Pyrocumulonimbus affect average stratospheric aerosol composition.

Pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) are wildfire-generated convective clouds that can inject smoke directly into the stratosphere. PyroCb have been tracked for years, yet their apparent rarity and episodic nature lead to highly uncertain climate impacts. In situ measurements of pyroCb smoke reveal its distinctive and exceptionally stable aerosol properties and define the long-term influence of pyroCb activity on the stratospheric aerosol budget. Analysis of 13 years of airborne observations shows that pyroCb are responsible for 10 to 25% of the black carbon and organic aerosols in the "present-day" lower stratosphere, with similar impacts in both the North and South Hemispheres. These results suggest that, should pyroCb increase in frequency and/or magnitude in future climates, they could generate dominant trends in stratospheric aerosol.

Storage and export of microbial biomass across the western Greenland Ice Sheet.

The Greenland Ice Sheet harbours a wealth of microbial life, yet the total biomass stored or exported from its surface to downstream environments is unconstrained. Here, we quantify microbial abundance and cellular biomass flux within the near-surface weathering crust photic zone of the western sector of the ice sheet. Using groundwater techniques, we demonstrate that interstitial water flow is slow (~10-2 m d-1), while flow cytometry enumeration reveals this pathway delivers 5 × 108 cells m-2 d-1 to supraglacial streams, equivalent to a carbon flux up to 250 g km-2 d-1. We infer that cellular carbon accumulation in the weathering crust exceeds fluvial export, promoting biomass sequestration, enhanced carbon cycling, and biological albedo reduction. We estimate that up to 37 kg km-2 of cellular carbon is flushed from the weathering crust environment of the western Greenland Ice Sheet each summer, providing an appreciable flux to support heterotrophs and methanogenesis at the bed.

Ice algal bloom development on the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet.

It is fundamental to understand the development of Zygnematophycean (Streptophyte) micro-algal blooms within Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) supraglacial environments, given their potential to significantly impact both physical (melt) and chemical (carbon and nutrient cycling) surface characteristics. Here, we report on a space-for-time assessment of a GrIS ice algal bloom, achieved by sampling an ∼85 km transect spanning the south-western GrIS bare ice zone during the 2016 ablation season. Cell abundances ranged from 0 to 1.6 × 104 cells ml-1, with algal biomass demonstrated to increase in surface ice with time since snow line retreat (R2 = 0.73, P < 0.05). A suite of light harvesting and photo-protective pigments were quantified across transects (chlorophylls, carotenoids and phenols) and shown to increase in concert with algal biomass. Ice algal communities drove net autotrophy of surface ice, with maximal rates of net production averaging 0.52 ± 0.04 mg C l-1 d-1, and a total accumulation of 1.306 Gg C (15.82 ± 8.14 kg C km-2) predicted for the 2016 ablation season across an 8.24 × 104 km2 region of the GrIS. By advancing our understanding of ice algal bloom development, this study marks an important step toward projecting bloom occurrence and impacts into the future.

Microspatial variability in community structure and photophysiology of calcified macroalgal microbiomes revealed by coupling of hyperspectral and high-resolution fluorescence imaging.

Calcifying coralline macroalgae provide biogenic habitats colonised by epiphytic microalgae that contribute significantly to community productivity. Georeferenced hyperspectral and high-resolution fluorescence imaging were coupled to microspatially mapped community composition and relative biomass of macroalgal host and epiphyte microalgal groups, and their weighted contributions to productivity within host fronds of Corallina officinalis on upper and lower zones of a rocky shore were determined. Lower shore epiphytes were dominated by filamentous diatoms (Bacillariophyta), confined to the apex of the frond structure, which were low light acclimated but retained a high capacity for photoprotective down regulation and contributed up to 51% of total community productivity. Upper shore epiphytes were dominated by green algae (Chlorophyta) and single-celled diatoms (principally Cocconeis spp.), which were high light acclimated but present at far lower relative biomass and contributed negligibly to productivity. The host, C. officinalis was the main primary producer. Variation in light environment resulting from differences in shore height and shading within the host macroalga, likely play a large role in determining patterns in epiphyte community structure, biomass and productivity observed. Additionally, microspatial gradients in photophysiological parameters along the host macroalga likely resulted from age-dependent variation in pigments as well as the gradient in light environment.

