Basal Region Research Articles

P453. Lower Volume and More Significant Shape Deformations in Basal Ganglia Regions Among Females With Anorexia Nervosa Compared to Healthy Controls

Research examining volume in the basal ganglia (BG) (caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens, and pallidum) in restrictive eating disorders (R-ED) has shown mixed results. However, aggregate measures of volume do not capture the complexity and location of tissue loss. High-dimensional shape descriptors can overcome these limitations but have not been applied to R-EDs. We analyzed BG subregion volume/shape in R-EDs, hypothesizing that R-EDs would show lower volume and a greater percentage of shape deformations in the putamen compared to healthy controls (HC).

Edaravone Dexborneol Treatment Attenuates Neuronal Apoptosis and Improves Neurological Function by Suppressing 4-HNE-Associated Oxidative Stress After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Edaravone dexborneol is a novel neuroprotective drug that comprises edaravone and (+)-borneol in a 4:1 ratio. Phase II and III studies have demonstrated that Chinese patients treated with edaravone dexborneol within 48 h of AIS onset have better functional outcomes than those treated with edaravone alone. However, the effect of edaravone dexborneol on subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of edaravone dexborneol on SAH-induced brain injury and long-term behavioral deficits and to explore the possible mechanisms. The experimental rat SAH model was induced by an intraluminal puncture of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). Edaravone dexborneol or edaravone at a clinical dose was infused into the tail vein for 3 days post-SAH surgery. Behavioral outcomes were assessed by a modified Garcia scoring system and rotarod, foot-fault, and corner tests. Immunofluorescence, Western blot, and ELISA methods were used to evaluate neuronal damage and oxidative stress. Our results showed that a post-SAH therapeutic regimen with edaravone dexborneol helped improve neurological function up to 21 days after SAH surgery and demonstrated a greater beneficial effect than edaravone alone, accompanied by an obvious inhibition of neuronal apoptosis in the CA1 hippocampus and basal cortex regions. Mechanistically, edaravone dexborneol not only suppressed the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) but also improved the total antioxidant capability (TAC) 3 days after SAH. Notably, edaravone dexborneol treatment significantly inhibited the expression of another lipid peroxidation product, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), in the CA1 hippocampus and basal cortex, which are vital participants in the process of neuronal oxidative damage and death after SAH because of their acute cytotoxicity. Together, our results demonstrate that edaravone dexborneol confers neuroprotection and stabilizes long-term behavioral ability after SAH injury, possibly by suppressing 4-HNE-associated oxidative stress. These results may help develop new clinical strategies for SAH treatment.

Comparative Analysis of Canopy Cooling in Wheat under High Temperature and Drought Stress

The size and the weight of wheat grains vary across the length of each spike (Triticum aestivum L.). High temperature and water scarcity often reduce the single grain weight, and this reduction also varies across the spike length. Plants tend to cope with high temperature and drought stress through inherent mechanisms such ascanopy cooling through transpiration, which can contribute to yield stability. The effect of canopy cooling on the average grain weight at different positions in spike is still unknown. In this study, we planned to assess the role of canopy temperature, yield-related traits, and spike shape in final grain weight. For two years (2017–2018 and 2018–2019), fifteen diverse genotypes released for cultivation in different environmental conditions were grown in the field. They were examined for canopy temperature, spikelets spike−1, grain number spike−1, grain yield spike−1, and grain weight of the spike’s basal, median, and distal regions. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was obtained for all pair-wise combinations of traits under different treatments and spike shapes. The results indicated that cooler canopy is correlated to grain weight in normal spike shape at all three positions within the spike irrespective of stress. The advantage of the cooler canopy in improving grain-filling at basal, median, and distal regions was more conspicuous in the high temperature stress conditions compared to non-stressed and drought conditions.

Conduit position and connectivity affect the likelihood of xylem embolism during natural drought in evergreen woodland species.

