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Many factors determine the performance and success of delivery room management of newborn babies. Improving the quality of care in this challenging surrounding has an important impact on patient safety and on perinatal morbidity and mortality. Video recording (VR) offers the advantage to record and store work as done rather than work as recalled. It provides information about adherence to algorithms and guidelines, and technical, cognitive and behavioural skills. VR is feasible for education and training, improves team performance and results of research led to changes of international guidelines. However, studies thus far have not provided data regarding whether delivery room video recording affects long-term team performance or clinical outcomes. Privacy is a concern because data can be stored and individuals can be identified. We describe the current state of clinical practice in high- and low-resource settings, discuss ethical and medical-legal issues and give recommendations for implementation with the aim of improving the quality of care and outcome of vulnerable babies. IMPACT: VR improves performance by health caregivers providing neonatal resuscitation, teaching and research related to delivery room management, both in high as well low resource settings. VR enables information about adherence to guidelines, technical, behavioural and communication skills within the resuscitation team. VR has ethical and medical-legal implications for healthcare, especially recommendations for implementation of VR in routine clinical care in the delivery room. VR will increase the awareness that short- and long-term outcomes of babies depend on the quality of care in the delivery room., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.)

Assessment of an infant's condition in the delivery room represents a prerequisite to adequately initiate medical support. In her seminal paper, Virginia Apgar described five parameters to be used for such an assessment. However, since that time maternal and neonatal care has changed; interventions were improved and infants are even more premature. Nevertheless, the Apgar score is assigned to infants worldwide but there are concerns about low interobserver reliability, especially in preterm infants. Also, resuscitative interventions may preclude the interpretation of the score, which is of concern when used as an outcome parameter in delivery room intervention studies. Within the context of these changes, we performed a critical appraisal on how to assess postnatal condition of the newborn including the clinical parameters of the Apgar score, as well as selected additional parameters and a proposed new scoring system. The development of a new scoring system that guide clinicians in assessing infants and help to decide how to support postnatal adaptation is discussed. IMPACT: This critical paper discusses the reliability of the Apgar score, as well as additional parameters, in order to improve assessment of a newborn's postnatal condition. A revised neonatal scoring system should account for infant maturity and the interventions administered. Delivery room assessment should be directed toward determining how much medical support is needed and how the infant responds to these interventions., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.)

The hemiparasitic flowering plant Viscum album (European mistletoe) is known for its very special life cycle, extraordinary biochemical properties, and extremely large genome. The size of its genome is estimated to be 30 times larger than the human genome and 600 times larger than the genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana . To achieve insights into the Gene Space of the genome, which is defined as the space including and surrounding protein-coding regions, a transcriptome project based on PacBio sequencing has recently been conducted. A database resulting from this project contains sequences of 39,092 different open reading frames encoding 32,064 distinct proteins. Based on 'Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs' (BUSCO) analysis, the completeness of the database was estimated to be in the range of 78%. To further develop this database, we performed a transcriptome project of V. album organs harvested in summer and winter based on Illumina sequencing. Data from both sequencing strategies were combined. The new V. album Gene Space database II (VaGs II) contains 90,039 sequences and has a completeness of 93% as revealed by BUSCO analysis. Sequences from other organisms, particularly fungi, which are known to colonize mistletoe leaves, have been removed. To evaluate the quality of the new database, proteome data of a mitochondrial fraction of V. album were re-analyzed. Compared to the original evaluation published five years ago, nearly 1000 additional proteins could be identified in the mitochondrial fraction, providing new insights into the Oxidative Phosphorylation System of V. album . The VaGs II database is available at https://viscumalbum.pflanzenproteomik.de/. Furthermore, all V. album sequences have been uploaded at the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Schröder, Rupp, Senkler, Rugen, Hohnjec, Goesmann, Küster and Braun.)

