Identification, characterization, and expression of lipoxygenase genes in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cv. Regina and their relationship with the development of an herbaceous off-flavor during fruit ripening.

Flavor is an essential characteristic of fruit quality and is significant for consumers. Off-flavors have been reported in several fruits, including sweet cherry. This fruit has been reported to show an herbaceous/grassy-like flavor. The herbaceous off-flavor in sweet cherries detected in cultivar Regina has been related to the differential development of aroma compounds such as short-chain aldehydes and esters. One of the main biosynthesis pathways for these compounds is the fatty acid oxidation mediated by lipoxygenases (LOX). In order to have a better understanding of the biological basis of the differences in the volatile profile, the LOX gene expression profile was characterized during fruit development with and without herbaceous off-flavor. A genome-wide analysis of LOX in sweet cherry was carried out and compared to other species such as Arabidopsis, tomato, apple, prunus and strawberry. The structural features of 9-LOX and 13-LOX genes, encoded protein domains and their synteny were examined. Moreover, we analyzed the LOX expression at four developmental stages along ripening by RT-qPCR. Thirteen LOX gene candidates (six 9-LOX and seven 13-LOX) were identified. The 13-LOXs, PaLOX10, PaLOX11, and PaLOX12 were differentially expressed in herbaceous sweet cherries. Furthermore, their expression profile positively correlated with key volatile compounds linked to the herbaceous off-flavor. Overall, this study involves the genome-wide characterization of the LOX family in Prunus avium cv. Regina and provides information that can aid in studying LOX-related fruit deterioration in sweet cherries and associated species.

A Historical Twist on Long-Range Wireless: Building a 103 km Multi-Hop Network Replicating Claude Chappe's Telegraph.

In 1794, French Engineer Claude Chappe coordinated the deployment of a network of dozens of optical semaphores. These formed "strings" that were hundreds of kilometers long, allowing for nationwide telegraphy. The Chappe telegraph inspired future developments of long-range telecommunications using electrical telegraphs and, later, digital telecommunication. Long-range wireless networks are used today for the Internet of Things (IoT), including industrial, agricultural, and urban applications. The long-range radio technology used today offers approximately 10 km of range. Long-range IoT solutions use "star" topology: all devices need to be within range of a gateway device. This limits the area covered by one such network to roughly a disk of a 10 km radius. In this article, we demonstrate a 103 km low-power wireless multi-hop network by combining long-range IoT radio technology with Claude Chappe's vision. We placed 11 battery-powered devices at the former locations of the Chappe telegraph towers, hanging under helium balloons. We ran a proprietary protocol stack on these devices so they formed a 10-hop multi-hop network: devices forwarded the frames from the "previous" device in the chain. This is, to our knowledge, the longest low power multi-hop wireless network built to date, demonstrating the potential of combining long-range radio technology with multi-hop technology.

Gametophytic self-incompatibility in Andean capuli (Prunus serotina subsp. capuli): allelic diversity at the S-RNase locus influences normal pollen-tube formation during fertilization.

Capuli (Prunus serotina subsp. capuli) is a tree species that is widely distributed in the northern Andes. In Prunus, fruit set and productivity appears to be limited by gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) which is controlled by the S-Locus. For the first time, this research reveals the molecular structure of the capuli S-RNase (a proxy for S-Locus diversity) and documents how S-Locus diversity influences GSI in the species. To this end, the capuli S-RNase gene was amplified and sequenced in order to design a CAPS (Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence) marker system that could unequivocally detect S-alleles by targeting the highly polymorphic C2-C3 S-RNase intra-genic region. The devised system proved highly effective. When used to assess S-Locus diversity in 15 P. serotina accessions, it could identify 18 S-alleles; 7 more than when using standard methodologies for the identification of S-alleles in Prunus species. CAPS marker information was subsequently used to formulate experimental crosses between compatible and incompatible individuals (as defined by their S-allelic identity). Crosses between heterozygote individuals with contrasting S-alleles resulted in normal pollen tube formation and growth. In crosses between individuals with exactly similar S-allele identities, pollen tubes often showed morphological alterations and arrested development, but for some (suspected) incompatible crosses, pollen tubes could reach the ovary. The latter indicates the possibility of a genotype-specific breakdown of GSI in the species. Overall, this supports the notion that S-Locus diversity influences the reproductive patterns of Andean capuli and that it should be considered in the design of orchards and the production of basic propagation materials.

Arabidopsis ALF4 encodes a nuclear-localized protein required for lateral root formation.

Lateral root formation, the primary way plants increase their root mass, displays developmental plasticity in response to environmental changes. The aberrant lateral root formation (alf)4-1 mutation blocks the initiation of lateral roots, thus greatly altering root system architecture. We have positionally cloned the ALF4 gene and have further characterized its phenotype. The encoded ALF4 protein is conserved among plants and has no similarities to proteins from other kingdoms. The gene is present in a single copy in Arabidopsis. Using translational reporters for ALF4 gene expression, we have determined that the ALF4 protein is nuclear localized and that the gene is expressed in most plant tissues; however, ALF4 expression and ALF4's subcellular location are not regulated by auxin. These findings taken together with further genetic and phenotypic characterization of the alf4-1 mutant suggest that ALF4 functions independent from auxin signaling and instead functions in maintaining the pericycle in the mitotically competent state needed for lateral root formation. Our results provide genetic evidence that the pericycle shares properties with meristems and that this tissue plays a central role in creating the developmental plasticity needed for root system development.

Colangiografía laparoscópica / Laparoscopic cholangiography

A partir de julio de 1993, el autor inició en forma prospectiva una serie de colangiografía laparoscópica rutinaria durante la colecistectomía realizada en pacientes portadores de colelitiasis, en los cuales no existían elementos clínicos de laboratorio ni ecotomográficos que hicieren sospechar coledocolitiasis. Se revisó hasta febrero de 1995. Son 126 pacientes. El procedimiento se descartó en 5 casos por razones clínicas (neo, embarazo, alergia al yodo, etc.). Falló en 11 casos y en 5 no se dispuso de equipo. En 105 casos se logró canulación y en 104 contraste de la vía biliar, 5 presentaron coledocolitiasis y todos se resolvieron por vía trancística con sonda Dormia. A un paciente se le canuló el hepático común y otro en que se realizó litoexéresis, presentó una bilirragia de 72 h de duración. No hubo mortalidad en la serie

Derivaciones biliodigestivas / Biliodigestive shunts

Se muestra la experiencia del Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital de Quilpué en 43 pacientes con derivaciones biliodigestivas realizadas entre enero de 1985 y enero de 1990; se tabula y analiza edad, sexo, antecedentes mórbidos, clínicos y de laboratorio, indicación de la intervención, técnicas usadas, complicaciones inmediatas y tardías, mortalidad y seguimiento. Se concluye que la indicación de la técnica, la predominancia del sexo femenino, la distribución por grupos etarios se ajustan a las cifras presentadas por otros autores. Las complicaciones inmediatas más relevantes fueron infección de herida operatoria (11,6%), cuadros respiratorios (27,8%), siendo la mortalidad operatoria de 6,9%