Hydraulic failure is considered a main cause of drought-induced forest mortality. Yet, we have a limited understanding of how the varying intensities and long time scales of natural droughts induce and propagate embolism within the xylem. X-ray computed tomography (microCT) images were obtained from different aged branch xylem to study the number, size and spatial distribution of in situ embolized conduits among three dominant tree species growing in a woodland community. Among the three studied tree species, those with a higher xylem vulnerability to embolism (higher water potential at 50 % loss of hydraulic conductance; P50) were more embolized than species with lower P50. Within individual stems, the probability of embolism was independent of conduit diameter but associated with conduit position. Rather than the occurrence of random or radial embolism, we observed circumferential clustering of high and low embolism density, suggesting that embolism spreads preferentially among conduits of the same age. Older xylem also appeared more likely to accumulate embolisms than young xylem, but there was no pattern suggesting that branch tips were more vulnerable to cavitation than basal regions. The spatial analysis of embolism occurrence in field-grown trees suggests that embolism under natural drought probably propagates by air spreading from embolized into neighbouring conduits in a circumferential pattern. This pattern offers the possibility to understand the temporal aspects of embolism occurrence by examining stem cross-sections.

Learning to complete incomplete hearts for population analysis of cardiac MR images.

Cardiac MR acquisition with complete coverage from base to apex is required to ensure accurate subsequent analyses, such as volumetric and functional measurements. However, this requirement cannot be guaranteed when acquiring images in the presence of motion induced by cardiac muscle contraction and respiration. To address this problem, we propose an effective two-stage pipeline for detecting and synthesising absent slices in both the apical and basal region. The detection model comprises several dense blocks containing convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM) layers, to leverage through-plane contextual and sequential ordering information of slices in cine MR data and achieve reliable classification results. The imputation network is based on a dedicated conditional generative adversarial network (GAN) that helps retain key visual cues and fine structural details in the synthesised image slices. The proposed network can infer multiple missing slices that are anatomically plausible and lead to improved accuracy of subsequent analyses on cardiac MRIs, e.g., ventricle segmentation, cardiac quantification compared to those derived from incomplete cardiac MR datasets. For instance, the results obtained when compensating for the absence of two basal slices show that the mean differences to the reference of stroke volume and ejection fraction are only -1.3mL and -1.0%, respectively, which are significantly smaller than those calculated from the incomplete data (-26.8mL and -6.7%). The proposed approach can improve the reliability of high-throughput image analysis in large-scale population studies, minimising the need for re-scanning patients or discarding incomplete acquisitions.

Fullerenol affects maize plants depending on their iron status

Although fullerene (C60) has attracted great interest as a carbon-based nanomaterial with unique properties, today, little is known about the interaction of its water-soluble derivates, including fullerenol with higher plants. Here, we investigated how fullerenol [C60(OH)22-24] affects Zea mays, as a Strategy II plant, depending on its iron status. Iron deficiency chlorosis is a common nutritional disorder affecting plants. Maize plants were grown hydroponically, either with [+FeII (ferrous) or +FeIII (ferric)] or in Fe-free (-FeII and -FeIII) nutrient solution and with or without a fullerenol supply. Fullerenol affected plants differently depending on their Fe status. The beneficial effects of fullerenol were observed in the FeII-deprived plants, including successful suppression of plant Fe-deficiency chlorosis mainly in the younger (basal and middle) region of the leaf blade. This region expressed more severe chlorosis as compared with the older (apical) region of the leaf blade. These changes were accompanied by a significant increase in leaf active Fe and lowering the root apoplastic Fe, suggesting that fullerenol may enhance Fe mobilization in the roots, helping to alleviate Fe deficiency chlorosis. By contrast, there were no observable effects in the FeIII-deprived plants being significantly lower in the root apoplastic Fe as compared with the FeII-deficient plants. Additionally, fullerenol did not affect the Fe-sufficient plants, irrespective of the Fe species (FeIII-EDTA or FeII-EDTA) used as Fe-sources. Our results provide new evidence for the beneficial role of Fe-fullerenol interactions in the enhancement of gramineous plant tolerance to Fe deficiency conditions, which are one of the major limiting factors for crop production all over the world.