Background: Guidelines advise for more than 20 years to use occlusive plastic wraps for temperature management during delivery room care but data on efficacy of different types of wrap are still scarce., Methods: A random sample of seven different types of plastic wrap was tested using prewarmed aluminium blocks., Results: The most effective wrap increased the time to cool by 2°C by one-third for the core and by 100% for the surface whereas the least effective wrap led to even faster heat loss compared with no wrap at all. The least effective wrap concerning all capacities tested was made from polyurethane that contains potentially toxic and narcotic monomers. Heat and water retention did not correlate to wrap thickness., Discussion: Large differences in heat and water retention capacity warrant a careful choice of the type of wrap as some might be counterproductive. Wraps containing polyurethane should not be used., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS) remains an important threat to the health of preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. Strategies to optimize care for preterm neonates with LONS are likely to improve survival and long-term neurocognitive outcomes. However, many important questions on how to improve the prevention, early detection, and therapy for LONS in preterm neonates remain unanswered. This review identifies important knowledge gaps in the management of LONS and describe possible methods and technologies that can be used to resolve these knowledge gaps. The availability of computational medicine and hypothesis-free-omics approaches give way to building bedside feedback tools to guide clinicians in personalized management of LONS. Despite advances in technology, implementation in clinical practice is largely lacking although such tools would help clinicians to optimize many aspects of the management of LONS. We outline which steps are needed to get possible research findings implemented on the neonatal intensive care unit and provide a roadmap for future research initiatives. IMPACT: This review identifies knowledge gaps in prevention, early detection, antibiotic, and additional therapy of late-onset neonatal sepsis in preterm neonates and provides a roadmap for future research efforts. Research opportunities are addressed, which could provide the means to fill knowledge gaps and the steps that need to be made before possible clinical use. Methods to personalize medicine and technologies feasible for bedside clinical use are described., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.)

European mistletoe (Viscum album) is a hemiparasitic flowering plant that is known for its very special life cycle and extraordinary biochemical properties. Particularly, V. album has an unusual mode of cellular respiration that takes place in the absence of mitochondrial complex I. However, insights into the molecular biology of V. album so far are very limited. Since the genome of V. album is extremely large (estimated 600 times larger than the genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana) it has not been sequenced up to now. We here report sequencing of the V. album gene space (defined as the space including and surrounding genic regions, encompassing coding as well as 5' and 3' non-coding regions). mRNA fractions were isolated from different V. album organs harvested in summer or winter and were analyzed via single-molecule real-time sequencing. We determined sequences of 39 092 distinct open reading frames encoding 32 064 V. album proteins (designated V. album protein space). Our data give new insights into the metabolism and molecular biology of V. album, including the biosynthesis of lectins and viscotoxins. The benefits of the V. album gene space information are demonstrated by re-evaluating mass spectrometry-based data of the V. album mitochondrial proteome, which previously had been evaluated using the A. thaliana genome sequence. Our re-examination allowed the additional identification of nearly 200 mitochondrial proteins, including four proteins related to complex I, which all have a secondary function not related to respiratory electron transport. The V. album gene space sequences are available at the NCBI., (© 2021 The Authors. The Plant Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To assess delivery room management of infants born preterm at 4 Level III perinatal centers in 3 European countries., Study Design: This was a prospective, multicenter observational study. Management at birth was video-recorded and evaluated (Interact version 9.6.1; Mangold-International, Arnstorf, Germany). Data were analyzed and compared within and between centers., Results: The infants (n = 138) differed significantly with respect to the median (25%, 75%) birth weight (grams) (Center A: 1200 [700, 1550]; Center B: 990 [719, 1240]; Center C: 1174 [835, 1435]; Center D: 1323 [971, 1515] [B vs A, C, D: P < .05]), gestational week (Center A: 28.4 [26.3, 30.0]; Center B: 27.9 [26.7, 29.6]; Center C: 29.3 [26.4, 31.0]; Center D: 30.3 [28.0, 31.9]), Apgar scores, rates of cesarean delivery, and time spent in the delivery room. Management differed significantly for frequency and drying time, rates of electrocardiographic monitoring, suctioning or stimulation, and for fundamental interventions such as time for achieving a reliable peripheral oxygen saturation signal (seconds) (Center A: 97.6 ± 79.3; Center B: 65.1 ± 116.2; Center C: 97.1 ± 67.0; Center D: 114.4 ± 140.5; B vs A, C, D: P < .001) and time for intubation (seconds) (Center A: 48.7 ± 4.2; Center B: 49.0 ± 30.7; Center C: 69.1 ±37.9; Center D: 65.1 ± 23.8; B vs D, P < .025). Mean procedural times did not meet guideline recommendations. The sequence of interventions was similar at all centers., Conclusions: The Video Apgar Study showed great variability in and between 4 neonatal centers in Europe. The study also showed it is difficult to adhere to published guidelines for recommended times for important, basic measures such as peripheral oxygen saturation measurements and intubation., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: As quality of care in the delivery room has major impact on outcome of preterm infants, multiple guidelines have been established in recent years. There is, however, little evidence on how to proceed during postdelivery room care, the time of transfer and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim of this study was to identify processes taking place during this period with potential impact on outcome., Study Design: Prospective observational study., Setting: Single-centre German tertiary NICU., Patients: 40 inborn preterm infants undergoing postdelivery room care., Main Outcome: Prevalence of prolonged duration of postdelivery room care, disconnections from the ventilator and positioning of preterm infants., Results: Total duration of postdelivery room care and NICU admission procedures were shorter in infants transferred in a transport incubator compared with using a NICU care station from birth. Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants spend 8% of the time in prone position in contrast to 39% in non-ELBW. Total duration of disconnection from the ventilator was 50 s and was ten times longer in infants who had nasal CPAP compared with infants intratracheally intubated. Infants with nCPAP had longer duration of disconnection from the ventilator if body weight was >1000 g or if they were transferred in a transport incubator., Conclusions: Multiple parameters like birth weight or type of transport affect neonatal care during the postdelivery room period. Prospective studies are needed to identify and optimise parameters within this period that affect long-term outcome., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Head shape and head volume of preterm infants give important information on short- and long-term development. Three-dimensional (3D) assessment of a preterm infant's head would therefore provide more information than currently used two-dimensional methods., Aims: To evaluate a contactless 3D imaging system to assess head shape and volume in preterm infants., Methods: A protocol for 3D imaging and reconstruction of an infant's head with a portable stereophotogrammetric camera system was developed. It was validated on a manikin by comparison to an established stationary stereophotogrammetric device. Feasibility for clinical routine and 3D data analysis were assessed in six preterm infants., Results: Ten 3D reconstructions from a manikin were done with ten images each taken from different angles. The accuracy of the 3D reconstruction was measured at the overlapping areas between two images. Comparing the portable to the stationary system, a high concordance was found for the 3D manikin head-reconstructions (mean difference 0.21 ± 0.03 mm). In preterm infants, digital evaluation of the head was proven to be feasible for head circumference (HC), cranial index and asymmetry indices. There was good concordance between manual and digital measurement of the HC (95% CI -0.85 to 0.38 mm)., Conclusions: The portable camera system allowed fast and contactless 3D image capture of a preterm infant's head without any risk or interference with neonatal care. Together with a new software, this technique would allow more precise evaluation of head growth even in very preterm infants and thereby may improve their care and long-term outcome., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

