261 research outputs found
Gene expression profile analysis of tobacco leaf trichomes
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leaf trichomes of <it>Nicotiana tabacum </it>are distinguished by their large size, high density, and superior secretion ability. They contribute to plant defense response against biotic and abiotic stress, and also influence leaf aroma and smoke flavor. However, there is limited genomic information about trichomes of this non-model plant species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have characterized <it>Nicotiana tabacum </it>leaf trichome gene expression using two approaches. In the first, a trichome cDNA library was randomly sequenced, and 2831 unique genes were obtained. The most highly abundant transcript was ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO). Among the related sequences, most encoded enzymes involved in primary metabolism. Secondary metabolism related genes, such as isoprenoid and flavonoid biosynthesis-related, were also identified. In the second approach, a cDNA microarray prepared from these 2831 clones was used to compare gene expression levels in trichome and leaf. There were 438 differentially expressed genes between trichome and leaves-minus-trichomes. Of these, 207 highly expressed genes in tobacco trichomes were enriched in second metabolic processes, defense responses, and the metabolism regulation categories. The expression of selected unigenes was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis, some of which were specifically expressed in trichomes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The expression feature of leaf trichomes in <it>Nicotiana tabacum </it>indicates their metabolic activity and potential importance in stress resistance. Sequences predominantly expressed in trichomes will facilitate gene-mining and metabolism control of plant trichome.</p
The value of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy after extubation in patients with acute respiratory failure
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy after extubation in patients with acute respiratory failure. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled pilot trial was conducted between January 2013 and December 2014. Sixty enrolled patients were randomized immediately after extubation into either a high-flow nasal cannula group (n=30) or an air entrainment mask group (n=30) at a fixed inspired oxygen fraction (40%). The success rate of oxygen therapy, respiratory and hemodynamic parameters and subjective discomfort (using a visual analogue scale) were assessed at 24h after extubation. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable at extubation. A total of 46 patients were successfully treated including 27 patients in the high-flow nasal cannula group and 19 patients in the air entrainment mask group. Compared to the air entrainment mask group, the success rate of oxygen therapy and the partial pressure of arterial oxygen were significantly higher and the respiratory rate was lower in the high-flow nasal cannula group. In addition, less discomfort related to interface displacement and airway dryness was observed in the high-flow nasal cannula group than in the air entrainment mask group. CONCLUSIONS: At a fixed inspired oxygen fraction, the application of a high-flow nasal cannula after extubation achieves a higher success rate of oxygen therapy and less discomfort at 24h than an air entrainment mask in patients with acute respiratory failure
Is Autologous or Heterologous Pericardium Better for Valvuloplasty? A Comparative Study of Calcification Propensity
Pericardial calcification is detrimental to the long-term durability of valvuloplasty. However, whether calcification susceptibility differs between heterologous and autologous pericardium is unclear. In this study, we compared the progression of calcification in vivo between autologous and heterologous pericardium.
We randomly divided 28 rabbits into 4 equal groups. Resected rabbit pericardium served as autologous pericardium, and commercial bovine pericardium served as heterologous pericardium. We subcutaneously embedded one of each pericardial patch in the abdominal walls of 21 of the rabbits. The 7 control rabbits (group A) received no implants. The embedded samples were removed at 2 months in group B, at 4 months in group C, and at 6 months in group D. Each collected sample was divided into 2 parts, one for calcium-content measurement by means of atomic-absorption spectroscopy, and one for morphologic and histopathologic examinations.
When compared with the autologous pericardium, calcium levels in the heterologous pericardium were higher in groups B, C, and D (P \u3c0.0001, P \u3c0.0002, and P \u3c0.0006, respectively). As embedding time increased, calcium levels in the heterologous pericardium increased faster than those in the autologous, especially in group D. Disorganized arrangements of collagenous fibers, marked calculus, and ossification were seen in the heterologous pericardium. Inflammatory cells—mainly lymphocytes and small numbers of macrophages—infiltrated the heterologous pericardium.
