71 research outputs found
Transcriptional control of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in extreme phenotypes for berry pigmentation of naturally occurring grapevines
No full textBackground. Fruit coloration of red-skinned grapevines is mainly due to anthocyanin pigments. We analysed a panel of nine cultivars that included extreme phenotypes for berry colour, ranging from green (absence of anthocyanins) to red, purple, violet and blue. Expression of six genes of the anthocyanin pathway coding for flavanone-hydroxylase (F3H), flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (F3'H), flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H), UDP-glucose:flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), O-methyltransferase (OMT) and four transcription factors (MybA, MybB, MybC, MybD) was analysed by quantitative RT-PCR at four developmental stages from before the onset of ripening until full maturity and compared to anthocyanin metabolites. Results. Total anthocyanin content at full maturity correlated well with the cumulative expression of F3H, UFGT and GST throughout ripening. Transcripts of the last two genes were absent in the green-skinned cultivar 'Sauvignonasse', also known as 'Tocai friulano', and were at least 10-fold less abundant in pale red cultivars, such as 'Pinot gris' and 'Gewürztraminer', compared to fully coloured cultivars. Predominance of tri-hydroxylated anthocyanins (delphinidin, petunidin and malvidin) in cultivars bearing dark berries with violet and blue hue was associated with higher ratios of F3'5'H/F3'H transcription, compared to red-skinned cultivars. Higher levels of OMT transcripts were observed in berries of cultivars that accumulated methoxylated forms of anthocyanins more abundantly than non-methoxylated forms. Conclusion. Colour variation of the grape berry conforms to a peculiar pattern of genotype-specific expression of the whole set of anthocyanin genes in a direct transcript-metabolite-phenotype relationship. Cumulative mRNA levels of the structural genes and their relative abundance throughout ripening explained per se the final phenotype for anthocyanin content, anthocyanin composition, colour intensity and colour hue of grapes at berry maturity. © 2007 Castellarin and Di Gaspero; licensee BioMed Central Ltd
Berry phenolics of grapevine under challenging environments
No full textPlant phenolics have been for many years a theme of major scientific and applied interest. Grape berry phenolics contribute to organoleptic properties, color and protection against environmental challenges. Climate change has already caused significant warming in most grape-growing areas of the world, and the climatic conditions determine, to a large degree, the grape varieties that can be cultivated as well as wine quality. In particular, heat, drought and light/UV intensity severely affect phenolic metabolism and, thus, grape composition and development. In the variety Chardonnay, water stress increases the content of flavonols and decreases the expression of genes involved in biosynthesis of stilbene precursors. Also, polyphenolic profile is greatly dependent on genotype and environmental interactions. This review deals with the diversity and biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in the grape berry, from a general overview to a more detailed level, where the influence of environmental challenges on key phenolic metabolism pathways is approached. The full understanding of how and when specific phenolic compounds accumulate in the berry, and how the varietal grape berry metabolism responds to the environment is of utmost importance to adjust agricultural practices and thus, modify wine profile. © 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
EFFETTO DELLA CIMATURA TARDIVA E DEL DEFICIT IDRICO SULLA QUALITÀ DELL’UVA MERLOT
No full textThe effect of leaf area reduction in Merlot grapevines was tested in well irrigated vines and in vines under water deficit. The effect was monitored over two consecutive seasons. In full irrigation regime (I) vines were irrigated weekly to maintain midday stem water potential (Ψstem) between −0.3 and −0.6 MPa. In water deficit (D) condition, irrigation was managed in order to maintain Ψstem between −1.0 and −1.4 MPa from fruit set to harvest. Within each irrigation regime two different levels of canopy height were imposed: high canopy (110 cm) and short canopy (60 cm). Canopy reduction under full irrigation and water deficit conditions produced different results. Brix degrees were reduced only under well irrigated conditions, while under water deficit no effects of canopy reduction were observed. The reduction of leaf area did not influence the anthocyanin and tannin concentrations
Climate, orography and scale controls on flood frequency in Triveneto (Italy)
No full textThe growing concern about the possible effects of climate change on flood
frequency regime is leading Authorities to review previously proposed
reference procedures for design-flood estimation, such as national flood
frequency models. Our study focuses on Triveneto, a broad geographical region
in North-eastern Italy. A reference procedure for design flood estimation in
Triveneto is available from the Italian NCR research project "VA.PI.",
which considered Triveneto as a single homogeneous region and developed a
regional model using annual maximum series (AMS) of peak discharges that were
collected up to the 1980s by the former Italian Hydrometeorological Service.
We consider a very detailed AMS database that we recently compiled for 76
catchments located in Triveneto. All 76 study catchments are characterized in
terms of several geomorphologic and climatic descriptors. The objective of
our study is threefold: (1) to inspect climatic and scale controls on flood
frequency regime; (2) to verify the possible presence of changes in flood
frequency regime by looking at changes in time of regional L-moments of
annual maximum floods; (3) to develop an updated reference procedure for
design flood estimation in Triveneto by using a focused-pooling approach
(i.e. Region of Influence, RoI). Our study leads to the following
conclusions: (1) climatic and scale controls on flood frequency regime in
Triveneto are similar to the controls that were recently found in Europe;
(2) a single year characterized by extreme floods can have a remarkable
influence on regional flood frequency models and analyses for detecting
possible changes in flood frequency regime; (3) no significant change was
detected in the flood frequency regime, yet an update of the existing
reference procedure for design flood estimation is highly recommended and we
propose the RoI approach for properly representing climate and scale controls
on flood frequency in Triveneto, which cannot be regarded as a single
homogeneous region
Grapevine fanleaf virus affects grape (Vitis vinifera) berry anthocyanin content via the transcriptional regulation of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes
No full text
Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) causes grapevine fanleaf degeneration, one of the oldest known viral diseases of grapevines. The virus has been found in all winegrowing regions around the world. In the seasons 2011–12 a comparison between field grown GFLV-infected and healthy grapevines was conducted for the cultivars Schioppettino in North-Eastern Italy and Refošk in South-Western Slovenia. Our research showed that GFLV infection caused a drop of the yield due to reduction of both cluster weight and berry weight. Besides the yield, the berry composition was also affected; in detail, anthocyanin concentration increased in both varieties but significantly only in the case of Schioppettino. Upregulation of the F3ʹ5ʹH gene and downregulation of F3ʹH gene in the berries of GFLV infected vines compared with the ones of healthy control vines resulted in modified proportions between di- and tri- hydroxylated or methylated derivatives of anthocyanins. The F3H1 gene was identified to be the most strongly regulated gene of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway by GFLV infection, indicating its important role in increasing anthocyanin concentration in grapes of GFLV infected vines as compared with healthy controls.
