The impact of confounders on the test performance of natriuretic peptides for cardiac dysfunction in subjects aged 80 and older

The hypothesis that natriuretic peptides could be used to identify ‘pancardiac’ damage has been proposed. However, multiple factors are known to influence circulating levels of natriuretic peptides, especially in the very old. Therefore, the impact of confounders on the association between natriuretic peptide levels and cardiac dysfunction was further explored in subjects aged 80 and older. A diagnostic cross-sectional study embedded within the BELFRAIL study (n = 567) was performed. Baseline BNP and NT-proBNP levels were measured and echocardiograms were performed at the subject's home. Cardiac dysfunction was defined as systolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease or isolated severe diastolic dysfunction. Several functional and structural echocardiographic parameters were independently related to circulating levels of natriuretic peptides. Cystatin C, BMI, β blockers, diabetes, heart frequency, usCRP, age and sex were identified as confounders. The prevalence of cardiac dysfunction was 17.1% in the subjects without and 30.8% in the subjects with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF) or pacemaker (PM). Only in subjects with CAF or PM the C statistic for cardiac dysfunction improved after correcting for confounders. The post-test probability for a negative test (PTP−) ranged from 3.7% to 12.2% and the PTP+ ranged from 21.9% to 62.2% in different strata of confounders. According to these data adjusting for identified confounders does not improve the diagnostic accuracy of the natriuretic peptides for cardiac dysfunction, except in subjects with CAF or PM. Stratifying for individual confounders showed that different cut-off values could be used to optimize the diagnostic characteristics of natriuretic peptides.     

Dehydration tolerance in apple seedlings is affected by an inhibitor of ABA 8'-hydroxylase CYP707A

The effects of an abscisic acid (ABA) 8′-hydroxylase inhibitor (Abz-F1) on ABA catabolism, stomatal aperture, and water potential were examined in apple seedlings under dehydration and rehydration conditions. In this study, 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxigenase (MdNCED) and ABA 8′-hydroxylase (MdCYP707A) genes were isolated and their expressions were investigated under dehydration and rehydration conditions. The stomatal aperture decreased up to 4 h after spraying with Abz-F1 and the stomatal aperture in the Abz-F1-treated leaves was generally lower than that in the untreated control-leaves during the dehydration condition. Although the water potential in untreated control-leaves decreased with the progress of dehydration, it was maintained at a higher level in the Abz-F1 treated-leaves than in the untreated control-leaves during dehydration. Endogenous ABA concentrations increased with dehydration in both the Abz-F1 treated- and untreated-control-leaves, but the ABA levels in the Abz-F1 treated-leaves were higher than those in the untreated control-leaves throughout dehydration. In contrast, the phaseic acid (PA) concentrations in the Abz-F1 treated-leaves were lower than those in the untreated control-leaves during dehydration. The expressions of MdNCEDs in the Abz-F1 treated-leaves were lower than those in the untreated control-leaves regardless of the higher endogenous ABA concentrations. Moreover, the expressions of MdCYP707As in the Abz-F1 treated-leaves were also lower than those in the untreated control-leaves. Higher 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) and ascorbic acid concentrations were observed in the Abz-F1 treated-leaves, which show that the oxidative damage under dehydration may be reduced by Abz-F1 application.These results suggest that prompt stomata closure is required for survival under dehydration, and Abz-F1 application may therefore be of practical use. The increase of endogenous ABA, which induced prompt stomata closure in Abz-F1 treated-leaves may depend on inhibition of the expression of MdCYP707As. Furthermore, the results showed the close relationship between MdNCEDs and MdCYP707As on ABA catabolism.     

