scholarly journals Chemistry of developing bordered-pit rims in balsam-fir trees

Botany ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 347-357
Author(s):  
Rodney Arthur Savidge
Keyword(s):  
Late Stage ◽  
Secondary Wall ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Strong Acid ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Bordered Pits ◽  
Secondary Wall Formation ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy

Rims of bordered pits form on the primary walls of radially enlarged cambial derivatives prior to the onset of general secondary-wall formation. A recent report (Botany, 2014, 92(7): 495–511) raised the possibility that the chemical composition of the rim might be different from that of the secondary wall. To investigate this, early-stage nonfluorescent and late-stage autofluorescent rims were separated from cambial derivatives of Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. and purified to homogeneity by density-gradient centrifugation. Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, combined gas chromatography – mass spectroscopy, enzyme digestion, and chemical resilience data support the interpretation that cellulose alone is the microfibrillar polysaccharide of nonfluorescent early-stage rims. A lignin is additionally present in late-stage rims, and it evidently bonds with cellulose because rims are extraordinarily resistant to hydrolysis by either enzymes or strong acid.

Localization of actin filaments and cortical microtubules in wood-forming tissues of conifers

IAWA Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahanara Begum ◽  
Osamu Furusawa ◽  
Masaki Shibagaki ◽  
Satoshi Nakaba ◽  
Yusuke Yamagishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Final Stage ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Secondary Wall ◽  
Cortical Microtubules ◽  
Cell Axis ◽  
Wall Formation ◽  
Bordered Pits ◽  
Secondary Wall Formation ◽  
Cambial Cells ◽  
Helical Thickenings

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to investigate the orientation and localization of actin filaments and cortical microtubules in wood-forming tissues in conifers to understand wood formation. Small blocks were collected from the main stems of Abies firma, Pinus densiflora, and Taxus cuspidata during active seasons of the cambium. Bundles of actin filaments were oriented axially or longitudinally relative to the cell axis in fusiform and ray cambial cells. In differentiating tracheids, actin filaments were oriented longitudinally relative to the cell axis during primary and secondary wall formation. In contrast, the orientation of well-ordered cortical microtubules in tracheids changed from transverse to longitudinal during secondary wall formation. There was no clear relationship between the orientation of actin filaments and cortical microtubules in cambial cells and cambial derivatives. Aggregates of actin filaments and a circular band of cortical microtubules were localized around bordered pits and cross-field pits in differentiating tracheids. In addition, rope-like bands of actin filaments were observed during the formation of helical thickenings at the final stage of formation of secondary walls in tracheids. Actin filaments might not play a major role in changes in the orientation of cortical microtubules in wood-forming tissues. However, since actin filaments were co-localized with cortical microtubules during the formation of bordered pits, cross-field pits and helical thickenings at the final stage of formation of the secondary wall in tracheids, it seems plausible that actin filaments might be closely related to the localization of cortical microtubules during the development of these modifications of wood structure.

Effects of exogenous glucose on mycorrhizal colonization in vitro by early-stage and late-stage ectomycorrhizal fungi

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 898-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard J. Hutchison ◽  
Yves Piché
Keyword(s):  
Ectomycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Mycelial Growth ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Fungal Metabolites ◽  
Cenococcum Geophilum ◽  
Exogenous Glucose

Under aseptic conditions, seedlings of 12 common tree species found in eastern Canada (Alnus rugosa, Betula papyrifera, Betula alleghaniensis, Abies balsamea, Tsuga Canadensis, Pinus strobes, Pinus resinosa, Pinus banksiana, Larix laricina, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, and Picea rubens) were inoculated with 10 species of ectomycorrhizal fungi (Piloderma bicolour, Lactarius thyinos, Lactarius subpurpureus, Lactarius torminosus, Hebeloma longicaudum, Cenococcum geophilum, Suillus sinuspaulianus, Suillus tomentosus, Leccinum holopus, and Boletinus paluster) in the absence or presence of exogenous glucose (2 g/L). Early-stage ectomycorrhizal colonizers with a broad host range (e.g., H. longicaudum) appeared to be less dependent upon the exogenous carbohydrate supply for successful formation of ectomycorrhizae than were host-specific late-stage ectomycorrhizal colonizers (e.g., Lactarius subpurpureus). Further investigations revealed, however, that while levels of exogenous glucose (1.0 and 10.0 g/L) increased mycelial growth of late-stage ectomycorrhizal colonizers, a detrimental effect on the growth of the seedlings took place in the presence of these fungi, rather than a concurrent increase in colonization and infection of the host roots. It is suggested that secondary fungal metabolites toxic to the plants are released as a consequence of increased mycelial growth in response to an increase in glucose concentrations. Thus, when dealing with late-stage ectomycorrhizal colonizers and host plants in mycorrhizal synthesis experiments, the exogenous glucose concentration is critical. Key words: early-stage fungi, late-stage fungi, ectomycorrhizae, glucose, root colonization, fungal metabolites.

