Multiple Sclerosis Multidisciplinary Care: A National Survey and Lessons for the Global Community

BACKGROUND

Access to, standardization and reimbursement of multidisciplinary care for people with MS (PwMS) is lacking in many countries. Therefore, this study aims to describe the current multidisciplinary care for people with MS (PwMS) in Belgium and identify benefits, needs and future perspectives METHODS: A survey for PwMS questioned various aspects of MS and viewpoints on care. For MS nurses (MSN) and neurologists, employment, education, job-content, care organization and perspectives were inquired. Descriptive and univariate statistics were performed RESULTS: The PwMS survey comprised 916 respondents with a mean age of 46±12.7 years and 75,4 % of the respondents being female. The majority of the participants had relapsing remitting MS (60.8 %) and the mean patient determined disease steps (PDDS) was 2.0 (IQR=3). 65.3 % and 60.4 % of the PwMS reported having access to a multidisciplinary team (MDT) or MSN. Access to an MSN was associated with more frequent disease modifying treatment (p=.015), spasticity (p=.042) and gait treatment (p=.035), but also more physiotherapy (p=.004), driver's license adjustment (p<.001) and a higher employment rate (p=.004). MDT access was associated with more frequent symptomatic bladder treatment (p=.047), higher physiotherapy rate (p<.001), higher work- (p=.002), insurance- (p<.001) and home support measures (p=.019). PwMS without an available MDT more often indicated that MS care needs improvement (p<.001). MSN's (n = 22) were mainly funded through various budgets, including hospital and neurology practice budgets. Finally, 69 % and 75 % neurologists (n = 62) working without an MSN or MDT stated a need of such support and 61 % agreed that MDT's should be organized at hospital-network level CONCLUSION: MDT and MSN availability may enhance medical and socio-economic support for PwMS. Guidelines, alignment and reimbursement are needed.

B cell depletion therapy does not resolve chronic active multiple sclerosis lesions

BACKGROUND

Chronic active lesions (CAL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) have been observed even in patients taking high-efficacy disease-modifying therapy, including B-cell depletion. Given that CAL are a major determinant of clinical progression, including progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA), understanding the predicted activity and real-world effects of targeting specific lymphocyte populations is critical for designing next-generation treatments to mitigate chronic inflammation in MS.

METHODS

We analyzed published lymphocyte single-cell transcriptomes from MS lesions and bioinformatically predicted the effects of depleting lymphocyte subpopulations (including CD20 B-cells) from CAL via gene-regulatory-network machine-learning analysis. Motivated by the results, we performed in vivo MRI assessment of PRL changes in 72 adults with MS, 46 treated with anti-CD20 antibodies and 26 untreated, over ∼2 years.

FINDINGS

Although only 4.3% of lymphocytes in CAL were CD20 B-cells, their depletion is predicted to affect microglial genes involved in iron/heme metabolism, hypoxia, and antigen presentation. In vivo, tracking 202 PRL (150 treated) and 175 non-PRL (124 treated), none of the treated paramagnetic rims disappeared at follow-up, nor was there a treatment effect on PRL for lesion volume, magnetic susceptibility, or T1 time. PIRA occurred in 20% of treated patients, more frequently in those with ≥4 PRL (p = 0.027).

INTERPRETATION

Despite predicted effects on microglia-mediated inflammatory networks in CAL and iron metabolism, anti-CD20 therapies do not fully resolve PRL after 2-year MRI follow up. Limited tissue turnover of B-cells, inefficient passage of anti-CD20 antibodies across the blood-brain-barrier, and a paucity of B-cells in CAL could explain our findings.

FUNDING

Intramural Research Program of NINDS, NIH; NINDS grants R01NS082347 and R01NS082347; Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation; Cariplo Foundation (grant #1677), FRRB Early Career Award (grant #1750327); Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS).

Atypical acute disseminated encephalomyelitis with systemic inflammation after a first dose of AztraZaneca COVID-19 vaccine. A case report

Background

Only a few cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) following coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) vaccination have been described since the beginning of the vaccination campaign.

Results

Here we report the first case of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination with systemic inflammatory findings on whole body 19-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) following the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine.

Conclusions

Clinicians should stay aware of potential new adverse events after immunization.

Comparison of switching to 6-week dosing of natalizumab versus continuing with 4-week dosing in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (NOVA): a randomised, controlled, open-label, phase 3b trial

BACKGROUND

Treatment with natalizumab once every 4 weeks is approved for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, but is associated with a risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Switching to extended-interval dosing is associated with lower progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy risk, but the efficacy of this approach is unclear. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of natalizumab once every 6 weeks compared with once every 4 weeks in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

METHODS

We did a randomised, controlled, open-label, phase 3b trial (NOVA) at 89 multiple sclerosis centres across 11 countries in the Americas, Europe, and Western Pacific. Included participants were aged 18-60 years with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and had been treated with intravenous natalizumab 300 mg once every 4 weeks with no relapses for at least 12 months before randomisation, with no missed doses in the previous 3 months. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1), using a randomisation sequence generated by the study funder and contract personnel with interactive response technology, to switch to natalizumab once every 6 weeks or continue with once every 4 weeks. The centralised MRI reader, independent neurology evaluation committee, site examining neurologists, site backup examining neurologists, and site examining technicians were masked to study group assignments. The primary endpoint was the number of new or newly enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions at week 72, assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of assigned treatment and had at least one postbaseline MRI, relapse, or neurological examination or efficacy assessment. Missing primary endpoint data were handled under prespecified primary and secondary estimands: the primary estimand included all data, regardless of whether participants remained on the assigned treatment; the secondary estimand classed all data obtained after treatment discontinuation or study withdrawal as missing. Safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of study treatment. Study enrolment is closed and an open-label extension study is ongoing. This study is registered with EudraCT, 2018-002145-11, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03689972.

FINDINGS

Between Dec 26, 2018, and Aug 30, 2019, 605 patients were assessed for eligibility and 499 were enrolled and assigned to receive natalizumab once every 6 weeks (n=251) or once every 4 weeks (n=248). After prespecified adjustments for missing data, mean numbers of new or newly enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions at week 72 were 0·20 (95% CI 0·07-0·63) in the once every 6 weeks group and 0·05 (0·01-0·22) in the once every 4 weeks group (mean lesion ratio 4·24 [95% CI 0·86-20·85]; p=0·076) under the primary estimand, and 0·31 (95% CI 0·12-0·82) and 0·06 (0·01-0·31; mean lesion ratio 4·93 [95% CI 1·05-23·20]; p=0·044) under the secondary estimand. Two participants in the once every 6 weeks group with extreme new or newly enlarging T2 hyperintense lesion numbers (≥25) contributed most of the excess lesions. Adverse events occurred in 194 (78%) of 250 participants in the once every 6 weeks group and 190 (77%) of 247 in the once every 4 weeks group, and serious adverse events occurred in 17 (7%) and 17 (7%), respectively. No deaths were reported. There was one case of asymptomatic progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (without clinical signs) in the once every 6 weeks group, and no cases in the once every 4 weeks group; 6 months after diagnosis, the participant was without increased disability and remained classified as asymptomatic.

