Advanced Growth Stages Research Articles

Competing Misfit Relaxation Mechanisms in Epitaxial Correlated Oxides

Strain engineering of functional properties in epitaxial thin films of strongly correlated oxides exhibiting octahedral-framework structures is hindered by the lack of adequate misfit relaxation models. Here we present unreported experimental evidence of a four-stage hierarchical development of octahedral-framework perturbations resulting from a progressive imbalance between electronic, elastic, and octahedral tilting energies in La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3) epitaxial thin films grown on SrTiO(3) substrates. Electronic softening of the Mn-O bonds near the substrate leads to the formation of an interfacial layer clamped to the substrate with strongly degraded magnetotransport properties, i.e., the so-called dead layer, while rigid octahedral tilts become relevant at advanced growth stages without significant effects on charge transport and magnetic ordering.

Localization of Native High-Density Lipoprotein and Its Relation to Plaque Morphology in Human Coronary Artery

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) plays a key role in reverse cholesterol transport, and halts the progression of atherosclerosis. However, its localization in human vascular wall is not well understood. We discovered that by exciting at 470-nm and emitting at 515-nm light wavelengths, Fast green dye (FG) elicits brown fluorescence characteristic of HDL only. Therefore, the localization of native HDL in normal segments and plaques in excised human coronary artery was investigated by scanning their transected surface with color fluorescent microscopy (CFM) using FG as a biomarker, and the relationships between the localization of HDL and morphology of plaques and normal segments classified by conventional angioscopy and histology were examined. The % incidence of HDL in 13 normal segments (NS) with thin (≤ 200 µm) intima, 28 NS with thick (200 µm <) intima, 41 white plaques (early stage of plaque growth), 15 yellow plaques (Y) without necrotic core (NC), and 20 Y with NC (advanced stage of plaque growth), was 30, 71 (P < 0.05 versus NS with thin intima and Y with NC), 83 (P < 0.05 versus NS with thin intima and Y with NC), 60, and 35, respectively. HDL begins to deposit in human coronary arterial wall in the early stage of atherosclerosis and deposits increase with plaque growth, but HDL decreases in plaques at an advanced stage of growth.

RED EDGE AS A POTENTIAL INDEX FOR DETECTING DIFFERENCES IN PLANT NITROGEN STATUS IN WINTER WHEAT

Under certain conditions normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) has low sensitivity; therefore red-edge position (REP) has been tested as an alternative vegetative index. The objective of this study was to determine if REP could be useful for detecting differences in N status for winter wheat compared to NDVI. A spectrometer, and the SPAD meter were used to measure N status. Sensitivity to plant N response and different growth stages was found for NDVI and REP, but NDVI sensitivity tended to decrease as N rate increased and REP sensitivity tended to increase with increased N rate and advancing growth stage. Both NDVI and REP were linearly correlated at all growth stages (r2 = 0.85). REP and SPAD meter readings were highly correlated (r2 = 0.62) as were NDVI and SPAD (r2 = 0.56). Overall, REP and NDVI sensitivity at high plant biomass were similar for winter wheat.

QTLs for resistance to the false brome rustPuccinia brachypodiiin the model grassBrachypodium distachyonL.

The potential of the model grass Brachypodium distachyon L. (Brachypodium) for studying grass-pathogen interactions is still underexploited. We aimed to identify genomic regions in Brachypodium associated with quantitative resistance to the false brome rust fungus Puccinia brachypodii . The inbred lines Bd3-1 and Bd1-1, differing in their level of resistance to P. brachypodii, were crossed to develop an F(2) population. This was evaluated for reaction to a virulent isolate of P. brachypodii at both the seedling and advanced growth stages. To validate the results obtained on the F(2), resistance was quantified in F(2)-derived F(3) families in two experiments. Disease evaluations showed quantitative and transgressive segregation for resistance. A new AFLP-based Brachypodium linkage map consisting of 203 loci and spanning 812 cM was developed and anchored to the genome sequence with SSR and SNP markers. Three false brome rust resistance QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2, 3, and 4, and they were detected across experiments. This study is the first quantitative trait analysis in Brachypodium. Resistance to P. brachypodii was governed by a few QTLs: two acting at the seedling stage and one acting at both seedling and advanced growth stages. The results obtained offer perspectives to elucidate the molecular basis of quantitative resistance to rust fungi.

