Characterization of genes coding for galacturonosyltransferase-like (GATL) proteins in rice

In the present study, seven galacturonosyltransferase-like (GATL) genes (OsGATLs) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) were genome-widely identified and the chromosomal locations and the gene structures of which were characterized. Under normal condition, OsGATL2 and OsGATL3 are highly expressed in root, while OsGATL4 is highly expressed in stem and leaf. Many cis-elements related to stress response and plant hormone were found in the promoter sequence of each OsGATL. The expression patterns of these OsGATL genes under treatment with abscisic acid (ABA), drought and low temperature were assessed by qRT-PCR. The expression levels of most OsGATLs significantly increased following the treatments with drought or low temperature. In addition, physicochemical properties of OsGATLs and phylogenetic analysis with GATL from rice and several other species were performed. 3D structures and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of OsGATLs were further predicted by Swiss-model and STRING 9.0 database, respectively. The identification and bioinformatic analysis of GATL family in rice could provide reference data for further study on their biological functions, especially in the responsiveness to hormones and stress signaling.     

Generation of a conditional lima1a allele in zebrafish using the FLEx switch technology

Gene trapping has emerged as a valuable tool to create conditional alleles in various model organisms. Here we report the FLEx‐based gene trap vector SAGFLEx that allows the generation of conditional mutations in zebrafish by gene‐trap mutagenesis. The SAGFLEx gene‐trap cassette comprises the rabbit β‐globin splice acceptor and the coding sequence of GFP, flanked by pairs of inversely oriented heterotypic target sites for the site‐specific recombinases Cre and Flp. Insertion of the gene‐trap cassette into endogenous genes can result in conditional mutations that are stably inverted by Cre and Flp, respectively. To test the functionality of this system we performed a pilot screen and analyzed the insertion of the gene‐trap cassette into the lima1a gene locus. In this lima1a allele, GFP expression faithfully recapitulated the endogenous lima1a expression and resulted in a complete knockout of the gene in homozygosity. Application of either Cre or Flp was able to mediate the stable inversion of the gene trap cassette and showed the ability to conditionally rescue or reintroduce the gene inactivation. Combined with pharmacologically inducible site specific recombinases the SAGFLEx vector insertions will enable precise conditional knockout studies in a spatial‐ and temporal‐controlled manner. genesis 54:19–28, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Combined Medical and Surgical Management of Hepatic Mucormycosis in an Adult with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Mycopathologia - Hepatic mucormycosis is a disease caused by a ubiquitous fungus which is especially important in patients with hematologic malignancies. We present a case of an adult patient with...     

Basal expression studies of cystatins during specific growth stages of wheat spikes for defining their possible role in differential and stage dependent immunity against Karnal bunt (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tilletia indica</Emphasis>)

Two genotypes showing differential immunity against Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) were used to investigate the role of three members of cystatin gene family in growth stage dependent immunity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Three members of cystatin gene family (WC1, WC2, and WC4) were cloned and sequenced. Analysis of sequenced data showed that there was 76–99% nucleotide and protein sequence identity between different genes of the wheat cystatin. In silico amino acid sequence analysis revealed the presence of a conserved signature pattern of residues and also the functional domains were presumed to be actively involved in imparting cysteine protease inhibition capability. The semi-quantitative and quantitative levels of these members were measured by means of RT-PCR, northern blotting, western blotting, and by ELISA techniques. The members of cystatin gene family were expressed in both resistant (HD 29) and susceptible genotypes (WH 542); however, the expression level was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in resistant compared to susceptible genotype at all the stages of wheat spikes. The patterns of expression of WC2, WC4 were similar except in the levels in S₁ and S₂ stages as it remained constant (P > 0.05) in contrary to WC1 family whose expression gradually increased from S_v to S₂ stage. According to the intensity of the detected band in RT PCR, northern blot and western blot, WC1 family seems to be expressed more than the other gene families. The immunoassay results further showed that WC1 protein was abundantly expressed in resistant genotype and high expression was observed at the S2 stage as compared to susceptible genotype (P < 0.001) suggesting that low level of expression of WC1 in S2 stage is responsible for KB infection. The results of the present study clearly indicate the role of cystatin gene family in differential and stage dependent immunity against KB.     

The impact of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia on health-related quality of life: a prospective study

Background

Vaccination against herpes zoster is being considered in many countries. We conducted a multicentre prospective study to describe the impact of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia on health-related quality of life.

Methods

From October 2005 to July 2006, 261 outpatients aged 50 years or older with herpes zoster were recruited from the clinical practices of 83 physicians within 14 days after rash onset. The Zoster Brief Pain Inventory was used to measure severity of pain and interference with activities of daily living because of pain. The EuroQol EQ-5D assessment tool was used to measure quality of life. These outcomes were assessed at recruitment and on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 following recruitment.

Results

Acute herpes zoster interfered in all health domains, especially sleep (64% of participants), enjoyment of life (58%) and general activities (53%). The median duration of pain was 32.5 days. The median duration of interference with activities of daily living because of pain varied between 27 and 30 days. Overall, 24% of the participants had postherpetic neuralgia (pain for more than 90 days after rash onset). Anxiety and depression, enjoyment of life, mood and sleep were most frequently affected during the postherpetic neuralgia period. The mean EQ-5D score was 0.59 at enrolment and remained at 0.67 at all follow-up points among participants who reported clinically significant pain.

Interpretation

These data support the need for preventive strategies and additional early intervention to reduce the burden of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.Herpes zoster, which is characterized by dermatomal pain and vesicular rash,^1,2 results from reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus.^3,4 The average lifetime risk of herpes zoster in developed countries is estimated to be about 30%^5–7 and increases with increasing life expectancy. The most common complication of herpes zoster, and one of the most challenging to treat, is postherpetic neuralgia, a painful condition often defined as pain persisting for more than 90 days after rash onset.⁸ According to this definition, postherpetic neuralgia is estimated to occur in 8%–27% of people with herpes zoster overall.^9–14 The risk of postherpetic neuralgia increases markedly with age.¹⁵The Shingles Prevention Study, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, showed that a live-attenuated varicella-zoster virus vaccine was safe and effective in preventing herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia among people 60 years of age and older.¹³ Given these promising results, policy-makers and clinicians are being asked to make recommendations regarding the use and funding of the herpes zoster vaccine. To do this, evidence on the burden of herpes zoster from the patient’s perspective is required. The only data available on the impact of herpes zoster on health-related quality of life comes from two short-term studies.^16,17 Clinical reports and cross-sectional surveys^18–20 have also suggested that postherpetic neuralgia can profoundly impair quality of life. However, no study followed a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed herpes zoster for a sufficient period to assess postherpetic neuralgia and describe the associated impact on quality of life.We undertook a multicentre prospective study to describe the impact of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia on health-related quality of life.