Maltose­binding protein switches programmed cell death in Nicotiana glutinosa leaf cells

Maltose-binding protein (MBP) is a part of the complex regulatory and transport maltose system of Escherichia coli that is responsible for the uptake and efficient catabolism of maltodextrins through the trans-membrane signaling at the expense of ATP. In the present work, this bacterial periplasmic protein was identified as a cell death inducer in Nicotiana glutinosa plant. Upon exogenous application at the concentrations more than 50 μg/mL, purified MBP protein induced wilting and localized cell death on the leaves of test plant. DNA fragmentation assay and antioxidant enzymes activity test showed that the induced cell death might be programmed. It was predicted that maltose-binding protein signals programmed cell death (PCD) upstream of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA fragmentation processes in the test plant leaves. However, it needs to be clarified that how MBP switches and signals PCD in plant tissues.Белок, связывающий мальтозу (МСБ), является частью сложной системы регуляции и транспорта мальтозы у Escherichia coli. Он отвечает за поглощение и эффективный катаболизм мальтозы с помощью трансмембранной передачи сигнала за счет АТФ. В настоящей работе показано, что этот бактериальный перипластный белок является индуктором клеточ-ной гибели у Nicotiana glutinosa. При экзогенном нанесении в концентрациях более чем 50 мг/мг очищенный МСБ индуцирует увядание и локали-зованную клеточную гибель в листьях тестовых растений. Анализ фрагментации ДНК и активности антиоксидантных ферментов показал, что индуцированная гибель клеток может быть запрограммированной. Предполагается, что МСБ может влиять на развитие программированной клеточной гибели через сигналинг активных форм кислорода и регуляцию процессов фрагментации ДНК в листьях тестовых растений, однако механизм такого воздействия подлежит дальнейшему исследованию

The possible involvement of D-amino acids or their metabolites in Arabidopsis cysteine proteinase/cystatin-dependent proteolytic pathway

Cysteine proteinases and their inhibitors ‘cystatins’ play essential roles in plant growth and development. They are involved in various signaling pathways and in the response to wide ranges of biotic and abiotic environmental stresses. To investigate their possible influence from D-amino acids or their metabolism in vivo, Arabidopsis seedlings were allowed to grow under four physico-chemically different D-amino acids including D-aspartate, D-serine, D-alanine and D-phenylalanine containing media. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of cysteine proteinase and cystatin gene expressions showed that the addition of D-amino acid to the plant growth media considerably induce the expression of proteinase transcript while decrease the expression level of inhibitor gene in the leaf and root tissues of the test plant in overall. Based on the obtained results the potential impact of D-amino acids or their metabolism on the activity of cysteine proteinase/cystatin-dependent proteolytic apparatus as well as their possible cooperation were predicted and discussed in the plant system.Цистеинпротеиназы и их ингибиторы цистатины играют существенную роль в росте и развитии ратений. Они вовлечены в различные сигнальные пути и в ответ на широкий спектр биотических и абиотических стрессов. Для изучения возможного влияния на них D-аминокислот или их метаболизма in vivo проростки Arabidopsis выращивали на средах в присутствии четырех физико-химически различных аминокислот, включая D-аспартат, D-серин, D-аланин и D-фенилаланин. RT-PCR анализ цистеин-протеиназы и экспрессии гена цистатина показал, что добавление D-аминокислот в среду для выращивания растений значительно индуцировало экспрессию транскриптов протеиназ, в то же время снижая уровень экспрессии гена-ингибитора в тканях листьев и корней исследуемых растений. На основании полученных результатов обсуждается потенциальное влияние D-аминокислот или их метаболизма на активность в цистеинпротеиназа/цистатин-зависимом протеолитическом пути, а также ихвозможное взаимодействие в растительной системе.The present work was financially supported by Research Institute for Fundamental Sciences (RIFS), University of Tabriz, Iran. The authors of this paper are thanks for their supporting

Treatment of Complicated Henoch-Schönlein Purpura with Mycophenolate Mofetil: A Retrospective Case Series Report

