A novel insight into transcriptional and epigenetic regulation underlying sex expression and flower development in melon (Cucumis melo L.).

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is an important cucurbit and has been considered as a model plant for studying sex determination. The four most common sexual morphotypes in melon are monoecious (A-G-M), gynoecious (--ggM-), andromonoecious (A-G-mm), and hermaphrodite (--ggmm). Sex expression in melons is complex, as the genes and associated networks that govern the sex expression are not fully explored. Recently, RNA-seq transcriptomic profiling, ChIP-qPCR analysis integrated with gene ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways predicted the differentially expressed genes including sex-specific ACS and ACO genes, in regulating the sex-expression, phytohormonal cross-talk, signal transduction, and secondary metabolism in melons. Integration of transcriptional control through genetic interaction in between the ACS7, ACS11, and WIP1 in epistatic or hypostatic manner, along with the recruitment of H3K9ac and H3K27me3, epigenetically, overall determine sex expression. Alignment of protein sequences for establishing phylogenetic evolution, motif comparison, and protein-protein interaction supported the structural conservation while presence of the conserved hydrophilic and charged residues across the diverged evolutionary group predicted the functional conservation of the ACS protein. Presence of the putative cis-binding elements or DNA motifs, and its further comparison with DAP-seq-based cistrome and epicistrome of Arabidopsis, unraveled strong ancestry of melons with Arabidopsis. Motif comparison analysis also characterized putative genes and transcription factors involved in ethylene biosynthesis, signal transduction, and hormonal cross-talk related to sex expression. Overall, we have comprehensively reviewed research findings for a deeper insight into transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of sex expression and flower development in melons.

Effect of ampicillin and chloroquine on humoral immune response elicited by bovine albumin encapsulated in liposomes.

Immune suppression resulting from chemoprophylaxis and potential drug interaction were investigated in experimental animals pre-medicated with ampicillin and chloroquine followed by immunization with bovine serum albumin bearing liposomes prepared by the reverse phase evaporation method. The prepared liposomes were evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release. Humoral immune response was measured in terms of systemic IgG antibody titre by the ELISA method. The present study showed that 7:3 molar ratio of soya phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol produced liposomes of mean diameter of 235.4 +/- 10.3 nm and entrapment efficiency of 41.3 +/- 3.2%. Ampicillin significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the antibody titre whereas chloroquine did not reduce the antibody titre significantly. The study will help in programming a new drug management and in characterization of vaccine-drug interaction.

The heterogeneous spectrum of the long QT syndrome.

The long QT syndrome affects predominantly younger people who demonstrate structurally normal hearts. The underlying defect in the long QT syndrome seems to be genetic mutations in the cardiac ionic channels responsible for generating action potentials. Genetic linkage mapping has identified six genes (designated LQT1-6) associated with the Romano-Ward syndrome; two of these genes (LQT1, LQT5) are associated with the Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome. All of these genes encode potassium channels with the exception of LQT3, which encodes a sodium channel. Mutations affecting these channels will lead to a derangement in ionic flows across the cytoplasmic membranes of cardiac cells, thereby leading to prolongation of the cardiac action potential and lengthening of the QT interval on the surface electrocardiogram. Long QT syndrome is a cause of death in young, otherwise healthy individuals. The heterogeneity of the long QT syndrome also makes prognosis and risk stratification difficult. In patients with long QT syndrome genotypes 1 and 2, as well as during slower heart rates, men exhibited shorter mean QTc interval durations than did women; thus, women possess a predilection for developing torsades de pointes. In female probands with the congenital long QT syndrome, the postpartum period appears to confer a significant risk for experiencing a cardiac event. The study determined that certain combinations, such as exhibiting a QTc of 500ms or more, along with the presence of LQT1, LQT2, and LQT3 (with male gender), conferred a 50% or greater risk of a first cardiac event. Based on the observation that physical exertion and emotional stress are significant triggers for cardiac events in the setting of congenital long QT syndrome (specifically the LQT1 and LQT2 genotypes), avoidance of competitive sports seems to be a prudent lifestyle modification. This heterogeneity stems from the presence of different mutations in the genes that encode cardiac ion channels. The triggering events, prognosis, and risk stratification of the patient with long QT syndrome appear to be influenced by the underlying genotype. The primary treatment of congenital long QT syndrome, i.e., beta-blockade therapy with internal cardioverter defibrillator therapy, appears to be useful in a subset of patients.

