Common seed dispersers contribute most to the persistence of a fleshy-fruited tree.

Mutualistic interactions are by definition beneficial for each contributing partner. However, it is insufficiently understood how mutualistic interactions influence partners throughout their lives. Here, we used animal species-explicit, microhabitat-structured integral projection models to quantify the effect of seed dispersal by 20 animal species on the full life cycle of the tree Frangula alnus in Białowieża Forest, Eastern Poland.

The root system architecture of wheat establishing in soil is associated with varying elongation rates of seminal roots: quantification using 4D magnetic resonance imaging.

Seedling establishment is the first stage of crop productivity, and root phenotypes at seed emergence are critical to a successful start of shoot growth as well as for water and nutrient uptake. In this study, we investigate seedling establishment in winter wheat utilizing a newly developed workflow based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using the eight parents of the MAGIC (multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross) population we analysed the 4D root architecture of 288 individual seedlings grown in natural soils with plant neighbors over 3 d of development.

Crop Improvement from Phenotyping Roots: Highlights Reveal Expanding Opportunities.

Root systems determine the water and nutrients for photosynthesis and harvested products, underpinning agricultural productivity. We highlight 11 programs that integrated root traits into germplasm for breeding, relying on phenotyping. Progress was successful but slow.

A novel fully implantable wireless sensor system for monitoring hypertension patients.

This paper presents a novel fully implantable wireless sensor system intended for long-term monitoring of hypertension patients, designed for implantation into the femoral artery with computed tomography angiography. It consists of a pressure sensor and a telemetric unit, which is wirelessly connected to an extracorporeal readout station for energy supply and data recording. The system measures intraarterial pressure at a sampling rate of 30 Hz and an accuracy of ±1.

Telemetric catheter-based pressure sensor for hemodynamic monitoring: experimental experience.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical and animal experimental feasibility of a percutaneously implantable pulmonary arterial implant for permanent hemodynamic monitoring. Two systems for measuring pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) as well as pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) were developed by modifying a commercially available pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). First, a cable-bound catheter-based system was designed by implementation of a capacitive absolute-pressure sensor in the catheter tip.

[The clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis--the complex of three independent mechanisms].

The assumption of inflamation as the only cause of the complex clinical picture of rheumatoid atrhritis does not correspond to facts. We have found and proven the existence of three seemingly unconnected mechanisms, and only their combination can account for the general clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis. They are: 1.

[Significance of clinically latent bacterial arthritis].

The classical septic bacterial arthritis is a rare event, but can be distinguished by unequivocal signs such as fibrin exudation and neutrophilic masses (pus). For a long time we have been observing an abortive form of bacterial arthritis in biopsies which subsides spontaneously without antibiotic intervention. Only very early during the course can Staphyolcoccus aureus or epidermidis be detected.

Recurring synovitis as a possible reason for aseptic loosening of knee endoprostheses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We evaluated histologically samples of synovial tissue from the knees of 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The samples were taken during revision for aseptic loosening. The findings were compared with those in 64 knees with osteoarthritis (OA) and aseptic loosening and in 18 knees with RA without loosening.

Cell populations involved in pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee.

Objective: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the knee is a tumor-like process of uncertain nature. We analyzed the involved cell populations, iron deposition, and cell proliferation in PVNS to propose a pathogenetic concept of this still elusive disease entity.

Methods: The study was performed on a series of 14 cases of localized PVNS of the knee.

Lack of evidence for an involvement of Epstein-Barr virus infection of synovial membranes in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of cells within the synovial membrane contributes to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Biopsy samples of synovial membrane from 37 patients with RA and from 51 patients with other joint diseases were studied for evidence of EBV infection using in situ hybridization specific for the EBV-encoded RNAs (EBERs). Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and the lytic-cycle BZLF1 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Detection of sarcolectin-specific receptors like the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor in rheumatoid nodules.

The objective of this study was the evaluation of the relation between the N-acetyl-neuraminic acid-binding endogenous lectin sarcolectin and the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) during development of rheumatoid nodules (RN) in seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sarcolectin was purified and biotinylated. The binding patterns of this probe were analyzed in RN from patients with RA (n = 23) and compared with the distribution of antibodies with specificity for MIF, fibrin, fibronectin.

Synovial lining, endothelial and inflammatory mononuclear cell proliferation in synovial membranes in psoriatic and reactive arthritis: a comparative quantitative morphometric study.

The extent of synovial cell proliferation in situ and its relationship to the destructive potential of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a matter of continuing debate. Notably, the situation has not been elucidated in other inflammatory arthritides [i.e.

What destroys the joint in rheumatoid arthritis?

The immunological disturbance in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) gives rise to a nonspecific inflammatory reaction mediated by cells and cytokines. This immunological nonbacterial synovitis, however, does not destroy the articular cartilage. The destruction of joint structures is the effect of tumor-like aggressive synoviogenic cell elements (TLP).

[Results of new research in the area of osteoarthritis].

In the course of time, general components of the hyaline cartilage, chondrocytes and cartilage matrix, can lose its quality due to nutritive, toxic and enzymatic influences but also due to excessive mechanical usage so that the hyaline articular cartilage fulfils no longer its function as a hydroelastic bumper. This results in progressive mechanical cartilage destruction and sklerosing reconstruction of the subchondral bone. The parts of the matrix that are freed by the mechanical abrasion can function as inflammatory mediators and set an accompanying synovitis going.

