Serpin genes AtSRP2 and AtSRP3 are required for normal growth sensitivity to a DNA alkylating agent in Arabidopsis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The complex responses of plants to DNA damage are incompletely understood and the role of members of the serpin protein family has not been investigated. Serpins are functionally diverse but structurally conserved proteins found in all three domains of life. In animals, most serpins have regulatory functions through potent, irreversible inhibition of specific serine or cysteine proteinases via a unique suicide-substrate mechanism. Plant serpins are also potent proteinase inhibitors, but their physiological roles are largely unknown.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Six <it>Arabidopsis </it>genes encoding full-length serpins were differentially expressed in developing seedlings and mature tissues. Basal levels of <it>AtSRP2 </it>(At2g14540) and <it>AtSRP3 </it>(At1g64030) transcripts were highest in reproductive tissues. <it>AtSRP2 </it>was induced 5-fold and <it>AtSRP3 </it>100-fold after exposure of seedlings to low concentrations of methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), a model alkylating reagent that causes DNA damage. Homozygous T-DNA insertion mutants <it>atsrp2 </it>and <it>atsrp3 </it>exhibited no differential growth when mutant and wild-type plants were left untreated or exposed to γ-radiation or ultraviolet light. In contrast, <it>atsrp2 </it>and <it>atsrp3 </it>plants exhibited greater root length, leaf number and overall size than wild-type plants when exposed to MMS. Neither of the two serpins was required for meiosis. GFP-AtSRP2 was localized to the nucleus, whereas GFP-AtSRP3 was cytosolic, suggesting that they target different proteinases. Induction of cell cycle- and DNA damage-related genes <it>AtBRCA1</it>, <it>AtBARD1</it>, <it>AtRAD51</it>, <it>AtCYCB1;1 </it>and <it>AtCYCD1;1</it>, but not <it>AtATM</it>, was reduced relative to wild-type in <it>atsrp2 </it>and <it>atsrp3 </it>mutants exposed to MMS.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Expression of specific serpin genes (<it>AtSRP2 </it>and <it>AtSRP3 </it>in <it>Arabidopsis</it>) is required for normal responses of plants following exposure to alkylating genotoxins such as MMS.</p

Retrieval of NO2 Column Amounts from Ground-Based Hyperspectral Imaging Sensor Measurements

Total column amounts of NO2 (TCN) were estimated from ground-based hyperspectral imaging sensor (HIS) measurements in a polluted urban area (Seoul, Korea) by applying the radiance ratio fitting method with five wavelength pairs from 400 to 460 nm. We quantified the uncertainty of the retrieved TCN based on several factors. The estimated TCN uncertainty was up to 0.09 Dobson unit (DU), equivalent to 2.687 ?? 1020 molecules m???2) given a 1?? error for the observation geometries, including the solar zenith angle, viewing zenith angle, and relative azimuth angle. About 0.1 DU (6.8%) was estimated for an aerosol optical depth (AOD) uncertainty of 0.01. In addition, the uncertainty due to the NO2 vertical profile was 14% to 22%. Compared with the co-located Pandora spectrophotometer measurements, the HIS captured the temporal variation of the TCN during the intensive observation period. The correlation between the TCN from the HIS and Pandora also showed good agreement, with a slight positive bias (bias: 0.6 DU, root mean square error: 0.7 DU)

Capnography for Assessing Nocturnal Hypoventilation and Predicting Compliance with Subsequent Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients with ALS

BACKGROUND: Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suffer from hypoventilation, which can easily worsen during sleep. This study evaluated the efficacy of capnography monitoring in patients with ALS for assessing nocturnal hypoventilation and predicting good compliance with subsequent noninvasive ventilation (NIV) treatment. METHODS: Nocturnal monitoring and brief wake screening by capnography/pulse oximetry, functional scores, and other respiratory signs were assessed in 26 patients with ALS. Twenty-one of these patients were treated with NIV and had their treatment compliance evaluated. RESULTS: Nocturnal capnography values were reliable and strongly correlated with the patients' respiratory symptoms (R(2) = 0.211-0.305, p = 0.004-0.021). The duration of nocturnal hypercapnea obtained by capnography exhibited a significant predictive power for good compliance with subsequent NIV treatment, with an area-under-the-curve value of 0.846 (p = 0.018). In contrast, no significant predictive values for nocturnal pulse oximetry or functional scores for nocturnal hypoventilation were found. Brief waking supine capnography was also useful as a screening tool before routine nocturnal capnography monitoring. CONCLUSION: Capnography is an efficient tool for assessing nocturnal hypoventilation and predicting good compliance with subsequent NIV treatment of ALS patients, and may prove useful as an adjunctive tool for assessing the need for NIV treatment in these patients

