bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soft Rot and Wood Pseudomorphs in an Ancient Coffin (700 Bc) From Tumulus Mm at Gordion, Turkey
Authors: Blanchette Robert A. , Simpson Elizabeth
Published: February 2014

An 8th century B. C. tomb at Gordion, Turkey, thought to be the burial site of the legendary Phrygian King Midas, contained a massive deteriorated log coffin, furniture, bronze vessels and many other works of an. This paper describes the micromorphological condition of the wooden coffin and the forms of deterioration that were found. Soft rot decay was the only form of biological degradation that occurred throughout the coffin. Advanced stages of soft rot were evident within the wood cells with numerous soft rot cavities located in the secondary wall layers. In areas of the coffin immediately adjacent to iron bars and nails, soft rot cavities were not observed. Instead, iron corrosion products were evident within these cells, and pseudomorphs (iron replicas) of wood cells were observed. A nonbiological type of cell wall deterioration was apparent in wood where iron corrosion products were present. These iron replicas provided an unusual opportunity to observe reverse images of tracheid cell walls. The importance to wood anatomists in recognising the morphological characteristics of soft rot also is discussed so that misidentification of ancient deteriorated wood can be avoided.
Cell Wall Formation of Compression Wood in Todo Fir (Abies Sacharinensis) - I. Deposition of Polysaccharides
Authors: Takabe Keiji , Miyauchi Takaharu , Fukazawa Kazumi
Published: February 2014

Cell wall formation, particularly deposition of polysaccharides, of compression wood in Todo fir (Abies sacharinensis) was examined by either fluorescence and ultraviolet microscopy or by transmission electron microscopy coupled with cytochemical staining.
Calcium Oxalate Crystals in the Fusiform Cells of the Cambium of Gmelina Arborea
Authors: Deshpande B.P. , Vishwakarma A.K.
Published: February 2014

Short, needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals have been observed in the fusiform cells throughout the cambial zone in the bark of Gmelina arborea Roxb., a deciduous tree in western India. They are similar to the crystals found in ray cells of the cambium and in axial and ray parenchyma cells in the secondary phloem of this tree. The crystals are most abundant when the cambium is inactive. During the period of meristernatic activity there is an overall reduction in their density in the bark, particularly in the inner bark where fusiform cambial cells and axial parenchyma cells in the conducting zone of phloem appear practically free of any crystals. However, ray initials and their derivatives in the phloem possess some crystals at all times. The occurrence of calcium oxalate deposits in a meristem and the reversible nature of these deposits support the view that they represent areserve of calcium rather than a waste product.
The Effect of Growth Rate on the Structure and Compressive Properties of Cork
Authors: Pereira Helena , Graça José , Baptista Cecília
Published: February 2014

Cork samples with an age of 9 years and with different growth rates, corresponding to calibre classes 'small', 'medium' and 'large', were observed by scanning electron microscopy and tested mechanically in compression. Differences in calibre correspond to different widths of annual growth rings; widths differ because both the number of cells produced per year and cell dimensions differ. For instance, small and large calibre cork had, respectively, 50 and 151 cells in one row of an annual growth ring, with an average prism height of 32.6 and 39.8 )µm. The stress-strain curves obtained in compression parallel to the three main directions showed that cork with the higher growth rate (large calibre) has lower strength in compression for all strains and lower Young's moduli.
Anatomy and Properties of Japanese Hardwoods II. Variation of Dimensions of Ray Cells and their Relation to Basic Density
Authors: Fujiwara Shinji
Published: February 2014

Ray volume and dimensions of ray cells as seen in tangential section were measured in 50 Japanese hardwoods and their relation to the basic density of hardwoods was investigated. Rays are primarily composed of procumbent ray cells but a few species have a larger volume of upright ray cells than procumbent ray cells. The basic density was closely related to the wall thickness of the fibres, cell wall materials of the fibres and cell wall materials of the rays.
Alstonia Scholaris Vestures are Resistant to Degradation by Tunnelling Bacteria
Authors: Singh A. P. , Nilsson T. , Daniel G. F.
Published: February 2014

Electron microscopic examination of vessels and fibre-tracheids of Alstonia scholaris exposed to tunneIIing bacteria (TB) in liquid cuItures showed degradation of aU areas of the secondary waU incIuding the highly lignified middle lameUa in advanced stages of attack. However, vestured pit membranes and vestures appeared to be resistant to degradation by TB even when aU other waU areas in A. scholaris wood ceIIs were severely degraded. The size comparison indicated vestures to be considerably smaIIer than TB, and we suspect that this may be the primary reason why vestures in A. scholaris wood were resistant to degradation.
Comparative Morphology of Early Stages of Brown-Rot Wood Decay
Authors: Wayne Wilcox W.
Published: February 2014

