SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Pinus”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,279 records · Page 71Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Assessing plant response to ambient ozone: growth of ozone-sensitive loblolly pine seedlings treated with ethylenediurea or sodium erythorbate.

One-year-old seedlings from an ozone-sensitive half-sib family of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were transplanted into replicated plots in blocks in a large forest clearing near Nacogdoches, Texas. Seedlings were either non-treated (controls) or treated bi-weekly with foliar sprays of ethylenediurea (EDU), at 150, 300 or 450 ppm or sodium erythorbate (NaE), at 515, 1030, or 1545 ppm, for three growing seasons. Results from the final third year harvest indicated that both EDU and NaE increased all growth parameters, with significant differences only for EDU at 450 ppm. Both EDU and NaE would be useful for long-term studies on assessing the effects of ambient ozone on established native plants.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2002

A survival model for unthinned loblolly pine plantations that incorporates non-planted tree competition, site quality, and incidence of fusiform rust.

Future biomass yields are functionally related to the number of trees surviving at a given age. A stand level survival model was developed that incorporates competition of non-planted trees, site quality, and the incidence of fusiform rust (Cronartium quercuum [Berk.] Miyabe ex Shirai f. sp. fusiforme). The model consists of a system of two equations, one of which represents the number of surviving trees infected by fusiform rust while the other represents the number of trees not infected by fusiform rust. Data from unthinned loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations in East Texas were used to fit and evaluate the survival model and illustrate its use. The model successfully predicted that the number of surviving loblolly pine trees decreased as the number of non-planted trees increased. The model also successfully predicted the transition of loblolly pine trees from an uninfected to an infected status by fusiform rust.

Basidiomycota↗

PubMed2003

An arabinogalactan protein associated with secondary cell wall formation in differentiating xylem of loblolly pine.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are abundant plant proteoglycans implicated in plant growth and development. Here, we report the genetic characterization, partial purification and immunolocalization of a classical AGP (PtaAGP6, accession number AF101785) in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). A PtaAGP6 full-length cDNA clone was expressed in bacteria. PtaAGP6 resembles tomato LeAGP-1 and Arabidopsis AtAGP17-19 in that they all possess a subdomain composed of basic amino acids. The accessibility of this domain in the glycoprotein makes it possible to label the PtaAGP6 epitopes on the cell surface or in the cell wall with polyclonal antibodies raised against this subdomain. The antibodies recognize the peptide of the basic subdomain and bind to the intact protein molecule. A soluble protein-containing fraction was purified from the differentiating xylem of pine trees by using beta-glucosyl Yariv reagent (beta-glcY) and was recognized by antibodies against the basic subdomain. Immunolocalization studies showed that the PtaAGP6 epitopes are restricted to a file of cells that just precede secondary cell wall thickening, suggesting roles in xylem differentiation and wood formation. The location of apparent labeling of the PtaAGP6 epitopes is separated from the location of lignin deposition. Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in EST variants. Denaturing HPLC analysis of PCR products suggests that PtaAGP6 is encoded by a single gene. Mobility variation in denaturing gel electrophoresis was used to map PtaAGP6 SNPs to a site on linkage group 5.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Stem growth and respiration in loblolly pine plantations differing in soil resource availability.

Stem respiration and growth in 10-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations were measured monthly during the third year of fertilization and irrigation treatments to determine whether soil resource availability differentially altered growth and respiration in stem tissue. Fertilized trees had significantly greater stem biomass, stem nitrogen concentration ([N]) and growth rate than unfertilized trees. Stem respiration (Rt) was significantly greater in fertilized trees when expressed on a per unit surface area (Rt,a, micromol CO2 m-2 s-1), sapwood volume (Rt,v, micromol CO2 m-3 s-1), or mass (Rt,w, nmol CO2 g-1 s-1) basis; however, there was no difference between treatments when expressed as a function of stem N content (Rt,n, micromol CO2 (mol N)-1 s-1). Irrigation had no significant effect on Rt or annual stem growth. Daily total respiration (Rd, mol CO2 m-2 day-1) and stem diameter growth both had a seasonal bimodal pattern with peaks in early spring and midsummer. Stem [N] declined significantly during the growing season. Stem growth rate and [N] explained 75% of the seasonal variation in temperature-normalized Rt,a. The mature tissue method was used to partition total stem respiration (Rt) into maintenance (Rm) and growth (Rg) components. There was a linear correlation between winter Rt,v, a measure of basal Rm, and sapwood N content; however, Rt,v per unit N was greater in January before diameter growth started than in the following December after growth ceased, indicating that Rt,v declined as stem diameter increased. Consequently, estimates of annual maintenance respiration (RM) based on January data were 44% higher than estimates based on December data. Growth respiration was correlated with stem growth rate (r2 = 0.55). The growth respiration coefficient (rg)-the slope of the relationship between Rg and stem growth rate-was 0.24. Respiration accounted for 37% of annual stem carbon budget. Stem carbon-use efficiency (CUE)-the ratio of stem growth to stem growth plus respiration-averaged 0.63 and was unaffected by fertilization.

