentrations (0.6, 2.0 and 5.0 mM). In both experiments, after 4 h of refrigeration, there were no differences neither in sperm viability nor plasma membrane functional integrity (HOST) between groups when there were evaluations using eosin-nigrosine staining. After thawing, however, there was a negative effect on motility of washed sperm preserved in SL media. Furthermore, results from cytometry evaluations indicated there was a larger population of thawed sperm with intact plasma (SYBR-14+/PI-) and acrosome (PE-PNA-) membranes, but inactive mitochondria (Mitotracker deep red-) when SL media were used. When there was BHT supplementation, there was only a slight enhancement of motility of spermatozoa preserved in PEY media with 5 mM BHT. In conclusion, when effectiveness and efficiencies are considered, PEY is the non-penetrating cryoprotectant that should be utilized for buck sperm cryopreservation.