Beyond and within public engagement: a broadened approach to engagement in biobanking

Social studies on biobanking have traditionally focused on public engagement, that is, engagement with donors, patients and the general public as an important factor of sustainability. In this article, we claim that, in order to fully understand the way biobanks work, it is necessary to pay attention to a number of other actors, which have an equal, if not greater, impact on their practices and strategies. This means taking a broadened approach to biobank engagement. By using data collected from interviews with different biobank experts based in five different countries (UK, Canada, Finland, Spain and Iceland), we identify seven communities, including the public, that emerge as relevant. Such relationships condition the way biobanks develop, act and plan. The discussion illustrates how the relationships with those seven communities are articulated. We conclude that there is a need for a broadened approach to biobank engagement in order to understand biobank sustainability.     

Pisolithus tinctorius promotes germination and forms mycorrhizal structures in Scots pine somatic embryos in vitro

The results of the present study show that inoculation with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch potentially enhances the germination of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) somatic embryos in vitro. Stimulation by Pisolithus tinctorius was only observed in the absence of direct contact between the symbionts; mature embryos were not sufficiently robust for balanced interaction with the fungus on half-strength DCR medium. Subsequently, on MMN medium with a reduced sugar concentration, direct contact between somatic embryo-derived plants and the fungus resulted in in vitro formation of mycorrhiza. Ex vitro inoculation also improved adaptation of the somatic embryo-derived plants, even though mycorrhizal structures were not observed. The reactions to Pisolithus tinctorius varied between different Scots pine cell lines both in vitro and ex vitro.     

Incomplete but Infectious Vaccinia Virions Are Produced in the Absence of Oncolysis in Feline SCCF1 Cells

Vaccinia virus is a large, enveloped virus of the poxvirus family. It has broad tropism and typically virus replication culminates in accumulation and lytic release of intracellular mature virus (IMV), the most abundant form of infectious virus, as well as release by budding of extracellular enveloped virus (EEV). Vaccinia viruses have been modified to replicate selectively in cancer cells and clinically tested as oncolytic agents. During preclinical screening of relevant cancer targets for a recombinant Western Reserve strain deleted for both copies of the thymidine kinase and vaccinia growth factor genes, we noticed that confluent monolayers of SCCF1 cat squamous carcinoma cells were not destroyed even after prolonged infection. Interestingly, although SCCF1 cells were not killed, they continuously secreted virus into the cell culture supernatant. To investigate this finding further, we performed detailed studies by electron microscopy. Both intracellular and secreted virions showed morphological abnormalities on ultrastructural inspection, suggesting compromised maturation and morphogenesis of vaccinia virus in SCCF1 cells. Our data suggest that SCCF1 cells produce a morphologically abnormal virus which is nevertheless infective, providing new information on the virus-host cell interactions and intracellular biology of vaccinia virus.     

Mycorrhiza formation is not needed for early growth induction and growth-related changes in polyamines in Scots pine seedlings in vitro

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi have been shown to improve growth of the host plant before the formation of physical ECM structures, i.e. during the so-called pre-mycorrhizal phase. In the present study, changes in growth and the concentrations of individual polyamines (PAs) were followed during the mycorrhiza formation in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings in the presence of two ECM fungi, Pisolithus tinctorius and Paxillus involutus. The two fungus stains were chosen because they differed in infection characteristics as well as in PA and auxin production. The results were compared to our earlier study with two Suillus variegatus strains forming ECMs with Scots pine seedlings in vitro. Paxillus was not able to form ECMs whereas Pisolithus formed ECM association with Scots pine seedlings within two weeks. However, Paxillus enhanced the growth of the seedlings more than Pisolithus. Paxillus also increased putrescine (Put) concentrations of the seedlings in the pre-mycorrhizal phase much more than Pisolithus. A similar trend was observed in the free spermidine (Spd) in stems, whereas in the needles Paxillus decreased free Spd concentration. Pisolithus caused a threefold greater increase in root free Spd than Paxillus. Effects of Paxillus on the growth and PA fluctuation, excluding root free Spd, of the host plant resembled that observed in our previous in vitro study on S. variegatus–Scots pine interaction. Therefore, changes in specific PA concentrations in the pre-mycorrhizal phase seem to be related to growth induction by the ECM fungus rather than to mycorrhiza formation. Moreover, we suggest that growth induction in host plants is not necessarily followed by ECM formation.     