Production of corn silage in advanced growth stages and consequence of grain processing - a review

The conserved foods have a big importance to planned systems of animal production. The maize plant is adapted and is grown in diverse environmental conditions of Brazil, being one of the world’s most consumed cereals, having a widerange of utilization, both in the human feed as in the animal feed, combining this characteristics with high productivity of forage per area, that became the principal plant for silage. The moment of harvest of maize crop aimed to silage production is a determinant of the final cost of the process, because silage crops ensiled before the right time, shows low production, less percentage of grain in the mass and highcontent of neutral detergent fiber,on the other hand, the late harvesting of forage provides a higher dry matter accumulation and higher proportion of grains in the mass,suggesting a greater dilution of the money invested. However, with advance of corn cycle, consequently a less proportion of water is found in the plant, this fact can harm other factors in production of good quality silage, as particle size, degree of processing of the grains and the specific mass of the silo. With the production of corn silage in advanced growth stages, a higher deposition of starch in grains is observed, however, found a decline in digestibility, being mechanical processing as an alternative to improve the utilization of this important constituent of corn silage by the animals.

Calculating Methods of Forage Crop Water Requirements in Pasture

Most part of forage crop water consumption is water requirements in stockbreeding aspect. The methods of water requirements of forage crop are so important that there are lots of methods of calculating crop water requirements. It's necessary to study the relation of different methods because there are require a large of data. The paper adopts six methods which include evaporation pan method and PM method accounted water requirements of silage maize and elymus dahuricus according to the experiment and meteorological data of water-saving irrigation based in XiLinGuole typical pasture. The research shows that the result of PM method and BC method are larger than PM method, the relative error of Modified PM was larger in the medium-term and advanced growth stage, the relative error of the EP method was larger in the whole growth stage of two forage crop water requirements, the results of PT and MK method were smaller than PM method. The research also shows that the regression equations of Modified Penman method etc. five methods with PM method are good for silage maize and elymus dahuricus water requirements.

Gastric carcinoma: when is palliative gastrectomy justified?

Gastric carcinoma is frequently diagnosed with an advanced stage of non-curable tumor growth characterized by infiltration of the gastric serosa, peritoneal tumor spread and/or metastases within lymph nodes and liver. Currently, there is a controversy on the value of palliative resection with regard to the safety and benefit to the patient outcome. Based on the available literature, this overview summarizes the various aspects and interprets the limited data on the palliative resection of gastric carcinoma. It turns out that the available study results may indicate potential for an improved quality of life and a prolongation of survival if an acceptable morbidity and mortality are present.

Etiolated regrowth of three bromegrass (Bromus) species after defoliation at different developmental stages

Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) and hybrid bromegrass (B. riparius × B. inermis) are widely used for hay and pasture in temperate regions of the world. Three bromegrass species have variable capacities to regrow following defoliation and remobilization of stored energy after defoliation may vary among these grasses. A field study was conducted in 2006 and 2007 in Saskatoon (52°07′N, 106°38′W), Canada to determine etiolated regrowth of three bromegrass species after defoliation to a 2.5-cm stubble height at the vegetative, stem elongation, reproductive stages of development, and after plant dormancy in late fall. After 5 and 10 days following defoliation, etiolated regrowth of meadow and hybrid bromegrass was greater than smooth bromegrass at the vegetative stage, and was greatest in meadow bromegrass, intermediate in hybrid bromegrass, and least in smooth bromegrass at the stem elongation stage. By 30 days and thereafter, etiolated regrowth was similar among three bromegrass species when defoliated at any growth stage. Etiolated regrowth was similar among the three species when defoliated at the reproductive stage. Meadow and hybrid bromegrasses produced more etiolated regrowth than smooth bromegrass on dormant plants in a growth chamber. The percentage of total etiolated regrowth to total full light regrowth increased with advanced growth stage in all three bromegrasses, and this percentage was higher in smooth bromegrass than the other two bromegrasses at the stem elongation and reproductive stages. The results of this study suggest that, following defoliation, meadow and hybrid bromegrass can mobilize stored energy more rapidly for regrowth than smooth bromegrass in the early regrowth period, contrary to the greater dependence on stored reserves in smooth bromegrass at the later growth stages.