Three-Dimensional Imaging and Analysis of Differentiating Secondary Xylem by Confocal Microscopy

IAWA Journal ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kitin ◽  
Yuzou Sano ◽  
Ryo Funada
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Wall ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Wall Formation ◽  
Kalopanax Pictus ◽  
Bordered Pits ◽  
Vessel Elements ◽  
Ray Cells ◽  
Secondary Wall Formation ◽  
Ray Parenchyma Cells ◽  
Perforation Plates

We examined the three-dimensional (3-D) structure of differentiating xylem in a hardwood tree, Kalopanax pictus, by confocallaser scanning microscopy (CLSM) using relatively thick, hand-cut histological sections. 3-D studies of plant tissues by mechanical serial sectioning with a microtome are very time-con suming. By contrast, the preparation of samples for CLSM is easier and the 3-D structure of intact tissue is preserved during optical sectioning. We obtained extended-focus images of the surface of specimens and these images resembled the stereographic images obtained by scanning electron microscopy. In addition , we observed radial files of cambial derivative cells at various stages of differenti ation and the internal structure along the 'z' axis of specimens on serial optical sections. We analysed the developmental changes in the morphology of cambial derivat ive cells, for example, the 3-D shape and arrangement of cells, the readjustment of the position of cells, and the development of secondary walls, pits and perforation plates. Our results showed that the arrangement of the differentiating xylem cells mirror s that of the cambial cell s. Deviations from the longitudinal orientation of vessel elements were specified by similar patterns of orientation of fusiform and ray cambial cells. The development of vessel elements progressed more rapidly than that of other xylem elements. When secondary walls with bordered pits and perforation plates with membranes were present in vessel elements and their expansion ceased, no secondary wall formation was detected in adjacent ray cells. The delay in secondary wall formation by the ray parenchyma cells, as compared to that by vessel elements, might facilitate the readju stment of the position of cells in the developing xylem tissue that is a consequence of the considerable expan sion of the vessel elements.

scholarly journals Making the Grade during Pandemic: Early-stage and Late-stage Provisional Institutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 073112142110286
Author(s):  
Alexander B. Kinney ◽  
Nicholas J. Rowland
Keyword(s):  
Late Stage ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
State University ◽  
Institutional Work ◽  
Traditional Grading ◽  
Grading Policy ◽  
Temporary Solution ◽  
Rural State ◽  
Empirical Implications ◽  
Common Understanding

This is an article that draws on the institutional work literature about provisional institutions. To date, nearly every U.S. sector has been impacted by COVID-19. To sustain their core missions, highly institutionalized organizations such as universities have had to rethink foundational structures and policies. Using a historical ethnographic approach to investigate records from faculty senate deliberations at “Rural State University” (RSU), the authors examine the implementation of a temporary grading policy to supplement traditional, qualitative grades spring 2020 during the outbreak. The authors find that RSU implemented a temporary, supplemental grading policy as a provisional institution to momentarily supersede traditional grading as a means to—as soon as possible—return to it. This finding contrasts with the common understanding that provisional institutions operate primarily as a temporary solution to a social problem that leads to more stable and enduring, ostensibly nonprovisional institutions. The temporary grading policy, the authors argue, constitutes a “late-stage” provisional institution and, with this new lens, subsequently characterize the more commonplace understanding of provisional institutions as “early-stage.” This contribution has theoretical implications for studies of institutions and empirical implications for research on shared governance and disruption in higher education.

scholarly journals A Serum Metabolomics Classifier Derived from Elderly Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Predicts Relapse in the Adjuvant Setting

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2762
Author(s):  
Samantha Di Donato ◽  
Alessia Vignoli ◽  
Chiara Biagioni ◽  
Luca Malorni ◽  
Elena Mori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽  
P Value ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Metabolomic Fingerprinting

Adjuvant treatment for patients with early stage colorectal cancer (eCRC) is currently based on suboptimal risk stratification, especially for elderly patients. Metabolomics may improve the identification of patients with residual micrometastases after surgery. In this retrospective study, we hypothesized that metabolomic fingerprinting could improve risk stratification in patients with eCRC. Serum samples obtained after surgery from 94 elderly patients with eCRC (65 relapse free and 29 relapsed, after 5-years median follow up), and from 75 elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) obtained before a new line of chemotherapy, were retrospectively analyzed via proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The prognostic role of metabolomics in patients with eCRC was assessed using Kaplan–Meier curves. PCA-CA-kNN could discriminate the metabolomic fingerprint of patients with relapse-free eCRC and mCRC (70.0% accuracy using NOESY spectra). This model was used to classify the samples of patients with relapsed eCRC: 69% of eCRC patients with relapse were predicted as metastatic. The metabolomic classification was strongly associated with prognosis (p-value 0.0005, HR 3.64), independently of tumor stage. In conclusion, metabolomics could be an innovative tool to refine risk stratification in elderly patients with eCRC. Based on these results, a prospective trial aimed at improving risk stratification by metabolomic fingerprinting (LIBIMET) is ongoing.

