The abundance of endofungal bacterium Rhizobium radiobacter (syn. Agrobacterium tumefaciens) increases in its fungal host Piriformospora indica during the tripartite sebacinalean symbiosis with higher plants

Rhizobium radiobacter (syn. Agrobacterium tumefaciens, syn. "Agrobacterium fabrum") is an endofungal bacterium of the fungal mutualist Piriformospora (syn. Serendipita) indica (Basidiomycota), which together form a tripartite Sebacinalean symbiosis with a broad range of plants. R. radiobacter strain F4 (RrF4), isolated from P. indica DSM 11827, induces growth promotion and systemic resistance in cereal crops, including barley and wheat, suggesting that R. radiobacter contributes to a successful symbiosis. Here, we studied the impact of endobacteria on the morphology and the beneficial activity of P. indica during interactions with plants. Low numbers of endobacteria were detected in the axenically grown P. indica (long term lab-cultured, lcPiri) whereas mycelia colonizing the plant root contained increased numbers of bacteria. Higher numbers of endobacteria were also found in axenic cultures of P. indica that was freshly re-isolated (riPiri) from plant roots, though numbers dropped during repeated axenic re-cultivation. Prolonged treatments of P. indica cultures with various antibiotics could not completely eliminate the bacterium, though the number of detectable endobacteria decreased significantly, resulting in partial-cured P. indica (pcPiri). pcPiri showed reduced growth in axenic cultures and poor sporulation. Consistent with this, pcPiri also showed reduced plant growth promotion and reduced systemic resistance against powdery mildew infection as compared with riPiri and lcPiri. These results are consistent with the assumption that the endobacterium R. radiobacter improves P. indica's fitness and thus contributes to the success of the tripartite Sebacinalean symbiosis

Vascular perfusion and hypoxic areas in RIF-1 tumours after photodynamic therapy.

The influence of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on vascular perfusion and the development of hypoxia was investigated in the murine RIF-1 tumour. Image analysis was used to quantify changes in perfusion and hypoxia at 5 min after interstitial Photofrin-mediated PDT. The fluorescent stain Hoechst 33342 was used as an in vivo marker of functional vascular perfusion and the antibody anti-collagen type IV as a marker of the tumour vasculature. The percentage of total tumour vasculature that was perfused decreased to less than 30% of control values after PDT. For the lower light doses this decrease was more pronounced in the centre of the tumour. The observed reduction in vascular perfusion showed a good linear correlation (r = 0.98) with previously published tumour perfusion data obtained with the 86Rb extraction technique. The image analysis technique provides extra information concerning the localisation of (non)-perfused vessels. To detect hypoxic tumour areas in vivo, an immunohistochemical method was used employing NITP [7-(4'-(2-nitroimidazol-1-yl)-butyl)-theophylline]. A large increase in hypoxic areas was found for PDT-treated tumours. More than half the total tumour area was hypoxic after PDT, compared with < 4% for control tumours. Our studies illustrate the potential of image analysis systems for monitoring the functional consequences of PDT-mediated vascular damage early after treatment. This provides direct confirmation that the perfusion changes lead to tissue hypoxia, which has implications for the combined treatment of PDT with bioreductive drugs

Исследование микроструктуры безобжиговых периклазоуглеродистых огнеупоров при использовании в качестве заполнителя различного вида периклаза

У статті представлено результати досліджень мікроструктури периклазовуглецевих зразків, у яких в якості наповнювача використовували різні види периклазу. Петрографічні дослідження показали, що зразки щільні та міцні, як на плавленому, так і на спеченому периклазі.In clause the results of researches of microstructure magnesia-carbon refractors are submitted, at which in quality filler used different kind magnesia. Microstructures of samples strong and dense, both on melted, and on sintered periclase have shown, that

