Comparative proteomic analysis of early salt stress-responsive proteins in roots of SnRK2 transgenic rice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rice roots are highly salt-sensitive organ and primary root growth is rapidly suppressed by salt stress. Sucrose nonfermenting 1-related protein kinase2 (SnRK2) family is one of the key regulator of hyper-osmotic stress signalling in various plant cells. To understand early salt response of rice roots and identify SnRK2 signaling components, proteome changes of transgenic rice roots over-expressing OSRK1, a rice SnRK2 kinase were investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Proteomes were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis and protein spots were identified by LC-MS/MS from wild type and OSRK1 transgenic rice roots exposed to 150 mM NaCl for either 3 h or 7 h. Fifty two early salt -responsive protein spots were identified from wild type rice roots. The major up-regulated proteins were enzymes related to energy regulation, amino acid metabolism, methylglyoxal detoxification, redox regulation and protein turnover. It is noted that enzymes known to be involved in GA-induced root growth such as fructose bisphosphate aldolase and methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase were clearly down-regulated. In contrast to wild type rice roots, only a few proteins were changed by salt stress in OSRK1 transgenic rice roots. A comparative quantitative analysis of the proteome level indicated that forty three early salt-responsive proteins were magnified in transgenic rice roots at unstressed condition. These proteins contain single or multiple potential SnRK2 recognition motives. In vitro kinase assay revealed that one of the identified proteome, calreticulin is a good substrate of OSRK1.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our present data implicate that rice roots rapidly changed broad spectrum of energy metabolism upon challenging salt stress, and suppression of GA signaling by salt stress may be responsible for the rapid arrest of root growth and development. The broad spectrum of functional categories of proteins affected by over-expression of OSRK1 indicates that OSRK1 is an upstream regulator of stress signaling in rice roots. Enzymes involved in glycolysis, branched amino acid catabolism, dnaK-type molecular chaperone, calcium binding protein, Sal T and glyoxalase are potential targets of OSRK1 in rice roots under salt stress that need to be further investigated.</p

Diverse clinical presentation of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with pectus excavatum

ObjectivePatients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) tend to be young, tall, and thin, as do those with pectus excavatum (PE). Notably, the Haller index, which measures the severity of PE, tends also to be higher in patients with PSP, further suggesting a potential predisposing factor for the development of PSP in individuals with PE. This study aimed to share clinical experiences with case series of concomitant PSP and PE and to emphasize the importance of evaluating these two conditions together.MethodsIn this single-center study, we conducted a retrospective records review to identify patients who were diagnosed and treated (including surgical or conservative treatment and follow-up observation) for the diagnosis of PE between July 2011 and February 2023. From these, we selected patients who were diagnosed with both PE and PSP and analyzed their clinical presentations.ResultsAmong a total of 139 patients with PE, there were 8 (5.76%) who had concurrent diagnoses of PE and PSP and who underwent surgery for PSP, PE, or both. The average age of these 8 patients (male:female = 7:1) was 19.38 years. The 8 patients were grouped into four categories based on their clinical scenarios. Group A had 1 patient with PE diagnosed first, followed by the discovery of PSP during evaluation; Group B included 2 patients initially presenting with PSP and subsequently diagnosed with PE during evaluation; Group C consisted of 1 patient who had PSP before undergoing surgical PE correction; and Group D comprised 4 patients who developed PSP after PE correction.ConclusionsThe incidence of PSP in patients with PE was 5.76% (8 out of 139 patients), indicating the importance of vigilant monitoring for PSP prior to PE surgery, and vice versa. Furthermore, the authors recommend close observation for PSP independent of PE surgery, even in the absence of postoperative complications

Estimating contact-adjusted immunity levels against measles in South Korea and prospects for maintaining elimination status.

Measles has been reemerging in South Korea since December 2018 resulting in 185 cases by September 2019. We calculated contact-adjusted immunity levels against measles in South Korea using national seroprevalence data in 2014, vaccination uptake rates, and an age-specific contact matrix. We further explored options to achieve a contact-adjusted immunity level of 93% for herd immunity. The assessed contact-adjusted immunity level has increased from 86% in 2014 to 92% in 2018. Herd immunity could be achieved with immunizing 50% of susceptibles among birth cohorts 1999-2003 in 2018. Contact-adjusted immunity levels against measles have increased recently in South Korea, although they might not yet be high enough to guarantee herd immunity

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compatibility of the Polymer-based Cochlear Implant

ObjectivesIn this study, we compared the magnetic resonance (MR) image artifacts caused by a conventional metal-based cochlear implant and a newly developed liquid crystal polymer (LCP)-based device.MethodsThe metal-based cochlear implant system (Nurobiosys Co.) was attached to side of the head of a subject and the LCP-based device was attached to opposite side. In both devices, alignment magnets were removed for safety. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on a widely used 3.0 T and an ultra-high 7.0 T MRI machine. 3.0 and 7.0 T MR images were acquired using T1- and T2*-weighted gradient echo sequences, respectively.ResultsIn the 3.0 T images, the metal-based device on the left side generated the significant amount of artifacts. The MR images in the proximity of the metal package were obscured by the artifacts in both axial and sagittal views. On the other hand, the MR images near the LCP-based device were relatively free from the artifacts and clearly showed the brain structures. 7.0 T MR images showed the more severe distortion in the both sides but the metal-based cochlear implant system caused a much larger obscure area than the LCP-based system.ConclusionThe novel LCP-based cochlear implant provides a good MRI compatibility beyond present-day cochlear implants. Thus, MR images can be obtained from the subjects even with the implanted LCP-based neural prosthetic systems providing useful diagnostic information. Furthermore, it will be also useful for functional MRI studies of the auditory perception mechanism after cochlear implantations as well as for positron emission tomography-MRI hybrid imaging

Rapidly Progressive Cardiac Manifestation of Behçet's Disease Involving Conduction System and Aortic Valve

Cardiac conduction system impairment is a rare clinical manifestation of Behçet's disease. We report a patient who showed 1st degree atrioventricular block at first presentation, and showed aggravated finding of 3rd degree atrioventricular block on five months later. His cardiac manifestation finally developed to acute severe aortic regurgitation on six months later from his first cardiac manifestation. We observed this rapid progression during 6 months and successfully improved symptom and disease severity of the patient with treatment targeting Behçet's disease

Tuberculosis among Dislocated North Koreans Entering Republic of Korea since 1999

The collapse of North Korea's public health system has increased the development of tuberculosis (TB) in its populace. This study investigated the prevalence of active and latent TB infection (LTBI) in such people who have settled in the Republic of Korea since 1999. From 1999 to August 2006, 7,722 dislocated North Koreans entered the Republic of Korea and all were screened immediately for active TB. Demographic and clinical characteristics were reviewed from the official records of the Settlement Support Office for Dislocated North Koreans, based in the Ministry of Unification. Of 7,722 participants, 87 (1.13%) were diagnosed with active TB from 1999 to August 2006. Of these, 78 (90%) had pulmonary TB. Checking for the presence of a Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scar and tuberculin skin test has been performed in all dislocated North Koreans since November 2005. Of 1,112 participants, BCG vaccination scars were found in 67.4%. The tuberculin-positive rate using two tuberculin unit doses of the purified protein derivative RT23 (≥10 mm in diameter) was 81.5%. The prevalence of active TB and LTBI in dislocated North Koreans was high. Because this group bears a disproportionate burden of TB, we need to initiate a specific control programme and to plan for the impact of this disease in the Republic of Korea