Early stages of decay by two brown-rot fungi in two woods were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The earliest diagnostic feature to appear was hyphae in the earlywood lumina. The earliest effect on cell walls was the loss of birefringence in the earlywood; Poria placenta (syn. Postia placenta) caused this loss at the earliest stage of decay observed, in both Douglas-fir and white fir, while Gloeophyllum trabeum caused significant weight loss before loss of birefringence was visible. Attack on the latewood progressed from the earlywood, and was different in pattern among the wood/fungus combinations. Hyphal and bore hole diameter increased throughout the early progression of decay and would be useful in evaluating the stage of decay, if the starting diameter of hyphae could be determined. Separation between cells was not observed until moderate stages of decay and, therefore, was not useful in diagnosing early stages of decay.
The Protective Layer as an Extension of the Apoplast
Authors: Barnett J. R. , Cooper P. , Bonner Lynda J.
Published: February 2014

The protective layer between the cell wall and plasmalemma of xylem parenchyma cells has variously been suggested to be involved in protection of the protoplast from attack by autolytic enzymes from neighbouring, dying cells, tylose formation, deep supercooling of xylem, and strengthening of the pit. None of these ideas has universal application to all species in which parenchyma cells possess a protective layer. It is proposed instead, that the protective layer is primarily laid down in order to preserve apoplastic continuity around the protoplast of a lignified cell, bringing the entire plasmalemma surface, and not just that part of it in contact with the porous pit membrane, into contact with the apoplast. If this is so, then other functions may be coincidental, or have arisen secondarily.
Structure of Stem and Cambial Variant in Spatholobus Roxburgii (Leguminosae)
Authors: Nair M.N.B.
Published: February 2014

The stern of Spatholobus roxburghii, a tropicalliana, has alternating layers of xylem and phloem as a result of formation and activity of successive cambia. Successive cambial rings are developed by dedifferentiation of groups of parenchyma cells outside the discontinuous band of sclereid-fibres. The sclereid- fibre band is formed by the development of sclereids between the primary bark fibres. Each successive cambium first produces a layer of sclereid-fibres which separates the vascular tissue produced by one cambial ring from the other. After secondary growth, the epidermis is replaced by periderm. In the older stern phelloderm contributes to the formation of new cambiallayers. Secondary phloem has sieve tube members; companion cells, phloem parenchyma, phloem fibres and secretory cells. The wood shows a tendency towards ring-porosity only in the first xylem layer. The subsequent layers are diffuseporous. The vessels are wide and narrow. Perforated ray cells or radial vessels are frequent in the wood and probably help in vertical conduction by interconnecting vessel endings. In this scandent species parenchyma cells are abundant. It is inferred that they help the vessel segments to remain undamaged when the woody stern twists around supports.
Anatomical Variation in the Wood of Robinia Pseudoacacia L. and the Identity of Miocene Fossil Woods from Southwestern United States
Authors: Page Virginia M.
Published: February 2014

A detailed analysis of selected quantitative features was made of secondary xylem from the trunk, branch, and root of a specimen of Robinia pseudoacacia L. The analysis serves as a basis for interpreting two suites of fossil woods closely similar to the wood of Robinia. One assemblage had its provenance in western Nevada and the other in southern California. Results of the survey show considerable overlap in ranges of variation in the fossils and extant woods. These findings parallel results of a similar investigation by Matten et al. (1977). Woods from both fossil localities fall within the specifications of the organ species Robinia zirkellii (Platen) Matten, Gastaldo ' Lee. The survey also revealed the kinds of differences that may be found in species of Robinia growing in dissimilar habitats. Differences noted among trunk, branch and root wood of extant Robinia make it possible to distinguish these organs among the fossils.
Stem Development, Medullary Bundles, and Wood Anatomy of Croton Glandulosus Var. Septentrionalis (Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Hayden Sheila M. , John Hayden W.
Published: February 2014

Anatomy and development of vascular tissues in the annual stems of Croton glandulosus var. septentrionalis are described. In primary stages of growth the stem possesses a eustele of bicollateral bundles; internal phloem is notably more extensive than the external. In addition to a vascular cambium and secondary xylem that form in the usual fashion, additional cambia add cells to the internal phloem portion of the bicollateral bundles, forming well-marked medullary bundles at the perimeter of the pith. At first, the perimedullary cambial strands produce only internal secondary phloem; later, internal secondary xylem is also formed in some stems. When internal secondary xylem is present, the medullary bundles have an inverted orientation, i.e., phloem innermost (towards centre of pith) and xylem outermost (near protoxylem). Cells of the medullary bundles include sieve tube elements, vessel ekments, and fibres. Normal (external) secondary phloem is weakly developed. Normal secondary xylem contains short vessel elements with simple perforation plates and alternate intervascular pits, libriform fibres, narrow heterocellular rays, and lacks axial parenchyma.
Radial Variation in Wood Properties of Naturally and Plantation Grown Light Red Meranti (Shorea, Dipterocarpaceae)
Authors: Bosman Monique T.M. , de Kort Ingrid , van Genderen Marianne K. , Baas Pieter
Published: February 2014