INTERPRETATION

We found a numerical difference in the mean number of new or newly enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions at week 72 between the once every 6 weeks and once every 4 weeks groups, which reached significance under the secondary estimand, but interpretation of statistical differences (or absence thereof) is limited because disease activity in the once every 4 weeks group was lower than expected. The safety profiles of natalizumab once every 6 weeks and once every 4 weeks were similar. Although this trial was not powered to assess differences in risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, the occurrence of the (asymptomatic) case underscores the importance of monitoring and risk factor consideration in all patients receiving natalizumab.

FUNDING

Biogen.

Paramagnetic Rim Lesions are Specific to Multiple Sclerosis: An International Multicenter 3T MRI Study

In multiple sclerosis (MS), a subset of chronic active white matter lesions are identifiable on magnetic resonance imaging by their paramagnetic rims, and increasing evidence supports their association with severity of clinical disease. We studied their potential role in differential diagnosis, screening an international multicenter clinical research-based sample of 438 individuals affected by different neurological conditions (MS, other inflammatory, infectious, and non-inflammatory conditions). Paramagnetic rim lesions, rare in other neurological conditions (52% of MS vs 7% of non-MS cases), yielded high specificity (93%) in differentiating MS from non-MS. Future prospective multicenter studies should validate their role as a diagnostic biomarker. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:1034-1042.

The central vein sign in multiple sclerosis patients with vascular comorbidities

Background:

The central vein sign (CVS) is an imaging biomarker able to differentiate multiple sclerosis (MS) from other conditions causing similar appearance lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). However, the impact of vascular risk factors (VRFs) for CSVD on the percentage of CVS positive (CVS+) lesions in MS has never been evaluated.

Objective:

To investigate the association between different VRFs and the percentage of CVS+ lesions in MS.

Methods:

In 50 MS patients, 3T brain MRIs (including high-resolution 3-dimensional T2*-weighted images) were analyzed for the presence of the CVS and MRI markers of CSVD. A backward stepwise regression model was used to predict the combined predictive effect of VRF (i.e. age, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, ever-smoking, and hypercholesterolemia) and MRI markers of CSVD on the CVS.

Results:

The median frequency of CVS+ lesions was 71% (range: 35%–100%). In univariate analysis, age ( p < 0.0001), hypertension ( p < 0.001), diabetes ( p < 0.01), obesity ( p < 0.01), smoking ( p < 0.05), and the presence of enlarged-perivascular-spaces on MRI ( p < 0.005) were all associated with a lower percentage of CVS+ lesions. The stepwise regression model showed that age and arterial hypertension were both associated with the percentage of CVS+ lesions in MS (adjusted R2 = 0.46; p < 0.0001 and p = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion:

The proportion of CVS+ lesions significantly decreases in older and hypertensive MS patients. Although this study was conducted in patients with an already established MS diagnosis, the diagnostic yield of the previously proposed 35% CVS proportion-based diagnostic threshold appears to be not affected. Overall these results suggest that the presence of VRF for CSVD should be taken into account during the CVS assessment.

The "central vein sign" in patients with diagnostic "red flags" for multiple sclerosis: A prospective multicenter 3T study

BACKGROUND

The central vein sign (CVS) has been shown to help in the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), but most prior studies are retrospective.

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively assess the diagnostic predictive value of the CVS in diagnostically difficult cases.

METHODS

In this prospective multicenter study, 51 patients with suspected MS who had clinical, imaging, or laboratory "red flags" (i.e. features atypical for MS) underwent 3T fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR*) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for CVS assessment. After the diagnostic work-up, expert clinicians blinded to the results of the CVS assessment came to a clinical diagnosis. The value of the CVS to prospectively predict an MS diagnosis was assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 39 patients who received a clinical diagnosis by the end of the study, 27 had MS and 12 received a non-MS diagnosis that included systemic lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, migraine, Sjögren disease, SPG4-spastic-paraparesis, neuromyelitis optica, and Susac syndrome. The percentage of perivenular lesions was higher in MS (median = 86%) compared to non-MS (median = 21%; p < 0.0001) patients. A 40% perivenular lesion cutoff was associated with 97% accuracy and a 96% positive/100% negative predictive value.

CONCLUSION

The CVS detected on 3T FLAIR* images can accurately predict an MS diagnosis in patients suspected to have MS, but with atypical clinical, laboratory, and imaging features.

Identification of miRNAs involved in fruit ripening by deep sequencing of Olea europaea L. transcriptome

BACKGROUND

The ripening process of olive fruits is associated with chemical and/or enzymatic specific transformations, making them particularly attractive to animals and humans. In olive drupes, including 'Cassanese' ones, ripening is usually accompanied by progressive chromatic change, resulting in a final red-brown colourization of both epidermis and mesocarp. This event has an exception in the 'Leucocarpa', in which we observed the destabilization in the equilibrium between the chlorophyll metabolism and that of the other pigments, particularly the anthocyanins, whose switch-off during maturation promotes the white colouration of the fruits. Recently, transcription profiling of 'Leucocarpa' and 'Cassanese' olives along ripening, performed through an Illumina RNA-seq approach, has provided useful insights on genes functions involved in fruit maturation such as those related to the biosynthesis of flavonoids and anthocyanins.

METHODOLOGY

To assess expression alterations of genes involved in flavonoids and anthocyanins biosynthetic pathways during ripening, possibly caused by small nuclear RNA (snRNA) in olive drupes, snRNA libraries from 'Leucocarpa' and 'Cassanese' were constructed with RNAs extracted at 100 and 130 Days After Flowering (DAF) and sequenced by an Illumina approach. 130 conserved microRNAs (miRNA) in the Viridiplantae belonging to 14 miRNA families were identified. Regarding the 130 conserved miRNAs, approximately the 48% were identified in all libraries, 5 and 18 miRNAs were shared between the "Cassanese" (C100, C130) and "Leucocarpa" (L100, L130) libraries, respectively.