遮光条件下不同种源土沉香幼苗的光合特性与生长速率分析

以3个来源于广东茂名的土沉香[ Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng.]种源(大白、小白和大黄)和1个来源于云南的土沉香种源的1年生幼苗为研究对象,对不同遮光条件下[相对光强100％(对照,自然光强)、50％、25％和5％]4个种源幼苗叶片的净光合速率(Pn)的光响应和CO2响应曲线、光合和气体交换参数、叶绿素含量和叶绿素a/b( Chla/b)值进行了分析,并比较了4个种源幼苗的相对生长速率(RGR).结果表明:4个种源的Pn均随光合光量子通量密度的增加而上升,且对照组各种源的Pn值均明显高于各处理组;4个种源的Pn值均随胞间CO2浓度的升高或相对光强的增大逐渐提高.随相对光强的降低,4个种源的最大光合速率、光补偿点、光饱和点、暗呼吸速率、最大电子传递速率、最大羧化速率和磷酸丙糖利用速率均下降或显著下降(P＜0.05),而表观量子效率则略有升高.在相对光强100％ ～ 25％条件下,随相对光强降低,4个种源的叶绿素含量显著提高、Chla/b值显著减小;大白和小白种源的RGR逐渐增大,大黄种源的RGR差异不显著,而云南种源的RGR显著减小.而在相对光强5％条件下,大黄和云南种源的叶绿素含量显著降低,Chla/b值显著增大,RGR显著减小;大白和小白种源幼苗全部死亡.由种源间的比较可见:4个种源的各项光合参数以及叶绿素含量、相对生长速率均有一定的差异,其中云南种源的各项指标总体上均最低.综合来看,土沉香为半阳生植物,对不同的光环境表现出相对较强的适应性.     

3个中山杉杂种无性系及其亲本的光合特性比较

对‘中山杉405’(Taxodium‘Zhongshanshan 405’)、‘中山杉406’(T.‘Zhongshanshan 406’)和‘中山杉407’(T.‘Zhongshanshan 407’)及其母本墨西哥落羽杉(T.mucronatum Tenore)和父本落羽杉〔T.distichum(L.)Rich.〕在7月份、9月份和10月份的光合参数进行了测定,并比较了3个无性系净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和水分利用效率(WUE)的杂种优势。结果显示:不同月份3个无性系及其亲本的Pn值有明显差异,导致光响应曲线明显不同,但3个无性系的光响应曲线基本一致;3个无性系的Pn值在不同月份都高于落羽杉,且‘中山杉405’的Pn值高于另2个无性系。3个无性系及其亲本的光补偿点总体上表现为7月份最高、10月份最低,其中7月份墨西哥落羽杉的光补偿点显著高于3个无性系及落羽杉(P<0.05);3个无性系和墨西哥落羽杉的光饱和点则为9月份最高、7月份最低,而落羽杉的光饱和点为9月份最高、10月份最低。7月份3个无性系与其亲本的Pn日变化曲线均呈不规则型,低谷出现在中午12:00左右;9月份和10月份3个无性系和墨西哥落羽杉的Pn日变化曲线均呈单峰型,峰值出现在上午10:00;落羽杉的Pn值从上午8:00开始呈持续降低的趋势,且全天都明显低于其他树种。不同月份3个无性系的Pn、Gs、Tr和WUE的杂种优势有明显差异,总体上看,‘中山杉405’的Pn、Gs和Tr在3个月份中均保持较高的杂种优势率,而‘中山杉406’9月份的杂种优势率最高,‘中山杉407’则在7月份杂种优势率最高;3个无性系的WUE仅在10月份有明显的杂种优势,且‘中山杉405’和‘中山杉406’的杂种优势率远高于‘中山杉407’;‘中山杉405’各项指标的杂种优势率总体上高于另2个无性系。研究结果表明:3个中山杉无性系的光合能力接近其母本墨西哥落羽杉、高于父本落羽杉,其中‘中山杉405’杂种优势明显。     

Photoinhibition and xanthophyll cycle activity in bayberry (Myrica rubra) leaves induced by high irradiance

The effect of high irradiance (HI, photosynthetically active photon flux density of 1 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) on net photosynthetic rate (P _N), chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and xanthophyll cycle components were studied in fruit tree bayberry leaves. HI induced the photoinhibition and inactivation of photosystem 2 (PS2) reaction centres (RCs), which was characterized by decreased P _N, maximum yield of fluorescence after dark adaptation (F_m), photochemical efficiency of PS2 (F_v/F_m) and quantum yield of PS2 (Φ_PS2), and increased reduction state of Q_A (1-q_P) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). Initial fluorescence (F₀) showed a decrease after the first 2 h, and subsequently increased from the third hour exposure to HI. Furthermore, a greater increase in the ratio (F_i-F₀)/(F_p-F₀) which is an expression of the proportion of the Q_B non-reducing PS2 centres, whereas a remarked decrease in the slope of F_i to F_p which represents the rate of Q_A reduction was observed in leaves after HI exposure. Additionally, HI caused an increase in the pool size of the xanthophyll cycle pigments and sustained elevated contents of zeaxanthin (Z), antheraxanthin (A), and de-epoxidation state (DES) at the end of the irradiation period. During HI, decreased F_m, F_v/F_m, Φ_PS2, NPQ, slope of F_i to F_p, V+A+Z, and DES, and increased F₀, 1-q_P, ratio (F_i-F₀)/(F_p-F₀), and V were observed in dithiothreitol (DTT)-fed leaves compared to control ones under the same conditions. Hence photoinhibition caused by HI in bayberry was probably attributed to inactivation of PS2 RCs, and photoprotection from photodamage were mainly related to the xanthophyll cycle-dependent heat dissipation in excess photons.     

