UNASSIGNED: Plants allocate resources to growth, defense, and stress resistance, and resource availability can affect the balance between these allocations. Allocation patterns are well-known to differ among species, but what controls possible intra-specific trade-offs and if variation in growth vs. defense potentially evolves in adaptation to resource availability.
UNASSIGNED: We measured growth and defense in a provenance trial of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) with clones originating from the Amazon basin. To test hypotheses on the allocation to growth vs. defense, we relate biomass growth and latex production to wood and leaf traits, to climate and soil variables from the location of origin, and to the genetic relatedness of the Hevea clones.
UNASSIGNED: Contrary to expectations, there was no trade-off between growth and defense, but latex yield and biomass growth were positively correlated, and both increased with tree size. The absence of a trade-off may be attributed to the high resource availability in a plantation, allowing trees to allocate resources to both growth and defense. Growth was weakly correlated with leaf traits, such as leaf mass per area, intrinsic water use efficiency, and leaf nitrogen content, but the relative investment in growth vs. defense was not associated with specific traits or environmental variables. Wood and leaf traits showed clinal correlations to the rainfall and soil variables of the places of origin. These traits exhibited strong phylogenetic signals, highlighting the role of genetic factors in trait variation and adaptation. The study provides insights into the interplay between resource allocation, environmental adaptations, and genetic factors in trees. However, the underlying drivers for the high variation of latex production in one of the commercially most important tree species remains unexplained.

The latex of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) is a source of a special kind of acylsugars called resin glycosides, which are highly appreciated because of their biological activities (i.e. laxative, antimicrobial, cytotoxic etc.). Most research has been conducted in perennials with tuberous roots, where resin glycosides are stored. However, their content and variation are unknown in annual vines that lack this type of root, such as in the case of Ipomoea parasitica. This species contains research/biological and human value through its fast growth, survival in harsh environments, and employment in humans for mental/cognitive improvements. These qualities make I. parasitica an ideal system to profile resin glycosides and their variations in response to edaphoclimate. Topsoil samples (0-30 cm depth) and latex from petioles of I. parasitica were collected in two localities of central Mexico. The latex was analyzed through UHPLC-ESI-QTOF, and soil physico-chemical characteristics, the rainfall, minimum, average, and maximum temperatures were recorded. We also measured canopy (%), rockiness (%), and plant cover (%). A Principal Component Analysis was conducted to find associations between edaphoclimate and the resin glycosides. Forty-four resin glycosides were found in the latex of I. parasitica. Ten correlated significantly with three components (47.07%) and contained tetrasaccharide, pentasaccharide, and dimers of tetrasaccharide units. Five resin glycosides were considered constitutive because they were in all the plants. However, exclusive molecules to each locality were also present, which we hypothesize is in response to significant microhabitat conditions found in this study (temperature, clay content, pH, and potassium). Our results showed the presence of resin glycosides in I. parasitica latex and are the basis for experimentally testing the effect of the conditions above on these molecules. However, ecological, molecular, and biochemical factors should be considered in experiments designed to produce these complex molecules.

The spurge Euphorbia characias is known for its latex, which is rich in antioxidant enzymes and anti-phytopathogen molecules. In this study, we identified a novel polyubiquitin protein in the latex and leaves, leading to the first molecular characterization of its coding gene and expressed protein in E. characias. Using consensus-degenerate hybrid oligonucleotide primers (CODEHOP) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5\'/3\'-RACE), we reconstructed the entire open reading frame (ORF) and noncoding regions. Our analysis revealed that the polyubiquitin gene encodes five tandemly repeated sequences, each coding for a ubiquitin monomer with amino acid variations in four of the five repeats. In silico studies have suggested functional differences among monomers. Gene expression peaked during the summer, correlating with high temperatures and suggesting a role in heat stress response. Western blotting confirmed the presence of polyubiquitin in the latex and leaf tissues, indicating active ubiquitination processes. These findings enhance our understanding of polyubiquitin\'s regulatory mechanisms and functions in E. characias, highlighting its unique structural and functional features.

