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Eco-climatic niche models are powerful tools for assessing the potential range of plant pests and pathogens, widely applied in comprehensive pest risk assessments globally. We conducted a bibliometric analysis comparing the number of CLIMEX models developed for plant pathogens and plant arthropod pests. We found that plant pathogens were statistically significantly under-represented, with fungal plant pathogens less than half as likely as plant insect pests to be the subject of a published CLIMEX niche model. We explore key factors that may account for this disparity, including inconsistent experimental paradigms and lack of cross-disciplinary (i.e., plant pathology and modelling) expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our endeavour towards the development of effective anticancer therapeutics, a novel series of isoxazole-piperazine hybrids were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human liver (Huh7 and Mahlavu) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines. Within series, compounds 5l-o showed the most potent cytotoxicity on all cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 0.3-3.7 μM. To explore the mechanistic aspects fundamental to the observed activity, further biological studies with 5m and 5o in liver cancer cells were carried out. We have demonstrated that 5m and 5o induce oxidative stress in PTEN adequate Huh7 and PTEN deficient Mahlavu human liver cancer cells leading to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at different phases. Further analysis of the proteins involved in apoptosis and cell cycle revealed that 5m and 5o caused an inhibition of cell survival pathway through Akt hyperphosphorylation and apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through p53 protein activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercus roburL. was micropropagated by axillary bud proliferation testing two different shoot culture systems: (i) on gelled medium in Microbox (plastic vessel with a strip for ventilation) and (ii) in liquid culture in PlantformTMbioreactor (a temporary immersion system). Two different conditions of temporary immersion were assessed: 12 min/8 h (Plantform 1) and 8 min/16 h (Plantform 2). The effect of the two culture systems was evaluated also during subsequent rooting phase, carried out on gelled medium. Finally, the influence of the different culture conditions on leaf structure was considered, taking also into consideration the micromorphological characters of young leaves from in-field-grown oaks. Nodal segments, excised from establishedin vitroshoots and cultured on modified Woody Plant Medium, showed a higher Relative Growth Rate in Plantform than in Microbox, but culture conditions provided in Plantform 1 favored shoot and leaf hyperhydricity. Shoots cultured in Microbox or Plantform 2 presented the same percentage of rooting after their transfer on gelled rooting medium. Leaves developed in the two different microenvironments had large stomata with elliptical shape, which indicates good functionality, and formed hairs, and epicuticolar waxes. These leaf features are considered to provide a good adaptability toex vitroconditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Climate change is the most debated issue of time-posing hazardous impacts on life on earth. Like other living entities, insects are also influenced by rising temperatures, elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and fluctuating precipitating patterns as range expansion, increased epizootics (insect outbreaks) and new species introduction in regions where previously these were not reported. Increasing temperature and elevated CO2have substantial impacts on plant–insect interaction and integrated pest management programmes. Rising temperature leading to rapid development of insects and increasing the epizootics of harmful insects is a precarious threat not only to agroforestry but to urban extents as well. By employing the proactive and modern scientific management strategies like monitoring, modelling prediction, planning, risk rating, genetic diversity and breeding for resistance, the suspicions innate to climate change effects on can be diminished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reviews of the current statuses of forests and the impacts of climate change on forests exist at the (sub)continental scale, but rarely at country and regional levels, meaning that information on causal factors, their impacts, and specific regional properties is often inconsistent and lacking in depth. Here, we present the current status of forest production and biogeochemistry and the expected impacts of climate change on them for Belgium. This work represents a case study for the temperate oceanic zone, the most important bioclimatic zone in northwestern Europe. Results show that Belgian forests are mainly young, very productive, and have a high C-sequestration capacity. Major negative anomalies in tree vitality were observed in the 1990s and-as result of disturbances-in the last decade for sensitive species as poplars and European beech. The most severe disturbances were caused by extreme climatic events, directly (e.g. storms) or indirectly (e.g. insect outbreaks after a mild autumn with an early/severe frost). Because of atmospheric deposition and soil fertilization (due to the previous use of the land), nutrient stocks of Belgian forests are likely to sustain the future enhancement in productivity which is expected to follow the increase in atmospheric CO concentration that will occur in years to come. However, in the long term, such (enhanced) forest production is likely to be limited by nutrient deficiencies at poor sites and by drought for sensitive species such as beech and (particularly) Norway spruce. Drought conditions will likely increase in the future, but adverse effects are expected on a relatively limited number of tree species. The potential impacts of windstorms, insects and fungi should be carefully investigated, whereas fires are less of a concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. The pathogenesis of HBV-associated HCC has been studied extensively, and molecular changes during malignant transformation have been identified. It has been proposed that the insertion of HBV DNA into the human genome results in chromosomal instability and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Transactivation of oncogenes, inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and alteration of the cell cycle by HBV proteins are also involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Traditional clinical examinations of HCC, such as biopsy, computer tomography, ultrasonic imaging, and detection of such biomarkers as a-fetoprotein, are currently the “gold standard” in diagnosis.These tests diagnose HCC only in the late stages of disease. This limitation has greatly reduced the chance of survival of HCC patients. To resolve this problem, new biomarkers that can diagnose HCC in earlier stages are necessary. Based on recent molecular studies of the effects of HBV on cellular transformation, differentially expressed biomarkers of HBV infection have been elucidated. With the analyses of the HBV replication profile, the viral load (HBV DNA levels) of patients, and the viral protein expression, the severity of hepatitis in the preneoplastic stages can be assessed. In the future, with the molecular profiles identified by genomic and proteomic approaches, stage-specific biomarkers should be identified to monitor the progression and prognosis of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a very prevalent malignancy worldwide, with increasing incidence in the United States. Despite many available treatment options, the prognosis remains poor. Surgical resection or liver transplantation still represents the only potentially curative treatments for HCC. Until more effective systemic therapies are available, different localized treatment approaches will continue to be applied in the management of this disease. Although systemic chemotherapy has been disappointing, increased understanding of the tumor biology in HCC coupled with new drug development may lead to newer agents with novel mechanisms of action that are more efficacious. The poor treatment outcome and dismal prognosis make prevention of HCC an important strategy in controlling this aggressive type of malignancy. Vaccine programs for HBV are ongoing. Efforts are underway to develop a vaccine for HCV. Interferon therapy appears to decrease the risk of developing HCC in patients with hepatitis, especially those with HCV. A number of other approaches for decreasing risk in these patients as well as in those with alcoholic-related cirrhosis are currently being evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]