Stem Traits Research Articles

Evaluation of Abnormal Hypocotyl Growth of Mutant Capsicum annuum Plants

Horticulture is a dynamically evolving and an ever-changing sector which needs new ideas, plant materials, and cultivating methods to produce more. Involving different mutants in breeding lines may lead to new opportunities to create new cultivating methods. pcx (procumbent plant) and tti (tortuosa internodi) Capsicum annuum mutant plants, which present abnormal stem growth, were investigated in various in vitro experiments. The pcx breeding line presents highly diverse hypocotyl growth even in the early phenophase, such as normally growing plants and the ‘laying’ habit. On the other hand, tti plants only present their elongated slender stem trait in a more mature phase. In our experiment of reorientation, we used one-sided illumination, where each of the phenotypes sensed and reacted to light, and only the pcx plants exhibited a negative gravitropic response. It was also the result that the tti plants sensed gravity, but the weak structure of the hypocotyls made them incapable of following its direction. Since the pcx plants were the only ones with an ‘antigravitropic’ growth, we used them to evaluate the time course they needed to adapt and follow the gravity vector after reorientation. The pcx plants sensing gravity adapted similarly to controls and started bending after 120 min, but those which presented as ‘anti-gravitropic’ did not respond even after 420 min.

Cancer Stem Cell and Aggressiveness Traits Are Promoted by Stable Endothelin-Converting Enzyme-1c in Glioblastoma Cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor due to its elevated recurrence following treatments. This is mainly mediated by a subpopulation of cells with stemness traits termed glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), which are extremely resistant to anti-neoplastic drugs. Thus, an advancement in the understanding of the molecular processes underlying GSC occurrence should contribute significantly towards progress in reducing aggressiveness. High levels of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE1), key for endothelin-1 (ET-1) peptide activation, have been linked to the malignant progression of GBM. There are four known isoforms of ECE1 that activate ET-1, which only differ in their cytoplasmic N-terminal sequences. Isoform ECE1c is phosphorylated at Ser-18 and Ser-20 by protein kinase CK2, which increases its stability and hence promotes aggressiveness traits in colon cancer cells. In order to study whether ECE1c exerts a malignant effect in GBM, we designed an ECE1c mutant by switching a putative ubiquitination lysine proximal to the phospho-serines Lys-6-to-Arg (i.e., K6R). This ECE1cK6R mutant was stably expressed in U87MG, T98G, and U251 GBM cells, and their behavior was compared to either mock or wild-type ECE1c-expressing clone cells. ECE1cK6R behaved as a highly stable protein in all cell lines, and its expression promoted self-renewal and the enrichment of a stem-like population characterized by enhanced neurospheroid formation, as well as increased expression of stem-like surface markers. These ECE1cK6R-derived GSC-like cells also displayed enhanced resistance to the GBM-related chemotherapy drugs temozolomide and gemcitabine and increased expression of the ABCG2 efflux pump. In addition, ECE1cK6R cells displayed enhanced metastasis-associated traits, such as the modulation of adhesion and the enhancement of cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, the acquisition of a GSC-like phenotype, together with heightened chemoresistance and invasiveness traits, allows us to suggest phospho-ECE1c as a novel marker for poor prognosis as well as a potential therapeutic target for GBM.

LINC01296 promotes cancer stemness traits in oral carcinomas by sponging miR-143

Background/purposeEmerging evidence has shown that various failures in cancer therapy, such as drug resistance, metastasis, and cancer relapse are attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Also, growing attention has been paid to the regulation of non-coding RNAs in cancer stemness. Here, we aimed to investigate the contribution of LINC01296 in the modulation of oral CSCs. Materials and methodsThe phenotypic assays including migration, invasion, and colony-forming abilities were carried out in CSCs of two types of oral cancer cells (SAS and GNM) following the knockdown of LINC01296. In addition, the percentage of cells expressing stemness marker, ALDH1, and drug resistance marker, ABCG2, was examined as well as the self-renewal capacity after silencing of LINC01296. Moreover, a luciferase reporter was used to validate the direct interaction between LINC01296 and miR-143. ResultsOur results showed that LINC01296 was significantly overexpressed in oral cancer tissues and positively correlated with stemness markers. The phenotypic and flow cytometry assays demonstrated that suppression of LINC01296 reduced the aggressiveness, cancer stemness features, and colony-forming and self-renewal abilities in oral CSCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that LINC01296 may enhance cancer stemness features through suppression of the effect of miR-143. ConclusionSilencing of LINC01296 may be a promising direction for oral cancer therapy by reducing cancer stemness via regulation of miR-143.