Suillus variegatus causes significant changes in the content of individual polyamines and flavonoids in Scots pine seedlings during mycorrhiza formation in vitro

Changes in the concentrations of individual flavonoids and polyamines (PAs) in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) cotyledonary seedlings were studied during the establishment of an ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis with two Suillus variegatus strains in vitro. Both flavonoids and PAs were analysed after 3, 7, and 14 d in dual culture, and changes in concentrations were compared with growth of the seedlings. Both S. variegatus strains caused similar responses in Scots pine seedlings. Free putrescine accumulated immediately but only transiently after inoculation. This was followed by continuous accumulation of PA conjugates in needles and stems, and free spermidine and spermine in roots, which was accompanied by mycorrhiza formation and improved growth. The fungi induced lateral root formation and main root and primary needle elongation. Inoculation caused no qualitative changes in flavonoid composition, while quantitative changes in flavonols, catechins, and condensed tannins were observed in shoots during mycorrhiza formation. These results indicate that in this in vitro system conjugated PAs and specific flavonoids, generally related to the plant's defence reactions, did not play a major role in the regulation of the establishment of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis in Scots pine roots. The results also clearly show that positive growth responses in shoots and roots due to S. variegatus were supported by different and highly specific changes in the synthesis of both primary and secondary metabolites in these parts of the seedling.     

Syndecan-1 and -4 differentially regulate oncogenic K-ras dependent cell invasion into collagen through α2β1 integrin and MT1-MMP

Syndecans function as co-receptors for integrins on different matrixes. Recently, syndecan-1 has been shown to be important for α2β1 integrin-mediated adhesion to collagen in tumor cells by regulating cell adhesion and migration on two-dimensional collagen. However, the function of syndecans in supporting α2β1 integrin interactions with three-dimensional (3D) collagen is less well studied. Using loss-of-function and overexpression experiments we show that in 3D collagen syndecan-4 supports α2β1-mediated collagen matrix contraction. Cell invasion through type I collagen containing 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) is driven by α2β1 integrin and membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). Here we show that mutational activation of K-ras correlates with increased expression of α2β1 integrin, MT1-MMP, syndecan-1, and syndecan-4. While K-ras-induced α2β1 integrin and MT1-MMP are positive regulators of invasion, silencing and overexpression of syndecans demonstrate that these proteins inhibit cell invasion into collagen. Taken together, these data demonstrate the existence of a complex interplay between integrin α2β1, MT1-MMP, and syndecans in the invasion of K-ras mutant cells in 3D collagen that may represent a mechanism by which tumor cells become more invasive and metastatic.     

Lower conditioning leisure-time physical activity in young adults born preterm at very low birth weight

Background

Adults born preterm at very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) have elevated levels of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Preliminary observations suggest that this could partly be explained by lower rates of physical activity. The aim of this study was to assess physical activity in healthy young adults born preterm at very low birth weight compared with term-born controls.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We studied 94 unimpaired young adults, aged 21–29 years, born at VLBW and 101 age-, sex-, and birth hospital-matched term-born controls from one regional center in Southern Finland. The participants completed a validated 30-item 12-month physical activity questionnaire and the NEO-Personality Inventory based on the Big Five taxonomy, the most commonly used classification of personality traits. Yearly frequency, total time, total volume and energy expenditure of conditioning and non-conditioning leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and commuting physical activity were compared between VLBW and term-born subjects. A subset of participants underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for body composition measurement. Data were analyzed by multiple linear regression. Compared with controls, VLBW participants had lower frequency [−38.5% (95% CI; −58.9, −7.7)], total time [−47.4% (95% CI; −71.2, −4.1)], total volume [−44.3% (95% CI; −65.8, −9.2)] and energy expenditure [−55.9% (95% CI; −78.6, −9.4)] of conditioning LTPA when adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, parental education and personality traits. Adjusting for lean body mass instead of body mass index attenuated the difference. There were no differences in non-conditioning LTPA or commuting physical activity.

