OsSLA1 functions in leaf angle regulation by enhancing the interaction between OsBRI1 and OsBAK1 in rice.

Leaf angle is an important trait in plants. Here, we demonstrate that the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase OsSLA1 plays an important role in leaf angle regulation in rice (Oryza sativa). OsSLA1 mutant plants exhibited a small leaf angle phenotype due to changes of adaxial cells in the lamina joint. GUS staining revealed that OsSLA1 was highly expressed in adaxial cells of the lamina joint. The OsSLA1 mutant plants were insensitive to exogenous epibrassinolide (eBL) and showed upregulated expression of DWARF and CPD, but downregulated expression of BU1, BUL1, and ILI1, indicating that brassinosteroid (BR) signal transduction was blocked. Fluorescence microscopy showed that OsSLA1 was localized to the plasma membrane and nearby periplasmic vesicles. Further study showed that OsSLA1 interacts with OsBRI1 and OsBAK1 via its intracellular domain and promotes the interaction between OsBRI1 and OsBAK1. In addition, phosphorylation experiments revealed that OsSLA1 does not possess kinase activity, but that it can be phosphorylated by OsBRI1 in vitro. Knockout of OsSLA1 in the context of d61 caused exacerbation of the mutant phenotype. These results demonstrate that OsSLA1 regulates leaf angle formation via positive regulation of BR signaling by enhancing the interaction of OsBRI1 with OsBAK1.

[Transthoracic Echocardiography Revealed Inferior Vena Cava and Right Atrial Occupation:Report of One Case].

One case with ascites and lower limb edema as the initial manifestations was reported.The echocardiography revealed inferior vena cava and right atrial occupation,which combined with increased alpha fetoprotein and imaging examination,suggested liver malignant tumor combined with tumor thrombus of inferior vena cava and right atrium.After targeted therapy combined with immunotherapy,the tumor shrank and alpha fetoprotein decreased significantly,suggesting that the treatment was effective.The median survival time of the patient was 3 months.This patient had a clear history of cirrhosis due to hepatitis B and was clinically diagnosed with advanced liver cancer,which suggested the importance of early liver cancer screening.

The Rice Receptor-Like Kinases DWARF AND RUNTISH SPIKELET1 and 2 Repress Cell Death and Affect Sugar Utilization during Reproductive Development.

Cell-to-cell communication precisely controls the creation of new organs during reproductive growth. However, the sensor molecules that mediate developmental signals in monocot plants are poorly understood. Here, we report that DWARF AND RUNTISH SPIKELET1 (DRUS1) and DRUS2, two closely related receptor-like kinases (RLKs), redundantly control reproductive growth and development in rice (Oryza sativa). A drus1-1 drus2 double knockout mutant, but not either single mutant, showed extreme dwarfism and barren inflorescences that harbored sterile spikelets. The gibberellin pathway was not impaired in this mutant. A phenotypic comparison of mutants expressing different amounts of DRUS1 and 2 revealed that reproductive growth requires a threshold level of DRUS1/2 proteins. DRUS1 and 2 maintain cell viability by repressing protease-mediated cell degradation and likely by affecting sugar utilization or conversion. In the later stages of anther development, survival of the endothecium requires DRUS1/2, which may stimulate expression of the UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene UGP2 and starch biosynthesis in pollen. Unlike their Arabidopsis thaliana ortholog FERONIA, DRUS1 and 2 mediate a fundamental signaling process that is essential for cell survival and represents a novel biological function for the CrRLK1L RLK subfamily.

AtCaM4 interacts with a Sec14-like protein, PATL1, to regulate freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis in a CBF-independent manner.

Calmodulin (CaM), a multifunctional Ca2+ sensor, mediates multiple reactions involved in regulation of plant growth and responses to environmental stress. In this study, we found that AtCaM4 plays a negative role in freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis. The deletion of AtCaM4 resulted in enhanced freezing tolerance in cam4 mutant plants. Although AtCaM4 and AtCaM1 were cold-induced isoforms, cam4/cam1Ri double-mutant and cam4 single-mutant plants exhibited similar improvements in freezing tolerance, indicating that AtCaM4 plays major role. Furthermore, we found that AtCaM4 may influence freezing tolerance in a C-repeat binding factor (CBF)-independent manner as cold-induced expression patterns of CBFs did not change in the cam4/cam1Ri mutant. In addition, among the cold-responsive (COR) genes detected, KIN1, COR15b, and COR8.6 exhibited clearly enhanced expression over the long term in cam4/cam1Ri mutant plants exposed to cold stress. Using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we identified multiple candidate AtCaM4-interacting proteins. Co-immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the interaction of AtCaM4 with PATL1 in vivo and a phenotype analysis showed that patl1 mutant plants exhibited enhanced freezing tolerance. Thus, we conclude that AtCaM4 negatively regulates freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis by interacting with the novel CaM-binding protein PATL1.

