33 research outputs found
Visualization of grapevine root colonization by the Saharan soil isolate Saccharothrix algeriensis NRRL B-24137 using DOPE-FISH microscopy
Background and aim There is currently a gap of
knowledge regarding whether some beneficial bacteria
isolated from desert soils can colonize epi- and
endophytically plants of temperate regions. In this
study, the early steps of the colonization process of
one of these bacteria, Saccharothrix algeriensis NRRL
B-24137, was studied on grapevine roots to determine
if this beneficial strain can colonize a non-natural host
plant. An improved method of fluorescence in situ
hybridization (FISH), the double labeling of oligonucleotide
probes (DOPE)-FISH technique was used to
visualize the colonization behavior of such bacteria as well as to determine if the method could be used to
track microbes on and inside plants.
Methods A probe specific to Saccharothrix spp. was
firstly designed. Visualization of the colonization behavior
of S. algeriensis NRRL B-24137 on and inside
roots of grapevine plants was then carried out with
DOPE-FISH microscopy.
Results The results showed that 10 days after inoculation,
the strain could colonize the root hair zone, root
elongation zone, as well as root emergence sites by
establishing different forms of bacterial structures as
revealed by the DOPE-FISH technique. Further observations
showed that the strain could be also endophytic
inside the endorhiza of grapevine plants.
Conclusions Taking into account the natural niches of
this beneficial strain, this study exemplifies that, in
spite of its isolation from desert soil, the strain can
establish populations as well as subpopulations on and
inside grapevine plants and that the DOPE-FISH tool
can allow to detect it
Regional and experiential differences in surgeon preference for the treatment of cervical facet injuries: a case study survey with the AO Spine Cervical Classification Validation Group
Purpose: The management of cervical facet dislocation injuries remains controversial. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify whether a surgeon’s geographic location or years in practice influences their preferred management of traumatic cervical facet dislocation injuries. Methods: A survey was sent to 272 AO Spine members across all geographic regions and with a variety of practice experience. The survey included clinical case scenarios of cervical facet dislocation injuries and asked responders to select preferences among various diagnostic and management options. Results: A total of 189 complete responses were received. Over 50% of responding surgeons in each region elected to initiate management of cervical facet dislocation injuries with an MRI, with 6 case exceptions. Overall, there was considerable agreement between American and European responders regarding management of these injuries, with only 3 cases exhibiting a significant difference. Additionally, results also exhibited considerable management agreement between those with ≤ 10 and > 10 years of practice experience, with only 2 case exceptions noted. Conclusion: More than half of responders, regardless of geographical location or practice experience, identified MRI as a screening imaging modality when managing cervical facet dislocation injuries, regardless of the status of the spinal cord and prior to any additional intervention. Additionally, a majority of surgeons would elect an anterior approach for the surgical management of these injuries. The study found overall agreement in management preferences of cervical facet dislocation injuries around the globe
Effect of surgical experience and spine subspecialty on the reliability of the {AO} Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this paper was to determine the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System based on surgeon experience (< 5 years, 5–10 years, 10–20 years, and > 20 years) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine surgery, neurosurgery, and "other" surgery).
METHODS
A total of 11,601 assessments of upper cervical spine injuries were evaluated based on the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System. Reliability and reproducibility scores were obtained twice, with a 3-week time interval. Descriptive statistics were utilized to examine the percentage of accurately classified injuries, and Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to screen for potentially relevant differences between study participants. Kappa coefficients (κ) determined the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility.
RESULTS
The intraobserver reproducibility was substantial for surgeon experience level (< 5 years: 0.74 vs 5–10 years: 0.69 vs 10–20 years: 0.69 vs > 20 years: 0.70) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine: 0.71 vs neurosurgery: 0.69 vs other: 0.68). Furthermore, the interobserver reliability was substantial for all surgical experience groups on assessment 1 (< 5 years: 0.67 vs 5–10 years: 0.62 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs > 20 years: 0.62), and only surgeons with > 20 years of experience did not have substantial reliability on assessment 2 (< 5 years: 0.62 vs 5–10 years: 0.61 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs > 20 years: 0.59). Orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons had substantial intraobserver reproducibility on both assessment 1 (0.64 vs 0.63) and assessment 2 (0.62 vs 0.63), while other surgeons had moderate reliability on assessment 1 (0.43) and fair reliability on assessment 2 (0.36).
CONCLUSIONS
The international reliability and reproducibility scores for the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System demonstrated substantial intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver reliability regardless of surgical experience and spine subspecialty. These results support the global application of this classification system
Selection of Streptomyces against soil borne fungal pathogens by a standardized dual culture assay and evaluation of their effects on seed germination and plant growth
Inactivation of PP2A by a recurrent mutation drives resistance to MEK inhibitors
The serine/threonine Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) functions as a tumor suppressor by negatively regulating multiple oncogenic signaling pathways. The canonical PP2A holoenzyme comprises a scaffolding subunit (PP2A Aα/β), which serves as the platform for binding of both the catalytic C subunit and one regulatory B subunit. Somatic heterozygous missense mutations in PPP2R1A, the gene encoding the PP2A Aα scaffolding subunit, have been identified across multiple cancer types, but the effects of the most commonly mutated residue, Arg-183, on PP2A function have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we used a series of cellular and in vivo models and discovered that the most frequent Aα R183W mutation formed alternative holoenzymes by binding of different PP2A regulatory subunits compared with wild-type Aα, suggesting a rededication of PP2A functions. Unlike wild-type Aα, which suppressed tumorigenesis, the R183W mutant failed to suppress tumor growth in vivo through activation of the MAPK pathway in RAS-mutant transformed cells. Furthermore, cells expressing R183W were less sensitive to MEK inhibitors. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the R183W mutation in PP2A Aα scaffold abrogates the tumor suppressive actions of PP2A, thereby potentiating oncogenic signaling and reducing drug sensitivity of RAS-mutant cells
C7 decancellisation closing wedge osteotomy for the correction of fixed cervico-thoracic kyphosis
Our objective is to report on the clinical and radiological outcome following a decancellisation closing wedge osteotomy for the correction of fixed cervico-thoracic kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The only treatment available for severe fixed flexion deformity of the cervical spine in these patients is an extension osteotomy. Traditionally an anterior opening, posterior closing wedge osteotomy is performed with or without internal fixation. We describe a decancellisation closing wedge osteotomy of C7 accompanied by secure segmental internal fixation. Eight patients operated between 1990 and 2003 with mean age of 54 years and minimum follow up of 2 years were retrospectively evaluated. Restoration of normal forward gaze was achieved in all patients. No patient suffered spinal cord injury or permanent nerve root palsy. There was no loss of correction or pseudarthrosis at final follow up. C7 decancellisation closing wedge osteotomy supplemented with secure segmental internal fixation in experienced hands provides a safe and effective treatment for fixed cervico-thoracic kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Devi Prakash Tokala, Khai S. Lam, Brian J. C. Freeman and John K. Web