Search Results (19)

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent and potentially progressive manifestation in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Accurate and reproducible quantification of parenchymal abnormalities on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is essential for evaluating treatment response and monitoring disease progression, particularly in complex cases undergoing antifibrotic therapy. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools may improve consistency in visual assessment and assist less experienced radiologists in longitudinal follow-up. Methods: In this retrospective study, 48 patients with CTD-related ILD receiving antifibrotic treatment were included. Each patient underwent four HRCT scans, which were evaluated independently by two radiologists (one expert, one non-expert) using a semi-quantitative scoring system. Percentage estimates of lung involvement were assigned for four parenchymal patterns: hyperlucency, ground-glass opacity (GGO), reticulation, and honeycombing. AI-based analysis was performed using the Imbio Lung Texture Analysis platform, which generated continuous volumetric percentages for each pattern. Concordance between AI and human interpretation was assessed, along with mean absolute error (MAE) and inter-reader differences. Results: The AI-based system demonstrated high concordance with the expert radiologist, with an overall agreement of 81% across patterns. The MAE between AI and the expert ranged from 1.8% to 2.6%. In contrast, concordance between AI and the non-expert radiologist was significantly lower (60–70%), with higher MAE values (3.9% to 5.2%). McNemar’s and Wilcoxon tests confirmed that AI aligned more closely with the expert than the non-expert reader (p < 0.01). AI proved particularly effective in detecting subtle changes in parenchymal burden during follow-up, especially when visual interpretation was inconsistent. Conclusions: AI-driven quantitative imaging offers performance comparable to expert radiologists in assessing ILD patterns on HRCT and significantly outperforms less experienced readers. Its reproducibility and sensitivity to change support its role in standardizing follow-up evaluations and enhancing multidisciplinary decision-making in patients with CTD-related ILD, particularly in progressive fibrosing cases receiving antifibrotic therapy. Full article

Background and Objectives: Thin-section CT (TSCT) is currently the most sensitive imaging modality for detecting bronchiectasis. However, conventional TSCT or HRCT may overlook subtle lung involvement such as alveolar and interstitial changes. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based analysis offers the potential to identify novel information on lung parenchymal involvement that is not easily detectable with traditional imaging techniques. This study aimed to assess lung involvement in patients with bronchiectasis using the Bronchiectasis Radiologically Indexed CT Score (BRICS) and AI-based quantitative lung texture analysis software (IMBIO, Version 2.2.0). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 45 subjects diagnosed with bronchiectasis. The BRICS severity score was used to classify the severity of bronchiectasis into four categories: Mild, Moderate, Severe, and tractional bronchiectasis. Lung texture mapping using the IMBIO AI software tool was performed to identify abnormal lung textures, specifically focusing on detecting alveolar and interstitial involvement. Results: Based on the Bronchiectasis Radiologically Indexed CT Score (BRICS), the severity of bronchiectasis was classified as Mild in 4 (8.9%) participants, Moderate in 14 (31.1%), Severe in 11 (24.4%), and tractional in 16 (35.6%). AI-based lung texture analysis using IMBIO identified significant alveolar and interstitial abnormalities, offering insights beyond conventional HRCT findings. This study revealed trends in lung hyperlucency, ground-glass opacity, reticular changes, and honeycombing across severity levels, with advanced disease stages showing more pronounced structural and vascular alterations. Elevated pulmonary vascular volume (PVV) was noted in cases with higher BRICSs, suggesting increased vascular remodeling in severe and tractional types. Conclusions: AI-based lung texture analysis provides valuable insights into lung parenchymal involvement in bronchiectasis that may not be detectable through conventional HRCT. Identifying significant alveolar and interstitial abnormalities underscores the potential impact of AI on improving the understanding of disease pathology and disease progression, and guiding future therapeutic strategies. Full article

The continuous release of glucosinolates into the soil by Brassicaceae root exudation is a prerequisite to maintaining toxic levels of breakdown products such as isothiocyanates (ITCs). ITCs influence plant and microbial diversity in ecosystems, while fungi and Rhizobiaceae are particularly injured. Studies explaining the molecular mechanisms of the negative effects are presently limited. Therefore, we investigated the early effects of cyclic ITC goitrin on proteomes of the host and symbiotic Mesorhizobium loti in the nodules of Lotus japonicus and of free-living bacteria. In the nodules, many host proteins had a higher abundance, among them, peroxidases and pathogenesis-related PR-10 proteins functioning in the abscisic-acid-activated signaling pathway. In the microsymbiont, transporter proteins as a prominent group are enhanced; some proteins involved in N-fixation decreased. The proteomes give a report about the loss of immunity suppression resulting in the termination of symbiosis, which initiates nodule senescence. Free-living M. loti are severely damaged, indicated, i.a., by a decrease in transporter proteins, the assumed candidates for goitrin protein complex formation, and high proteolysis. The production of chicoric acid by the accompanying bacteria is inhibitory for M. loti but connected to goitrin elimination, as confirmed by mass spectrometric (MS) analysis. In summary, the nodulation process is severely affected by goitrin, causing nodule dysfunction and failed nodule development. N deficiency conditions leads to yellowish leaves and leaf abscission. Full article

