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Hardwood species are valuable biological resources that have an important role in the economy and ecology of ecosystems worldwide. Non-zygotic or somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a powerful tool in plant biotechnology as it is a form of clonal propagation, amenable to cryopreservation of valuable germplasm and genetic transformation including gene editing. The SE process involves five steps and includes somatic embryo induction, proliferation, maturation, plantlet conversion, and subsequent plant acclimatization. This review aims to provide a general overview of these steps in different SE systems developed for hardwood species. Factors that influence the induction stage such as the age of the donor plant, genotype and culture media are discussed. The role of different explant types, i.e. zygotic embryos and non-zygotic tissues, such as roots, flower tissues, nodes, internodes, leaves or shoot apices, in SE induction are especially emphasized. Histological studies of the origin of somatic embryos and the sequence of events leading to their development from initial explants are assessed. Maintenance of embryogenic capacity carried out by subculture of embryogenic inocula on semisolid or liquid media through cell suspension cultures or by temporary immersion systems is described. At present, the main concerns associated with the application of SE for large-scale propagation of elite hardwoods are related to the embryo maturation, germination, and plantlet conversion steps, and these are highlighted in this review. Finally, molecular aspects associated with somatic embryo induction and development are also described. Attempts to overcome the hurdles identified in the embryogenic process, and future lines of research are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dan Wang,1 Shannon L Merkle,2 Jennifer E Lee,3,4 Kathleen A Sluka,1 Barbara Rakel,4 Thomas Graven-Nielsen,5 Laura A Frey-Law1 1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; 2United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, USA; 3Department of Psychology, Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, IA, USA; 4College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; 5Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Aalborg University, Aalborg, DenmarkCorrespondence: Laura A Frey-LawDepartment of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, 1-252 Medical Education Bldg., 500 Newton Road, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USATel +1 319-335-9804Fax +1 319-335-9707Email laura-freylaw@uiowa.eduPurpose: Some individuals with chronic pain find daily life sensations (eg, noise, light, or touch) aversive. This amplification of multisensory sensations has been associated with centrally mediated plasticity; for example, greater multisensory sensitivity (MSS) occurs in patients with fibromyalgia than rheumatoid arthritis. However, whether MSS preferentially relates to pain measures which reflect central influences (eg, dynamic quantitative sensory testing (QST) or referred pain), or whether the MSS-pain relationship requires priming from chronic pain, is unknown. Thus, this cross-sectional study investigated the relationships between MSS assessed in a pain-free state and evoked pain sensitivity.Methods: Experimental intramuscular infusion pain and multiple static and dynamic QST were assessed in 465 healthy, pain-free adults: pain thresholds using pressure (PPTs) and heat (HPTs), temporal summation of pain (TSP) using pressure, heat or punctate stimuli, and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) using pressure or heat test stimuli. MSS was assessed using 7 items from Barsky’s Somatosensory Amplification Scale. Differences in pain and QST between sex-specific MSS quartiles were assessed, adjusting for multiple comparisons. All participants completed at least one intramuscular infusion condition, but not all were asked to complete each QST (n=166-465).Results: Both static and dynamic QST differed between highest and lowest MSS quartiles using pressure stimuli: lower PPTs (adjusted-p< 0.01); increased pressure TSP (adjusted-p=0.02); lower pressure CPM (adjusted-p=0.01). However, none of the heat or punctate QST measures (HPTs, TSP, or CPM) differed between MSS quartiles (adjusted-p> 0.05). Odds of experiencing TSP or referred pain was not greater, whereas CPM was 8-fold less likely, in those with highest MSS.Conclusion: Normal variation in non-noxious MSS is related to both static and dynamic pain sensitivity, without sensitization associated with chronic pain, but is dependent on the QST stimulus. Thus, common influences on MSS and pain sensitivity may involve central mechanisms but are likely more complex than previously recognized.Keywords: pain sensitivity, somatosensory amplification scale, experimental muscle pain, quantitative sensory testing, temporal summation of pain, conditioned pain modulation