Evaluation of wheat stem sawfly‐resistant solid stem Qss.msub‐3BL alleles in hard red winter wheat

AbstractHost plant resistance provided by solid stems has been the most effective means for mitigating wheat stem sawfly (WSS) (Cephus cinctus Norton) damage in spring and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The solid stem trait originates from the spring wheat cultivar “Rescue” and is associated with a quantitative trait locus allele Qss.msub‐3BL.b that explains the majority of the variation for stem solidness. Recently, a new Qss.msub‐3BL solid stem allele, designated Qss.msub‐3BL.c, was identified in the spring wheat cultivar “Conan”. It produces a solid stem phenotype early in plant development but dissipates during plant growth. The Qss.msub‐3BL.c allele provides effective WSS resistance in spring wheat but has not been tested in winter wheat. To examine if the Qss.msub‐3BL.c allele provides adequate WSS resistance in winter wheat, near‐isogenic lines (NILs) were developed using marker‐assisted backcrossing. This enabled comparisons between the hollow stem Qss.msub‐3BL.a, solid stem Qss.msub‐3BL.b and solid stem Qss.msub‐3BL.c alleles for stem solidness, WSS resistance, and agronomic traits in Montana growing environments. Compared to the hollow stem allele, the NILs with the Qss.msub‐3BL.c allele increased stem solidness and reduced WSS stem cutting. However, the Qss.msub‐3BL.c allele resulted in lower solid stem scores and greater WSS stem cutting compared to the Qss.msub‐3BL.b allele. Overall, these findings indicate that the Qss.msub‐3BL.c allele failed to provide sufficient WSS resistance in the winter wheat backgrounds tested in this study.

From mallees to mountain ash, specific leaf area is coordinated with eucalypt tree stature, resprouting, stem construction, and fruit size

Context The radiation of eucalypts into almost every Australian environment offers valuable insights to plant ecological strategies. Aims We aimed to assess the degree to which functional traits across different organs are independent or reflect coordinated strategies in southern eucalypts. Methods We applied ordinary and phylogenetic generalised least squares regressions to 164 southern Australian taxa, examining the network of pairwise relationships between 10 functional traits representing aspects of stature, leaf economics, reproduction and post-fire regeneration. We examined coordination and modularity in this network and estimated how phylogeny affects observed trait correlations. Results Stem and stature traits were generally independent of reproductive traits, with Specific Leaf Area the most connected trait, being correlated with traits from all organs. Resprouting ability was also connected to several traits. Species able to resprout basally, but not epicormically, were on average shorter, stouter, with higher stem sapwood density, thinner bark, smaller leaves and lower Specific Leaf Area than those able to resprout using both methods. Taxa resembled their relatives; phylogenetic signal was significant for all continuous traits except Relative Height, ranging from Pagel’s Lambda λ = 0.37 (Relative Bark Thickness) to λ = 0.82 (Specific Leaf Area). Phylogenetic analyses showed weakened correlations for most (but not all) trait pairs. However, most moderate relationships on the trait correlation network also displayed correlated evolution. Conclusions Stature, stem, leaf and reproductive traits and fire response of eucalypts are somewhat coordinated, principally through leaf economics. Trait combinations that confer ecological competence on eucalypt taxa in present-day conditions are likely to have been similarly favoured throughout their evolutionary history. Implications This supports theory of coordinated plant strategies.

Morphological growth performance and genetic parameters on Korean pine in Northeastern China

Abstract Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) is an economically valuable species owing to its excellent timber quality and nuts useful for various purposes. But few studies have been made on growth performance, and aspects combining the genetic gain and classification method on phenotypic similarity in the selection process of superior families. Thus, the present study aimed at analyzing the genetic variation and highlight suitable morphological traits for family selection; establishing trait correlations and families’ ordination based on similarities in phenotypic characters, and selecting elite families and suitable parent trees. Full-sib families from 28 crosses established in randomized complete block design from Naozhi orchard in Northeast China were used, and 11 morphological traits were investigated. Significant differences were observed among families for all traits. The traits coefficients of variation ranged from 6.07 to 56.25 % and from 0.029 to 15.213 % in phenotype and genotypic variation, respectively. A moderate level of inherited genetic control was observed (broad sense heritability H2, varied from 0.155 to 0.438). Traits related to stem growth were highly positively correlated to each other whereas crown traits showed a weak correlation with stem traits (Pearson correlation r, ranged from -0.161 to 0.956). Based on multi-trait comprehensive analysis, we selected six elite families and six parents, which resulted in a genetic gain of 5.6 %, 16.9 %, and 36.4 % in tree height, diameter at breast height, and volume, respectively. These results make a theoretical basis for selecting excellent families and establish orchards of Korean pine from improved seeds.

