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In 2012, an unexpected outbreak of Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) occurred in the Laurentian Mountains, Québec, Canada, known for its harsh climate. We wondered whether the eggs were sufficiently cold hardy to survive there and, if so, how long this outbreak would last. Therefore, we assessed the capacity of the eggs to supercool, to tolerate short exposures to low sub-zero temperatures, or to successfully overwinter in the field. The same assays were performed with eggs from the island of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The mean supercooling point of eggs from the two populations increased from −40.2 °C in mid-February to −33.7 °C in mid-May. These eggs may also die at sub-zero temperatures above their supercooling point, depending on exposure durations. In the fall of 2012 when eggs were put out in the field, < 10% survived in the Laurentian Mountains, whereas > 70% survived further south. In the spring of 2013, no parasitism was detected in the population. However, the two cold waves that swept across the Laurentian Mountains the preceding winter were likely responsible for the collapse of the population. This study demonstrates that L. fiscellaria eggs may succumb to sub-zero temperatures above their supercooling point under field conditions.

Objective Microprolactinomas are currently treated with dopamine agonists. Outcome information on microprolactinoma patients treated by surgery is limited. This study reports the first large series of consecutive non-invasive microprolactinoma patients treated by pituitary surgery and evaluates the efficiency and safety of this treatment. Design Follow-up of a cohort of consecutive patients treated by surgery. Methods Between January 2008 and October 2020, 114 adult patients with pure microprolactinomas were operated on in a single tertiary expert neurosurgical department, using an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach. Eligible patients presented with a microprolactinoma with no obvious cavernous invasion on MRI. Prolactin was assayed before and after surgery. Disease-free survival was modeled using Kaplan–Meier representation. A cox regression model was used to predict remission. Results Median follow-up was 18.2 months (range: 2.8–155). In this cohort, 14/114 (12%) patients were not cured by surgery, including ten early surgical failures and four late relapses occurring 37.4 months (33–41.8) after surgery. From Kaplan–Meier estimates, 1-year and 5-year disease free survival was 90.9% (95% CI: 85.6–96.4%) and 81% (95% CI: 71.2–92.1%) respectively. The preoperative prolactinemia was the only significant preoperative predictive factor for remission (P < 0.05). No severe complication was reported, with no anterior pituitary deficiency after surgery, one diabetes insipidus, and one postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage properly treated by muscle plasty. Conclusions In well-selected microprolactinoma patients, pituitary surgery performed by an expert neurosurgical team is a valid first-line alternative treatment to dopamine agonists.

Summary Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are common, with five main histological subtypes: lactotroph, somatotroph, and thyrotroph (POU1F1/PIT1 lineage); corticotroph (TBX19/TPIT lineage); and gonadotroph (NR5A1/SF1 lineage). We report a comprehensive pangenomic classification of PitNETs. PitNETs from POU1F1/PIT1 lineage showed an epigenetic signature of diffuse DNA hypomethylation, with transposable elements expression and chromosomal instability (except for GNAS-mutated somatotrophs). In TPIT lineage, corticotrophs were divided into three classes: the USP8-mutated with overt secretion, the USP8-wild-type with increased invasiveness and increased epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and the large silent tumors with gonadotroph transdifferentiation. Unexpected expression of gonadotroph markers was also found in GNAS-wild-type somatotrophs (SF1 expression), challenging the current definition of SF1/gonadotroph lineage. This classification improves our understanding and affects the clinical stratification of patients with PitNETs.

Chordoid glioma of the third ventricle (CGTV) is a rare, slow-growing, World Health Organization Grade II glial tumor, with stereotyped localization in the anterior third ventricle. Despite being considered a noninvasive tumor, CGTV is usually associated with a poor clinical outcome due to its close proximity to important cerebral structures, such as the hypothalamus and visual pathways. Our patient with CGTV experienced visual involvement, but after subtotal surgical resection showed no evidence of progression at 5-year follow-up.

The primary objective was to assess the remission rate, and the secondary objectives were to evaluate the early complications and recurrence rate and to define the predictive factors for the remission and recurrence rates. This prospective single-center study included 230 consecutive patients, operated on by a single surgeon for Cushing’s disease via a transsphenoidal endoscopic endonasal approach, over a 6-year period (2008–2013). The patients included in this series were all adults (>18 years of age), who presented with clinical and biological characteristics of Cushing’s disease confirmed based on dedicated MRI pituitary imaging. Biochemical remission was defined as a postoperative serum cortisol level

In a recent study of the hemlock looper (HL), Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), long exposure of early-diapausing eggs to high temperatures considerably reduced their ability to hatch. This finding raised the possibility that adults could also be negatively affected by increasing temperatures if they reproduced too early in the season in response to global warming. To investigate this hypothesis, newly formed HL pupae from three populations of eastern Canada - Quebec (QC), Newfoundland (NL), and Labrador (LB) - were submitted to four constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, or 25 °C) during pupal and adult development. The effect of population origin on HL reproduction was generally negligible. Mating probability was high at 15 and 20 °C (0.86 and 0.83, respectively), quite low at 10 °C (0.53), and even lower at 25 °C (0.38). Mating started earlier in the night and lasted longer as temperature decreased. Both productivity and absolute fecundity increased when temperature increased from 10 to 15 °C and then decreased slowly as temperature increased further. Over populations and temperatures, relative fecundity averaged 0.95, indicating that females had enough time to lay most of their eggs before they died. High temperatures had a deleterious effect on egg fertility: between 10 and 20 °C, relative fertility was about 0.90, but it dropped to 0.51 at 25 °C. The average proportion of fertile eggs declined from 0.88 in the first quarter of the egg-laying period to 0.57 in the last quarter, suggesting lower sperm count or viability, or deterioration of the oocytes as the egg-laying period progresses. Based on these findings, we argue that the production of an additional fifth instar among HL populations of southern origin can be viewed as an adaptive mechanism allowing adults to postpone reproduction or the egg-laying period in order to mitigate the detrimental effect of high temperatures on their probability of mating successfully or that of laying fertile eggs.