Pyrexia following total knee replacement.

This study aims to determine the incidence and factors associated with pyrexia following total knee replacement (TKR). We performed a retrospective analysis of the temperature charts and histories of patients who underwent 170 TKRs. There was a statistically significant increase in mean temperature from pre-operation to post-operation, and this increase remained significant through to 5 days post surgery (p<0.0001). Sixty-two (36.5%) patients were pyrexial (>or=38 degrees C) at some point. Fourteen patients developed a clinical infection, but only four of these were pyrexial. There was no association between pyrexia and infection, allogenic blood transfusion, haemoglobin loss, use of urinary catheter, rheumatoid arthritis, anaesthetic type, and previous pyrexia following TKR. Pyrexia as a diagnostic test for the development of infection had a sensitivity of 0.286 (95% CI=0.084-0.581), specificity of 0.628 (95% CI=0.548-0.704) and positive predictive value of 0.065 (95% CI=0.018-0.157). Pyrexia in the first 5 days following TKR is usually a normal physiological response and should not cause undue concern about the presence of infection.

Audible implantable cardioverter defibrillator alarms detect intermittent conductor discontinuity.

The lead conductor integrity of implantable cardioverter defibrillator devices is inferred from impedance measurements; however, intermittent discontinuity can be difficult to detect or confirm. Newer devices can perform daily lead impedance self-testing, and some even have audible alarms that promptly warn patients of anomalies. In the present case, the audible alarms were solely responsible for the timely identification of an intermittent, otherwise clinically nonreproducible, form of potentially fatal implantable cardioverter defibrillator system failure.

Ethnic differences in preoperative function of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

The prevalence of osteoarthritis is high in all ethnic and demographic groups. The timing of surgery is important because poor preoperative functional status is related to poor postoperative function. The aim of our study was to compare the preoperative knee function in patients of Asian origin with that of Caucasians living in the same community. We carried out a prospective study of 63 consecutive Asian patients and 63 age- and gender-matched Caucasian patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Preoperative Knee Society Clinical Rating System scores were recorded as a separate knee score and knee function score. The mean preoperative knee score in Asian patients was 37.6 compared with 41.5 in Caucasians (p<0.12); this difference was not statistically significant. The mean preoperative knee function score in Asian patients was 32.5 compared with 45.0 in Caucasians (p<0.00015); this difference was highly statistically significant. We conclude that patients of Asian origin undergoing total knee arthroplasty have lower preoperative knee function than Caucasians do. Cultural beliefs and social support partially explain this discrepancy, but health care providers must attempt to educate patients and close family members about the importance of timing the surgery to obtain the optimum benefits of pain relief and function.

Effect of intra-articular steroids on deep infections following total knee arthroplasty.

Intra-articular steroids have been commonly used for the treatment of arthritis. The aim of our study was to discover any relation between deep infections following total knee arthroplasty and intra-articular steroid use before the arthroplasty. We undertook a retrospective matched cohort study. In the study group there were 32 patients with confirmed deep infection following total knee replacement. The control group consisted of 32 patients with no evidence of infection in the knee. There was no significant difference between the numbers of patients who received intra-articular steroid injection between the groups (P=1). We believe that infection following total knee replacement is due to multiple factors and that the use of intra-articular steroids does not alter the incidence of deep infections following total knee arthroplasty.

Granulocytic sarcoma presenting as bilateral adrenal masses.

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a collection of immature myeloid cells contained outside the bone marrow often seen in association with acute myeloid leukemia or as a sign of leukemic transformation in myeloproliferative disorders. Rarely, GS is an isolated finding unaccompanied by another hematological disorder. GS can occur at a variety of sites, most commonly involving the bone, soft tissue, lymph nodes, or skin. We report GS presenting as bilateral adrenal masses in a patient without an antecedent hematologic illness.