Vascular architecture and hypoxic profiles in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Tumour oxygenation and vasculature are determinants for radiation treatment outcome and prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. In this study we visualized and quantified these factors which may provide a predictive tool for new treatments. Twenty-one patients with stage III–IV squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were intravenously injected with pimonidazole, a bioreductive hypoxic marker. Tumour biopsies were taken 2 h later. Frozen tissue sections were stained for vessels and hypoxia by fluorescent immunohistochemistry. Twenty-two sections of biopsies of different head and neck sites were scanned and analysed with a computerized image analysis system. The hypoxic fractions varied from 0.02 to 0.29 and were independent from T- and N-classification, localization and differentiation grade. No significant correlation between hypoxic fraction and vascular density was observed. As a first attempt to categorize tumours based on their hypoxic profile, three different hypoxia patterns are described. The first category comprised tumours with large hypoxic, but viable, areas at distances even greater than 200 μm from the vessels. The second category showed a typical band-like distribution of hypoxia at an intermediate distance (50–200 μm) from the vessels with necrosis at greater distances. The third category demonstrated hypoxia already within 50 μm from the vessels, suggestive for acute hypoxia. This method of multiparameter analysis proved to be clinically feasible. The information on architectural patterns and the differences that exist between tumours can improve our understanding of the tumour micro-environment and may in the future be of assistance with the selection of (oxygenation modifying) treatment strategies. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Ethylene supports colonization of plant roots by the mutualistic fungus Piriformospora indica

The mutualistic basidiomycete Piriformospora indica colonizes roots of mono- and dicotyledonous plants, and thereby improves plant health and yield. Given the capability of P. indica to colonize a broad range of hosts, it must be anticipated that the fungus has evolved efficient strategies to overcome plant immunity and to establish a proper environment for nutrient acquisition and reproduction. Global gene expression studies in barley identified various ethylene synthesis and signaling components that were differentially regulated in P. indica-colonized roots. Based on these findings we examined the impact of ethylene in the symbiotic association. The data presented here suggest that P. indica induces ethylene synthesis in barley and Arabidopsis roots during colonization. Moreover, impaired ethylene signaling resulted in reduced root colonization, Arabidopsis mutants exhibiting constitutive ethylene signaling, -synthesis or ethylene-related defense were hyper-susceptible to P. indica. Our data suggest that ethylene signaling is required for symbiotic root colonization by P. indica

Ergebnisbericht der GeMSeHeCo-Studie: Gesundheitskompetenz und Barrieren während der Corona-Pandemie aus Sicht der Selbsthilfe