CONCLUSION

For the remaining reads not-matching with known miRNAs in the Viridiplantae, we combined secondary structure and minimum free energy to discover novel olive miRNAs. Based on these analyses, 492 sequences were considered as putative novel miRNAs. The putative target genes of identified miRNA were computationally predicted by alignment with the olive drupe transcripts obtained from the same samples. A total of 218 transcripts were predicted as targets of 130 known and 492 putative novel miRNAs. Interestingly, some identified target genes are involved in negative regulation of anthocyanin metabolic process. Quantification of the expression pattern of three miRNA and their target transcripts by qRT-PCR assay confirmed the results of Illumina sequencing.

The role of the cerebellum in reconstructing social action sequences: a pilot study

Recent research has revealed that the cerebellum plays a critical role in social reasoning and in particular in understanding false beliefs and making trait attributions. One hypothesis is that the cerebellum is responsible for the understanding of sequences of motions and actions, which may be a prerequisite for social understanding. To investigate the role of action sequencing in mentalizing, we tested patients with generalized cerebellar degenerative lesions on tests of social understanding and compared their performance with matched healthy volunteers. The tests involved understanding violations of social norms making trait and causal attributions on the basis of short behavioral sentences and generating the correct chronological order of social actions depicted in cartoons (picture sequencing task). Cerebellar patients showed clear deficits only on the picture sequencing task when generating the correct order of cartoons depicting false belief stories and showed at or close to normal performance for mechanical stories and overlearned social scripts. In addition, they performed marginally worse on trait attributions inferred from verbal behavioral descriptions. We conclude that inferring the mental state of others through understanding the correct sequences of their actions requires the support of the cerebellum.

Pivotal Roles of Cryptochromes 1a and 2 in Tomato Development and Physiology

Cryptochromes are flavin-containing blue/UVA light photoreceptors that regulate various plant light-induced physiological processes. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), cryptochromes mediate de-etiolation, photoperiodic control of flowering, entrainment of the circadian clock, cotyledon opening and expansion, anthocyanin accumulation, and root growth. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), cryptochromes are encoded by a multigene family, comprising CRY1a, CRY1b, CRY2, and CRY3 We have previously reported the phenotypes of tomato cry1a mutants and CRY2 overexpressing plants. Here, we report the isolation by targeting induced local lesions in genomes, of a tomato cry2 knock-out mutant, its introgression in the indeterminate Moneymaker background, and the phenotypes of cry1a/cry2 single and double mutants. The cry1a/cry2 mutant showed phenotypes similar to its Arabidopsis counterpart (long hypocotyls in white and blue light), but also several additional features such as increased seed weight and internode length, enhanced hypocotyl length in red light, inhibited primary root growth under different light conditions, anticipation of flowering under long-day conditions, and alteration of the phase of circadian leaf movements. Both cry1a and cry2 control the levels of photosynthetic pigments in leaves, but cry2 has a predominant role in fruit pigmentation. Metabolites of the sterol, tocopherol, quinone, and sugar classes are differentially accumulated in cry1a and cry2 leaves and fruits. These results demonstrate a pivotal role of cryptochromes in controlling tomato development and physiology. The manipulation of these photoreceptors represents a powerful tool to influence important agronomic traits such as flowering time and fruit quality.

Comparative transcriptomics between high and low rubber producing Taraxacum kok-saghyz R. plants

Background

Taraxacum kok-saghyz R. (Tks) is a promising alternative species to Hevea brasiliensis for production of high quality natural rubber (NR). A comparative transcriptome analysis of plants with differential production of NR will contribute to elucidate which genes are involved in the synthesis, regulation and accumulation of this natural polymer and could help to develop Tks into a rubber crop.

Results

We measured rubber content in the latex of 90 individual Tks plants from 9 accessions, observing a high degree of variability. We carried out de novo root transcriptome sequencing, assembly, annotation and comparison of gene expression of plants with the lower (LR plants) and the higher rubber content (HR plants). The transcriptome analysis also included one plant that did not expel latex, in principle depleted of latex transcripts. Moreover, the transcription of some genes well known to play a major role in rubber biosynthesis, was probed by qRT-PCR. Our analysis showed a high modulation of genes involved in the synthesis of NR between LR and HR plants, and evidenced that genes involved in sesquiterpenoids, monoterpenoids and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis are upregulated in LR plants.

Conclusions

Our results show that a higher amount of rubber in the latex in HR plants is positively correlated with high expression levels of a number of genes directly involved in rubber synthesis showing that NR production is highly controlled at transcriptional level. On the other hand, lower amounts of rubber in LR plants is related with higher expression of genes involved in the synthesis of other secondary metabolites that, we hypothesize, may compete towards NR biosynthesis. This dataset represents a fundamental genomic resource for the study of Tks and the comprehension of the synthesis of NR and other biochemically and pharmacologically relevant compounds in the Taraxacum genus.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-5287-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A Belgian consensus protocol for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is considered to be an immune mediated inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. It mainly affects young, socioeconomic active patients. Although our armamentarium for this disease has significantly evolved in recent years some patients remain refractory to conventional therapies. In these cases, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be considered as a therapeutic option. Decreasing morbidity, mortality, and increasing patient awareness have led to rising inquiry by our patients about this treatment option. With the aim of a standardized protocol and data registration, a Belgian working party on stem cell therapy in multiple sclerosis was established. In this paper, we report the consensus protocol of this working party on autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis.

Into the Moment: Does Mindfulness Affect Biological Pathways in Multiple Sclerosis?

Mindfulness was introduced in the Western world by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979. He defined it as "awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally." Since then, research on mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) has increased exponentially both in health and disease, including in patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease. Research on the effect of mindfulness and multiple sclerosis (MS) only recently gained interest. Several studies completed since 2010 provided evidence that mindfulness improves quality of life (QoL), depression and fatigue in MS patients. In addition to patient-reported outcome measures, potential effects on cognitive function have been investigated only to a very limited extent. However, research on laboratory biomarkers and neuroimaging, capable to deliver proof-of-concept of this behavioral treatment in MS, is mainly lacking. In this perspective, we illustrate possible neurobiological mechanisms, including the tripartite interaction between the brain, the immune system and neuroendocrine regulation, through which this treatment might affect multiple sclerosis symptoms. We propose to (1) include immunological and/or neuroimaging biomarkers as standard outcome measures in future research dedicated to mindfulness and MS to help explain the clinical improvements seen in fatigue and depression; (2) to investigate effects on enhancing cognitive reserve and cognitive function; and (3) to investigate the effects of mindfulness on the disease course in MS.

