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Metabolites Aug 2022Pedunculate oak ( L.) is an economically important forest-forming species in Poland that produces seeds that are sensitive to desiccation; therefore, short-lived seeds...
Deterioration in the Quality of Recalcitrant Seeds during Six Months of Storage at Subzero Temperatures: Ineffective Activation of Prosurvival Mechanisms and Evidence of Freezing Stress from an Untargeted Metabolomic Study.
Pedunculate oak ( L.) is an economically important forest-forming species in Poland that produces seeds that are sensitive to desiccation; therefore, short-lived seeds are classified as recalcitrant. Such seeds display active metabolism throughout storage. Acorns stored under controlled conditions (moisture content of 40%, temperature -3 °C) maintain viability for up to 1.5-2 years. Meanwhile, oaks only produce large numbers of seeds every few years during so-called mast years. This results in a scarcity of good-quality seeds for continuous nursery production and restoration. The recalcitrant storage behavior and the requirements of foresters make it necessary to develop a new protocol for longer acorn storage at lower temperatures. Two storage temperatures were tested: -3 °C (currently used in forest practice) and -7 °C. Our results showed that acorns stored for six months exhibited deterioration and reduced germination capacity, as well as reduced seedling performance, particularly when acorns were stored at -7 °C. To elucidate the decrease in quality during storage, an untargeted metabolomics study was performed for the first time and supported with the analysis of carbohydrates and percentages of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Embryonic axes were characterized by a lower C:N ratio and higher hydration. A total of 1985 metabolites were detected, and 303 were successfully identified and quantified, revealing 44 known metabolites that displayed significantly up- or downregulated abundance. We demonstrated for the first time that the significant deterioration of seed germination potential, particularly in seeds stored at -7 °C, was accompanied by an increased abundance of phenolic compounds and carbohydrates but also amino acids and phosphorylated monosaccharides, particularly in the embryonic axes. The increased abundance of defense-related metabolites (1,2,4-Benzenetriol; BTO), products of ascorbic acid degradation (threonic and isothreonic acid), as well as antifreezing compounds (sugar alcohols, predominantly threitol), was reported in seed stored at -7 °C. We hypothesize that seed deterioration was caused by freezing stress experienced during six months of storage at -7 °C, a decline in antioxidative potential and the unsuccessful rerouting of the energy-production pathways. Additionally, our data are a good example of the application of high-throughput metabolomic tools in forest management.
PubMed: 36005628
DOI: 10.3390/metabo12080756 -
Comparative population genetics of swimming crab host ( and common symbiotic barnacle () in Vietnam.PeerJ 2021By comparing spatial geographical structures of host populations with that of their symbionts light can be shed on their biological interactions, and the degree of...
BACKGROUND
By comparing spatial geographical structures of host populations with that of their symbionts light can be shed on their biological interactions, and the degree of congruence between host and symbiont phylogeographies should reflect their life histories and especially dispersal mechanisms.
METHODS
Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity and structure of a host, the blue swimming crab, , and its symbiotic pedunculate barnacle from six location sites representing three geographic regions (north, central and south) along the Vietnam coastline. High levels of congruence in their phylogeographic patterns were expected as they both undergo planktonic larval stages.
RESULTS
Based on the COI mtDNA markers, populations showed higher genetic diversity in comparison with their host (number of haplotype/individuals, haplotype and nucleotide diversity are 119/192, 0.991 ± 0.002 and 0.02; and 89/160, 0.913 ± 0.02 and 0.015, respectively). Pairwise Fst and AMOVA analyses showed a more pronounced population structure in the symbiotic barnacle than in its crab host. The DAPC analyses identified three genetic clusters. However, both haplotype networks and scatter plots supported connectivity of the host and the symbiotic barnacle throughout their distribution range, except for low subdivision of southern population. Isolation by distance were detected only for the symbiont (R = 0.332, = 0.05), while dbMEM supported spatial structure of both partners, but only at MEM-1 (Obs. 0.2686, < 0.01 and Obs. 0.2096, < 0.01, respectively).
