The Use of a Learning Community and Online Evaluation of Utilization for SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Resource-sensitive and quality-centered imaging begins with the selection of the appropriate patient and test. Appropriate use criteria have been developed to aid clinicians but are often not available in an easily accessible format. FOCUS (Formation of Optimal Cardiovascular Utilization Strategies), a Web-based community and quality improvement instrument, was developed to increase the feasibility of measuring and improving practice patterns based on the appropriate use criteria. The FOCUS instrument proposed to reduce inappropriate imaging by 15% in 1 year and by 50% within 3 years. Between April 2010 and December 2011, data were voluntarily collected through the FOCUS radionuclide imaging performance improvement module (PIM). Appropriateness rates were compared between phases of the PIM. For the 55 participating sites that had completed the PIM by December 2011, the proportion of inappropriate cases decreased from 10% to 5% (p < 0.0001). These preliminary data from initial participating sites suggest that through the use of a self-directed, quality improvement software and an interactive community, physicians may be able to significantly decrease the proportion of tests not meeting appropriate use criteria

Stability and instability processes in the calli of Fagopyrum tataricum that have different morphogenic potentials

The morphogenic callus (MC) of Fagopyrum tataricum contains a large amount of flavonoids, especially rutin, and exhibits a high level of antioxidant activity. A non-morphogenic callus (NC) may appear on the surface of the MC after two to three years of cultivation and is then subjected to a consistently high level of oxidative stress. The elucidation of the molecular background of this instability is essential for gaining a better understanding of the somaclonal variation mechanisms in tissue cultures that have different morphogenic potentials. Thus, in this study we show that continuous oxidative stress in a NC might be connected with a rapid senescence process and as a result, in the upregulation of the genes that are connected with the telomere complexity, ethylene biosynthesis and the expression of DNA methyltransferases. Moreover, we analysed the presence of the hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins in the calli and demonstrated the differences between the MC and NC. The LM2 antibody can be useful as a marker of the cells in the MC that are embryogenically determined, while the MAC207 antibody seems to be a positive marker of a MC as its signal was absent in the NC. This study also provides the first report on the effect of trichostatin A on the DNA methyltransferases and demethylases in a MC

Diverse influence of nanoparticles on plant growth with a particular emphasis on crop plants

The article describes the current knowledge about the impact of nanoparticles on plant development with a particular emphasis on crop plants. Nanotechnology is an intensively developing field of science. This is due to the enormous hopes that have been placed on the achievements of nanotechnology in various areas of life. Increasingly, it has been noted that apart from the future benefits of nanotechnology in our everyday life, nanoparticles (NPs) may also have adverse effects that have not been sufficiently explored and understood. Most analyses to date have been focused on the influence of nanomaterials on the physiological processes primarily in animals, humans and bacteria. Although our knowledge about the influence of NPs on the development of plants is considerably smaller, the current views are presented below. Such knowledge is extremely important since NPs can enter the food chain, which may have an influence on human health

Spatial distribution of selected chemical cell wall components in the embryogenic callus of Brachypodium distachyon

Brachypodium distachyon L. Beauv. (Brachypodium) is a species that has become an excellent model system for gaining a better understanding of various areas of grass biology and improving plant breeding. Although there are some studies of an in vitro Brachypodium culture including somatic embryogenesis, detailed knowledge of the composition of the main cell wall components in the embryogenic callus in this species is missing. Therefore, using the immunocytochemical approach, we targeted 17 different antigens of which five were against the arabinogalactan proteins (AGP), three were against extensins, six recognised pectic epitopes and two recognised hemicelluloses. These studies were complemented by histological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. We revealed that the characteristic cell wall components of Brachypodium embryogenic calli are AGP epitopes that are recognised by the JIM16 and LM2 antibodies, an extensin epitope that is recognised by the JIM11 antibody and a pectic epitopes that is recognised by the LM6 antibody. Furthermore, we demonstrated that AGPs and pectins are the components of the extracellular matrix network in Brachypodium embryogenic culture. Additionally, SEM analysis demonstrated the presence of an extracellular matrix on the surface of the calli cells. In conclusion, the chemical compositions of the cell walls and ECMSN of Brachypodium callus show spatial differences that correlate with the embryogenic character of the cells. Thus, the distribution of pectins, AGPs and hemicelluloses can be used as molecular markers of embryogenic cells. The presented data extends the knowledge about the chemical composition of the embryogenic callus cells of Brachypodiu

