27 research outputs found
Identification of differentially expressed genes in developing cotton fibers (Gossypium hirsutum L) through differential display
Identification of differentially expressed genes in developing cotton fibers (Gossypium hirsutum L) through differential display
Cotton fibers are differentiated, non-dividing cells that originate
from the epidermal layer of developing ovules. To identify genes
involved in cotton fiber development, we performed non-radioactive
differential display reverse transcriptase PCR (DDRT-PCR) on the
purified mRNA. This technique was tested on mRNA isolated from five
different developmental stages of cotton fiber including 0, 5, 10, 15
and 20 DPA (days after pollination). The mRNA purified from total RNA
was reversibly transcribed using three anchored oligo-dT primers.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of each cDNA preparation
was carried out in combination with seven arbitrary primers. The
amplified products were resolved on 1% agarose gel containing ethidium
bromide. DNA was extracted from seventeen differentially expressed
bands and cloned in pTZ57R/T vector. The sequencing and BLAST search
analysis indicated that 12 of the differentially expressed genes
matched the previously characterized genes, while 3 of them matched the
uncharacterized sequences of cotton fiber expressed sequence tags
(ESTs) reported previously to be associated with cotton fiber and 2 of
the clones had homology with putative proteins. The technique can be
used to efficiently identify differentially expressed genes and can be
expanded to large scale studies by increasing the number of random
decamers
Molecular characterization and transcriptome profiling of expansin genes isolated from Calotropis procera fibers
The Calotropis procera seed fibers provide an excellent model system
to study the genes involved in fiber elongation, fineness and strength.
Expansins constitute one of the important gene families involved in
plant cell expansion and other cell wall modification processes. Four
homologs of Expansin A gene i.e. CpEXPA1, CpEXPA2, CpEXPA3 and CpEXPA4
were isolated from the cDNA library obtained from fast growing
Calotropis procera fibers. These homologs represented typical Expansin
A family. Each of them had two conserved domains including GH45 like
domain and the putative polysaccharide binding domain. The deduced
amino acid sequences of the homologs indicated three conserved motifs:
i) eight cysteine residues at N-terminus, ii) four tryptophan residues
at C-terminus and iii) a Histidine-Phenylalanine-Aspartate motif in the
center of the sequence. The presence of N-terminal signal peptide
consisting of hydrophobic amino acids and a transmembrane region in all
these expansin isoforms suggests their cotranslational insertion into
the endoplasmic reticulum and then transportation to the cell wall by
secretory pathway. The relative quantification of the four expansins in
root, stem, fiber and leave tissues indicated that the transcripts of
CpEXPA1, CpEXPA2, CpEXPA3 and CpEXPA4 are variably transcribed in these
tissues. The lowest transcription of all the four Expansin A isoforms
was observed in elongating roots indicating that root tissue might be
having specific expansins other than those confined to air grown
organs
Comparison of Microbial Communities Associated with Halophyte (Salsola stocksii) and Non-Halophyte (Triticum aestivum) Using Culture-Independent Approache
Outcomes of obstructed abdominal wall hernia: results from the UK national small bowel obstruction audit
Background:
Abdominal wall hernia is a common surgical condition. Patients may present in an emergency with bowel obstruction, incarceration or strangulation. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a serious surgical condition associated with significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to describe current management and outcomes of patients with obstructed hernia in the UK as identified in the National Audit of Small Bowel Obstruction (NASBO).
Methods:
NASBO collated data on adults treated for SBO at 131 UK hospitals between January and March 2017. Those with obstruction due to abdominal wall hernia were included in this study. Demographics, co-morbidity, imaging, operative treatment, and in-hospital outcomes were recorded. Modelling for factors associated with mortality and complications was undertaken using Cox proportional hazards and multivariable regression modelling.
Results:
NASBO included 2341 patients, of whom 415 (17·7 per cent) had SBO due to hernia. Surgery was performed in 312 (75·2 per cent) of the 415 patients; small bowel resection was required in 198 (63·5 per cent) of these operations. Non-operative management was reported in 35 (54 per cent) of 65 patients with a parastomal hernia and in 34 (32·1 per cent) of 106 patients with an incisional hernia. The in-hospital mortality rate was 9·4 per cent (39 of 415), and was highest in patients with a groin hernia (11·1 per cent, 17 of 153). Complications were common, including lower respiratory tract infection in 16·3 per cent of patients with a groin hernia. Increased age was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio 1·05, 95 per cent c.i. 1·01 to 1·10; P = 0·009) and complications (odds ratio 1·05, 95 per cent c.i. 1·02 to 1·09; P = 0·001).
Conclusion:
NASBO has highlighted poor outcomes for patients with SBO due to hernia, highlighting the need for quality improvement initiatives in this group
National prospective cohort study of the burden of acute small bowel obstruction
Background
Small bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency, and is associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality across the world. The literature provides little information on the conservatively managed group. The aim of this study was to describe the burden of small bowel obstruction in the UK.
