The plant hormone ethylene restricts Arabidopsis growth via the epidermis

The gaseous hormone ethylene plays a key role in plant growth and development, and it is a major regulator of stress responses. It inhibits vegetative growth by restricting cell elongation, mainly through cross-talk with auxins. However, it remains unknown whether ethylene controls growth throughout all plant tissues or whether its signaling is confined to specific cell types. We employed a targeted expression approach to map the tissue site(s) of ethylene growth regulation. The ubiquitin E3 ligase complex containing Skp1, Cullin1, and the F-box protein EBF1 or EBF2 (SCFEBF1/2) target the degradation of EIN3, the master transcription factor in ethylene signaling. We coupled EBF1 and EBF2 to a number of cell type-specific promoters. Using phenotypic assays for ethylene response and mutant complementation, we revealed that the epidermis is the main site of ethylene action controlling plant growth in both roots and shoots. Suppression of ethylene signaling in the epidermis of the constitutive ethylene signaling mutant ctr1-1 was sufficient to rescue the mutant phenotype, pointing to the epidermis as a key cell type required for ethylene-mediated growth inhibition

Retrospective evaluation of anaemia and transfusion rate in lower abdominal oncological surgery

Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, România, Iași, Regional Institute of Oncology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Department, România, Iași, The 5th International Congress of the Society of Anesthesiology and Reanimatology of the Republic of Moldova, 16th Edition of the International Course of Guidelines and Protocols in Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, 28th Meeting of the European Society for Computing and Technology in Anesthesia and Intensive Care, September 27-29, 2018, Chisinau, the Republic of MoldovaBackground: Anemia is currently considered a contraindication to elective surgery, requiring diagnostic investigations and preoperative iron administration. In the oncological patient, severe anemia can increase tumor aggression and blood transfusion can induce immunosuppression, favouring cancer recurrence and metastatic rate. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of anemia and the perioperative transfusion rate in major abdominal-pelvic oncology surgery. Material and methods: Data of all consecutive surgical patients admitted to the ICU during 01-07.2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with major lower digestive, gynecological and urological surgery were selected. Investigated parameters were - demographic data, hemoglobin (preoperative Hb1, postoperative Hb2, at dischargeHb3), anemia prevalence and perioperative transfusion rate. Statistical analysis used t-student, chi-square and ANOVA from SPSS 17. Results: Of a total 1284 patients, n = 546 patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery were enrolled in the study, mean age 60.9 (+/- 12.6) years. The mean hemoglobin Hb1/Hb2/Hb3 values were 12.4/10.6/10.5g/dL. The prevalence of anemia was 38.5% (n = 210) preoperatively, 85.9% (n = 469) postoperatively and 86.9% (n = 474) at discharge. The transfusion rate was 16.6% (n = 91), transfusion index = 2. Comparative analysis showed a higher prevalence of preoperative anemia (50.5vs21.8%, p <0.001) and transfusion rate (21.8vs 1.6%, p <0.01) in lower abdominal versus uro- gynecologic surgery. Conclusions: The analysis of surgical oncology patients with lower abdominal interventions identified an increased prevalence of anemia in all perioperative stages. Acknowledgments – The database used in this study was created by the Patient Blood Management Romanian Group for the internal audit on the prevalence of anemia and transfusion