Organ and tissue-specific localisation of selected cell wall epitopes in the zygotic embryo of Brachypodium distachyon

The plant cell wall shows a great diversity regarding its chemical composition, which may vary significantly even during different developmental stages. In this study, we analysed the distribution of several cell wall epitopes in embryos of Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium). We also described the variations in the nucleus shape and the number of nucleoli that occurred in some embryo cells. The use of transmission electron microscopy, and histological and immunolocalisation techniques permitted the distribution of selected arabinogalactan proteins, extensins, pectins, and hemicelluloses on the embryo surface, internal cell compartments, and in the context of the cell wall ultrastructure to be demonstrated. We revealed that the majority of arabinogalactan proteins and extensins were distributed on the cell surface and that pectins were the main component of the seed coat and other parts, such as the mesocotyl cell walls and the radicula. Hemicelluloses were localised in the cell wall and outside of the radicula protodermis, respectively. The specific arrangement of those components may indicate their significance during embryo development and seed germination, thus suggesting the importance of their protective functions. Despite the differences in the cell wall composition, we found that some of the antibodies can be used as markers to identify specific cells and the parts of the developing Brachypodium embryo

Morpho-histological analysis of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants after treatment with juglone

Juglone is a substance that limits plant growth and has a toxic effect on plant development. In this study, we analyzed the influence of juglone at two different concentrations (10-3 M and 10-4 M), which were applied to different parts of Solanum lycopersicum L. plants (root system, stem after decapitation, and surface of a younger leaf or after autografting) for a short period of time (7 days), on the morphology and histology of stems. At a lower concentration, juglone had positive effects on plant growth, which resulted in an increase in interfascicular cambial cell divisions, faster development of a continuous cambium layer along the stem circumference, and development of fibers. Additionally, under the influence of juglone, the number of developing leaves increased and adventitious roots developed. The results are discussed based on the current literature concerning the reaction of plants to juglone and to stress conditions

Cell Wall Epitopes and Endoploidy as Reporters of Embryogenic Potential in Brachypodium Distachyon Callus Culture

Effective regeneration of callus tissue into embryos and then into whole plants is essential for plant biotechnology. The embryonic potential is often low and can further decrease with time in culture, which limits the utilisation of calli for transformation procedures and in vitro propagation. In this study, we show that the loss of embryogenic potential in callus cultures of Brachypodium distachyon is progressive over time. Flow cytometry analyses indicated endoploidy levels increased in 60- and 90-day-old calli with effective loss of the 2C DNA content peak in the latter. Analysis of indolic compounds content revealed a decrease in 60- and 90-day-old calli compared to either freshly isolated explants or 30-day-old calli. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a decrease in arabinogalactan proteins (AGP) signal with the time of culture, but extensin (EXT) epitopes either increased (JIM12 epitopes) or decreased (JIM11 epitopes). The transcript accumulation levels of AGPs and EXTs confirmed these results, with most of AGP and EXT transcripts gradually decreasing. Some chimeric EXT transcripts significantly increased on the 30th day of culture, perhaps because of an increased embryogenic potential. Selected somatic embryogenesis-related genes and cyclins demonstrated a gradual decrease of transcript accumulation for YUCCA (YUC), AINTEGUMENTA-LIKE (AIL), BABY BOOM (BBM), and CLAVATA (CLV3) genes, as well as for most of the cyclins, starting from the 30th day of culture. Notably, WUSCHEL (WUS) transcript was detectable only on the 30th and 60th day and was not detectable in the zygotic embryos and in 90-day-old calli