The wood quality parameters of cell wall
percentage, tissue proportions and basic specific
gravity were determined for three naturally
and nine plantation grown trees of Light
Red Meranti (Shorea leprosula and S. parvifolia).
Eco-Anatomical Wood Features of Species from a Very Dry Tropical Forest
Authors: Lindorf Helga
Published: February 2014

In 19 species of a very dry forest in Venezuela vessel diameter, vessel frequency, vessel grouping, vessel element length, and intervessel pit size, were studied and compared with data from other habitats. A predominance of characters that presumably contribute to hydraulic safety was observed: numerous grouped vessels of small diameter, short vessel elements, and minute intervessel pits. In some species, a xeromorphic wood anatomy coexists together with adaptations such as deciduousness, xeromorphic foliage, deep or superficially-extended roots, and succulence. In other species studied, the presence of xerophytic adaptations such as assimilating stems, succulence, and deep roots, seem to mitigate the xeromorphic wood appearance and, to some extent, lend it a mesomorphic character.
Wood of Platanus Kerrii
Authors: Wheeler E. A.
Published: February 2014

Mature wood of extant Platanus kerrii Gagnep., native to Laos and Vietnam, is described for the first time. Its general characteristics are similar to other Platanus species; it has narrow, mostly solitary vessels, perforation plates both simple and scalariform, opposite intervessel pitting, diffuse-in-aggregates axial parenchyma, mostly wide (> 10-seriate) rays that usually are homocellular. Rays are wider (up to 30 cells wide) than in other extant species and in this feature P. kerrii resembles Cretaceous and Paleogene platanoid woods more than other extant species do. Vessel element lengths are similar to other species, although the incidence of scalariform perforation plates is greater than in other extant Platanus species.
Wood Anatomy of Schefflera and Related Taxa (Araliaceae)
Authors: Oskolski Alexei A.
Published: February 2014

The wood anatomy of 31 Schefflera species from Indochina, Australia, Oceania, Africa, and South America, 3 species of Didymopanax from South America, and Tupidanthus calyptratus and Scheffleropsis hemiepiphytica from Indochina (Araliaceae) are described. Seven groups of species can be recognised.
Relationships Between Water Availability and Selected Vessel Characteristics in Eucalyptus Grandis and Two Hybrids
Authors: February Ed C. , Stock W.D. , Bond W.J. , Le Roux D.J.
Published: February 2014

The primary objective of this study was to determine the relationships between water availability, plant growth and selected vessel characteristics for Eucalyptus grandis and two hybrids, so as to ascertain whether these xylem characteristics predict water use efficiency. Cuttings of Eucalyptus grandis, E. grandis × camaldulensis and E. grandis × nitens were planted in 220 litre drums from which rainfall was excluded. One half of the individuals received a low watering treatment; one half received a higher watering treatment. Soil moisture depletion through root uptake was monitored weekly and the removed water replaced to maintain 60 and 80 litres in the pots of the low and high watering treatments respectively. Mean values for tangential vessel diameter, vessel frequency and vessel element length were compared for the two treatments. In E. grandis and the hybrid E. grandis × camaldulensis vessel diameter (P < 0.01 ' P < 0.05 respectively) and vessel element length (P < 0.05 for both) increased from the dry to the wet treatment as water uptake through transpiration increased. There is no significant correlation between available water and vessel frequency. For E. grandis × nitens, on the other hand, only vessel frequency was significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with water uptake. In all three species/hybrids water availability also had a significant influence on stem diameter (P < 0.0001) and transverse sectional stem area (P < 0.0001) which increased with increased water consumption. These results suggest that E. grandis × nitens may be more water use efficient than E. grandis, which is commonly grown for timber and thus could potentially be used as a replacement species that is more water conservative in this water limited region.
Wood Anatomical Studies of Cloned Spruce Trees Fumigated With Sulphur Dioxide
Authors: Eckstein Dieter , Scholz Florian , Klein Heinrich
Published: February 2014

The wood anatomy was studied of 180 young spruce trees of 30 clones fumigated with SO2. The resulting data were assessed using rank correlation statistics, factor analysis and analysis of variance. In the year before fumigation none of the measured characteristics showed any correlation with the degree by which clones were damaged after fumigation. Genetic effects were assessed to be responsible for 65% of latewood width variation prior to fumigation. In the treatment year as well as in the subsequent year there was a correlation between some of the characteristics measured and the degree of damage, and in the same period genetic influences accounted for only 10% of latewood width variation. Two years after fumigation no correlations between the measured wood anatomical characteristics and the degree of damage could be detected.
How to Measure Growth Dynamics in Tropical Trees a Review
Authors: Worbes Martin
Published: February 2014

Cambial dormancy and annual rings in tropical trees are induced by annually occurring dry periods or flooding. Growth periodicity is indicated by the leaf fall behaviour and is connected with an annual periodicity of shoot elongation. Changes in stem diameter are measured with a dendrometer or by measurable differences in the electrical resistance of the cambium. Dendrochronological methods applied to carefully prepared samples can serve as proof of the annual periodicity of growth zones. For this purpose the following methods have been used: cambial wounding, radiocarbon dating, pointer year detection and regression analyses of ring width and climate data. Although X-ray densitometry and the analysis of stable isotopes in rings of tropical trees promise to provide interesting climatological information, the use of these methods remains difficult.
Seasonal Characteristics of Wood Formation in Hopea Odorata and Shorea Henryana
Authors: Nobuchi Tadashi , Ogata Yoshiyuki , Siripatanadilok Somkid
Published: February 2014