Mixture support for essential elements and its effect on Zn and Cd sorption

Zinc and Cadmium are elements similar in chemical properties but different in mobility and availability, used as stress factors and contaminants. The aim of the study was to establish the sorption capacity of Zn (II) and Cd (II) on a nutrient mixture, the conditions under which the process is maximal and the changes that undergo in the chemical composition of the mixture. The mixture consists in eutrophic peat and compost (60:40%), which contains in addition to organic matter, macronutrients (N, P, K) and certain content of inorganic contaminants (Ni, Pb, Co, Cd, Zn). The parameters that influence the sorption process on nutrient mixture were: initial solution pH (1.0-9.0), contact time (0-1200 min), Zn and Cd concentrations (50-250 mg/l) and organic matter content (52%). The results show that certain characteristics such as phosphorus and potassium content did not change significantly, while the organic matter content decreased to 45%. The humic acids from the organic matter composition caused a significant immobilization of Zn (II) and only a slight immobilization of Cd (II). The values of Cd and Zn from nutritive solution are higher (42.24 mg/kg Zn and 11.69 mg/kg C) than accessible fraction (19.26 mg/kg Zn and 1.4675 mg/kg Cd). The heavy metals content decreases with the increase of pH (5.0 mg/kg Cd, 3.0 mg/kg Zn). The content of accessible fraction reveal reduced values of Cd and Zn that does not represent a threat for human health. These organic materials improve soil fertility, can change the availability of heavy metals and increase crop production

INPP4B protects from metabolic syndrome and associated disorders

A high fat diet and obesity have been linked to the development of metabolic dysfunction and the promotion of multiple cancers. The causative cellular signals are multifactorial and not yet completely understood. In this report, we show that Inositol Polyphosphate-4-Phosphatase Type II B (INPP4B) signaling protects mice from diet-induced metabolic dysfunction. INPP4B suppresses AKT and PKC signaling in the liver thereby improving insulin sensitivity. INPP4B loss results in the proteolytic cleavage and activation of a key regulator in de novo lipogenesis and lipid storage, SREBP1. In mice fed with the high fat diet, SREBP1 increases expression and activity of PPARG and other lipogenic pathways, leading to obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Inpp4b−/− male mice have reduced energy expenditure and respiratory exchange ratio leading to increased adiposity and insulin resistance. When treated with high fat diet, Inpp4b−/− males develop type II diabetes and inflammation of adipose tissue and prostate. In turn, inflammation drives the development of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Thus, INPP4B plays a crucial role in maintenance of overall metabolic health and protects from prostate neoplasms associated with metabolic dysfunction

TRANSFER OF HEAVY METALS IN SOIL IN-PLUM CULTIVATION: A FIELD STUDY IN ADAMACHI IASI, ROMANIA

Currently, global environmental concerns about heavy metal pollution are driven by rapid urbanization and industrial development. Therefore, a field study was conducted to assess the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Co, Zn, Ni and Cu) in orchard soils and its transfer to two plum varieties (Stanley and Anna Späth) at Adamachi Farm – Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS). In addition, heavy metal transfer (MTF), daily metals intake (DIM) and the index of health risk (HRI) were evaluated. The concentration of Pb, Co, Zn, Ni and Cu in soil and plum leaves samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion with a mixture of HNO3 (65%), HCl (37%) and HClO4 (60%). Metal concentration patterns occurred as follows 130.65>76.6>30.36> 21.69>13.26 mg/kg for Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Co in soil samples and 20.16>10.00> 2.10>1.68 mg/kg for Zn, Cu, Ni and Pb in plum leaves, while Co residue was not detected. The maximum heavy metal concentrations were found at the soil surface (0 – 30 cm depth) due to soil organo-mineral content and antifungal treatments. The health risk index predicted (HRI) for adults as well as children was in the sequence Pb > Cu > Ni > Zn, suggesting no health risk with values that did not exceed the safe limit (1). Therefore, it is essential to manage the causes and sources of heavy metal transfer prudently and effectively in order to prevent environmental contamination

Transfer of heavy metals in soil in-plum cultivation: a field study in Adamachi Iasi, Romania