The effects of thidiazuron (TDZ) on adventitious bud and shoot formation from hypocotyl segments of sweetgum ( Liquidambar styracifiua) were tested alone and in combination with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The combination of 1 mg/1 TDZ with 0.01 mg/l 2,4-D resulted in the highest frequency of bud production. Lower concentrations of TDZ stimulated shoot production, generating the most shoots at 0.1 mg/1 TDZ with 0.01 mg/1 of 2,4-D. Inhibition of shoot elongation by TDZ was overcome by transferring shoot cultures to a shoot proliferation medium lacking TDZ or containing naphthaleneacetic acid and benzyladenine in addition to TDZ. Shoot production in liquid culture was significantly greater than that in solid culture. Comparisons of in vitro and ex vitro rooting of the adventitious shoots demonstrated that ex vitro rooting produced plants with faster growth rates and more extensive root systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes and compares party ads that were broadcast on television during the 2009 European Election campaign in France, Germany, Sweden and the UK. Even though electoral TV ads have never reached the same importance in European countries as in the US, such ads are to be regarded as an expression of the specific political culture of a country and therefore have relevance beyond election campaigns. An international comparison of ads produced for the same event is particularly suited to revealing similarities across cultures as well as national idiosyncrasies. Additionally, the present study demonstrates a methodological approach that defines a ‘sequence’ as the unit of analysis instead of the whole spot, and thus it is different from previous research on electoral advertising.

Clonal propagation of superior genotypes of commercially important forest trees via somatic embryogenesis has been hindered by a general inability to initiate embryogenic cultures from tissues of mature trees. We tested staminate inflorescences of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) as a source of cells that might be redetermined from theirdifferentiated state to an embryogenic state. Buds containing staminate inflorescences were collected from seven sweetgum clones at varying stages of elongation prior to and continuing through bud break. Inflorescence tissues were cultured on medium containing thidiazuron (TDZ) alone or in combination with 2,4-D. Although most cultures were lost to contamination or killed by disinfestation treatments, the least expanded inflorescences from buds of one clone produced eight independent embryogenic cultures following culture on 0.01--1 mg/L TDZ, either continuously or as a 1-week pulse followed by transfer to basal medium. Repetitive embryogenesis continued on medium containing 0.01 mg/L TDZ. While most embryos were malformed, embryos from two of the clones germinated on basal medium lacking casein hydrolysate, and germinants from one of these converted to plantlets that were acclimatized to greenhouse conditions. These preliminary results indicate that tissues from inflorescences of mature sweetgum trees have the abilityto produce embryogenic cultures, thus providing a potential route for large-scale cloning of superior genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Using the prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial samples, we identified cell-free DNA (cfDNA) candidate biomarkers bearing the epigenetic mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) that detected occult colorectal cancer (CRC) up to 36 months before clinical diagnosis., Materials and Methods: We performed the 5hmC-seal assay and sequencing on ≤8 ng cfDNA extracted from PLCO study participant plasma samples, including n = 201 cases (diagnosed with CRC within 36 months of blood collection) and n = 401 controls (no cancer diagnosis on follow-up). We conducted association studies and machine learning modeling to analyze the genome-wide 5hmC profiles within training and validation groups that were randomly selected at a 2:1 ratio., Results: We successfully obtained 5hmC profiles from these decades-old samples. A weighted Cox model of 32 5hmC-modified gene bodies showed a predictive detection value for CRC as early as 36 months before overt tumor diagnosis (training set AUC, 77.1% [95% CI, 72.2 to 81.9] and validation set AUC, 72.8% [95% CI, 65.8 to 79.7]). Notably, the 5hmC-based predictive model showed comparable performance regardless of sex and race/ethnicity, and significantly outperformed risk factors such as age and obesity (assessed as BMI). Finally, when splitting cases at median weighted prediction scores, Kaplan-Meier analyses showed significant risk stratification for CRC occurrence in both the training set (hazard ratio, [HR], 3.3 [95% CI, 2.6 to 5.8]) and validation set (HR, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.8 to 5.8])., Conclusion: Candidate 5hmC biomarkers and a scoring algorithm have the potential to predict CRC occurrence despite the absence of clinical symptoms and effective predictors. Developing a minimally invasive clinical assay that detects 5hmC-modified biomarkers holds promise for improving early CRC detection and ultimately patient outcomes.

