Uptake and localisation of mTHPC (Foscan®) and its14C-labelled form in normal and tumour tissues of the hamster squamous cell carcinoma model: a comparative study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of meta(tetrahydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC) on different tissues of interest in a hamster tumour model and to confirm our earlier animal studies on semi-quantitative fluorescence microscopy. The results obtained by three different evaluation methods were compared: in vivo spectrofluorometry, ex vivo fluorescence microscopy and chemical extraction of 14C-labelled mTHPC. Following intracardiac injection of 0.5 mg kg−1 mTHPC, groups of five tumour-bearing animals were used for in situ light-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Afterwards, the biopsies were taken and snap frozen for fluorescence microscopy. The presence of radioactivity in serum and tissues was determined after chemical digestion in scintillation fluid using a scintillation counter. For each analysed tissue, a good correlation was observed between the three evaluation methods. The highest fluorescence intensity and quantities of mTHPC were observed between 12 and 24 h in liver, kidney, serum, vascular endothelium and advanced neoplasia. The majority of mTHPC was found at around 48 h in smooth muscle and at 96 h in healthy cheek pouch mucosa and early malignant lesions. The lowest level of mTHPC was noted in striated muscle at all times. No selectivity in dye localisation was observed between early squamous cell carcinoma and healthy mucosa. Soon after the injection, a significant selectivity was noted for advanced squamous cell carcinoma as compared to healthy cheek pouch mucosa or striated muscle. A significant difference in mTHPC localisation and quantity was also observed between striated and smooth muscle during the first 48 h following the injection. Finally, this study demonstrated the usefulness of non-invasive in situ spectroscopic measurements to be performed systematically prior to photodynamic therapy as a real-time monitoring for each treated patient in order to individualise and adapt the light dosimetry and avoid over or under treatments

Assessing the Potential Impacts to Riparian Ecosystems Resulting from Hemlock Mortality in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is spreading across forests in eastern North America, causing mortality of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis [L.] Carr.) and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana Engelm.). The loss of hemlock from riparian forests in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) may result in significant physical, chemical, and biological alterations to stream environments. To assess the influence of riparian hemlock stands on stream conditions and estimate possible impacts from hemlock loss in GSMNP, we paired hardwood- and hemlock-dominated streams to examine differences in water temperature, nitrate concentrations, pH, discharge, and available photosynthetic light. We used a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify stream pairs that were similar in topography, geology, land use, and disturbance history in order to isolate forest type as a variable. Differences between hemlock- and hardwood-dominated streams could not be explained by dominant forest type alone as forest type yields no consistent signal on measured conditions of headwater streams in GSMNP. The variability in the results indicate that other landscape variables, such as the influence of understory Rhododendron species, may exert more control on stream conditions than canopy composition. The results of this study suggest that the replacement of hemlock overstory with hardwood species will have minimal impact on long-term stream conditions, however disturbance during the transition is likely to have significant impacts. Management of riparian forests undergoing hemlock decline should, therefore, focus on facilitating a faster transition to hardwood-dominated stands to minimize long-term effects on water quality

Patterns of mitochondrial DNA instability in Brassica campestris cultured cells

We previously showed that the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of a Brassica campestris callus culture had undergone extensive rearrangements (i.e. large inversions and a duplication) relative to DNA of the control plant [54]. In this study we observed that after continued growth, the mtDNA of this culture continues to change, with rearranged forms amplifying and diminishing to varying proportions. Strikingly similar changes were detected in the mtDNA profiles of a variety of other long- and short-term callus and cell suspension lines. However, the proportions of parental (‘unrearranged’) and novel (‘rearranged’) forms varied in different cultured cell mtDNAs. To address the source of this heterogeneity, we compared the mtDNA organization of 28 individual plants from the parental seed stock. With the exception of one plant containing high levels of a novel plasmid-like mtDNA molecule, no significant variation was detected among individual plants and therefore source plant variation is unlikely to have contributed to the diversity of mitochondrial genomes observed in cultured cells. The source of this culture-induced heterogeneity was also investigated in 16 clones derived from single protoplasts. A mixed population of unrearranged and rearranged mtDNA molecules was apprent in each protoclone, suggesting that the observed heterogeneity in various cultures might reflect the genomic composition of each individual cell; however, the induction of an intercellular heterogeneity subsequent to the protoplast isolation was not tested and therefore cannot be ruled out. The results of this study support our earlier model that the rapid structural alteration of B. campestris mtDNA in vitro results from preferential amplification and reassortment of minor pre-existing forms of the genome rather than de novo rearrangement. Infrequent recombination between short dispersed repeated elements is proposed as the underlying mechanism for the formation of these minor mtDNA molecules.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43428/1/11103_2004_Article_BF00017914.pd