Organic zero-till in the northern US Great Plains Region: Opportunities and obstacles

AbstractThe use of killed cover crop mulch for weed suppression, soil erosion prevention and many other soil and crop benefits has been demonstrated in organic no-till or zero-till farming systems in eastern US regions and in Canada. Implements have been developed to make this system possible by terminating cover crops mechanically with little, if any, soil disturbance. Ongoing research in the US northern Great Plains is being conducted to identify cover crop species and termination methods for use in organic zero-till (OZ) systems that are adapted to the crop rotations and climate of this semi-arid region. Current termination strategies must be improved so that cover crop species are killed consistently and early enough in the growing season so that subsequent cash crops can be grown and harvested successfully. Delaying termination until advanced growth stages improves killing efficacy of cover crops and may provide weed-suppressive mulch for the remainder of the growing season, allowing no-till spring seeding of cash crops during the next growing season. Excessive water use by cover crops, inability of legume cover crops to supply adequate amounts of N for subsequent cash crops and failure of cover crops to suppress perennial weeds are additional obstacles that must be overcome before the use of killed cover crop mulch can be promoted as a weed control alternative to tillage in the US northern Great Plains. Use of vegetative mulch produced by killed cover crops will not be a panacea for the weed control challenges faced by organic growers, but rather one tool along with crop rotation, novel grazing strategies, the judicious use of high-residue cultivation equipment, such as the blade plow, and the use of approved herbicides with systemic activity in some instances, to provide organic farmers with new opportunities to incorporate OZ practices into their cropping systems. Emerging crop rotation designs for organic no-till systems may provide for more efficient use of nutrient and water resources, opportunities for livestock grazing before, during or after cash crop phases and improved integrated weed management strategies on organic farms.

Physiology, morphology and phenology of seed dormancy break and germination in the endemic Iberian species Narcissus hispanicus (Amaryllidaceae)

Only very few studies have been carried out on seed dormancy/germination in the large monocot genus Narcissus. A primary aim of this study was to determine the kind of seed dormancy in Narcissus hispanicus and relate the dormancy breaking and germination requirements to the field situation. Embryo growth, radicle emergence and shoot growth were studied by subjecting seeds with and without an emerged radicle to different periods of warm, cold or warm plus cold in natural temperatures outdoors and under controlled laboratory conditions. Mean embryo length in fresh seeds was approx. 1·31 mm, and embryos had to grow to 2·21 mm before radicle emergence. Embryos grew to full size and seeds germinated (radicles emerged) when they were warm stratified for 90 d and then incubated at cool temperatures for 30 d. However, the embryos grew only a little and no seeds germinated when they were incubated at 9/5, 10 or 15/4 °C for 30 d following a moist cold pre-treatment at 5, 9/5 or 10 °C. In the natural habitat of N. hispanicus, seeds are dispersed in late May, the embryo elongates in autumn and radicles emerge (seeds germinate) in early November; however, if the seeds are exposed to low temperatures before embryo growth is completed, they re-enter dormancy (secondary dormancy). The shoot does not emerge until March, after germinated seeds are cold stratified in winter. Seeds of N. hispanicus have deep simple epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy (MPD), with the dormancy formula C(1b)B(root) - C(3)(epicotyl). This is the first study on seeds with simple MPD to show that embryos in advanced stages of growth can re-enter dormancy (secondary dormancy).