Pituitary adenomas are now called neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs). Histological type, secretion, invasion and growth speed vary. A World Health Organization (WHO) histo-prognostic classification was released in 2017. Pituitary tumorigenesis is largely unexplained. Rare germline mutations (MENIN, AIP), and common somatic mutations in GNAS and USP8 are reported. Recently, genomic analyses have been reported. Yet, driver genes and pathways remain to be fully identified, as well as a comprehensive view of omics in the different subtypes of PitNETs Aim: To provide a genomic unbiased classification of PitNETs Methods: A clinical, histological and genomic characterization of 134 PitNETs of all subtypes was performed, combining exome, RNA and miRNA sequencing, SNP array and methylation array. Unsupervised classifications were generated. Results: Median somatic mutation rate was 95, mainly C>T belonging to “signature 1” signature. No difference was observed between histo-types. Only GNAS and USP8 presented >5% mutations. Three chromosome alteration profiles were identified: extended losses, “quiet” profiles, and extended gains. Gonadotroph and silent corticotroph were mainly “quiet”. Chromosomal alterations were not related to aggressiveness. MiRnome and methylome were associated with PitNETs histological type and secretion (chi2 p

Recemment, nous avons genere la premiere classification genomique integree des tumeurs neuroendocrines hypophysaires (PitNETs). Objectif Explorer les implications cliniques de cette nouvelle classification. Methodes Leanalyse des donnees cliniques, hormonales et pathologiques de la serie de 134 tumeurs caracterisees par la genomique. Resultats Sur la base de la classification moleculaire, des seuils d’immunopositivite ont pu etre etablis pour la PRL, la GH et l’ACTH. L’agressivite n’est pas un determinant majeur de la classification genomique. Notamment le nombre d’alterations chromosomiques n’est pas lie a l’agressivite, mais au type de secretion. Pour les corticotropes, les mutes USP8 sont moins agressifs. Le temozolomide, recommande pour les tumeurs agressives, est degrade par le MGMT. L’association entre MGMT et la reponse au temozolomide a ete evaluee chez trois patients. Le niveau d’expression etait lie a la reponse. Aucune correlation n’a ete trouvee entre l’expression de MGMT et la methylation de son promoteur (r median 0,55 ; de −0,27 a 0,76). Les recepteurs de la somatostatine ont une expression variable entre les groupes moleculaires (Kruskal–Wallis, p Discussion Ces donnees definissent des caracteristiques moleculaires associees a l’agressivite et potentiellement a la reponse aux traitements, et ouvrent la voie a des etudes specifiques de confirmation.

International audience; Adult glioblastomas, IDH-wildtype represent a heterogeneous group of diseases. They are resistant to conventional treatment by concomitant radiochemotherapy and carry a dismal prognosis. The discovery of oncogenic gene fusions in these tumors has led to prospective targeted treatments, but identification of these rare alterations in practice is challenging. Here, we report a series of 30 adult diffuse gliomas with an in frame FGFR3-TACC3 oncogenic fusion (n = 27 WHO grade IV and n = 3 WHO grade II) as well as their histological and molecular features. We observed recurrent morphological features (monomorphous ovoid nuclei, nuclear palisading and thin parallel cytoplasmic processes, endocrinoid network of thin capillaries) associated with frequent microcalcifications and desmoplasia. We report a constant immunoreactivity for FGFR3, which is a valuable method for screening for the FGFR3-TACC3 fusion with 100% sensitivity and 92% specificity. We confirmed the associated molecular features (typical genetic alterations of glioblastoma, except the absence of EGFR amplification, and an increased frequency of CDK4 and MDM2 amplifications). FGFR3 immunopositivity is a valuable tool to identify gliomas that are likely to harbor the FGFR3-TACC3 fusion for inclusion in targeted therapeutic trials.

The 2016 WHO classification of tumours of the central nervous system represents the new paradigm among the specialists in the brain tumours and proposes a new approach combining histopathological and molecular features into diagnosis named 'integrated diagnosis'. The aim of this challenge is to overstep the interobserver variability of diagnosis based on previous classifications in order to ensure homogenous biological entities with a more accurate clinical significance. Over the last two decades, several molecular aberrations into gliomagenesis were highlighted and then confirmed as emerging biomarkers through prognostic stratification. In particular, IDH1/IDH2 genes mutations, 1p/19q codeletion and mutations in genes encoding histone H3 variants drastically changed the knowledge about diffuse gliomas inducing the WHO working group to consider the phenotype-genotype approach. In the present review, the historical development of the diagnosis of brain tumours from the 3D spatial configuration to the integration of multidisciplinary data up to recent molecular alterations is discussed. At the national level, the RENOCLIP network (supported by the National Cancer Institute) contributes to improve the standardization of histological diagnosis and the facilitation of access to molecular biology platforms for the detection of genetic aberrations necessary for integrated diagnosis. Importantly, the French POLA cohort allowed to test the clinical impact of the new criteria introduced by 2016 WHO classification of CNS tumours confirming the high accuracy in predicting clinical behaviour for diffuse gliomas.

The incidence of syphilis has been increasing in recent decades in Western countries. Pituitary involvement is very unusual in syphilis. This infectious disease is not often considered in the workup of a patient with hypophysitis.We report the case of a 28-year-old man who was admitted for headaches worsening over 1 month that became resistant to paracetamol. A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed a heterogeneous pituitary mass suggesting a pituitary tumor. Hormonal investigations showed partial corticotropic and thyrotropic deficiencies. Headaches required high doses of morphine. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed, and histological examination revealed an aspect of hypophysitis. One month later, clinical reexamination showed skin and tongue lesions very suggestive of a syphilis infection, which was serologically confirmed. Immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections of the resected pituitary revealed an abundant presence of Treponema pallidum, confirming the diagnosis of a syphilitic hypophysitis. Intravenous therapy by benzylpenicillin for 14 days was rapidly efficient. Headaches stopped within a few days, and the skin and tongue lesions disappeared during the following month. Thyrotropic deficiency resolved in 2 weeks, but partial corticotropic deficiency persisted at 3 months.This is the first case of a pituitary involvement in acquired syphilis, pathologically proven, in a non-HIV-infected patient. In a context of the resurgence of syphilis, this diagnosis should be considered in the case of a pituitary lesion with unusually intense headaches.