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung: Die Forschung zur Gesundheitskompetenz bei Menschen mit chronischer Erkrankung oder Behinderung gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. Personen dieser vulnerablen Bevölkerungsgruppe gehören häufig einer Selbsthilfegruppe an. Die derzeitige Corona-Pandemie stellt große Herausforderungen an Menschen mit chronischer Erkrankung oder Behinderung insbesondere im Umgang mit gesundheitsbezogenen Informationen und im Zugang zum Gesundheitswesen. Ziel der GeMSeHeCo-Studie ist daher, Erfahrungen im Umgang mit analogen und digitalen Gesundheitsinformationen und das Informationssuchverhalten von Mitgliedern der Selbsthilfe zu erfassen. Auch stehen wahrgenommene Barrieren im Gesundheitswesen vor und während der Corona-Pandemie sowie die Rolle und Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten der Selbsthilfe bei der Suche nach Gesundheitsinformationen und Förderung der (digitalen) Gesundheitskompetenz der Mitglieder im Fokus. Methodik: Im Rahmen einer qualitativen Primärerhebung wurden bundesweit zwischen Juli bis Oktober 2020 telefonisch leitfadengestützte Interviews mit n=12 Mitgliedern von Selbsthilfegruppen für Menschen mit chronischer Erkrankung oder Behinderung sowie n=19 Vertreter*innen von Selbsthilfeorganisationen für Menschen mit chronischer Erkrankung oder Behinderung geführt. Die Interviews wurden basierend auf der qualitativen strukturierenden Inhaltsanalyse nach Kuckartz mittels der Software MAXQDA ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse der Studie weisen auf heterogene Erfahrungen der Vertreter*innen der Selbsthilfe bezüglich der Gesundheitskompetenz ihrer Mitglieder hin. Langjährige Mitglieder weisen gute Kompetenzen im Umgang mit analogen und digitalen Gesundheitsinformationen auf. Wohingegen neue Mitglieder aus Sicht der Vertreter*innen der Selbsthilfe häufiger vor Herausforderungen beim Finden, Verstehen, Beurteilen und Anwenden von Informationen bezüglich der Corona-Pandemie stehen. Als Informationsquelle für Gesundheitsinformationen werden die Verwendung unterschiedlicher allgemeiner (bspw. Austausch mit Expert*innen unterschiedlicher Fach(arzt)disziplinen bei bspw. Kongressen, Vorträgen) und digitaler Quellen (bspw. Seminare im Onlineformat, Webseiten offizieller Stellen wie bspw. des Robert Koch-Instituts) angegeben. Die Suche nach gesundheitsbezogenen Informationen vor und nach dem Arztbesuch kann aus Sicht der Vertreter*innen der Selbsthilfe Auswirkungen auf den Besuch beim Arzt/bei der Ärztin haben. Als positive Auswirkung wird u. a. die Kommunikation auf Augenhöhe zwischen dem ärztlichen Personal und den Patienten*innen berichtet. Als negative Auswirkung wird die häufig fehlende Wertschätzung und Anerkennung der Informationssuche durch die Selbsthilfemitglieder von dem ärztlichen Personal genannt. Die Ergebnisse weisen auf strukturelle und finanzielle Barrieren im Gesundheitswesen sowie Zugangs- und Umweltbarrieren in der Gesundheitsversorgung vor und während der Corona-Pandemie hin. Die gegenseitige Unterstützung innerhalb der Selbsthilfegruppe und das Angebot von Hilfestellungen wurde als bedeutende Rolle der Selbsthilfe bei der Suche nach Gesundheitsinformationen genannt. Während der Corona-Pandemie wurden von den Vertreter*innen der Selbsthilfe Beratungen über Telefon oder Video sowie die digitale Bereitstellung und Diskussion von Gesundheitsinformationen als Alternative zu physischen Treffen und analogen Gesundheitsinformationen angeboten. Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse der GeMSeHeCo-Studie heben die Relevanz der Selbsthilfe bei der Förderung der Gesundheitskompetenz ihrer Mitglieder hervor. Während der Corona-Pandemie gilt es besonders auf die individuellen Bedürfnisse, Probleme und Wünsche der Mitglieder einzugehen. Um Menschen mit Beeinträchtigung auch in der Pandemie ausreichend Hilfestellungen im Umgang mit Gesundheitsinformationen anbieten und die Teilhabe an Gesundheit ermöglichen zu können, sind vermehrt digitale Angebote erforderlich. Für Personen innerhalb der Selbsthilfe, die aufgrund ihres Alters, ihrer technischen Ausstattung oder Sprachbarrieren (digitale) Gesundheitsinformationen nur eingeschränkt verstehen und durch webbasierte Angebote nicht erreicht werden können, bedarf es der Unterstützung durch die Selbsthilfe bspw. durch telefonische Kontaktaufnahme und die Übersetzung der erforderlichen Gesundheitsinformationen in bspw. Leichte oder andere Landessprachen

Characterisation of tumour vasculature in mouse brain by USPIO contrast-enhanced MRI