Pulsatility Index in the Basal Ganglia Arteries Increases with Age in Elderly with and without Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

Cerebral small vessel disease contributes to stroke and cognitive impairment and interacts with Alzheimer disease pathology. Because of the small dimensions of the affected vessels, in vivo characterization of blood flow properties is challenging but important to unravel the underlying mechanisms of the disease. A 2D phase-contrast sequence at 7T MR imaging was used to assess blood flow velocity and the pulsatility index of the perforating basal ganglia arteries. We included patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (n = 8; identified through the modified Boston criteria), hypertensive arteriopathy (n = 12; identified through the presence of strictly deep or mixed cerebral microbleeds), and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 28; no cerebral microbleeds). Older age was related to a greater pulsatility index, irrespective of cerebral small vessel disease. In hypertensive arteriopathy, there was an association between lower blood flow velocity of the basal ganglia and the presence of peri-basal ganglia WM hyperintensities. Our results suggest that age might be the driving factor for altered cerebral small vessel hemodynamics. Furthermore, this study puts cerebral small vessel disease downstream pathologies in the basal ganglia region in relation to blood flow characteristics of the basal ganglia microvasculature.

Sperm ultrastructure in Segmentinini (Hygrophila, Planorbidae): Phylogenetic implications and diagnostic utility

The aim of this study was to describe sperm ultrastructure in Segmentinini F.C. Baker, 1945, a tribe of freshwater panpulmonates (Hygrophila), and identify sperm characters that may qualify as candidate synapomorphies of the group. Spermatozoa of seven species representing six genera of Segmentinini were examined by light microscopy and scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy. Sperm ultrastructure is very similar in all species and is generally typical for the Hygrophila. The head consists of a nucleus and conical acrosomal pedestal tipped with an ovoid apical vesicle and is followed by a long midpiece filled with the mitochondrial derivative. The boundary between the midpiece and the next region, the glycogen piece, is marked by a two-partite cylindrical annulus. The glycogen piece is filled with homogeneous mass of glycogen and is followed by a short terminal region, the endpiece. The nucleus has an unusual shape consisting of a barrel-shaped basal region and a narrow apical stem bearing a disc-shaped nuclear keel. The axoneme arises from the centriolar derivative attached to the nucleus with nine wedge-shaped rods. The mitochondrial derivative contains two glycogen-filled helices that spiral apically in opposition to each other, but then become closely apposed and run in parallel. The comparison with other Hygrophila shows that at least three sperm characters (unusual nuclear shape, accessory centriolar rods and arrangement of glycogen helices) can represent potential synapomorphies of the tribe. The shape of the sperm nucleus is readily recognizable by SEM and can be routinely included in taxonomic descriptions of Segmentinini.

GRP75 as a functional element of cholix transcytosis

ABSTRACT Cholix (Chx) is secreted by non-pandemic strains of Vibrio cholerae in the intestinal lumen. For this exotoxin to induce cell death in non-polarized cells in the intestinal lamina propria, it must traverse the epithelium in the fully intact form. We identified host cell elements in polarized enterocytes associated with Chx endocytosis and apical to basal (A→B) vesicular transcytosis. This pathway overcomes endogenous mechanisms of apical vesicle recycling and lysosomal targeting by interacting with several host cell proteins that include the 75 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP75). Apical endocytosis of Chx appears to involve the single membrane spanning protein TMEM132A, and interaction with furin before it engages GRP75 in apical vesicular structures. Sorting within these apical vesicles results in Chx being trafficked to the basal region of cells in association with the Lectin, Mannose Binding 1 protein LMAN1. In this location, Chx interacts with the basement membrane-specific heparan sulfate proteoglycan perlecan in recycling endosomes prior to its release from this basal vesicular compartment to enter the underlying lamina propria. While the furin and LMAN1 elements of this Chx transcytosis pathway undergo cellular redistribution that are reflective of the polarity shifts noted for coatamer complexes COPI and COPII, GRP75 and perlecan fail to show these dramatic rearrangements. Together, these data define essential steps in the A→B transcytosis pathway accessed by Chx to reach the intestinal lamina propria where it can engage and intoxicate certain non-polarized cells.

Subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with complete recovery from peripartum cardiomyopathy: a long-term clinical strain-echocardiographic study

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to assess long-term left ventricular (LV) systolic function using 3D speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with complete LV recovery following peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Methods A total of 20 PPCM patients who exhibited LV recovery (ejection fraction ≥50%) in the follow-up period and 20 age-matched, healthy women were included in the study. Standard 2D echocardiographic examinations were performed. Global longitudinal strain and global circumferential strain were analyzed. Results Age, weight, body surface area, smoking, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were similar in both groups. Echocardiographic examination showed no significant difference between both groups. Only the global longitudinal strain (18.1 ± 2.7 vs 20.16 ± 1.7, p = 0.02) and global circumferential strain (22.1 ± 2.9 vs 24.4 ± 1.19, p = 0.01) were significantly lower in PPCM patients. The lowest values for longitudinal strain belonged to the basal and mid regions of anterior, anteroseptal and lateral walls in the PPCM patients. Conclusion Subclinical myocardial damage may persist in PPCM patients with full LV systolic recovery. 3D Speckle Tracking strain analysis is a useful method for detecting subtle myocardial dysfunction.