Resume Introduction Les kystes neurenteriques sont des kystes revetus d’un epithelium d’origine endodermique. Leur localisation au sein du systeme nerveux central est rare. Nous rapportons le cas rare d’un kyste neurenterique de l’orbite. Cas clinique Nous decrivons le cas rare d’une femme de 19 ans, presentant une tumeur kystique de l’orbite. L’imagerie par resonance magnetique retrouvait une lesion kystique, ne se rehaussant pas apres injection de produit de contraste et refoulant legerement le globe vers le haut. Devant l’augmentation progressive de la taille de la lesion et la gene cosmetique, une indication chirurgicale a ete posee. Une exerese complete, avec ablation du kyste et de sa paroi, etait realisee a travers une voie transpalpebrale par le pli palpebral inferieur. L’examen histologique confirma le diagnostic de kyste neurenterique. Les suites postoperatoires ont ete simples avec un excellent resultat tumoral et cosmetique. Conclusion Nous decrivons la presentation clinique, l’imagerie, les criteres histologiques et discutons des principes du traitement des kystes neurenteriques. Il s’agit d’un cas rare de tumeur neurenterique localisee au niveau du quadrant infero-externe de l’orbite, abordee par voie transpalpebrale. La resection totale des kystes neurenteriques reste le traitement de choix eu egard aux risques de recidives locales malgre leur caractere benin.

The frequency of extreme events, such as cold spells, is expected to increase under global warming. Therefore, the ability of insects to survive rapid changes in temperature is an important aspect to investigate in current population ecology. The hemlock looper (HL), Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), a defoliator of boreal balsam fir forests in eastern Canada, overwinters at the egg stage on tree trunks and branches where eggs can be exposed to very low subzero air temperatures. Using eggs from the island of Newfoundland (NL) and Quebec mainland (QC), we undertook field and laboratory experiments to determine: (1) their supercooling point (SCP) in mid-January and mid-February; (2) overwintering mortality; (3) cold tolerance to various combinations of subzero temperatures (−25, −30, −33, −35, or −37 °C) and exposure durations (2, 4, 8, 12, or 16 h); and (4) potential causes of death at subzero temperatures above the SCP. Regardless of population or sampling date, eggs supercooled on average at −40.1 °C. In the field, 59% of eggs from either population that overwintered in Sainte-Foy (QC) and Corner Brook (NL) hatched successfully, whereas none did in Armagh (QC) or Epaule (QC). In the laboratory, 50% of eggs survived after 4 h at −34.4 °C or after 14 h at −32.9 °C. In contrast, regardless of exposure duration, >50% of eggs hatched at temperatures ≥−33 °C, but

Repeated attempts to genetically transform Pinus radiata embryonal masses through cocultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens on MSG medium were unproductive due to Agrobacterium overgrowth. Timentin at either 200 or 400 mg l−1 was ineffective in inhibiting bacterial growth after cocultivation. In this study, the causes of the abundant bacterial growth were investigated by comparing MSG medium with two other media (mLV and DCR) commonly used in conifer somatic embryogenesis. Statistical analysis of the growth data (optical density and number of cell-forming units) showed that bacterium grew significantly more on MSG than on mLV or DCR during the 48-h cocultivation. This enhanced growth was attributed to the higher concentration of L-glutamine in MSG. Lowering the concentration of L-glutamine in MSG to 0.5 g l−1 resulted in similar growth of Agrobacterium compared with the other two media. MSG was also superior for the growth of radiata pine cells, with a statistically significant difference after 14 d of culture. Hence, to avoid bacterial overgrowth during and after cocultivation, a two-medium protocol was developed in which cocultivation was carried out on mLV, followed by 5 d on mLV with 400 mg l−1 Timentin. Selection for transformed cells and further control of bacterial growth was then performed using MSG with Timentin and Geneticin. By sequential application of these two media, 2,096 cell colonies were selected; of these, 94 were analyzed and 49 were transgenic. These results highlight yet another factor that might be critical for the success of transformation experiments but has not been sufficiently studied until now: the growth dynamics and ability to eliminate A. tumefaciens on various plant tissue culture media.

Hybrid poplar plantations were fertilized with hog manure at different manure supply rates for 6 years. In order to evaluate this practice in agricultural landscapes, we studied the effects of increasing manure supply on the growth and nutrition of three hybrid poplar clones and on soil solution chemistry at depths of 20 and 40 cm. More specifically, experimental plantations were established in nine fallow fields, each of which was divided into four plots fertilized with one of four levels of hog manure supply (i.e. 0, 40, 60 or 80 kg ha−1 in total N). Manure application significantly increased tree growth and C sequestration, although growth was not correlated with manure supply rates. Vector analysis of the nutritional status of trees suggests that N and K likely were limiting nutrients for tree growth on unfertilized plots. Our results further suggest that manure application in hybrid poplar plantations did not cause important changes in soil solution NO3− and PO43− concentrations. From a manure management perspective, this could indicate that hog manure can be used to increase the productivity of tree plantations without creating major concerns about potential damage to aquatic ecosystems, especially if plantations are located away from water bodies.

Germline mutations of the AIP (aryl-hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein) gene are associated with a predisposition to pituitary adenomas. Such mutations are found in about half of patients with familial acromegaly, but penetrance is incomplete.We studied the prevalence of germline AIP mutations in a large cohort of patients with apparently sporadic pituitary adenomas.A total of 443 patients with pituitary adenomas of all histotypes, who had no familial history of pituitary adenomas or multiple endocrine neoplasia and who were examined at Bicêtre University Hospital, a tertiary referral center, between 2007 and 2010, were enrolled in this prospective study.The entire coding sequence of the AIP gene was screened for germline mutations. A subgroup of patients were screened for large deletions or duplications of the AIP and MEN1 genes by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.AIP mutations were detected in 16 (3.6%) of the 443 patients, comprising six of 148 patients with acromegaly (4.1%), six of 132 patients with prolactinomas (4.5%), one of 113 patients with nonfunctioning adenomas (0.9%), three of 44 patients with corticotropic adenomas (6.8%), and none of the six patients with thyrotropic adenomas. This is the first report of an AIP mutation leading to a truncated protein in a patient with Cushing's disease. Patients with AIP mutation were younger at diagnosis (24.1 vs. 42.8 yr) and had predominantly macroadenoma (12 of 16). No mutations were found in patients diagnosed after age 40 yr, whereas the prevalence before this age was 7.2% (16 of 222). Studies of seven of the AIP-mutated patients' families showed that one asymptomatic parent carried the same mutation in each case.This large prospective cohort study confirms the very low prevalence of germline AIP mutations in patients with apparently sporadic pituitary adenomas. We propose to limit AIP testing to patients diagnosed before age 40 yr with apparently sporadic large pituitary adenomas, especially GH- or PRL-secreting adenomas.

