Dataset Information

A continuum model for metabolic gas exchange in pear fruit.

ABSTRACT: Exchange of O(2) and CO(2) of plants with their environment is essential for metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. In some fruits such as pears, which are typically stored under a controlled atmosphere with reduced O(2) and increased CO(2) levels to extend their commercial storage life, anoxia may occur, eventually leading to physiological disorders. In this manuscript we have developed a mathematical model to predict the internal gas concentrations, including permeation, diffusion, and respiration and fermentation kinetics. Pear fruit has been selected as a case study. The model has been used to perform in silico experiments to evaluate the effect of, for example, fruit size or ambient gas concentration on internal O(2) and CO(2) levels. The model incorporates the actual shape of the fruit and was solved using fluid dynamics software. Environmental conditions such as temperature and gas composition have a large effect on the internal distribution of oxygen and carbon dioxide in fruit. Also, the fruit size has a considerable effect on local metabolic gas concentrations; hence, depending on the size, local anaerobic conditions may result, which eventually may lead to physiological disorders. The model developed in this manuscript is to our knowledge the most comprehensive model to date to simulate gas exchange in plant tissue. It can be used to evaluate the effect of environmental stresses on fruit via in silico experiments and may lead to commercial applications involving long-term storage of fruit under controlled atmospheres.

SUBMITTER: Ho QT

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2265468 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A continuum model for metabolic gas exchange in pear fruit.

Ho Q Tri QT Verboven Pieter P Verlinden Bert E BE Lammertyn Jeroen J Vandewalle Stefan S Nicolaï Bart M BM

PLoS computational biology 20080307 3

Exchange of O(2) and CO(2) of plants with their environment is essential for metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. In some fruits such as pears, which are typically stored under a controlled atmosphere with reduced O(2) and increased CO(2) levels to extend their commercial storage life, anoxia may occur, eventually leading to physiological disorders. In this manuscript we have developed a mathematical model to predict the internal gas concentrations, including permeation, d ...[more]

PMID: 18369422

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Project description:Background: HIV infection is associated with impaired gas transfer in the lung as indicated by a low diffusing capacity (DLCO). Mechanisms for reduced DLCO in the setting of HIV infection are not well understood. We hypothesized that HIV-associated gas exchange impairment is indicative of system-wide perturbations that could be reflected by alterations in peripheral blood gene expression. Methods: A total of 40 HIV-infected (HIV+) and uninfected (HIV-) men with preserved versus reduced DLCO were selected from a larger cohort study of lung function. All subjects were current smokers and those with acute illness, lung diseases other than COPD or asthma were excluded. Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and hybridized to whole-genome microarrays. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed between HIV+ vs. HIV- subjects with preserved DLCO and those with impaired DLCO to identify differentially activated pathways. Results: Using pathway-based analyses we found that in subjects with preserved DLCO, HIV infection is associated with activation of processes involved in immunity, cell cycle, and apoptosis. When we applied a similar analysis to subjects with low DLCO, we identified a much broader repertoire of inflammatory and immune-related pathways in HIV+ patients relative to HIV- subjects, with up-regulation of multiple interleukin pathways, interferon signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, and T cell/B cell receptor signaling. We confirmed elevated circulating levels of IL-6 in HIV+ patients with reduced DLCO relative to the other groups. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that PBLs of subjects with HIV infection and low DLCO are distinguished by widespread enrichment of immuno-inflammatory programs. Activation of these pathways may alter the biology of circulating leukocytes and play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated pulmonary gas exchange impairment. Total RNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes in four subject groups: 1. HIV-, low DLCO (N = 11); 2. HIV+, low DLCO (N = 10); 3. HIV-, preserved DLCO (N = 9); 4. HIV+, preserved DLCO (N = 9). Each sample was hybridized to an Affymetrix PrimeView Human Gene Expression microarray for a total of 39 experiments.

Dataset Information

A continuum model for metabolic gas exchange in pear fruit.

Publications

A continuum model for metabolic gas exchange in pear fruit.

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