Health Insurance Status as a Predictor of Mode of Colon Cancer Detection but Not Stage at Diagnosis: Implications for Early Detection

2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492199917
Author(s):  
Lindsey A. Jones ◽  
Katherine C. Brewer ◽  
Leslie R. Carnahan ◽  
Jennifer A. Parsons ◽  
Blase N. Polite ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Insurance Status ◽  
Stage At Diagnosis ◽  
Health Insurance Status ◽  
Percentage Point Increase ◽  
Point Increase

Objective For colon cancer patients, one goal of health insurance is to improve access to screening that leads to early detection, early-stage diagnosis, and polyp removal, all of which results in easier treatment and better outcomes. We examined associations among health insurance status, mode of detection (screen detection vs symptomatic presentation), and stage at diagnosis (early vs late) in a diverse sample of patients recently diagnosed with colon cancer from the Chicago metropolitan area. Methods Data came from the Colon Cancer Patterns of Care in Chicago study of racial and socioeconomic disparities in colon cancer screening, diagnosis, and care. We collected data from the medical records of non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White patients aged ≥50 and diagnosed with colon cancer from October 2010 through January 2014 (N = 348). We used logistic regression with marginal standardization to model associations between health insurance status and study outcomes. Results After adjusting for age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status, being continuously insured 5 years before diagnosis and through diagnosis was associated with a 20 (95% CI, 8-33) percentage-point increase in prevalence of screen detection. Screen detection in turn was associated with a 15 (95% CI, 3-27) percentage-point increase in early-stage diagnosis; however, nearly half (47%; n = 54) of the 114 screen-detected patients were still diagnosed at late stage (stage 3 or 4). Health insurance status was not associated with earlier stage at diagnosis. Conclusions For health insurance to effectively shift stage at diagnosis, stronger associations are needed between health insurance and screening-related detection; between screening-related detection and early stage at diagnosis; or both. Findings also highlight the need to better understand factors contributing to late-stage colon cancer diagnosis despite screen detection.

scholarly journals Metabolic Changes in Early-Stage Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients after Surgical Resection

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3012
Author(s):  
Naseer Ahmed ◽  
Biniam Kidane ◽  
Le Wang ◽  
Zoann Nugent ◽  
Nataliya Moldovan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Small Cell Lung Cancer ◽  
Surgical Resection ◽  
Cell Lung Cancer ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Small Cell Lung ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Post Surgery

Metabolic alterations in malignant cells play a vital role in tumor initiation, proliferation, and metastasis. Biofluids from patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbor metabolic biomarkers with potential clinical applications. In this study, we assessed the changes in the metabolic profile of patients with early-stage NSCLC using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy before and after surgical resection. A single cohort of 35 patients provided a total of 29 and 32 pairs of urine and serum samples, respectively, pre-and post-surgery. We identified a profile of 48 metabolites that were significantly different pre- and post-surgery: 17 in urine and 31 in serum. A higher proportion of metabolites were upregulated than downregulated post-surgery (p < 0.01); however, the median fold change (FC) was higher for downregulated than upregulated metabolites (p < 0.05). Purines/pyrimidines and proteins had a larger dysregulation than other classes of metabolites (p < 0.05 for each class). Several of the dysregulated metabolites have been previously associated with cancer, including leucyl proline, asymmetric dimethylarginine, isopentenyladenine, fumaric acid (all downregulated post-surgery), as well as N6-methyladenosine and several deoxycholic acid moieties, which were upregulated post-surgery. This study establishes metabolomic analysis of biofluids as a path to non-invasive diagnostics, screening, and monitoring in NSCLC.

scholarly journals Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the recovery of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by density gradient

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria D. I. Manunta ◽  
Giuseppe Lamorte ◽  
Francesca Ferrari ◽  
Elena Trombetta ◽  
Mario Tirone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Density Gradient ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Gradient Centrifugation ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Blood Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Circulating Lymphocytes