Downregulation of HS6ST2 Inhibits Cervical Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion in Vivo and in Vitro.

Emerging evidence indicates the importance of heparan sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase 2 (HS6ST2) in a number of developmental processes. Little is known regarding its biological function in regulating cervical cancer (CC) progression. In this study, we aim to explore the role of HS6ST2 in CC progression. The transcriptome sequencing data of CC tissues from three databases, GSE64217, GSE138080, and GSE63514, was examined for genes with significant changes. The expression profile for HS6ST2 within CC tissue was then assessed through fluorescence quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry and compared to data from patients with clinicopathological features. A multivariate survival analysis was performed using the COX regression. The real-time quantitative PCR assessed the HS6ST2 expression profile within CC cellular cultures. The results of knocking down HS6ST2, considering the proliferative activity and invasiveness of CC cultures in vitro, were detected through cell viability assay, clonogenic assessment, tumorsphere formation analysis, 3D invasion experiment and transwell assay. The impact of HS6ST2 knockdown in CC proliferation was also evaluated in vivo using a nude mice model. HS6ST2 was severely upregulated within CC tissues across the three explored databases (GSE64217, GSE138080, and GSE63514). Fluorescent quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry experiments identified HS6ST2 as highly upregulated within patients CC tissues. Survival analysis taking into account the parameters of lymph node metastasis, Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, depth of invasion, pathological grade, and HS6ST2 expression level demonstrated that individuals with downregulated HS6ST2 exhibited considerably extended progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in comparison to upregulated HS6ST2 cases. According to the findings of COX univariate analysis, the parameters lymph node metastasis, FIGO stage, depth of invasion, pathological grade, and HS6ST2 expression level, all showed a statistically significant correlation with effect upon prognosis of CC patients. The FIGO stage, depth of invasion and expression level of HS6ST2 were identified as independent risk variables influencing CC case prognosis within subsequent COX multivariate analysis. Cell function experiments proved that HS6ST2 knockdown can considerably diminish the proliferative potential, stemness and invasive traits of CC cells. Tumor formation experiments in nude mice in vivo demonstrated that knocking down HS6ST2 can significantly thwart CC cellular proliferative properties within animal models. The clinicopathological features and the survival time of the patients significantly correlate with the level of HS6ST2 expression in CC tissue samples.

Divergent selection predating the Last Glacial Maximum mainly acted on macro-phenotypes in Norway spruce.

The current distribution and population structure of many species were, to a large extent, shaped by cycles of isolation in glacial refugia and subsequent population expansions. Isolation in and postglacial expansion through heterogeneous environments led to either neutral or adaptive divergence. Norway spruce is no exception, and its current distribution is the consequence of a constant interplay between evolutionary and demographic processes. We investigated population differentiation and adaptation of Norway spruce for juvenile growth, diameter of the stem, wood density, and tracheid traits at breast height. Data from 4461 phenotyped and genotyped Norway spruce from 396 half-sib families in two progeny tests were used to test for divergent selection in the framework of Q ST vs. F ST. We show that the macroscopic resultant trait (stem diameter), unlike its microscopic components (tracheid dimensions) and juvenile growth, was under divergent selection that predated the Last Glacial Maximum. Altogether, the current variation in these phenotypic traits in Norway spruce is better explained by local adaptation to ancestral environments than to current ones, where populations were partly preadapted, mainly through growth-related traits.

Temperate Lianas Have More Acquisitive Strategies than Host Trees in Leaf and Stem Traits, but Not Root Traits.