Wacana Budaya Manusia Purba

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ESTIMASI BIOMASSA TEGAKAN JATI {Tectona grandis) MELALUIANALISIS DATA DIGITAL LANDSAT 7 ETM+DIBKPH PASARSORE KPH CEPU, PERUM PERHUTANI UNITI JAWA TENGAH

ESTIMATING ABOVE GROUND BIOMASS OF TEAK (Tectona grandis Linn.f) FOREST PANTATIONS USING DIGITAL DATA ANALYSIS OF LANDSAT 7 ETM+ IN BKPH PASARSORE, KPH CEPU, PERUM PERHUTANI UNIT I, CENTRAL JAVA Ris Hadi Purwanto1', Imsak Sukamdi1', Agus Wuryanto2) 1}Jurusan Management Hutan, Fakultas Kehutanan, Univeritas Gadjah Mada 2)Peneliti Balai Penelitian Kehutanan Surakarta Email: [email protected]. 081328269635 ABSTRACT Estimation of forest biomass is necessary for studying carbon cycles, nutrient allocation, and fuel accumulation in terrestrial ecosystem. Forest biomass also provide the important information in anticipating the level of potency absorption of C02(gaS) and in certain age biomass can be utilized to estimate the productivity of forest area. Teak forest plantations in BKPH Pasarsore, KPH Cepu were being chosen of the research due to consider available data of Landsat 7 ETM+ and the tree represent one of the important wood commodity production both domestic and export orientation. The goal of the research is to compile the allometric equation of planted teak forest biomass using digital data analysis of Landsat 7 ETM+ and than conducted by an obstetrical estimation of planted teak forest biomass by use the equation. Remote sensing represents the manner for estimating forest biomass and the ability of the forest to permeating carbon in wide area. The biomass estimate using analysis of image Landsat 7 ETM+ conducted by choosing mathematical transformation which having a good regression-correlation values between biomass in field with the single spectral channel value and the transformation of vegetation index at Landsat 7 ETM+ such as normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), ratio vegetation index (RVI), transformed vegetation index (TVI), vegetation index faster (VIF), perpendicular vegetation index (PVI), and green vegetation index (GVI). In order to scale biomass estimates to the landscape level, the estimates have to be linked with various vegetation indices derived by remote sensing data. Based on correlation regression analysis, the results showed the mathematical transformation of PVI has the strongest relation with biomass and it relevant to signalize the biomass aspect. The regression equation from the mathematical transformation is 0.000034x 7 where yrepresent the level of biomass estimation and x represent the spectral value scale. The correlation coefficient (R) from this mathematical transformation equal to 0.8301. It was showing a strong relation between PVI with the estimation of biomass. While the value of coefficient determination (R2) equal to 0.689, it was meaning 68.9% from biomass can be explained by variability of the spectral PVI value. After all the equation used in estimating planted teak forest biomass in BKPH Pasarsore, KPH Cepu. From the calculation, the biomass estimation in BKPH Pasarsore equal to 163.902 ton/ha. It means equivalent to carbon stored as 81.951 ton/ha. Keyword: biomass, planted teak forest, remote sensing, digital data of Landsat 7 ETM+ Jurnal Manajemen Huta