PubMed: 34277149
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11671 -
Microscopy Research and Technique Sep 2023Morphoanatomical studies can provide useful and relevant information to support taxonomic groupings. Jacquemontia evolvuloides shows great morphological variability,...
Leaf and stem micromorphology of Jacquemontia evolvuloides (Moric.) Meisn. (Convolvulaceae) populations: New insights for taxonomic classification using light and scanning electron microscopy.
Morphoanatomical studies can provide useful and relevant information to support taxonomic groupings. Jacquemontia evolvuloides shows great morphological variability, which has led to numerous taxonomic classifications. To determine if anatomical characters can be used to recognize operational taxonomic units within populations of that species, we analyzed the leaves and stems of 22 populations using light and scanning electron microscopy. The variability of the analyzed characters allowed the grouping of these populations into five morphotypes. The presence of paracytic stomata, laticiferous canals, and stellate trichomes can be considered diagnostic characters of J. evolvuloides. The presence and types of epicuticular waxes, as well as a layer similar to palisade parenchyma in the petioles and stems, the classifications of glandular trichomes, and new types of stomata (anomocytic, anomotetracytic, and brachyparatetracytic) are reported here for the first time for Jacquemontia. The results discussed here help clarify the classification of this species complex and contribute to the taxonomy of Jacquemontia-a genus that has historically been difficult to define due to its wide morphological variation at the species level. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Seven types of epicuticular waxes were identified among J. evolvuloides specimens: granules, threads, entire platelets, coiled rodlets, fissured layers, membranous platelets, and tubules. Six types of trichomes were observed among J. evolvuloides populations: stellate, malpighiaceous, sessile peltate glandular, short pedunculate glandular, stipitate-glandular, and capitate glandular. We observed that six populations of Jacquemontia evolvuloides located in the Brazilian Caatinga domain have unprecedented sessile peltate trichomes restricted to the main leaf midrib, which were only observed under light microscopy.
Topics: Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Convolvulaceae; Plant Leaves; Trichomes; Waxes
PubMed: 37486152
DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24391 -
Oecologia Oct 2021Seasonal life history events are often interdependent, but we know relatively little about how the relationship between different events is influenced by the abiotic and...
Seasonal life history events are often interdependent, but we know relatively little about how the relationship between different events is influenced by the abiotic and biotic environment. Such knowledge is important for predicting the immediate and evolutionary phenological response of populations to changing conditions. We manipulated germination timing and shade in a multi-factorial experiment to investigate the relationship between spring and autumn phenology in seedlings of the pedunculate oak, Quercus robur, and whether this relationship was mediated by natural colonization of leaves by specialist fungal pathogens (i.e., the oak powdery mildew complex). Each week delay in germination corresponded to about 2 days delay in autumn leaf senescence, and heavily shaded seedlings senesced 5-8 days later than seedlings in light shade or full sun. Within seedlings, leaves on primary-growth shoots senesced later than those on secondary-growth shoots in some treatments. Path analyses demonstrated that germination timing and shade affected autumn phenology both directly and indirectly via pathogen load, though the specific pattern differed among and within seedlings. Pathogen load increased with later germination and greater shade. Greater pathogen load was in turn associated with later senescence for seedlings, but with earlier senescence for individual leaves. Our findings show that relationships between seasonal events can be partly mediated by the biotic environment and suggest that these relationships may differ between the plant and leaf level. The influence of biotic interactions on phenological correlations across scales has implications for understanding phenotypic variation in phenology and for predicting how populations will respond to climatic perturbation.
Topics: Fungi; Plant Diseases; Plant Leaves; Quercus; Seasons; Seedlings; Trees
PubMed: 34553245
DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-05044-0 -
Adapting a allometric equation to quantify carbon sequestration rates on the Middle Elbe floodplain.MethodsX 2022Destructively sampling old Pedunculate oak () trees on the active floodplain of the Middle Elbe to create an allometric equation to estimate carbon stocks (CS) and...