Vegetative desiccation tolerance has evolved within the genera Craterostigma and Lindernia. A centre of endemism and diversification for these plants appears to occur in ancient tropical montane rainforests of east Africa in Kenya and Tanzania. Lindernia subracemosa, a desiccation-sensitive relative of Craterostigma plantagineum, occurs in these rainforests and experiences adequate rainfall and thus does not require desiccation tolerance. However, sharing this inselberg habitat, another species, Lindernia brevidens, does retain vegetative desiccation tolerance and is also related to the resurrection plant C. plantagineum found in South Africa. Leaf material was collected from all three species at different stages of hydration: fully hydrated (ca. 90% relative water content), half-dry (ca. 45% relative water content) and fully desiccated (ca. 5% relative water content). Cell wall monosaccharide datasets were collected from all three species. Comprehensive microarray polymer profiling (CoMPP) was performed using ca. 27 plant cell-wall-specific antibodies and carbohydrate-binding module probes. Some differences in pectin, xyloglucan and extension epitopes were observed between the selected species. Overall, cell wall compositions were similar, suggesting that wall modifications in response to vegetative desiccation involve subtle cell wall remodelling that is not reflected by the compositional analysis and that the plants and their walls are constitutively protected against desiccation. Full article

Toxic breakdown products of young Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, glucosinolates can eliminate microorganisms in the soil. Since microorganisms are essential for phosphate cycling, only insensitive microorganisms with phosphate-solubilizing activity can improve C. sativa’s phosphate supply. In this study, ³³P-labeled phosphate, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and pot experiments unveiled that not only Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas laurentiana used as phosphate-solubilizing inoculants, but also intrinsic soil microorganisms, including Penicillium aurantiogriseum, and the assemblies of root-colonizing microorganisms solubilized as well phosphate from apatite, trigger off competitive behavior between the organisms. Driving factors in the competitiveness are plant and microbial secondary metabolites, while glucosinolates of Camelina and their breakdown products are regarded as key compounds that inhibit the pathogen P. aurantiogriseum, but also seem to impede root colonization of T. viride. On the other hand, fungal diketopiperazine combined with glucosinolates is fatal to Camelina. The results may contribute to explain the contradictory effects of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms when used as biofertilizers. Further studies will elucidate impacts of released secondary metabolites on coexisting microorganisms and plants under different environmental conditions. Full article

Abutilon theophrasti Medik. (velvetleaf) is a problematic annual weed in field crops which has invaded many temperate parts of the world. Since the loss of crop yields can be extensive, approaches to manage the weed include not only conventional methods, but also biological methods, for instance by microorganisms releasing phytotoxins and plant-derived allelochemicals. Additionally, benzoxazinoid-rich rye mulches effective in managing common weeds like Amaranthus retroflexus L. have been tested for this purpose. However, recent methods for biological control are still unreliable in terms of intensity and duration. Rye mulches were also ineffective in managing velvetleaf. In this review, we present the attempts to reduce velvetleaf infestation by biological methods and discuss possible reasons for the failure. The resilience of velvetleaf may be due to the extraordinary capacity of the plant to collect, for its own survival, the most suitable microorganisms from a given farming site, genetic and epigenetic adaptations, and a high stress memory. Such properties may have developed together with other advantageous abilities during selection by humans when the plant was used as a crop. Rewilding could be responsible for improving the microbiomes of A. theophrasti. Full article

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a species with inhibitory allelopathic properties due to its high amounts of terpenes. Recent studies have disclosed dosage dependent growth promotion or defense reactions in plants when facing appropriate amounts of Mentha bouquet terpenes. These positive effects could be of interest for agricultural applications. To obtain more insights into leaf growth modulations, the expression of Arabidopsis and Brassica rapa TCP transcription factors were studied after fumigation with M. x piperita bouquets (Arabidopsis), with M. x piperita essential oil or with limonene (Arabidopsis and Chinese cabbage). According to qPCR studies, expression of TCP3, TCP24, and TCP20 were downregulated by all treatments in Arabidopsis, leading to altered leaf growth. Expressions of B. rapa TCPs after fumigation with the essential oil or limonene were less affected. Extensive greenhouse and polytunnel trials with white cabbage and Mentha plants showed that the developmental stage of the leaves, the dosage, and the fumigation time are of crucial importance for changed fresh and dry weights. Although further research is needed, the study may contribute to a more intensive utilization of ecologically friendly and species diversity conservation and positive allelopathic interactions in future agricultural systems. Full article

Root and tuber crops are of great importance. They not only contribute to feeding the population but also provide raw material for medicine and small-scale industries. The yield of the root and tuber crops is subject to the development of stem/root tubers, which involves the initiation, expansion, and maturation of storage organs. The formation of the storage organ is a highly intricate process, regulated by multiple phytohormones. Gibberellins (GAs) and abscisic acid (ABA), as antagonists, are essential regulators during stem/root tuber development. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the roles of GA and ABA during stem/root tuber development in various tuber crops. Full article