To enhance the success rate of antiangiogenic therapies in the clinic, it is crucial to identify parameters for tumour angiogenesis that can predict response to these therapies. In brain tumours, one such parameter is vascular leakage, which is a response to tumour-derived vascular endothelial growth factor-A and can be measured by Gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, as vascular permeability and angiogenesis are not strictly coupled, tumour blood volume may be another potentially important parameter. In this study, contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed in three orthotopic mouse models for human brain tumours (angiogenic melanoma metastases and E34 and U87 human glioma xenografts) using both Gd-DTPA to detect vascular leakage and ultrasmall iron oxide particles (USPIO) to measure blood volume. Pixel-by-pixel maps of the enhancement in the transverse relaxation rates (ΔR2 and ΔR2*) after injection of USPIO provided an index proportional to the blood volume of the microvasculature and macrovasculature, respectively, for each tumour. The melanoma metastases were characterised by a blood volume and vessel leakage higher than both glioma xenografts. The U87 glioblastoma xenografts displayed higher permeability and blood volume in the rim than in the core. The E34 glioma xenografts were characterised by a relatively high blood volume, accompanied by only a moderate blood–brain barrier disruption. Delineation of the tumour was best assessed on post-USPIO gradient-echo images. These findings suggest that contrast-enhanced MR imaging using USPIOs and, in particular, ΔR2 and ΔR2* quantitation, provides important additional information about tumour vasculature

Herbaceous plants in the understory of a pitch canker-affected Pinus radiata plantation are endophytically infected with Fusarium circinatum

[EN] Fusarium circinatum was recently detected as an endophyte in grasses causing no apparent damage. Our goal was to describe the endophytic colonization of herbaceous host plants growing in a plantation of Pinus radiata with symptoms of pitch canker disease, which may act as a reservoir of inoculum. We detected the fungus in five species of dicot families (Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae), in addition to two species in the Poaceae. The fungus was found in the aerial part of non-symptomatic hosts, so we describe E circinatum as an endophyte that is mainly transmitted by spores through the air. It was also detected in Hypochaeris radicata seeds, suggesting the potential occurrence of vertical transmission. An analysis of microsatellite markers showed a unique haplotype regardless of whether the isolates' origin was pine cankers or non-symptomatic herbaceous plants. Thus, the same genotype can adopt a pathogenic or endophytic lifestyle. We conclude that non -symptomatic plants can act as reservoirs of inoculum: pine seedlings can be infeded from senescent tissue of non-symptomatic hosts colonized by the fungus. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd and British Mycological Society. All rights reserved.We acknowledge Maite Morales Clemente for her excellent technical assistance and Inigo Zabalgogeazcoa for his helpful suggestions. Laura Hernandez was supported by a fellowship from INIA (FPI-INIA). Financial support for this research was provided by projects RTA2012-00015-C02-01 and RTA2013-00048-C03-01 (Programa Estatal I + D + i, INIA, Spain).Hernandez-Escribano, L.; Iturritxa, E.; Elvira-Recuenco, M.; Berbegal Martinez, M.; Campos, J.; Renobales, G.; García, I.... (2018). Herbaceous plants in the understory of a pitch canker-affected Pinus radiata plantation are endophytically infected with Fusarium circinatum. Fungal Ecology. 32:65-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funeco.2017.12.001S65713

Assessment of Blood Hemodynamics by USPIO-Induced R1 Changes in MRI of Murine Colon Carcinoma

The objective of this study is to assess whether ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-induced changes of the water proton longitudinal relaxation rate (R1) provide a means to assess blood hemodynamics of tumors. Two types of murine colon tumors (C26a and C38) were investigated prior to and following administration of USPIO blood-pool contrast agent with fast R1 measurements. In a subpopulation of mice, R1 was measured following administration of hydralazine, a well-known blood hemodynamic modifier. USPIO-induced R1 increase in C38 tumors (ΔR1 = 0.072 ± 0.0081 s−1) was significantly larger than in C26a tumors (ΔR1 = 0.032 ± 0.0018 s−1, N = 9, t test, P < 0.001). This was in agreement with the immunohistochemical data that showed higher values of relative vascular area (RVA) in C38 tumors than in C26a tumors (RVA = 0.059 ± 0.015 vs. 0.020 ± 0.011; P < 0.05). Following administration of hydralazine, a decrease in R1 value was observed. This was consistent with the vasoconstriction induced by the steal effect mechanism. In conclusion, R1 changes induced by USPIO are sensitive to tumor vascular morphology and to blood hemodynamics. Thus, R1 measurements following USPIO administration can give novel insight into the effects of blood hemodynamic modifiers, non-invasively and with a high temporal resolution