BACKGROUND: Postmortem evaluation of the human vascular system has a long history, with advancements ranging from dissections to modern imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT scan). This study designs a novel combination of Angiofil, a liquid radiopaque polymer, and latex, a flexible cast material, for cadaveric vascular analysis.
METHODS: The aim was to synergize the advantages of both components, providing accurate radiological images and optimal dissection conditions. Three arterial territories (lateral circumflex femoral artery, profunda brachii artery, and radial artery) were injected and assessed through CT scans and dissections.
RESULTS: The Angiofil-latex mixture allowed successful visualization of the vascular networks, offering a simple, reproducible, and non-toxic approach. Quantitative assessments of the three territories, including diameters and lengths, showed comparable results between CT scan and dissection.
CONCLUSIONS: The technique precision and versatility make it an accessible and valuable tool for anatomical studies, potentially extending its application to MRI analyses. Overall, the Angiofil-latex combination presents a cost-effective solution for researchers, offering enhanced visibility and detailed anatomical insights for various applications, including anatomical variation studies.

Latex allergy, or natural rubber latex allergy (NRLA), is a global health concern, even among the pediatric population, with symptoms varying in severity from mild to potentially life-threatening. Latex is derived from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, producing twelve million tons annually for use in various everyday and medical products. Despite efforts to mitigate NRLA, its prevalence remains high, especially in at- risk groups such as children with spina bifida. Clinical manifestations include immediate and delayed symptoms, even anaphylactic reactions. Diagnosis involves a detailed medical history and specific tests. Prevention focuses on avoiding exposure, especially in medical and educational settings. Treatment, including immunotherapy, exhibits variable efficacy. NRLA has a strong negative impact on children\'s quality of life. The objective of this publication is to provide updated information and practical tools for the pediatrician\'s and allergist\'s practice.
La alergia al látex del caucho natural (ALCN) es un problema de salud global, incluso en población pediátrica, con síntomas de gravedad variable, desde leves hasta potencialmente mortales. El látex se obtiene del árbol Hevea brasiliensis; se producen doce millones de toneladas anuales que se utilizan en diversos productos cotidianos y médicos. A pesar de los esfuerzos para mitigar la ALCN, su prevalencia sigue siendo alta, especialmente en grupos de riesgo, como niños con espina bífida. Las manifestaciones clínicas incluyen síntomas inmediatos y retardados, hasta reacciones anafilácticas. El diagnóstico requiere una historia clínica detallada y pruebas específicas. La prevención se centra en evitar la exposición, especialmente en entornos médicos y escolares. El tratamiento, incluida la inmunoterapia, muestra eficacia variable. La ALCN tiene un fuerte impacto negativo en la calidad de vida. El objetivo de esta publicación es proveer información actualizada y herramientas prácticas para el consultorio del pediatra y el alergólogo.

Food allergies mediated by specific IgE (sIgE) have a significant socioeconomic impact on society. Evaluating the IgE cross-reactivity between allergens from different allergen sources can enable the better management of these potentially life-threatening adverse reactions to food proteins and enhance food safety. A novel banana fruit allergen, S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH), has been recently identified and its recombinant homolog was heterologously overproduced in E. coli. In this study, we performed a search in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) for SAHH homologs in ryegrass, latex, and kiwifruit, all of which are commonly associated with pollen-latex-fruit syndrome. In addition, Western immunoblot analysis was utilized to identify the cross-reactive IgE to banana SAHH in the sera of patients with a latex allergy, kiwifruit allergy, and ryegrass allergy. ClustalOmega analysis showed more than 92% amino acid sequence identity among the banana SAHH homologs in ryegrass, latex, and kiwifruit. In addition to five B-cell epitopes, in silico analysis predicted eleven T-cell epitopes in banana SAHH, seventeen in kiwifruit SAHH, twelve in ryegrass SAHH, and eight in latex SAHH, which were related to the seven-allele HLA reference set (HLA-DRB1*03:01, HLA-DRB1*07:01, HLA-DRB1*15:01, HLA-DRB3*01:01, HLA-DRB3*02:02, HLA-DRB4*01:01, HLA-DRB5*01:01). Four T-cell epitopes were identical in banana and kiwifruit SAHH (positions 328, 278, 142, 341), as well as banana and ryegrass SAHH (positions 278, 142, 96, and 341). All four SAHHs shared two T-cell epitopes (positions 278 and 341). In line with the high amino acid sequence identity and B-cell epitope homology among the analyzed proteins, the cross-reactive IgE to banana SAHH was detected in three of three latex-allergic patients, five of six ryegrass-allergic patients, and two of three kiwifruit-allergic patients. Although banana SAHH has only been studied in a small group of allergic individuals, it is a novel cross-reactive food allergen that should be considered when testing for pollen-latex-fruit syndrome.

Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is a fast-growing tree known for its tolerance to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. To explore genes combating Verticillium wilt, a devasting and formidable disease damage to cotton and many economically significant crops, we purified an antifungal protein, named BpAFP, from the latex of paper mulberry. Based on peptide fingerprint, we cloned the full cDNA sequence of BpAFP and revealed that BpAFP belongs to Class I chitinases, sharing 74 % identity with B. papyrifera leaf chitinase, PMAPII. We further introduced BpAFP into Arabidopsis, tobacco, and cotton. Transgenic plants exhibited significant resistance to Verticillium wilt. Importantly, BpAFP also demonstrated insecticidal activity against herbivorous pests, Plutella xylostella, and Prodenia litura, when feeding the larvae with transgenic leaves. Our finding unveils a dual role of BpAFP in conferring resistance to both plant diseases and lepidopterous pests.

Solar steam generation (SSG) offers a sustainable approach to fresh water production. Herein, a novel dual-functional natural rubber/carbon black composite foam evaporator is presented for a cost-efficient SSG system that both produces fresh water and eliminates heavy metals present in the water. The composite foam is produced using the Dunlop process, and in its optimized form, it absorbed >96 % of sunlight. The foam evaporator exhibited a thermal conductivity of 0.052 W/m⋅K, a water evaporation rate of 1.40 kg/m2/h, converted 83.38 % of light to heat under 1 sun irradiation, and showed outstanding stability. The technology required to produce this composite foam is already available to make large-scale production feasible, while the natural raw materials are abundant. On the basis of its performance qualities, the rubber foam composite appears to be an excellent candidate for application as a viable solar absorber for SSG to produce fresh, clean water for commercial purposes.

Antimicrobial surfaces limit the spread of infectious diseases. To date, there is no antimicrobial coating that has widespread use because of short-lived and limited spectrum efficacy, poor resistance to organic material, and/or cost. Here, we present a paint based on waterborne latex particles that is supramolecularly associated with quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). The optimal supramolecular pairing was first determined by immobilizing selected ions on self-assembled monolayers exposing different groups. The QAC surface loading density was then increased by using polymer brushes. These concepts were adopted to develop inexpensive paints to be applied on many different surfaces. The paint could be employed for healthcare and food production applications. Its slow release of QAC allows for long-lasting antimicrobial action, even in the presence of organic material. Its efficacy lasts for more than 90 washes, and importantly, once lost, it can readily be restored by spraying an aqueous solution of the QAC. We mainly tested cetyltrimethylammonium as QAC as it is already used in consumer care products. Our antimicrobial paint is broad spectrum as it showed excellent antimicrobial efficiency against four bacteria and four viruses.

Laticifers have been utilized as paradigms to enhance comprehension of specific facets of plant ecology and evolution. From the beginning of seedling growth, autonomous laticifer networks are formed throughout the plant structure, extending across all tissues and organs. The vast majority of identified products resulting from laticifer chemistry and metabolism are linked to plant defense. The latex, which is the fluid contained within laticifers, is maintained under pressure and has evolved to serve as a defense mechanism against both aggressors and invaders, irrespective of their capabilities or tactics. Remarkably, the latex composition varies among different species. The current goal is to understand the specific functions of various latex components in combating plant enemies. Therefore, the study of latex\'s chemical composition and proteome plays a critical role in advancing our understanding about plant defense mechanisms. Here, we will discuss some of these aspects.