To improve access to limiting nutrients, the vast majority of land plants forms arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbioses with Glomeromycota fungi. We show here that AM-related GRAS transcription factors from different subgroups are upregulated during a time course of mycorrhization. Based on expression studies in mutants defective in arbuscule branching (ram1-1, with a deleted MtRam1 GRAS transcription factor gene) or in the formation of functional arbuscules (pt4-2, mutated in the phosphate transporter gene MtPt4), we demonstrate that the five AM-related GRAS transcription factor genes MtGras1, MtGras4, MtGras6, MtGras7, and MtRad1 can be differentiated by their dependency on MtRAM1 and MtPT4, indicating that the network of AM-related GRAS transcription factors consists of at least two regulatory modules. One module involves the MtRAM1- and MtPT4-independent transcription factor MtGRAS4 that activates MtGras7. Another module is controlled by the MtRAM1- and MtPT4-dependent transcription factor MtGRAS1. Genome-wide expression profiles of mycorrhized MtGras1 knockdown and ram1-1 roots differ substantially, indicating different targets. Although an MtGras1 knockdown reduces transcription of AM-related GRAS transcription factor genes including MtRam1 and MtGras7, MtGras1 overexpression alone is not sufficient to activate MtGras genes. MtGras1 knockdown roots display normal fungal colonization, with a trend towards the formation of smaller arbuscules.