[Osteoarthritis in light of the results of new research].

Chondrocyte and cartilage matrix can in the course of time lose in quality due to nutritive, toxic and enzymatic influences, but also due to excessive mechanical usage so that the hyaline articular cartilage can no longer fulfill its function as a hydroelastic bumper. The results are progressive mechanical cartilage destruction and sklerosing reconstruction of the subchondral bone. The parts of the matrix that are freed by the mechanical abrasion can function as inflammatory mediators and set an accompanying synovitis going.

[Critical considerations of the pathogenesis of "soft tissue rheumatism" (fibromyalgia) and its therapeutic consequences].

The term "fibrositis" for generalized tendomyopathia that can still be found in Anglo-American literature is obsolete. The term implies that the disease has inflammatory qualities and can be treated by antiphlogistic means. Using light or electron microscopy we could find no evidence for an inflammatory process in the either tendon or muscle tissues.

Pathways of destruction in metacarpal and metatarsal joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

219 metatarsal (MTP) and 69 metacarpal (MCP) capitulae obtained during surgery from patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were histologically evaluated. This evaluation, focussing on primary pathways of joint destruction by tumor-like proliferated synovial cell masses revealed 3 pathways of aggression: Pathway A: In 15% aggression onto the articular cartilage only. Pathway B: In 49% direct invasion exclusively into the cortical bone.

Spontaneous expression of immediately-early response genes c-fos and egr-1 in collagenase-producing rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts.

In view of the important role of interstitial collagenase in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we studied the expression of fibroblast-type collagenase in rheumatoid synovium and searched for its potential transcription factors, namely the oncoprotein c-fos and the early-growth-response gene-1 (egr-1), an inducible zinc-finger encoding gene. Elevated levels of RNA sequences complimentary to c-fos and egr-1 cDNA probes could be detected in cytoplasmic extracts of collagenase-expressing synovial fibroblast-like cells when compared to equivalent RNA amounts isolated from control fibroblasts. Utilizing immunocytochemistry, immunoreactivity for c-fos oncoprotein was found in 13 of 19 joint specimens obtained from patients with active RA.

Cathepsin B in synovial cells at the site of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

Based on the concept that proteolytic enzymes, like cathepsins, are associated with tissue destruction, we investigated the expression of the matrix-degrading cysteine proteinase cathepsin B in synovial tissues from the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The data indicate an enhanced transcription of cathepsin B in synovial cells when compared with normal fibroblasts, cathepsin B-producing epithelial tumor cells (SW1116), or fibroblasts derived from inflamed tonsils. Immunolocalization of cathepsin B appeared to be restricted mainly to the synovial cells attached to cartilage and bone at sites of rheumatoid joint erosion.

[Osteoarthritis in the light of current research findings].

Chondrocyte and cartilage matrix can in the course of time lose in quality due to nutritive, toxic and enzymatic influences but also due to excessive mechanical usage so that the hyaline articular cartilage can no longer fulfill its function as a hydro-elastic bumper. This results in progressive mechanical cartilage destruction and sclerosing reconstruction of the subchondral bone. The parts of the matrix that are freed by the mechanical abrasion can function as inflammatory mediators and set an accompanying synovitis going.

[Pathogenetic aspects of arthrosis and its therapeutic aspects].

The hitherto accepted idea that articular cartilage is merely bradythrophic tissue which, like a shoe sole, is subjected to continuous wear and tear, as a whole must be revised by considering the growing biochemical, biophysical, and ultrastructural research of the matrix components. The chondrocyte is the single living element of the cartilage: Type-II collagenous fibres and the proteoglycans are its products. To what extent the regulation of collagen production and above all the steady-state regulation is controlled by a superordinating regulation is still not known.

Expression of the collagenolytic and Ras-induced cysteine proteinase cathepsin L and proliferation-associated oncogenes in synovial cells of MRL/I mice and patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Based on the observation that rheumatoid joint destruction is related to the presence of transformed-appearing proliferating synovial lining cells attached to cartilage and bone at the site of early destruction, we searched for the expression of proliferation- and transformation-associated oncoproteins in synovial tissues from patients with early destructive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Immunolocalization of Ras and Myc proteins was found in about 70% of the RA cases and was restricted to the proliferating synovial lining cells. The cysteine proteinase, cathepsin L, which has been shown to be the major ras-induced protein in ras-transformed murine NIH 3T3 cells, was detected in 50% of the RA cases, predominantly in synovial cells attached to cartilage and bone at the site of joint destruction.

Immunohistochemical localization of HTLV-I p19- and p24-related antigens in synovial joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

In formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded synovial tissues from patients with early proliferative rheumatoid arthritis (RA), immunoreactivity could be demonstrated utilizing monoclonal IgG antibodies reactive with the p19 and p24 protein of human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV-I). Additionally, surgical specimens of fresh unfixed synovial tissues from patients with RA also demonstrated immunoreactivity. At the light microscopic level, both HTLV-I antigens were detected in approximately 45% of the rheumatoid synovial tissues by the immunocolloidal gold method with silver enhancement (IGSS) and the avidin-biotin-complex technique (ABC), whereas six of eight of the frozen RA specimens stained positive by immunofluorescence.