Central vein sign differentiates Multiple Sclerosis from central nervous system inflammatory vasculopathies

Objectives

In multiple sclerosis (MS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive tool for detecting white matter lesions, but its diagnostic specificity is still suboptimal; ambiguous cases are frequent in clinical practice. Detection of perivenular lesions in the brain (the “central vein sign”) improves the pathological specificity of MS diagnosis, but comprehensive evaluation of this MRI biomarker in MS‐mimicking inflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases, such as central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory vasculopathies, is lacking. In a multicenter study, we assessed the frequency of perivenular lesions in MS versus systemic autoimmune diseases with CNS involvement and primary angiitis of the CNS (PACNS).

Methods

In 31 patients with inflammatory CNS vasculopathies and 52 with relapsing–remitting MS, 3‐dimensional T2*‐weighted and T2–fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery images were obtained during a single MRI acquisition after gadolinium injection. For each lesion, the central vein sign was evaluated according to consensus guidelines. For each patient, lesion count, volume, and brain location, as well as fulfillment of dissemination in space MRI criteria, were assessed.

Results

MS showed higher frequency of perivenular lesions (median = 88%) than did inflammatory CNS vasculopathies (14%), without overlap between groups or differences between 3T and 1.5T MRI. Among inflammatory vasculopathies, Behçet disease showed the highest median frequency of perivenular lesions (34%), followed by PACNS (14%), antiphospholipid syndromes (12%), Sjögren syndrome (11%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (0%). When a threshold of 50% perivenular lesions was applied, central vein sign discriminated MS from inflammatory vasculopathies with a diagnostic accuracy of 100%.

Interpretation

The central vein sign differentiates inflammatory CNS vasculopathies from MS at standard clinical magnetic field strengths. Ann Neurol 2018;83:283–294

Omics approaches on fresh-cut lettuce reveal global molecular responses to sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid treatment

BACKGROUND

Lettuce is a leafy vegetable that is extensively commercialized as a ready-to-eat product because of its widespread use in human nutrition as salad. It is well known that washing treatments can severely affect the quality and shelf-life of ready-to-eat vegetables. The study presented here evaluated the effect of two washing procedures on fresh-cut lettuce during storage.

RESULTS

An omics approach was applied to reveal global changes at molecular level induced by peracetic acid washing in comparison with sodium hypochlorite treatment. Microbiological analyses were also performed to quantify total bacterial abundance and composition. The study revealed wide metabolic alterations induced by the two sanitizers. In particular, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses pointed out a number of transcripts and proteins differentially accumulated in response to peracetic acid washing, mainly occurring on the first day of storage. In parallel, different microbiota composition and significant reduction in total bacterial load following washing were also observed.

CONCLUSION

The results provide useful information for the fresh-cut industry to select an appropriate washing procedure preserving fresh-like attributes as much as possible during storage of the end product. Molecular evidence indicated peracetic acid to be a valid alternative to sodium hypochlorite as sanitizer solution. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Rivastigmine decreases brain damage in HIV patients with mild cognitive deficits

Rivastigmine has been shown to improve cognition in HIV+ patients with minor neurocognitive disorders; however, the mechanisms underlying such beneficial effect are currently unknown. To assess whether rivastigmine therapy is associated with decreased brain inflammation and damage, we performed T1/T2* relaxometry and magnetization transfer imaging in 17 aviremic HIV+ patients with minor neurocognitive disorders enrolled on a crossed over randomized rivastigmine trial. Rivastigmine therapy was associated with changes in MRI metrics indicating a decrease in brain water content (i.e., edema reabsorption) and/or reduced demyelination/axonal damage. Furthermore, MRI changes correlated with cognitive improvement on rivastigmine therapy.

Absence of clinical cerebellar syndrome after serial injections of more than 20 doses of gadoterate, a macrocyclic GBCA: a monocenter retrospective study

Sound evidence of gadolinium accumulation in brain has been recently provided after repeated administrations of linear gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), especially at the cerebellum level. Although data regarding brain accumulation of macrocyclic GBCAs are more reassuring, there is now a genuine concern ("gadolinium-phobia") about possible long-term consequences of gadolinium deposits, especially in terms of cerebellar sequelae. We, therefore, questioned about the clinical impact of serial administration of gadoterate meglumine, a macrocyclic GBCA. In this retrospective study (2000-2016) of medical files of patients who received more than 20 administrations of gadoterate, we searched for cerebellar symptoms and signs developing during the regular follow-up. We reviewed medical files of ten patients (mean age 34.4 ± 20.8 years; 4 males, 6 females) who received 28.2 ± 5.3 doses of gadoterate (average total dose of GBCA 518 ± 226 ml; range 185-785 ml). Patients were examined by at least two medical specialists depending on initial diagnosis, and at least once by a neurosurgeon. Mean follow-up time was 91 months (range 49-168) and six out of ten patients experienced new symptoms or signs. No clinician reported the appearance of a rising cerebellar syndrome, nor newly appeared symptoms or signs suggested cerebellar toxicity. This retrospective clinical study shows no de novo clinical cerebellar syndrome following repeated administrations of gadoterate. Our results argue against a cerebellar toxicity of this macrocyclic agent. Still, confirmation in a larger number of subjects is required, as well as clinical studies concerning linear GBCAs whose structure and in vivo stability are distinct.

The transcriptional response to the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) reveals extended differences between tolerant and susceptible olive (Olea europaea L.) varieties

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most devastating pest of cultivated olive (Olea europaea L.). Intraspecific variation in plant resistance to B. oleae has been described only at phenotypic level. In this work, we used a transcriptomic approach to study the molecular response to the olive fruit fly in two olive cultivars with contrasting level of susceptibility. Using next-generation pyrosequencing, we first generated a catalogue of more than 80,000 sequences expressed in drupes from approximately 700k reads. The assembled sequences were used to develop a microarray layout with over 60,000 olive-specific probes. The differential gene expression analysis between infested (i.e. with II or III instar larvae) and control drupes indicated a significant intraspecific variation between the more tolerant and susceptible cultivar. Around 2500 genes were differentially regulated in infested drupes of the tolerant variety. The GO annotation of the differentially expressed genes implies that the inducible resistance to the olive fruit fly involves a number of biological functions, cellular processes and metabolic pathways, including those with a known role in defence, oxidative stress responses, cellular structure, hormone signalling, and primary and secondary metabolism. The difference in the induced transcriptional changes between the cultivars suggests a strong genetic role in the olive inducible defence, which can ultimately lead to the discovery of factors associated with a higher level of tolerance to B. oleae.