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Instruments to facilitate the decision-making process on how to administer infusions simultaneously in intensive care units. An Italian experience [Strumenti per facilitare il processo decisionale sulla modalità di somministrazione di infusioni in contemporanea in setting intensivi. Un'esperienza italiana]
No full textRiassunto. Introduzione. Nessun setting assistenziale è scevro da errori da terapia farmacologica. Diversi studi mostrano tuttavia percentuali maggiori in Terapia Intensiva, ove l’intensità clinica e la complessità assistenziale della persona ricoverata sono particolarmente elevate. Il paziente ricoverato in un setting di alta intensità è una persona critica, che generalmente assume una maggiore quantità di farmaci, prevalentemente per via endovenosa. Il presente studio ha l’obiettivo di migliorare le conoscenze sull’interazione tra i farmaci maggiormente utilizzati in una Terapia Intensiva e uniformare la loro modalità di somministrazione. Materiali e metodi. Creazione ad hoc di un Poster e Tabelle per farmaci cardiologici e antibiotici al fine di facilitare il processo decisionale sulla modalità di somministrazione di infusioni in contemporanea. Risultati. In una Terapia Intensiva Italiana sono stati implementati i seguenti interventi: (1) affissione di un Poster negli ambienti comuni della terapia Intensiva; (2) affissione delle tabelle sul carrello terapia e importazione delle stesse nei computer delle stanze di degenza. Il Poster prende in considerazione 76 farmaci. Di ciascuna molecola sono riportate le principali informazioni in termini di dosaggio, diluente, modalità di diluizione, indicazioni terapeutiche ed eventuali compatibilità o incompatibilità con altre molecole. Le Tabelle, contenenti farmaci antibiotici e dell’area cardiologica, forniscono ulteriori informazioni su indicazioni, posologia, controindicazioni, effetti collaterali, modalità di somministrazione e conservazione delle differenti molecole. Conclusioni. Attraverso un questionario di gradimento del personale che ha utilizzato gli strumenti, il Poster e le tabelle facilitano il processo decisionale e di somministrazione delle infusioni endovenose in Terapia Intensiva. Tuttavia, sarebbe auspicabile esportare e approfondire la fruibilità di detti strumenti in ambito nazionale ed internazionale.Introduction. No care setting is free from medication errors. However, several studies show higher percentages in Intensive Care, where the clinical intensity and care complexity of the hospitalized person are particularly complexed. Patient in an Intensive Care Units is a critical person, who generally takes more drugs, mainly intravenously. The aim of this study is to standardize the methods of administration of the most frequently administered drugs in an Italian Intensive Care Unit. Materials and methods. Ad hoc creation of a Poster and Tables for cardiological drugs and antibiotics in order to facilitate the decision making process on how to administer infusions at the same time. Results. Implemented interventions included: (1) developing a Poster for nurses; (2) providing tabletop displays for nurses in each bed units of an Italian Intensive Care Units. Poster considers 76 drugs. For each molecule are reported the main information in terms of dosage, diluent, dilution mode, therapeutic indications and any compatibility or incompatibility with other molecules. The Tables, containing cardiological drugs and antibiotics, give more information about indications, dosage, contraindications, side effects, method of administration and storage of the different molecules. Conclusions. Through a satisfaction questionnaire of the staff who used the instruments, the Poster and the Tables facilitate the decision-making process and administration of intravenous infusions in the Intensive Care Unit. However, it would be desirable to export and deepen the usability of these instruments at national and international level
Impact of leaf removal after berry set on fruit composition and bunch rot in 'Sauvignon blanc'
No full textLeaf removal is a viticultural practice applied to improve cluster microclimate and grape composition. This practice can reduce the incidence of bunch rot but could also promote the degradation of berry methoxypyrazines, key components for the aromatic profile of 'Sauvignon blanc' wines. The influence of cluster-zone leaf removal, applied after berry set, was evaluated on 'Sauvignon blanc' grapevines grown in the Isonzo DOC region (Italy). In 2010 and 2011, yield components and fruit chemical composition were recorded from vines in which the five basal leaves of each single shoot were manually removed at the groat-sized phenological stage, and compared to untreated vines. Our results indicated that leaf removal did not influence yield or fruit composition at harvest, but significantly decreased the incidence and severity of Botrytis bunch rot, while reducing the severity of sunburn damage to the fruit. Increased sunlight cluster exposure decreased 2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine (IBMP) and 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IPMP) concentrations in early stages of berry development, whereas at harvest no significant differences between treatments (defoliated and non-defoliated) were observed. We conclude that leaf removal performed after berry set is a pivotal viticultural management practice to cope with harvest bunch rot complex without negatively affecting fruit composition at harvest
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