\u3cem\u3eArabidopsis\u3c/em\u3e AZI1 Family Proteins Mediate Signal Mobilization for Systemic Defence Priming

Priming is a major mechanism behind the immunological \u27memory\u27 observed during two key plant systemic defences: systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and induced systemic resistance (ISR). Lipid-derived azelaic acid (AZA) is a mobile priming signal. Here, we show that the lipid transfer protein (LTP)-like AZI1 and its closest paralog EARLI1 are necessary for SAR, ISR and the systemic movement and uptake of AZA in Arabidopsis. Imaging and fractionation studies indicate that AZI1 and EARLI1 localize to expected places for lipid exchange/movement to occur. These are the ER/plasmodesmata, chloroplast outer envelopes and membrane contact sites between them. Furthermore, these LTP-like proteins form complexes and act at the site of SAR establishment. The plastid targeting of AZI1 and AZI1 paralogs occurs through a mechanism that may enable/facilitate their roles in signal mobilization

The distribution of ammonia on Jupiter from a preliminary inversion of Juno Microwave Radiometer data

The Juno microwave radiometer measured the thermal emission from Jupiter's atmosphere from the cloud tops at about 1 bar to as deep as a hundred bars of pressure during its first flyby over Jupiter (PJ1). The nadir brightness temperatures show that the Equatorial Zone is likely to be an ideal adiabat, which allows a determination of the deep ammonia abundance in the range 362^(+33)_(-33) ppm. The combination of Markov chain Monte Carlo method and Tikhonov regularization is studied to invert Jupiter's global ammonia distribution assuming a prescribed temperature profile. The result shows (1) that ammonia is depleted globally down to 50–60 bars except within a few degrees of the equator, (2) the North Equatorial Belt is more depleted in ammonia than elsewhere, and (3) the ammonia concentration shows a slight inversion starting from about 7 bars to 2 bars. These results are robust regardless of the choice of water abundance

Erythrodermic Psoriasis Exacerbated by Bupropion

Erythroderma is a rare, potentially life-threatening presentation of psoriasis that can be triggered by medication reactions. Bupropion is indicated for major depressive disorder (Wellbutrin®, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC), smoking cessation (Zyban®, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC), and weight loss (when in formulation with naltrexone ER; Contrave®, Orixegen Therapeutics, La Jolla, CA). Bupropion can exacerbate psoriasis, however, this is an under-recognized side effect of the medication, particularly in the United States. We report a case of bupropion-induced erythrodermic psoriasis in a 62-year-old female who was prescribed the medication for depression. Due to the common comorbidities of depression, obesity, and tobacco abuse in psoriatic patients, all for which treatment with bupropion is indicated, it is important for physicians to be aware of the potential for a life-threatening medication reaction in this patient population

Neptune Polar Orbiter with Probes

The giant planets of the outer solar system divide into two distinct classes: the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn, which consist mainly of hydrogen and helium; and the ice giants Uranus and Neptune, which are believed to contain significant amounts of the heavier elements oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon and sulfur. Detailed comparisons of the internal structures and compositions of the gas giants with those of the ice giants will yield valuable insights into the processes that formed the solar system and, perhaps, other planetary systems. By 2012, Galileo, Cassini and possibly a Jupiter Orbiter mission with microwave radiometers, Juno, in the New Frontiers program, will have yielded significant information on the chemical and physical properties of Jupiter and Saturn. A Neptune Orbiter with Probes (NOP) mission would deliver the corresponding key data for an ice giant planet. Such a mission would ideally study the deep Neptune atmosphere to pressures approaching and possibly exceeding 1000 bars, as well as the rings, Triton, Nereid, and Neptune s other icy satellites. A potential source of power would be nuclear electric propulsion (NEP). Such an ambitious mission requires that a number of technical issues be investigated, however, including: (1) atmospheric entry probe thermal protection system (TPS) design, (2) probe structural design including seals, windows, penetrations and pressure vessel, (3) digital, RF subsystem, and overall communication link design for long term operation in the very extreme environment of Neptune's deep atmosphere, (4) trajectory design allowing probe release on a trajectory to impact Neptune while allowing the spacecraft to achieve a polar orbit of Neptune, (5) and finally the suite of science instruments enabled by the probe technology to explore the depths of the Neptune atmosphere. Another driving factor in the design of the Orbiter and Probes is the necessity to maintain a fully operational flight system during the lengthy transit time from launch through Neptune encounter, and throughout the mission. Following our response to the recent NASA Research Announcement (NRA) for Space Science Vision Missions for mission studies by NASA for implementation in the 2013 or later time frame, our team has been selected to explore the feasibility of such a Neptune mission

Implications of the Ammonia Distribution on Jupiter from 1 to 100 Bars as Measured by the Juno Microwave Radiometer