Genetic mutation spectrum of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration expanded by breakpoint sequencing in pantothenate kinase 2 gene

BackgroundNeurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation describes a group of rare heterogeneous progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by excessive iron accumulation in the basal ganglia region. Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a major form of this disease.ResultsA total of 7 unrelated patients were diagnosed with PKAN in a single tertiary center from August 2009 to February 2018. Ten variants in PANK2 including three novel sequence variants and one large exonic deletion were detected. Sequencing of the breakpoint was performed to predict the mechanism of large deletion and AluSx3 and AluSz6 were found with approximately 97.3% sequence homology.ConclusionThe findings support the disease-causing role of PANK2 and indicate the possibility that exonic deletion of PANK2 found in PKAN is mediated through Alu-mediated homologous recombination.

Isotropic 3D compressed sensing (CS) based sequence is comparable to 2D-LGE in left ventricular scar quantification in different disease entities

The goal of this study was to evaluate a three-dimensional compressed sensing (3D-CS) LGE prototype sequence for the detection and quantification of myocardial fibrosis in patients with chronic myocardial infarction (CMI) and myocarditis (MYC) compared with a 2D-LGE standard. Patients with left-ventricular LGE due to CMI (n = 33) or MYC (n = 20) were prospectively recruited. 2D-LGE and 3D-CS images were acquired in random order at 1.5 Tesla. 3D-CS short axis (SAX) images were reconstructed corresponding to 2D SAX images. LGE was quantitatively assessed on patient and segment level using semi-automated threshold methods. Image quality (4-point scoring system), Contrast-ratio (CR) and acquisition times were compared. There was no significant difference between 2D and 3D sequences regarding global LGE (%) (CMI [2D-LGE: 11.4 ± 7.5; 3D-LGE: 11.5 ± 8.5; p = 0.99]; MYC [2D-LGE: 27.0 ± 15.7; 3D-LGE: 26.2 ± 13.1; p = 0.70]) and segmental LGE-extent (p = 0.63). 3D-CS identified papillary infarction in 5 cases which was not present in 2D images. 2D-LGE acquisition time was shorter (2D: median: 06:59 min [IQR: 05:51–08:18]; 3D: 14:48 min [12:45–16:57]). 3D-CS obtained better quality scores (2D: 2.06 ± 0.56 vs. 3D: 2.29 ± 0.61). CR did not differ (p = 0.63) between basal and apical regions in 3D-CS images but decreased significantly in 2D apical images (CR basal: 2D: 0.77 ± 0.11, 3D: 0.59 ± 0.10; CR apical: 2D: 0.64 ± 0.17, 3D: 0.53 ± 0.11). 3D-LGE shows high congruency with standard LGE and allows better identification of small lesions. However, the current 3D-CS LGE sequence did not provide PSIR reconstruction and acquisition time was longer.

424 The Role of the Mid Fusiform Gyrus in Lexical Retrieval

INTRODUCTION: Temporal lobe resections for epilepsy or neoplasms often result in significant confrontation naming decline. This can be socio-economically disabling and prevent patients from returning to independent functioning. While the exact substrates responsible are unknown, it was previously assumed that injury to the superior temporal gyrus or resection size predicts these declines. A clear understanding of the most critical constituents might influence surgical strategies to minimize language declines. METHODS: Data were obtained from 95 patients who underwent surgical resection in the dominant left temporal lobe for medication-resistant epilepsy. Patients underwent neuropsychological testing and MRI prior to and 6 months following surgery. Lesion masks were traced on postoperative MRIs and aligned to a normative space. The effects of preoperative scores and seizure outcomes were removed from postoperative scores via linear regression. VLSM using multivariate support vector regression was used to assess postoperative test scores. Beta maps were converted to p values and corrected using a permutation-based cluster level correction. Additionally, a surface-based mixed-effects multilevel analysis was used to estimate broadband gamma activity during picture naming across a subset of subjects with ECoG recordings, and results were integrated with VLSM. Lastly, fMRI (picture naming) was used to assess SNR in significant regions. RESULTS: VLSM analysis revealed that the loss of basal temporal regions was associated with a prominent decline in BNT scores (p < 0.005). Similarly, ECoG analysis showed a significant increase in activity in the mid fusiform gyrus (mFus) immediately preceding articulation. Many of these voxels were associated with low SNR on fMRI, perhaps explaining why this region has been under-appreciated as the locus responsible for postoperative deficits. CONCLUSION: The importance of the ventral temporal cortex in lexical access is shown using multivariate VLSM and supported with ECoG. While it has previously been assumed that mFus lesions do not cause pervasive impairment, our data and recent work (FATES study) argue against this and support the role of the mFus as a critical semantic access hub.