Increasingly, tropical studies based on aboveground traits have suggested that lianas have a more acquisitive strategy than trees, thereby possibly explaining the increase in lianas relative to trees in many tropical forests under global change. However, few studies have tested whether this pattern can be extended to root traits and temperate forests. In this study, we sampled 61 temperate liana-host tree pairs and quantified 11 commonly studied functional traits representative of plant economics in roots, stems, and leaves; we aimed to determine whether root, stem and leaf traits are coordinated across lifeforms, and whether temperate lianas are also characterized by more fast and acquisitive traits than trees. Our results showed that leaf and stem traits were coordinated across lifeforms but not with root traits, suggesting that aboveground plant economics is not always correlated with belowground economics, and leaf and stem economic spectra cannot be expanded to the root directly. Compared with host trees, lianas had more acquisitive leaf and stem traits, such as higher specific leaf area and lower leaf dry matter content, leaf carbon content, leaf mass per area, and wood density, suggesting that lianas have a more acquisitive strategy than host trees in the temperate forest. The differences between lianas and trees in plant strategy may drive their contrasting responses to the changing temperate forest environment under global change.

CHRDL1 Regulates Stemness in Glioma Stem-like Cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) still presents as one of the most aggressive tumours in the brain, which despite enormous research efforts, remains incurable today. As many theories evolve around the persistent recurrence of this malignancy, the assumption of a small population of cells with a stem-like phenotype remains a key driver of its infiltrative nature. In this article, we research Chordin-like 1 (CHRDL1), a secreted protein, as a potential key regulator of the glioma stem-like cell (GSC) phenotype. It has been shown that CHRDL1 antagonizes the function of bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4), which induces GSC differentiation and, hence, reduces tumorigenicity. We, therefore, employed two previously described GSCs spheroid cultures and depleted them of CHRDL1 using the stable transduction of a CHRDL1-targeting shRNA. We show with in vitro cell-based assays (MTT, limiting dilution, and sphere formation assays), Western blots, irradiation procedures, and quantitative real-time PCR that the depletion of the secreted BMP4 antagonist CHRDL1 prominently decreases functional and molecular stemness traits resulting in enhanced radiation sensitivity. As a result, we postulate CHRDL1 as an enforcer of stemness in GSCs and find additional evidence that high CHRDL1 expression might also serve as a marker protein to determine BMP4 susceptibility.

Identification of QTL underlying the main stem related traits in a doubled haploid barley population.

Lodging reduces grain yield in cereal crops. The height, diameter and strength of stem are crucial for lodging resistance, grain yield, and photosynthate transport in barley. Understanding the genetic basis of stem benefits barley breeding. Here, we evaluated 13 stem related traits after 28 days of heading in a barley DH population in two consecutive years. Significant phenotypic correlations between lodging index (LI) and other stem traits were observed. Three mapping methods using the experimental data and the BLUP data, detected 27 stable and major QTLs, and 22 QTL clustered regions. Many QTLs were consistent with previously reported traits for grain filling rate, internodes, panicle and lodging resistance. Further, candidate genes were predicted for stable and major QTLs and were associated with plant development and adverse stress in the transition from vegetative stage to reproductive stage. This study provided potential genetic basis and new information for exploring barley stem morphology, and laid a foundation for map-based cloning and further fine mapping of these QTLs.

A Signaling Crosstalk Links SNAIL to the 37/67 kDa Laminin-1 Receptor Ribosomal Protein SA and Regulates the Acquisition of a Cancer Stem Cell Molecular Signature in U87 Glioblastoma Neurospheres.

Background: Three-dimensional in vitro neurospheres cultures recapitulate stemness features associated with poor clinical outcome in glioblastoma patients. They are commonly used to address brain cancer stem cell (CSC) signal transducing biology that regulates spheroids formation and stemness phenotype, and to assess the in vitro pharmacological impact of chemotherapeutic drugs. Objective: Here, we addressed the role of a new signaling axis involved in the regulation of in vitro spheroids formation and assessed the chemopreventive ability of diet-derived epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to impact the processes that govern the acquisition of spheroids CSC stemness traits. Methods: Neurospheres were generated from adherent human U87 glioblastoma cancer cell cultures under conditions that recapitulate stemness features. Total RNA and protein lysates were isolated for gene expression by RT-qPCR and protein expression by immunoblot. Transcriptomic analysis was performed through RNA-Seq. Results: Compared to their parental adherent cells, tumorspheres expressed increased levels of the CSC markers NANOG, SOX2, PROM1 (CD133), as well as of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers Fibronectin, SNAI1, and 37/67 kDa laminin-1 receptor ribosomal protein SA (RPSA). Increased PROM1, SOX2, Fibronectin, and RPSA transcripts level were also observed in clinical grade IV glioblastoma tissues compared to normal tissue. EGCG treatment reduced dose-dependently tumorspheres size and inhibited the transcriptional regulation of those genes. An apoptotic signature was also found in spheroids with increased signal transducing events involving GSK3α/β, RSK, and CREB. These were repressed upon RPSA gene silencing and partially by SNAI1 silencing. Conclusion: This work highlights a signaling axis linking RPSA upstream of SNAIL in neurospheres genesis and supports the chemopreventive impact that diet-derived EGCG may exert on the acquisition of CSC traits.