Some sweet tasting plant secondary metabolites are non-caloric or low nutritive compounds that have traditional use in food formulations. This mini-review focuses on conventional and advanced cultivation regimes of plants that accumulate sweet tasting or sweet taste modulating secondary metabolites of potential economic importance, in particular mogrosides (Siraitia grosvenorii), phyllodulcin (Hydrangea macrophylla), glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza glabra), steviol glycosides (Stevia grosvenorii), and rubusoside (Rubus suavissimus). Consequential obstacles during the cultivation of Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars outside their natural habitat in a protected cultivation environment are addressed. Culturing at non-habitat locations facilitates short transportation routes of plant material for processing, which can be a key to an economically and environmentally compatible usage. The biosynthetic pathways, as far as known, are shortly mentioned. The proved or hypothetical degradation pathways of the compounds to minimalize environmental contamination are another focal point. Full article

Chronic rejection of lung allografts has two major subtypes, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) and restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS), which present radiologically either as air trapping with small airways disease or with persistent pleuroparenchymal opacities. Parametric response mapping (PRM), a computed tomography (CT) methodology, has been demonstrated as an objective readout of BOS and RAS and bears prognostic importance, but has yet to be correlated to biological measures. Using a topological technique, we evaluate the distribution and arrangement of PRM-derived classifications of pulmonary abnormalities from lung transplant recipients undergoing redo-transplantation for end-stage BOS (N = 6) or RAS (N = 6). Topological metrics were determined from each PRM classification and compared to structural and biological markers determined from microCT and histopathology of lung core samples. Whole-lung measurements of PRM-defined functional small airways disease (fSAD), which serves as a readout of BOS, were significantly elevated in BOS versus RAS patients (p = 0.01). At the core-level, PRM-defined parenchymal disease, a potential readout of RAS, was found to correlate to neutrophil and collagen I levels (p < 0.05). We demonstrate the relationship of structural and biological markers to the CT-based distribution and arrangement of PRM-derived readouts of BOS and RAS. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling is crucial in modulating stress responses in plants, and NADPH oxidases (NOXs) are an important component of signal transduction under salt stress. The goal of this research was to investigate whether the regulation of NOX-dependent signalling during mild and severe salinity differs between the halophyte Eutrema salsugineum and the glycophyte Arabidopsis thaliana. Gene expression analyses showed that salt-induced expression patterns of two NOX genes, RBOHD and RBOHF, varied between the halophyte and the glycophyte. Five days of salinity stimulated the expression of both genes in E. salsugineum leaves, while their expression in A. thaliana decreased. This was not accompanied by changes in the total NOX activity in E. salsugineum, while the activity in A. thaliana was reduced. The expression of the RBOHD and RBOHF genes in E. salsugineum leaves was induced by abscisic acid (ABA) and ethephon spraying. The in silico analyses of promoter sequences of RBOHD and RBOHF revealed multiple cis-acting elements related to hormone responses, and their distribution varied between E. salsugineum and A. thaliana. Our results indicate that, in the halophyte E. salsugineum, the maintenance of the basal activity of NOXs in leaves plays a role during acclimation responses to salt stress. The different expression patterns of the RBOHD and RBOHF genes under salinity in E. salsugineum and A. thaliana point to a modified regulation of these genes in the halophyte, possibly through ABA- and/or ethylene-dependent pathways. Full article

Small airways disease (SAD) is one of the leading causes of airflow limitations in patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Parametric response mapping (PRM) of computed tomography (CT) scans allows for the quantification of this previously invisible COPD component. Although PRM is being investigated as a diagnostic tool for COPD, variability in the longitudinal measurements of SAD by PRM has been reported. Here, we show a method for correcting longitudinal PRM data because of nonpathological variations in serial CT scans. In this study, serial whole-lung high-resolution CT scans over a 30-day interval were obtained from 90 subjects with and without COPD accrued as part of SPIROMICS. It was assumed in all subjects that the COPD did not progress between examinations. CT scans were acquired at inspiration and expiration, spatially aligned to a single geometric frame, and analyzed using PRM. By modeling variability in longitudinal CT scans, our method could identify, at the voxel-level, shifts in PRM classification over the 30-day interval. In the absence of any correction, PRM generated serial percent volumes of functional SAD with differences as high as 15%. Applying the correction strategy significantly mitigated this effect with differences ∼1%. At the voxel-level, significant differences were found between baseline PRM classifications and the follow-up map computed with and without correction (P < .01 over GOLD). This strategy of accounting for nonpathological sources of variability in longitudinal PRM may improve the quantification of COPD phenotypes transitioning with disease progression. Full article

Resurrection plants can tolerate extreme water loss. Substantial sugar accumulation is a phenomenon in resurrection plants during dehydration. Sugars have been identified as one important factor contributing to desiccation tolerance. Phylogenetic diversity of resurrection plants reflects the diversity of sugar metabolism in response to dehydration. Sugars, which accumulate during dehydration, have been shown to protect macromolecules and membranes and to scavenge reactive oxygen species. This review focuses on the performance of enzymes participating in sugar metabolism during dehydration stress. The relation between sugar metabolism and other biochemical activities is discussed and open questions as well as potential experimental approaches are proposed. Full article