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 virus infection is responsible for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is characterised by a hyperinflammatory response that plays a major role in determining the respiratory and immune-mediated complications of this condition. While isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from whole blood of COVID-19 patients by density gradient centrifugation, we noticed some changes in the floating properties and in the sedimentation of the cells on density medium. Investigating this further, we found that in early phase COVID-19 patients, characterised by reduced circulating lymphocytes and monocytes, the PBMC fraction contained surprisingly high levels of neutrophils. Furthermore, the neutrophil population exhibited alterations in the cell size and in the internal complexity, consistent with the presence of low density neutrophils (LDNs) and immature forms, which may explain the shift seen in the floating abilities and that may be predictive of the severity of the disease. The percentage of this subset of neutrophils found in the PBMC band was rather spread (35.4 ± 27.2%, with a median 28.8% and IQR 11.6–56.1, Welch’s t-test early phase COVID-19 versus blood donor healthy controls P < 0.0001). Results confirm the presence of an increased number of LDNs in patients with early stage COVID-19, which correlates with disease severity and may be recovered by centrifugation on a density gradient together with PBMCs.

scholarly journals EU FP7 research funding for an orphan drug (Orfadin®) and vaccine (Hep C) development: a success and a failure?

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Schmidt ◽  
O. Sehic ◽  
C. Wild
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Clinical Development ◽  
Clinical Indication ◽  
Market Authorisation ◽  
Risk Capital

Abstract Background We considered the extent of the contribution of publicly funded research to the late-stage clinical development of pharmaceuticals and medicinal products, based on the European Commission (EC) FP7 research funding programme. Using two EC FP7-HEALTH case study examples—representing two types of outcomes—we then estimated wider public and charitable research funding contributions. Methods Using the publicly available database of FP7-HEALTH funded projects, we identified awards relating to late-stage clinical development according to the systematic application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, classified them according to product type and clinical indication, and calculated total EC funding amounts. We then identified two case studies representing extreme outcomes: failure to proceed with the product (hepatitis C vaccine) and successful market authorisation (Orfadin® for alkaptonuria). Total public and philanthropic research funding contributions to these products were then estimated using publicly available information on funding. Results 12.3% (120/977) of all EC FP7-HEALTH awards related to the funding of late-stage clinical research, totalling € 686,871,399. Pharmaceutical products and vaccines together accounted for 84% of these late-stage clinical development research awards and 70% of its funding. The hepatitis C vaccine received total European Community (FP7 and its predecessor, EC Framework VI) funding of €13,183,813; total public and charitable research funding for this product development was estimated at € 77,060,102. The industry sponsor does not consider further development of this product viable; this now represents public risk investment. FP7 funding for the late-stage development of Orfadin® for alkaptonuria was so important that the trials it funded formed the basis for market authorisation, but it is not clear whether the price of the treatment (over €20,000 per patient per year) adequately reflects the substantial public funding contribution. Conclusions Public and charitable research funding plays an essential role, not just in early stage basic research, but also in the late-stage clinical development of products prior to market authorisation. In addition, it provides risk capital for failed products. Within this context, we consider further discussions about a public return on investment and its reflection in pricing policies and decisions justified.

scholarly journals Context-Specific Efficacy of Apalutamide Therapy in Preclinical Models of Pten-Deficient Prostate Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 3975
Author(s):  
Marco A. De Velasco ◽  
Yurie Kura ◽  
Naomi Ando ◽  
Noriko Sako ◽  
Eri Banno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Akt Inhibitor ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Context Specific

Significant improvements with apalutamide, a nonsteroidal antiandrogen used to treat patients suffering from advanced prostate cancer (PCa), have prompted evaluation for additional indications and therapeutic development with other agents; however, persistent androgen receptor (AR) signaling remains problematic. We used autochthonous mouse models of Pten-deficient PCa to examine the context-specific antitumor activity of apalutamide and profile its molecular responses. Overall, apalutamide showed potent antitumor activity in both early-stage and late-stage models of castration-naïve prostate cancer (CNPC). Molecular profiling by Western blot and immunohistochemistry associated persistent surviving cancer cells with upregulated AKT signaling. While apalutamide was ineffective in an early-stage model of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), it tended to prolong survival in late-stage CRPC. Molecular features associated with surviving cancer cells in CRPC included upregulated aberrant-AR, and phosphorylated S6 and proline-rich Akt substrate of 40 kDa (PRAS40). Strong synergy was observed with the pan-AKT inhibitor GSK690693 and apalutamide in vitro against the CNPC- and CRPC-derived cell lines and tended to improve the antitumor responses in CNPC but not CRPC in vivo. Upregulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and proviral insertion in murine-1 (PIM-1) were associated with combined apalutamide/GSK690693. Our findings show that apalutamide can attenuate Pten-deficient PCa in a context-specific manner and provides data that can be used to further study and, possibly, develop additional combinations with apalutamide.

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