Acidovorax citrulli is the causal agent of bacterial fruit blotch disease of cucurbits. Strains of this pathogen are distributed into two major groups: Group I strains have been mainly isolated from melon and other non-watermelon cucurbits, while Group II strains have been mainly recovered from watermelon. Here we report the characterization of strains T1 and EP isolated from diseased tomato and eggplant plants, respectively, and further confirmed to belong to A. citrulli species. Based on PCR, PFGE, and rep-PCR, these strains showed high similarity to the Group II strain 7a1. Sequencing and comparative analyses revealed that the genomes of T1 and EP aligned with that of the Group II model strain AAC00-1, over 97.88% and 99.22%, respectively. The virulence of T1, EP, and 7a1 determined on tomato, eggplant, and watermelon was similar and significantly higher than that of Group I strain M6. In contrast, M6 was more virulent on melon. Expression levels of seven virulence genes measured 24 hr after inoculation of tomato, eggplant, watermelon, and melon showed that the expression pattern was generally similar in strains 7a1, T1, and EP, whereas for M6 the expression was high only on melon. Overall, our results indicate that the solanaceous strains belong to Group II. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reports characterization of A. citrulli strains isolated from solanaceous species. The fact that A. citrulli is able to naturally colonize and cause disease in non-cucurbit crops poses additional challenges for management of this important pathogen.
Reproduction in vertebrates is controlled by the brain-pituitary-gonad axis, where the two gonadotropins follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinizing hormone (Lh) play vital parts by activating their cognate receptors in the gonads. The main purpose of this work was to study intra- and interspecies ligand promiscuity of teleost gonadotropin receptors, since teleost receptor specificity is unclear, in contrast to mammalian receptors. Receptor activation was investigated by transfecting COS-7 cells with either Fsh receptor (mdFshr, tiFshr) or Lh receptor (mdLhr, tiLhr), and tested for activation by recombinant homologous and heterologous ligands (mdFshβα, mdLhβα, tiFshβα, tiLhβα) from two representative fish orders, Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes, Beloniformes) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Cichliformes). Results showed that each gonadotropin preferentially activates its own cognate receptor. Cross-reactivity was detected to some extent as mdFshβα was able to activate the mdLhr, and mdLhβα the mdFshr. Medaka pituitary extract (MPE) stimulated CRE-LUC activity in COS-7 cells expressing mdlhr, but could not stimulate cells expressing mdfshr. Recombinant tiLhβα, tiFshβα and tilapia pituitary extract (TPE) could activate the mdLhr, suggesting cross-species reactivity for mdLhr. Cross-species reactivity was also detected for mdFshr due to activation by tiFshβα, tiLhβα, and TPE, as well as for tiFshr and tiLhr due to stimulation by mdFshβα, mdLhβα, and MPE. Tissue distribution analysis of gene expression revealed that medaka receptors, fshr and lhr, are highly expressed in both ovary and testis. High expression levels were found for lhr also in brain, while fshr was expressed at low levels. Both fshr and lhr mRNA levels increased significantly during testis development. Amino acid sequence alignment and three-dimensional modelling of ligands and receptors highlighted conserved beta sheet domains of both Fsh and Lh between Japanese medaka and Nile tilapia. It also showed a higher structural homology and similarity of transmembrane regions of Lhr between both species, in contrast to Fshr, possibly related to the substitution of the conserved cysteine residue in the transmembrane domain 6 in medaka Fshr with glycine. Taken together, this is the first characterization of medaka Fshr and Lhr using homologous ligands, enabling to better understand teleost hormone-receptor interactions and specificities. The data suggest partial ligand promiscuity and cross-species reactivity between gonadotropins and their receptors in medaka and tilapia.
S Arjmand, Alesini, D , Anania, MP , Biagioni, A , Chiadroni, E , Cianchi, A , Di Giovenale, D , Di Pirro, G , Ferrario, M , Lollo, V , ו others, . 2020. “Characterization Of Plasma Sources For Plasma-Based Accelerators”. Journal Of Instrumentation, 15, Pp. C09055.
Hormones are crucial to plant life and development. Being able to follow the plants hormonal response to various stimuli and throughout developmental processes is an important and increasingly widespread tool. The phytohormone cytokinin (CK) has crucial roles in the regulation of plant growth and development.
This chapter examines the way that the choices of Israeli adults with intellectual disabilities are shaped by different disability laws and other state policies in two domains: legal capacity and housing services. In Israel, legal capacity issues are regulated by the 1962 Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law, which has recently been amended to provide preference for supported decision-making alternatives over guardianship. We show how prior to the amendment the law and its practice infringed on individuals’ right to freedom and autonomy, especially given the extensive use of plenary guardianship and lack of meaningful supervision and regulations. An additional concern is related to the limited consideration given to the individuals’ voice in guardianship appointment processes. The new amendment moved the Israeli legal capacity system a major step away from this guardianship regime. This positive change is currently very much on paper with several concerns and challenges still in need of being addressed.With regard to housing services, we first focus on the process through which services are provided to adults with intellectual disabilities and the role assigned to service users in the process. We then describe the current housing solutions available in Israel, from the most common, large congregate facilities to community apartments and family homes. Finally, we show how each of these living schemes affects the individuals’ right to choice in their daily lives. We conclude by providing several recommendations that represent initial steps in overcoming some of the aforementioned challenges within the two fields.
This chapter examines the way that the choices of Israeli adults with intellectual disabilities are shaped by different disability laws and other state policies in two domains: legal capacity and housing services. In Israel, legal capacity issues are regulated by the 1962 Legal Capacity and Guardianship Law, which has recently been amended to provide preference for supported decision-making alternatives over guardianship. We show how prior to the amendment the law and its practice infringed on individuals’ right to freedom and autonomy, especially given the extensive use of plenary guardianship and lack of meaningful supervision and regulations. An additional concern is related to the limited consideration given to the individuals’ voice in guardianship appointment processes. The new amendment moved the Israeli legal capacity system a major step away from this guardianship regime. This positive change is currently very much on paper with several concerns and challenges still in need of being addressed.With regard to housing services, we first focus on the process through which services are provided to adults with intellectual disabilities and the role assigned to service users in the process. We then describe the current housing solutions available in Israel, from the most common, large congregate facilities to community apartments and family homes. Finally, we show how each of these living schemes affects the individuals’ right to choice in their daily lives. We conclude by providing several recommendations that represent initial steps in overcoming some of the aforementioned challenges within the two fields.