Cell Respiration↗

PubMed2001

Seasonal changes in above- and belowground carbohydrate concentrations of ponderosa pine along a pollution gradient.

Seasonal patterns of carbohydrate concentration in coarse and fine roots, stem or bole, and foliage of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws) were described across five tree-age classes from seedlings to mature trees at an atmospherically clean site. Relative to all other tree-age classes, seedlings exhibited greater tissue carbohydrate concentration in stems and foliage, and greater shifts in the time at which maximum and minimum carbohydrate concentration occurred. To determine the effect of environmental stressors on tissue carbohydrate concentration, two tree-age classes (40-year-old and mature) were compared at three sites along a well-established, long-term O3 and N deposition gradient in the San Bernardino Mountains, California. Maximum carbohydrate concentration of 1-year-old needles declined with increasing pollution exposure in both tree-age classes. Maximum fine root monosaccharide concentration was depressed for both 40-year-old and mature trees at the most polluted site. Maximum coarse and fine root starch concentrations were significantly depressed at the most polluted site in mature trees. Maximum bole carbohydrate concentration of 40-year-old trees was greater for the two most polluted sites relative to the cleanest site: the bole appeared to be a storage organ at sites where high O3 and high N deposition decreased root biomass.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed2001

Production efficiency of loblolly pine and sweetgum in response to four years of intensive management.

We tested the hypothesis that productivity of intensively managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) stands is dependent not only on leaf area, but also on foliar photosynthetic rate. Effects of irrigation (irrigation treatment), irrigation with a fertilizer solution (fertigation treatment), and fertigation + pest control (loblolly pine only; fertigation + pest control treatment) on leaf physiology and growth were compared with control plots during the third and fourth growing seasons. Complete weed control was maintained on all plots. Aboveground net primary productivity of loblolly pine and sweetgum increased from 16.3 to 40.5 Mg ha(-1) and from 4.2 to 23.9 Mg ha(-1), respectively, in response to the most intensive treatment. Relative to the control treatment, neither fertigation of sweetgum nor fertigation + pest control of loblolly pine had a significant or consistent influence on foliar N concentration, quantum yield, carboxylation efficiency, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, or production efficiency (increment in woody biomass per unit leaf area). Irrigation increased predawn leaf water potential and photosynthesis of loblolly pine, but it had no effect on production efficiency. Leaf area was the predominant determinant of maximum productivity in these rapidly growing plantations.

Forestry↗

PubMed2002

Effects of phenology, water availability and seed source on loblolly pine biomass partitioning and transpiration.

One-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings from four seed sources (Arkansas, Georgia, Texas and Virginia) grown in 1-m-deep sand-filled pits in two water regimes (well-watered and drought) were studied, to gain insight into the process of seedling establishment. Whole-plant transpiration was measured biweekly from July to December. Whole-plant harvests were conducted at 6-week intervals from April to December. Whole-plant transpiration and transpiration per unit leaf and root area were affected by treatment, seedlot and phenology. Seedlings of the Arkansas seedlot maintained significantly higher transpiration rates per unit leaf and root area during drought than seedlings of the Virginia, Georgia or Texas seedlots, but did not accumulate greater biomass. The high transpiration rates of the Arkansas seedlings were attributed to their deep root systems. Allometric relationships indicated that, relative to the whole plant, biomass allocation to needles of drought-treated seedlings was enhanced during the summer (allometric ratio 1.09), whereas allocation to roots was enhanced in the spring and fall (allometric ratios of 1.13 and 1.09, respectively). Relative to the whole plant, biomass allocation to needles of well-watered seedlings was enhanced throughout the experiment (allometric ratio of 1.16 declining to 1.05), whereas the allometric ratio of root to total biomass was 0.89 or less throughout. Allometric relationships also indicated variation in biomass partitioning to roots in three soil layers (0-30, 30-60 and 60-100 cm), which differed among harvests in each soil layer. Root growth in both well-watered and drought-treated seedlings was concentrated in the top soil layer in the spring, shifted to the middle and bottom soil layers in the summer, and then increased in the top soil layer in the fall. Compared with well-watered seedlings, drought-treated seedlings had higher rates of root growth in the bottom soil layer in the fall, a characteristic that would confer tolerance to future periods of limited soil water availability.