Seasonal characteristics of wood formation were investigated using the pinning method in Hopea odorata and Shorea henryana in a natural dry evergreen forest of eastern Thailand. The position of cells having initiated S1-layer formation at the time of pinning was estimated in the zone where cells were directly injured by the pinning and consequently destroyed. The position of cambial initials at the time of pinning was estimated in the zone where cells were indirectly affected by the pinning and continued their physiological activity resulting in the formation of aberrant cells. Traumatic resin canals were occasionally formed in Shorea. These canals were formed after pinning and could, therefore, not record the exact time of the pinning. Diameter growth of both species was greatest in the rainy season and decreased in the dry season.
Tree-Ring Research on Tectona Grandis in Northern Thailand
Authors: Pumijumnong Nathsuda , Eckstein Dieter , Sass Ute
Published: February 2014

From a network of teak chronologies in northern Thailand, 75 trees within one province were evaluated regarding their climatic signal. The raw tree-ring series revealed a high mean sensitivity of 0.50 and a moderate first-order autocorrelation of 0.48. The first principal component of the standardized data explained 44% of the total variation in the tree-ring data, indicating a considerable climatic influence on tree growth. The climate-growth relationship suggested that growth of teak in this study area is mainly controlled by rainfall from April to June. Thus, there is some promise that the whole network of teak chronologies in northern Thailand can contribute to reconstructing climate over at least the last three centuries.
Dendroecological Analysis of Cordia Alliodora, Pseudobombax Septenatum and Annona Spraguei in Central Panama
Authors: Devall Margaret S. , Parresol Bernard R. , Wright S. Joseph
Published: February 2014

Several plant communities in central Panama, each community located near a weather station, contain trees with annual growth rings, i. e. Cordia alliodora, Pseudobombax septenatum, and Annona spraguei. Tree-ring data are particularly valuable when concomitant weather information is readily available. Patterns of growth for the above species of trees were investigated across central Panama in relation to climate. A linear aggregate climate model was fitted to chronologies of each species at three sites along a rainfall gradient. Comparisons were made among sites to help explain how climate influences tree growth within central Panama.
Ring Width Patterns of Douglas Fir in Relation to Crown Vitality and Age
Authors: de Kort Ingrid , Baas Pieter
Published: February 2014

Ring width patterns often different stands, five vitality classes and three age-classes are used to explore the effect of the decline in vitality on radial growth of Douglas fir in the Netherlands and to determine the onset of this decline. A relationship between growth performance and crown vitality is found in most stands, although the variation within and between stands is large. Severe needle loss leads to serious decline in ring width. The onset of the decline varies from c. 1959 to 1976. The present data set does not enable a choice between the various causal scenarios of forest decline that have been proposed in the literature.
Determination of the Age of Pinus Occidentalis in La Celestina, Dominican Republic, by the Use of Growth Rings
Authors: van der Burgt Xander M.
Published: February 2014

The growth rings of Pinus occidentalis Swartz trees in La Celestina, Dominican Republic, show between-tree uniformity. With difficulty, two mean time series were made from ring widths of 1) all visible, including intra-annual, rings and 2) groups of rings that were hypothesized to be annual. Both were compared with a 63-year range of rainfall data. An annual periodicity in wood formation is present, but obscured by many intra-annual rings. The annual periodicity of the trees may be a remnant of their possible origin from higher altitudes, where frosts may occur during the cold season. The youngest of the 7 investigated trees was about 39 years old; the oldest about 46 years. These seven trees contain between approximately 2 and 6 growth rings per year, with an average of about 3.5-4.
Wood and Leaf Anatomy in Sessea Corymbiflora from an Ecological Perspective
Authors: Lindorf Helga
Published: February 2014

The wood and leaf structure of Sessea corymbiflora, a new species for the Venezuelan solanaceous flora, are described and compared from an ecological perspective. In accordance with the humid environment where the plant grows and its position in an intermediate layer of the forest, a predominantly mesomorphic wood and a mesomorphic leaf structure with intermediate features between sun and shade types (medium leaf type) are developed. Xeromorphic traits are also found, however: vasicentric tracheids and vessel grouping in the wood; thick cuticle and cutinized outer epidermal wall in the leaf. The existence of these adaptations is discussed in relation to microclimate and the effect of seasonal dry periods. The possible influence of altitude is also considered.
Wood Anatomy of the Predominantly African Representatives of the Tribe Psychotrieae (Rubiaceae-Rubioideae)
Authors: Jansen Steven , Robbrecht Elmar , Beeckman Hans , Smets Erik
Published: February 2014