Currently, global environmental concerns about heavy metal pollution are driven by rapid urbanization and industrial development. Therefore, a field study was conducted to assess the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Co, Zn, Ni and Cu) in orchard soils and its transfer to two plum varieties (Stanley and Anna Späth) at Adamachi Farm – Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS). In addition, heavy metal transfer (MTF), daily metals intake (DIM) and the index of health risk (HRI) were evaluated. The concentration of Pb, Co, Zn, Ni and Cu in soil and plum leaves samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion with a mixture of HNO3 (65%), HCl (37%) and HClO4 (60%). Metal concentration patterns occurred as follows 130.65>76.6>30.36> 21.69>13.26 mg/kg for Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Co in soil samples and 20.16>10.00> 2.10>1.68 mg/kg for Zn, Cu, Ni and Pb in plum leaves, while Co residue was not detected. The maximum heavy metal concentrations were found at the soil surface (0 – 30 cm depth) due to soil organo-mineral content and antifungal treatments. The health risk index predicted (HRI) for adults as well as children was in the sequence Pb > Cu > Ni > Zn, suggesting no health risk with values that did not exceed the safe limit (1). Therefore, it is essential to manage the causes and sources of heavy metal transfer prudently and effectively in order to prevent environmental contamination

Amplified Cold Transduction in Native Nociceptors by M-Channel Inhibition

Topically applied camphor elicits a sensation of cool, but nothing is known about how it affects cold temperature sensing. We found that camphor sensitizes a subpopulation of menthol-sensitive native cutaneous nociceptors in the mouse to cold, but desensitizes and partially blocks heterologously expressed TRPM8(transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8). In contrast, camphor reduces potassium outward currents in cultured sensory neurons and, in cold nociceptors, the cold-sensitizing effects of camphor and menthol are additive. Using a membrane potential dye-based screening assay and heterologously expressed potassium channels, we found that the effects of camphor are mediated by inhibition of K(v)7.2/3 channels subtypes that generate the M-current in neurons. In line with this finding, the specific M-current blocker XE991 reproduced the cold-sensitizing effect of camphor in nociceptors. However, the M-channel blocking effects of XE991 and camphor are not sufficient to initiate cold transduction but require a cold-activated inward current generated by TRPM8. The cold-sensitizing effects of XE991 and camphor are largest in high-threshold cold nociceptors. Low-threshold corneal cold thermoreceptors that express high levels of TRPM8 and lack potassium channels are not affected by camphor. We also found that menthol-like camphor-potently inhibits K(v)7.2/3 channels. The apparent functional synergism arising from TRPM8 activation and M-current block can improve the effectiveness of topical coolants and cooling lotions, and may also enhance TRPM8-mediated analgesia

Health-related quality-of-life results from the randomised phase II TAVAREC trial on temozolomide with or without bevacizumab in 1p/19q intact first-recurrence World Health Organization grade 2 and 3 glioma (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer 26091)

Background: In an international randomised controlled phase II study of temozolomide (TMZ) versus TMZ in combination with bevacizumab (BEV) in locally diagnosed non-1p/19q co-deleted World Health Organization grade 2 or 3 gliomas with a first and contrast-enhancing recurrence after initial radiotherapy, and overall survival at 12 months was not significantly different (61% in the TMZ arm and 55% in the TMZ + BEV arm). Objectives: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was a key secondary end-point in this trial, and the main objective of this study was to determine the impact of the addition of BEV to TMZ on HRQoL. Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 (version 3) and QLQ-BN20 at baseline, and then every 12 weeks until disease progression. The pre-selected primary HRQoL end-point was the QLQ-C30 global health scale, with self-perceived cognitive functioning and pain selected as secondary HRQoL issues. Analysis was undertaken using linear mixed modelling and complemented with sensitivity analyses using summary statistics. A difference was considered clinically relevant with ≥10 points difference on a 100-point scale. Results: Baseline compliance was high at 94% and remained above 60% until 72 weeks, limiting the analysis to 60 weeks. Compliance was similar in both arms. We found no statistically significant or clinically significant differences between the primary HRQoL end-point in both treatment arms (p = 0.2642). The sensitivity analyses confirmed this finding. The overall test for post-baseline differences between the two treatment arms also showed no statistically or clinically significant differences regarding the selected secondary end-point scales. Interpretation: The addition of BEV to TMZ in this patient group neither improves nor negatively impacts HRQoL.</p