Biomass↗

PubMed2002

Respiratory potential in sapwood of old versus young ponderosa pine trees in the Pacific Northwest.

Our primary objective was to present and test a new technique for in vitro estimation of respiration of cores taken from old trees to determine respiratory trends in sapwood. Our secondary objective was to quantify effects of tree age and stem position on respiratory potential (rate of CO2 production of woody tissue under standardized laboratory conditions). We extracted cores from one to four vertical positions in boles of +200-, +50- and +15-year-old Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws. trees. Cores were divided into five segments corresponding to radial depths of inner bark; outer, middle and inner sapwood; and heartwood. Data suggested that core segment CO2 production was an indicator of its respiratory activity, and that potential artifacts caused by wounding and extraction were minimal. On a dry mass basis, respiratory potential of inner bark was 3-15 times greater than that of sapwood at all heights for all ages (P < 0.0001). Within sapwood at all heights and in all ages of trees, outer sapwood had a 30-60% higher respiratory potential than middle or inner sapwood (P < 0.005). Heartwood had only 2-10% of the respiratory potential of outer sapwood. For all ages of trees, sapwood rings produced in the same calendar year released over 50% more CO2 at treetops than at bases (P < 0.0001). When scaled to the whole-tree level on a sapwood volume basis, sapwood of younger trees had higher respiratory potential than sapwood of older trees. In contrast, the trend was reversed when using the outer-bark surface area of stems as a basis for comparing respiratory potential. The differences observed in respiratory potential calculated on a core dry mass, sapwood volume, or outer-bark surface area basis clearly demonstrate that the resulting trends within and among trees are determined by the way in which the data are expressed. Although these data are based on core segments rather than in vivo measurements, we conclude that the relative differences are probably valid even if the absolute differences are not.

Carbon Dioxide↗

PubMed2002

Water limitations to carbon exchange in old-growth and young ponderosa pine stands.

We investigated the impact of seasonal soil water deficit on the processes driving net ecosystem exchange of carbon (NEE) in old-growth and recently regenerating ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Doug. ex Laws.) stands in Oregon. We measured seasonal patterns of transpiration, canopy conductance and NEE, as well as soil water, soil temperature and soil respiration. The old-growth stand (O) included two primary age classes (50 and 250 years), had a leaf area index (LAI) of 2.1 and had never been logged. The recently regenerating stand (Y) consisted predominantly of 14-year-old ponderosa pine with an LAI of 1.0. Both stands experienced similar meteorological conditions with moderately cold wet winters and hot dry summers. By August, soil volumetric water content within the upper 30 cm had declined to a seasonal minimum of 0.07 at both sites. Between April and June, both stands showed similar rates of transpiration peaking at 0.96 mm day(-1); thereafter, trees at the Y site showed increasing drought stress with canopy stomatal resistance increasing 6-fold by mid-August relative to values for trees at the O site. Over the same period, predawn water potential (psi(pd)) of trees at the Y site declined from -0.54 to -1.24 MPa, whereas psi(pd) of trees at the O site remained greater than -0.8 MPa throughout the season. Soil respiration at the O site showed a strong seasonal correlation with soil temperature with no discernible constraints imposed by declining soil water. In contrast, soil respiration at the Y site peaked before seasonal maximal soil temperatures and declined thereafter with declining soil water. No pronounced seasonal pattern in daytime NEE was observed at either site between April and September. At the Y site this behavior was driven by concurrent soil water limitations on soil respiration and assimilation, whereas there was no evidence of seasonal soil water limitations on either process at the O site.

