Expression cloning of rice CaS and <i>Arabidopsis</i> CaS using calcium imaging.

<p>HEK293 cells were transiently transfected with empty vector, pcDNA₃-CAS, or pcDNA₃-OsCAS. The cytosolic Ca²⁺ status was analyzed using Fura-2-based Ca²⁺ imaging after treatment with 0.l mM and 2.5 mM extracellular Ca²⁺. Elevated relative calcium concentrations are indicated by an increased ratio of Fura-2 emission at 340 versus 380 nm wavelength excitation (see color bar). Arrows show cells with CICI (Ca²⁺_o-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increases).</p

Detection of gene expression in transgenic plants by real-time PCR.

<p>Col-0 is the wild type; L1, L2, L3, and L4 represent <i>OsCAS</i> transgenic plants under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter; and Salk is the T-DNA insertion mutant. Mean and SE values were determined using at least three independent experiments. Significant differences from Col-0 control plants after drought treatment were determined by the t-test. * <i>p</i> < 0.05 and ** <i>p</i> < 0.01.</p

Free proline content, MDA content, and RMP in Col-0, Salk, and L3 after drought treatment.

<p>Each bar represents the mean from three replicates ± SD. Significant differences from Col-0 after drought stress were determined by the t-test. *<i>p</i> < 0.05 and**<i>p</i> < 0.01.</p

[Ca²⁺]_ext-induced stomatal closure in mutant plants and transgenic lines.

<p>Stomatal aperture was calculated as the ratio of stomatal width to stomatal length. Each value is the mean of three independent measurements, and the error bars indicate SD. Significant differences from Col-0 control plants (No treatment, 2 mM CaCl₂ treatment) after drought treatment were determined by the t-test. * <i>p</i> < 0.05 and ** <i>p</i> < 0.01.</p

Drought stress tolerance of <i>OsCAS</i> transgenic plants.

<p>A. Plant growth under well-watered conditions. B. Plant growth under drought stress for 21 days. C. Plant re-watering treatment. In images A, B, and C, the first line of plants are <i>OsCAS</i> transgenic type; the second line of plants are Salk; and the third line of plants are wild-type Col-0.</p

Association between risk factors and positive T-SPOT.TB by means of univariate and multivariate analysis.

<p>OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; TB: tuberculosis.</p>*<p>From a multivariate logistic regression model with age, gender, education, working years, job, workplace, the history of household TB contact.</p

Description of study population.

<p>TB: tuberculosis.</p

Prevalence of LTBI in HCWs, stratified by age, working years, job, workplace, and the history of household TB contact.

<p>The circles and the lines represent the T-SPOT positive rates and 95% CIs, respectively. In univariable analysis, age (A), working years (B), job (C), workplace (D) and the history of household TB contact (E) were significantly associated with LTBI. LTBI: latent tuberculosis infection; HCWs: health care workers; TB: tuberculosis.</p

Study flow diagram.

<p>Of 828 HCWs, 787 HCWs answered the questionnaire and agreed to be tested for LTBI. 29 individuals with CT findings compatible with active TB and 3 individuals with TB history were excluded. 755 participants were eligible to be included in the final analyses. HCWs: health care workers; LTBI: latent tuberculosis infection; CT: computed tomography; TB: tuberculosis.</p

Genetic Polymorphism of Cytochrome P450 4F2, Vitamin E Level and Histological Response in Adults and Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Who Participated in PIVENS and TONIC Clinical Trials

<div><p>Vitamin E improved liver histology in children and adults with NAFLD who participated in TONIC and PIVENS clinical trials, but with significant inter-individual variability in its efficacy. Cytochrome P450 4F2 (CYP4F2) is the major enzyme metabolizing Vit E, with two common genetic variants (V433M, rs2108622 and W12G, rs3093105) found to alter its activity. We investigated the relationship between CYP4F2 genotypes, α-tocopherol levels and histological improvement in these two trials. V433M and W12G variants were genotyped in TONIC (n = 155) and PIVENS (n = 213) DNA samples. The relationships between CYP4F2 genotypes, plasma α-tocopherol levels at baseline and weeks 48 (w48) and 96 (w96) and histological end points (overall improvement in liver histology and resolution of NASH) were investigated. As a result, the V433M genotype was significantly associated with baseline plasma α-tocopherol in the TONIC trial (p = 0.004), but not in PIVENS. Among those receiving Vit E treatment, CYP4F2 V433M genotype was associated with significantly decreased plasma α-tocopherol levels at w48 (p = 0.003 for PIVENS and p = 0.026 for TONIC) but not at w96. The w96 α-tocopherol level was significantly associated with resolution of NASH (p = 0.006) and overall histology improvement (p = 0.021)in the PIVENS, but not in the TONIC trial. There was no significant association between CYP4F2 genotypes and histological end points in either trial. Our study suggested the a moderate role of CYP4F2 polymorphisms in affecting the pharmacokinetics of Vit E as a therapeutic agent. In addition, there may be age-dependent relationship between CYP4F2 genetic variability and Vit E pharmacokinetics in NAFLD.</p></div