Destructively sampling old Pedunculate oak () trees on the active floodplain of the Middle Elbe to create an allometric equation to estimate carbon stocks (CS) and carbon sequestration rates (CSR) would defeat the purpose of protecting increasingly vulnerable and threatened primeval floodplain forests. To nondestructively estimate CS and CSR, we have adapted a two-parameter allometric equation which uses tree height (H) and diameter at breast height (DBH) (Dik 1984, Zianis et al. 2005) into a 1-parameter equation that requires only DBH to quantify stocks and annual changes in carbon stock (carbon sequestration rates) for individual trees. The equations have also been adapted to estimate below- and above-ground carbon stocks of individual trees. The new method has:•Adapted a 2-parameter allometric equation which estimates tree volume to a 1-parameter equation which estimates above and below-ground carbon stock•Removed the requirement of tree height to reconstruct the carbon stock of trees at an annual timestep•An almost perfect linear relationship (Pearson R= 0.998) between carbon sequestration rate and basal area increment (BAI).
PubMed: 35958097
DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2022.101800 -
Physiology and Molecular Biology of... Nov 2019The use of pedunculate oak ( L.), along with other tree species, for the afforestation of heavy metal contaminated lands is an attractive prospect. Little, however, is...
The use of pedunculate oak ( L.), along with other tree species, for the afforestation of heavy metal contaminated lands is an attractive prospect. Little, however, is known of tolerance and its antioxidative system response to heavy metal exposure. The main objective of the study was to determine the cadmium-induced changes in antioxidative system of pedunculate oak in an attempt to identify molecular mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance. This may be of great importance in respect of using for phytoremediation purposes. As the response of the antioxidative system to heavy metal contamination can vary within species, the research was conducted on oak seedlings from two different regions of origin. Differences in antioxidative system response of seedlings derived from tested regions of origin were noticed both at the transcript and enzyme activity levels. The obtained results indicate that ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) play a first barrier role in oak seedlings response to the oxidative stress caused by Cd exposure. Catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) is involved in reducing the negative effects of prolonged Cd treatment.
PubMed: 31736541
DOI: 10.1007/s12298-019-00712-1 -
Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics &... Jan 2020To evaluate differences in hysteroscopic findings between benign endometrial polyps and endometrial cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate differences in hysteroscopic findings between benign endometrial polyps and endometrial cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 2012 to December 2016, we extracted 179 cases with endometrial polyps from 3066 women who underwent hysteroscopy followed by dilatation and curettage or transcervical resection, with 154 and 25 cases of benign and malignant endometrial polyps, respectively. Clinical characteristics, histopathological and hysteroscopic findings of the women were evaluated retrospectively.
RESULTS
The hysteroscopic findings of malignant polyps were hyper-vascular (72%, 18/25), ulcerative (64%, 16/25) and polyps with irregular surfaces (24%, 6/25). In contrast, pedunculate small growths with smooth surfaces were usually seen in the benign endometrial polyps (38.3%, 59/154). Hyper-vascular (OR: 142.6, 95% CI: 25.98-783.4) and polyps with irregular surfaces (OR: 12.02, 95% CI: 1.765-81.83) in hysteroscopic findings were significant strong predictors of endometrial polyps with endometrial cancer. Hysteroscopic findings of ulcerative changes were most strongly associated with a diagnosis of malignant polyps, with sensitivity, specificity, negative (NPV) and positive (PPV) predictive values of 64.0%, 100%, 94.5%, and 100%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Women with hysteroscopic findings of endometrial polyps with hyper-vascular, ulcerative, and polyps with irregular surfaces had a high likelihood of endometrial cancer. A target biopsy of the polyps with these specific appearances should be performed to exclude malignant lesions.
Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Diagnosis, Differential; Dilatation and Curettage; Endometrial Neoplasms; Endometrium; Female; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Middle Aged; Polyps; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Uterine Diseases
PubMed: 32039807
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2019.11.013 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2023Oak bark is a rich niche for beneficial bioactive compounds. It is known that the amount of the compounds found in plant tissues can depend on species, genotype, growth...
