Timely removal of exogenous cytokinin and the prevention of auxin transport from the shoot to the root affect the regeneration potential of Arabidopsis roots

In vitro regeneration of Arabidopsis from roots is generally achieved via indirect organogenesis. First, transdifferentiation of lateral root primordia to calli is achieved by a balanced auxin-to-cytokinin ratio that is followed by the induction of shoot meristem formation using a high cytokinin level. Here we demonstrate that if the root explants were transferred onto a hormone-free medium after a transient (4-days) cytokinin treatment, embryogenic marker genes (LEC1, LEC2, FUS3) started to be expressed. App. 50% of the regeneration foci developed into plantlets with trichome-less cotyledon-like leaves. Moreover, the somatic embryogenesis defective lec1 mutant could regenerate only shoots with trichome-bearing leaves under this condition. Based on these observations, the mixed accomplishment of shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis is hypothesized in the Arabidopsis root explants cultured under hormone-free conditions following cytokinin induction. Using whole seedlings instead of root explants in the same experimental set up, no regenerates were formed on the roots. Applying the auxin transport inhibitor TIBA to the root-to-shoot junction of the seedlings, the regeneration ability of the root could be restored. The observations indicate that shoot-derived endogenous auxin blocks the cytokinin-induced regeneration process in the roots of whole seedlings. The expression of the wound-induced transcription factor WIND1 could be detected in the roots of unwounded seedlings if the shoot-to-root auxin transport was inhibited. Manipulating the exogenous cytokinin level together with the endogenous shoot-to-root auxin transport therefore could mimic the effect of wounding (removal of shoot) on plant regeneration from roots. Key message Transferring root explants from high cytokinin to hormone-free conditions resulted in the expression of embryogenic markers. Inhibiting the shoot-to-root auxin transport had similar effect on regeneration as wounding

Role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases in the regulation of inflammatory processes

AbstractPARP enzymes influence the immune system at several key points and thus modulate inflammatory diseases. PARP enzymes affect immune cell maturation and differentiation and regulate the expression of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase and adhesion molecules. Moreover, PARP enzymes are key regulators of cell death during inflammation-related oxidative and nitrosative stress. Here we provide an overview of the different inflammatory diseases regulated by PARP enzymes

Rezidensek és szakorvosok laparoscopos technikájának felmérése MENTOR(R) tréningboksz segitségével.

Introduction: Operating room is not the ideal place to acquire laparoscopic skills since patients can be put at risk and it is also relatively expensive. Using training boxes seems to be a more appropriate way of teaching and learning the technique, but there is little data about measuring the technique of experienced specialists and comparing their results with residents. Methods: At the 1st Department of Surgery, Semmelweis University we tested 30 residents and 25 specialists in general surgery and urology on MENTOR(R) training box. Before training, all participants completed a questionnaire on professional experience, previous usage of training boxes, virtual simulators, and videogames, and whether they played a musical instrument earlier. Subjects were asked to complete in a defined time limit 3 of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery tasks (which is required for American surgical residents for surgical board examination), and 3 tasks decided by us. Linear regression analysis (ANOVA table) was used to evaluate the data. Results: 16% of the specialists and 6.66% of the residents completed all tasks within time limit. Statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) was demonstrated between the number of previous laparoscopic surgeries and task completion time, while there were no significant correlations between other factors, which may influence laparoscopic technique and task completion time. Conclusions: Training boxes are suitable for developing eye-hand coordination and bimanuality, as well as for learning instrument handling. Nonetheless, residents acquire most of their laparoscopic surgical skills on patients in Hungary, yet. For this reason there is a need for organized training opportunities

HPLC Monitoring of the Microsomal Stability of Rutin and Quercetin

Reversed-phase HPLC has been used to monitor the concentration of the two major Chamomile components rutin and quercetin during rat liver microsomal treatment. The possibility of microsomal oxidative metabolism or stability of these two components was examined using a guard-column without any clean-up. The concentration of quercetin decreased when exposed to rat liver microsomal media whereas the rutin concentration did not change significantly over one hour of treatment

