Characterization of active miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements in the peanut genome

Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs), some of which are known as active non-autonomous DNA transposons, are found in the genomes of plants and animals. In peanut (Arachis hypogaea), AhMITE1 has been identified in a gene for fatty-acid desaturase, and possessed excision activity. However, the AhMITE1 distribution and frequency of excision have not been determined for the peanut genome. In order to characterize AhMITE1s, their genomic diversity and transposition ability was investigated. Southern blot analysis indicated high AhMITE1 copy number in the genomes of A. hypogaea, A. magna and A. monticola, but not in A. duranensis. A total of 504 AhMITE1s were identified from the MITE-enriched genomic libraries of A. hypogaea. The representative AhMITE1s exhibited a mean length of 205.5 bp and a GC content of 30.1%, with AT-rich, 9 bp target site duplications and 25 bp terminal inverted repeats. PCR analyses were performed using primer pairs designed against both flanking sequences of each AhMITE1. These analyses detected polymorphisms at 169 out of 411 insertional loci in the four peanut lines. In subsequent analyses of 60 gamma-irradiated mutant lines, four AhMITE1 excisions showed footprint mutations at the 109 loci tested. This study characterizes AhMITE1s in peanut and discusses their use as DNA markers and mutagens for the genetics, genomics and breeding of peanut and its relatives

Modification of the nanostructure of lignocellulose cell walls via a non-enzymatic lignocellulose deconstruction system in brown rot wood-decay fungi

Abstract Wood decayed by brown rot fungi and wood treated with the chelator-mediated Fenton (CMF) reaction, either alone or together with a cellulose enzyme cocktail, was analyzed by small angle neutron scattering (SANS), sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results showed that the CMF mechanism mimicked brown rot fungal attack for both holocellulose and lignin components of the wood. Crystalline cellulose and lignin were both depolymerized by the CMF reaction. Porosity of the softwood cell wall did not increase during CMF treatment, enzymes secreted by the fungi did not penetrate the decayed wood. The enzymes in the cellulose cocktail also did not appear to alter the effects of the CMF-treated wood relative to enhancing cell wall deconstruction. This suggests a rethinking of current brown rot decay models and supports a model where monomeric sugars and oligosaccharides diffuse from the softwood cell walls during non-enzymatic action. In this regard, the CMF mechanism should not be thought of as a “pretreatment” used to permit enzymatic penetration into softwood cell walls, but instead it enhances polysaccharide components diffusing to fungal enzymes located in wood cell lumen environments during decay. SANS and other data are consistent with a model for repolymerization and aggregation of at least some portion of the lignin within the cell wall, and this is supported by AFM and TEM data. The data suggest that new approaches for conversion of wood substrates to platform chemicals in biorefineries could be achieved using the CMF mechanism with >75% solubilization of lignocellulose, but that a more selective suite of enzymes and other downstream treatments may be required to work when using CMF deconstruction technology. Strategies to enhance polysaccharide release from lignocellulose substrates for enhanced enzymatic action and fermentation of the released fraction would also aid in the efficient recovery of the more uniform modified lignin fraction that the CMF reaction generates to enhance biorefinery profitability

Modes of Initiation of Two Types of Atrial Reentry in a Patient with Typical Atrial Flutter: Isthmus-dependent Micro-reentry versus Macro-reentry

We studied the modes of initiation of two types of atria] reentrant tachycardias (i.e., microreentry isthmus tachycardia and counterclockwise atrial flutter) in a 39-year-old male with typical atrial flutter. Rapid atrial pacing from proximal coronary sinus at a cycle length of 220 msec initiated micro-reentry isthmus tachycardia (non-sustained), while rapid atrial pacing at a cycle length of 210 msec initiated sustained atrial flutter circulating counterclockwise around the tricuspid annulus. It was suggested that initiation of the counterclockwise atrial flutter was associated with a pacing-induced conduction block in the entire width of the isthmus, whereas initiation of the micro-reentry isthmus tachycardia was associated with a pacing-induced conduction block in a limited segment of the isthmus (i.e., partial isthmus block)

Cardiac Pacing Suppressed Macroscopic T Wave Alternans in a Patient with Heart Failure Caused by Non-ischemic Cardiomyopathy

A 67-year-old male with dilated cardiomyopathy and chronic renal failure who received chronic hemodialysis for 9 years admitted with pulmonary edema. Three days after admission, electrocardiogram showed transient prolongation of QT interval which was followed by macroscopic T wave alternans (TWA) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Temporary pacing from right ventricular apex suppressed TWA and VF effectively. Combined cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantable cardioverter defibrillator device was implanted for the secondary prevention of VF. Both prolongation of QT interval and TWA disappeared for 10 days after therapy and no arrhythmic event occurred since then

Inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias in early repolarization syndrome and Brugada syndrome: From the J-wave associated with prior cardiac event (J-PREVENT) registry

Background: Although electrophysiological study is often performed in Brugada syndrome (BrS) to assess inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), the utility of electrophysiological study in early repolarization syndrome (ERS) remains unknown. The aim of the present multi-center observational study was to compare inducibility of VA in ERS with BrS, and to investigate any association between inducibility and recurrence of arrhythmic events in these patients. Methods: The J-PREVENT registry consists of patients with early repolarization or Brugada type 1 ECGs, a history of prior cardiac events, and no structural heart disease. Patients in the registry with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and who underwent electrophysiological study were enrolled. VA inducibility was assessed by programmed electrical stimulation performed at two different sites in the right ventricle with up to three extrastimuli. The occurrence of VA during follow-up was determined by interrogation of the patients׳ ICDs. Results: Of the 79 patients studied (72 males, mean age 44±13 years), 21 patients (27%) had ERS, and 58 had BrS, 20 of whom also had early repolarization in the inferolateral leads. VA was induced in 9 patients (43%) and 45 (78%) with ERS and BrS, respectively (p=0.006). During a median follow-up of 1453 days, occurrence rate of VA was similar between ERS and BrS (p=0.35). Inducibility was not associated with occurrence of VA in either syndrome. Conclusions: In patients with ERS with prior history of cardiac events, VA was induced in 43% of patients during electrophysiological study, approximately half that of BrS. Inducibility was not associated with occurrence of VA during follow-up, although this was true of BrS patients as well. Electrophysiological study may play a limited role in risk stratification in ERS

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Windlass Mechanism Using Loading Computed Tomography in Patients With Hallux Rigidus and Healthy Volunteers

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot; Basic Sciences/Biologics Introduction/Purpose: The windlass mechanism (WM) increases the height of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) of the foot by tensing the plantar aponeurosis during dorsiflexion of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. We speculated that this mechanism may be deeply involved in the pathogenesis of forefoot diseases such as hallux rigidus (HR). These conditions are three- dimensional (3D) deformities including rotational deformity, but the role of the WM has been evaluated only two-dimensionally by measuring the height of the navicular on lateral plain radiographs. The purpose of this study was to analyze in detail the WM of normal and HR feet in 3D. Methods: Participants were 14 patients with HR (17 feet) and 13 volunteers (21 feet). The volunteers had no history of foot disease or trauma, whereas the patients with HR had Coughlin and Shurnas classification I or II. Computed tomography (CT) of the foot with a load equivalent to the participant’s body weight was performed. Imaging was performed with the 1st MTP joint in the neutral position and dorsiflexed 30 degrees. 3D models were created using the software Mimics Research 17.0. Next, we used the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm, which allows 3D objects to be superimposed without specifying anatomical feature points. Then, we performed 3D measurements of the (1) rotation of each bone in the MLA with respect to the tibia, (2) rotation of the distal bone in each joint of the MLA, and (3) changes in the height of the geometric center of the navicular. Results: At the calcaneus, navicular and medial cuneiform, the HR group showed less inversion, adduction than healthy group. (P < 0.05) At the talonavicular joint, the navicular was 3.7° inversion, 2.9° adduction in the healthy group and 2.4°inversion, 1.3° adduction in the HR group. At the talocalcaneal joint, the calcaneus was 1.7° inversion, 1.5° adduction in the healthy group and 0.9°inversion, 0.6° adduction in the HR group. In the talonavicular and talocalcaneal joint, the HR group showed less inversion and adduction than control. (P < 0.05) With dorsiflexion of the hallux, the height of the navicular increased by 2.1 mm in the healthy group and 1.3 mm in the HR group. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two groups. Conclusion: In both groups, the calcaneus, navicular, and medial cuneiform bones moved not only in the sagittal plane but also in the frontal plane. But the movement of the talonavicular and talocalcaneal joints and the change in height of the navicular were significantly reduced compared with the healthy group. In other words, in the HR group, the motion of the midfoot and hindfoot was limited, suggesting that there may be a close relationship between WM dysfunction and midfoot and hindfoot motion. This study indicates that the dysfunction of the WM may have been a clue to the cause of HR

First Ray Mobility in Hallux Rigidus, Hallux Valgus, and Normal Feet Based on Weightbearing Computed Tomography and Three-Dimensional Analysis