Evaluation of Two Ground‐Based Active Crop Canopy Sensors in Maize: Growth Stage, Row Spacing, and Sensor Movement Speed

Precision agriculture research has been directed toward enhancing the efficiency of N inputs by quantifying in‐field variability. Remotely sensed indices such as normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) can determine in‐field N variability in maize (Zea mays L.). One method of determining NDVI is through the use of ground‐based active crop canopy sensors. Several crop canopy sensors determine NDVI, however, climatic and management variables may affect NDVI readings. Our objectives were to compare two ground‐based active crop canopy sensors (Crop Circle amber and GreenSeeker red) across plant growth stage, wind, crop row spacing, sensor movement speed, and N fertilizer rate under greenhouse conditions. Results show that wind had no effect on the NDVI readings of either sensor. Nitrogen rate and growth stage did affect the NDVI of both sensors with NDVI values generally increasing with increased N rate and advancing growth stage. For both sensors the V8 NDVI r2 with N rate were lower than those observed at V10 and V12. However, the GreenSeeker (red sensor) had much lower r2 values at V8 than the Crop Circle (amber sensor). Sensor speed had an effect on red sensor NDVI values while the amber sensor was not affected by sensor movement speed. The amber and red sensors distinguish plant N status and growth stage differences in maize in a greenhouse environment. However, the red sensor had more variability in NDVI readings and was affected by movement speed. The amber sensor shows no such limitations and therefore performed best under greenhouse conditions.

Crop specific requirement of growing degree days and agrometeorological indices in rice growing zones

The spatial and temporal distributions of heat unit and various agrometeorological indices for the rice crop, are studied in this paper. Eight ET – stations were selected from six rice growing zones, viz., Canning (in lower Gangetic plains), Bikramganj and Varanasi (in middle Gangetic plains), Ludhiana (in trans Gangetic plains), Ranchi, Shymakhunta (in eastern plateau and hills), Annamalai Nagar (in east coast plains and hill region) and Pattambi (in western plains and ghat region). Eleven crop growth stages were identified for this study, viz., germination, nursery seedling, transplanting, tillering, active tillering, lag phase, panicle initiation, flowering, grain formation, grain maturity and harvesting, the duration of each of the growth stages varied widely, station wise. Daily data were collected growth stagewise for latest available five years and the mean values were computed for the derived parameters, viz., the crop requirements of heat unit, agroclimatic rainfall index (ARI), yield moisture index (YMI), aridity index (AI). The study revealed that for rice crop the total degree days requirement varied from 1706 degree – days (at Ranchi) to 2815 degree – days (at Shymakhunta). It showed primary peak (with 16.7 % of total requirement) at active tillering stage. The ARI values were mostly higher than 100 per cent. The mean YMI values varied widely from 477 mm (at Bikramganj) to 1523 mm (at Pattambi). The values showed main peak at active tillering stage. The AI values showed moderate aridity at early growth stages, which increased at advanced crop growth stages.

Immune Infiltration of Spontaneous Mouse Astrocytomas Is Dominated by Immunosuppressive Cells from Early Stages of Tumor Development

Immune infiltration of advanced human gliomas has been shown, but it is doubtful whether these immune cells affect tumor progression. It could be hypothesized that this infiltrate reflects recently recruited immune cells that are immediately overwhelmed by a high tumor burden. Alternatively, if there is earlier immune detection and infiltration of the tumor, the question arises as to when antitumor competency is lost. To address these issues, we analyzed a transgenic mouse model of spontaneous astrocytoma (GFAP-V(12)HA-ras mice), which allows the study of immune interactions with developing glioma, even at early asymptomatic stages. T cells, including a significant proportion of Tregs, are already present in the brain before symptoms develop, followed later by macrophages, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. The effector potential of CD8 T-cells is defective, with the absence of granzyme B expression and low expression of IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 2. Overall, our results show an early defective endogenous immune response to gliomas, and local accumulation of immunosuppressive cells at the tumor site. Thus, the antiglioma response is not simply overwhelmed at advanced stages of tumor growth, but is counterbalanced by an inhibitory microenvironment from the outset. Nevertheless, we determined that effector molecule expression (granzyme B, IFN-gamma) by brain-infiltrating CD8 T-cells could be enhanced, despite this unfavorable milieu, by strong immune stimuli. This potential to modulate the strong imbalance in local antiglioma immunity is encouraging for the development and optimization of future glioma immunotherapies.