Corallina and Ellisolandia (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) photophysiology over daylight tidal emersion: interactions with irradiance, temperature and carbonate chemistry.

The photophysiology of three geniculate coralline algal species (Corallina officinalis, C. caespitosa and Ellisolandia elongata) was determined in intertidal rock pools in the south-west UK at Combe Martin (51°12'31N 4°2'19W) and Heybrook Bay (50°31'66N 4°11'41W), at the start, middle and end of summer (September 1 and 2) and winter (February 9 and 10) daylight tidal emersion periods, in relation to prevailing irradiance, temperature and carbonate chemistry conditions. Algal photophysiology was assessed from rapid light curves performed using pulse amplitude modulation fluorometry. Corallina and Ellisolandia experienced significant fluctuations in irradiance, temperature and carbonate chemistry over seasonal and tidal cycles. Rock pool carbonate chemistry was predictable (R2 = 0.82, P < 0.0001) by photodose (summed irradiance) plus water temperature, but not significantly related to photophysiology. In contrast, Corallina and Ellisolandia relative maximum electron transfer rate showed a significant negative relationship (R2 = 0.65, P < 0.0001) with irradiance plus water temperature. At a seasonal resolution, photoacclimation to maximize both light harvesting during winter months and photoprotection during summer months was observed for all species. Dynamic photoinhibition was apparent over both summer and winter tidal emersion, in relation to irradiance fluctuations. More effective photoinhibition was apparent during summer months, with greater sensitivity to irradiance and slower recovery in Fv/Fm, observed during winter. With sustained high irradiance over tidal emersion, the establishment of high pH/low inorganic carbon conditions may impact photochemistry. This study represents the first assessment of C. officinalis, C. caespitosa and E. elongata photophysiology underpinned by clear species concepts and highlights their ability to adapt to the dramatically fluctuating conditions experienced in intertidal rock pools.

Chemosensitivity testing predicts survival in ovarian cancer.

The aim of this study was to assess the use of the MTT assay for chemosensitity testing to identify drug resistance and predict survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Samples of ascitic fluid and/or solid biopsies were taken from 120 patients with FIGO stage III or IV ovarian adenocarcinoma at presentation. Cells were exposed for 48 hours to four concentrations of clinically relevant drugs including platinums, anthracyclines and alkylating agents. Cell survival was measured using the 3-4,5-dimethyl-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay allowing patients to be grouped as "sensitive" or "resistant" in vitro. Clinical data including age, residual disease, histological grade, treatment, response after initial treatment and overall survival were collected. There was a highly significant (p<0.0001) correlation of in vitro sensitivity with in vivo response in the patients who completed their therapy, with an 83% positive predictive accuracy for resistance. This translated in the longer term to an increased survival for the patients found to be sensitive in vitro to their therapy with a 5-year survival rate of 24% compared to 12% for the resistant group (p=0.033). These results suggest that MTT chemonsensitivity testing can predict response in ovarian cancer leading to the prospect of increased survival in this devastating disease by customising therapy to individual patients.

Breast cancer resistance protein expression and resistance to daunorubicin in blast cells from patients with acute myeloid leukaemia.

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is a recently described member of the ATP binding cassette transporter superfamily. It has been shown to confer resistance to mitoxantrone, topotecan, doxorubicin and daunorubicin in human tumour cell lines. We describe a study of BCRP expression in blast cells derived from 20 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Twelve samples were from patients who had received previous cytotoxic therapy. BCRP expression was measured by immunocytochemistry using the BXP-34 monoclonal antibody. In vitro drug sensitivity was assessed using the methyl thiazol tetrazoliumbromide assay. BCRP expression varied between patients, and six out of 22 (27%) samples had > 10% cells staining positively (median 37%, range 13-95%). BCRP positivity was seen in both de novo samples and those from previously treated patients. There was a marked variation in the effect of all drugs tested between patients. Although there was no correlation between BCRP positivity and the effect of mitoxantrone, topotecan or doxorubicin, the median daunorubicin LC(50) value of BCRP(+) cells was fourfold higher than that of BCRP- cells (0.89 micromol/l compared with 0.21 micromol/l, P < 0.05). These results suggest that BCRP may be involved in resistance to the agents commonly used in AML and may explain some of the anomalous results found when studying other membrane transporters, such as P-gp or MRP.