Background: Dyskeratosis congenita/telomere biology disorders (DC/TBD) often manifest as bone marrow failure (BMF) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) rescues hematologic complications, but radiation and alkylator-based conditioning regimens cause diffuse whole-body toxicity and may expedite DC/TBD-specific non-hematopoietic complications. Optimization of conditioning intensity in DC/TBD to allow for donor hematopoietic cell engraftment with the least amount of toxicity remains a critical goal of the alloHCT field., Objectives/study Design: We report prospectively collected standard alloHCT outcomes from a single-center, single-arm, open-label clinical trial of bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell alloHCT for DC/TBD-associated BMF or MDS. Conditioning was reduced intensity (RIC), including alemtuzumab 1 mg/kg, fludarabine 200 mg/m 2 , and cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg. A previous single-arm, open-label phase II clinical trial for the same patient population conducted at the same center, differing only by inclusion of 200 cGy of total body irradiation (TBI), served as a control cohort., Results: The non-TBI cohort included 10 patients (ages 1.7-65.9 years, median follow-up of 3.9 years) compared with the control TBI cohort, which included 12 patients (ages 2.2-52.2 years, median follow-up of 10.5 years). Baseline characteristics differed only in total CD34+ cells received, with a median of 5.6 (non-TBI) compared with 2.6 (TBI) x 10 6 /kg (P = .02; no difference in total nucleated cells). The cumulative incidence of day +100 grade II-IV acute and 4-year chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) were low at 0% and 10% (non-TBI) and 8% and 17% (TBI), respectively (acute, P = .36; chronic, P = .72). Primary graft failure was absent. Secondary non-neutropenic graft failure occurred in one (non-TBI cohort). The non-TBI cohort demonstrated delayed achievement of full donor chimerism but superior lymphocyte recovery. There was no difference in 4-year overall survival at 80% (non-TBI) and 75% (TBI; P = .78). MDS as an indication for alloHCT was uncommon but overall associated with poor outcomes. There were 3 MDS patients in the non-TBI cohort: 1 relapsed and died at day +387; 1 relapsed at day +500 and is alive 5.5 years later following salvage with a second alloHCT; 1 relapsed at day +1093 and is alive at day +100 after a second alloHCT. There was 1 MDS patient in the TBI cohort who achieved 100% donor myeloid engraftment without relapse but died at day +827 from a bacterial infection in the setting of immune-mediated cytopenia., Conclusion: Elimination of TBI from the RIC regimen for DC/TBD was not associated with significant changes in rates of graft failure, GvHD, and overall survival but was associated with delayed achievement of full donor chimerism and improved lymphocyte reconstitution. For DC/TBD-associated BMF, TBI appears to be dispensable. Optimal approaches to DC/TBD-associated MDS remain unclear. Larger cohorts are needed to better assess the unique contribution of TBI and donor CD34+ cell dose. Longer follow-up is required to assess differences in DC/TBD complications and late effects., (Copyright © 2024 The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We present a case of a 4-year-old male child presenting with sudden onset of respiratory distress after aspirating a thumbtack. Prompt diagnostic evaluation with x-ray confirmed the presence of a radiodense foreign body at the level of the epiglottis, and the full size of the object was not clear on imaging. Visualization and retrieval of the object using video laryngoscopy resulted in a favorable outcome. This case underscores the unique anatomy of pediatric airways as well as the importance of timely recognition and intervention in cases of foreign body aspiration in pediatric patients to prevent respiratory compromise and ensure optimal clinical outcomes., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Emergency Physicians.)

