Forest Research Institute

About: Forest Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Dehra Dūn, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Forest management. The organization has 5320 authors who have published 7625 publications receiving 185876 citations.

CANVAS 1 and 2: Analysis of Clinical Response at Day 3 in Two Phase 3 Trials of Ceftaroline Fosamil versus Vancomycin plus Aztreonam in Treatment of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections

Abstract: Scientific and regulatory interest in assessing clinical endpoints after 48 to 72 h of treatment for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) has increased. Historical, pre-antibiotic-era data suggest that a treatment effect relative to untreated controls can be discerned in this time interval. Ceftaroline fosamil, a broad-spectrum bactericidal cephalosporin with activity against Gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Gram-negative organisms was efficacious in two phase 3 trials of complicated skin infections (CANVAS 1 and 2) using clinical cure rates at the test-of-cure visit. To assess an early clinical response in the CANVAS trials, a retrospective analysis using a day 3 clinical endpoint was conducted. Adults with ABSSSI received intravenous ceftaroline fosamil at 600 mg every 12 h (q12h) or vancomycin at 1 g plus aztreonam at 1 g (V/A) q12h for 5 to 14 days. Clinical response at day 3, defined as cessation of infection spread and absence of fever, was analyzed in patients with a lesion size of ≥75 cm2 and either deep and/or extensive cellulitis, major abscess, or an infected wound. Day 3 integrated CANVAS clinical response rates were 74.0% (296/400) for ceftaroline and 66.2% (263/397) for V/A (difference, 7.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3% to 14.0%). In the individual studies, absolute treatment differences of 9.4% (CANVAS 1) and 5.9% (CANVAS 2) favoring ceftaroline were observed. For ABSSSI due to MRSA, response rates were 81.7% and 77.4% in the ceftaroline and V/A groups, respectively. In this retrospective analysis, ceftaroline fosamil monotherapy had a numerically higher clinical response than V/A at day 3 in the treatment of ABSSSI.

Nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition by the mycelium of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus and its effect on host nutrition.

Abstract: The contribution of the extramatrical mycelium to N and P nutrition of mycorrhizal Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) was investigated. Seedlings either inoculated with Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr. or non-mycorrhizal were grown in a two compartment sand culture system where hyphae were separated from roots by a 45 μm nylon net. Nutrient solution of the hyphal compartment contained either 1.8 mm NH4+ and 0.18 mm H2PO4− or no N and P. Aluminium added to the hyphal compartment as a tracer of mass flow was not detected in the plant compartment, indicating that measurements of N and P transfer by the mycelium were not biased by solute movement across the nylon net.The addition of N and P to the hyphal compartment markedly increased dry weight, N and P concentration and N and P content of mycorrhizal plants. Calculating uptake from the difference in input and output of nutrient in solution confirmed a hyphal contribution of 73% and 76% to total N and P uptake, respectively. Hyphal growth was increased at the site of nutrient solution input.

Epiphytic lichens in norwegian coastal spruce forest: historic logging and present forest structure

Abstract: Current forestry policies worldwide aim at conserving and restoring biodiversity in managed forests. In this respect, epiphytic lichens have become a focal group in studies of how logging and silvicultural methods can be adjusted to mimic and restore old-growth conditions. We addressed this issue in a retrospective study in the coastal spruce (Picea abies) forest region of central Norway, surveying 31 old forest sites in order to relate a selected group of epiphytic macrolichens (Fuscopannaria ahlneri, Lobaria pulmonaria, L. scrobiculata, Nephroma spp., Platismatia norvegica, Pseudocyphellaria crocata, Ramalina thrausta, and Sphaerophorus globosus) to forest stand characteristics and previous logging history. The lichens were associated with brook ravines, F. ahlneri and P. crocata mostly so, being 10 times more abundant in ravine valley bottoms than on adjacent slopes and plateaus. All species used spruce trees as their main substrate, but L. pulmonaria, L. scrobiculata, and Nephroma spp. preferred scatt...

A protocol for generating high numbers of mature and functional human mast cells from peripheral blood

Abstract: Summary Background Mast cells (MCs) are multi-functional effector cells with an essential role in innate immunity and host defence, and under several pathological conditions, such as allergy. Here, we aimed at defining the culture conditions that would allow efficient generation of mature and functional human MCs from their progenitor cells. Methods Human peripheral blood-derived CD34+ progenitor cells were cultured in vitro under serum-free conditions with human stem cell factor for 9 weeks. Growth and differentiation of the cells into MCs were optimized by selected cytokines and a combination of hypoxic and normoxic conditions. MCs were phenotypically characterized by immunocytochemistry, their preformed mediators were quantified, and their functional ability to degranulate and release histamine was tested. Results On average, 20 × 106 mature MCs were generated from 0.5 × 106 progenitor cells during 9 weeks of culture, i.e. at least a 40-fold increase in cell number was achieved. The mature MCs had oval-shaped non-lobular nuclei, contained histamine, heparin, tryptase, chymase, and cathepsin G in their secretory granules, and strongly expressed c-kit (CD117) and Fc epsilon receptor I on their surface. Histamine release from the cells could be brought about by IgE–anti-IgE cross-linkage, compound 48/80, substance P, and anaphylatoxin C3a. The MCs remained functional for several weeks after their maturation. Conclusion This study describes an efficient protocol for generating mature MCs from human peripheral blood with a functional phenotype of connective tissue-type MCs. Use of these cultured human MCs will increase our knowledge and understanding about human MC development and biology in human disease.

Activated Mast Cells Induce Endothelial Cell Apoptosis by a Combined Action of Chymase and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Abstract: Objective— Activated mast cells (MCs) induce endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis in vitro and are present at sites of plaque erosions in vivo. To further elucidate the role of MCs in endothelial apoptosis and consequently in plaque erosion, we have studied the molecular mechanisms involved in MC-induced EC apoptosis. Methods and Results— Primary cultures of rat cardiac microvascular ECs (RCMECs) and human coronary artery ECs (HCAECs) were treated either with rat MC releasate (ie, mediators released on MC activation), rat chymase and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), or with human chymase and TNF-α, respectively. MC releasate induced RCMEC apoptosis by inactivating the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Akt-dependent survival signaling pathway, and apoptosis was partially inhibited by chymase and TNF-α inhibitors. Chymase avidly degraded both vitronectin (VN) and fibronectin (FN) produced by the cultured RCMECs. In addition, MC releasate inhibited the activation of NF-κB (p65) and activated caspase-8 and -9. Moreo...