Summary The extracellular matrix (ECM) and its role in the outcome of infectious diseases have been poorly investigated. In this study, we determined the impact of the collagen fibres architecture on the invasive process of the enteric parasite Entam- oeba histolytica. The behaviour of E. histolytica wild-type and silenced for the cysteine protease A5 (CP-A5) were compared on a three-dimensional collagen matrix and within human colon fragments for fibrillar collagen cleavage and migration. The interstitial collagen fibres within the connective tissue of the human colon, visualized by multipho- ton and second harmonic generation signals imaging, presented a dense scaffold at the subepi- thelial level and a loose meshwork within the chorion. To penetrate the tissue, E. histolytica migrated on the dense scaffold that remained intact, reached the crypt of Lieberkhun, migrated along and then disorganized the loose scaffold to escape into the mucosa. Interestingly, in vitro, CP-A5 was not required for collagenase activity and migration through the matrix but was neces- sary within the tissue environment for collagen meshwork remodelling and subsequent invasion. The data point out that further step of invasion relay with ECM destruction that requires human components induced or activated in the presence of CP-A5.

Background: Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is an overgrowth syndrome with an increased risk of cancer. Most BWS patients show a molecular defect in the 11p15 region that contains imprinted genes. BWS has been associated with malignant neoplasms during infancy. Descriptions of benign tumors, especially in adult patients, are rarer. Methods/Results: We report the case of a BWS patient with pituitary adenoma caused by loss of methylation (LOM) at ICR2 (locus CDKN1C/KCNQ1OT1). The patient was referred to an endocrinology unit for suspicion of Cushing's disease due to a history of macroglossia and hemihyperplasia. Biological tests led to the diagnosis of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism. MRI showed a microadenoma of the pituitary gland, confirming the diagnosis of Cushing's disease. DNA methylation analysis revealed LOM at ICR2 that was in a mosaic state in the patient's leukocytes, but was present in nearly all cells of the pituitary adenoma. The epigenetic defect was associated with a somatic USP8 mutation in the adenoma. Conclusion: Pituitary adenoma rarely occurs in patients with BWS. However, BWS should be considered in cases of pituitary adenoma with minor and/or major signs of BWS. The association between ICR2 LOM and USP8 mutation in the adenoma is questionable.

Embryonic dormancy characteristics of the hemlock looper (HL), Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), an important coniferous defoliator, were investigated using eggs from an island (Newfoundland) and a mainland (Quebec) population in eastern Canada. We determined (1) the pre-diapause duration or time required for eggs to change color at 15 °C, under L16:D8 and L12:D12, (2) the percent hatch and time to hatch of early-diapausing eggs that were, as of 1 September, either (a) incubated under each combination of three photoperiods (L16:D8, L12:D12, or L8:D16) and three temperatures (15, 20, or 25 °C) or (b) stored outdoors prior to their monthly incubation (October-May) under the same treatments, and (3) the diapause duration at 15 °C. The two HL ecotypes completed their pre-diapause phase in ca. 15 days under long-day photoperiod. In the mainland ecotype, photoperiod did not influence the pre-diapause duration. Regardless of photoperiod and ecotype, only eggs incubated continuously at 15 °C hatched successfully after ca. 120 days. Temperature was the most important factor modulating the dormancy of eggs acclimated outdoors, in both ecotypes. From October to December (diapause phase), percent egg hatch at 20 and 25 °C increased from low (20%) to levels similar to those obtained at 15 °C (70%). These percentages remained stable throughout the post-diapause phase (January-May). Time to hatch, which was shorter at warmer temperatures, decreased from October to December at all temperatures. It remained stable from January to March (quiescence), however, and declined thereafter. Eggs from the island were heavier than those from the mainland and their odds of hatching were 2.3 times higher. At 15 °C, diapause lasted ca. 90 days. Our findings indicate that eggs from the two HL ecotypes (1) undergo an obligatory diapause, (2) complete diapause without pre-exposure to cold, (3) respond similarly to photoperiod and temperature during diapause and post-diapause, and (4) do not hatch successfully after prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

We examined mortality and feeding inhibition response of Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) larvae to ingested doses of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki as a function of dose, instar and temperature. We developed generalized (logistic) linear mixed models and a mixture survival model, commonly used in medical statistics, to analyze the complex data set. We conducted bioassays of Foray 48B with larvae from the NJSS laboratory stock, using droplet imbibing or force-feeding to ensure dose ingestion. The dose causing mortality in 50% of the test population (LD(50)) under standard test conditions (22 degrees C) ranged from 0.019 International Units (IU)/larva for first instar larvae (L(1)) to 1.6 IU/larva for L(4). Temperature affected larval mortality in two ways. Mortality occurred sooner and progressed more rapidly with increasing temperature (13-25 degrees C) at each dose level and instar, while the maximum level of mortality attained by each instar decreased with increasing rearing temperature. The mechanisms underlying this effect are being investigated. Larvae that survived exposure to B. thuringiensis resumed feeding after a period that was dependent on instar, dose, and temperature. The equations describing observed mortality and feeding recovery responses were used to construct a simulation model, which was able to predict both processes, and which forms the basis for a process-oriented model that can be used as a decision support tool in aerial sprays.