Background. Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common childhood vasculitis with an incidence of approximately 10 per 100 000 children. There is some evidence to support steroid therapy in the treatment of severe abdominal pain, severe nephritis, and central nervous system involvement. However, the routine use of corticosteroids is controversial. Frequent relapses, lack of response to steroid, steroid dependency, and steroid side effects may occur in some patients. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) gains increasing popularity in the treatment of autoimmune disorders, but hitherto, the available evidence to support the use of MMF in HSP is limited to some case study reports. Case Presentation. We report six children with HSP who failed to respond to systemic steroid therapy, whereas MMF successfully treated the manifestations of the disease. Conclusion. The manifestations of HSP disappeared mainly during the first week of treatment with MMF and all the patients were in a complete remission at the end and after discontinuation of the therapy. In our experience, MMF appeared to be safe and effective for the maintenance of remission in the HSP patients

Cisgenic inhibition of the potato cold induced phosphorylase L gene expression and decrease in sugar contents

To decrease the accumulation of reducing and non-reducing sugar in potato tubers stored at low temperature, a single gene silencing vector pARTPhL-IR, harboring a part of starch phosphorylase L gene as inverted repeats with pdk intron within was constructed and transformed into potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars Agria and Marfona. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nptII gene and pdk intron indicated that the RNA interference construct was transformed successfully into the genome. Real time RT-PCR analysis of starch phosphorylase L gene in stored microtubers for 90 days at 4°C showed that the expression level of this gene in transgenics ranged from 1.63 to 7.54% of that in the non-transgenic plants. Analysis of sugar content in these plants showed that the total sugar content in transgenic microtubers was significantly reduced compared to the control, up to 35% in line M4. The accumulation of reducing sugars in transgenic lines at 4°C was reduced from 9.13 (in Agria) to 5.57 mg/g fresh weight (transgenic line A5) and from 9.56 (in Marfona) to 6.52 mg/g fresh weight (transgenic line M4), implying that silencing of starch phosphorylase L gene reduced starch breakdown during cold storage conditions.Key words: Cold sweetening, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), RNA interference, starch phosphorylase L. gene

Development and optimization of a new suspension system for lower limb prosthesis

The increasing rate of lower limb amputations reinforces the need to develop a new suspension system that provides a better quality of life for the lower limb amputees. This study aimed to present a novel suspension system that improves amputee’s satisfaction in terms of donning and doffing process of the prosthetic lower limb. The design of the proposed suspension system was developed following the design methodology, to establish the amputee’s needs, objectives, functions, requirements and specifications in order to op-timize the final solution. The final solution is a combination of a guiding and fixation mechanisms that improve the donning and doffing process by driv-ing the serrated pin to the fixation system. The proposed suspension system is a good alternative to improve the quality of life of amputees with lower activity level on the daily basis.(undefined

AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT THROUGH MAGNETIZATION OF IRRIGATION AND DRINKING WATER: A REVIEW

    Received 03 December 2017; Accepted 18 February 2018 *Corresponding Author M. Gholizadeh Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Email: [email protected] ©This article is open access and licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, or format for any purpose, even commercially provided the work is properly cited. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. Agricultural water management in arid and semi-arid countries such as Iran is of utmost importance. Alterations of water as a major component of each bio system through magnetization have been reviewed in this study. Magnetization process has been used as green technology in industry and agriculture with controversial results. Properties of water such as pH, hydrogen bonds, temperature, structure and its ions can be affected by an external magnetic field. Subsequent modifications have substantial impacts on water quality that is determined for optimum plant and animal production. There are some reports among numerous studies in agronomy, gardening and animal husbandry which claim fruitful influence of this treatment both qualitatively and quantitatively. Nevertheless, there are some controversial reports on the effects of magnetization. In conclusion, the response of organisms depends on magnetization time and intensity, water quality and plant or animal species. These variables should be taken into account for further studies regarding this mysteries process

Examining perceived and actual diabetes knowledge among nurses working in a tertiary hospital

