Comparative transcriptional analysis of caffeoyl-coenzyme A 3-O-methyltransferase from Hibiscus cannabinus L., during developmental stages in various tissues and stress regulation,”

Abstract We have cloned a full-length gene, putatively encoding for caffeoyl-coenzyme A 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), an important enzyme involved in lignin biosynthesis, from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.). Herein, we investigated the expression pattern of a CCoAOMT orthologue from various tissues and organs during development, and in response to different environmental cues. The full-length CCoAOMT orthologue of kenaf consists of a 744 bp open reading frame (ORF), encoding for 247 amino acids of 27.91 kDa and an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.43. The deduced amino acids of CCoAOMT evidenced a high degree of identity (up to 84%) with other plant CCoAOMT sequences. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated its close relationship with the CCoAOMT of Gossypium hirsutum (ACQ59096). Kenaf CCoAOMT harbors eight highly conserved motifs: A, B, and C are putative S-adenosylmethioine (SAM)-binding motifs and D, E, F, G, and H are CCoAOMT signature motifs. According to quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) analysis, the kenaf CCoAOMT transcript was detected in all plant tissues and organs, whereas the highest expression was noted in mature flower tissues, which indicates that it might be involved in the flower development or in the biosynthesis of flower specific compound. All the treatments highly induced the expression of CCoAOMT transcripts in the stems of 3-week-old kenaf, which indicates that it might have a role in stress regulatory pathway. Among the treatments, the cold and H 2 O 2 -treated samples evidenced the highest levels of expression at 6 and 24 h after treatment, respectively, whereas the wounded and NaCl-treated samples evidenced lower expression levels, which suggest that different signaling networks are involved for stress mediated up regulation of HcCCoAOMT transcripts. The highest transcript level of CCoAOMT was detected at either early (within 12 h of treatments) or intermediate (24 h after treatments) time points of treatments, except drought treated sample. Early induction was observed in the case of H 2 O 2 and SA (salicylic acid), and intermediate induction occurring as the result of wounding, NaCl, cold and ABA (abscisic acid). Whereas drought treated sample showed highest expression at seven days after treatment. MeJA (methyl jasmonic acid) treatment showed a complex biphasic expression which is different from others. In summary, we have cloned and characterized a full-length gene putatively encoding for CCoAOMT, which also showed stress responsive differential expression

Prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus Infections and Cervical Cytological Abnormalities among Korean Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

We performed a multicenter cross-sectional study of 134 sexually active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for high risk human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and cervical cytological abnormalities among Korean women with SLE. In this multicenter cross-sectional study, HPV testing and routine cervical cytologic examination was performed. HPV was typed using a hybrid method or the polymerase chain reaction. Data on 4,595 healthy women were used for comparison. SLE patients had greater prevalence of high-risk HPV infection (24.6% vs. 7.9%, P<0.001, odds ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval 2.5-5.7) and of abnormal cervical cytology (16.4 vs. 2.8%, P<0.001, OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.5-7.8) compared with controls. SLE itself was identified as independent risk factors for high risk HPV infection among Korean women (OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.5-5.7) along with ≥2 sexual partners (OR 8.5, 95% CI 1.2-61.6), and Pap smear abnormalities (OR 97.3, 95% CI 6.5-1,456.7). High-risk HPV infection and cervical cytological abnormalities were more common among Korean women with SLE than controls. SLE itself may be a risk factor for HPV infection among Korean women, suggesting the importance of close monitoring of HPV infections and abnormal Pap smears in SLE patients

Changes in Geochemical Composition of Groundwater Due to CO2 Leakage in Various Geological Media

This study evaluated the effects of CO2 leakage on the geochemical composition of groundwater in various geological media through long-term column experiments. Four columns were set up with soil representing a silicate aquifer; clean sand; a sand and limestone mixture; and alluvium soil, respectively. The experiments were conducted under the same experimental conditions for approximately one year. As the CO2-saturated synthetic groundwater was introduced into the columns, a decrease in pH and increases in electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, and concentrations of cations and trace elements were observed in all geological media. However, different patterns of changes were also observed depending on the mineralogical and physico-chemical characteristics of each material. As the column operation continued, while the pH decreased and low alkalinity values were more evident in the silicate soil and clean sand columns, the carbonate column continued to show high alkalinity and EC values in addition to high concentrations of most cations. The alluvium soil showed distinctive cation-exchange behaviors during the initial introduction of CO2. The results indicate that changes in the geochemical composition of groundwater will depend on the characteristic of the geological medium such as pH buffering capacity and cation exchange capacity. This study can be useful for monitoring and managing the impacts of CO2 leakage in various aquifer environments

Preparation and Characterization of Resorbable Bacterial Cellulose Membranes Treated by Electron Beam Irradiation for Guided Bone Regeneration

