Pulse labeling of dissolved (13) C-carbonate into tree xylem: developing a new method to determine the fate of recently fixed photosynthate

Stable carbon isotopes are often employed as tracers in plant and soil systems to study the fate and transformations of carbon as is it assimilated by the forest canopies and then translocated into the soil matrix and soil microorganisms. This experiment tested a new method of ¹³C‐labeling. We dissolved ¹³C‐carbonate into 12 mL of water and injected it into the xylem of a 6‐cm diameter tree. The isotopic composition of foliage, stem CO₂, and phloem contents were measured before the experiment and up to two weeks after the pulse label. Isotopic enrichments of 6.1‰ and 7.7‰ were observed in stem CO₂ and phloem contents, respectively. No enrichment in bulk foliage was observed. The pulse came through the phloem five days after the label was injected, consistent with expectations based on transport rates through the tree. The application of this xylem pulse‐labeling method may provide new insights into labile carbon sequestration in trees, perhaps even in much larger trees. Furthermore, the method could be applied under experimental treatments that would elucidate the mechanisms controlling the fate and transformation of recently fixed photosynthate in forests. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of chronic vocal fold scarring in a rabbit model

The purpose of the current study was to assess the histologic and rheologic properties of the scarred vocal fold lamina propria during a chronic phase of wound repair in a rabbit model. Eighteen rabbit larynges were scarred using a procedure that involved stripping the vocal fold lamina propria down to the thyroarytenoid muscle, using 3-mm microforceps. The approximate dimension of injury to the vocal fold was 3 x 1.5 x 0.5 mm [length x width x depth]. At 6 months postoperatively, histologic analysis of the scarred and control lamina propria in eight of these rabbits was completed for collagen, procollagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Compared with control samples, scarred tissue samples revealed fragmented and disorganized elastin fibers. Additionally, collagen was significantly increased, organized, and formed thick bundles in the scarred vocal fold lamina propria. Measurements of the viscoelastic shear properties of the scarred and control lamina propria in the remaining 10 rabbits revealed increased elastic shear modulus (G') in 8 of 10 scarred samples and increased dynamic viscosity (eta') in 9 of 10 scarred samples. Although rheologic differences were not statistically significant, they revealed that on average, scarred samples were stiffer and more viscous than the normal controls. Histologic data are interpreted as indicating that by 6 months postinjury, the scarred rabbit vocal fold has reached a mature phase of wound repair, characterized by an increased, organized, and thick bundle collagen matrix. Rheologic data are interpreted as providing support for the potential role of increased, thick bundle collagen, and a disorganized elastin network on shear stiffness and dynamic viscosity in the chronic vocal fold scar. Based on these results, a 6-month postoperative time frame is proposed for future studies of chronic vocal fold scarring using the rabbit animal model.     

Laryngeal Chondroma

Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx represent less than 1% of laryngeal tumors. Chondroma and "low-grade" chondrosarcoma are the most common; 70%-75% of these tumors arise on the endolaryngeal surface of the posterior lamina of the cricoid cartilage. The clinical presentation is varied and directly dependent on the size and location of the tumor; stridor, hoarseness, dyspnea, or a neck mass are common presenting signs. CT scanning in the axial plane is the mainstay of radiographic imaging due to its ability to show size, extent of the tumor, and invasion into surrounding structures. Surgical extirpation is the standard therapy with no role for radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Although significant recurrence rates have been reported, there is not a significant difference between initial conservative therapy followed by salvage therapy versus initial radical therapy.     

Prolonged Ulcerative Laryngitis

Acute and prolonged laryngitis commonly are diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians. These ailments come to the attention of the otolaryngologist when symptoms are prolonged despite treatment. Since the beginning of 1991, the senior authors (RTS, JRS) have recognized a clinical syndrome defined by prolonged hoarseness, prolonged laryngeal inflammation, and vocal fold ulceration. Patients are frequently young, nonsmokers, and nondrinkers who have had an upper respiratory infection prior to, or associated with, the onset of laryngeal symptomatology. Patients may be affected for up to 1 year despite aggressive medical therapy. This review of 14 patients highlights the features of this previously undescribed entity.     