Conclusions/Significance

Compared with term-born controls, unimpaired VLBW adults undertake less frequent LTPA with lower total time and volume of exercise resulting in lower energy expenditure. Differences in personality that exist between the VLBW and term-born groups do not seem to explain this association.     

The genetic liability to disability retirement: a 30-year follow-up study of 24,000 Finnish twins

Background

No previous studies on the effect of genetic factors on the liability to disability retirement have been carried out. The main aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of genetic factors on disability retirement due to the most common medical causes, including depressive disorders.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 24 043 participants (49.7% women) consisting of 11 186 complete same-sex twin pairs including 3519 monozygotic (MZ) and 7667dizygotic (DZ) pairs. Information on retirement events during 1.1.1975–31.12.2004, including disability pensions (DPs) with diagnoses, was obtained from the Finnish nationwide official pension registers. Correlations in liability for MZ and DZ twins and discrete time correlated frailty model were used to investigate the genetic liability to age at disability retirement.

Results

The 30 year cumulative incidence of disability retirement was 20%. Under the best fitting genetic models, the heritability estimate for DPs due to any medical cause was 0.36 (95% CI 0.32–0.40), due to musculoskeletal disorders 0.37 (0.30–0.43), cardiovascular diseases 0.48 (0.39–0.57), mental disorders 0.42 (0.35–0.49) and all other reasons 0.24 (0.17–0.31). The effect of genetic factors decreased with increasing age of retirement. For DP due to depressive disorders, 28% of the variance was explained by environmental factors shared by family members (95% CI 21–36) and 58% of the variance by the age interval specific environmental factors (95% CI 44–71).

Conclusions

A moderate genetic contribution to the variation of disability retirement due to any medical cause was found. The genetic effects appeared to be stronger at younger ages of disability retirement suggesting the increasing influence of environmental factors not shared with family members with increasing age. Familial aggregation in DPs due to depressive disorders was best explained by the common environmental factors and genetic factors were not needed to account for the pattern of familial aggregation.     

Vertical migration, nitrate uptake and denitrification: survival mechanisms of foraminifers (Globobulimina turgida) under low oxygen conditions

(15)NO(3)(-) isotope labelling experiments were performed to investigate foraminiferal nitrate uptake strategies and the role of pseudopodial networks in nitrate uptake. Globobulimina turgida were placed below the nitrate penetration depth in homogenized sediment cores incubated in artificial seawater containing (15)NO(3)(-) . A nylon net prevented the vertical migration of foraminifera to strata containing nitrate and oxygen, but allowed potential access to such strata by extension of pseudopods. No (15)NO(3)(-) was found in G. turgida in these cores, suggesting that foraminifera cannot extend their pseudopods for nitrate uptake through several millimetres of sediment, but must physically migrate upwards closer to nitrate-containing strata. However, foraminiferal migration patterns in control cores with no nylon net were erratic, suggesting that individuals move in random orientations until they find favourable conditions (i.e. free nitrate or oxygen). A second experiment showed that foraminifera actively collect nitrate both in the presence and in the absence of oxygen, although uptake was initiated faster if oxygen was absent from the environment. However, no systematic influence of the size of the intracellular nitrate pool on nitrate uptake was observed, as specimens containing a large range of intracellular nitrate (636-19 992 pmol per cell) were measured to take up (15)NO(3)(-) at comparable rates.