Wood samples of representatives of Chassalia, Chazaliella, Gaertnera, Hymenocoleus, Pagamea and Psychotria are examined. The generic delimitation of these predominantly African Psychotrieae, which is mainly based on fruit morphology, is compared with wood anatomical variation patterns. Part of the variation observed is related to habit, e. g. wide vessels in the tree species Psychotria dermatophylla. Other features do have systematic significance, as shown by a cluster analysis of the data obtained. The genus pair Gaertnera/Pagamea differs obviously from the other genera and is wood anatomically clearly distinguished by the presence of fibre-tracheids and parenchyma bands. Chassalia, Chazaliella, Hymenocoleus and Psychotria have rather similar wood structure, although variation in vessel diameter, vessel arrangement, ray composition and axial parenchyma occurs. Several uncommon features are recorded: the presence of few to numerous openings in one oblique perforation plate, irregular reticulate perforation plates and multiple vessel-ray perforations with marked irregularity.
The Relationship Between Growth-Ring Width and Ray Density and Ray Height in Cell Number in the Earlywood of Pinus Halepensis and Pinus Pinea
Authors: Lev-Yadun Simcha
Published: February 2014

The relationship between growth-ring width and ray size and number was studied in five 24-year-old trees of Pinus halepensis Mill. and five 16-year-old trees of Pinus pinea L. All trees of both Pinus species showed a gradual tendency for an increase in ray height, from an average of less than 4 cells near the pith to 7 or 8 cells in the outer rings. Ray number decreased from more than 70 rays per mm2 near the pith to about 40 rays per mm2 in the outer rings. No significant correlation was found between growth-ring width and the number of rays per mm2 or height of rays for three out of five trees of P. halepensis or for any of the five P. pinea trees. I conclude that there is no general direct relationship between growth-ring width and ray number and size.
Light Microscopic Diagnosis of Wood Decay
Authors: Anagnost Susan E.
Published: February 2014

Light micrographs of the anatomical features of brown rot, white rot and soft rot are presented here to facilitate easy identification of each type of decay in birch and pine. This paper presents the light-microscopic observations made during the course of several broad studies of wood deterioration by fungi. A key aids the identification of brown rot, white rot and soft rot in wood and wood products. Features used for identification include bore hole size and frequency, shape of erosion channels and cavities, cell separations and changes in birefringence as observed on unstained sections with polarized light or differential interference contrast microscopy. Included are descriptions of white-rot and soft-rot erosion patterns at several decay stages.
Anatomical Study of the Decay Caused by the White-Rot Fungus Trametes Trogii (Aphyllophorales) in Wood of Salix and Populus
Authors: Leviu Laura , Castro María Agueda
Published: February 2014

Different stages of decay caused in vitro by Trametes trogii in Salix sp. and Populus sp. wood are described. Anatomical features are reported in three stages of this process. Decay progressed in a different pattern in both species studied. In Populus sp. T. trogii caused a combination of selective delignification and simultaneous decay within the same substrate. In advanced stages wood blocks exhibited large empty holes and a spongy structure. In Salix sp. a simultaneous white-rot decay took place. Only vessels remained and the residual white-rotted wood developed a stringy appearance.
Ecological and Systematic Wood Anatomy of Alstonia (Apocynaceae)
Authors: Sidiyasa Kade , Baas Pieter
Published: February 2014

The wood anatomy is described of three sections of the genus Alstonia: sections Alstonia, Monuraspermum, and Dissuraspermum. The wood anatomical characters support the infrageneric classification on the basis of macropmorphological and pollen morphological features (Sidiyasa 1998). Vessel frequency, mean tangential vessel diameter, LID ratio, ray frequency, presence or absence of laticifers, parenchyma distribution, fibre wall thickness, and fibre wall pitting are all, in various degrees, diagnostic to separate the light Alstonia timber group (= section Alstonia) from the heavy Alstonia group (including the other two sections studied). Sections Monuraspermum and Dissuraspermum can be separated on vessel frequency and mean tangential vessel diameter. Among the light Alstonia group, the swamp inhabiting species have lower multi seriate rays than the non-swamp species which presumably root in well-aerated soils. Vessel elements and fibres also tend to be shorter in material from swamps, but this difference is not statistically significant. This tendency is perhaps associated with the physiological drought induced by water-logged soils.
Intrusive Cavities in Euphorbiaceae Fibre Walls
Authors: Dias-Lerne Claudia Luizon , Angyalossy-Alfonso Veronica
Published: February 2014

Fibres with intrusive cavities were present in Alchornea sidifolia, Alchornea triplinervia, Croton floribundus, Sapium glandulatum, and Sebastiania serrata (Euphorbiaceae). These cavities are the result of an intrusive growth of fibres which detour when they encounter a cellular obstacle, form either a fork or a concavity around the obstacle, and subsequently unite. The term 'intrusive cavity' is proposed for this structure.
Rays in Juvenile Wood of Acer
Authors: Dakak J.E. , Keller R. , Bucur V.
Published: February 2014

