Examining the associations between self and body compassion and health related quality of life in people diagnosed with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

An understanding of the role that self and body compassion may play as protective mechanisms in the context of psychological and physical health conditions is steadily increasing. The availability of research pertaining to their role in mitigating the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impacts associated with endometriosis is limited. The current study examined the influence of self and body compassion on HRQoL in people diagnosed with endometriosis.

METHODS

Individuals aged 18+ years (n = 318), assigned female at birth, with a self-reported diagnosis of symptomatic endometriosis completed an online cross-sectional survey. Participant demographics and endometriosis-related data was collected in addition to self and body compassion and HRQoL. Standard multiple regression analyses (MRA) were conducted to estimate the proportion of variance in HRQoL that can be accounted for by self and body compassion in endometriosis.

RESULTS

Self and body compassion were both associated with higher HRQoL across all domains. However, when both self and body compassion were entered into a regression, only body compassion was significantly associated with HRQoL domains of physical wellbeing, bodily pain, vitality, social engagement and general HRQoL; self-compassion explained no unique variance. In the domain of emotional wellbeing, when both self and body compassion were entered into a regression, both were significantly associated, and explained unique variance.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that future psychological interventions for individuals living with endometriosis should emphasise building general self-compassionate abilities with a subsequent specific focus on strategies designed to improve body compassion.

Use of a small molecule cell cycle inhibitor to control cell growth and improve specific productivity and product quality of recombinant proteins in CHO cell cultures

The continued need to improve therapeutic recombinant protein productivity has led to ongoing assessment of appropriate strategies in the biopharmaceutical industry to establish robust processes with optimized critical variables, that is, viable cell density (VCD) and specific productivity (product per cell, qP). Even though high VCD is a positive factor for titer, uncontrolled proliferation beyond a certain cell mass is also undesirable. To enable efficient process development to achieve consistent and predictable growth arrest while maintaining VCD, as well as improving qP, without negative impacts on product quality from clone to clone, we identified an approach that directly targets the cell cycle G1-checkpoint by selectively inhibiting the function of cyclin dependent kinases (CDK) 4/6 with a small molecule compound. Results from studies on multiple recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines demonstrate that the selective inhibitor can mediate a complete and sustained G0/G1 arrest without impacting G2/M phase. Cell proliferation is consistently and rapidly controlled in all recombinant cell lines at one concentration of this inhibitor throughout the production processes with specific productivities increased up to 110 pg/cell/day. Additionally, the product quality attributes of the mAb, with regard to high molecular weight (HMW) and glycan profile, are not negatively impacted. In fact, high mannose is decreased after treatment, which is in contrast to other established growth control methods such as reducing culture temperature. Microarray analysis showed major differences in expression of regulatory genes of the glycosylation and cell cycle signaling pathways between these different growth control methods. Overall, our observations showed that cell cycle arrest by directly targeting CDK4/6 using selective inhibitor compound can be utilized consistently and rapidly to optimize process parameters, such as cell growth, qP, and glycosylation profile in recombinant antibody production cultures.

Phosphorus nutrition of mycorrhizal trees

Globally, phosphorus (P) limits productivity of trees in many forests and plantations especially in highly weathered, acidic or calcareous profiles. Most trees form mycorrhizal associations which are prevalent in the organic and mineral soil horizons. This review critically examines mechanisms that enhance the acquisition of P by tree roots. Mycorrhizal roots have a greater capacity to take up phosphate (Pi) from the soil solution than non-mycorrhizal root tips. Factors that contribute to this include the extent of extraradical hyphal penetration of soil and the physiology and biochemistry of the fungal/soil and fungal/plant interfaces. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) trees are likely to benefit from association with basidiomycetes that possess several high-affinity Pi transporters that are expressed in extraradical hyphae and whose expression is enhanced by P deficiency. To understand fully the role of these putative transporters in the symbiosis, data regarding their localization, Pi transport capacities and regulation are required. Some ECM fungi are able to effect release of Pi from insoluble mineral P through excretion of low-molecular-weight organic anions such as oxalate, but the relative contribution of insoluble P dissolution in situ remains to be quantified. How the production of oxalate is regulated by nitrogen remains a key question to be answered. Lastly, phosphatase release from mycorrhizas is likely to play a significant role in the acquisition of Pi from labile organic forms of P (Po). As labile forms of Po can constitute the major fraction of the total P in some tropical and temperate soils, a greater understanding of the forms of Po available to the phosphatases is warranted.

Application of actinomycetes to soil to ameliorate water repellency

AIMS

The aim of this study was to develop a novel isolation technique using a mixture of Bacillus and Streptomyces phages to selectively isolate wax-utilizing non-streptomycete actinomycetes effective in ameliorating water repellency in a problem soil.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Phages added to a soil suspension reduced the dominance of Bacillus and Streptomyces isolates and significantly increased the number of non-streptomycete actinomycetes on isolation plates. Promising isolates, grown on a medium containing beeswax as sole carbon source, were selected for application to water repellent soil. Their addition significantly reduced water repellency.