A Non-Invasive Method of Estimating Populations of Tomicus Piniperda on Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.).

The fully non-invasive method presented here can be used to evaluate Tomicus piniperda L. population sizes in areas subject to strict protection. Data were collected in 2021-2022 in forests containing P. sylvestris, with different stand structures, in the Suchedniowsko-Oblęgorski Landscape Park, Poland. Entomological analyses were carried out on natural traps made from live uncolonised trees. Stepwise regression was used to describe the size of T. piniperda populations. From a set of features representing stem colonisation parameters, stem traits and habitat, the following had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the total number of galleries of T. piniperda on stems: (1) the number of T. piniperda maternal tunnels in the sixth stem section covering 2.5% of the total length, (2) the length of the stem section with bark thickness greater than 7 mm, and (3) stand structure (homogeneous Scots pine stands). The model can explain 93% (Radj2=0.9333) of the variability in the total number of T. piniperda galleries on trap trees. The mean relative error of estimation is 20.1%. The proposed method is particularly valuable in a climate context. The data obtained enable the prediction of the direct effects of climate change on the population dynamics of T. piniperda in natural forests.

New highly lodging resistant winter rye variety ‘Evrika’

The development of highly productive short-stemmed winter rye varieties that do not lodge under intensive cultivation technologies is one of the main breeding tasks. The current paper has presented the study results of a new winter rye variety ‘Evrika’ according to the main economically valuable traits in the North-West region of the Russian Federation. The variety was developed by the Leningrad Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture «Belogorka» based on complex hybridization of the varieties ‘Bylina’ and ‘Volkhov’ from the North-West region with varieties of Russian and foreign selection, among which the varieties ‘Alfa’, ‘Antares’, ‘Saratovskaya 5’ and ‘Otello’ made the most significant contribution. The breeding feature of the new variety is the use of donors of such types of a short stem trait as dominant-monogenic and recessive-polygenic. The study was carried out for three years (2019–2021) in the nurseries of Competitive Variety Testing on the fields of the institute in the Gatchinsky district of the Leningrad region. The purpose of the study was to identify the biological and economically valuable traits of a new winter rye variety ‘Evrika’. According to the study results, the variety ‘Evrika’ belongs to the group of semi-short-stem varieties with a mean plant height of 125.5 cm. The variety showed good winter tolerance (8–9 points) and high resistance to lodging (8–9 points). The mean grain productivity of the new variety through the years of research was 5.0 t/ha, with the maximum of 7.4 t/ha, which exceeded the productivity of the standard variety ‘Volkhov’ on 0.9 t/ha (19.5 %) and 2.1 t/ha (39.6 %), respectively. The mean green mass productivity was 25.8 t/ha, exceeding the standard’s productivity on 3.5 t/ha (15.7 %). The index of 1000-grain weight of a new variety during the period varied from 34.5 to 39.0 g, depending on the climatic conditions of the year. According to the study results, the variety ‘Evrika’ was highly appreciated, having successfully passed the State Variety Testing. In 2021 the variety was included in the State List of Breeding Achievements in the North-West Region of the Russian Federation.

Stem hydraulic conductivity and embolism resistance of Quercus species are associated with their climatic niche.

