Using monoclonal antibodies to label living root hairs: a novel tool for studying cell wall microarchitecture and dynamics in <i>Arabidopsis</i>

Background&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; The Arabidopsis root hair represents a valuable cell model for elucidating polar expansion mechanisms in plant cells and the overall biology of roots. The deposition and development of the cell wall is central to the root hair expansion apparatus. During this process, incorporation of specific wall polymers into the growing wall architecture constitutes a critical spatio-temporal event that controls hair size and growth rate and one that is closely coordinated with the cell’s endomembrane, cytoskeletal and signal transduction apparatuses.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Results&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; In this study, the protocol for live cell labeling of roots with monoclonal antibodies that bind to specific wall polymers is presented. This method allows for rapid assessment of root hair cell wall composition during development and assists in describing changes to cell wall composition in transgenic mutant lines. Enzymatic “unmasking” of specific polymers prior to labeling allows for refined interpretation of cell wall chemistry. Live cell immunofluorescence data may also be correlated with transmission electron microscopy-based immunogold labeling.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Conclusions&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Live Arabidopsis root hairs may be labeled with cell wall polymer-specific antibodies. This methodology allows for direct visualization of cell wall dynamics throughout development in stable transgenic plant lines. It also provides an important new tool in the elucidation of the specific interactions occurring between membrane trafficking networks, cytoskeleton and the cell wall deposition/remodeling mechanism

Arabinogalactan Proteins and the Extracellular Matrix of Charophytes: A Sticky Business

Charophytes represent the group of green algae whose ancestors invaded land and ultimately gave rise to land plants 450 million years ago. While Zygnematophyceae are believed to be the direct sister lineage to embryophytes, different members of this group (Penium, Spirogyra, Zygnema) and the advanced thallus forming Coleochaete as well as the sarcinoid basal streptophyte Chlorokybus were investigated concerning their vegetative extracellular matrix (ECM) properties. Many taxa exhibit adhesion phenomena that are critical for affixing to a substrate or keeping cells together in a thallus, however, there is a great variety in possible reactions to e.g., wounding. In this study an analysis of adhesion mechanisms revealed that arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are most likely key adhesion molecules. Through use of monoclonal antibodies (JIM13) or the Yariv reagent, AGPs were located in cell surface sheaths and cell walls that were parts of the adhesion focal zones on substrates including wound induced rhizoid formation. JIM5, detecting highly methyl-esterfied homoglacturonan and JIM8, an antibody detecting AGP glycan and LM6 detecting arabinans were also tested and a colocalization was found in several examples (e.g., Zygnema) suggesting an interplay between these components. AGPs have been described in this study to perform both, cell to cell adhesion in algae forming thalli and cell to surface adhesion in the filamentous forms. These findings enable a broader evolutionary understanding of the function of AGPs in charophyte green algae

Alterations in the microstructure of white matter in children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome measured using tract-based spatial statistics and probabilistic tractography

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by repetitive and intermittent motor and vocal tics. TS is thought to reflect fronto-striatal dysfunction and the aetiology of the disorder has been linked to widespread alterations in the functional and structural integrity of the brain. The aim of this study was to assess white matter (WM) abnormalities in a large sample of young patients with TS in comparison to a sample of matched typically developing control individuals (CS) using diffusion MRI. The study included 35 patients with TS (3 females; mean age: 14.0 ± 3.3) and 35 CS (3 females; mean age: 13.9 ± 3.3). Diffusion MRI data was analysed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and probabilistic tractography. Patients with TS demonstrated both marked and widespread decreases in axial diffusivity (AD) together with altered WM connectivity. Moreover, we showed that tic severity and the frequency of premonitory urges (PU) were associated with increased connectivity between primary motor cortex (M1) and the caudate nuclei, and increased information transfer between M1 and the insula, respectively. This is to our knowledge the first study to employ both TBSS and probabilistic tractography in a sample of young patients with TS. Our results contribute to the limited existing literature demonstrating altered connectivity in TS and confirm previous results suggesting in particular, that altered insular function contributes to increased frequency of PU