The rice wall-associated receptor-like kinase gene OsDEES1 plays a role in female gametophyte development.

The wall-associated kinase (WAK) gene family is a unique subfamily of receptor-like kinases (RLKs) in plants. WAK-RLKs play roles in cell expansion, pathogen resistance, and metal tolerance in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Rice (Oryza sativa) has far more WAK-RLK genes than Arabidopsis, but the functions of rice WAK-RLKs are poorly understood. In this study, we found that one rice WAK-RLK gene, DEFECT IN EARLY EMBRYO SAC1 (OsDEES1), is involved in the regulation of early embryo sac development. OsDEES1 silencing by RNA interference caused a high rate of female sterility. Crossing experiments showed that female reproductive organs lacking OsDEES1 carried a functional defect. A detailed investigation of the ovaries from OsDEES1 RNA interference plants indicated that the knockdown of OsDEES1 expression did not affect megasporogenesis but that it disturbed female gametophyte formation, resulting in a degenerated embryo sac and defective seed formation. OsDEES1 exhibited a tissue-specific expression pattern in flowers and seedlings. In the ovary, OsDEES1 was expressed in the megagametophyte region and surrounding nucellus cells in the ovule near the micropylar region. OsDEES1 was found to be a membrane-localized protein with a unique sequence compared with other WAK-RLKs. These data indicate that OsDEES1 plays a role in rice sexual reproduction by regulating female gametophyte development. This study offers new insight into the functions of the WAK-RLK family.

Risk Factors for Delirium Superimposed on Dementia in Elderly Patients in Comprehensive Ward.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of delirium and its related risk factors in patients with senile dementia during hospitalization. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 157 patients over 65 with cognitive impairment who were hospitalized in the comprehensive ward from October 2019 to February 2023 was conducted. Patients were assigned into delirium and non-delirium groups according to whether they exhibited delirium during hospitalization. General information about the patients and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, blood C-reactive protein level, and blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) level were recorded. Univariate analysis was used to identify potential risk factors for delirium, and factors with statistical significance were subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis. A prediction line chart for delirium in elderly dementia patients was constructed using R 4.03 software, and the model was validated. RESULTS: Among the 157 patients with senile dementia, 42 patients exhibited delirium and 115 patients exhibited non-delirium. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, VAS score ≥4 points, use of sedative drugs, and blood SOD <129 U/mL were independent risk factors for delirium during hospitalization in elderly dementia patients. A prediction nomogram was plotted based on the five risk factors, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis presented an area under the curve of .875 (95% CI: .816-.934). The nomogram model was internally validated by the Bootstrap method, and the calibration curve showed good agreement between predicted and actual results. Hosmer-Lemeshow test demonstrated that the model had a good fit and high predictive ability. CONCLUSION: Diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, VAS ≥4 points, use of sedative drugs, and blood SOD <129 U/mL were independent risk factors for delirium in patients with senile dementia during hospitalization. The nomogram model had good accuracy and clinical application value for predicting delirium in this study.

Routine Use of a Pocket-Sized Handheld Echoscopic Device Plus a Biomarker by Emergency Medicine Residents with an Early Screening Algorithm for Suspected Type A Acute Aortic Syndrome.

