Bud variation in Coleus and divers cultivated plants;

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Participation in the RACS sentinel node biopsy versus axillary clearance trial

Background: The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) SNAC trial is a randomized controlled trial of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) versus axillary clearance (AC). It opened in May 2001 and is recruiting rapidly with good acceptance by consumers. Methods: A study of eligibility and treatment choices was conducted between November 2001 and September 2002 for women presenting with early breast cancer to 10 centres participating in the trial. Results: More than half of the 622 women (54%) were ineligible for trial entry because they had large (> 3 cm) or multicentric cancers. Participation was offered to 92% of eligible women and was taken up by 63%. The commonest reason for not participating was the desire to choose treatment rather than have it randomly allocated. Despite this there is a great acceptance of clinical trials because very few women (4% of those eligible) gave 'lack of interest in clinical trials' as the reason for non-participation. Few women who declined trial participation chose to have SNB alone (4.5% of those eligible). Conclusion: Sentinel node biopsy may become the standard of care for managing small breast cancers, but a significant number of patients will still require or choose axillary dissection. Results from large randomized trials are needed to determine the relative benefits and harms of SNB compared with AC. Surgeons must carefully discuss options for management with their patients.

Stability of Ampelometric Characteristics of Vitis vinifera L. cv. 'Syrah' and 'Sauvignon blanc' Leaves: Impact of Within-vineyard Variability and Pruning Method/Bud Load

Historically, grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) leaf characterisation has been a driving force in the identification of cultivars. In this study, ampelometric (foliometric) analysis was done on leaf samples collected from hand-pruned, mechanically pruned and minimally pruned ‘Sauvignon blanc’ and ‘Syrah’ vines to estimate the impact of within-vineyard variability and a change in bud load on the stability of leaf properties. The results showed that within-vineyard variability of ampelometric characteristics was high within a cultivar, irrespective of bud load. In terms of the O.I.V. coding system, zero to four class differences were observed between minimum and maximum values of each characteristic. The value of variability of each characteristic was different between the three levels of bud load and the two cultivars. With respect to bud load, the number of shoots per vine had a significant effect on the characteristics of the leaf laminae. Single leaf area and lengths of veins changed significantly for both cultivars, irrespective of treatment, while angle between veins proved to be a stable characteristic. A large number of biometric data can be recorded on a single leaf; the data measured on several leaves, however, are not necessarily unique for a specific cultivar. The leaf characteristics analysed in this study can be divided into two groups according to the response to a change in bud load, i.e. stable (angles between the veins, depths of sinuses) and variable (length of the veins, length of the petiole, single leaf area). The variable characteristics are not recommended to be used in cultivar identification, unless the pruning method/bud load is known.

Shade promotes thorn development in a tropical liana, Artabotrys hexapatalus (Annonaceae)

The liana Artabotrys hexapetalus (L.f.) Bhand., which is widely planted in the Tropics and native to African rain forests, produced new reiterations (new leader shoots) normally and after damage induced by Hurricane Andrew (August 24, 1992). In each new orthotropic shoot, there is a gradient in lateral branch structures from basal thorns, to vegetative leafy branches, to distal leafy flowering branches. We noted that reiterations developing in shade had more thorns than similar reiterations developing in full sun. Tents with clear (66% photosynthetically active radiation [PAR]) and shaded plastic film (12%–14% PAR) were placed over nodes when the axillary buds began to expand to produce reiteration shoots. After 2 mo of growth inside the tents and in the open, the types of lateral outgrowths (thorn vs. branch) were recorded. Shoots in spectrally neutral shade (red to far red of full sun) and spectrally altered shade (red to far red of canopy shade) produced significantly more thorns at the lower nodes of the shoots as compared to those in full sun. Shoots in control clear plastic tents were the same as those in full sun. We conclude that the fate of lateral bud development is controlled by irradiance (light level) but not by light quality. Increased thorn production in shade could be advantageous to plants growing in the deep shade of rain forests. Thorns in the self-shaded regions of the plant, and well below the forest canopy, could aid in protection from herbivory and in climbing by acting as hooks.

From Polarity to Morphogenesis PAK Behaviors and Mechanism for Bud Sensing in Morphogenesis Checkpoint

Bud formation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a fundamental process for yeast proliferation. Bud emergence is initiated by the polarization of the cytoskeleton, leading to local secretory vesicle delivery and gulcan synthase activity. The master regulator of polarity establishment is a small Rho-family GTPase – Cdc42. Cdc42 forms a clustered patch at the incipient budding site in late G1 and mediates downstream events which lead to bud emergence. Cdc42 promotes morphogenesis via its various effectors. PAKs (p21-activated kinases) are important Cdc42 effectors which mediate actin cytoskeleton polarization and septin filament assembly. The PAKs Cla4 and Ste20 share common binding domains for GTP-Cdc42 and they are partially redundant in function. However, we found that Cla4 and Ste20 behaved differently during the polarization and this depended on their different membrane interaction domains. Also, Cla4 and Ste20 compete for a limited number of binding sites at the polarity patch during bud emergence. These results suggest that PAKs may be differentially regulated during polarity establishment.