Methods
This prospective cohort study was conducted in 131 acute hospitals in the UK between January and April 2017, delivered by trainee research collaboratives. Adult patients with a diagnosis of mechanical small bowel obstruction were included. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included complications, unplanned intensive care admission and readmission within 30 days of discharge. Practice measures, including use of radiological investigations, water soluble contrast, operative and nutritional interventions, were collected.
Results
Of 2341 patients identified, 693 (29·6 per cent) underwent immediate surgery (within 24 h of admission), 500 (21·4 per cent) had delayed surgery after initial conservative management, and 1148 (49·0 per cent) were managed non‐operatively. The mortality rate was 6·6 per cent (6·4 per cent for non‐operative management, 6·8 per cent for immediate surgery, 6·8 per cent for delayed surgery; P = 0·911). The major complication rate was 14·4 per cent overall, affecting 19·0 per cent in the immediate surgery, 23·6 per cent in the delayed surgery and 7·7 per cent in the non‐operative management groups (P < 0·001). Cox regression found hernia or malignant aetiology and malnutrition to be associated with higher rates of death. Malignant aetiology, operative intervention, acute kidney injury and malnutrition were associated with increased risk of major complication.
Conclusion
Small bowel obstruction represents a significant healthcare burden. Patient‐level factors such as timing of surgery, acute kidney injury and nutritional status are factors that might be modified to improve outcomes
Outcomes of obstructed abdominal wall hernia: results from the UK national small bowel obstruction audit
Background
Abdominal wall hernia is a common surgical condition. Patients may present in an emergency with bowel obstruction, incarceration or strangulation. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a serious surgical condition associated with significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to describe current management and outcomes of patients with obstructed hernia in the UK as identified in the National Audit of Small Bowel Obstruction (NASBO).
Methods
NASBO collated data on adults treated for SBO at 131 UK hospitals between January and March 2017. Those with obstruction due to abdominal wall hernia were included in this study. Demographics, co‐morbidity, imaging, operative treatment, and in‐hospital outcomes were recorded. Modelling for factors associated with mortality and complications was undertaken using Cox proportional hazards and multivariable regression modelling.
Results
NASBO included 2341 patients, of whom 415 (17·7 per cent) had SBO due to hernia. Surgery was performed in 312 (75·2 per cent) of the 415 patients; small bowel resection was required in 198 (63·5 per cent) of these operations. Non‐operative management was reported in 35 (54 per cent) of 65 patients with a parastomal hernia and in 34 (32·1 per cent) of 106 patients with an incisional hernia. The in‐hospital mortality rate was 9·4 per cent (39 of 415), and was highest in patients with a groin hernia (11·1 per cent, 17 of 153). Complications were common, including lower respiratory tract infection in 16·3 per cent of patients with a groin hernia. Increased age was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio 1·05, 95 per cent c.i. 1·01 to 1·10; P = 0·009) and complications (odds ratio 1·05, 95 per cent c.i. 1·02 to 1·09; P = 0·001).
Conclusion
NASBO has highlighted poor outcomes for patients with SBO due to hernia, highlighting the need for quality improvement initiatives in this group
Outcomes following small bowel obstruction due to malignancy in the national audit of small bowel obstruction
Introduction
Patients with cancer who develop small bowel obstruction are at high risk of malnutrition and morbidity following compromise of gastrointestinal tract continuity. This study aimed to characterise current management and outcomes following malignant small bowel obstruction.
Methods
A prospective, multicentre cohort study of patients with small bowel obstruction who presented to UK hospitals between 16th January and 13th March 2017. Patients who presented with small bowel obstruction due to primary tumours of the intestine (excluding left-sided colonic tumours) or disseminated intra-abdominal malignancy were included. Outcomes included 30-day mortality and in-hospital complications. Cox-proportional hazards models were used to generate adjusted effects estimates, which are presented as hazard ratios (HR) alongside the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The threshold for statistical significance was set at the level of P ≤ 0.05 a-priori.
Results
205 patients with malignant small bowel obstruction presented to emergency surgery services during the study period. Of these patients, 50 had obstruction due to right sided colon cancer, 143 due to disseminated intraabdominal malignancy, 10 had primary tumours of the small bowel and 2 patients had gastrointestinal stromal tumours. In total 100 out of 205 patients underwent a surgical intervention for obstruction. 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was 11.3% for those with primary tumours and 19.6% for those with disseminated malignancy. Severe risk of malnutrition was an independent predictor for poor mortality in this cohort (adjusted HR 16.18, 95% CI 1.86 to 140.84, p = 0.012). Patients with right-sided colon cancer had high rates of morbidity.
Conclusions
Mortality rates were high in patients with disseminated malignancy and in those with right sided colon cancer. Further research should identify optimal management strategy to reduce morbidity for these patient groups