Gastric carcinoma: when is palliative gastrectomy justified?

Gastric carcinoma is frequently diagnosed with an advanced stage of non-curable tumor growth characterized by infiltration of the gastric serosa, peritoneal tumor spread and/or metastases within lymph nodes and liver. Currently, there is a controversy on the value of palliative resection with regard to the safety and benefit to the patient outcome. Based on the available literature, this overview summarizes the various aspects and interprets the limited data on the palliative resection of gastric carcinoma. It turns out that the available study results may indicate potential for an improved quality of life and a prolongation of survival if an acceptable morbidity and mortality are present.

English

The response of twelve rice varieties against six salinity levels (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 dS m-1) were studied at germination and early seedling stages. Data were analyzed using SAS and means were separated by LSD for final germination percentage (FGP), speed of germination (SG), germination energy percentage (GE%), plumule and radical length and plumule and radical dry weight. Based on dry matter yield reduction, rice varieties were classified as tolerant (T), moderately tolerant (MT), moderately susceptible (MS) or susceptible (S). Germination was completely arrested at 20 dS m-1&nbsp;salt concentration. Salinity decreased FGP, SG, GE % and led to reduction in shoot and root length and dry weight in all varieties and the magnitude of reduction increased with increasing salinity stress. Rice varieties MR211, IR20, BR40 and MR232 showed greater salt tolerance during germination (germinated at 12 dS m-1&nbsp;salinity). However, MR211, MR232 and IR20 performed better based on dry matter yield reduction. The result suggested that MR211, MR232 and IR20 might be used for further study of salinity effect on growth processes and physiological consequences at advanced stage of growth, since salt tolerance of a crop at germination and early seedling stage may not correspond to that at advanced stage. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Germination, seedling, rice, salinity stress, NaCl.

Cancer genomics identifies regulatory gene networks associated with the transition from dysplasia to advanced lung adenocarcinomas induced by c-Raf-1.

BackgroundLung cancer is a leading cause of cancer morbidity. To improve an understanding of molecular causes of disease a transgenic mouse model was investigated where targeted expression of the serine threonine kinase c-Raf to respiratory epithelium induced initialy dysplasia and subsequently adenocarcinomas. This enables dissection of genetic events associated with precancerous and cancerous lesions.Methodology/Principal FindingsBy laser microdissection cancer cell populations were harvested and subjected to whole genome expression analyses. Overall 473 and 541 genes were significantly regulated, when cancer versus transgenic and non-transgenic cells were compared, giving rise to three distinct and one common regulatory gene network. At advanced stages of tumor growth predominately repression of gene expression was observed, but genes previously shown to be up-regulated in dysplasia were also up-regulated in solid tumors. Regulation of developmental programs as well as epithelial mesenchymal and mesenchymal endothelial transition was a hall mark of adenocarcinomas. Additionaly, genes coding for cell adhesion, i.e. the integrins and the tight and gap junction proteins were repressed, whereas ligands for receptor tyrosine kinase such as epi- and amphiregulin were up-regulated. Notably, Vegfr- 2 and its ligand Vegfd, as well as Notch and Wnt signalling cascades were regulated as were glycosylases that influence cellular recognition. Other regulated signalling molecules included guanine exchange factors that play a role in an activation of the MAP kinases while several tumor suppressors i.e. Mcc, Hey1, Fat3, Armcx1 and Reck were significantly repressed. Finally, probable molecular switches forcing dysplastic cells into malignantly transformed cells could be identified.Conclusions/SignificanceThis study provides insight into molecular pertubations allowing dysplasia to progress further to adenocarcinoma induced by exaggerted c-Raf kinase activity.

