Expanding the scope of leaf symbiosis: Caballeronia endophytes in Empogona and Tricalysia (Coffeeae, Rubiaceae)

Leaf symbiosis is a remarkable phenomenon observed in Rubiaceae host plants, where they interact with bacterial endophytes residing within their leaves. Although approximately 650 species from 8 genera across 4 tribes exhibit this symbiosis, its fiill extent within Rubiaceae remains unknown. Our primary objective is to investígate the potential presence of leaf endophytes in the African plant genera Empogona and Tricalysia and, if confirmed, determine their identity. To accomplish this, we extracted total DNA from the leaves of four Coffeeae tribe species {Empogona congesta, Tricalysia hensii, T. lasiodelphys, and T. semidecidua) and sequenced it. Subsequently, we filtered out bacterial reads. Through phylogenetic analysis o f the endophytes, we were able to ascertain their identity and establish their relationship with known symbiotic organisms. Notably, all four species harboured non-nodulated leaf endophytes, specifically identified as Caballeronia. Although these endophytes are distinct from one another, they are related to other nodulated and non-nodulated endophytes. Interestingly, we did not observe any discemible phylogenetic or geographic pattems among the endophytes or their host plants. Our findings demónstrate the presence of Caballeronia endophytes in the leaves o f Empogona and Tricalysia, two genera previously not associated with leaf symbiosis. This interaction is likely to have a broader distribution, and further discoveries are inevitable in the future

Finding native oysters in the Belgian North Sea using eDNA

When initiating native oyster aquaculture, the use of local spat is essential. For native oyster reef restoration and oyster construction, connectivity Is necessary for safeguarding genetic diversity and thus robustness of the reef. Applying eDNA technology to historical and recent water samples taken in summer and winter (BNZ), will give important geographical information on the presence of native populations and spat distribution

Matrix Modulation of the Bioactivation of Estragole by Constituents of Different Alkenylbenzene-containing Herbs and Spices and Physiologically Based Biokinetic Modeling of Possible In Vivo Effects

The alkenylbenzene estragole is a constituent of several herbs and spices. It induces hepatomas in rodents at high doses following bioactivation by cytochrome P450s and sulfotransferases (SULTs) giving rise to the ultimate carcinogenic metabolite 1'-sulfooxyestragole which forms DNA adducts. Methanolic extracts from different alkenylbenzene-containing herbs and spices were able to inhibit SULT activity. Flavonoids including quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, apigenin, and nevadensin were the major constituents responsible for this inhibition with Ki values in the nano to micromolar range. In human HepG2 cells exposed to the proximate carcinogen 1ʹ-hydroxyestragole, the various flavonoids were able to inhibit estragole DNA adduct formation and shift metabolism in favor of glucuronidation which is a detoxification pathway for 1ʹ-hydroxyestragole. In a next step, the kinetics for SULT inhibition were incorporated in physiologically based biokinetic (PBBK) models for estragole in rat and human to predict the effect of co-exposure to estragole and (mixtures of) the different flavonoids on the bioactivation in vivo. The PBBK-model-based predictions indicate that the reduction of estragole bioactivation in rat and human by co-administration of the flavonoids is dependent on whether the intracellular liver concentrations of the flavonoids can reach their Ki values. It is expected that this is most easily achieved for nevadensin which has a Ki value in the nanomolar range and is, due to its methyl ation, more metabolically stable than the other flavonoid

Feasibility and Reproducibility of Isokinetic Dynamometry in Children with Neuromuscular Diseases