Cryptochrome 2 extensively regulates transcription of the chloroplast genome in tomato

Light plays a key role in the regulation of many physiological processes required for plant and chloroplast development. Plant cryptochromes (crys) play an important role in monitoring, capturing, and transmitting the light stimuli. In this study, we analyzed the effects of CRY2 overexpression on transcription of tomato chloroplast genome by a tiling array, containing about 90 000 overlapping probes (5‐nucleotide resolution). We profiled transcription in leaves of wild‐type and CRY2‐overexpressing plants grown in a diurnal cycle, to generate a comprehensive map of chloroplast transcription and to monitor potential specific modulations of the chloroplast transcriptome induced by the overexpression of CRY2. Our results demonstrate that CRY2 is a master gene of transcriptional regulation in the tomato chloroplast. In fact, it modulates the day/night mRNA abundance of about 58% of the 114 ORFs. The effect of CRY2 includes a differential extension of some transcripts at their 5′‐end, according to the period of the day. We observed that the influence of CRY2 on chloroplast transcription is not limited to coding RNA; a great number of putative noncoding micro RNA also showed differential accumulation pattern. To our knowledge, this is the first study that highlights how a photoreceptor affects the day/night transcription of the chloroplast genome.

Distinct gene networks drive differential response to abrupt or gradual water deficit in potato

Water-limiting conditions affect dramatically plant growth and development and, ultimately, yield of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.). Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying the response to water deficit is of paramount interest to obtain drought tolerant potato varieties. Herein, potato 10K cDNA array slides were used to profile transcriptomic changes of two potato cell populations under abrupt (shocked cells) or gradual exposure (adapted cells) to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated water stress. Data analysis identified >1000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in our experimental conditions. Noteworthy, our microarray study also suggests that distinct gene networks underlie the cellular response to shock or gradual water stress. On the basis of our experimental findings, it is possible to speculate that DEGs identified in shocked cells participate in early protective and sensing mechanisms to environmental insults, while the genes whose expression was modulated in adapted cells are directly involved in the acquisition of a new cellular homeostasis to cope with water stress conditions. To validate microarray data obtained for potato cells, the expression analysis of 21 selected genes of interest was performed by Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Intriguingly, the expression levels of these transcripts in 4-week old potato plants exposed to long-term water-deficit. qRT-PCR analysis showed that several genes were regulated similarly in potato cells cultures and tissues exposed to drought, thus confirming the efficacy of our simple experimental system to capture important genes involved in osmotic stress response. Highlighting the differences in gene expression between shock-like and adaptive response, our findings could contribute to the discussion on the biological function of distinct gene networks involved in the response to abrupt and gradual adaptation to water deficit.

Purification of intact chloroplasts from marine plant Posidonia oceanica suitable for organelle proteomics

Posidonia oceanica is a marine angiosperm, or seagrass, adapted to grow to the underwater life from shallow waters to 50 m depth. This raises questions of how their photosynthesis adapted to the attenuation of light through the water column and leads to the assumption that biochemistry and metabolism of the chloroplast are the basis of adaptive capacity. In the present study, we described a protocol that was adapted from those optimized for terrestrial plants, to extract chloroplasts from as minimal tissue as possible. We obtained the best balance between tissue amount/intact chloroplasts yield using one leaf from one plant. After isopynic separations, the chloroplasts purity and integrity were evaluated by biochemical assay and using a proteomic approach. Chloroplast proteins were extracted from highly purified organelles and resolved by 1DE SDS-PAGE. Proteins were sequenced by nLC-ESI-IT-MS/MS of 1DE gel bands and identified against NCBInr green plant databases, Dr. Zompo database for seagrasses in a local customized dataset. The curated localization of proteins in sub-plastidial compartments (i.e. envelope, stroma and thylakoids) was retrieved in the AT_CHLORO database. This purification protocol and the validation of compartment markers may serve as basis for sub-cellular proteomics in P. oceanica and other seagrasses.

Correction: Pyrosequencing Unveils Cystic Fibrosis Lung Microbiome Differences Associated with a Severe Lung Function Decline

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156807.].

Pyrosequencing Unveils Cystic Fibrosis Lung Microbiome Differences Associated with a Severe Lung Function Decline

Chronic airway infection is a hallmark feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. In the present study, sputum samples from CF patients were collected and characterized by 16S rRNA gene-targeted approach, to assess how lung microbiota composition changes following a severe decline in lung function. In particular, we compared the airway microbiota of two groups of patients with CF, i.e. patients with a substantial decline in their lung function (SD) and patients with a stable lung function (S). The two groups showed a different bacterial composition, with SD patients reporting a more heterogeneous community than the S ones. Pseudomonas was the dominant genus in both S and SD patients followed by Staphylococcus and Prevotella. Other than the classical CF pathogens and the most commonly identified non-classical genera in CF, we found the presence of the unusual anaerobic genus Sneathia. Moreover, the oligotyping analysis revealed the presence of other minor genera described in CF, highlighting the polymicrobial nature of CF infection. Finally, the analysis of correlation and anti-correlation networks showed the presence of antagonism and ecological independence between members of Pseudomonas genus and the rest of CF airways microbiota, with S patients showing a more interconnected community in S patients than in SD ones. This population structure suggests a higher resilience of S microbiota with respect to SD, which in turn may hinder the potential adverse impact of aggressive pathogens (e.g. Pseudomonas). In conclusion, our findings shed a new light on CF airway microbiota ecology, improving current knowledge about its composition and polymicrobial interactions in patients with CF.

Transcript Analysis and Regulative Events during Flower Development in Olive (Olea europaea L.)

The identification and characterization of transcripts involved in flower organ development, plant reproduction and metabolism represent key steps in plant phenotypic and physiological pathways, and may generate high-quality transcript variants useful for the development of functional markers. This study was aimed at obtaining an extensive characterization of the olive flower transcripts, by providing sound information on the candidate MADS-box genes related to the ABC model of flower development and on the putative genetic and molecular determinants of ovary abortion and pollen-pistil interaction. The overall sequence data, obtained by pyrosequencing of four cDNA libraries from flowers at different developmental stages of three olive varieties with distinct reproductive features (Leccino, Frantoio and Dolce Agogia), included approximately 465,000 ESTs, which gave rise to more than 14,600 contigs and approximately 92,000 singletons. As many as 56,700 unigenes were successfully annotated and provided gene ontology insights into the structural organization and putative molecular function of sequenced transcripts and deduced proteins in the context of their corresponding biological processes. Differentially expressed genes with potential regulatory roles in biosynthetic pathways and metabolic networks during flower development were identified. The gene expression studies allowed us to select the candidate genes that play well-known molecular functions in a number of biosynthetic pathways and specific biological processes that affect olive reproduction. A sound understanding of gene functions and regulatory networks that characterize the olive flower is provided.

