A key role for apoplastic H2O2 in Norway spruce phenolic metabolism

Apoplastic events such as monolignol oxidation and lignin polymerization are difficult to study in intact trees. To investigate the role of apoplastic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in gymnosperm phenolic metabolism, an extracellular lignin-forming cell culture of Norway spruce (Picea abies) was used as a research model. Scavenging of apoplastic H2O2 by potassium iodide repressed lignin formation, in line with peroxidases activating monolignols for lignin polymerization. Time-course analyses coupled to candidate substrate-product pair network propagation revealed differential accumulation of low-molecular-weight phenolics, including (glycosylated) oligolignols, (glycosylated) flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins, in lignin-forming and H2O2-scavenging cultures and supported that monolignols are oxidatively coupled not only in the cell wall but also in the cytoplasm, where they are coupled to other monolignols and proanthocyanidins. Dilignol glycoconjugates with reduced structures were found in the culture medium, suggesting that cells are able to transport glycosylated dilignols to the apoplast. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that scavenging of apoplastic H2O2 resulted in remodulation of the transcriptome, with reduced carbon flux into the shikimate pathway propagating down to monolignol biosynthesis. Aggregated coexpression network analysis identified candidate enzymes and transcription factors for monolignol oxidation and apoplastic H2O2 production in addition to potential H2O2 receptors. The results presented indicate that the redox state of the apoplast has a profound influence on cellular metabolism

A Spectroscopic Study of The Mineral Paceite (Calcium Acetate)

A comprehensive spectroscopic analysis consisting of Raman, infrared (IR) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was undertaken on two forms of calcium acetate with differing degrees of hydration. A monohydrate (Ca(CH3COO)2.H2O) and half-hydrate (Ca(CH3COO)2.0.5H2O) species were analysed. Assignments of vibrational bands due to the acetate anion have been made in all three forms of spectroscopy. Thermal analysis of the mineral was undertaken to follow its decomposition under a nitrogen atmosphere. Three major mass loss steps at ~120, 400 and 600 °C were revealed. These mass losses correspond very well to firstly, the loss of co-ordinated water molecules, and then the loss of water from the acetate anion, followed by finally the loss of carbon dioxide from the carbonate mineral to form a stable calcium oxide

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Porous Texture of CuO Prepared from Copper Oxalate Precursor

The porous texture of CuO obtained from CuC 2 O 4 • 0.5H 2 O as a precursor, as well as the interconnection between the texture of the initial oxalate and that of the copper oxide obtained, has been studied by physisorption, XRD, XPS and SEM methods. The dimensions of the particle aggregates and the crystalline particles were altered as a consequence of the thermal decomposition of CuC 2 O 4 • 0.5H 2 O to CuO, and this led to an increase of ca. 1.5-times in the specific surface of the CuO obtained relative to that of the initial substance. The comparatively non-uniform sizes of the intra-aggregate mesopores in CuC 2 O 4 • 0.5H 2 O were transformed into considerably smaller intra-aggregate mesopores in CuO. A finite increase in the volume of the intra-crystallite pores in CuO was also observed, although this did not change the average size of the intra-crystallite pores in the oxide obtained nor the character of the pore-size distribution with respect to the starting material. In addition, as a result of the thermal decomposition of CuC 2 O 4 • 0.5H 2 O, the mesoporosity of the prepared oxide also developed. However, the CuO component retained the textural type characteristic of the initial CuC 2 O 4 • 0.5H 2 O

Clinical and genetic studies of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD) is an autosomal dominant cancer syndrome characterised by benign skin tumours, renal tumours, and spontaneous pneumothorax. The gene has been mapped to chromosome 17p11.2 and recently identified, expressing a novel protein called folliculin. We report the clinical and genetic studies of four sporadic BHD cases and four families with a total of 23 affected subjects. Haplotype analysis of these families using BHD linked markers showed they did not share the same affected alleles, excluding common ancestry. Mutation analysis of the BHD gene identified two germline mutations on exon 11 (c.1733insC and c.1733delC) in three of four families as well as two of four sporadic cases. A novel somatic mutation, c.1732delTCinsAC, was detected in a BHD related chromophobe renal carcinoma. Our results confirmed the (C)(8) tract in exon 11 as a mutational hot spot in BHD and should always be considered for future genetic testing. Our observation also indicated that the second hit (of Knudson's two hit theory) in some BHD related tumours is in the form of somatic mutation rather than LOH. In a large French family in which eight affected subjects carry the c.1733delC mutation, a phenocopy who has multiple episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax was identified. A total of five mutation carriers (aged between 37 to 66) did not have any evidence of BHD features, suggesting either reduced penetrance or late age of onset of the disease. In addition, six out of eight affected subjects who have positive germline mutation have confirmed neoplastic colonic polyps, indicating that colorectal neoplasia is an associated feature of BHD in some families. Our studies have observed several interesting genetic features in BHD: (1) the poly (C) tract in exon 11 as a mutational hot spot; (2) the existence of phenocopy; (3) reduced penetrance or late age of onset of disease; (4) association with colorectal neoplasia in some families; and (5) somatic mutation instead of LOH as the second hit in BHD tumours