Background/Objectives: High-precision measurement tools are needed to measure relevant changes in strength and power in children with neuromuscular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility (i), reproducibility (ii), and validity (iii) of isokinetic dynamometry in this population. Methods: Isometric and isokinetic knee and elbow flexion and extension were measured twice on the same day. Feasibility was based on completion rate and acceptability. Acceptability was measured with a 100 mm visual analog scale. We measured reproducibility as the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC-agreement), standard error of measurement (SEM), and smallest detectable change (SDC). We investigated relationships between isometric strength and isokinetic power with Pearson's correlation coefficient. ROC curves were used to determine the cutoff of isometric strength to conduct isokinetic measurements. Results: Fifty children with NMDs participated with completion rates of 78-90% for isometric and 39-75% for isokinetic measurements. Acceptability was high (mean (SD) = 73 (19) mm). The ICCs for all measurements were over 0.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.932-0.998). The SEM% ranged from 5 to 14% and the SDC% from 14 to 28%. The correlations of strength and power were high (Pearson's correlation coefficient >0.9 (95% CI: 0.89-0.98)). The isometric strength needed to conduct isokinetic measurements ranged from 11.1 N in elbow flexors to 24.9 N in knee extensors. Conclusions: Isokinetic dynamometry is a feasible and reproducible method for measuring isometric strength in children with neuromuscular diseases with moderate weakness to normal strength, and isokinetic measurements are only feasible in knee extension for children with moderate weakness to normal strength. The convergent validity between isometric strength and power at low velocities is high

Quantification of disease progression in spinal muscular atrophy with muscle MRI-a pilot study

Objectives: Quantitative MRI (qMRI) of muscles is a promising tool to measure disease progression or to assess therapeutic effects in neuromuscular diseases. Longitudinal imaging studies are needed to show sensitivity of qMRI in detecting disease progression in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). In this pilot study we therefore studied one-year changes in quantitative MR parameters in relation to clinical scores. Methods: We repeated quantitative 3 T MR analysis of thigh muscles and clinical testing one year after baseline in 10 treatment-naïve patients with SMA, 5 with Type 2 (21.6 ± 7.0 years) and 5 with Type 3 (33.4 ± 11.9 years). MR protocol consisted of Dixon, T 2 mapping and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The temporal relation of parameters was examined with a mixed model. Results: We detected a significant increase in fat fraction (baseline, 38.2% SE 0.6; follow-up, 39.5% SE 0.6; +1.3%, p = 0.001) in all muscles. Muscles with moderate to high fat infiltration at baseline show a larger increase over time (+1.6%, p < 0.001). We did not find any changes in DTI parameters except for low fat-infiltration muscles (m. adductor longus and m. biceps femoris (short head)). The T 2 of muscles decreased from 28.2 ms to 28.0 ms (p = 0.07). Muscle strength and motor function scores were not significantly different between follow-up and baseline. Conclusion: Longitudinal imaging data show slow disease progression in skeletal muscle of the thigh of (young-) adult patients with SMA despite stable strength and motor function scores. Quantitative muscle imaging demonstrates potential as a biomarker for disease activity and monitoring of therapy response

Confirmation of beach accretion by grain-size trend analysis: Camposoto beach, Cádiz, SW Spain

An application of the grain size trend analysis (GSTA) is used in an exploratory approach to characterize sediment transport on Camposoto beach (Cádiz, SW Spain). In May 2009 the mesotidal beach showed a well-developed swash bar on the upper foreshore, which was associated with fair-weather conditions prevailing just before and during the field survey. The results were tested by means of an autocorrelation statistical test (index I of Moran). Two sedimentological trends were recognized, i.e. development towards finer, better sorted and more negatively skewed sediment (FB–), and towards finer, better sorted and less negatively or more positively skewed sediment (FB+). Both vector fields were compared with results obtained from more classical approaches (sand tracers, microtopography and current measurements). This revealed that both trends can be considered as realistic, the FB+ trend being identified for the first time in a beach environment. The data demonstrate that, on the well-developed swash bar, sediment transported onshore becomes both finer and better sorted towards the coast. On the lower foreshore, which exhibits a steeper slope produced by breaking waves, the higherenergy processes winnow out finer particles and thereby produce negatively skewed grain-size distributions. The upper foreshore, which has a flatter and smoother slope, is controlled by lower-energy swash-backwash and overwash processes. As a result, the skewness of the grain-size distributions evolves towards less negative or more positive values. The skewness parameter appears to be distributed as a function of the beach slope and, thus, reflects variations in hydrodynamic energy. This has novel implications for coastal management