Carbon↗

PubMed2002

Soil compaction effects on water status of ponderosa pine assessed through 13C/12C composition.

Soil compaction is a side effect of forest reestablishment practices resulting from use of heavy equipment and site preparation. Soil compaction often alters soil properties resulting in changes in plant-available water. The use of pressure chamber methods to assess plant water stress has two drawbacks: (1) the measurements are not integrative; and (2) the method is difficult to apply extensively to establish seasonal soil water status. We evaluated leaf carbon isotopic composition (delta13C) as a means of assessing effects of soil compaction on water status and growth of young ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws) stands across a range of soil textures. Leaf delta13C in cellulose and whole foliar tissue were highly correlated. Leaf delta13C in both whole tissue and cellulose (holocellulose) was up to 1.0 per thousand lower in trees growing in non-compacted (NC) loam or clay soils than in compacted (SC) loam or clay soils. Soil compaction had the opposite effect on leaf delta13C in trees growing on sandy loam soil, indicating that compaction increased water availability in this soil type. Tree growth response to compaction also varied with soil texture, with no effect, a negative effect and a positive effect as a result of compaction of loam, clay and sandy loam soils, respectively. There was a significant correlation between 13C signature and tree growth along the range of soil textures. Leaf delta13C trends were correlated with midday stem water potentials. We conclude that leaf delta13C can be used to measure retrospective water status and to assess the impact of site preparation on tree growth. The advantage of the leaf delta13C approach is that it provides an integrative assessment of past water status in different aged leaves.

California↗

PubMed2002

Effects of branch height on leaf gas exchange, branch hydraulic conductance and branch sap flux in open-grown ponderosa pine.

Recent studies have shown that stomata respond to changes in hydraulic conductance of the flow path from soil to leaf. In open-grown tall trees, branches of different heights may have different hydraulic conductances because of differences in path length and growth. We determined if leaf gas exchange, branch sap flux, leaf specific hydraulic conductance, foliar carbon isotope composition (delta13C) and ratios of leaf area to sapwood area within branches were dependent on branch height (10 and 25 m) within the crowns of four open-grown ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) trees. We found no difference in leaf gas exchange or leaf specific hydraulic conductance from soil to leaf between the upper and lower canopy of our study trees. Branch sap flux per unit leaf area and per unit sapwood area did not differ between the 10- and 25-m canopy positions; however, branch sap flux per unit sapwood area at the 25-m position had consistently lower values. Branches at the 25-m canopy position had lower leaf to sapwood area ratios (0.17 m2 cm-2) compared with branches at the 10-m position (0.27 m2 cm-2) (P = 0.03). Leaf specific conductance of branches in the upper crown did not differ from that in the lower crown. Other studies at our site indicate lower hydraulic conductance, sap flux, whole-tree canopy conductance and photosynthesis in old trees compared with young trees. This study suggests that height alone may not explain these differences.

Photosynthesis↗

PubMed2004

Laser ablation-combustion-GC-IRMS--a new method for online analysis of intra-annual variation of delta13C in tree rings.

We present a new, rapid method for high-resolution online determination of delta13C in tree rings, combining laser ablation (LA), combustion (C), gas chromatography (GC) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) (LA-C-GC-IRMS). Sample material was extracted every 6 min with a UV-laser from a tree core, leaving 40-microm-wide holes. Ablated wood dust was combusted to CO2 at 700 degrees C, separated from other gases on a GC column and injected into an isotope ratio mass spectrometer after removal of water vapor. The measurements were calibrated against an internal and an external standard. The tree core remained intact and could be used for subsequent dendrochronological and dendrochemical analyses. Cores from two Scots pine trees (Pinus sylvestris spp. sibirica Lebed.) from central Siberia were sampled. Inter- and intra-annual patterns of delta13C in whole-wood and lignin-extracted cores were indistinguishable apart from a constant offset, suggesting that lignin extraction is unnecessary for our method. Comparison with the conventional method (microtome slicing, elemental analysis and IRMS) indicated high accuracy of the LA-C-GC-IRMS measurements. Patterns of delta13C along three parallel ablation lines on the same core showed high congruence. A conservative estimate of the precision was +/- 0.24 per thousand. Isotopic patterns of the two Scots pine trees were broadly similar, indicating a signal related to the forest stand's climate history. The maximum variation in delta13C over 22 years was about 5 per thousand, ranging from -27 to -22.3 per thousand. The most obvious pattern was a sharp decline in delta13C during latewood formation and a rapid increase with spring early growth. We conclude that the LA-C-GC-IRMS method will be useful in elucidating short-term climate effects on the delta13C signal in tree rings.