Dexrazoxane significantly impairs the induction of doxorubicin resistance in the human leukaemia line, K562.

Dexrazoxane combined with doxorubicin (+ 5-fluorouracil + cyclophosphamide - the FAC regime) leads to a significant decrease in doxorubicin cardiotoxicity and a significant increase in median survival time for patients with advanced breast cancer responsive to FAC. The reason for this increase in survival may be due to interference with the mechanism involved in the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR). In order to test this hypothesis, we induced resistance to doxorubicin in the K562 cell line by growing cells in increasing concentrations of doxorubicin (10-30 nM) in the presence and absence of dexrazoxane (20 nM). The doxorubicin sensitivity of all resultant sublines was measured using the MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to assess the MDR1 phenotype, measuring P-glycoprotein expression with MRK 16 antibody and drug accumulation in the presence and absence of PSC 833 for functional P-glycoprotein. Long-term growth in doxorubicin increased the cellular resistance (IC(50)) of K562 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (r(2 )= 0.908). Doxorubicin resistance was not induced in the presence of dexrazoxane (P< 0.0001) for several months. In parallel, the expression of functional P-glycoprotein was delayed after concomitant addition of dexrazoxane to the selecting medium (P< 0.001). Dexrazoxane did not act as a conventional modulator of P-glycoprotein. These results suggest that dexrazoxane may delay the development of MDR1, thus allowing responders to the FAC regime to continue to respond.

Circumvention of ara-C resistance by aphidicolin in blast cells from patients with AML.

Treatment failure in AML is often attributed to P-glycoprotein-associated multidrug resistance. However, the importance of increased DNA repair in resistant cells is becoming more apparent. In order to investigate the ability of the DNA repair inhibitor aphidicolin to modulate drug resistance, we continually exposed blasts cells, isolated from 22 patients with AML, to a variety of agents +/- 15 microM aphidicolin for 48 hours. Cell survival was measured using the MTT assay. Overall, there was no significant effect of aphidicolin on sensitivity to daunorubicin, doxorubicin, etoposide or fludarabine. However, there was a marked increase in sensitivity to ara-C with a median 4.75-fold increase overall (range 0.8-80-fold;P< 0.005). The effect of aphidicolin was significantly greater in blast cells found resistant in vitro to ara-C (8.9-fold compared to 2.12-fold, P< 0.01). This observation was further validated by the correlation between ara-C LC(50)and extent of modulation effect (P< 0.05). Cells isolated from 10 cord blood samples were also tested in order to establish the haematological toxicity of combining ara-C and aphidicolin. The therapeutic index (LC(50)normal cells/tumour cells) for ara-C + aphidicolin was higher than that for ara-C alone suggesting no increased myelotoxicity for the combination. Increased cytotoxicity without increased haematotoxicity makes the combination of ara-C plus aphidicolin ideal for inclusion in future clinical trials.

Comparison of P-glycoprotein expression and function with in vitro sensitivity to anthracyclines in AML.

The importance of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in AML has been well documented. Resistance to the anthracyclines can be overcome by several agents including Cyclosporin A (CsA), PSC833 and GF120918. We describe an investigation into the expression, using MRK16 and UIC2, and function of P-gp using daunorubicin with and without modulators by flow cytometric analysis on previously frozen blast cells from 27 patients with primary or secondary AML. We compared this with the in vitro chemosensitivity, using the MTT assay, of fresh blast cells from the same patients. Whilst we found a correlation between P-gp function using CsA and GF120918 and expression using MRK16 (p < 0.05) and (p < 0.02) respectively, we were unable to find any overall correlation between expression and function of P-gp with either in vitro sensitivity to the anthracyclines, previous treatment, or 1 degree or 2 degrees disease. However it was possible to identify individual patients whose cells exhibited P-gp expression and function teamed with in vitro resistance to, and modification of, the anthracyclines. Furthermore, it is possible to identify which modulator had the greatest effect. The fact that we obtained higher indications of resistance reversal using the MTT assay along with finding P-gp expression and function in patients sensitive to the anthracyclines, suggests studies of P-gp should be teemed with chemosensitivity testing to identify specific patients who will benefit.

Comparison of BCL-2 and BAX protein expression with in vitro sensitivity to ARA-C and 6TG in AML.