Diurnal variation of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and xanthophyll cycle components of maize hybrids released in different years

Diurnal variation of gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and xanthophyll cycle components of three maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids released in different years, i.e. Baimaya (1950s), Zhongdan2 (1970s), and Nongda108 (1990s), were compared. On cloudless days, the newer hybrids always had higher net photosynthetic rate (P _N), especially at noon, than the older ones. At noon, all the hybrids decreased their maximal yield of photosystem 2 (PS2) photochemistry (F_v/F_m) and actual quantum yield of PS2 (Φ_PS2), the newer ones always showing higher values. Generally, the newer hybrids displayed higher photochemical quenching of Chl (q_P) and lower non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The interhybrid differences in P _N may be owing to their differential photochemical efficiency. A midday depression in P _N occurred in all hybrids, which might be caused by serious photoinhibition or by decreased stomatal conductance. However, midday depression in P _N was more obvious in the older hybrids, especially when leaves were senescent. The higher de-epoxidation state of the xanthophylls was noted in older hybrids, which was confirmed by their larger NPQ. The newer maize hybrids did not need a strong de-epoxidation state since they had a better photosynthetic quantum conversion rate and a lower NPQ.     

Changes of leaf water potential and gas exchange during and after drought in triticale and maize genotypes differing in drought tolerance

Influence of drought (D) on changes of leaf water potential (Ψ) and parameters of gas exchange in D-resistant and D-sensitive genotypes of triticale and maize was compared. Soil D (from −0.01 to −2.45 MPa) was simulated by mannitol solutions. At −0.013 MPa significant differences in Ψ, net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g _s), and internal CO₂ concentration (C _i) of D-resistant and D-sensitive triticale and maize genotypes were not found. Together with the increase in concentration of the mannitol solution the impact of D on E and g _s for D-sensitive genotypes (CHD-12, Ankora) became lower than for the D-resistant ones (CHD-247, Tina). Inversely, impact of D on Ψ was higher in D-sensitive than D-resistant genotypes. From 1 to 3 d of D, a higher decrease in P _N was observed in D-resistant genotypes than in the D-sensitive ones. Under prolonged D (5–14 d) and simultaneous more severe D the decrease in P _N was lower in D-resistant than in D-sensitive genotypes. Changes in Ψ, P _N, E, and g _s caused by D in genotypes differing in the drought susceptibility were similar for triticale and maize. Compared to control plants, increase of C _i was different for triticale and maize genotypes. Hence one of the physiological reasons of different susceptibility to D between sensitive and resistant genotypes is more efficient protection of tissue water status in resistant genotypes reflected in higher decrease in g _s and limiting E compared to the sensitive ones. Other reason, observed in D-resistant genotypes during the recovery from D-stress, was more efficient removal of detrimental effects of D.     

The improvement of the algorithm for order parameter calculation (S2) from molecular dynamics simulation using the correlation motion function

The generalized order parameter, S2, calculated from MD simulation trajectory using time-dependent internal Correlation Motion Function (CMF) agrees well with NMR derived S2 processed with the extended model-free analysis approach. However, the former lies considerably lower comparing to simple model-free derived data from NMR experiments. In the present study we analyze possible reasons of such disagreement. In the general case we propose to use preexponential factors from expression for internal CMF rather than ordinary S2 values. Particularly, in case of the simple model-free S(2) experimental values we suggest comparing them with S2(eff)=1+S2-Sf2 computed from MD simulation data. We show that the S2(eff) values are in a good agreement with NMR derived S2 values obtained using the simple model-free analysis.