(1) Background: The early screening strategy for type A acute aortic syndrome (A-AAS) patients has always been challenging. (2) Methods: From September 2020-31 March 2022, 179 consecutive patients with suspected A-AAS were retrospectively reviewed. We assessed the diagnostic value of the use of handheld echocardiographic devices (PHHEs) by emergency medicine (EM) residents either alone or in combination with serum acidic calponin in this patient group. (3) Results: The direct sign of PHHE had a specificity (SP) of 97.7%. The sign of ascending aortic dilatation showed SE = 77.6%, SP = 68.5%, PPV = 48.1% and NPV = 89%. SE, SP, PPV and NPV of a positive PHHE direct sign were 55.6%, 100%, 100% and 71.4% in 19 hypotension/shock patients with suspected A-AAS, respectively. The area under curve (AUC) of acidic calponin combined with an ascending aorta diameter >40 mm was 0.927, with an SE and SP of 83.7% and 89.2%, respectively. These two combined indicators significantly improved the diagnostic efficiency of A-AAS compared with either of them alone (p = 0.017; standard error 0.016, Z value 2.39; p = 0.001, standard error 0.028, Z value 3.29). (4) Conclusion: EM resident-performed PHHE was highly indicative of A-AAS in patients presenting with shock or hypotension. An ascending aorta diameter > 40 mm combined with acidic calponin demonstrated acceptable diagnostic accuracy as a rapid first-line triage tool to identify patients with suspected A-AAS.

Altered architecture and enhanced drought tolerance in rice via the down-regulation of indole-3-acetic acid by TLD1/OsGH3.13 activation.

Plant architecture is determined by genetic and developmental programs as well as by environmental factors. Sessile plants have evolved a subtle adaptive mechanism that allows them to alter their growth and development during periods of stress. Phytohormones play a central role in this process; however, the molecules responsible for integrating growth- and stress-related signals are unknown. Here, we report a gain-of-function rice (Oryza sativa) mutant, tld1-D, characterized by (and named for) an increased number of tillers, enlarged leaf angles, and dwarfism. TLD1 is a rice GH3.13 gene that encodes indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-amido synthetase, which is suppressed in aboveground tissues under normal conditions but which is dramatically induced by drought stress. The activation of TLD1 reduced the IAA maxima at the lamina joint, shoot base, and nodes, resulting in subsequent alterations in plant architecture and tissue patterning but enhancing drought tolerance. Accordingly, the decreased level of free IAA in tld1-D due to the conjugation of IAA with amino acids greatly facilitated the accumulation of late-embryogenesis abundant mRNA compared with the wild type. The direct regulation of such drought-inducible genes by changes in the concentration of IAA provides a model for changes in plant architecture via the process of drought adaptation, which occurs frequently in nature.

Multiple penetrating aortic ulcers and rupture of superior mesenteric artery branch presenting with symptoms similar to unstable angina: A case report.

RATINALE: Penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU) and rupture of a superior mesenteric artery branch is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. PATIENT CONCERNS: We describe a case of 73-year-old man was brought to our Emergency Department for intermittent back pain. DIAGNOSES: The final diagnoses are PAU (Stanford B) and rupture of a branch of the superior mesenteric artery. INTERVENTIONS: Two covered stents were placed in the thoracic aorta and the right external iliac artery, and the superior mesenteric artery branch was embolized. The patient subsequently underwent exploratory laparotomy, where 6000 to 7000mL of intra-abdominal hematoma was evacuated. OUTCOMES: After the operation, the patient recovered smoothly and was discharged 20 days later. During 3-year follow-up, the patient did not develop any pain or discomfort. LESSONS: Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may be difficult to distinguish, particularly for elderly patients with extensive atherosclerotic disease. Antithrombotic agent administration should be carefully considered.

HER4 isoform CYT2 and its ligand NRG1III are expressed at high levels in human colorectal cancer.

The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER4) isoforms and their ligand neuregulin 1 (NRG1) isoforms in human primary colorectal cancer (CRC). The mRNA expression of HER4 isoforms JM-a, JM-b, CYT1 and CYT2, and their ligand isoforms NRG1 I, II and III in CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the association between HER4 and NRG1 expression and lymph node metastasis in CRC. The expression levels of CYT1 (P=0.002), CYT2 (P=0.002) and NRG1 type III (P<0.001) were significantly higher in the CRC tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues. The expression of CYT2 was correlated with tumor stage (P=0.018), lymph node status (P=0.015) and tumor-node-metastasis (P=0.038) in CRC. The expression of NRG1III was correlated with lymph node metastasis, and the expression of CYT2 was associated with the expression of NRG1III (r=0.691, P<0.01). The logistic regression analysis indicated that expression of CYT2 >50 was a risk factor for lymph node metastasis in CRC. In conclusion the expression levels of CYT1, CYT2 and NRG1III were upregulated in CRC. An expression of CYT-2 >50 was identified as a risk factor for lymph node metastasis in CRC. Therefore, CY-2 and NRG1III may be involved in the progression of CRC.