Green ash ( Fraxinus pennsylvanica ) and white ash ( F. americana ) populations are currently experiencing major declines across their native ranges in North America due to infestation by the exotic insect pest emerald ash borer ( Agrilus planipennis ). The development of a reliable method for the long-term storage of green and white ash germplasm in the form of embryogenic cultures using cryopreservation would be a considerable aid to ash conservation efforts. We compared recovery percentages of cryopreserved green and white ash embryogenic cultures using vitrification versus slow cooling methods. Three Plant Vitrification Solution 2 (PVS2) exposure durations (40, 60, and 80 min) for vitrification and three DMSO concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%) for slow cooling were tested for their effects on the percentage of cultures that regrew following cryostorage. Vitrification resulted in a higher overall culture recovery percentage (91%) compared to cultures that were cryostored using the slow cooling approach (39%), and a more rapid initiation of regrowth (5 days versus 2-3 weeks) resulted. Recovery from cryostorage by cultures using the slow cooling approach varied significantly ( p < 0.05) between experiments and with genotype ( p < 0.05). The recovery of vitrified tissue from cryostorage did not vary with genotype, species, or PVS2 exposure duration ( p > 0.05). The vitrification cryopreservation protocol provides a reliable and versatile alternative to the traditional slow cooling method, strengthening our ability to preserve valuable ash germplasm for conservation and restoration.

The Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial is a prospective cohort study of nearly 155,000 U.S. volunteers aged 55-74 at enrollment in 1993-2001. We developed the PLCO Atlas Project, a large resource for multi-trait genome-wide association studies (GWAS), by genotyping participants with available DNA and genomic consent. Genotyping on high-density arrays and imputation was performed, and GWAS were conducted using a custom semi-automated pipeline. Association summary statistics were generated from a total of 110,562 participants of European, African and Asian ancestry. Application programming interfaces (APIs) and open-source software development kits (SKDs) enable exploring, visualizing and open data access through the PLCO Atlas GWAS Explorer website, promoting Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable (FAIR) principles. Currently the GWAS Explorer hosts association data for 90 traits and >78,000,000 genomic markers, focusing on cancer and cancer-related phenotypes. New traits will be posted as association data becomes available. The PLCO Atlas is a FAIR resource of high-quality genetic and phenotypic data with many potential reuse opportunities for cancer research and genetic epidemiology., (© 2023. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Meat and poultry processing facilities face distinctive challenges in the control of infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (1). COVID-19 outbreaks among meat and poultry processing facility workers can rapidly affect large numbers of persons. Assessment of COVID-19 cases among workers in 115 meat and poultry processing facilities through April 27, 2020, documented 4,913 cases and 20 deaths reported by 19 states (1). This report provides updated aggregate data from states regarding the number of meat and poultry processing facilities affected by COVID-19, the number and demographic characteristics of affected workers, and the number of COVID-19-associated deaths among workers, as well as descriptions of interventions and prevention efforts at these facilities. Aggregate data on confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths among workers identified and reported through May 31, 2020, were obtained from 239 affected facilities (those with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case in one or more workers) in 23 states.* COVID-19 was confirmed in 16,233 workers, including 86 COVID-19-related deaths. Among 14 states reporting the total number of workers in affected meat and poultry processing facilities (112,616), COVID-19 was diagnosed in 9.1% of workers. Among 9,919 (61%) cases in 21 states with reported race/ethnicity, 87% occurred among racial and ethnic minority workers. Commonly reported interventions and prevention efforts at facilities included implementing worker temperature or symptom screening and COVID-19 education, mandating face coverings, adding hand hygiene stations, and adding physical barriers between workers. Targeted workplace interventions and prevention efforts that are appropriately tailored to the groups most affected by COVID-19 are critical to reducing both COVID-19-associated occupational risk and health disparities among vulnerable populations. Implementation of these interventions and prevention efforts † across meat and poultry processing facilities nationally could help protect workers in this critical infrastructure industry., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Objective measurement of physical activity (PA) using accelerometers has become increasingly popular across recreational and clinical applications. However, the effects of multiple processing algorithms, filters, and corrections on PA measurement variability may be underappreciated., Objective: To examine how lifestyle PA estimates are impacted by multiple available scoring methods., Approach: Wrist-worn accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X+) were worn by 132 adults (87 F) having various activity levels for one week. Lifestyle PA was assessed across four PA domains: daily energy expenditure (EE); active EE; moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA); and steps using 1-5 algorithms per domain, with/without wrist correction and low-frequency-extension (LFE). Estimates were compared to self-report (International Physical Activity Questionnaire)., Main Results: PA estimates differed between algorithms with variable but frequently large effect sizes (d = 0.08-1.88). The wrist correction reduced PA estimates across all domains (p < 0.05, d = 0.26-3.04) except step counts and one daily EE algorithm (d = 0.0). Conversely, the LFE increased step counts (d = 1.44, p < 0.05) but minimally affected all other outcomes (d = 0.08-0.20, p < 0.05). Correlations between objective and self-reported PA were small to moderate (ρ = 0.22-0.45) and decreased with the wrist correction., Significance: Measurement of PA using accelerometry is highly dependent on algorithm and filter selection; previously validated methods are therefore not interchangeable. Users should take caution when interpreting absolute PA estimates, and reporting standards should require detailed methodology disclosure to optimize comparisons across studies.