Impact of hyponatremia on nerve conduction and muscle strength

BACKGROUND

Hyponatremia is associated with unstable gait and propensity to falls. The potential contribution of peripheral nervous system dysfunction induced by hyponatremia has not yet been addressed by prospective studies.

DESIGN

In the first part of this prospective study, we performed two tests evaluating muscle strength (grip test and quadriceps isometric contraction test) together with a timed up and go (TUG) test in 11 patients with chronic mild-to-moderate hyponatremia before and after the normalization of natremia. In the second part, we measured nerve conduction velocities and F-wave latencies in nine patients with profound hyponatremia (< 125 mmol/L) before and after the normalization of natremia.

RESULTS

No significant change in muscle strength was observed when natremia was corrected from 127·7 ± 2·5 to 136·1 ± 1·8 mmol/L, contrary to a significant improvement in TUG from 14·9 ± 5·1 to 12·5 ± 4·7 s (P = 0·006). Nerve conduction velocities and F-wave latencies showed significant improvement in most of the studied nerves when natremia was corrected from 121·9 ± 2·4 to 135·5 ± 3·4 mmol/L (e.g. mean increase of 14·3% for motor nerve conduction and mean decrease of 21·6% for F-wave latency of left peroneal nerve).

CONCLUSION

Whereas chronic mild-to-moderate hyponatremia has no impact on muscle strength, we demonstrate for the first time an impact of profound hyponatremia on nerve conduction studies. Further studies are needed to ascertain the contribution of these latter results on gait disturbances, propensity to falls and attention deficits associated with hyponatremia.

The VZV/IE63-specific T cell response prevents herpes zoster in fingolimod-treated patients

Objective:

To assess longitudinally the antiviral immune response of T cells from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with fingolimod (FTY) vs other disease-modifying treatments (DMTs).

Methods:

We assessed cellular immune responses specific to influenza virus (FLU), JC virus (JCV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) using quantification of interferon-γ secretion by enzyme-linked immunospot in patients with MS on FTY (n = 31), including 2 with herpes zoster (HZ), natalizumab (n = 11), and other DMTs (n = 11). We used viral lysates for FLU and VZV and a pool of peptides for FLU, JCV (VP-1), and VZV (IE63).

Results:

Besides an expected drop of T cells, we found that, proportionally to the number of CD3⁺ T cells, only FTY-treated patients with MS exhibited an increased VZV/IE63-specific T cell response peaking 6 months into treatment, a response that returned to baseline after 12 and 24 months. Two FTY-treated patients developed an HZ 6 months into treatment, coinciding with an absent VZV/IE63-specific T cell response. However, cellular immune responses specific to VZV lysate, JCV, and FLU (lysate and pool of peptide epitopes) were similar between all 3 categories (FTY, natalizumab, and other DMTs) of study patients.

Conclusions:

FTY-treated patients with MS exhibit an increased VZV/IE63-specific cellular immune response after 6 months of treatment. FTY-treated patients who develop an HZ are not able to mount such a response, suggesting that a T cell response directed against this viral protein may be key in preventing the occurrence of HZ.

Bacterial community and proteome analysis of fresh-cut lettuce as affected by packaging

With the growing demand of fresh-cut vegetables, a variety of packaging films are produced specifically to improve safety and quality of the fresh vegetables over the storage period. The aim of our work was to evaluate the influence of different packaging films on the quality of fresh-cut lettuce analyzing changes in bacterial community composition and modifications at the proteome level, by means of culture-dependent/culture-independent methods and differential gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry analysis. Total viable counts indicated the presence of a highly variable and complex microbial flora, around a mean value of 6.26 log10 CFU g(-1). Analysis of terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism data indicated that bacterial communities changed with packaging films and time, showing differences in community composition and diversity indices between the commercially available package (F) and the new packages (A and C), in the first days after packaging. Also proteomic analysis revealed significant changes, involving proteins related to energy metabolism, photosynthesis, plant defense and oxidative stress processes, between F and A/C packages. In conclusion, microbiological and proteomic analysis have proved to be powerful tools to provide new insights into both the composition of leaf-associated bacterial communities and protein content of fresh-cut lettuce during the shelf-life storage process.

Methodologies and perspectives of proteomics applied to filamentous fungi: from sample preparation to secretome analysis

Filamentous fungi possess the extraordinary ability to digest complex biomasses and mineralize numerous xenobiotics, as consequence of their aptitude to sensing the environment and regulating their intra and extra cellular proteins, producing drastic changes in proteome and secretome composition. Recent advancement in proteomic technologies offers an exciting opportunity to reveal the fluctuations of fungal proteins and enzymes, responsible for their metabolic adaptation to a large variety of environmental conditions. Here, an overview of the most commonly used proteomic strategies will be provided; this paper will range from sample preparation to gel-free and gel-based proteomics, discussing pros and cons of each mentioned state-of-the-art technique. The main focus will be kept on filamentous fungi. Due to the biotechnological relevance of lignocellulose degrading fungi, special attention will be finally given to their extracellular proteome, or secretome. Secreted proteins and enzymes will be discussed in relation to their involvement in bio-based processes, such as biomass deconstruction and mycoremediation.

The coffee genome provides insight into the convergent evolution of caffeine biosynthesis

Coffee is a valuable beverage crop due to its characteristic flavor, aroma, and the stimulating effects of caffeine. We generated a high-quality draft genome of the species Coffea canephora, which displays a conserved chromosomal gene order among asterid angiosperms. Although it shows no sign of the whole-genome triplication identified in Solanaceae species such as tomato, the genome includes several species-specific gene family expansions, among them N-methyltransferases (NMTs) involved in caffeine production, defense-related genes, and alkaloid and flavonoid enzymes involved in secondary compound synthesis. Comparative analyses of caffeine NMTs demonstrate that these genes expanded through sequential tandem duplications independently of genes from cacao and tea, suggesting that caffeine in eudicots is of polyphyletic origin.