[Corrigendum] Activation of platelet protease-activated receptor-1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and chemotaxis of colon cancer cell line SW620.

Oncol Rep 33: [Related article:] 2681-2688, 2015; DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.3897 After the publication of the article, it has been brought to the authors' attention by an interested reader that we had made an error regarding the colon cancer cell line in the manuscript. The error relates to Materials and methods, as well as Results, the colon cancer cell line in the Transwell migration assay and Flow cytometric detection of CXCR4 expression is HCT-116 rather than SW620. Accordingly, the correct legends in Figs. 3 and 6 in the paper are HCT-116 cells. This error does not affect the overall conclusions reported in the present study. We sincerely apologize for this mistake, and thank the reader of our article who drew this matter to our attention. Furthermore, we regret any inconvenience this error may have caused.

Activation of platelet protease-activated receptor-1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and chemotaxis of colon cancer cell line SW620.

The aim of the present study was to examine the role of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1)-stimulated platelet activation in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of colon cancer cells, and to identify the underlying mechanisms. TFLLR-NH2, a PAR1 agonist, was used to activate platelets and the platelet supernatants were used to treat the SW620 colon cancer cell line. Expression of E-cadherin and vimentin on SW620 cells was detected by immunofluorescence and western blotting, and the level of the transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) was measured using ELISA following the activation of platelets by TFLLR-NH2. miR-200b expression was detected using quantitative PCR in SW620 cells. In order to investigate the chemotactic ability of the SW620 cells, the expression of CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) was measured by flow cytometry. Transwell migration assays were performed following exposure of the cells to the supernatant of PAR1-activated platelets. SW620 cells cultured in the supernatant of TFLLR-NH2-activated platelets upregulated E-cadherin expression and downregulated the vimentin expression. In the in vitro platelet culture system, a TFLLR-NH2 dose-dependent increase of secreted TGF-ß1 was detected in the supernatant. The activation of PAR1 on the platelets led to the inhibition of miR-200b expression in the SW620 cells that were cultured in platelet-conditioned media. The number of SW620 cells that penetrated through the Transwell membrane increased with the dose of TFLLR-NH2 used to treat the platelets. The percentage of CXCR4-positive SW620 cells was significantly higher when they were exposed to the supernatant of platelets cultured for 24 h with PAR1 agonist than when cultured in non-conditioned media (40.89 ± 6.74 vs. 3.47 ± 1.40%, P < 0.01). Platelet activation with a PAR1 agonist triggered TGF-ß secretion, which induced EMT of SW620 human colon cancer cells via the downregulation of miR-200b expression, and activated platelets had a chemotactic effect on colon cancer cells mediated by the upregulation of CXCR4 on the cell surface.

Molecular and genetic evidence for the key role of AtCaM3 in heat-shock signal transduction in Arabidopsis.

Heat shock (HS) is a common form of stress suffered by plants. It has been proposed that calmodulin (CaM) is involved in HS signal transduction, but direct evidence has been lacking. To investigate the potential regulatory function of CaM in the HS signal transduction pathway, T-DNA knockout mutants for AtCaM2, AtCaM3, and AtCaM4 were obtained and their thermotolerance tested. Of the three knockout mutant plants, there were no differences compared with wild-type plants under normal conditions. However, the AtCaM3 knockout mutant showed a clear reduction in thermotolerance after heat treatment at 45 degrees C for 50 min. Overexpression of AtCaM3 in either the AtCaM3 knockout or wild-type background significantly rescued or increased the thermotolerance, respectively. Results from electrophoretic mobility-shift assays, real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and western-blot analyses revealed that, after HS, the DNA-binding activity of HS transcription factors, mRNA transcription of HS protein genes, and accumulation of HS protein were down-regulated in the AtCaM3 knockout mutant and up-regulated in the AtCaM3-overexpressing transgenic lines. Taken together, these results suggest that endogenous AtCaM3 is a key component in the Ca2+-CaM HS signal transduction pathway.