Activity of BCL-2 protein may be antagonised by BAX protein expression, thereby affecting cellular sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. We analysed the BCL-2 protein expression of blast cells from 19 patients by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. This was compared to in vitro sensitivity to the anthracyclines and antimetabolites using the MTT assay. We found a significant correlation between BCL-2 expression and in vitro response to two antimetabolite drugs. One of 7 patients (14%) whose cells were sensitive to ara-C expressed BCL-2 compared to 4/4 patients (100%) whose cells were resistant to ara-C in vitro (p = 0.05). Furthermore, none of the three patients whose cells were sensitive to 6-TG expressed BCL-2 compared to 6/9 patients (67%) whose cells were resistant in vitro (p = 0.045). We found no other correlation between BCL-2 expression and any other chemotherapeutic drug analysed. The ratio of BCL-2 to BAX may be more relevant clinically, therefore cells from a further 9 patients were analysed for both proteins. Whilst there was no overall relationship between BCL-2/BAX ratios and sensitivity to ara-C and 6TG, individual patients could be identified whose blast cells were resistant to ara-C and had high BCL-2/BAX ratios. Further analysis of the significance of these ratios to drug resistance may be of future prognostic value.

Aphidicolin markedly increases the in vitro sensitivity to ara-C of blast cells from patients with AML.

Drug resistant cells often have an increased capacity to repair their DNA after damage by cytotoxic agents. Aphidicolin can inhibit this DNA repair. We describe a study of the effect of aphidicolin to modulate the sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs of blast cells from 13 patients with AML, 11 with de novo disease on presentation and 2 secondary to MDS. Three patients had relapsed following previous therapy and samples were received from 1 patient both on presentation and relapse. Blast cells were exposed to anthracyclines, antimetabolites or etoposide +/- aphidicolin (15 microM) for 48 hours. The MTT assay was used to measure cell survival and the LC50 (concentration of drug required for 50% cell kill) was calculated. Overall, there was a significant increase in sensitivity to ara-C on co-incubation with aphidicolin in 12/14 samples (p = 0.007). The median increase in sensitivity was 3.88-fold (range 1.26- to 80-fold). Interestingly, when patients were grouped according to in vitro sensitivity to ara-C, cells from resistant patients demonstrated the greatest increase in sensitivity (median 14-fold compared to 2-fold for the sensitive group, p = 0.02). Despite the documented evidence for altered DNA repair as a mechanism of resistance to the topoisomerase II inhibitors, we found no significant increase in sensitivity to daunorubicin, doxorubicin or etoposide on co-incubation with aphidicolin. Nevertheless, we believe the unparalleled modulation of ara-C warrants further investigation.

In vitro sensitivity to the liposomal preparation, DaunoXome in CLL.

In order to determine the efficacy of liposomal encapsulated daunorubicin (DaunoXome; DNX) in chronic Iymphocytic leukaemia, the sensitivities of cells from 10 patients with this disease were assessed and compared with that of free drug using the MTT assay. There was a marked variation in effect between patients for both drug preparations. Despite this, there was a small but significant enhancement of cytotoxicity afforded by the liposomal preparation (median 2.8-fold, p < 0.01). The cells from 2 of the patients appeared to be resistant to free daunorubicin. However, incubation for 96 h in DNX appeared to circumvent this resistance. This increase in sensitivity for resistant cells could not be demonstrated in an MDR positive cell line (K562AR) suggesting that another mechanism of resistance may be involved. We conclude that it is feasible to assess sensitivity to DNX using the MTT assay in fresh cells from patients with CLL using a continuous drug exposure of 96 h. Furthermore, DNX appears more effective than free drug in this disease.

Nitric oxide synthase activity in fresh cells from ovarian tumour tissue: relationship of enzyme activity with clinical parameters of patients with ovarian cancer.