Background: Hospitalized medical-surgical patients are at risk for adverse health outcomes due to immobility. Despite well-documented consequences, low mobility is prevalent., Local Problem: In a 547-bed hospital, medical-surgical patients were mobilized less frequently than expected. Physical therapists were inappropriately consulted 22% of the time for routine mobility of patients. A preimplementation survey of registered nurses indicated a lack of knowledge and confidence to safely mobilize patients., Methods: This quality improvement project implemented a nurse-led mobility program in an effort to increase early mobilization, reduce physical therapy referrals for routine mobility, and reduce the sequelae of immobility., Interventions: The Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool and standardized interventions were implemented on 5 medical-surgical units., Results: Postimplementation, nurse-led patient mobilizations increased by 40%, inappropriate physical therapy orders decreased 14%, and no significant change in patient falls or pressure injuries was noted., Conclusion: A nurse-led mobility program was effective in increasing safe, early mobilization of patients and improving the culture of mobility.

Background: Legalization efforts in many states have heightened awareness of the medicinal uses of cannabis, and oncology nurses are more frequently caring for patients who have used or are using cannabis. Significant epidemiologic data on the prevalence of cannabis use in patients with cancer are not yet available, and not much is known about the effects of cannabis on cancer treatment., Objectives: This article describes the effects cannabis may have on the lungs, reviews indications for cannabis use in patients with cancer, and explores an atypical case of progressive pulmonary toxicity in a young patient with a history of Hodgkin lymphoma and cannabis use., Methods: A review of the literature on cannabis-associated lung injury was conducted, with 32 articles selected for full review., Findings: As cannabis use in cancer care continues to gain support, further research evaluating cannabis use in patients treated with bleomycin is warranted. In addition, the pros and cons of cannabis use must be fully evaluated and discussed with the patient with cancer prior to recommending its use.