Juvenile wood characteristics of multiseriate and uniseriate rays of five species of the genus Acer were studied on young trees from France and Canada. Ray height, width, number in width of cells and proportion/mm2 were determined for the earlywood. Variance analysis was used to discriminate the variability of the characteristics of rays. Simple regression analysis shows some strong correlations between the characteristics of multiseriate and uniseriate rays of each species. Except for A. saccharinum, no relationships were established between the ray characteristics and the specific gravity. Except for A. pseudoplatanus, no relationships were established between annual ring width and ray characteristics. Principal component analysis focused separatelyon multiseriate rays and on uniseriate rays revealed differences between A. saccharum and A. saccharinum (e.g., the proportion and the number of cells in multiseriate rays).
On the identity of Carduus euboicus (Asteraceae) from Mt Dirphys, Evvia, Greece
Authors: Tan Kit , Zografidis Aris
Published: February 2014

Carduus euboicus is shown to be a distinct species well-separated from other Greek species of the genus by its skeletal habit with few and reduced leaves, greyish-winged stem, depressed-globose solitary capitulum with short involucral bracts and compressed achenes with a ± sessile pentagonal apical prominence. It bears some morphological similarity to the Balkan endemic C. candicans as well as C. litigiosus from Italy and France but is not closely related to either. It is the sole Greek endemic of the genus being restricted to Mts Dirphys and Xirovouni on the island of Evvia but has been treated as a form of C. nutans in the recently published checklist of the Greek flora.
Systematic analyses of Ophiocordyceps ramosissimum sp. nov., a new species from a larvae of Hepialidae in China
Authors: WEN TING-CHI , XIAO YUAN-PIN , LI WEN-JING , KANG JI-CHUAN , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: February 2014

A new species, Ophiocordyceps ramosissimumsp. nov., is described and illustrated. It was associated with larvae of Phassus nodus (Hepialidae) collected from Xuefeng Mountains, Hunan Province, China. It differs from similar species in having branched stromata without a sterile apex, superficial ascomata, and very wide asci and ascospores and in its occurrence on Phassus nodus in living roots or trunks of Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis of 5.8S-ITS rDNA, nrSSU, EF-1α, and RPB1 gene loci also confirmed the distinctiveness of this new species.
Manilkara dardanoi (Sapotaceae): the rediscovery of an endemic and threatened species in northeastern Brazil
Authors: JR. EDUARDO BEZERRA DE ALMEIDA , ZICKEL CARMEN SILVIA
Published: February 2014

The present study reports the rediscovery of Manilkara dardanoi in the Atlantic Forest, which complements the original description of this species. As the only previous reports of M. dardanoi date from 1950 and 1952, excursions were made to various municipalities in Pernambuco, and collections housed in Brazilian herbaria were consulted. The rediscovery of this species occurred in a secondary forest fragment in Pernambuco State. The species M. dardanoi is endemic to northeastern Brazil, and its rediscovery demonstrates the value of intensive collection during floristic studies, with four samples collected.
Morphology of the first zoeal stage of three deep-water pandalid shrimps, Heterocarpus abulbus Yang, Chan & Chu, 2010, H. hayashii Crosnier, 1988 and H. sibogae De Man, 1917 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea)
Authors: JIANG GUO-CHEN , CHAN TIN-YAM , SHIH TUNG-WEI
Published: February 2014

The eggs of three deep-sea pandalid shrimps Heterocarpus abulbus, H. hayashii and H. sibogae are successfully hatched in the laboratory. The first zoeal stage of these shrimps are described, with those of H. abulbus and H. hayashii being reported for the first time. First zoeae of different Heterocarpus species can be distinguished by the spination at the anteroventral carapace, body size, rostral length and appendage setation.
The Tryphosa group (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Lysianassoidea:
Lysianassidae: Tryphosinae)
Authors: KILGALLEN N. M. , LOWRY J. K.
Published: February 2014

The Tryphosa group is established within the tryphosine amphipods. It contains eight genera worldwide (Bruunosa Barnard & Karaman, 1987; Glorieusella gen. nov.; Gronella Barnard & Karaman, 1991; Metambasia Stephensen, 1923; Pseudonesimus Chevreux, 1926; Schisturella Norman, 1900; Thrombasia J.L. Barnard, 1966; and Tryphosa Boeck, 1871). As part of the Tryphosa group we describe the new genus Glorieusella from Madagascar and four new species (Schisturella rosa sp. nov., Thrombasia evalina sp. nov., Thrombasia umina sp. nov., Thrombasia saros sp. nov.) from eastern Australia.
The Inclusion of Excluded Majorities in South Asian Parliaments: Women, Youth, and the Working Class
Authors: Joshi Devin K
Published: February 2014

This article provides a new perspective on parliamentary representation in South Asia, focusing on the collective under-representation of population majorities based on the macro-demographic categories of age, class, and gender. Situating this analysis within debates on descriptive representation, it presents the first comparative analysis of the contemporary demographic characteristics of members of parliament (MPs) in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Highlighting three major gaps in parliamentary representation, it finds quotas, proportional representation electoral systems, and leftist parties to have positively impacted the descriptive representation of South Asian women, the working class, and young adults.
Planning intervention using dynamic assessments: A case study
Authors: Hasson Natalie , Dodd Barbara
Published: February 2014