Fungal foliar endophytes (hereinafter endophytes) were isolated on malt agar from black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) needles from the Quebec boreal forest during 2 successive years to study their distribution along a latitudinal transect. Twenty sites were sampled in 2002, 8 of which were sampled again in 2003, in an area located between 47°N and 54°N in the province of Quebec. The endophytes were named whenever possible, using homologies of ITS rDNA sequences from GenBank. In 2002, 232 morphotypes were classified in 40 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and in 2003, 93 morphotypes were classified in 16 OTUs, for a total of 44 OTUs. Isolation frequencies of the most common endophyte species were 28% for Lophodermium piceae (Fuchel) Höhn., 17% for Darkera parca Whitney, Reid & Piroz, and 9% for Dwayaangam colodena Sokolski & Bérubé. Of the 44 OTUs identified, 18 were unique to P. mariana and found on one site only, possibly constituting rare endemic species. There was some evidence that needles colonized with rare endophyte species were more abundant in the western and southern regions than in the northern region. This supports our hypothesis that as the diversity of tree species surrounding the P. mariana decrease from the southern region to the northern region, the diversity of endophytes also decreases.

Early height growth of eastern white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) rooted cuttings was compared with that of seedlings using annual measurements collected over 5 years in a farm field test replicated on three sites. The experiment included 148 full-sib families obtained from controlled crossings of superior trees selected for a white spruce breeding population in Quebec. Fifteen additional seedlots were used as controls. The average growth rate of seedlings (37.3 cm·year–1) was slightly larger than that of rooted cuttings (36.2 cm·year–1). The yearly growth rate increased over the test period, and it did so at a somewhat higher rate for the seedlings. The relative size of the estimated variance components and the moderate rank correlations of full-sib family height growth features between the two propagule types suggest that tree breeders should favour seedlings over rooted cuttings to rank families for selection purposes, but vegetative propagation would prove useful for bulking up scarce valuable genotypes.

We report two patients with thoracic spinal solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). This report includes a patient with the first secondary SFT arising in the central nervous system from a pleural origin to our knowledge. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Both patients underwent gross total resection of their tumors and did not show signs of local recurrence. The patient with the secondary lesion later presented with visceral dissemination. We review the reports of spinal SFT and discuss the diagnosis and therapeutic management of this intriguing entity.

Seventy transgenic tissue lines (translines) of three spruce species ( Picea mariana, P. glauca and P. abies) were characterized with respect to the integration pattern of the gus (beta-glucuronidase) gene, and the level of GUS activity was determined in 81 lines. The majority of the P. mariana translines (18 lines of 22) integrated multicopies of the transgene, whereas mostly single integrations were detected in the other two species. The activity levels of GUS varied widely among the individual translines of P. mariana, and there was a strong indication that the logarithm of GUS activity increased with the number of gus copies ( P=0.0003) in lines with one to five known insertions (uncensored). The average level of GUS activity, in lines that integrated one gene copy, was the highest in white spruce followed by black spruce and Norway spruce (22.7, 16.5 and 6.3 nmol 4-methylumbelliferone min(-1 )mg(-1 )protein, respectively).

International audience; Intestinal invasion by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is characterized by remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The parasite cysteine proteinase A5 (CP-A5) is thought to cooperate with human matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) involved in ECM degradation. Here, we investigate the role CP-A5 plays in the regulation of MMPs upon mucosal invasion. We use human colon explants to determine whether CP-A5 activates human MMPs. Inhibition of the MMPs' proteolytic activities abolishes remodelling of the fibrillar collagen structure and prevents trophozoite invasion of the mucosa. In the presence of trophozoites, MMPs-1 and-3 are overexpressed and are associated with fibrillar collagen remodelling. In vitro, CP-A5 performs the catalytic cleavage needed to activate pro-MMP-3, which in turn activates pro-MMP-1. Ex vivo, incubation with recombinant CP-A5 was enough to rescue CP-A5-defective trophozoites. Our results suggest that MMP-3 and/or CP-A5 inhibitors may be of value in further studies aiming to treat intestinal amoebiasis.

Maturation of somatic embryos of Pinus strobus L. was evaluated on media containing various types (agars and gellan gum), brands and concentrations of gelling agents in the presence of 80 μM ABA and 0.09 M sucrose. The media were characterized with respect to gel strength, water potential and water availability. Embryogenic tissue and somatic embryos cultured on medium with various concentrations of gellan gum were used to determine their water potential (Ψ). Regardless of the type of gelling agent used, gel strength increased with gelling agent concentration and was critical to the maturation response. High gel strength was associated with reduced water availability from the medium to the cultures. The water potential of gelled maturation medium remained constant between 0.4 and 1.0% gellan gum. It is concluded that the embryogenic tissue was exposed to varying amounts of water at the onset of and during the culture period, and that the amount of water in the culture environment in turn influenced the maturation response. Cotyledonary somatic embryos derived from gellan gum medium of high gel strength had a lower Ψ than somatic embryos matured on medium of lower gel strength. Once somatic embryos developed to the cotyledonary stage on the maturation medium, they were transferred to the germination medium. The germination frequency and the number of morphologically normal germinants were higher for somatic embryos matured on medium of high gel strength. Raising the concentration of the gelling agent in the maturation medium may be an alternative to the use of solutes to restrict water available to the embryogenic cultures.

Maturation of five embryogenic lines of Pinus strobus L. was tested on media with various sugars and sources of organic nitrogen, and solidified with two gellan gum concentrations (0.6 and 1.0%). Mature somatic embryo production was more abundant at 1.0% gellan gum than at 0.6%. Complex combinations of amino acids had little effect on mature embryo production of most tested embryogenic lines. Increasing glutamine concentration of the maturation medium from 1.7 to 7.3 g l−1 was beneficial to one embryogenic line. Increasing sucrose concentration or substituting part of the sucrose with mannitol or sorbitol had variable effects on somatic embryo maturation depending on the embryogenic line. A medium with 88 mM sucrose plus 175 mM sorbitol solidified with 1.0% gellan gum produced high numbers of somatic embryos in four out of five embryogenic lines tested.

We report the case of a 48-year-old female patient who had a Crohn's disease treated by corticosteroids. The patient developed severe cardiac failure, which was refractory to treatment with inotropic agents. At necropsy, examination of the heart revealed myocardial abscesses. On microscopic study, we diagnosed an aspergillar myocarditis. Aspergillar myocarditis is a rare and fatal localisation in disseminated aspergillosis. Diagnosis is difficult and treatment, usually initiated late, is ineffective.