Morphology and crystallographic properties of rubrene thin films grown on muscovite(0 0 1)

Thin films of the organic semiconductor rubrene were deposited on muscovite (0 0 1) substrates by hot wall epitaxy. The morphology of rubrene thin films in combination with their crystallographic properties was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The initial growth proceeds in a partially wetting regime where amorphous droplets are formed. Through diffusive interactions the droplets merge together in partially crystalline open networks. At a more advanced growth stage, spherulites are formed and a variety of crystalline morphologies appears. Platelet- and needle-like morphologies can be assigned to the orthorhombic phase of rubrene with the [3 0 1] and [1 1 0] zone axes, respectively.

Self-assembled tin-doped ZnO nanowire and nanoplate structures grown by thermal treatment of ZnS powder

Sintering of a ZnS–SnO 2 mixture under argon flow leads to the growth of columnar nanoplate arrays as well as arrays of nanowires, nanorods and nanoplates with six-fold symmetry. The six-fold nanoplate structures correspond to a more advanced stage of growth than the nanowire structures. Cathodoluminescence (CL) in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that the structures contain Sn, but the amount of this element is normally under the detection limit of X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The formation of branches in the hierarchical structures depends on the presence of Sn and on defects in the mixture powder.

Temperatures and Cold Damage to Small Fruit Crops Across the Eastern United States Associated with the April 2007 Freeze

An unprecedented freeze occurred between 4 and 10 Apr. 2007, causing extensive crop loss across a large area of the United States. This event occurred late in the spring and temperatures were unusually low for an extended period. Low-temperature injury on small fruit plants was reported in 21 states. Missouri and Arkansas experienced the highest estimated percentages of crop loss of grape (Vitis spp.), strawberry (Fragraria ×ananassa Duch.), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), and blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson). Kentucky and Tennessee also reported high percentages of small fruit crop loss. Temperatures preceding the freeze event in the affected region were unusually warm and many of the crops were at a more advanced stage of growth than they would have been under more usual conditions. Although frost/freeze warnings were issued, the terminology used by different weather forecasters was inconsistent. Growers used various cold protection methods, but these were generally ineffective because of the stage of plant development and/or the advective nature of the freeze. Actual grape and blueberry crop losses may not be known for several years because of secondary injury to plant tissues from various pathogens.

Inflammatory processes of prostate tissue microenvironment drive rat prostate carcinogenesis: Preventive effects of celecoxib

Prostate tissue microenvironment is susceptible to several risk factors including carcinogens, dietary factors, hormones, cytokines and growth factors that could induce chronic inflammation. Because of the difference in the serum levels and the intrinsic ability of monocytes/macrophages to cause harm, the transcriptional responses triggered by inflammatory stimuli must be controlled. Unfortunately, an in-depth association between prostate cancer and potential mediators of inflammation has not been completely investigated. To determine whether activated macrophage (infiltrating monocytes), iNOS and NF-kappaB are primary mediators of inflammation, besides COX-2, in prostate carcinogenesis, we examined tissue sections of rat prostate tumor induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) plus testosterone in a follow-up study. We performed H&E and immunohsitochemical staining of the prostate tissue to detect specific markers of inflammation. We report an increase in infiltrating monocyte, iNOS, NF-kappaBp65, VEGF and TNF-alpha at the early and advanced stages of tumor growth in MNU plus testosterone treated rats. Monocyte infiltration was often found in the stromal and perivascular regions of the DL prostate. We conclude for the first time that prostate cancer induced by MNU plus testosterone partly involves mediators of inflammation which could trigger the process of carcinogenesis and cause loss of apoptosis. Selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib at a dose of 500 mg/kg/bw administered for 52 weeks reduced infiltrating monocytes, inhibited iNOS, NF-kappaB p65 expression, induced apoptosis and tumor growth inhibition. Carcinogen plus testosterone induced prostate carcinogenesis showing activation of macrophage, iNOS and NF-kappaBp65 could be prevented by celecoxib or related anti-inflammatory agents.