Human fetuin/α2HS-glycoprotein level as a novel indicator of liver cell function and short-term mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer

Objective: Human fetuin/?2HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) is synthesized by hepatocytes. We intended to determine whether liver dysfunction or acute phase reaction is dominant in the regulation of its serum concentrations and to see if decreased AHGS levels are associated with short-term mortality. Design: We determined the serum AHSG levels in patients with acute alcoholic, acute A, B, and Epstein-Barr virus hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer and correlated them to conventional laboratory parameters of inflammation and liver function. Patients were followed for 1 month. Methods: Serum AHSG was determined by radial immunodiffusion. Results: Compared to controls, significantly lower AHSG levels were found in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer but not the acute viral hepatitides. Strong positive correlation with serum transferrin, albumin and prothrombin was found. Febrile episodes were not associated with significantly decreased AHSG levels. Concentrations below 300 ?g/ml were associated with high mortality rate (52.00%; relative risk, 5.497; 95% confidence interval, 2.472-12.23; P < 0.0001). Of all laboratory parameters studied serum AHSG levels showed the greatest difference between deceased and survived patients with cirrhosis and cancer. Moreover, other acute phase reactants did not differ significantly. The multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the decrease of serum AHSG is independent of all other variables that were found decreased in deceased patients. Conclusions: Decreased serum AHSG concentration is due rather to hepatocellular dysfunction than the acute phase reaction and is an outstanding predictor of short-term mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. ? 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ambulatory Care Antibiotic Use in Hungary: A Population-Based Observational Study

The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have potentially impacted the use of antibiotics. We aimed to analyze the use of systemic antibiotics (J01) in ambulatory care in Hungary during two pandemic years, to compare it with pre-COVID levels (January 2015–December 2019), and to describe trends based on monthly utilization. Our main findings were that during the studied COVID-19 pandemic period, compared to the pre-COVID level, an impressive 23.22% decrease in the use of systemic antibiotics was detected in ambulatory care. A significant reduction was shown in the use of several antibacterial subgroups, such as beta-lactam antibacterials, penicillins (J01C, −26.3%), and quinolones (J01M, −36.5%). The trends of antibiotic use moved in parallel with the introduction or revoking of restriction measures with a nadir in May 2020, which corresponded to a 55.46% decrease in use compared to the previous (pre-COVID) year’s monthly means. In general, the systemic antibiotic use (J01) was lower compared to the pre-COVID periods’ monthly means in almost every studied pandemic month, except for three months from September to November in 2021. The seasonal variation of antibiotic use also diminished. Active agent level analysis revealed an excessive use of azithromycin, even after evidence of ineffectiveness for COVID-19 emerged

Significant microsynteny with new evolutionary highlights is detected between Arabidopsis and legume model plants despite the lack of macrosynteny

The increased amount of data produced by large genome sequencing projects allows scientists to carry out important syntenic studies to a great extent. Detailed genetic maps and entirely or partially sequenced genomes are compared, and macro- and microsyntenic relations can be determined for different species. In our study, the syntenic relationships between key legume plants and two model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana and Populus trichocarpa were investigated. The comparison of the map position of 172 gene-based Medicago sativa markers to the organization of homologous A. thaliana genes could not identify any sign of macrosynteny between the two genomes. A 276 kb long section of chromosome 5 of the model legume Medicago truncatula was used to investigate potential microsynteny with the other legume Lotus japonicus, as well as with Arabidopsis and Populus. Besides the overall correlation found between the legume plants, the comparison revealed several microsyntenic regions in the two more distant plants with significant resemblance. Despite the large phylogenetic distance, clear microsyntenic regions between Medicago and Arabidopsis or Populus were detected unraveling new intragenomic evolutionary relations in Arabidopsis