The hydraulic traits of a plant species may reflect its climate adaptations. Southwest China is considered as a biodiversity hotpot of the genus Quercus (oak). However, the hydraulic adaptations of Asian oaks to their climate niches remain unclear. Ten common garden-grown oak species with distinct natural distributions in eastern Asia were used to determine their stem xylem embolism resistance (water potential at 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity, P50), stem hydraulic efficiency (vessel anatomy and sapwood specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks)) and leaf anatomical traits. We also compiled four key functional traits: wood density, hydraulic-weighted vessel diameter, Ks and P50 data for 31 oak species from previous literature. We analyzed the relationship between hydraulic traits and climatic factors over the native ranges of 41 oak species. Our results revealed that the 10 Asian oak species, which are mainly distributed in humid subtropical habitats, possessed a stem xylem with low embolism resistance and moderate hydraulic efficiency. The deciduous and evergreen species of the 10 Asian oaks differed in the stem and leaf traits related to hydraulic efficiency. Ks differed significantly between the two phenological groups (deciduous and evergreens) in the 41-oak dataset. No significant difference in P50 between the two groups was found for the 10 Asian oaks or the 41-oak dataset. The oak species that can distribute in arid habitats possessed a stem xylem with high embolism resistance. Ks negatively related to the humidity of the native range of the 10 Asian oaks, but showed no trend when assessing the entire global oak dataset. Our study suggests that stem hydraulic conductivity and embolism resistance in Quercus species are shaped by their climate niche. Our findings assist predictions of oak drought resistance with future climate changes for oak forest management.

Radiochemotherapy-induced DNA repair promotes the biogenesis of gastric cancer stem cells

BackgroundClinically, metastasis and recurrence occurred after routine radiochemotherapy in dozens of cases of gastric cancer, mainly attributed to the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Actually, radiochemotherapy could induce DNA damages, leading to activation of DNA repair which might be associated with acquisition of stem cell phenotype. Hitherto, the contribution made by active DNA repair to stemness induction has not been extensively explored.MethodsCisplatin/doxorubicin treatment and X-ray exposure were conducted in gastric cancer cell lines and gastric cancer cells derived from solid tumors to model clinical therapy. Quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and tumorsphere/tumor formation assay were further used to characterize CSCs and assess activation of DNA repair. RNA-seq was performed to identify which DNA repair genes were crucial for CSC traits induction, followed by the investigation of underlying mechanism and functional significance via in vitro and in vivo experiments.ResultsHere, we report a mechanism through which gastric cancer cells in response to radiochemotherapy were reprogrammed into gastric cancer stem cell-like cells. In this mechanism, radiochemotherapy triggers DNA damage response accompanied by elevated levels of EID3, a typical DNA repair gene, which interacts with NAMPT to promote stemness via upregulating Wnt signaling pathway, manifested by enhanced tumorsphere/tumor formation in gastric cancer. In addition to involvement of EID3 in stemness acquisition, it also shows impacts on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and therapy resistance to maintain the characteristics of CSC populations.ConclusionOur study indicates that gastric cancer cells can be endowed with stemness traits via EID3-NAMPT-Wnt/β-catenin axis in response to radiochemotherapy. Blocking this axis (i.e., targeting EID3) along with radiochemotherapy might represent a potential strategy to sensitize CSCs to radiochemotherapy and further reinforce the anti-tumor effects of conventional treatments.

Investigating the Lung Adenocarcinoma Stem Cell Biomarker Expressions Using Machine Learning Approaches.

The objective of the study is to look at the activation of stem cell-related markers in lung adenocarcinoma. Utilizing an unsupervised machine learning approach centered on the mRNA expression of pluripotent stem cells as well as its subsequent developed progeny, the mRNA stemness index of further around 500 LUAD patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset was generated. In LUADs, mRNAsi had first been investigated using differential variations, survivability analyses, medical phases, and sexuality. A computational approach is used for identifying cell clusters utilizing fuzzy clustering. There at transcriptional as well as protein stages, the interactions between the genetic markers were investigated. The functionality and processes of the important genes were annotated using expression values. The degree of gene expression related to the clinical symptoms and the likelihood of surviving have also been confirmed. In cancer patients, the mRNAsi genes were highly elevated. In particular, the mRNAsi score rises with advanced trials and varies markedly by sexuality. Within several years, reduced mRNAsi categories will have superior overall survivability in large LUADs. Individuals with chronic LUAD had greater mRNAsi and had reduced average survivability. The important genes and the distinguished categories have been chosen based on their mRNAsi connections. Some of the major genes related to cell proliferating Gene Ontology concepts were found enriched out from the cell cycle Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) process. Specific genes were found to be linked to CSC features. Their activation grew in lockstep with the progression of LUAD's pathology, so these markers appeared amplified in pan-cancers. These important markers were discovered to have substantial connections as a group, suggesting that they could be exploited as drug applications in the therapy of LUAD by suppressing stemness traits.