Vegetation development over a 20-year period following clearcutting in balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.)-yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) ecosystems was examined in a study area located in eastern Quebec, Canada. Vegetation, physiographic and soil data were collected in 10 mature ecosystems and in 30 ecosystems harvested 5 years ago (10), 10 years ago (10), or 20 years ago (10). The 40 ecosystems had similar physiographic and soil characteristics. They were typically located on mesic sites situated on ground moraines thicker than 50 cm. Following harvesting, sites were invaded by competing species. Mountain maple (Acer spicatum Lamb.) was the most important competing species. Twenty years after logging, it fully occupied the sites with 7040 stems ha−1 (diameter at breast height ≥ 1 cm). Its regeneration stocking reached 88% with a density of 22775 stems ha−1. Wild red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L. var. strigosus (Michx.)) and fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium L.) were abundant during a 10-year period after logging, but disappeared almost completely afterwards. The abundance of competing species has considerably reduced site production for a period of 20 years and will probably continue to do so for 20 to 30 more years. The proportion of commercial deciduous species increased from 36% of the total number of stems (diameter at breast height ≥ 1 cm) in mature stands to 89% in stands harvested 20 years ago. Balsam fir and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) advanced regeneration was considerably reduced. Stocking of these species went down from 76% in mature stands to only 27% in 20-year-old stands. As a result, it is unlikely that the harvested areas will naturally evolve toward the original climax balsam fir-yellow birch forest type in the foreseeable future.

Forest successions following a forest fire that occurred in 1932 were studied on mesic sites of the boreal mixedwood forest of the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec, Canada. Physiographic, soil and vegetation data were collected in 28 ecosystems distributed on a topographic gradient. The vegetation composition of the main canopy, 64 years after the fire, varied according to topographic situation. The proportion of tolerant hardwood species (yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), red maple (Acer rubrum L.)) increased toward upper slopes whereas it was the opposite for coniferous species (white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss), balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.)), as their proportion increased toward lower slopes. Intolerant hardwood species (white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.)) were abundant in all ecosystems. The distribution pattern of regeneration density and stocking of tolerant hardwoods and conifers was similar to that of the main canopy. The majority of commercial species, including tolerant species, established rapidly after the fire. Only eastern white cedar (Thuya occidentalis L.), which is a species typical of late succession, did not grow back. Ten years after the fire, 78% of the sampled dominant trees were established. Competition caused by mountain maple (Acer spicatum Lam.) did not seem to be as important after fire compared with the situation after clearcutting. Results showed that after the elimination of intolerant species, the vegetation composition should evolve toward the potential vegetation (climax) of the toposequence, that is, the sugar maple - yellow birch type on upper slopes, the balsam fir - yellow birch type on midslopes and the balsam fir - yellow birch - cedar type on lower slopes. Key words: succession, fire, yellow birch, balsam fir, mountain maple.

Resume Les infections a cytomegalovirus (CMV) sont classiques dans les cas d’immunodepression severe. Nous rapportons un cas d’atteinte digestive isolee chez une jeune malade initialement immunocompetente. La malade presentait un etat de choc secondaire a une pneumopathie d’inhalation puis une enterocolite dont l’origine restait inexpliquee pendant pres de trois semaines. L’evolution etait marquee par la necessite de realiser plusieurs gestes de resections digestive avant de parvenir au diagnostic. L’examen anatomopathologique etait a l’origine du diagnostic dans le cas que nous rapportons. Le diagnostic histologique etait confirme par marquage immuno-histochimique et par la cinetique de l’antigenemie et des anticorps circulants anti-CMV. Nous insistons sur les differentes caracteristiques de cette pathologie qui peut avoir de graves consequences si elle reste longtemps meconnue.

Nous rapportons deux observations rares de perforation sigmoidienne revelatrice d'endometriose.

SummaryObjective Silent corticotroph adenomas (SCAs) present as nonfunctional pituitary tumours in routine pre-operative evaluation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MRI T2-weighted sequences for detecting the corticotroph subtype pre-operatively. Design The pre-operative T2-weighted MRI sequences were retrospectively evaluated in patients with SCA and two control groups: clinically manifest corticotroph macroadenomas (CSMs) and nonfunctional gonadotroph macroadenomas (NFGMs). All were selected from a registry of 1096 patients in whom transsphenoidal surgery was performed in the same tertiary reference centre. T2-weighted MRI sequences were independently classified by one senior endocrinologist and one senior radiologist who were blinded to the clinical and histological features. Patients Seventeen patients with SCA, 14 with CSM and 60 with NFGM were included in this study. Measurements Pituitary MRI with T2-weighted sequences. Two aspects were retained: multiple microcysts (MMs) and the absence of microcysts. Hormonal data included plasma prolactin, IGF-1, testosterone or oestradiol, LH, FT4, TSH, morning plasma cortisol and an ACTH-stimulation test, when available. Results Multiple microcysts were present in 76% (13/17) of SCAs, 21% (3/14) of CSMs and 5% (3/60) of NFGMs. The presence of MMs in clinically nonfunctioning macroadenomas had a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 95% for predicting SCA. Conclusion The presence of MMs in T2-weighted MRI is a good diagnostic tool to suggest the corticotroph subtype in an apparently nonfunctional pituitary tumour.

