Temporal analysis of Arabidopsis genes activated by Eucalyptus grandis NAC transcription factors associated with xylem fibre and vessel development.

Secondary cell wall (SCW) deposition in Arabidopsis is regulated among others by NAC transcription factors, where SND1 chiefly initiates xylem fibre differentiation while VND6 controls metaxylem vessel SCW development, especially programmed cell death and wall patterning. The translational relevance of Arabidopsis SCW regulation theory and the utility of characterized transcription factors as modular synthetic biology tools for improving commercial fibre crops is unclear. We investigated inter-lineage gene activation dynamics for potential fibre and vessel differentiation regulators from the widely grown hardwood Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtales). EgrNAC26, a VND6 homolog, and EgrNAC61, an SND1 homolog, were transiently expressed in Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts in parallel to determine early and late (i.e. 7 and 14 hours post-transfection) gene targets. Surprisingly, across the time series EgrNAC26 activated only a subset of SCW-related transcription factors and biosynthetic genes activated by EgrNAC61, specializing instead in targeting vessel-specific wall pit and programmed cell death markers. Promoters of EgrNAC26 and EgrNAC61 both induced reporter gene expression in vessels of young Arabidopsis plants, with EgrNAC61 also conferring xylem- and cork cambium-preferential expression in Populus. Our results demonstrate partial conservation, with notable exceptions, of SND1 and VND6 homologs in Eucalyptus and a first report of cork cambium expression for EgrNAC61.

Comparison of three manual ventilation devices using an intubated mannequin.

OBJECTIVE: To compare three devices for manual neonatal ventilation. DESIGN: Participants performed a two minute period of ventilation using a self inflating device, an anaesthesia bag with attached manometer, and a Neopuff device. An intubated neonatal mannequin, approximating a 1 kg infant with functional lungs, was used for the study. Target ventilation variables included a rate of 40 breaths per minute, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) of 20 cm H2O, and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 4 cm H2O. The circuit was attached to a laptop computer for data recording. RESULTS: Thirty five participants were enrolled, including consultant neonatologists, paediatricians, and anaesthetists, paediatric and anaesthetic registrars, and neonatal nurses. The maximum PIP recorded using the self inflating bag, anaesthetic bag, and Neopuff device were 75.9, 35.5, and 22.4 cm H2O respectively. There were significant differences between the devices for mean PIP (30.7, 18.1, and 20.1 cm H2O), mean PEEP (0.2, 2.8, and 4.4 cm H2O), mean airway pressure (7.6, 8.5, and 10.9 cm H2O), % total breaths < or = 21 cm H2O PIP (39%, 92%, and 98%), and % total breaths > or = 30 cm H2O PIP (45%, 0, and 0). There was no difference between doctors and allied health professionals for the variables examined. CONCLUSION: The anaesthetic bag with manometer and Neopuff device both facilitate accurate and reproducible manual ventilation. Self inflating devices without modifications are not as consistent by comparison and should incorporate a manometer and a PEEP device, particularly when used for resuscitation of very low birthweight infants.