A Newborn with an Incidental Finding on Cranial Ultrasonography.

A Newborn with an Incidental Finding on Cranial Ultrasonography.

Extended high-frequency audiometry in research and clinical practice.

Audiometric testing in research and in clinical settings rarely considers frequencies above 8 kHz. However, the sensitivity of young healthy ears extends to 20 kHz, and there is increasing evidence that testing in the extended high-frequency (EHF) region, above 8 kHz, might provide valuable additional information. Basal (EHF) cochlear regions are especially sensitive to the effects of aging, disease, ototoxic drugs, and possibly noise exposure. Hence, EHF loss may be an early warning of damage, useful for diagnosis and for monitoring hearing health. In certain environments, speech perception may rely on EHF information, and there is evidence for an association between EHF loss and speech perception difficulties, although this may not be causal: EHF loss may instead be a marker for sub-clinical damage at lower frequencies. If there is a causal relation, then amplification in the EHF range may be beneficial if the technical difficulties can be overcome. EHF audiometry in the clinic presents with no particular difficulty, the biggest obstacle being lack of specialist equipment. Currently, EHF audiometry has limited but increasing clinical application. With the development of international guidelines and standards, it is likely that EHF testing will become widespread in future.

Characterization of the GfaABC1D promoter to selectively target astrocytes in the rhesus macaque brain

BackgroundThe study of astrocytic functions in non-human primates (NHPs) has been hampered by the lack of genetic tools to selectively target astrocytes. Viral vectors with selective and efficient transduction of astrocytes could be a potent tool to express marker proteins, modulators, or sensors in NHP astrocytes, but the availability of thoroughly characterized astrocytic selective promoter sequences to use in these species remains extremely limited. New MethodWe describe the specificity and efficiency of an astrocyte-specific promoter, GfaABC1D in the brain of the rhesus macaque, with emphasis in basal ganglia regions. AAV5-pZac2.1-GfaABC1D-tdTomato was locally injected into the globus pallidus external segment (GPe) and putamen. The extent, efficiency, and specificity of transduction was analyzed with immunohistochemistry at the light and electron microscope levels. ResultsThe GfaABC1D promoter directed the expression of tdTomato in an astrocyte-specific manner in directly or indirectly targeted regions (including both segments of the globus pallidus, putamen, subthalamic nucleus and cortex). Comparison with Existing MethodsDue to its small size, the GfaABC1D promoter is advantageous over other previously used glial fibrillary acidic protein-based promoter sequences, facilitating its use to drive expression of various transgenes in adeno-associated viruses (AAV) or other viral vectors. ConclusionGfaABC1D is an efficient promoter that selectively targets astrocytes in the monkey basal ganglia and expands the viral vector toolbox to study astrocytic functions in non-human primates.

Roles of the Cannabinoid System in the Basal Ganglia in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease usually caused by neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and other etiologies. Recent studies have found that the cannabinoid system present in the basal ganglia has a strong influence on the progression of PD. Altering the cannabinoid receptor activation status by modulating endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) levels can exert an anti-movement disorder effect. Therefore, the development of drugs that modulate the endocannabinoid system may be a novel strategy for the treatment of PD. However, eCB regulation is complex, with diverse cannabinoid receptor functions and the presence of dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and γ-aminobutyric signals interacting with cannabinoid signaling in the basal ganglia region. Therefore, the study of eCB is challenging. Here, we have described the function of the cannabinoid system in the basal ganglia and its association with PD in three parts (eCBs, cannabinoid receptors, and factors regulating the cannabinoid metabolism) and summarized the mechanisms of action related to the cannabinoid analogs currently aimed at treating PD. The shortcomings identified from previous studies and the directions that should be explored in the future will provide insights into new approaches and ideas for the future development of cannabinoid-based drugs and the treatment of PD.

Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 1 (CRMP1) Is Required for High-Frequency Hearing

Collapsin response mediator protein 1 (CRMP1), also known as dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 1, participates in cytoskeleton remodeling during axonal guidance and neuronal migration. In cochlear hair cells, the assembly and maintenance of the cytoskeleton is of great interest because it is crucial for the morphogenesis and maintenance of hair cells. Previous RNA sequencing analysis found that Crmp1 is highly expressed in cochlear hair cells. However, the expression profile and functions of CRMP1 in the inner ear remain unknown. In this study, the expression and localization of CRMP1 in hair cells was investigated using immunostaining, and was shown to be highly expressed in both outer and inner hair cells. Next, the stereocilia morphology of Crmp1-deficient mice was characterized. Abolishing CRMP1 did not affect the morphogenesis of hair cells. Interestingly, scanning electron microscopy detected hair cell loss at the basal cochlear region, an area responsible for high-frequency auditory perception, in Crmp1-deficient mice. Correspondingly, an auditory brainstem response test showed that mice lacking CRMP1 had progressive hearing loss at high frequencies. In summary, these data suggest that CRMP1 is required for high-frequency auditory perception.

Deconstructing the root system of grasses through an exploration of development, anatomy and function.

Well‐adapted root systems allow plants to grow under resource‐limiting environmental conditions and are important determinants of yield in agricultural systems. Important staple crops such as rice and maize belong to the family of grasses, which develop a complex root system that consists of an embryonic root system that emerges from the seed, and a postembryonic nodal root system that emerges from basal regions of the shoot after germination. While early seedling establishment is dependent on the embryonic root system, the nodal root system, and its associated branches, gains in importance as the plant matures and will ultimately constitute the bulk of below‐ground growth. In this review, we aim to give an overview of the different root types that develop in cereal grass root systems, explore the different physiological roles they play by defining their anatomical features, and outline the genetic networks that control their development. Through this deconstructed view of grass root system function, we provide a parts‐list of elements that function together in an integrated root system to promote survival and crop productivity.

Patterns and roles of lignan and terpenoid accumulation in the reaction zone compartmentalizing pathogen-infected heartwood of Norway spruce

Main conclusionLignan impregnation of the reaction zone wood protects against oxidative degradation by fungi. Traumatic resin canals may play roles in the underlying signal transduction, synthesis, and translocation of defense compounds.Tree defense against xylem pathogens involves both constitutive and induced phenylpropanoids and terpenoids. The induced defenses include compartmentalization of compromised wood with a reaction zone (RZ) characterized by polyphenol deposition, whereas the role of terpenoids has remained poorly understood. To further elucidate the tree–pathogen interaction, we profiled spatial patterns in lignan (low-molecular-weight polyphenols) and terpenoid content in Norway spruce (Picea abies) trees showing heartwood colonization by the pathogenic white-rot fungus Heterobasidion parviporum. There was pronounced variation in the amount and composition of lignans between different xylem tissue zones of diseased and healthy trees. Intact RZ at basal stem regions, where colonization is the oldest, showed the highest level and diversity of these compounds. The antioxidant properties of lignans obviously hinder oxidative degradation of wood: RZ with lignans removed by extraction showed significantly higher mass loss than unextracted RZ when subjected to Fenton degradation. The reduced diversity and amount of lignans in pathogen-compromised RZ and decaying heartwood in comparison to intact RZ and healthy heartwood suggest that α-conindendrin isomer is an intermediate metabolite in lignan decomposition by H. parviporum. Diterpenes and diterpene alcohols constituted above 90% of the terpenes detected in sapwood of healthy and diseased trees. A significant finding was that traumatic resin canals, predominated by monoterpenes, were commonly associated with RZ. The findings clarify the roles and fate of lignan during wood decay and raise questions about the potential roles of terpenoids in signal transduction, synthesis, and translocation of defense compounds upon wood compartmentalization against decay fungi.