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an excellent biomaterial with many medical applications. In this study, resorbable BC membranes were prepared for guided bone regeneration (GBR) using an irradiation technique for applications in the dental field. Electron beam irradiation (EI) increases biodegradation by severing the glucose bonds of BC. BC membranes irradiated at 100 kGy or 300 kGy were used to determine optimal electron beam doses. Electron beam irradiated BC membranes (EI-BCMs) were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and using wet tensile strength measurements. In addition, in vitro cell studies were conducted in order to confirm the cytocompatibility of EI-BCMs. Cell viabilities of NIH3T3 cells on 100k and 300k EI-BCMs (100 kGy and 300 kGy irradiated BC membranes) were significantly greater than on NI-BCMs after 3 and 7 days (p &lt; 0.05). Bone regeneration by EI-BCMs and their biodegradabilities were also evaluated using in vivo rat calvarial defect models for 4 and 8 weeks. Histometric results showed 100k EI-BCMs exhibited significantly larger new bone area (NBA; %) than 300k EI-BCMs at 8 weeks after implantation (p &lt; 0.05). Mechanical, chemical, and biological analyses showed EI-BCMs effectively interacted with cells and promoted bone regeneration

Influence of Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment on Retentive Strength between Zirconia Crown and Titanium Implant Abutment

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTP) on retentive strength (RS) between the zirconia crown and the titanium implant abutment using self-adhesive resin cement. Surface free energy (SFE) was calculated on 24 cube-shaped zirconia blocks, and RS was measured on 120 zirconia crown-titanium abutment assemblies bonded with G-CEM LinkAce. The groups were categorized according to the zirconia surface treatment as follows: Control (no surface treatment), NTP, Si (Silane), NTP + Si, Pr (Z-Prime Plus), and NTP + Pr. Half of the RS test assemblies were aged by thermocycling for 5000 cycles at 5–55 °C. The SFE was calculated using the Owens-Wendt method, and the RS was measured using a universal testing machine at the maximum load until failure. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) was performed to evaluate the effect of surface treatments on the SFE and RS. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the RS according to thermocycling (p &lt; 0.05). For the SFE analysis, the NTP group had a significantly higher SFE value than the Control group (p &lt; 0.05). For the RS test, in non-thermocycling, the NTP group showed a significantly higher RS value than the Control group (p &lt; 0.05). However, in thermocycling, there was no significant difference between the Control and NTP groups (p &gt; 0.05). In non-thermocycling, comparing with the NTP + Si or NTP + Pr group, there was no significant difference from the Si or Pr group, respectively (p &gt; 0.05). Conversely, in thermocycling, the NTP + Si and NTP + Pr group had significantly lower RS than the Si and Pr group, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). These results suggest that NTP single treatment for the zirconia crown increases the initial RS but has little effect on the long-term RS. Applied with Silane or Z-Prime Plus, NTP pre-treatment has no positive effect on the RS

The Effect of Thickness of Resorbable Bacterial Cellulose Membrane on Guided Bone Regeneration

This study introduces the effect of the thickness of a bacterial cellulose membrane by comparing the bone regeneration effect on rat skulls when using a collagen membrane and different thicknesses of resorbable bacterial cellulose membranes for guided bone regeneration. Barrier membranes of 0.10 mm, 0.15 mm, and 0.20 mm in thickness were made using bacterial cellulose produced as microbial fermentation metabolites. Mechanical strength was investigated, and new bone formation was evaluated through animal experimental studies. Experimental animals were sacrificed after having 2 weeks and 8 weeks of recovery, and specimens were processed for histologic and histomorphometric analyses measuring the area of bone regeneration (%) using an image analysis program. In 2 weeks, bone-like materials and fibrous connective tissues were observed in histologic analysis. In 8 weeks, all experimental groups showed the arrangement of osteoblasts surrounding the supporting body on the margin and center of the bone defect region. However, the amount of new bone formation was significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) in bacterial cellulose membrane with 0.10 mm in thickness compared to the other experimental groups. Within the limitations of this study, a bacterial cellulose membrane with 0.10 mm thickness induced the most effective bone regeneration

A Case of Submandibular Leiomyosarcoma, Mimicking an Abscess, in a Ball Python (Python regius)

A two-year-old ball python with a submandibular mass was evaluated. Fine needle aspiration resulted in debris containing purulent materials and bacterial cells on cytology. Radiography demonstrated multi-focal radiopaque lesions in the mass, which were suspected to be mineralization; there was an absence of mandibular invasion or lung involvement. Gross examination of the surgically excised mass revealed a multi-nodular, well-circumscribed lesion with purulent material. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. The histopathological examination followed by immunohistochemistry analysis gave a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. As tumors containing purulent materials can be confused with an abscess, diagnostic confirmation with various diagnostical tools should be considered