Formation of longer root hairs under limiting phosphate (P) conditions can increase the inorganic P (Pi) uptake. Here, regulatory candidate genes for Pi deficiency-induced root hair growth were identified by comparison of massive analysis of cDNA ends (MACE) provided expression profiles of two Brassica carinata cultivars (cv.) differing in their root hair response to Pi deficiency: cv. Bale develops longer root hairs under Pi deficiency, but not cv. Bacho. A split-root experiment was conducted for the differentiation between locally and systemically regulated genes. Furthermore, plants were exposed to nitrogen and potassium deficiency to identify P-specific reacting genes. The latter were knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 and the effect on the root hair length was determined. About 500 genes were differentially expressed under Pi deficiency in cv. Bale, while these genes did not respond to the low P supply in cv. Bacho. Thirty-three candidate genes with a potential regulatory role were selected and the transcriptional regulation of 30 genes was confirmed by quantitative PCR. Only five candidate genes seemed to be either exclusively regulated locally (two) or systemically (three), whereas 25 genes seemed to be involved in both local and systemic signaling pathways. Potassium deficiency affected neither the root hair length nor the expression of the 30 candidate genes. By contrast, both P and nitrogen deficiency increased the root hair length, and both affected the transcript levels in 26 cases. However, four genes reacted specifically to Pi starvation. These genes and, additionally, INORGANIC PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 1 ( BcPHT1 ) were targeted by CRISPR/Cas9. However, even if the transcript levels of five of these genes were clearly decreased, FASCICLIN-LIKE ARABINOGALACTAN PROTEIN 1 ( BcFLA1 ) was the only gene whose downregulation reduced the root hair length in transgenic hairy roots under Pi-deficient conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing a fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein with a predicted role in the Pi deficiency-induced root hair elongation.

Isolation precautions required for neonatal intensive care units are part of a bundle with the aim to prevent transmission, colonization, and infection with multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens as neonates face an increased risk of mortality and morbidity in case of infection. The following short report describes a transmission of 3MDRGN Klebsiella pneumoniae on a neonatal intensive care unit in a university hospital in Germany. This transmission occurred even though intensified infection control measures were in place, which impressively shows the importance of surveillance, outbreak management, and awareness of contributing factors regarding outbreak situations.

Different symbiotic and pathogenic plant-microbe interactions involve the production of cysteine-rich antimicrobial defensins. In Medicago truncatula, the expression of four MtDefMd genes, encoding arbuscular mycorrhiza-dependent defensins containing an N-terminal signal peptide and exhibiting some differences to non-symbiotic defensins, raised over the time of fungal colonization. Whereas the MtDefMd1 and MtDefMd2 promoters were inactive in cells containing young arbuscules, cells with fully developed arbuscules displayed different levels of promoter activities, indicating an up-regulation towards later stages of arbuscule formation. MtDefMd1 and MtDefMd2 expression was absent or strongly down-regulated in mycorrhized ram1-1 and pt4-2 mutants, known for defects in arbuscule branching or premature arbuscule degeneration, respectively. A ~97% knock-down of MtDefMd1/MtDefMd2 expression did not significantly affect arbuscule size. Although overexpression of MtDefMd1 in arbuscule-containing cells led to an up-regulation of MtRam1, encoding a key transcriptional regulator of arbuscule formation, no morphological changes were evident. Co-localization of an MtDefMd1-mGFP6 fusion with additional, subcellular markers revealed that this defensin is associated with arbuscules in later stages of their life-cycle. MtDefMd1-mGFP6 was detected in cells with older arbuscules about to collapse, and ultimately in vacuolar compartments. Comparisons with mycorrhized roots expressing a tonoplast marker indicated that MtDefMd1 acts during late restructuring processes of arbuscule-containing cells, upon their transition into a post-symbiotic state.

Background: More than 80 % of all terrestrial plant species establish an arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis with Glomeromycota fungi. This plant-microbe interaction primarily improves phosphate uptake, but also supports nitrogen, mineral, and water aquisition. During the pre-contact stage, the AM symbiosis is controled by an exchange of diffusible factors from either partner. Amongst others, fungal signals were identified as a mix of sulfated and non-sulfated lipochitooligosaccharides (LCOs), being structurally related to rhizobial nodulation (Nod)-factor LCOs that in legumes induce the formation of nitrogen-fixing root nodules. LCO signals are transduced via a common symbiotic signaling pathway (CSSP) that activates a group of GRAS transcription factors (TFs). Using complex gene expression fingerprints as molecular phenotypes, this study primarily intended to shed light on the importance of the GRAS TFs NSP1 and RAM1 for LCO-activated gene expression during pre-symbiotic signaling., Results: We investigated the genome-wide transcriptional responses in 5 days old primary roots of the Medicago truncatula wild type and four symbiotic mutants to a 6 h challenge with LCO signals supplied at 10(-7/-8) M. We were able to show that during the pre-symbiotic stage, sulfated Myc-, non-sulfated Myc-, and Nod-LCO-activated gene expression almost exclusively depends on the LysM receptor kinase NFP and is largely controled by the CSSP, although responses independent of this pathway exist. Our results show that downstream of the CSSP, gene expression activation by Myc-LCOs supplied at 10(-7/-8) M strictly required both the GRAS transcription factors RAM1 and NSP1, whereas those genes either co- or specifically activated by Nod-LCOs displayed a preferential NSP1-dependency. RAM1, a central regulator of root colonization by AM fungi, controled genes activated by non-sulfated Myc-LCOs during the pre-symbiotic stage that are also up-regulated in areas with early physical contact, e.g. hyphopodia and infecting hyphae; linking responses to externally applied LCOs with early root colonization., Conclusions: Since both RAM1 and NSP1 were essential for the pre-symbiotic transcriptional reprogramming by Myc-LCOs, we propose that downstream of the CSSP, these GRAS transcription factors act synergistically in the transduction of those diffusible signals that pre-announce the presence of symbiotic fungi.