Recent studies suggest a dual role for nitric oxide (NO) in tumour biology. High concentrations of NO can mediate tumouricidal activity, whereas lower concentrations have been shown to promote tumour growth. In this study, NO synthase (NOS) activity was investigated in cells that were prepared from tissue from primary and metastatic sites and from malignant effusions in 41 cases of suspected ovarian cancer. NO biosynthesis, determined by nitrite + nitrate (NOx) accumulation in medium from cultured cells prepared from disaggregated tumours or effusions and indicative of the inducible NO synthase isoform, was detected in 37% of the cases investigated (range 10.2-114 microM). There was a significant relationship between NOx and tumour differentiation (P = 0.014), with NOx being significantly higher for the more differentiated tumours. NOS activity, determined by the conversion of radiolabelled L-arginine to citrulline by tissue or cell extracts, was detected in 29% of cases (range 0.9-6.9 pmol/min per mg of protein), with all samples tested being moderately or poorly differentiated. Seventy percent of this activity was calcium dependent, indicative of constitutive NOS isoforms. Morphological and immunohistochemical assessment of tumour samples indicated a significant relationship between high macrophage content and NOS activity (as NOx biosynthesis) (rs = 0.726, N = 16, P < 0.01). The relationship between NOS expression, immune response, and disease progression is complex and not simply dependent on the differentiation status of ovarian cancer.

Modulation of resistance to ara-C by bryostatin in fresh blast cells from patients with AML.

Bryostatin has shown promise both as a cytotoxic agent and more recently as a modulator of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) resistance. This compound is currently in phase I and II trials as a single agent. We have used the 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay as a means of investigating the direct effects of bryostatin and the effects of co-incubating this agent with ara-C on fresh blast cells from 53 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Additional studies evaluated the levels of accumulation and retention of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine 5'-triphosphate (ara-CTP) in cells exposed to ara-C with and without bryostatin. Cells were exposed to bryostatin at a range of concentrations (0.1-100 nM) for 48 h and at 1 nM for both modulation studies and assessment of ara-CTP production. We found bryostatin to be cytotoxic in 18/58 (31%) tests whilst potentiation of formazan production in the MTT assay was seen in 21/58 (36%) patients. On co-incubation with bryostatin, 16/58 (27%) tests showed increased cytotoxicity to ara-C. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the accumulation of ara-CTP on co-incubation with bryostatin (p = 0.0401). We found patients with in vitro resistance were more likely to become sensitised following exposure to bryostatin (p < 0.01). This study has emphasised the need to optimise treatment regimens for individual patients using this approach.

Aphidicolin markedly increases the platinum sensitivity of cells from primary ovarian tumours.

Enhanced DNA repair has been observed in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines. This resistance can be modulated, on co-incubation with aphidicolin in established cell lines and animal tumour models, by inhibiting DNA polymerases. We describe a study of the in vitro modulation effect of aphidicolin on cisplatin and carboplatin using fresh cells harvested from biopsy samples or ascitic fluids from 25 patients with ovarian adenocarcinoma. The MTT assay was used to measure cell survival after drug exposure. Aphidicolin (up to 30 microM) showed no cytotoxicity when tested alone. Forty-seven comparisons were made between drug with and without aphidicolin, and 37 (79%) cases demonstrated a significant increase in sensitivity to the platinum agents on co-incubation. Overall, there was a median 10-fold (range 1.64- to 58.5-fold) increase in sensitivity. When patients were grouped according to in vitro sensitivity to platinum, aphidicolin had a significantly greater effect in the "resistant' group, causing a median 13.5-fold increase in sensitivity compared with 2.4-fold in the "sensitive' group. Furthermore, a positive correlation between the LC50 for platinum and the corresponding fold increase in sensitivity suggests that aphidicolin overcomes platinum resistance in fresh cells from primary tumours. These results encourage the further development of this interesting compound.

Comparison of P-glycoprotein expression with in vitro drug sensitivity in fresh blast cells from acute myeloid leukaemia patients.

Anthracyclines and etoposide have been implicated in the multi-drug resistance phenotype. The mdr 1 gene encodes for the transmembrane protein P-glycoprotein. P-glycoprotein expression was measured in the fresh blast cells from 19 patients with acute myeloid leukemia using three monoclonal antibodies, C219, JSB-1 and MRK 16, and immunocytochemistry with the enzyme alkaline phosphatase as marker. Drug resistance can be identified in vitro using the predictive chemosensitivity test, the MTT (3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. In order to assess cell viability after drug exposure, this technique utilises the ability of cellular dehydrogenase enzymes to reduce the tetrazolium salt MTT to formazan. In vitro resistance to multi-drug resistance related cytotoxic agents was identified in the blast cells from these patients. This study showed no correlation between the results of the MTT assay and P-glycoprotein expression in this disease, suggesting either that more sensitive techniques are required to measure P-glycoprotein expression or that other drug resistance mechanisms may be involved.