Proteome regulation during Olea europaea fruit development

BACKGROUND

Widespread in the Mediterranean basin, Olea europaea trees are gaining worldwide popularity for the nutritional and cancer-protective properties of the oil, mechanically extracted from ripe fruits. Fruit development is a physiological process with remarkable impact on the modulation of the biosynthesis of compounds affecting the quality of the drupes as well as the final composition of the olive oil. Proteomics offers the possibility to dig deeper into the major changes during fruit development, including the important phase of ripening, and to classify temporal patterns of protein accumulation occurring during these complex physiological processes.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

In this work, we started monitoring the proteome variations associated with olive fruit development by using comparative proteomics coupled to mass spectrometry. Proteins extracted from drupes at three different developmental stages were separated on 2-DE and subjected to image analysis. 247 protein spots were revealed as differentially accumulated. Proteins were identified from a total of 121 spots and discussed in relation to olive drupe metabolic changes occurring during fruit development. In order to evaluate if changes observed at the protein level were consistent with changes of mRNAs, proteomic data produced in the present work were compared with transcriptomic data elaborated during previous studies.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

This study identifies a number of proteins responsible for quality traits of cv. Coratina, with particular regard to proteins associated to the metabolism of fatty acids, phenolic and aroma compounds. Proteins involved in fruit photosynthesis have been also identified and their pivotal contribution in oleogenesis has been discussed. To date, this study represents the first characterization of the olive fruit proteome during development, providing new insights into fruit metabolism and oil accumulation process.

Olive phenolic compounds: metabolic and transcriptional profiling during fruit development

BACKGROUND

Olive (Olea europaea L.) fruits contain numerous secondary metabolites, primarily phenolics, terpenes and sterols, some of which are particularly interesting for their nutraceutical properties. This study will attempt to provide further insight into the profile of olive phenolic compounds during fruit development and to identify the major genetic determinants of phenolic metabolism.

RESULTS

The concentration of the major phenolic compounds, such as oleuropein, demethyloleuropein, 3-4 DHPEA-EDA, ligstroside, tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, verbascoside and lignans, were measured in the developing fruits of 12 olive cultivars. The content of these compounds varied significantly among the cultivars and decreased during fruit development and maturation, with some compounds showing specificity for certain cultivars. Thirty-five olive transcripts homologous to genes involved in the pathways of the main secondary metabolites were identified from the massive sequencing data of the olive fruit transcriptome or from cDNA-AFLP analysis. Their mRNA levels were determined using RT-qPCR analysis on fruits of high- and low-phenolic varieties (Coratina and Dolce d'Andria, respectively) during three different fruit developmental stages. A strong correlation was observed between phenolic compound concentrations and transcripts putatively involved in their biosynthesis, suggesting a transcriptional regulation of the corresponding pathways. OeDXS, OeGES, OeGE10H and OeADH, encoding putative 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-P synthase, geraniol synthase, geraniol 10-hydroxylase and arogenate dehydrogenase, respectively, were almost exclusively present at 45 days after flowering (DAF), suggesting that these compounds might play a key role in regulating secoiridoid accumulation during fruit development.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic and transcriptional profiling led to the identification of some major players putatively involved in biosynthesis of secondary compounds in the olive tree. Our data represent the first step towards the functional characterisation of important genes for the determination of olive fruit quality.

CRY1a influences the diurnal transcription of photoreceptor genes in tomato plants after gibberellin treatment

Light is one of the most important environmental signal for plants. Involvement of hormones, such as gibberellic acid, in light regulated development has been known for many years, though the molecular mechanisms remain still largely unknown. To shed light on possible interactions between phyto-hormones and photoperceptive photoreceptors of tomato, in a recent work we investigated the molecular effects of exogenous gibberellin to cryptochrome and phytochrome transcripts in wild type tomato as well as in a mutant genotype with a non-functional cryptochrome 1a and in a transgenic line overexpressing cryptochrome 2. Results highlight that following addition of gibberellin, cryptochrome and phytochrome transcription patterns are strongly modified, especially in cryptochrome 1a deficient plants. Our results suggest that cryptochrome mediated light responses can be modulated by gibberellin accumulation level, in tomato plants.

Tomato plants overexpressing cryptochrome 2 reveal altered expression of energy and stress-related gene products in response to diurnal cues

In order to sense and respond to the fluctuating light conditions, higher plants possess several families of photoreceptors, such as phytochromes (PHYs), cryptochromes (CRYs) and phototropins. CRYs are responsible for photomorphogenesis and play a role in circadian, developmental and adaptive growth regulation of plants. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), CRY2 controls vegetative development, flowering time, fruit antioxidant content as well as the diurnal transcription of several other photoreceptor genes. We applied large-scale molecular approaches to identify altered transcripts and proteins in tomato wild-type (WT) versus a CRY2 overexpressing transgenic genotype, under a diurnal rhythm. Our results showed that tomato CRY2 profoundly affects both gene and protein expression in response to daily light cycle. Particularly altered molecular pathways are related to biotic/abiotic stress, photosynthesis, including components of the light and dark reactions and of starch and sucrose biosynthesis, as well as to secondary metabolism, such as phenylpropanoid, phenolic and flavonoid/anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways. One of the most interesting results is the coordinated up-regulation, in the transgenic genotype, of a consistent number of transcripts and proteins involved in photorespiration and photosynthesis. It is conceivable that light modulates the energetic metabolism of tomato through a fine CRY2-mediated transcriptional control.

Gibberellin and auxin influence the diurnal transcription pattern of photoreceptor genes via CRY1a in tomato

BACKGROUND

Plant photoreceptors, phytochromes and cryptochromes, regulate many aspects of development and growth, such as seed germination, stem elongation, seedling de-etiolation, cotyledon opening, flower induction and circadian rhythms. There are several pieces of evidence of interaction between photoreceptors and phyto-hormones in all of these physiological processes, but little is known about molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying hormone-photoreceptor crosstalk.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

In this work, we investigated the molecular effects of exogenous phyto-hormones to photoreceptor gene transcripts of tomato wt, as well as transgenic and mutant lines with altered cryptochromes, by monitoring day/night transcript oscillations. GA and auxin alter the diurnal expression level of different photoreceptor genes in tomato, especially in mutants that lack a working form of cryptochrome 1a: in those mutants the expression of some (IAA) or most (GA) photoreceptor genes is down regulated by these hormones.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Our results highlight the presence of molecular relationships among cryptochrome 1a protein, hormones, and photoreceptors' gene expression in tomato, suggesting that manipulation of cryptochromes could represent a good strategy to understand in greater depth the role of phyto-hormones in the plant photoperceptive mechanism.