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot; Bunion Introduction/Purpose: Both hallux rigidus (HR) and hallux valgus (HV) are conditions that occur in the first ray. Although both are believed to originate from hypermobility of the first ray, they each ultimately result in different clinical feature. Hypermobility of the first ray is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of HV. In contrast, several studies have reported an association between HR and hypermobility of the first ray but few have actually analyzed the nature of that association. We hypothesized that in HR, there would be little rotational movement despite the presence of hypermobility of the first ray. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the first ray mobility in feet with HR, HV, and in healthy feet by using weightbearing and non-weightbearing CT and 3D analysis. Methods: In this case-control study, we examined 17 feet of 11 healthy volunteers with no history of foot disorders and no symptoms such as pain in the foot (control group), 16 feet of 16 patients with HV and 16 feet of 11 patients with HR. First, non- weightbearing foot CT imaging was performed with the participant supine on our original loading device, with the legs extended and the ankle in a neutral position, and then weightbearing CT imaging was performed by applying a load equivalent to body weight. Using an iterative closest point algorithm, each joint in the first ray—the talonavicular joint, the medial cuneonavicular joint, and the first tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint—was aligned using its respective proximal bone. Displacement of the distal bone relative to the proximal bone was quantified in 3D under both weightbearing and non-weightbearing conditions. Results: In the talonavicular joint, the HV group showed significantly greater eversion (p = 0.011) than the control group, and greater dorsiflexion (p = 0.027) and eversion (p < 0.01) than the HR group. In the medial cuneiform joint, the HV group showed significantly greater eversion (p < 0.01) and abduction (p = 0.011) than the control group. In the first TMTl joint, the HV group showed significantly greater dorsiflexion (p = 0.014), inversion (p = 0.028), and adduction (p < 0.01) than the control group, and greater inversion (p < 0.01) and adduction (p < 0.01) than the HR group. The HR group showed significantly greater dorsiflexion (p = 0.026) than the control group. Conclusion: In the present study, hypermobility was observed at the first TMT in both HV and HR. However, the changes in HR were mainly in the sagittal plane, whereas those in HV were in all three planes. This difference may explain the different clinical feature ultimately observed in each condition. Future studies involving comparison of various severity levels and postoperative analysis should elucidate the pathophysiology and contribute to selection of appropriate treatment as well as the development of new treatments for HV and HR

Correction of Lobule-type Microtia: Part 2: The Stage of Ear Elevation

Background: Here, we introduce our recent operative technique for ear elevation that results in (1) minimal morbidity for patients, (2) symmetric appearance, (3) clearer 3-dimensional structure with a deep concha, (4) good aesthetic appearance by hiding the grafted area behind the ear, and (5) maintenance of deep temporoauricular sulcus and angle. Methods: After a skin incision, the ear is elevated with temporoparietal fascia underlying the cartilage. On the conchal area, undermining is performed just below the skin so that the deep concavity can be maintained. Scalp and neck skin behind the ear is undermined subcutaneously and lifted up cranially to hide the entire area of grafted skin behind the ear. The postauricular surface is covered by full-thickness skin from the lower abdomen. A protective splint is applied for 3 months while sleeping. Results: A total of 137 ears in 121 patients were corrected with our technique and followed up for at least 3 years. All of the scar tissue could be hidden behind the ear, an aesthetically excellent result. Conclusions: Our technique made it possible to acquire an excellent and symmetrical shape of the ear. The important points in our procedure are as follows: (1) subcutaneous posterior undermining to enlarge the conchal cavity, (2) careful arrangement of the temporoauricular angle and auriculo-earlobe angle, (3) reduction in the area of temporally grafted skin to hide all scars behind the ear, and (4) protection of the ear to maintain the shape using a postoperative splint

Suppression of Ventricular Tachycardia Associated with Cardiac Sarcoidosis by Steroid Therapy

In patients with cardiac sarcoidosis, ventricular tachycardia (VT) is observed in some cases. However, effective therapies for the VT are still unknown. Case: A 50-year old female with cardiac sarcoidosis underwent DDD pacemaker implantation for a high degree atrioventricular block with symptoms of faintness and shortness of breath. One month after the surgery, she was admitted for frequent episodes of non-sustained VT. In the electrophysiologic study (EPS), sustained monomorphic VT and ventricular fibrillation were induced; therefore pacemaker was replaced with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Amiodarone was started orally but it couldn't suppress frequent VT episodes, and frequent ICD shocks were delivered. When the oral steroid therapy was initiated for the cardiac sarcoidosis, it not only suppressed the frequent VT but also improved the atrioventricular nodal dysfunction. In conclusion, steroid therapy might be an option to consider in cardiac sarcoidosis with refractory VT