MRSA in Conventional and Alternative Retail Pork Products

In order to examine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus on retail pork, three hundred ninety-five pork samples were collected from a total of 36 stores in Iowa, Minnesota, and New Jersey. S. aureus was isolated from 256 samples (64.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 59.9%–69.5%). S. aureus was isolated from 67.3% (202/300) of conventional pork samples and from 56.8% (54/95) of alternative pork samples (labeled “raised without antibiotics” or “raised without antibiotic growth promotants”). Two hundred and thirty samples (58.2%, 95% CI 53.2%–63.1%) were found to carry methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). MSSA was isolated from 61.0% (183/300) of conventional samples and from 49.5% (47/95) of alternative samples. Twenty-six pork samples (6.6%, 95% CI 4.3%–9.5%) carried methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). No statistically significant differences were observed for the prevalence of S. aureus in general, or MSSA or MRSA specifically, when comparing pork products from conventionally raised swine and swine raised without antibiotics, a finding that contrasts with a prior study from the Netherlands examining both conventional and “biologic” meat products. In our study spa types associated with “livestock-associated” ST398 (t034, t011) were found in 26.9% of the MRSA isolates, while 46.2% were spa types t002 and t008—common human types of MRSA that also have been found in live swine. The study represents the largest sampling of raw meat products for MRSA contamination to date in the U.S. MRSA prevalence on pork products was higher than in previous U.S.-conducted studies, although similar to that in Canadian studies

Вплив 8-тижневих вправ з обтяженнями на деякі антропометричні вимірювання та композицію тіла для сидячих жінок

Цель: Целью данного исследования является определение влияния программы упражнений с отягощением, применяемой в течение восьми недель, на некоторые антропометрические измерения и состав тела у сидячих женщин. Материал: в исследование было включено 15 женщин-добровольцев со средним возрастом 20,67 ± 1,29 года. После того, как у участниц спросили, есть ли проблемы со здоровьем перед программой упражнений, была дана подробная информация и упражнения были выполнены правильно и эффективно. Участницам давали 45-минутные упражнения с отягощениями в течение 3 дней в неделю. Чтобы сравнить полученные данные был применен критерий Уилкоксона с использованием программы SPSS 22.0. До и после программы упражнений были измерены вес тела, окружность бедер, окружность голени, окружность груди, окружность талии, окружность плеча и ИМТ. Результаты. Согласно результатам исследования было установлено, что между антропометрическими измерениями и значениями состава тела участвующих женщин до и после программы упражнений была значительная разница (p&gt; 0.05). Выводы. В заключение следует отметить, что влияние регулярно выполняемых упражнений, особенно аэробных упражнений и упражнений с отягощениями для женщин, отражено в литературе и научных очерках. Ухудшение состава тела женщины наблюдается в зависимости от возраста и избыточного веса.Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of resistance exercise program applied to eight weeks on some anthropometric measurements and body composition in sedentary women. Material: Fifteen volunteer women with a mean age of 20.67 ± 1.29 years were included in the study. After asking the participants whether there are any health problems before the exercise program, detailed information was given and the exercises were implemented correctly and efficiently. Participants were given a 45-minute resistance exercise for 3 days a week. In order to compare the data obtained (Wilcoxon Test) was applied to compare descriptive statistics with pre- and post-exercise values via using SPSS 22.0. Before and after the exercise program (Weight, Hip circumference, calf circumference, chest circumference, waist circumference, shoulder circumference and BMI) were measured Results: According to the findings of the study, it was determined that there was a significant difference between the anthropometric measurement and body composition values of the exercise program applied before and after the exercise program of the participating women (p&gt; 0.05) Conclusions: In conclusion, the effects of regularly performed exercises, especially aerobic and resistance exercises done for women, on persons are seen in the literature and research essays. Deterioration in the body composition of women is seen depending on age and excessive weight.Мета: Метою даного дослідження є визначення впливу програми вправ з обтяженням, що застосовується протягом восьми тижнів, на деякі антропометричні вимірювання та склад тіла у сидячих жінок. Матеріал: в дослідження було включено 15 жінок-добровольців із середнім віком 20,67 ± 1,29 року. Після того, як у учасниць запитали, чи є проблеми зі здоров'ям перед програмою вправ, була дана докладна інформація і вправи були виконані правильно і ефективно. Учасницям давали 45-хвилинні вправи з обтяженнями протягом 3 днів в тиждень. Щоб порівняти отримані дані було застосовано критерій Уилкоксона з використанням програми SPSS 22.0. До і після програми вправ були виміряні вага тіла, окружність стегон, окружність гомілки, окружність грудей, окружність талії, окружність плеча і ІМТ. Результати. Згідно з результатами дослідження було встановлено, що між антропометричними вимірами і значеннями складу тіла жінок до і після програми вправ була значна різниця (p&gt; 0.05). Висновки. На закінчення слід зазначити, що вплив регулярно виконуваних вправ, особливо аеробних вправ і вправ з обтяженнями для жінок, відображено в літературі і наукових нарисах. Погіршення складу тіла жінки спостерігається в залежності від віку і надмірної ваги