Evidence for target values of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), CO2, and pH has changed substantially over the last 20 years. A representative survey concerning treatment strategies in extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBW) was sent to all German neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) treating ELBW infants in 1997. A follow-up survey was conducted in 2011 and sent to all NICUs in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. During the observation period, NICUs targeting SaO2 of 80, 85, and 90 % have increased, while units aiming for 94 and 96 % decreased (all p < 0.001). Similarly, NICUs aiming for pH 7.25 or lower increased, while 7.35 or higher decreased (both p < 0.001). Furthermore, more units targeted a CO2 of 50 mmHg (7.3 kPa) or higher (p < 0.001), while fewer targeted 40 or 35 mmHg (p < 0.001). Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was used in 80.2 % of NICUs in 2011. The most frequently used ventilation modes were synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) (67.5 %) and intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) (59.7 %) in 1997 and SIMV (77.2 %) and synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation (SIPPV) (26.8 %) in 2011. NICUs reporting frequent or always use of IPPV decreased to 11.0 % (p < 0.001). SIMV (77.2 %) and SIPPV (26.8 %) did not change from 1997 to 2011, while high-frequency oscillation (HFO) increased from 9.1 to 19.7 % (p = 0.018). Differences between countries, level of care, and size of the NICU were minimal., Conclusions: Target values for SaO2 decreased, while CO2 and pH increased significantly during the observation period. Current values largely reflect available evidence at time of the surveys., What Is Known: • Evidence concerning target values of oxygen saturation, CO 2 , and pH in extremely low-birth-weight infants has grown substantially. • It is not known to which extent this knowledge is transferred into clinical practice and if treatment strategies have changed., What Is New: • Target values for oxygen saturation in ELBW infants decreased between 1997 and 2011 while target values for CO 2 and pH increased. • Similar treatment strategies existed in different countries, hospitals of different size, or university versus nonuniversity hospitals in 2011.

Introduction: Evidence concerning delivery room management in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW) has grown substantially within the last 20 years, leading to several guidelines and recommendations. However, it is unknown in which extent local treatment strategies have changed and if they reflect current recommendations., Methods: A detailed questionnaire about treatment strategies for ELBW infants was sent to all German neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) treating ELBW infants in 1997. A follow-up survey was conducted in 2011 and sent to all NICUs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. RESULTS on delivery room management were compared to the first survey., Results: In 1997 and 2011, 63.6 and 66.2% of the approached hospitals responded. In 2011 similar results were observed between university and non-university hospitals as well as NICUs of different size. Differences between Germany, Austria and Switzerland were minimal. Changes over time were a lower initially applied fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and peak inspiratory pressure (PiP) in 2011 compared to 1997. A longer time of apnea was tolerated before tracheal intubation is performed; the time of apnea was less frequently a sole criterion for intubation and surfactant was applied at lower FiO2 in 2011. The time of no thorax excursions and transport of the infant were considered an indication for intubation in 30.2 and 22.5%, and did not change in the observation period., Conclusion: Treatment strategies for delivery room management in ELBW infants changed significantly between 1997 and 2011 and largely reflect current recommendations., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background: Since an objective description is essential to determine infant's postnatal condition and efficacy of interventions, two scores were suggested in the past but weren't tested yet: The Specified-Apgar uses the 5 items of the conventional Apgar score; however describes the condition regardless of gestational age (GA) or resuscitative interventions. The Expanded-Apgar measures interventions needed to achieve this condition. We hypothesized that the combination of both (Combined-Apgar) describes postnatal condition of preterm infants better than either of the scores alone., Methods: Scores were assessed in preterm infants below 32 completed weeks of gestation. Data were prospectively collected in 20 NICU in 12 countries. Prediction of poor outcome (death, severe/moderate BPD, IVH, CPL and ROP) was used as a surrogate parameter to compare the scores. To compare predictive value the AUC for the ROC was calculated., Results: Of 2150 eligible newborns, data on 1855 infants with a mean GA of 28(6/7) ± 2(3/7) weeks were analyzed. At 1 minute, the Combined-Apgar was significantly better in predicting poor outcome than the Specified- or Expanded-Apgar alone. Of infants with a very low score at 5 or 10 minutes 81% or 100% had a poor outcome, respectively. In these infants the relative risk (RR) for perinatal mortality was 24.93 (13.16-47.20) and 31.34 (15.91-61.71), respectively., Conclusion: The Combined-Apgar allows a more appropriate description of infant's condition under conditions of modern neonatal care. It should be used as a tool for better comparison of group of infants and postnatal interventions., Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Protocol Registration System (NCT00623038). Registered 14 February 2008.