The relationship between temporomandibular joint disk displacement and mandibular asymmetry in skeletal Class III patients

Objective: To investigate the relationship between temporomandibular joint disk displacement (TMJ DD) and facial asymmetry in skeletal Class III patients. Materials and Methods: The subjects comprised 97 skeletal Class III adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment. In addition to the routine lateral and posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms, and regardless of the TMJ status, each subject consented to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate their TMJs. According to MRI readings, subjects were classified into four groups: group 1, bilateral normal disk position; group 2, bilateral DD with or without reduction; group 3, DD more advanced on the right side; and group 4, DD more advanced on the left side. PA and lateral cephalometric variables were analyzed to compare the four groups. Results: When the TMJ DD was more advanced on one side than on the other, the chin point usually deviated to the advanced side. When the TMJ DD status was equal or bilaterally normal, the amount of mandibular deviation was not significant. Conclusions: If a skeletal Class III patient has an asymmetric face, especially in the mandibular region, careful examination is necessary with regard to the status of the TMJ during orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. (Angle Orthod. 2011;81:624-631.)

Effects of insertion angle and implant thread type on the fracture properties of orthodontic mini-implants during insertion

Objective: To determine the effects of insertion angle (IA) and thread type on the fracture properties of orthodontic mini-implants (OMIs) during insertion. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 OMIs (self-drilling cylindrical; 11 mm in length) were allocated into 10 groups according to thread type (dual or single) and IA (0 degrees, 8 degrees, 13 degrees, 18 degrees, and 23 degrees) (n = 10 per group). The OMIs were placed into artificial materials simulating human tissues: two-layer bone blocks (Sawbones), root (polymethylmethacrylate stick), and periodontal ligament (Imprint-II Garant light-body). Maximum insertion torque (MIT), total insertion energy (TIE), and peak time (PT) were measured and analyzed statistically. Results: There were significant differences in MIT, TIE, and PT among the different IAs and threads (all P<.001). When IA increased, MIT increased in both thread groups. However, TIE and PT did not show significant differences among 0 degrees, 8 degrees, and 13 degrees IAs in the dual-thread group or 8 degrees, 13 degrees, and 18 degrees IAs in the single-thread group. The dual-thread groups showed higher MIT at all IAs, higher TIE at 0 degrees and 23 degrees IAs, and longer PT at a 23 degrees IA than the single-thread groups. In the 0 degrees, 8 degrees, and 13 degrees IA groups, none of the OMIs fractured or became deformed. However, in the 18 degrees IA group, all the OMIs were fractured or deformed. Dual-thread OMIs showed more fracturing than deformation compared to single-thread OMIs (P < .01). In the 23 degrees IA group, all OMIs penetrated the artificial root without fracturing and deformation. Conclusions: When OMIs contact artificial root at a critical contact angle, the deformation or fracture of OMIs can occur at lower MIT values than those of penetration.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2013-01/102/0000004298/8SEQ:8PERF_CD:SNU2013-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000004298ADJUST_YN:YEMP_ID:A072100DEPT_CD:852CITE_RATE:1.184FILENAME:조일식-백승학.pdfDEPT_NM:치의과학과SCOPUS_YN:YCONFIRM:

Presumed Necrotizing Viral Retinitis after Intravitreal Triamcinolone Injection: Case Report

A 56-year-old man presented with anterior chamber inflammation, increased intraocular pressure, peripheral retinal infiltration, and generalized retinal arterial obstruction suggesting acute retinal necrosis five months after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (IVTA). He was treated with intravenous antiviral agents and aspirin. Shortly after treatment, retinal infiltrations were resolved, and partial recanalization of the obstructed vessel was observed. Viral retinitis may occur as an opportunistic infection following IVTA due to the local immune modulatory effect of the steroid; hence, close observation following IVTA is necessary