The latitude-altitude map of ammonia mixing ratio shows an ammonia-rich zone at 0-5degN, with mixing ratios of 320-340 ppm, extending from 40-60 bars up to the ammonia cloud base at 0.7 bars. Ammonia-poor air occupies a belt from 5-20degN. We argue that downdrafts as well as updrafts are needed in the 0-5degN zone to balance the upward ammonia flux. Outside the 0-20degN region, the belt-zone signature is weaker. At latitudes out to +/-40deg, there is an ammonia-rich layer from cloud base down to 2 bars which we argue is caused by falling precipitation. Below, there is an ammonia-poor layer with a minimum at 6 bars. Unanswered questions include how the ammonia-poor layer is maintained, why the belt-zone structure is barely evident in the ammonia distribution outside 0-20degN, and how the internal heat is transported through the ammonia-poor layer to the ammonia cloud base

Serum Adiponectin is Associated with Adverse Outcomes of Asthma in Men but Not in Women

Background: Murine studies suggest a beneficial effect of systemic adiponectin on asthma. Our objective was to determine the association between serum adiponectin concentrations and asthma control/severity outcomes in men and women separately. Methods: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of data from years 10, 15, and 20 examinations of the prospective coronary artery risk development in young adults study in the United States were performed. Asthma was defined by self-reported provider diagnosis at or prior to year 15 examination. Outcomes included presence of active disease, number of respiratory symptoms, and number of asthma medications; as well as longitudinal decline in absolute FEV1. Year 15 serum adiponectin concentration was the predictor variable. Results: In a multivariable analysis of 411 eligible subjects, after adjusting for body mass index and covariates, higher serum adiponectin concentrations were associated with more frequent active disease (including more frequent use of any asthma medication), and greater number of respiratory symptoms and asthma medications among men but not among women with asthma (p for interactions between sex and adiponectin for all analyses < 0.05). Conclusions: Higher serum adiponectin concentrations may be independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes of asthma in men but not in women. If biological effect is confirmed in future studies, modification of systemic adiponectin concentrations may open up newer ways to treat asthma in men

Genetic variation of Glucose Transporter-1 (GLUT1) and albuminuria in 10,278 European Americans and African Americans: a case-control study in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence suggests glucose transporter-1(<it>GLUT1</it>) genetic variation affects diabetic nephropathy and albuminuria. Our aim was to evaluate associations with albuminuria of six <it>GLUT1 </it>single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs), particularly <it>XbaI </it>and the previously associated <it>Enhancer-2(Enh2</it>) SNP.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A two-stage case-control study was nested in a prospective cohort study of 2156 African Americans and 8122 European Americans with urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio(ACR). Cases comprised albuminuria(N = 825; ≥ 30 μg/mg) and macroalbuminuria(N = 173; ≥ 300 μg/mg). ACR < 30 μg/mg classified controls(n = 9453). Logistic regression and odds ratios(OR) assessed associations. The evaluation phase(stage 1, n = 2938) tested associations of albuminuria(n = 305) with six <it>GLUT1 </it>SNPs: rs841839, rs3768043, rs2297977, <it>Enh2</it>(rs841847) <it>Xba</it>I(rs841853), and rs841858. <it>Enh2 </it>was examined separately in the replication phase(stage 2, n = 7340) and the total combined sample (n = 10,278), with all analyses stratified by race and type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In European Americans, after adjusting for diabetes and other <it>GLUT1 </it>SNPs in stage 1, <it>Enh2 </it>risk genotype(TT) was more common in albuminuric cases(OR = 3.37, P = 0.090) whereas <it>XbaI </it>(OR = 0.94, p = 0.931) and remaining SNPs were not. In stage 1, the <it>Enh2 </it>association with albuminuria was significant among diabetic European Americans(OR = 2.36, P = 0.025). In African Americans, <it>Enh2 </it>homozygosity was rare(0.3%); <it>XbaI </it>was common(18.0% AA) and not associated with albuminuria. In stage 2(n = 7,340), <it>Enh2 </it>risk genotype had increased but non-significant OR among diabetic European Americans(OR = 1.66, P = 0.192) and not non-diabetics(OR = 0.99, p = 0.953), not replicating stage 1. Combining stages 1 and 2, <it>Enh2 </it>was associated with albuminuria(OR 2.14 [1.20-3.80], P = 0.009) and macroalbuminuria(OR 2.69, [1.02-7.09], P = 0.045) in diabetic European Americans. The <it>Enh2 </it>association with macroalbuminuria among non-diabetic European Americans with fasting insulin(OR = 1.84, P = 0.210) was stronger at the highest insulin quartile(OR = 4.08, P = 0.040).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>As demonstrated with type 1 diabetic nephropathy, the <it>GLUT1 Enh2 </it>risk genotype, instead of <it>Xba</it>I, may be associated with type 2 diabetic albuminuria among European Americans, though an association is not conclusive. The association among diabetic European Americans found in stage 1 was not replicated in stage 2; however, this risk association was evident after combining all diabetic European Americans from both stages. Additionally, our results suggest this association may extend to non-diabetics with high insulin concentrations. Rarity of the <it>Enh2 </it>risk genotype among African Americans precludes any definitive conclusions, although data suggest a risk-enhancing role.</p