Rice G protein γ subunit qPE9-1 modulates root elongation for phosphorus uptake by involving 14-3-3 protein OsGF14b and plasma membrane H+-ATPase

Heterotrimeric G protein is involved in plant growth and development, while the role of rice (Oryza sativa) G protein γ subunit qPE9-1 in response to low-phosphorus (LP) conditions remains unclear. The gene expression of qPE9-1 was significantly induced in rice roots under LP conditions. Rice varieties carrying the qPE9-1 allele showed a stronger primary root response to LP than the varieties carrying the qpe9-1 allele (mutant of the qPE9-1 allele). Transgenic rice plants with the qPE9-1 allele had longer primary roots and higher P concentrations than those with the qpe9-1 allele under LP conditions. The plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase was important for the qPE9-1-mediated response to LP. Furthermore, OsGF14b, a 14-3-3 protein that acts as a key component in activating PM H⁺-ATPase for root elongation, is also involved in the qPE9-1 mediation. Moreover, the overexpression of OsGF14b in WYJ8 (carrying the qpe9-1 allele) partially increased primary root length under LP conditions. Experiments using R18 peptide (a 14-3-3 protein inhibitor) showed that qPE9-1 is important for primary root elongation and H⁺ efflux under LP conditions by involving the 14-3-3 protein. In addition, rhizosheath weight, total P content, and the rhizosheath soil Olsen-P concentration of qPE9-1 lines were higher than those of qpe9-1 lines under soil drying and LP conditions. These results suggest that the G protein γ subunit qPE9-1 in rice plants modulates root elongation for phosphorus uptake by involving the 14-3-3 protein OsGF14b and PM H⁺-ATPase, which is required for rice P use.     

Iron plaque enhances phosphorus uptake by rice (Oryza sativa) growing under varying phosphorus and iron concentrations

Both solution culture and pot experiments were performed to investigate (a) the effects of external Fe (II) concentrations and forms on the formation of iron plaque on the roots of rice (Oryza sativa) and subsequent P adsorption on iron plaque and shoot P concentrations and (b) the effects of soil moisture regimes on the formation of iron plaque and P adsorption on root surfaces and P accumulation in shoots. The results showed that iron plaque was significantly increased with increasing Fe²⁺ concentrations in the solution culture. The amounts of P adsorbed on the iron plaque were increased significantly with external Fe²⁺ concentrations. Although shoot P concentration was not significantly affected by Fe²⁺ treatment after incubation for 2 days, it was significantly increased in the Fe‐treated plants compared with Fe‐deprived ones after incubation for 4 days. Soil culture experiment showed that the formation of iron plaque on root surfaces was promoted by exogenous iron, with greater amount of iron plaque being formed by addition of ferric hydroxide than of ferric oxide. Phosphorus adsorption on iron plaque also increased with the addition of iron oxides, and increasing soil P increased the amounts of P associated with the iron plaque and shoot P concentration. The amounts of iron plaque were almost sixfold higher under flooding condition than under field capacity condition. Plants pretreated under flooding condition generally had higher shoot P concentrations when they were transplanted to solutions with varying P levels, and this was most pronounced in the treatment with highest solution P concentration. The results suggest that iron plaque acts as a nutrient reservoir for phosphorus in the rhizosphere and helps enhance P acquisition by rice.     

中药灵香草及其混淆品种的比较鉴别

本文比较了中药灵香草Lysimachia foenum-graecum Hance及其混淆品种垂花香草Lysimaehia nutantiflora Chen et C.M.Hu的植物形态、药材性状以及茎、叶组织显微特征。指出垂花香草无灵香草特有的芳香。也无药用记载。应仔细区别,不宜混用。     

Combined second and third toe transfer

Historically, restoration of hand function following multiple digital amputation has been unsatisfactory. The evolution of digital reconstruction with toe transfer has enabled surgeons to reestablish prehension in these severely injured hands. A 4-year experience with 26 consecutive combined second and third toe transfers to replace missing adjacent fingers was reviewed in order to delineate the indications and technical considerations and to emphasize prevention of donor-site complications. Combined second and third toe transfer is reserved for adjacent finger amputations proximal to the digital web space with remaining fingers no longer than the small finger. Radial amputations are replaced with contralateral combined toe units, while ipsilateral toes are more ideal for ulnar amputations. Limited dorsal and plantar skin flaps extending only to the midpoint of the first and third digital web spaces allow for direct donor-site closure and uncomplicated healing. Maintenance of the plantar metatarsal arch by avoiding metatarsal shaft osteotomies or bone grafting-shortened metatarsals eliminates potential gait disturbances. When properly applied in selected patients, this single-stage microsurgical procedure can restore prehensile function, improve the appearance of the hand with multiple digital amputations, and preserve near-normal donor-foot function.     

Groin flap design and versatility

The groin flap is a reliable and well-established reconstructive option for pedicled or free-tissue transfer. Concern regarding its variable vascular origin and caliber has limited its use. To overcome this, a simplified guideline based on the transverse diameter of the patient's index and long fingers at the distal interphalangeal level has been developed. Thus "rule of two finger widths" positions the origin of the vascular pedicle from the femoral vessels two finger widths below the inguinal ligament, the upper flap border two finger widths above the inguinal ligament, the lower flap border two finger widths below the vascular origin, and both parallel to the flap axis, which lies along a line from the vascular origin to the anterosuperior iliac spine. This new groin flap design provides the necessary guidelines for vascular identification, accommodates pediatric and adult stature, and ensures primary donor-site closure if flap dimensions are within the prescribed boundaries. In addition, a new sartorius-cutaneous groin flap is presented. This combines the cutaneous groin flap with the proximal sartorius muscle (up to 15 cm), which is supplied by the deep vessels of the superficial circumflex iliac system. The sartorius-cutaneous groin flap further emphasizes the concept of single-pedicle compound or combined flaps and additionally enhances the extensive reconstructive versatility of previously described groin flaps. Over 200 pedicled and free groin flaps have been performed according to the "rule of two finger widths" over the past 5 years. There have been no complications related to flap design, such as difficulty with flap elevation, marginal necrosis, or donor-site closure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Microrheological aspects of adhesion of Escherichia coli on glass

The adhesion of both live and fixed bacteria (Escherichia coli) on glass has been studied under well-defined hydrodynamic conditions, created in an impinging jet apparatus. With this technique one can accurately measure the initial deposition rate jo on the surface, the average lifetime of a bacterium on the surface, tau esc, and the surface area blocked per deposited bacterium, normalized by its projected area, gamma. The experimental results are compared to theoretical results for equivalent spheres. It is found that near the stagnation point the deposition rate jo is mainly controlled by convective diffusive transport which, for rod-shaped Eschericia coli, with an axis ratio of about 2, is found to be equal to that for spheres. No differences in jo and tau esc were found between live and fixed bacteria at low flow rates. At high flow rates fixed bacteria adhered to the surface at a slower rate. In both systems jo was found to decrease suddenly at a distance of about 150 microns from the stagnation point, in contrast to systems of spherical particles for which jo is uniform over the surface. Most likely this is due to the rotation of the rod-shaped particles, which vary their distance to the surface periodically with time. The main difference between live and fixed bacteria, besides different deposition rates in strong flows, is that gamma is about 30% larger for fixed bacteria than for live ones, resulting in a much lower final coverage for fixed bacteria. These results imply a larger repulsion between fixed bacteria than between living ones. From detachment experiments we can conclude that not all bacteria stick to the surface with the same bond strength. The variation in the bond strength is due to the aging of the bonds between the bacteria and the surface. The average bond strength corresponds to an energy of about 13-15 kT.