Verticillium dahliae is a prominent generator of plant vascular wilting disease and sulfur (S)-enhanced defense (SED) mechanisms contribute to its in-planta elimination. The accumulation of S-containing defense compounds (SDCs) including elemental S (S(0) ) has been described based on the comparison of two near-isogenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) lines differing in fungal susceptibility. To better understand the effect of S nutrition on V. dahliae resistance both lines were supplied with low, optimal or supraoptimal sulfate-S. An absolute quantification demonstrated a most effective fungal elimination due to luxury plant S nutrition. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed a strong regulation of Cys levels and an S-responsive GSH pool rise in the bulk hypocotyl. High-frequency S peak accumulations were detected in vascular bundles of resistant tomato plants after fungal colonization by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Global transcriptomic analysis suggested that early steps of the primary S metabolism did not promote the SDCs synthesis in the whole hypocotyl as gene expression was downregulated after infection. Enhanced S fertilization mostly alleviated the repressive fungal effect but did not reverse it. Upregulation of glutathione (GSH)-associated genes in bulk hypocotyls but not in vascular bundles indicated a global antioxidative role of GSH. To finally assign the contribution of S metabolism-associated genes to high S(0) accumulations exclusively found in the resistant tomato line, a spatial gene expression approach was applied. Laser microdissection of infected vascular bundles revealed a switch toward transcription of genes connected with cysteine (Cys) synthesis. The upregulation of LeOASTLp1 suggests a role for Cys as key precursor for local S accumulations (possibly S(0) ) in the vascular bundles of the V. dahliae-resistant tomato line., (© 2014 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.)

The formation of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is initiated by the bidirectional exchange of diffusible molecules. While strigolactone hormones, secreted from plant roots,stimulate hyphal branching and fungal metabolism, fungal short-chain chitin oligomers as well assulfated and nonsulfated lipochitooligosaccharides (s/nsMyc-LCOs) elicit pre-symbiosis responses in the host. Fungal LCO signals are structurally related to rhizobial Nod-factor LCOs. Genome-wide expression studies demonstrated that defined sets of genes were induced by Nod-, sMyc- and nsMyc-LCOs, indicating LCO-specific perception in the pre-symbiosis phase. During hyphopodium formation and the subsequent root colonization, cross-talk between plant roots and AM fungi also involves phytohormones. Notably, gibberellins control arbuscule formation via DELLA proteins, which themselves serve as positive regulators of arbuscule formation. The establishment of arbuscules is accompanied by a substantial transcriptional and post-transcriptional reprogramming of host roots, ultimately defining the unique protein composition of arbuscule-containing cells. Based on cellular expression profiles, key check points of AM development as well as candidate genes encoding transcriptional regulators and regulatory microRNAs were identified. Detailed functional analyses of promoters specified short motifs sufficient for cell-autonomous gene regulation in cells harboring arbuscules, and suggested simultaneous, multi-level regulation of the mycorrhizal phosphate uptake pathway by integrating AM symbiosis and phosphate starvation response signaling., (© 2014 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2014 New Phytologist Trust.)