Assessing the between-background stability of metabolic effects arising from lignin-related transgenic modifications, in two Populus hybrids using non-targeted metabolomics.

The advances in 'high-throughput' biology have significantly expanded our fundamental understanding of complex biological processes inherent to tree growth and development. Relative to the significant achievements attained with whole genome re-sequencing and transcriptomics efforts, the development and power of post-transcriptional tools such as proteomics and metabolomics continue to lag behind in tree biology. However, the inclusion of these powerful functional genomics platforms should substantially enable systems biology assessments of tree development, physiology and response(s) to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Rapid analysis of poplar lignin monomer composition by a streamlined thioacidolysis procedure and near-infrared reflectance-based prediction modeling.

Determination of the physico-chemical attributes of plant cell walls, such as lignin content and composition, is of paramount importance in germplasm screening and for evaluating the results of plant breeding and genetic engineering. There are escalating needs for analyses to be robust, reproducible, accurate, and efficient. We have recently modified an established protocol for discrimination of lignin monomers, thioacidolysis, with the goal of increasing sample throughput while maintaining accuracy and reducing equipment load and consumption of reagents.

Metabolite profiling of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) field trials reveals strong environmental and weak genetic variation.

The primary objective of this study was to assess metabolomics for its capacity to discern biological variation among 10 full-sib families of a Douglas-fir tree breeding population, replicated on two sites. The differential accumulation of small metabolites in developing xylem was examined through metabolite profiles (139 metabolites common to 181 individual trees) generated by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and a series of statistical analyses that incorporated family, site, and tree growth and quantitative phenotypic wood traits (wood density, microfibril angle, wood chemistry and fiber morphology). Multivariate discriminant, canonical discriminant and factor analyses and broad-sense heritabilities revealed that metabolic and phenotypic traits alike were strongly related to site, while similar associations relating to genetic (family) structure were weak in comparison.

The potential of metabolite profiling as a selection tool for genotype discrimination in Populus.

Differences between wild-type Populus tremulaxalba and two transgenic lines with modified lignin monomer composition, were interrogated using metabolic profiling. Analysis of metabolite abundance data by GC-MS, coupled with principal components analysis (PCA), successfully differentiated between lines that had distinct phenotypes, whether samples were taken from the cambial zone or non-lignifying suspension tissue cultures. Interestingly, the GC-MS analysis detected relatively few phenolic metabolites in cambial extracts, although a single metabolite associated with the differentiation between lines was directly related to the phenylpropanoid pathway or other down-stream aspects of lignin biosynthesis.

Direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising: physician and public opinion and potential effects on the physician-patient relationship.

Background: Previous studies have shown that direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising can influence consumer behavior and that many physicians have negative views of these advertisements. Physician and public opinions about these advertisements and how they may affect the physician-patient relationship are not well established.

Methods: Mail survey of 523 Colorado physicians and 261 national physicians and telephone survey of 500 Colorado households asking respondents to rate their agreement with statements about DTC advertising.

Physician and public opinions on quality of health care and the problem of medical errors.

Background: The 1999 Institute of Medicine report on medical errors proposed major changes to the health care system and gained widespread media attention, yet there is limited information on physician or public opinion regarding recommendations from that report.

Methods: Mail survey of 1000 Colorado physicians (n = 594) and 1000 national physicians (n = 304), and telephone survey of 500 Colorado households to assess agreement with several proposals and conclusions from the 1999 Institute of Medicine report.

Results: Most physicians believed that reduction of medical errors should be a national priority (69.

Association between use of complementary/alternative medicine and health-related behaviors among health fair participants.

Background: The relationship between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and standard preventive care is not well defined.

Methods: We surveyed 1,593 health fair participants on their use of CAM and determined odds ratios for standard preventive care and healthy behaviors among users of provider-based CAM (e.g.