Carbon Isotopes↗

PubMed2001

An aquaglyceroporin is abundantly expressed early in the development of the suspensor and the embryo proper of loblolly pine.

In contrast to angiosperms, pines and other gymnosperms form well-developed suspensors in somatic embryogenic cultures. This creates a useful system to study suspensor biology. In a study of gene expression during the early stages of conifer embryogenesis, we identified a transcript, PtNIP1;1, that is abundant in immature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) zygotic and somatic embryos, but is undetectable in later-stage embryos, megagametophytes, and roots, stems, and needles from 1 year-old seedlings. Analysis of PtNIP1;1 transcript in embryo proper and suspensor tissues by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction suggests preferential expression in the suspensor. Based on comparisons of derived amino acid sequences, PtNIP1;1 belongs to the nodulin-like members of the major intrinsic protein superfamily branch of the aquaporin (major intrinsic protein) superfamily. Through heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes and the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) fps1(-) mutant, PtNIP1;1 has been shown to be an active aquaglyceroporin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Growth and differentiation of transgenic callus regulated by phytohormones and antibiotics in transformation of loblolly pine.

Mature zygotic embryos of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 harbouring the plasmid pBI121 which carried the selectable marker gene, neomycin phosphotransferase II (npt II) controlled by the promoter of the nopaline synthase gene, and the uidA reporter gene, encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS) driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Organogenic transgenic calli and transgenic regenerated plantlets were produced on selection medium containing 15 mg/L kanamycin, and confirmed by GUS histochemical staining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and southern blot analysis. Influences of phytohormone (BA/IBA) and antibiotics on growth and differentiation of organogenic transgenic calli were investigated. Of the phytohormone (BA/IBA) and antibiotics administered, 500 mg/L carbenicillin combined with 2 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L IBA (BA/IBA = 4) resulted in a 54.2% higher increase in the growth of transgenic calli as well as in the differentiation of transgenic calli, which was 45.7% more than that of control on the 6th week of culture. Claforan at 500 mg/L combined with 2 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L IBA resulted in a 40.8% increase in the growth of transgenic calli, and 38.7% increase in the frequency of transgenic calli forming adventitious shoots compared with the control. The growth and differentiation of transgenic calli of loblolly pine was reduced preferentially by higher BA/IBA (BA/IBA = 8), as well as high concentration of antibiotics (carbenicillin and claforan, 550 mg/L each). But it was observed that 450 mg/L and 500 mg/L carbenicillin and claforan caused an increase in growth and differentiation of transgenic calli. These results suggested that the establishment of an efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation protocol for stable integration of foreign genes into loblolly pine was also dependent on the regulation of phytohormone and antibiotic on growth and differentiation of transgenic calli. This work could be useful for the future studies of genetic transformation of conifers.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2005

Antioxidants prevented oxidative injury of SR induced by Fe2+/H2O2/ascorbate system but failed to prevent Ca2+-ATPase activity decrease.

Dysfunction of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase induced by oxidative stress may be a contributing factor to the development of serious age related diseases. Incubation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles of rabbit skeletal muscles with Fe2+/H2O2/ascorbate decreased the SH group content of SR approximately to 35% and Ca2+-ATPase activity to 50% of control not oxidized sample. Protein carbonyls increased twofold, lipid peroxidation was also significantly elevated. The antioxidant effects of trolox, the pyridoindole derivative stobadine and of the standardized extracts from bark of Pinus Pinaster PycnogenolR (Pyc) and from leaves of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) were studied on oxidatively injured SR. All antioxidants exerted preventive effects against the oxidized lipids and protein SH groups of SR vesicles. Trolox and stobadine did not influence protein carbonyl formation, while flavonoid extracts prevented carbonyl generation, probably by binding to protein. The preventive effects of the antioxidants studied on lipids and protein SH groups were however not associated with protection of Ca2+-ATPase activity. Stobadine and trolox exerted no effect on enzyme activity, Pyc and EGb 761 enhanced the inhibitory effect of Ca2+-ATPase activity in oxidatively injured SR. Concluding, under the conditions of oxidative stress induced by Fe2+/H2O2/ascorbate against SR of rabbit skeletal muscle, the agents studied demonstrated antioxidant effects yet failed to protect Ca2+-ATPase activity.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Capillary electrophoresis of the major anions and cations in leaf extracts of woody species.

