Selection of large quantites of embryogenic calli from indica rice seeds for production of fertile transgenic plants using the biolistic method

fertile transgenic plants using the biolistic metho

Laser hair reduction for hidradenitis suppurativa warrants insurance coverage

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, painful disease that significantly reduces quality of life. Laser hair reduction is one modality that can be used in combination with other treatments to ameliorate the condition. We argue that insurance should provide coverage for this necessary service

Narrative Review of the Use of Hydrocolloids in Dermatology: Applications and Benefits.

Background/Objectives: Hydrocolloid dressings are commonly used in the treatment of chronic wounds by forming a gel-like protective layer upon the dispersion of water, absorbing exudate, and creating a moist environment that promotes healing. However, the use of hydrocolloids has expanded outside of wound care, and this review summarizes the evidence for their use within dermatology. Methods: To perform this narrative review, several databases were searched for manuscripts that described the use of hydrocolloid dressings within dermatology. Results: The hydrophilic and colloidal dispersion properties of hydrocolloid dressings facilitate the formation of an absorptive, hydrating, and protective layer. In addition, the viscous layer supports innate immunity by activating immune cells such as granulocytes and monocytes, making them effective in wound care. Hydrocolloid dressings appear to be an effective treatment in acute wounds, with the potential of reduced healing time and easier application compared to traditional dressings. The majority of the related research suggests that hydrocolloid dressings and standard dressings have similar efficacy in healing pressure ulcers, and the prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars. Early reports suggest that hydrocolloid dressings have a role in the treatment of facial dermatitis and acne vulgaris. Conclusions: Hydrocolloid dressings have been studied most extensively for chronic wounds and then for use in acute wounds. There have been a few studies on their use for treating acne, facial atopic dermatitis, and hypertrophic scarring. While more clinical studies are needed, there appears to be early evidence of hydrocolloid dressing use within dermatology

Skin tribology: Science friction?

The application of tribological knowledge is not just restricted to optimizing mechanical and chemical engineering problems. In fact, effective solutions to friction and wear related questions can be found in our everyday life. An important part is related to skin tribology, as the human skin is frequently one of the interacting surfaces in relative motion. People seem to solve these problems related to skin friction based upon a trial-and-error strategy and based upon on our sense for touch. The question of course rises whether or not a trained tribologist would make different choices based upon a science based strategy? In other words: Is skin friction part of the larger knowledge base that has been generated during the last decades by tribology research groups and which could be referred to as Science Friction? This paper discusses the specific nature of tribological systems that include the human skin and argues that the living nature of skin limits the use of conventional methods. Skin tribology requires in vivo, subject and anatomical location specific test methods. Current predictive friction models can only partially be applied to predict in vivo skin friction. The reason for this is found in limited understanding of the contact mechanics at the asperity level of product-skin interactions. A recently developed model gives the building blocks for enhanced understanding of friction at the micro scale. Only largely simplified power law based equations are currently available as general engineering tools. Finally, the need for friction control is illustrated by elaborating on the role of skin friction on discomfort and comfort. Surface texturing and polymer brush coatings are promising directions as they provide way and means to tailor friction in sliding contacts without the need of major changes to the produc

Stress-Mediated Increases in Systemic and Local Epinephrine Impair Skin Wound Healing: Potential New Indication for Beta Blockers

Rivkah Isseroff and colleagues describe how stress-induced elevation of epinephrine levels can impair the healing of burns in mice and suggest that β2 adrenergic receptor antagonists may have a role in improving skin wound repair

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) polyubiquitin gene (PvUbi1 and PvUbi2) promoters for use in plant transformation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ubiquitin protein is present in all eukaryotic cells and promoters from ubiquitin genes are good candidates to regulate the constitutive expression of transgenes in plants. Therefore, two switchgrass (<it>Panicum virgatum </it>L.) ubiquitin genes (<it>PvUbi1 </it>and <it>PvUbi2</it>) were cloned and characterized. Reporter constructs were produced containing the isolated 5' upstream regulatory regions of the coding sequences (i.e. <it>PvUbi1 </it>and <it>PvUbi2 </it>promoters) fused to the <it>uidA </it>coding region (<it>GUS</it>) and tested for transient and stable expression in a variety of plant species and tissues.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>PvUbi1 </it>consists of 607 bp containing <it>cis</it>-acting regulatory elements, a 5' untranslated region (UTR) containing a 93 bp non-coding exon and a 1291 bp intron, and a 918 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes four tandem, head -to-tail ubiquitin monomer repeats followed by a 191 bp 3' UTR. <it>PvUbi2 </it>consists of 692 bp containing <it>cis</it>-acting regulatory elements, a 5' UTR containing a 97 bp non-coding exon and a 1072 bp intron, a 1146 bp ORF that encodes five tandem ubiquitin monomer repeats and a 183 bp 3' UTR. <it>PvUbi1 </it>and <it>PvUbi2 </it>were expressed in all examined switchgrass tissues as measured by qRT-PCR. Using biolistic bombardment, <it>PvUbi1 </it>and <it>PvUbi2 </it>promoters showed strong expression in switchgrass and rice callus, equaling or surpassing the expression levels of the CaMV <it>35S, 2x35S, ZmUbi1</it>, and <it>OsAct1 </it>promoters. GUS staining following stable transformation in rice demonstrated that the <it>PvUbi1 </it>and <it>PvUbi2 </it>promoters drove expression in all examined tissues. When stably transformed into tobacco (<it>Nicotiana tabacum</it>), the <it>PvUbi2+3 </it>and <it>PvUbi2+9 </it>promoter fusion variants showed expression in vascular and reproductive tissues.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The <it>PvUbi1 </it>and <it>PvUbi2 </it>promoters drive expression in switchgrass, rice and tobacco and are strong constitutive promoter candidates that will be useful in genetic transformation of monocots and dicots.</p

RNA-interference in rice against Rice tungro bacilliform virus results in its decreased accumulation in inoculated rice plants

Rice tungro is a viral disease seriously affecting rice production in South and Southeast Asia. Tungro is caused by the simultaneous infection in rice of Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV), a double-stranded DNA virus and Rice tungro spherical virus (RTSV), a single-stranded RNA virus. To apply the concept of RNA-interference (RNAi) for the control of RTBV infection, transgenic rice plants expressing DNA encoding ORF IV of RTBV, both in sense as well as in anti-sense orientation, resulting in the formation of double-stranded (ds) RNA, were raised. RNA blot analysis of two representative lines indicated specific degradation of the transgene transcripts and the accumulation of small molecular weight RNA, a hallmark for RNA-interference. In the two transgenic lines expressing ds-RNA, different resistance responses were observed against RTBV. In one of the above lines (RTBV-O-Ds1), there was an initial rapid buildup of RTBV levels following inoculation, comparable to that of untransformed controls, followed by a sharp reduction, resulting in approximately 50-fold lower viral titers, whereas the untransformed controls maintained high levels of the virus till 40 days post-inoculation (dpi). In RTBV-O-Ds2, RTBV DNA levels gradually rose from an initial low to almost 60% levels of the control by 40 dpi. Line RTBV-O-Ds1 showed symptoms of tungro similar to the untransformed control lines, whereas line RTBV-O-Ds2 showed extremely mild symptoms