First survey of the wheat chromosome 5A composition through a next generation sequencing approach

Wheat is one of the world's most important crops and is characterized by a large polyploid genome. One way to reduce genome complexity is to isolate single chromosomes using flow cytometry. Low coverage DNA sequencing can provide a snapshot of individual chromosomes, allowing a fast characterization of their main features and comparison with other genomes. We used massively parallel 454 pyrosequencing to obtain a 2x coverage of wheat chromosome 5A. The resulting sequence assembly was used to identify TEs, genes and miRNAs, as well as to infer a virtual gene order based on the synteny with other grass genomes. Repetitive elements account for more than 75% of the genome. Gene content was estimated considering non-redundant reads showing at least one match to ESTs or proteins. The results indicate that the coding fraction represents 1.08% and 1.3% of the short and long arm respectively, projecting the number of genes of the whole chromosome to approximately 5,000. 195 candidate miRNA precursors belonging to 16 miRNA families were identified. The 5A genes were used to search for syntenic relationships between grass genomes. The short arm is closely related to Brachypodium chromosome 4, sorghum chromosome 8 and rice chromosome 12; the long arm to regions of Brachypodium chromosomes 4 and 1, sorghum chromosomes 1 and 2 and rice chromosomes 9 and 3. From these similarities it was possible to infer the virtual gene order of 392 (5AS) and 1,480 (5AL) genes of chromosome 5A, which was compared to, and found to be largely congruent with the available physical map of this chromosome.

Cold affects the transcription of fatty acid desaturases and oil quality in the fruit of Olea europaea L. genotypes with different cold hardiness

The olive tree lacks dormancy and is low temperature sensitive, with differences in cold tolerance and oil quality among genotypes. The oil is produced in the drupe, and the unsaturated fatty acids contribute to its quality. The aim of the present research was to investigate the relationship among development, cold response, expression of fatty acid desaturase (FAD) genes, and unsaturated fatty acid composition in drupes belonging to genotypes differing in leaf cold tolerance, but producing good oil (i.e. the non-hardy Moraiolo, the semi-hardy Frantoio, and the hardy Canino). In all genotypes, cold sensitivity, evaluated by cold-induced transient increases in cytosolic calcium, was high in the epi-mesocarp cells before oil body formation, and decreased during oil biogenesis. However, genotype-dependent differences in cold sensitivity appeared at the end of oil production. Genotype-dependent differences in FAD2.1, FAD2.2, FAD6, and FAD7 expression levels occurred in the epi-mesocarp cells during the oleogenic period. However, FAD2.1 and FAD7 were always the highest in the first part of this period. FAD2.2 and FAD7 increased after cold applications during oleogenesis, independently of the genotype. Unsaturated fatty acids increased in the drupes of the non-hardy genotype, but not in those of the hardy one, after cold exposure at the time of the highest FAD transcription. The results show a direct relationship between FAD expression and lipid desaturation in the drupes of the cold-sensitive genotype, and an inverse relationship in those of the cold-resistant genotype, suggesting that drupe cold acclimation requires a fine FAD post-transcriptional regulation. Hypotheses relating FAD desaturation to storage and membrane lipids, and genotype cold hardiness are discussed.

Epoetin alfa increases frataxin production in Friedreich's ataxia without affecting hematocrit

Objective of the study was to test the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two single doses of Epoetin alfa in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. Ten patients were treated subcutaneously with 600 IU/kg for the first dose, and 3 months later with 1200 IU/kg. Epoetin alfa had no acute effect on frataxin, whereas a delayed and sustained increase in frataxin was evident at 3 months after the first dose (+35%; P < 0.05), and up to 6 months after the second dose (+54%; P < 0.001). The treatment was well tolerated and did not affect hematocrit, cardiac function, and neurological scale. Single high dose of Epoetin alfa can produce a considerably larger and sustained effect when compared with low doses and repeated administration schemes previously adopted. In addition, no hemoglobin increase was observed, and none of our patients required phlebotomy, indicating lack of erythropoietic effect of single high dose of erythropoietin.

Proteomic analysis of the plant-virus interaction in cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) resistant transgenic tomato

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), a member of the Cucumovirus genus, is the causal agent of several plant diseases in a wide range of host species, causing important economic losses in agriculture. Because of the lack of natural resistance genes in most crops, different genetic engineering strategies have been adopted to obtain virus-resistant plants. In a previous study, we described the engineering of transgenic tomato plants expressing a single-chain variable fragment antibody (scFv G4) that are specifically protected from CMV infection. In this work, we characterized the leaf proteome expressed during compatible plant-virus interaction in wild type and transgenic tomato. Protein changes in both inoculated and apical leaves were revealed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled to differential in gel electrophoresis (DIGE) technology. A total of 2084 spots were detected, and 50 differentially expressed proteins were identified by nanoscale liquid chromatographic-electrospray ionization-ion trap-tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-ESI-IT-MS/MS). The majority of these proteins were related to photosynthesis (38%), primary metabolism (18%), and defense activity (14%) and demonstrated to be actively down regulated by CMV in infected leaves. Moreover, our analysis revealed that asymptomatic apical leaves of transgenic inoculated plants had no protein profile alteration as compared to control wild type uninfected plants demonstrating that virus infection is confined to the inoculated leaves and systemic spread is hindered by the CMV coat protein (CP)-specific scFv G4 molecules. Our work is the first comparative study on compatible plant-virus interactions between engineered immunoprotected and susceptible wild type tomato plants, contributing to the understanding of antibody-mediated disease resistance mechanisms.

Comparative 454 pyrosequencing of transcripts from two olive genotypes during fruit development

Background

Despite its primary economic importance, genomic information on olive tree is still lacking. 454 pyrosequencing was used to enrich the very few sequence data currently available for the Olea europaea species and to identify genes involved in expression of fruit quality traits.

Results

Fruits of Coratina, a widely cultivated variety characterized by a very high phenolic content, and Tendellone, an oleuropein-lacking natural variant, were used as starting material for monitoring the transcriptome. Four different cDNA libraries were sequenced, respectively at the beginning and at the end of drupe development. A total of 261,485 reads were obtained, for an output of about 58 Mb. Raw sequence data were processed using a four step pipeline procedure and data were stored in a relational database with a web interface.

Conclusion

Massively parallel sequencing of different fruit cDNA collections has provided large scale information about the structure and putative function of gene transcripts accumulated during fruit development. Comparative transcript profiling allowed the identification of differentially expressed genes with potential relevance in regulating the fruit metabolism and phenolic content during ripening.