Morphogenesis of yeast must be coordinated with the nuclear cycle to enable successful proliferation. Many environmental stresses temporarily disrupt bud formation, and in such circumstances, the morphogenesis checkpoint halts nuclear division until bud formation can resume. Bud emergence is essential for degradation of the mitotic inhibitor, Swe1. Swe1 is localized to the septin cytoskeleton at the bud neck by the Swe1-binding protein Hsl7. Neck localization of Swe1 is required for Swe1 degradation. Although septins form a ring at the presumptive bud site prior to bud emergence, Hsl7 is not recruited to the septins until after bud emergence, suggesting that septins and/or Hsl7 respond to a “bud sensor”. Here we show that recruitment of Hsl7 to the septin ring depends on a combination of two septin-binding kinases: Hsl1 and Elm1. We elucidate which domains of these kinases are needed, and show that artificial targeting of those domains suffices to recruit Hsl7 to septin rings even in unbudded cells. Moreover, recruitment of Elm1 is responsive to bud emergence. Our findings suggest that Elm1 plays a key role in sensing bud emergence.

AFLP-based genetic mapping of the " bud-flowering" trait in heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Background: Calluna vulgaris is one of the most important landscaping plants produced in Germany. Its enormous economic success is due to the prolonged flower attractiveness of mutants in flower morphology, the so-called bud-bloomers. In this study, we present the first genetic linkage map of C. vulgaris in which we mapped a locus of the economically highly desired trait " flower type" .Results: The map was constructed in JoinMap 4.1. using 535 AFLP markers from a single mapping population. A large fraction (40%) of markers showed distorted segregation. To test the effect of segregation distortion on linkage estimation, these markers were sorted regarding their segregation ratio and added in groups to the data set. The plausibility of group formation was evaluated by comparison of the " two-way pseudo-testcross" and the " integrated" mapping approach. Furthermore, regression mapping was compared to the multipoint-likelihood algorithm. The majority of maps constructed by different combinations of these methods consisted of eight linkage groups corresponding to the chromosome number of C. vulgaris.Conclusions: All maps confirmed the independent inheritance of the most important horticultural traits " flower type" , " flower colour" , and " leaf colour". An AFLP marker for the most important breeding target " flower type" was identified. The presented genetic map of C. vulgaris can now serve as a basis for further molecular marker selection and map-based cloning of the candidate gene encoding the unique flower architecture of C. vulgaris bud-bloomers. © 2013 Behrend et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Omission of axillary clearance in patients with early breast cancer and positive sentinel node biopsy treated with conservative surgery: application of the ACOSOG Z011 trial in clinical practice

Background: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in presence of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases has been the standard in breast cancer (BC) patients for many years. Today, after the publication of the ACOSOG Z0011 trial, ALND is a procedure restricted to a dwindling group of patients with a clearly metastatic axilla. Material and methods: This was a prospective observational trial involving two Italian Breast Units: Policlinico di Sant’Orsola and San Raffaele hospital. Objective was to evaluate that the omission of ALND in patients with cT1-2 cN0 BC undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS) and histological finding of metastases in 1 or 2 SLN is not associated with a worse prognostic outcome. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were disease free survival (DFS) and locoregional recurrence. All BC patients treated between the 1st of November 2020 and 31st of July 2023 with cT1-2 cN0 BC, preoperative negative axillary ultrasound and 1 or 2 metastatic SLN treated with sentinel node biopsy (SLNB) alone entered the study. Results: 795 cT1-2 cN0 BC patients underwent BCS and SLNB. Ninety patients were included. Median age was 60 (52-68) years. Seventy-five patients (83%) had T1 tumor and 15 (17%) T2. Median tumor size was 16 mm (11-19). The median SLN removed was 2 (1-3). Eighty-one patients had 1 positive SLN (90%), while 9 had 2 SLN metastasis (10%). 39 (43%) micrometastases were identified and 51 macrometastasis (57%). All patients underwent radiotherapy. Seventeen (19%) performed adjuvant chemotherapy. Two received immunotherapy with trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Endocrine therapy was given to 84 (93%). At a median follow-up of 19 months (IQR 13-23) OS and DFS were 100%. No loco-regional recurrence was seen. Conclusion: The preliminary results of our study confirm that omitting ALND in patients meeting Z011 criteria is oncologically safe and should be the standard of care.

Hypothermia And Early Neonatal Mortality In Preterm Infants.

