A case report of hemolytic streptococcal gangrene in the danger triangle of the face with thrombocytopenia and hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Hemolytic streptococcus gangrene is a life threatening invasive bacterial infection. Hemolytic streptococcus gangrene in the danger triangle of the face is too lethal to operate. A case of the confirmed hemolytic streptococcus gangrene in the danger triangle of the face caused by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) in 20-months old boy is presented to draw attention of clinicians to this uncommon but frequently fatal infection. CASE PRESENTATION: Previously healthy 20 months old boy suddenly developed paranasal gangrene on the left side of the danger triangle of the face, followed by rapidly progressive thrombocytopenia and hepatitis. The clinical features, liver function, and hematological and serological parameters resembled to a description of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). Aggressive antibiotics, substitutional and supportive therapy were conducted without surgical debridement of facial tissues. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive timely treatment completely cured the disease in 28 days. CONCLUSIONS: The present case report demonstrates prompt diagnosis and timely treatment as a strategy to cure the fatal hemolytic streptococcus gangrene located in too risky body part to operate.

Sequencing, assembly, annotation, and gene expression: novel insights into the hormonal control of carrot root development revealed by a high-throughput transcriptome.

Previous studies have indicated that hormonal control is essential for plant root growth. The root of the carrot is an edible vegetable with a high nutritional value. However, molecular mechanisms underlying hormone-mediated root growth of carrot have not been illustrated. Therefore, the present study collected carrot root samples from four developmental stages, and performed transcriptome sequencing to understand the molecular functions of plant hormones in carrot root growth. A total of 160,227 transcripts were generated from our transcriptome, which were assembled into 32,716 unigenes with an average length of 1,453 bp. A total of 4,818 unigenes were found to be differentially expressed between the four developmental stages. In total, 87 hormone-related differentially expressed genes were identified, and the roles of the hormones are extensively discussed. Our results suggest that plant hormones may regulate carrot root growth in a phase-dependent manner, and these findings will provide valuable resources for future research on carrot root development.

[Efficacy of Bortezomib for Maintenance therapy of Patients with Multiple Myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of chemotherapy consisted of bortezomib as main druy in maintenance therapy for recurrence of newly diagnosed MM patients. METHODS: The clinical data and outcome of 37 MM patients during 2008-2013 were analyzed retrospectively, the 37 MM patients were divided into 2 group: 19 cases including 13 cases of newly diagnosed MM with symptoms and 6 cases of relapsed refractory MM were enrolled in group A; 17 cases of newly diagnosed MM with symptoms were enrolled in group B. The patients of group A received maintenance therapy consisted of bortezomib plus dexamethasone (VD group), while the patient group B received maintenance therapy consisted of melphalan plus prednisone(MP group), then the therapeutic efficacy of 2 group was compared. RESULTS: The overall response rate(ORR) in VD groupe was 84.2%(16/19), out of which CR rate reached 42%(8/19), PR rate reached 31.6%(6/19), MR rate reached 10.5%(3/19). During median follow-up for 21.8(5-51) months, death occurred, while the ORR in MP group was 52(9/17), out of which CR rate was 23.5%(4/17), PR rate reached 23.5%(4/17), MR rate reached 5.9%(1/17). Druing median follow-up for 16.4(4-39) months, the worteity reaced 64.7%(11/17). The differencr between 2 groups was significant(P<0.05). The median OS time of patients in VD group was 21.6 months, that in MP group was 17.9 months(P<0.05). The median PFS in VD group and MP group were 13.4 and 9.4 months respectively(P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The ORR and CR rates of bortezomib maintenance therapy for newly diagnosed and relapsed / refractory MM patients are very high, and its toxicity can be controlled, therefore, the patients need maintenance therapy after remission.

High-throughput sequencing of small RNAs and anatomical characteristics associated with leaf development in celery.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exhibit diverse and important roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses and regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Knowledge about the diversity of miRNAs and their roles in leaf development in celery remains unknown. To elucidate the roles of miRNAs in celery leaf development, we identified leaf development-related miRNAs through high-throughput sequencing. Small RNA libraries were constructed using leaves from three stages (10, 20, and 30 cm) of celery cv.'Ventura' and then subjected to high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. At Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 of 'Ventura', a total of 333, 329, and 344 conserved miRNAs (belonging to 35, 35, and 32 families, respectively) were identified. A total of 131 miRNAs were identified as novel in 'Ventura'. Potential miRNA target genes were predicted and annotated using the eggNOG, GO, and KEGG databases to explore gene functions. The abundance of five conserved miRNAs and their corresponding potential target genes were validated. Expression profiles of novel potential miRNAs were also detected. Anatomical characteristics of the leaf blades and petioles at three leaf stages were further analyzed. This study contributes to our understanding on the functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in celery leaf development.

De novo assembly, transcriptome characterization, lignin accumulation, and anatomic characteristics: novel insights into lignin biosynthesis during celery leaf development.

Celery of the family Apiaceae is a biennial herb that is cultivated and consumed worldwide. Lignin is essential for cell wall structural integrity, stem strength, water transport, mechanical support, and plant pathogen defense. This study discussed the mechanism of lignin formation at different stages of celery development. The transcriptome profile, lignin distribution, anatomical characteristics, and expression profile of leaves at three stages were analyzed. Regulating lignin synthesis in celery growth development has a significant economic value. Celery leaves at three stages were collected, and Illumina paired-end sequencing technology was used to analyze large-scale transcriptome sequences. From Stage 1 to 3, the collenchyma and vascular bundles in the petioles and leaf blades thickened and expanded, whereas the phloem and the xylem extensively developed. Spongy and palisade mesophyll tissues further developed and were tightly arranged. Lignin accumulation increased in the petioles and the mesophyll (palisade and spongy), and the xylem showed strong lignification. Lignin accumulation in different tissues and at different stages of celery development coincides with the anatomic characteristics and transcript levels of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis. Identifying the genes that encode lignin biosynthesis-related enzymes accompanied by lignin distribution may help elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of lignin biosynthesis in celery.