CONCLUSIONS

Phage application significantly increased the isolation of non-streptomycete actinomycetes. Wax-utilizing isolates were found to significantly reduce water repellency in a problem soil.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The phage technique can be used for the routine isolation of non-streptomycete actinomycetes. Beeswax medium can be used to selectively isolate wax-utilizing micro-organisms with the potential to ameliorate water repellency in soil.

Boron supply into wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Wilgoyne) ears whilst still enclosed within leaf sheaths

The present study investigates whether there is significant remobilization of (10)B previously loaded in the flag and penultimate leaves into the young, actively growing ear enclosed within the sheaths of flag and penultimate leaves. It also explores whether B transport into the enclosed ear declines when air humidity in the shoot canopy increases. After 5 d (10)B labelling during the period from early to full emergence of the flag leaf, the plants were transferred into nutrient solutions containing either 10 microM (11)B or no added B for 3 d. Regardless of the subsequent B supply levels to the roots, (10)B contents in the ear continued to increase by up to 5-fold 3 d after the end of (10)B supply in the nutrient solution. During these 3 d, the ear experienced a rapid increase in biomass. However, the majority of B in the ear during the 3 d treatment period was from the newly acquired (11)B from root uptake, rather than retranslocation of (10)B previously deposited in the leaves. By comparing the relative distribution of (10)B, Rb (xylem-to-phloem transfer marker) and Sr (xylem-marker) in the ear and the flag leaf, the distribution of (10)B resembled that of Rb more than Sr. Canopy cover treatment greatly suppressed leaf transpiration and decreased the amount of newly acquired (10)B in the flag leaf and the ear, but not in the upper stem segments. The results suggest that whilst the young ear was still fully enclosed within the leaf sheaths without any significant transpiration activity, B transport into the ear is predominantly dependent on the long-distance B transport in the xylem driven by leaf transpiration and, therefore, on concurrent B uptake from the roots.

Expression of trimeric CD40 ligand in Pichia pastoris: use of a rapid method to detect high-level expressing transformants

Pichia pastoris is a yeast capable of expressing large amounts of some proteins. When expression vectors are introduced into P. pastoris, individual transformants typically express widely varying amounts of protein. Because clones expressing the highest level of protein occur infrequently during the transformation process, finding them can be very labor-intensive. We developed an immunological based filter screening method that rapidly detects transformants secreting large amounts of a heterologous protein. We have applied this method to the expression of a soluble trimeric form of CD40L, a molecule that regulates B-cell responses. Using this method, we identified transformants with one to 13 copies of the CD40L expression cassette. Maximum expression was obtained with clones containing eight or more copies of the expression cassette, and a clone with eight copies was selected for further analysis. High cell density fermentation of this clone using a mixed glycerol:methanol feed yielded 255 mg CD40L per liter of supernatant.

Variation in mycorrhizal development and growth stimulation by 20 Pisolithus isolates inoculated on to Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden

Twenty isolates of Pisolithus, covering u range of hosts, basidiocarp types and geographic locations were compared on their ability to form mycorrhiza in vitro with Eucalyptus grandis and to stimulate seedling growth in vivo. There was a large variation between isolates in the rate of mycorrhizal development and this was used to categorize isolates into six types. Mycorrhiza of seedlings inoculated with type I isolates were the most advanced with a dual-layered mantle, a fully-developed Harris net and radially elongated epidermal cells. Mycorrhiza of seedlings inoculated with types II V isolates were progressively less advanced so that mycorrhiza of type V isolates had a thin single-layered mantle, the Hartig net was only partially developed and the epidermal cells were not elongated. Root lips of seedlings inoculated with type- VI isolates were non-mycorrhizal. Inoculated seedlings were transplanted directly into undrained pots containing a yellow sand deficient in phosphorus. Growth stimulation of E. grandis seedlings in the glasshouse varied greatly between Pisolithus isolates, with dry weight increases ranging from two to 45 times that of the non-inoculated control seedlings. Extent of mycorrhizal development was positively correlated to growth stimulation in the glasshouse and it is proposed that this could be used as an indicator of isolate aggressiveness and consequently the potential of an isolate to promote tree growth.