© 2017 Background With the worldwide increase in the incidence and prevalence of diabetes, there has been an increase in the scope and scale of nursing care and education required for patients with diabetes. The high prevalence of diabetes in Saudi Arabia makes this a particular priority for this country. Aim The aim of this study was to examine nurses’ perceived and actual knowledge of diabetes and its care and management in Saudi Arabia. Methods A convenience sample of 423 nurses working in Prince Sultan Medical Military City in Saudi Arabia was surveyed in this descriptive, cross-sectional study. Perceived knowledge was assessed using the Diabetes Self-Report Tool, while the Diabetes Basic Knowledge Tool was used to assess the actual knowledge of participants. Results The nurses generally had a positive view of their diabetes knowledge, with a mean score (SD) of 46.9 (6.1) (of maximum 60) for the Diabetes Self-Report Tool. Their actual knowledge scores ranged from 2 to 35 with a mean (SD) score of 25.4 (6.2) (of maximum of 49). Nurses’ perceived and actual knowledge of diabetes varied according to their demographic and practice details. Perceived competency, current provision of diabetes care, education level and attendance at any diabetes education programs predicted perceived knowledge; these factors, with gender predicted, with actual diabetes knowledge scores. Conclusion In this multi-ethnic workforce, findings indicated a significant gap between participants’ perceived and actual knowledge. Factors predictive of high levels of knowledge provide pointers to ways to improve diabetes knowledge amongst nurses

Effects of salicylic acid and spermine foliar application on some morphological and physiological characteristics of isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk) under water stress

ArticleYield as well as concentration of relevant component in many medical plants are influenced by growing condition water stress. Field experiment was done based on a randomized complete block design with 18 treatments and three replications, at Gonbad Kavous University, Golestan, Iran in winter 2016. Irrigation treatment with three levels (normal irrigation, water stress imposed at flowering stage or at seed filling stage) was placed in main plot. Salicylic acid (SA) with three levels (control, 0.4 and 0.8 mM) and spermine (Spm) with two levels (control and 0.02 mM) were assigned in sub-plots. Result showed the foliar application SA and Spm treatments under normal irrigation and cutoff irrigation at seed filling stage have significantly affected relative water content, electrolyte leakage and membrane stability index, but under cutoff irrigation at flowering stage did not significantly affected measured traits. Exogenous applications of SA and Spm applied increased the plant height, 1,000 grain weight and biological yield in compared to the non-use product at normal irrigation regime. Foliar spraying SA and Spm under cutoff irrigation at flowering stage did not significantly affected measured traits. Application product especially SA0.8 mM and Spm0.02 mM under cutoff irrigation at seed filling stage increased the most characteristics in compared to control. Foliar application of phenolic compounds such as salicylic acid and polyamines like spermine can be considered as an effective measure to reduce the adverse effects of water stress and ultimately increase the yield and yield components of isabgol

Medication adherence and predictive factors in patients with cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional study

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd Adherence to cardiac medications makes a significant contribution to avoidance of morbidity and premature mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. This quantitative study used cross-sectional survey design to evaluate medication adherence and contributing factors among patients with cardiovascular disease, comparing patients who were admitted to a cardiac ward (n = 89) and those attending outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (n = 31) in Australia. Data collection was completed between October 2016 and December 2017. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to identify medication adherence and determine factors independently predictive of medication adherence. Participants from cardiac rehabilitation had significantly lower adherence to cardiac medications than those recruited from the cardiac ward (58.1 vs 64.0%, respectively). Self-efficacy was significantly associated with participants' medication adherence in both groups. The ability to refill medications and beliefs about cardiac medications were independently significantly predictive of cardiac medication adherence. These findings indicate areas where clinical nurses could expand their role to improve cardiac patients' medication self-management

Challenges of the preceptors working with new nurses: A phenomenological research study

© 2016. Introduction: Preceptors play an important role in the transition of new nurses to the practice setting, however, preceptorship experience has been perceived as stressful by preceptors. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurse preceptors working with new nurses. Method: This qualitative study used the hermeneutic phenomenological design to explore the experiences of six nurse preceptors working with new nurses in a tertiary pediatric teaching hospital in Northwest of Iran, who were recruited by purposive sampling. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured individual interviews between July 2014 and March 2015, and analyzed using the Diekelmann's seven-stage method. Results: Data analysis revealed three themes: 1) preceptorship as a challenging and stressful role; 2) lack of support; and 3) lack of appreciation. Preceptorship as 'a challenging and stressful role' was the constitutive pattern that unified the themes. Conclusion: The preceptorship of new nurses is challenging and stressful. Preceptors endure several roles concurrently, thus, their workload should be balanced appropriately in order not to compromise with one another and evade burnout. The preceptors need to be well supported and their contribution be appropriately recognized. Setting clear objectives and realistic expectations, and having clear policies and guidelines in place should help develop a preceptorship program that is more likely to bring about positive outcomes for both preceptors and new nurses