Multiplexed tyrosine kinase activity detection in cancer cells using a hydrogel immobilized substrate

Kinases play a key role in cellular signaling, and the overactivation or overexpression of these kinases has been linked to a variety of cancers. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors treat the mechanism of these cancers by targeting the specific kinases that are overactive. Some patients, however, do not respond to these inhibitors or develop resistance to these inhibitors during treatment. Additionally, even within cancers of the same tissue type, different kinases may be overactive in different patients. For example, some lung cancers overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and respond to EGFR inhibitors, whereas other lung cancers do not overexpress EGFR and receive no benefit from this treatment. Even among patients exhibiting EGFR overexpression, some do not respond to EGFR kinase inhibitors because other kinases, such as Met kinase, are also overactivated. Here we describe a quantitative and specific multiplexed microfluidic assay using a hydrogel immobilized substrate for measuring the kinase activity of Met and Abl kinase from cancer cells. We immobilized kinase-specific substrates on macroporous hydrogel micropillars in microchannels. These microchannels were incubated with 6 μl of a kinase reaction solution containing cancer cell lysate, and we measured kinase activity via fluorescence detection of a phosphotyrosine antibody. We showed that the assay can specifically measure the activity of both Met and Abl kinase within one microchannel and has the potential to measure the activity of as many as five kinases within one microchannel. The assay also detected Met kinase inhibition from lysates of cancer cells grown in the Met kinase inhibitor PHA665752.

Nanostructured Silica-Gel Doped with TiO2 for Mercury Vapor Control

A novel high surface area SiO₂–TiO₂ composite has been developed for elemental mercury vapor removal from combustion sources. The composite exhibits synergistic adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation. Mercury vapor in the gas stream is adsorbed, oxidized and stays on the composite. The composite has demonstrated a high mercury capacity (1512ug/g) although in its current 3-mm pellet form only the outer layer is effectively utilized. The loading of 13% TiO₂ shows the best removal, both with and without UV irradiation. Increasing TiO₂ loading beyond this level does not enhance the removal further. It has also been observed that the composite after being 'activated' by photocatalytic oxidation has better performance, probably due to the change of surface functional groups. The examination of the effects of flow velocity reveals that mass transfer is the rate limiting step. Relative humidity has been found to impede adsorption therefore decreasing the overall removal efficiency. By rinsing with acid, both the deposited mercury and composite can be regenerated.     

The Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Benign Laryngeal Disorders

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is an accepted cause of chronic active gastritis and has a major causative role in peptic ulcers. It is a gastric carcinogen. Its role in nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) is less clear, yet 50% of patients with NUD are infected with HP, and some recent literature demonstrates long-term improvement of symptoms following eradication. HP has been investigated in several other organ systems, but has not been investigated to any major degree in laryngeal disorders, a region that could be directly exposed to the bacterium from pharyngolaryngeal reflux. This study represents one arm of a larger study designed to investigate such a relationship. Of 101 patients with nonmalignant voice disorders presenting to our voice clinics, 54.5% tested positive for the H. pylori organism. Of the controls, 47.1% tested positive. When striated into age groups of < 45 years, 46–61 years, and > 62 years, and then age-matched with the controls, the likelihood of infection with the H. pylori organism was greater in both the experimental middle group, and in the middle group when combined with the elder group, than in the matched controls, and this difference demonstrated a trend approaching statistical significance. This finding is discussed in the light of other studies on HP and on gastroesophageal reflex (GER).     

Synthesis of chromanyl and dihydrobenzofuranyl piperazines

The synthesis of a series of regioisomeric chromanyl and dihydrobenzofuranyl piperazines is described.