Oak bark is a rich niche for beneficial bioactive compounds. It is known that the amount of the compounds found in plant tissues can depend on species, genotype, growth site, etc., but it is unclear whether oak phenology, i.e., late or early bud burst, can also influence the amount of phenols and antioxidants that can be extracted. We tested two populations expressing different phenology and five half-sib families in each population to see how phenology, genotype, as well as extrahent differences (75% methanol or water) can determine the total phenol, total flavonoid content, as well as antioxidant activity. Significant statistical differences were found between half-sib families of the same population, between populations representing different oak phenology and different extrahents used. We determined that the extraction of flavonoids was more favorable when using water. So was antioxidant activity using one of the indicators, when significant differences between extrahents were observed. Furthermore, in families where there was a significant difference, phenols showed better results when using methanol. Overall, late bud burst families exhibited higher levels in all parameters tested. Thus, we recommend that for further bioactive compound extraction, all these factors be noted.
PubMed: 36983864
DOI: 10.3390/life13030710 -
Bulletin of Entomological Research Feb 2020Gall formation is associated with multiple changes in plant cells, which still requires a better understanding. In this study, galls caused by sexual generation (♀♂)...
Gall formation is associated with multiple changes in plant cells, which still requires a better understanding. In this study, galls caused by sexual generation (♀♂) of Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (L.) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on pedunculate oak trees (Quercus robur L.) were used as a model. Cytoplasmic membrane condition, concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the activity of antioxidant enzymes and amino acid decarboxylase as well as chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined. Changes in physiological and biochemical parameters were analyzed in foliar tissues with galls and gall tissues themselves and compared to control. The presence of galls on oak leaves caused an increase of lipid peroxidation level. A significant decline in H2O2 and TBARS content with the reduction of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity were observed in gall tissues. The activity amino acid decarboxylase, i.e., LDC, ODC and TyDC varied between samples, which may affect the content of amino acids. The presence of N. quercusbaccarum galls caused an insignificant increase of the chlorophylls, carotenoids and anthocyanin contents, while the content of pigments and their ratios in gall tissues was extremely low. Moreover, photosynthetic parameters (F0, Fm, Fv/Fm, Y, qP) were significantly decreased. Data generated in this study indicate that the development of N. quercusbaccarum galls on pedunculate oak leaves has a negative effect on host plant related to the disruption of cell membrane integrity, disturbance of photosynthesis and reduction of the antioxidant potential of the host plant.
Topics: Animals; Cell Membrane; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Host-Parasite Interactions; Hydrogen Peroxide; Male; Oxidative Stress; Photosynthesis; Pigmentation; Plant Leaves; Plant Tumors; Quercus; Wasps
PubMed: 31190653
DOI: 10.1017/S0007485319000221 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Jul 2019Because the duodenum is fixed onto the retroperitoneum, duodenal intussusception is usually impossible except in cases of malrotational abnormality. Although cases of...
BACKGROUND
Because the duodenum is fixed onto the retroperitoneum, duodenal intussusception is usually impossible except in cases of malrotational abnormality. Although cases of duodenal intussusception without malrotational abnormalities have been reported, it is unclear whether they constitute true intussusception or simple mucosal prolapse.
CASE SUMMARY
A 66-year-old woman presented with whole-body edema and malaise. Blood analysis indicated severe anemia and cholestasis. Endoscopic examination revealed a pedunculate polyp on the second part of the duodenum that migrated distally with mucosal elongation. Computed tomography showed duodenal intussusception. A tumor as the lead point and retroperitoneal structure, including the head of the pancreas and fat, invaginated beyond the duodenojejunal flexure. She was diagnosed with ampullary adenoma caused repeated intussusception that reduced spontaneously and underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Laparotomy showed tumor prolapse beyond the duodenojejunal flexure without intussusception. There was no evidence of malrotational abnormality. She was discharged with no complications.
CONCLUSION
We report true duodenal intussusception without malrotational abnormality. This phenomenon was also associated with mucosal prolapse.
PubMed: 31417932
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i14.1857