The autologous pericardium showed a stronger ability to resist calcification. Our results indicate that autologous pericardium might be a relatively better choice for valvuloplasty
Antibiotic synergist OM19r reverses aminoglycoside resistance in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli
Introduction: The continued emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens require a new strategy to improve the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) could also be used as antibacterial synergists due to their unique mechanism of action. Methods: Utilizing a series of experiments on membrane permeability, In vitro protein synthesis, In vitro transcription and mRNA translation, to further elucidate the synergistic mechanism of OM19r combined with gentamicin. Results: A proline-rich antimicrobial peptide OM19r was identified in this study and its efficacy against Escherichia coli B2 (E. coli B2) was evaluated on multiple aspects. OM19r increased antibacterial activity of gentamicin against multidrug-resistance E. coli B2 by 64 folds, when used in combination with aminoglycoside antibiotics. Mechanistically, OM19r induced change of inner membrane permeability and inhibited translational elongation of protein synthesis by entering to E. coli B2 via intimal transporter SbmA. OM19r also facilitated the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In animal models, OM19r significantly improved the efficacy of gentamicin against E. coli B2. Discussion: Our study reveals that OM19r combined with GEN had a strong synergistic inhibitory effect against multi-drug resistant E. coli B2. OM19r and GEN inhibited translation elongation and initiation, respectively, and ultimately affected the normal protein synthesis of bacteria. These findings provide a potential therapeutic option against multidrug-resistant E. coli
An Updated Search of Steady TeV Ray Point Sources in Northern Hemisphere Using the Tibet Air Shower Array
Using the data taken from Tibet II High Density (HD) Array (1997
February-1999 September) and Tibet-III array (1999 November-2005 November), our
previous northern sky survey for TeV ray point sources has now been
updated by a factor of 2.8 improved statistics. From to
in declination (Dec) range, no new TeV ray point
sources with sufficiently high significance were identified while the
well-known Crab Nebula and Mrk421 remain to be the brightest TeV ray
sources within the field of view of the Tibet air shower array. Based on the
currently available data and at the 90% confidence level (C.L.), the flux upper
limits for different power law index assumption are re-derived, which are
approximately improved by 1.7 times as compared with our previous reported
limits.Comment: This paper has been accepted by hepn
Ambipolar Field Effect in Topological Insulator Nanoplates of (BixSb1-x)2Te3
Topological insulators represent a new state of quantum matter attractive to
both fundamental physics and technological applications such as spintronics and
quantum information processing. In a topological insulator, the bulk energy gap
is traversed by spin-momentum locked surface states forming an odd number of
surface bands that possesses unique electronic properties. However, transport
measurements have often been dominated by residual bulk carriers from crystal
defects or environmental doping which mask the topological surface
contribution. Here we demonstrate (BixSb1-x)2Te3 as a tunable topological
insulator system to manipulate bulk conductivity by varying the Bi/Sb
composition ratio. (BixSb1-x)2Te3 ternary compounds are confirmed as
topological insulators for the entire composition range by angle resolved
photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements and ab initio calculations.
Additionally, we observe a clear ambipolar gating effect similar to that
observed in graphene using nanoplates of (BixSb1-x)2Te3 in
field-effect-transistor (FET) devices. The manipulation of carrier type and
concentration in topological insulator nanostructures demonstrated in this
study paves the way for implementation of topological insulators in
nanoelectronics and spintronics.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Model Seleksi Premi Asuransi Jiwa Dwiguna untuk Kasus Multiple Decrement
This article discusses a select survival model for the case of multiple decrements in evaluating endowment life insurance premium for person currently aged ( + ) years, who is selected at age with ℎ years selection period. The case of multiple decrements in this case is limited to two cases. The calculation of the annual premium is done by prior evaluating of the single premium, and the present value of annuity depends on theconstant force assumption
Isolation and analysis of differentially expressed genes from peanut in response to challenge with Ralstonia solanacearum
Background: Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is the
most devastating disease in peanut. Planting resistant peanut cultivars
is deemed as the sole economically viable means for effective control
of the disease. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying
resistance and facilitate breeding process, differences in gene
expression between seeds of Rihua 1 (a Virginia type peanut variety
resistant to bacterial wilt) inoculated with the bacterial pathogen
suspension (109 cfu ml-1) and seeds of the same cultivar treated with
water (control), were studied using the GenefishingTM technology.
Results: A total of 25 differentially expressed genes were isolated.
Expression of genes encoding cyclophilin and ADP-ribosylation factor,
respectively, were further studied by real time RTPCR, and full length
cDNAs of both genes were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends.
Conclusions: The study provided candidate genes potentially useful for
breeding peanut cultivars with both high yield and bacterial wilt
resistance, although confirmation of their functions through transgenic
studies is still needed
Epigenetic modification of histone 3 at lysine 9 in sheep zygotes and its relationship with DNA methylation
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies indicated that, unlike mouse zygotes, sheep zygotes lacked the paternal DNA demethylation event. Another epigenetic mark, histone modification, especially at lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9), has been suggested to be mechanically linked to DNA methylation. In mouse zygotes, the absence of methylated H3K9 from the paternal pronucleus has been thought to attribute to the paternal DNA demethylation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By using the immunofluorescence staining approach, we show that, despite the difference in DNA methylation, modification of H3K9 is similar between the sheep and mouse zygotes. In both species, H3K9 is hyperacetylated or hypomethylated in paternal pronucleus relative to maternal pronucleus. In fact, sheep zygotes can also undergo paternal DNA demethylation, although to a less extent than the mouse. Further examinations of individual zygotes by double immunostaining revealed that, the paternal levels of DNA methylation were not closely associated with that of H3K9 acetylation or tri-methylation. Treatment of either 5-azacytidine or Trichostatin A did not induce a significant decrease of paternal DNA methylation levels.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that in sheep lower DNA demethylation of paternal genomes is not due to the H3K9 modification and the methylated DNA sustaining in paternal pronucleus does not come from DNA <it>de novo </it>methylation.</p
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