To evaluate intervention practices associated with hypothermia at both 5 minutes after birth and at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and to determine whether hypothermia at NICU admission is associated with early neonatal death in preterm infants. This prospective cohort included 1764 inborn neonates of 22-33 weeks without malformations admitted to 9 university NICUs from August 2010 through April 2012. All centers followed neonatal International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation recommendations for the stabilization and resuscitation in the delivery room (DR). Variables associated with hypothermia (axillary temperature <36.0 °C) 5 minutes after birth and at NICU admission, as well as those associated with early death, were analyzed by logistic regression. Hypothermia 5 minutes after birth and at NICU admission was noted in 44% and 51%, respectively, with 6% of early neonatal deaths. Adjusted for confounding variables, practices associated with hypothermia at 5 minutes after birth were DR temperature <25 °C (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.67-2.28), maternal temperature at delivery <36.0 °C (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.49-2.51), and use of plastic bag/wrap (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.40-0.70). The variables associated with hypothermia at NICU admission were DR temperature <25 °C (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.10-1.88), respiratory support with cold air in the DR (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.03-1.88) and during transport to NICU (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08-2.13), and cap use (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.39-0.78). Hypothermia at NICU admission increased the chance of early neonatal death by 1.64-fold (95% CI 1.03-2.61). Simple interventions, such as maintaining DR temperature >25 °C, reducing maternal hypothermia prior to delivery, providing plastic bags/wraps and caps for the newly born infants, and using warm resuscitation gases, may decrease hypothermia at NICU admission and improve early neonatal survival.

Efeito da temperatura e do teor de umidade na iniciação e desenvolvimento do rizoma de Kohleria eriantha (Benth.) Hanst. (Gesneriaceae)

Kohleria eriantha (Benth.) Hanst is a plant belonging to the family Gesneriaceae, with an underground organ, which is associated with vegetative reproduction. This organ is a rhizome, whose stem bears buds covered with modified leaves that store up starch. In small sections of this rhizome, containing six buds (1.5 to 2.0cm long), only one bud sprouted. The sprouted bud could be differentiated into two morphological pattern: aerial part or rhizome. Sprouting of the rhizome pattern occurred in sections kept on substrate with low water content (1mL of water), or lacking water, whereas sprouting of the aerial part pattern occurred in sections on substrate with high water content (12mL of water). Temperature at 20ºC also stimulated sprouting of the rhizome pattern, regardless of the water volume in the substrate. Sprouting of the rhizome pattern occurred still in sections on substrate to which polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) solution was added at the concentrations of 161.2, 235.2 and 340.0g/L, resulting in potentials of -3, -6 and -12 MPa, respectively. Sections kept on substrate with low water content (1 ml of water) showed a reduction in the dry matter content and high osmotic concentration in comparison with those on substrate with high water content. The results obtained revealed that forming of the rhizome pattern was influenced by water content and temperature. It is suggested that sprouting of the rhizome pattern was induced by the low water potential in the sections, when kept on substrate with low water content. Moreover, it was observed that the rhizome buds of Kohleria eriantha showed a high degree of plasticity.

Morfoanatomia da raiz tuberosa de Vernonia oxylepis Sch. Bip. in Mart. ex Baker - Asteraceae

Several native herbaceous and subshrub species native to the Cerrado in Brazil are geophytes, that is, they survive the unfavorable dry season and low temperatures, that sometimes coincide with fire, with only the underground system intact. Vernonia oxylepis is one of these species and the aim of this study was to describe the morpho-anatomy of the tuberous root and bud formation on this structure. The main axis of this root is perpendicular to the soil surface, and from which aerial shoots arise periodically throughout the life cycle. On the upper portion of the root, self-grafting of the shoots occurs. The root stores lipids and fructans, exhibits contraction and produces reparatory buds; adventitious buds arise from proliferated pericycle. These characteristics may be related to adaptation of this species to conditions in the Cerrado.

Tissue culture of Cecropia glaziovii Sneth (urticaceae): vegetative micropropagation and plant regeneration from callus

Cecropia glaziovii is a tree with used in Brazilian popular medicine. Methods allowing the clonal propagation of this species are of great interest for superior genotype multiplication and perpetuation. For this reason, we examined the effect of different culture media and different types of explants on adventitious shoot regeneration from callus and buds of C. glaziovii. Leaves, petioles and stipules obtained from aseptically grown seedlings or from pre-sterilized plants were used to initiate cultures. Adventitious shoot regeneration was achieved when apical and axillary buds were inoculated on gelled Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine alone (BAP) (1.0, 5.0 or 10.0 mg L-1) or combined with -naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (1.0 or 2.0 mg L-1), after 40 days of culture. Best callus production was obtained after 30 days of petioles' culture on gelled MS medium with 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (5.0 mg L-1) combined with BAP (1.0 mg L-1). Successful shoot regeneration from callus was achieved when MS medium supplemented with zeatin (ZEA) (0.1 mg L-1) alone or combined with 2,4-D (1.0 or 5.0 mg L-1) was inoculated with friable callus obtained from petioles. All shoots were rooted by inoculation on MS medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (1.0 mg L-1). Rooted plants transferred to potting soil were successfully established. All in vitro regenerated plantlets showed to be normal, without morphological variations, being also identical to the source plant. Our study has shown that C. glaziovii can be propagated by tissue culture methods, allowing large scale multiplication of superior plants for pharmacological purposes.