Neuroepithelial papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) has been defined as a distinct entity that is increasingly being recognized, with 96 cases now reported. This tumor shares morphologic features with both ependymomas and choroid plexus tumors. PTPR is characterized by an epithelial-like growth pattern in which the vessels are covered by layers of tumor cells forming perivascular pseudorosettes. These tumors exhibit various combinations of papillary and solid architecture, making the differential diagnosis of PTPR difficult to establish. We report the detailed description of the histopathologic features of a large series of PTPRs from 20 different centers and distinguish 2 subgroups of tumors with either a striking papillary growth pattern or a papillary and solid growth pattern. We highlight the findings that PTPRs have unusual vessels with multiple lumina and frequently show detachment of the border of the tumoral cells from the vascular wall. The 2 PTPR subgroups present similar clinical characteristics and immunophenotypes. We confirmed and extended the results of previous ultrastructural studies on the presence of intercellular junctions at the apical part of tumoral cells. The expression of the tight junction proteins claudin-1, claudin-2, and claudin-3 was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Claudin-1 and claudin-3, but not claudin-2, were expressed in PTPRs and in the fetal subcommissural organ, potentially the origin of this tumor. In contrast, all 3 claudins were expressed in choroid plexus papillomas. Claudin expression may help in the diagnosis of PTPRs and can be used in combination with other markers, such as CK18, NCAM, E-cadherin, MAP-2, and Kir 7.1.

Introduction La syphilis secondaire est caracterisee par un grand polymorphisme clinique. Nous rapportons un cas de syphilis secondaire avec hypophysite chez un patient seronegatif pour le VIH. Observations Un homme homosexuel de 24 ans sans antecedent presentait des cephalees tres intenses d’apparition brutale. Une TDM cerebrale montrait une masse intrasellaire de 11 × 9 mm, de densite graisseuse avec rehaussement de la paroi, l’IRM cerebrale une masse intrasellaire de 16 × 12 × 11,5 mm, avec compression chiasmatique moderee evoquant un adenome hypophysaire non secretant ou un craniopharyngiome atypique. Les axes endocriniens n’etaient pas atteints. L’aspect macroscopique peroperatoire etait tres atypique et non evocateur de craniopharyngiome. L’histologie montrait un infiltrat inflammatoire a predominance lymphocytaire avec tissu de granulation, d’aspect reactionnel, sans signe de specificite et sans infiltration tumorale. Les suites post-operatoires etaient marquees par des complications variees (diabete insipide, insuffisance corticotrope et thyreotrope, epistaxis severe avec radio-embolisation). A distance de l’intervention, l’examen dermatologique montrait des macules cuivrees des paumes et des plantes et une plaque fauchee de la langue. Le VDRL etait a 1/32, une PCR Tp sur la plaque linguale etait positive, la serologie VIH etait negative. La ponction lombaire ne montrait pas de meningite, la PCR pour Tp et le VDRL dans le LCR etaient negatifs. Une immuno-histochimie (IHC) avec un anticorps anti-treponemique sur la piece operatoire montrait une infiltration par de nombreux spirochetes avec une repartition preferentielle perivasculaire. Le patient etait traite par 14 jours de PENICILLINE G IV avec succes. Le titre de VDRL avait diminue de 3 dilutions a 3 mois du traitement. L’interrogatoire revelait que le patient avait consulte en ville pour une ulceration du gland 1 mois avant le debut des cephalees. Discussion Il s’agit du premier cas rapporte d’hypophysite syphilitique chez un patient seronegatif pour le VIH. Un cas similaire a ete rapporte chez un patient infecte par le VIH avec atteinte de la tige pituitaire. Aucune analyse histologique avec IHC anti-spirochete n’avait apporte la preuve de l’atteinte hypophysaire par le spirochete. Cette atteinte entre dans le cas d’une syphilis secondaire sans neurosyphilis compte tenu de la chronologie, de l’atteinte cutanee concomitante et de la situation anatomique de l’antehypophyse (n’appartenant pas au systeme nerveux central). Le tropisme hypophysaire du treponeme est peu connu, des dermatologues et des endocrinologues. Conclusion Nous rapportons un cas original d’hypophysite syphilitique confirmant le caractere varie et polymorphe de la syphilis. La serologie TPHA-VDRL doit etre proposee plus systematiquement chez les sujets a risque.

International audience; CONTEXT: To date only 18 patients with aggressive pituitary tumors or carcinomas treated with temozolomide have been reported. Increased expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltranferase (MGMT) has been suggested to predict resistance to temozolomide. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to describe the antitumoral efficacy and toxicity of temozolomide in patients with aggressive pituitary tumors or carcinomas and evaluate the possible prognostic value of MGMT promoter methylation and protein expression. PATIENTS: Eight patients, five with pituitary carcinomas (three prolactin (PRL) and two ACTH) and three with aggressive pituitary tumors (one PRL and two ACTH), all treated with temozolomide administered orally for four to 24 cycles, were included in our French multicenter study. DESIGN: MGMT expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and MGMT promoter methylation by pyrosequencing. RESULTS: Three of the eight patients (two ACTH adenomas and one PRL carcinoma) responded to temozolomide as demonstrated by significant tumor shrinkage and reduced hormone secretion. Three cycles of temozolomide were sufficient to identify treatment-responsive patients. Additional cycles did not improve treatment efficacy in those not responding, even when associated with carboplatin and vepeside. MGMT expression did not predict tumoral response to temozolomide because it was positive in one responder and negative in two nonresponders. Similarly, MGMT promoter methylation (three of seven tumors) did not predict clinical response. Toxicity remained mild in all patients. CONCLUSION: Temozolomide treatment may be an effective option for some aggressive pituitary tumors or carcinomas. Response to a trial of three cycles of treatment seems sufficient to identify responders and more reliable than patient MGMT status.

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) may be locally invasive. Markers of invasiveness are needed to guide patient management and particularly the use of adjuvant radiotherapy. To examine whether invasive NFPAs display a specific gene expression profile relative to non-invasive tumors, we selected 40 NFPAs (38 of the gonadotroph type) and classified them as invasive (n=22) or non-invasive (n=18) on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging and surgical findings. We then performed pangenomic analysis with the 44k Agilent human whole genome expression oligonucleotide microarray in order to identify genes with differential expression between invasive and non-invasive NFPAs. Candidate genes were then tested in qRT-PCR. Prediction class analysis showed that the expression of 346 genes differed between invasive and non-invasive NFPAs (PIGFBP5 (P=0.02), MYO5A (P=0.04), FLT3 (P=0.01), and NFE2L1 (P=0.02). At the protein level, only myosin 5A (MYO5A) immunostaining was stronger in invasive than in non-invasive NFPAs. Molecular signature allows to differentiate ‘grossly’ invasive from non-invasive NFPAs. The product of one of these genes, MYO5A, may be a useful marker of tumor invasiveness.

