Search results for "VARIATION"
showing 10 items of 2124 documents
SSR-based DNA fingerprints reveal the genetic diversity of Sicilian olive (Olea europaeaL.) germplasm
2005
Twelve published simple sequence repeat (SSR; microsatellite) markers, belonging to the ssrOeUA-DCA, GAPU and UDO series, were tested in a panel of 46 accessions of olive germplasm belonging to 30 unique cultivars collected in seven Provinces of Sicily. Four well-known reference olive cultivars were also added. The analysis was carried out on an automatic capillary sequencer using fluorescent dyes, and fragment sizes were determined using internal standards. The results allowed us to rank the SSRs assayed according to their information content and reproducibility. Up to 115 alleles were identified (119, if those unique to sport mutations were included), the frequency of which allowed geneti…
Analysis of S-allele genetic diversity in Sicilian almond germplasm comparing different molecular methods
2015
Italian almond germplasm is characterized by a wide diversity in several growing areas among which Sicily is one of the most important. Analysis with consensus and specific primers and DNA sequencing was performed to investigate S-RNase genetic diversity and to elucidate the homology rate within a genetic pool of 27 Italian accessions. Interestingly, some of the self-compatible cultivars did not show the presence of Sf allele. Amplicons from consensus and allele-specific PCR primers revealed a high level of variability. Sequencing of all the S-RNase amplicons derived from consensus primers allowed the identification of two new S-RNase alleles (S51 and S52). Surprisingly, despite the AA repl…
Centennial olive trees as a reservoir of genetic diversity
2011
†Background and Aims Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the oldest trees could be a powerful tool both for germplasm collection and for understanding the earliest origins of clonally propagated fruit crops. The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is a suitable model to study the origin of cultivars due to its long lifespan, resulting in the existence of both centennial and millennial trees across the Mediterranean Basin. †Methods The genetic identity and diversity as well as the phylogenetic relationships among the oldest wild and cultivated olives of southern Spain were evaluated by analysing simple sequence repeat markers. Samples from both the canopy and the roots of each tr…
Genetic variation of an Italian long shelf-life tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) collection by using SSR and morphological fruit traits
2014
The recovery of ancient germplasm in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) has become necessary to limit the wide genetic erosion caused by the employment of modern cultivars. Among germplasm collections, long shelf-life landraces could represent an important source of biodiversity. The present study provides a first set of molecular and phenotypic data on long shelf-life (so called "da serbo" in southern Italy) tomato collection, mainly originated from Sicily together with some landraces from Campania and Apulia. The analysis of fruit traits showed a low intra-varietal variation, while exhibiting a quite higher inter-varietal variability. Overall, the cultivars have been classified in six fruit…
RECOVERY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CHESTNUT GERMPLASM ON THE WESTERN SLOPES OF THE ASPROMONTE IN SOUTHERN CALABRIA
2010
For a considerable period of time chestnuts were a fundamental source of food and economy for the people in the Aspromonte area. After decades in which chestnut cultivation has been neglected as a result of depopulation in mountainous zones, the production capacity in this area has reduced resulting in an erosion of the native germplasm. A survey has been carried out to improve the knowledge about the chestnut germplasm present in this area and to evaluate its qualities with the objective of preserving native genetic resources, safeguarding them from genetic erosion phenomenon and individuating local genotypes of market value which could be used to promote a re-launch of local chestnut cult…
Assessment of genetic variation in SicilianHelichrysum(Asteraceae) and implication to germplasm conservation
2008
Some taxa of Sicilian Helichrysum related to sect. Stoeachadina have an uncertain systematic position; moreover, they are rare and endangered. In order to preserve these taxa in a genebank, a strategy to keep their genetic variation as high as possible is required. The high informative content of AFLP markers was used to assess genetic variations within and between populations and their relationships. The results show that all populations are genetically similar, even though there are two distinct groups: the first is the population referred to H. pendulum, and the second is represented by other populations belonging to several different specific and intraspecific taxa. The H. pendulum popu…
Genetic influences on adult body mass index followed over 29 years and their effects on late-life mobility: a study of twin sisters.
2009
Background: The rise in body mass index (BMI) during adulthood increases the risk for metabolic disorders, functional limitations and disability in old age. This twin study examined prospectively whether genetic and environmental influences on women’s BMI also account for mobility 29 years later. Methods: The sample consisted of 103 monozygotic and 114 dizygotic pairs of twin sisters reared together. Body mass index was initially evaluated in 1975, when the women were aged 42.6±3.4 years, and was followed-up in 1981, 1990, 2001 and 2004. Mobility was evaluated using the standardised 6-minute walking test in 2001, when the women were aged 68.6±3.2 years, and followed-up 3 years later. An inv…
Social relations in older adults: Secular trends and longitudinal changes over a 16-year follow-up.
2010
Abstract Drawing on population studies in Finland, we investigated secular trends and longitudinal changes in social relations. The cohort comparison data comprised on 974 persons aged 65–69 years from three cohorts born between 1919 and 1939 and interviewed in 1988, 1996 and 2004. Longitudinal analyses were conducted for 635 persons aged 65–74 years over a 16-year follow-up at three measurement points. Social relations were studied on the basis of frequency seeing one's offspring, perceptions of the sufficiency of these contacts, and by asking whom the participants considered as their closest person and how often and in how many tasks they helped someone. The cohort comparisons showed that…
Heritability of Lung Function: A Twin Study Among Never-Smoking Elderly Women
2011
Most studies on lung function heritability have been conducted in smokers and non-smokers using cross-sectional study design. Smoking patterns may, however, confound the contribution of genetic factors. We investigated heritability of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio longitudinally, excluding the effects of smoking. A sample of never smoking female twins (n = 374), aged 63–76 at baseline, answered health questionnaires and attended spirometry in years 2000 and 2003. Bivariate structural equation modeling, restricted to adequate spirometry performances (baseline n = 339, follow-up n = 252), was used to estimate genetic and environ…
Effect of hypoosmotic stress by low salinity acclimation of Mediterranean mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis on biological parameters used for polluti…
2008
In the present study, we investigated the progressive acclimation of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis to different reduced seawater (SW) salinities and its effect on several biochemical markers and biotests. Mussels were purchased from a local mariculture facility during summer (SW temperature 27 degrees C, salinity 37.5 psu) and winter (13 degrees C, 37 psu) seasons, and transferred to the laboratory for acclimation to reduced SW salinities (37, 28, 18.5 and 11 psu). At the beginning and at the end of acclimation processes tests of mussel survival in air were provided. After 14 days of acclimation the DNA integrity, p38-MAPK activation, metallothionein induction, oxygen consumption rat…