Dynamic assessments (DA) of language have been shown to be a useful addition to the battery of tests used to diagnose language impairments in children, and to evaluate their skills. The current article explores the value of the information gained from a DA in planning intervention for a child with language impairment. A single case study was used to demonstrate the detailed qualitative information that can be derived from a DA procedure, and how that information may be used to elicit greater gains from intervention. The participant was a boy, aged 9, with a previously diagnosed language impairment. He was receiving language therapy regularly in a language resource base attached to his school. The CELF-3(UK) was used to monitor changes in his language, before and after two periods of intervention. The initial baseline phase consisted of regular ongoing language therapy. The second phase of therapy was modified by the speech and language therapist after receiving a report of the child’s performance on the Dynamic Assessment of Sentence Structure (DASS; Hasson et al., 2012), and observations of the child’s metalinguistic and metacognitive awareness. Greater gains observed in the second phase of therapy reflected the good modifiability shown by the child’s performance on the DASS.
Overcoming Emotions, Conquering Fate: Reflections on Descartes’ Ethics
Authors: Amatayakul Supakwadee
Published: February 2014

This paper offers a reconstruction of Descartes's theory of the emotions, with special focus on the virtue “generosity” (générosité) which he proposed as the master virtue to help humans manage and control their desires so that they can achieve the highest level of happiness which transcends the unpredictability and arbitrariness of fate. It first provides an analysis of Descartes's notion of “divine providence,” “vain desires,” and “regret;” then proceeds to offer an investigation of “générosité” both as an emotion and as a virtue; and concludes with an examination of “générosité” as a tool to master and control the emotions.
Comparative genomics of type VI secretion systems in strains of Pantoea ananatisfrom different environments
Authors: Shyntum Divine Yufetar , Venter Stephanus Nicolaas , Moleleki Lucy Novungayo , Toth Ian , Coutinho Teresa Ann
Published: February 2014

Background

The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) has been identified in several different bacteria, including the plant pathogenPantoea ananatis. Previous in silico analyses described three different T6SS loci present in the pathogenic strain of P. ananatis LMG 20103. This initial investigation has been extended to include an additional seven sequenced strains of P. ananatis together with 39 strains from different ecological niches. Comparative and phylogenetic analyses were used to investigate the distribution, evolution, intra-strain variability and operon structure of the T6SS in the sequenced strains.

Results

Three different T6SS loci were identified in P. ananatis strain LMG 20103 and designated PA T6SS 1-3. PA T6SS-1 was present in all sequenced strains of P. ananatis and in all 39 additional strains examined in this study. In addition, PA T6SS-1 included all 13 core T6SS genes required for synthesis of a functional T6SS. The plasmid-borne PA T6SS-2 also included all 13 core T6SS genes but was restricted to only 33% (15/46) of the strains examined. In addition, PA T6SS-2 was restricted to strains of P. ananatis isolated from symptomatic plant material. This finding raises the possibility of an association between PA T6SS-2 and either pathogenicity or host specificity. The third cluster PA T6SS-3 was present in all strains analyzed in this study but lacked 11 of the 13 core T6SS genes suggesting it may not encoded a functional T6SS. Inter-strain variability was also associated with hcp and vgrG islands, which are associated with the T6SS and encode a variable number of proteins usually of unknown function. These proteins may play a role in the fitness of different strains in a variety of ecological niches or as candidate T6SS effectors. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that PA T6SS-1 and PA T6SS-2 are evolutionarily distinct.

Conclusion

Our analysis indicates that the three T6SSs of P. ananatis appear to have been independently acquired and may play different roles relating to pathogenicity, host range determination and/or niche adaptation. Future work will be directed toward understanding the roles that these T6SSs play in the biology of P. ananatis.
A large esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor that was successfully resected after neoadjuvant imatinib treatment: case report
Authors: Yanagawa Senichiro , Tanabe Kazuaki , Suzuki Takahisa , Tokumoto Noriaki , Arihiro Koji , Ohdan Hideki
Published: February 2014

A 49-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a 1-month history of dysphagia. An upper endoscopy revealed a lower esophageal submucosal tumor. Immunohistochemical staining of the biopsy specimen revealed KIT positivity. Thus, the tumor was diagnosed as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). After 6 months of imatinib treatment, the tumor decreased from 92 mm × 55 mm × 80 mm to 65 mm × 35 mm × 55 mm in diameter, and surgery was performed. The tumor was completely resected without rupture, by partial esophagogastric resection through a thoracotomy incision, using an abdominal laparoscopic approach. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the tumor was negative for c-kit but positive for CD34. Genetic examination showed that the tumor had a mutation in exon 11. The patient experienced minor leakage but recovered conservatively. Adjuvant imatinib was initiated 64 days after surgery. We report this rare case to show the potential of preoperative imatinib treatment in patients with large esophageal GISTs, to achieve complete resection without rupture.
An evaluation of the infection control potential of a UV clinical podiatry unit
Authors: Humphreys Paul N , Davies Chris S , Rout Simon
Published: February 2014

Background

Infection control is a key issue in podiatry as it is in all forms of clinical practice. Airborne contamination may be particularly important in podiatry due to the generation of particulates during treatment. Consequently, technologies that prevent contamination in podiatry settings may have a useful role. The aims of this investigation were twofold, firstly to determine the ability of a UV cabinet to protect instruments from airborne contamination and secondly to determine its ability to remove microbes from contaminated surfaces and instruments.