Improving Aerial and Root Quality Traits of Two Landscaping Shrubs Stem Cuttings by Applying a Commercial Brown Seaweed Extract

The availability of quality planting material is one of the most important requirements for increasing the productivity of any ornamental crop. Horticulturists make use of auxins and apply them exogenously to cuttings to generate adventitious roots and balanced shoots. Many studies have illustrated the influence of seaweed extracts on the growth of ornamental crops; their use in vegetative cutting propagation, to our knowledge, has been little investigated. Moreover, there is a lack of information on the influence of IBA and seaweed extract concentration on the carbohydrate content. This research aimed to compare the effects of the commercial seaweed extract, called Goteo®, with that of the phytohormone IBA, on the aerial and root quality traits of stem cutting in two Mediterranean landscaping shrubs: Lantana camara (S1) and Abelia × grandiflora (S2). The treatments applied to semi-hardwood stem cuttings were as follows: C0: untreated control; IBA concentration: 1250 mg L−1; Goteo® concentrations at 1, 2, and 3 mL L−1. In L. camara, the greatest values of rooting percentage were obtained under IBA and Goteo® treatments when compared to the control; in A. × grandiflora, there were no effects among treatments. The presented study shows that Goteo® stimulated adventitious rooting and provided a better rooting quality and shoot development of stem cuttings in Lantana and Abelia. In S1, cuttings treated with Goteo®, at the dose of 3 mL L−1, were greater in the number of roots, growth traits, root morphology and carbohydrate content, than those treated with IBA. In S2, 1 mL L−1 Goteo® concentration could be recommended to obtain high-quality rooted stem cuttings.

Allometric models for the estimation of foliage area and biomass from stem metrics in black locust

Allometric equations relating trees’ vascular system and other stem metrics with foliage area and mass are important to estimate their growth, carbon stocks and interactions with abiotic environment in terms of carbon and water balance. In this study we focused on Robinia pseudoacacia restoration plantations in Greece and aimed at establishing species-specific models to predict foliage leaf area and biomass based on stem traits. In particular, we evaluated stem cross-sectional areas of sapwood, current sapwood and total stem (sapwood and heartwood), measured at different tree heights, as predictors of leaf area and mass, based on the pipe model theory. Furthermore, we assessed the variation in the ratios of leaf area to different stem cross-sectional areas across the tree profile and we examined the relationships of diameter at breast height (DBH) with diameter at the base of the live crown and with leaf area. Taking into account the trees’ DBH distribution according to the plantations’ inventory, 25 black locust individuals were destructively sampled and the relationships among the studied traits were analyzed by means of multiple and simple linear regression at p<0.001. Foliage dry mass and area were best predicted by total stem cross-sectional area at mid-bole and stump height (R2=0.81), followed by current sapwood area at stump height (R2=0.74), which outperformed the most often used sapwood area (R2=0.70). DBH was also reliably estimating tree leaf area (R2=0.72) but was less precise, compared to total cross-sectional area, while it was a useful proxy of diameter at the base of the live crown (R2=0.80). In line with the pipe model theory, the ratio of leaf area to total cross-sectional area declined across the canopy basipetally, but only when total cross-sectional area was considered. Deviations from the sapwood-foliage functions described by the pipe model theory may be due to the small sample size and the variability in tree size in such developing restoration plantations. The produced species-specific relationships between stem and foliage metrics may be a useful tool to predict the carbon sequestration and climate change adaptation potential of black locust restoration plantations, which are often characterized by harsh site conditions.

FunAndes – A functional trait database of Andean plants

We introduce the FunAndes database, a compilation of functional trait data for the Andean flora spanning six countries. FunAndes contains data on 24 traits across 2,694 taxa, for a total of 105,466 entries. The database features plant-morphological attributes including growth form, and leaf, stem, and wood traits measured at the species or individual level, together with geographic metadata (i.e., coordinates and elevation). FunAndes follows the field names, trait descriptions and units of measurement of the TRY database. It is currently available in open access in the FIGSHARE data repository, and will be part of TRY’s next release. Open access trait data from Andean plants will contribute to ecological research in the region, the most species rich terrestrial biodiversity hotspot.