Pre-frying of chloride-containing raw materials (e.g., breaded frozen fish products) can lead to the formation of fatty acid esters of 2-monochloropropane-1,3-diol, 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (MCPD-E), and glycidol (G-E). The aim of the present study was to identify relevant parameters for the formation of these process contaminants during the pre-frying. Secondly, several mitigation approaches have been investigated. The major proportion of the MCPD-E and G-E in the fish products resulted from the pre-frying oil absorbed, while the temperature and the heating period of the pre-frying oil showed the strongest impact. A significant reduction of the MCPD-E content in the pre-frying oil was achieved by filtering-off solid breading particles. Additionally, the G-E content decreased resulting from the use of adsorbent materials. Moreover, the analyses of total polar material and the color intensity of the pre-frying oil are suggested as screening methods for estimating the MCPD-E and G-E contents in the fish products., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Contamination with foreign particulate matter continues to be a leading cause of parenteral drug recalls, despite extensive control and inspection during manufacturing. Glass is a significant source of particulate matter contamination; however, the mechanism, source, and quantification have not been extensively analyzed. Quantification of particulate matter generation with lab simulations suggests that glass-to-glass contact on the filling line produces large quantities of glass particles of various sizes. A new strengthened glass vial with a low coefficient of friction surface is proposed to address this root cause of glass particle generation. Lab simulations and two line trials using this new vial demonstrated a substantial reduction of glass particulate generation, of resulting product contamination, as well as of the frequency of required filling line interventions. These results suggest that substantial reductions in particulate matter contamination of all types, glass and non-glass, can be achieved through the use of a new glass vial designed to effectively eliminate a root cause of glass particle generation. LAY ABSTRACT: Contamination with foreign particulate contamination continues to be a leading cause of injectable drug recalls, despite extensive control and inspection during manufacturing. Glass particles are one of the most common types of particulate identified; however, the generation mechanism has not been extensively studied. Lab simulations suggest that routine glass-to-glass contact of vials during the filling process results in large quantities of glass particulate. A new, strengthened glass vial with a low coefficient of friction surface is proposed to address this mechanism. Lab simulations and multiple filling line trials demonstrated a substantial reduction of glass particulate matter generation and product contamination with use of the new vial. These results suggest that this new vial reduces contamination risk by eliminating a root cause of glass particulate generation., (© PDA, Inc. 2017.)

Background: Cardiomyocytes use Ca2+ not only in excitation-contraction coupling but also as a signaling molecule promoting, for example, cardiac hypertrophy. It is largely unclear how Ca2+ triggers signaling in cardiomyocytes in the presence of the rapid and large Ca2+ fluctuations that occur during excitation-contraction coupling. A potential route is store-operated Ca2+ entry, a drug-inducible mechanism for Ca2+ signaling that requires stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1). Store-operated Ca2+ entry can also be induced in cardiomyocytes, which prompted us to study STIM1-dependent Ca2+ entry with respect to cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo., Methods and Results: Consistent with earlier reports, we found drug-inducible store-operated Ca2+ entry in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, which was dependent on STIM1. Although this STIM1-dependent, drug-inducible store-operated Ca2+ entry was only marginal in adult cardiomyocytes isolated from control hearts, it increased significantly in cardiomyocytes isolated from adult rats that had developed compensated cardiac hypertrophy after abdominal aortic banding. Moreover, we detected an inwardly rectifying current in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes that occurs under native conditions (i.e., in the absence of drug-induced store depletion) and is dependent on STIM1. By manipulating its expression, we found STIM1 to be both sufficient and necessary for cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and in the adult heart in vivo. Stim1 silencing by adeno-associated viruses of serotype 9-mediated gene transfer protected rats from pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy., Conclusion: By controlling a previously unrecognized sarcolemmal current, STIM1 promotes cardiac hypertrophy.

Arsenic is a metalloid that occurs naturally at parts per million (ppm) levels in the earth's crust. Natural and human activities have contributed to arsenic mobilization and increased concentration in the environment, such that World Health Organization guidelines for arsenic levels in drinking water are exceeded at many locations, worldwide. This translates into an increased risk of arsenic-related illnesses for millions of people. Recent studies demonstrate that increasing thiol-sinks in transgenic plants by overexpressing the bacterial gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (ECS) gene results in a higher tolerance and accumulation of metals and metalloids such as cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. We used Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to genetically engineer eastern cottonwood with a bacterial ECS gene. Eastern cottonwood plants expressing ECS had elevated thiol group levels, consistent with increased ECS activity. In addition, these ECS-expressing plants had enhanced growth on levels of arsenate toxic to control plants in vitro. Furthermore, roots of ECS-expressing plants accumulated significantly more arsenic than control roots (approximately twice as much), while shoots accumulated significantly less arsenic than control shoots (approximately two-thirds as much). We discuss potential mechanisms for shifting the balance of plant arsenic distribution from root accumulation to shoot accumulation, as it pertains to arsenic phytoremediation.