Method

A UV instrument cabinet was installed in a University podiatry suite. Impact samplers and standard microbiological techniques were used to determine the nature and extent of microbial airborne contamination. Sterile filters were used to determine the ability of the UV cabinet to protect exposed surfaces. Artificially contaminated instruments were used to determine the ability of the cabinet to remove microbial contamination.

Results

Airborne bacterial contamination was dominated by Gram positive cocci including Staphylococcus aureus. Airborne fungal levels were much lower than those observed for bacteria. The UV cabinet significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the observed levels of airborne contamination. When challenged with contaminated instruments the cabinet was able to reduce microbial levels by between 60% to 100% with more complex instruments e.g. clippers, remaining contaminated.

Conclusions

Bacterial airborne contamination is a potential infection risk in podiatry settings due to the presence of S. aureus. The use of a UV instrument cabinet can reduce the risk of contamination by airborne microbes. The UV cabinet tested was unable to decontaminate instruments and as such could pose an infection risk if misused.
Uncontrolled sepsis: a systematic review of translational immunology studies in intensive care medicine
Authors: Cain David J , del Arroyo Ana Gutierrez , Ackland Gareth L
Published: February 2014

Background

The design of clinical immunology studies in sepsis presents several fundamental challenges to improving the translational understanding of pathologic mechanisms. We undertook a systematic review of bed-to-benchside studies to test the hypothesis that variable clinical design methodologies used to investigate immunologic function in sepsis contribute to apparently conflicting laboratory data, and identify potential alternatives that overcome various obstacles to improve experimental design.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the design methodology employed to study neutrophil function (respiratory burst), monocyte endotoxin tolerance and lymphocyte apoptosis in the intensive care setting, over the past 15 years. We specifically focussed on how control samples were defined, taking into account age, gender, ethnicity, concomitant therapies, timing of sample collection and the criteria used to diagnose sepsis.

Results

We identified 57 eligible studies, the majority of which (74%) used case–control methodology. Healthy volunteers represented the control population selected in 83% of studies. Comprehensive demographic data on age, gender and ethnicity were provided in ≤48% of case control studies. Documentation of diseases associated with immunosuppression, malignancy and immunomodulatory therapies was rare. Less than half (44%) of studies undertook independent adjudication for the diagnosis of sepsis while 68% provided microbiological data. The timing of sample collection was defined by highly variable clinical criteria. By contrast, surgical studies avoided many such confounders, although only one study in surgical patients monitored the study group for development of sepsis.

Conclusions

We found several important and common limitations in the clinical design of translational immunologic studies in human sepsis. Major elective surgery overcame many of these methodological limitations. The failure of adequate clinical design in mechanistic studies may contribute to the lack of translational therapeutic progress in intensive care medicine.
Neurogenic potential of dental pulp stem cells isolated from murine incisors
Authors: Ellis Kylie M , O’Carroll David C , Lewis Martin D , Rychkov Grigori Y , Koblar Simon A
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Interest in the use of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) to enhance neurological recovery following stroke and traumatic injury is increasing following successful pre-clinical studies. A murine model of autologous neural stem cell transplantation would be useful for further pre-clinical investigation of the underlying mechanisms. However, while human-derived DPSC have been well characterised, the neurogenic potential of murine DPSC (mDPSC) has been largely neglected. In this study we demonstrate neuronal differentiation of DPSC from murine incisors in vitro.

Methods

mDPSC were cultured under neuroinductive conditions and assessed for neuronal and glial markers and electrophysiological functional maturation.

Results

mDPSC developed a neuronal morphology and high expression of neural markers nestin, ßIII-tubulin and GFAP. Neurofilament M and S100 were found in lower abundance. Differentiated cells also expressed protein markers for cholinergic, GABAergic and glutaminergic neurons, indicating a mixture of central and peripheral nervous system cell types. Intracellular electrophysiological analysis revealed the presence of voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels in a majority of cells with neuronal morphology. No voltage-gated Na+ or K+ currents were found and the cultures did not support spontaneous action potentials. Neuronal-like networks expressed the gap junction protein, connexin 43 but this was not associated with dye coupling between adjacent cells after injection of the low-molecular weight tracers Lucifer yellow or Neurobiotin. This indicated that the connexin proteins were not forming traditional gap junction channels.

Conclusions

The data presented support the differentiation of mDPSC into immature neuronal-like networks.