Calcium alginate beads containingLactococcus lactis cells were used for three batch fermentations of milk or a commercially available growth medium (Gold Complete, Nordica) with the aim of producing concentrated cultures. Repeated fermentations did not significantly increase bead CFU counts which were between 3.3–7.8×1010 CFU/g. During the second and third fermentations, which lasted 6 h each, the bead populations decreased if the incubation was extended over 2 h. There was cell release from the beads. Fermentation media and fermentation time all had an effect on free cell counts, but none of these factors statistically interacted. Free cell counts were higher at the end of fermentations 2 and 3 than in the first fermentation and approximately 50% of the population was in the free state. Free cell counts were higher when the beads were incubated in Gold complete than in milk. Although the total bacterial population of a standard free cell fermentation was always higher than those having immobilized cells, immobilized cell technology did enable the production of dense cultures.

We report the case of a 48-year-old female patient who had a Crohn's disease treated by corticosteroids. The patient developed severe cardiac failure, which was refractory to treatment with inotropic agents. At necropsy, examination of the heart revealed myocardial abscesses. On microscopic study, we diagnosed an aspergillar myocarditis. Aspergillar myocarditis is a rare and fatal localisation in disseminated aspergillosis. Diagnosis is difficult and treatment, usually initiated late, is ineffective.

International audience; We report a new family of molecular imaging probes that offer the possibility of specific PARACEST (paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer) MRI detection of a large variety of enzymatic activities. The probes are based on a lanthanide complex coupled to an enzyme-specific substrate through a self-immolative spacer. Upon enzymatic cleavage of the substrate, the spacer is spontaneously eliminated, thereby resulting in a remarkable change in the PARACEST properties of the Ln3+ chelate. This new type of contrast agent opens up new perspectives in molecular magnetic resonance imaging.

Summary Aim The indications for preoperative adjuvant therapy in rectal cancer are still a subject of debate. The objective of this study was to analyze the results of surgical resection and selective radiotherapy in a group of high-risk patients (Dukes B and C) taken from a series of 148 consecutive patients with rectal cancer. Methods All patients with rectal cancer considered for resection during the period 1994-2004 were prospectively included. The policy was to deliver preoperative radiotherapy in cases of fixed or tethered tumors or when imaging predicted T3 tumors with positive circumferential margins. Other tumors were resected without neoadjuvant therapy. All resections were done using the total mesorectal excision (TME) technique. Results One hundred and forty-eight consecutive patients underwent rectal resection during the study period. A sphincter-saving technique was carried out in 134 patients (90%). No patient was excluded from the analysis. The perioperative mortality was 2/148 (1.5%). Curative surgery was obtained in 135 patients. The 94 patients with a Dukes B or C tumor formed the high-risk group that was the basis of our study. The mean follow-up in this group was 58 months (range 24-120). Twenty patients (21%) received preoperative radiotherapy (PRT) and 74 (79%) underwent surgical resection alone. A positive circumferential margin, defined as one that was ≤1 mm, was found in seven of the 85 patients (8.2%) for whom this measure was available. The actuarial five-year overall survival was 74%. Local recurrence developed in eight patients (8.4%): four in the PRT group (20%), and four in the non-PRT group (5.4%). Only two patients developed an isolated local recurrence. Conclusions Preoperative adjuvant therapy can be safely omitted in patients who demonstrate clear circumferential margins on preoperative imaging, provided that adequate surgery is subsequently performed.

Several factors affecting somatic embryogenesis (SE) in Pinus sylvestris from self- and cross-pollinated seed families were studied with the aim of producing large quantities of clonal plants. Somatic embryogenesis initiation from zygotic embryos was improved on a medium with lower than standard concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.2 vs. 9.5 mu M) and 6-benzyladenine (2.2 vs. 4.5 mu M). On this medium, initiation rates of four controlled crosses, including one self-cross, varied from 3% to 25%. Among the maturation factors tested, the concentration of abscisic acid (ABA 80, 120 mu M) had no significant effect on the production of mature somatic embryos when the medium contained 0.1 M sucrose. When sucrose concentration was 0.2 M, however, 1.4 times more mature somatic embryos were produced on medium with 80 mu M compared with 120 mu M ABA. Under our best maturation conditions, mature somatic embryos accumulated amounts of storage proteins that were similar to the amounts in mature zygotic embryos. Activated charcoal exerted a beneficial effect on mature somatic embryo production of 24-week-old cultures; there was no evidence of such an effect in 8-week-old cultures. Thirty-seven embryogenic lines from a self-cross and an out-cross were chosen for clonal plant production. Highly embryogenic lines produced mature somatic embryos that were more likely to convert to plants than those from less embryogenic lines. After 4 months of growth in a shade house, plantlet survival rates exceeded 70% for 31 lines out of 35. This report describes an improved method for accelerated production of large quantities of Scots pine for clonal tests.

A field study was conducted to determine the effect of soil moisture on the survival of three winter cereal species. Treatments were applied by watering and weighing the soil to the desired water content. Plants were overwintered in a plastic greenhouse in 1988 and in 1989, in which the air was not heated, but the soil was slightly heated on cold days to avoid very low temperatures. Soil temperature did not fall below −16 °C. Soil temperature rate of change was dependent on moisture content. Puma winter rye and Otrastajuskaja 38 winter wheat were the hardiest, followed by Wintri winter triticale and Norstar winter wheat. Harus winter wheat was less hardy, and Champlein winter wheat was totally winter killed. The highest survival rate was obtained at moderate to high soil moisture content. The soil contained 44% water at field capacity and 19% at the wilting point. The drier the soil in the range 13–23%, the greater the mortality indicating a negative effect of long-term drought on plant survival. By contrast, the wettest treatments: 58% and partial ice encasement, did not reduce survival. However, total ice encasement killed 50–75% of the plants depending on the cultivar. There was an interaction between cultivar and moisture treatment. The data suggest that a moisture level intermediate between the wilting point and field capacity should be sought in studies of cold hardiness.Key words: Moisture, winterkill, ice encasement, wheat, rye, triticale