Leaf growth, photosynthesis and tissue water relations of greenhouse-grown Eucalyptus marginata seedlings in response to water deficits

Leaf growth, rate of leaf photosynthesis and tissue water relations of shoots of Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm. (jarrah) seedlings were studied during a soil drying and rewatering cycle in a greenhouse experiment. Rates of leaf growth and photosynthesis were sensitive to water deficits. The rate of leaf growth decreased linearly with predawn leaf water potential to reach zero at -1.5 MPa. Rate of leaf growth did not recover completely within the first three days after rewatering. Midday photosynthetic rates declined to 40% of those of well-watered seedlings at a predawn leaf water potential of -1.0 MPa and reached zero at -2.2 MPa. Photosynthetic rate recovered rapidly following rewatering and almost fully recovered by the second day after rewatering. All tissue water relations parameters, except the bulk modulus of elasticity, changed significantly as the soil dried and recovered completely by the third day after rewatering. Changes in osmotic pressure at full turgor of 0.4 MPa indicated considerable capacity for osmotic adjustment. However, because there was little osmotic adjustment until predawn leaf water potential fell below -1.5 MPa, this capacity would not have enhanced seedling growth, although it may have increased seedling survival. The sensitivity of photosynthesis and relative water content to water deficits suggests that greenhouse-grown E. marginata seedlings behave like mesophytic plants, even though E. marginata seedlings naturally grow in a drought-prone environment.

Chitinase and peroxidase activities are induced in eucalyptus roots according to aggressiveness of Australian ectomycorrhizal strains of Pisolithus sp

Peroxidase and chitinase activities were measured in roots of Eucalyptus globulus spp bicostata Kirkp. during colonization by Pisolithus sp. isolated from under Eucalyptus. Ten fungal isolates, ranging from poor to good root colonizers, were selected to represent a range of ectomycorrhizal aggressivity. The induction of chitinases and peroxidases was strongly related to the aggressiveness of the fungal strain. Only good colonizers, that is strains which rapidly form differentiated ectomycorrhizas, induced a strong response in the plant. Therefore, it can be concluded that these enzymes are not responsible for poor root colonization by the less aggressive strains. The chitinase response of Eucalyptus roots to contact with fungal extracts differed only slightly between weakly and strongly aggressive strains. This suggests that a major component of differential induction observed in vivo is the consequence of root colonization, tissue penetration and the ability to deliver elicitors to the plain print to and during rant colonization.

Diagnosis and prognosis of molybdenum deficiency in black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) by plant analysis

Diagnosis and prognosis of molybdenum (Mo) deficiencies in black gram crops by plant analysis is difficult because Mo standards have not been set and tested in the field. Therefore, critical Mo concentrations, for the diagnosis of Mo deficiency at early flowering and for diagnosis and prognosis at pod filling in black gram, were determined in two glasshouse experiments by examining the relationship of Mo concentrations in young leaves and nodules to shoot nitrogen content or seed dry matter in plants treated with seven levels of Mo supply on a Mo-deficient sandy loam. In severely Mo-deficient plants, shoot dry matter (DM) and shoot nitrogen (N) content were depressed. Molybdenum concentrations in plant parts increased with increasing Mo supply and were closely related to shoot N content. shoot DM, and seed DM. Critical Mo concentrations for diagnosis of hi0 deficiency were obtained from the relationship between N content and &lo concentrations in leaves and nodules. and for prognosis of Mo deficiency were obtained from the relationship between seed yield and Mo concentrations in plant parts. Critical Mo concentrations were much higher in nodules than in leaves, and among young leaf blades, they increased with decreasing leaf age. For diagnosis of Mo deficiency, blades of the leaf immediately older than the youngest fully expanded leaf (YFEL+lb) and nodules are recommended plant parts. Their respective critical concentrations were 22 and 9600 ng Mo/g DM at flowering, and 22 and 3378 ng Mo/g DM at initial pod set. Molybdenum concentrations in the YFEL+lb and nodules at podding were also related to seed production at maturity. Recommended critical h10 concentrations in the YFELflb and nodules at initial pod set for the prognosis of IbIo deficiency for seed DM were 18 and 3000 ng Mo/g DM respectively.

Growth of Eucalyptus marginata (Jarrah) seedlings in a greenhouse in response to shade and soil temperature

The effects of shade and soil temperature on growth of Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm (jarrah) seedlings were studied in greenhouse experiments. Plant dry weight and that of all plant parts declined in response to shade, as did root/shoot ratio. Plant leaf area was less in unshaded plants than in plants grown in shade, and specific leaf area increased with shade. Unshaded seedlings had a higher light-saturated rate of photosynthesis, a higher light compensation point and a higher light saturation point than seedlings grown in 70% shade. The relationship between plant dry weight and leaf dry weight was independent of shading, whereas the relationship between plant dry weight and plant leaf area was dependent on shading. Therefore, leaf dry weight may be a better predictor of biomass production than leaf area in forest stands where shade is likely to affect growth significantly. Soil temperature had a significant effect on the growth of all plant parts except cotyledons. Total plant growth and shoot growth were maximal at a soil temperature of 30 degrees C, but root growth had a slightly lower temperature optimum such that the root/shoot ratio was highest at 20 degrees C. Roots grown at 15 degrees C were about 30% shorter per unit of dry weight than roots grown at 20 to 35 degrees C. We conclude that increases in irradiance and soil temperature as a result of overstory removal in the forest will cause significant increases in growth of E. marginata seedlings, but these increases represent a relatively small component of the growth response to overstory removal.