Objective: Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted an evaluation to examine whether students who were exposed to the APS asthma program in elementary school retained benefits into middle school., Methods: APS middle school students who participated in the APS asthma program in elementary school, including the Open Airways for Schools (OAS) education curriculum, responded to a follow-up questionnaire (N = 121) and participated in student focus groups (N = 40). Asthma management self-efficacy scores from the follow-up questionnaire were compared to scores obtained before and after the OAS education component. Additional items assessed students' asthma symptoms, management skills, avoidance of asthma triggers, and school impact., Results: Although asthma management self-efficacy scores declined in middle school among students exposed to the asthma program in elementary school, they remained significantly higher than scores obtained during elementary school prior to the OAS intervention., Conclusion: The results indicate that although students benefited from the asthma program delivered in elementary school, they need booster sessions and continued school support in middle school.

Effects of photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic growth conditions on adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf explants of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) were investigated. Rooting and proliferating shoot cultures (Stage I) were grown in either an elevated (1500 ppm) CO(2) concentration ([CO(2)]) at high photosynthetic photon flux (PPF; ~ 150 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) (photoautotrophic condition) with 0, 10 or 30 g l(-1) sucrose or under standard conditions (ambient (360 ppm) [CO(2)] at low PPF (~ 60 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) with 30 g l(-1) sucrose). Leaves harvested from these cultures were analyzed for soluble sugars and were used as explants for adventitious shoot regeneration (Stage II), which was also carried out under photoautotrophic and standard conditions. Photoautotrophic conditions during Stage I promoted growth of rooting shoots but inhibited axillary shoot proliferation. Photoautotrophic conditions during Stage II suppressed callus and adventitious bud production from leaf explants compared with standard conditions. The regeneration environment appeared to be more important in controlling bud formation than the conditions under which the donor shoots were grown. Regardless of Stage I treatment, bud production was up to 100-fold higher for leaves cultured under standard conditions than under photoautotrophic conditions. Once adventitious buds were differentiated from the leaf tissues, however, their elongation was faster under photoautotrophic conditions than that under standard conditions, with some shoots reaching 10 mm in length on leaf explants cultured under photoautotrophic conditions. Because total leaf soluble sugar concentration was always lowest in shoots under standard conditions, which also yielded the highest bud production, the results suggest that endogenous starvation enhanced shoot production.

Sarcolemmal Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) activity, which is provided by the NHE isoform 1 (NHE1), has been implicated in ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial injury in animal models and humans, on the basis of studies with pharmacological NHE1 inhibitors. We generated a transgenic (TG) mouse model with cardiac-specific over-expression of NHE1 to determine whether this would be sufficient to increase myocardial susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury. TG mouse hearts exhibited increased sarcolemmal NHE activity and normal morphology and function. Surprisingly, they also showed reduced susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury, as reflected by improved functional recovery and smaller infarcts. Such protection was sustained in the presence of NHE1 inhibition with zoniporide, indicating a mechanism that is independent of sarcolemmal NHE activity. Immunoblot analysis revealed accumulation of immature NHE1 protein as well as marked upregulation of both cytoprotective (78/94 kDa glucose-regulated proteins, calreticulin, protein disulfide isomerase) and pro-apoptotic (C/EBP homologous protein) components of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in TG myocardium. With increasing age, NHE1 TG mice exhibited increased myocyte apoptosis, developed left ventricular contractile dysfunction, underwent cardiac remodelling and died prematurely. Our findings indicate that: (1) Cardiac-specific NHE1 over-expression induces the ER stress response in mouse myocardium, which may afford protection against ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury despite increased NHE activity; (2) Ageing NHE1 TG mice exhibit myocyte apoptosis, cardiac remodelling and failure, likely as a result of sustained ER stress; (3) The pluripotent effects of the ER stress response may confound studies that are based on the chronic over-expression of complex proteins in myocardium.