Capillary electrophoresis methods are described for the analysis of the major inorganic anions (nitrite, nitrate, chloride, sulphate, phosphate), organic acids (oxalate, malate, citrate, succinate) and inorganic cations (ammonium, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium) in leaf extracts. Analytical performance was validated for extracts from leaves of four sclerophyllous species: Eucalyptus globulus, E. cladocalyx, E. nitens and Pinus radiata. Inorganic anions and organic acids were analysed in a single run within 5 min using a background electrolyte of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (20 mM) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (0.5 mM). Cations were analysed in a separate run also within 5 min using imidazole (10 mM) and 18-crown-6 (2 mM) as background electrolyte. Replicate injections were highly repeatable when the capillary was rinsed between runs with hydrochloric acid (0.25 M) and background electrolyte, but not when the acid rinse was omitted or replaced by a rinse with sodium hydroxide (0.25 M). Standard curves for all analytes were linear over the range of 0.05-1 mm. Standard curves constructed by serial dilution of a leaf extract were also highly linear, and this, combined with the excellent recovery of added solutes in a spike and recovery test, suggests quantification was unaffected by the complex matrix that is present in un-purified, hot water extracts of leaves. There were significant differences in concentrations of the major anions and cations between the species studied.

Acids↗

PubMed2005

The proteome of maritime pine wood forming tissue.

Wood is one of our most important natural resources. Surprisingly, we know hardly anything about the details of the process of wood formation. The aim of this work was to describe the main proteins expressed in wood forming tissue of a conifer species (Pinus pinaster Ait.). Using high resolution 2-DE with linear pH gradient ranging from 4 to 7, a total of 1039 spots were detected. Out of the 240 spots analyzed by MS/MS, 67.9% were identified, 16.7% presented no homology in the databases, and 15.4% corresponded to protein mixtures. Out of the 57 spots analyzed by MALDI-MS, only 15.8% were identified. Most of the 175 identified proteins play a role in either defense (19.4%), carbohydrates (16.6%) and amino acid (14.9%) metabolisms, genes and proteins expression (13.1%), cytoskeleton (8%), cell wall biosynthesis (5.7%), secondary (5.1%) and primary (4%) metabolisms. A summary of the identified proteins, their putative functions, and behavior in different types of wood are presented. This information was introduced into the PROTICdb database and is accessible at http://cbib1.cbib.u-bordeaux2.fr/Protic/Protic/home/index.php. Finally, the average protein amount was compared with their respective transcript abundance as quantified through EST counting in a cDNA-library constructed with mRNA extracted from wood forming tissue.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2002

Treatment of melasma with Pycnogenol.

Melasma (or chloasma) is a common disorder of cutaneous hyperpigmentation predominantly affecting sun-exposed areas in women. The pathogenesis of melasma is not fully understood and treatments are frequently disappointing and often associated with side effects. Pycnogenol is a standardized extract of the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), a well-known, potent antioxidant. Studies in vitro show that Pycnogenol is several times more powerful than vitamin E and vitamin C. In addition, it recycles vitamin C, regenerates vitamin E and increases the endogenous antioxidant enzyme system. Pycnogenol protects against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Therefore its efficacy in the treatment of melasma was investigated. Thirty women with melasma completed a 30-day clinical trial in which they took one 25 mg tablet of Pycnogenol with meals three times daily, i.e. 75 mg Pycnogenol per day. These patients were evaluated clinically by parameters such as the melasma area index, pigmentary intensity index and by routine blood and urine tests. After a 30-day treatment, the average melasma area of the patients decreased by 25.86 +/- 20.39 mm(2) (p < 0.001) and the average pigmentary intensity decreased by 0.47 +/- 0.51 unit (p < 0.001). The general effective rate was 80%. No side effect was observed. The results of the blood and urine test parameters at baseline and at day 30 were within the normal range. Moreover, several other associated symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, pains in the body and anxiety were also improved. To conclude, Pycnogenol was shown to be therapeutically effective and safe in patients suffering from melasma.

Adult↗