Ectomycorrhiza formation in Eucalyptus.: IV. Ectomycorrhizas in the sporocarps of the hypogeous fungi Mesophellia and Castorium in Eucalypt forests of Western Australia

Mesophellia and Castorium are common hypogeous macrofungi in the karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor F. Muell.) and jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forests of south-western Australia. Sporocarps of Mesophellia and Castorium develop 5-20 cm below the soil surface in close association with eucalypt roots. During differentiation of the sporocarps, eucalypt roots become trapped within the peridium where they branch profusely and form a dense ectomycorrhizal layer. Mature sporocarps of M. trabalis nom. ined. contain approximately S m of roots of 45 cm² surface area. Anatomical studies have shown that these roots have Hartig nets penetrating to the hypodermis and are similar to the superficial eucalypt ectomycorrhizas formed in soil and litter. The association of Mesophellia and Castorium sporocarps with tree roots suggests that these are important mycorrhizal fungi in forests of southern Australia.

Glutamate dehydrogenases in ectomycorrhizas of spruce (Picea excelsa L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

The ammonia assimilation enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase as studied in extracts of spruce (Picea excelsa L.) roots, mycelium of a mycorrhizal fungus (Hebeloma sp.) and associated ectomycorrhizas. Evidence from enzyme reactions in crude extracts, electrophoretic patterns and immunological tests Using antibodies raised against purified NADP-GDH of Cenococcum geophilum Fr. consistently showed that Hebeloma NADP-dependent GDH was active in spruce ectomycorrhizas. Histochemical studies associated some NADP-GDH activity with the Hartig net. By contrast, the NADP-GDH fungal pathway was strongly suppressed in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) associations with Hebeloma crustuliniforme (Bull. ex St Amans) Quél. and Paxillus involutus (Batsch ex Fr.) Fr.

Germination and vigour of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) seed from plants grown with and without boron

Black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) cv. Regur was grown to maturity in three potted soils [Badgingarra (Sl), Lancelin (S2) and Quailing (S3)] with (+B) or without (-B) added H3BO3. The subsequent germination and vigour of seeds from treated plants was tested by germinating them for 7 days with 2000 8M CaSO4 and 98M H3BO3and, for S2 and S3 only, by staining with tetrazolium. No symptoms of B deficiency were observed in plants on any soil:leaf B concentrations at early vegetative and flowering stages were above values regarded as critical for this species (7-8 mg kg-1). On S1, B depressed pod and seed dry matter (DM), weight per seed and % hard seed (14 v. 58); it enhanced % non-viable imbibed seed (18 v. 5) and abnormal seedlings (37 v. 2). On S2, -B had no effect on reproductive yield or % hard seed but increased the % abnormal seedlings (32 v. 0) and depressed the tetrazolium rating for seed vigour, and weight per seed. No effects of B were observed on seeds from plants grown on S3 soil. When considered over all replicates of all treatments, a B concentration of 6 mg kg-1 DM seed was critical for viability of imbibed seed and production of normal seedlings. The results suggest that the subsequent germination and morphology of seeds and seedlings are more sensitive to low B supply during seed production than are growth of the plant and the amount of seed produced. It is thus likely that black gram crops low in B but with no symptoms of B deficiency may produce seed with low % germination and a high % abnormality in their seedlings.

ECTOMYCORRHIZA FORMATION IN EUCALYPTUS: III. SUPERFICIAL ECTOMYCORRHIZAS INITIATED BY HYSTERANGIUM AND CORTINARIUS SPECIES

Cortinarius and Hysterangium species are a dominant component of the macrofungi in eucalypt forests of Western Australia, and their hyphae occupy 10 % of the soil surface area. Anatomical studies of jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) and karri (E. diversicolor F. Muell) roots collected in association with hyphae of Cortinarius globuliformis Boug., C. ochraceus Clel. and Hysterangium inflatum Rodway showed mycorrhizal structures with mantles one to five cells thick and Hartig nets penetrating to the hypodermis. These superficial ectomycorrhizas were similar in size to those of non-colonized feeder roots and lacked the expanded cortex and broad mantle of pyramidal ectomycorrhizas formed by Laccaria laccata (Scop, ex Fr.) Berk. & Br. Colonized host roots responded with polyphenol accumulation in the epidermis/hypodermis and lignification of the outer cortex for both the superficial and pyramidal types.