Plasma Circulating Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptors at Multiple Time Points Can Predict the Outcome of Severe Acute Kidney Injury.

INTRODUCTION: This prospective cohort study investigated the clinical role of circulating tumor necrosis factor receptor (cTNFR) levels as prognostic biomarkers in severe acute kidney injury (AKI) patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). METHODS: We enrolled 136 patients from 7 hospitals participating in the VENUS (VolumE maNagement Under body composition monitoring in critically ill patientS on CRRT) trial from July 2017 to October 2019. The levels of cTNFR1 and cTNFR2 were measured using plasma samples collected on days 0 (D0), 2 (D2), and 7 (D7). Patients were divided into high- and low-cTNFR groups based on their receptor concentrations. RESULTS: D0 concentrations of cTNFR1 and cTNFR2 were positively correlated with one another (R2 = 0.37, p < 0.001). The high-cTNFR1 group displayed a higher in-hospital mortality rate than the low-TNFR1 group (p = 0.002). Moreover, the mortality rate was significantly higher in the high-TNFR1 group than in the low-TNFR1 group after adjusting for age, sex, and acute physiology, and chronic health evaluation II scores (hazard ratio 1.82, 95% confidence interval 1.09-3.03, p = 0.025). D2 and D7 cTNFR1 levels were also associated with in-hospital mortality; contrastingly, cTNFR2 levels were not associated with this outcome. Additionally, patients were divided into three groups according to the change in cTNFR levels from D0 to D2 (ΔcTNFR). Those in the highest ΔcTNFR tertile had a higher mortality rate than the remaining patients (p = 0.033 for ΔcTNFR1; p = 0.025 for ΔcTNFR2). Patients who underwent AKI-to-chronic kidney disease transition had higher concentrations of cTNFR1 (p = 0.014). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Plasma cTNFR1 concentrations at CRRT initiation and changes in cTNFR1 and 2 levels immediately following CRRT initiation are significant biomarkers for predicting the outcomes of patients with severe AKI.

A Study on Breast Augmentation Using Fat Grafting With Stromal Vascular Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and fat grafting are emerging alternatives to implants for breast augmentation. However, the lack of controlled clinical data has led to conflicting results regarding the effectiveness of surgical treatments. This study aimed to identify the key factors affecting the outcomes of fat grafting with SVF and to recognize novel methods to improve the retention rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 384 women underwent breast augmentation using fat grafting with SVF. The patients were preoperatively and postoperatively managed and recalled for follow-up at 3, 6, and 18 months. RESULTS: The average volume of the injection in the left breast was 162.35 mL (range, 50-260 mL). The postoperative retention rates were 78.65% in 384 patients at 3 months, 77.17% in 273 patients at 6 months, and 77.48% in 102 patients at 18 months. The retention rates were compared based on the number of SVF cells; patients with more than 60 million cells had a retention rate of 70.77%, and those with less than 60 million cells had a retention rate of 85.60% at 18 months. The retention rates at the 18-month follow-up were 65.62% and 85.09% in stiff and soft breasts, respectively. A higher number of cells in the SVF was associated with a greater retention volume, and the retention volume was greater in patients with soft breasts.Given the higher use of the right arm, after 18 months of the surgery, the retention rate of the right breast (60.35%) was lower than that of the left breast (77.48%) ( P < 0.05; t = -13.199). CONCLUSIONS: Limiting arm movement, increasing the number of cells in the SVF, and improving the skin tension might enhance the retention rate in patients undergoing breast augmentation.

Genomic profile of metastatic breast cancer patient-derived xenografts established using percutaneous biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is a complex and life-threatening disease and although it is difficult to cure, patients can benefit from sequential anticancer treatment, including endocrine therapy, targeted therapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy. The patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model is suggested as a practical tool to predict the clinical outcome of this disease as well as to screen novel drugs. This study aimed to establish PDX models in Korean patients and analyze their genomic profiles and utility for translational research. METHODS: Percutaneous core needle biopsy or punch biopsy samples were used for xenotransplantation. Whole exome sequencing and transcriptome analysis were performed to assess the genomic and RNA expression profiles, respectively. Copy number variation and mutational burden were analyzed and compared with other metastatic breast cancer genomic results. Mutational signatures were also analyzed. The antitumor effect of an ATR inhibitor was tested in the relevant PDX model. RESULTS: Of the 151 cases studied, 40 (26%) PDX models were established. Notably, the take rate of all subtypes, including the hormone receptor-positive (HR +) subtype, exceeded 20%. The PDX model had genomic fidelity and copy number variation that represented the pattern of its donor sample. TP53, PIK3CA, ESR1, and GATA3 mutations were frequently found in our samples, with TP53 being the most frequently mutated, and the somatic mutations in these genes strengthened their frequency in the PDX model. The ESR1 mutation, CCND1 amplification, and the APOBEC signature were significant features in our HR + HER2- PDX model. Fulvestrant in combination with palbociclib showed a partial response to the relevant patient's tumor harboring the ESR1 mutation, and CCND1 amplification was found in the PDX model. AZD6738, an ATR inhibitor, delayed tumor growth in a relevant PDX model. CONCLUSIONS: Our PDX model was established using core needle biopsy samples from primary and metastatic tissues. Genomic profiles of the samples reflected their original tissue characteristics and could be used for the interpretation of clinical outcomes.

Lead-Free AE Sensor Based on BZT-BCT Ceramics.

In this study, an acoustic emission (AE) sensor was fabricated using lead-free Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BZT-BCT) ceramics. The acoustic and electromechanical properties of the AE sensor were determined by the shapes of the piezoelectric ceramics. To optimize the AE sensor performance, the shapes of the ceramics were designed according to various diameter/thickness ratios (D/T) = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0. The BZT-BCT ceramic with D/T = 1.0 exhibited excellent values of a piezoelectric charge coefficient (d33), piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g33), and electromechanical coupling factor (kp), which were 370 (pC/N), 11.3 (10-3 Vm/N), and 0.58, respectively. Optimum values of resonant frequency (fr) = 172.724 (kHz), anti-resonant frequency (fa) = 196.067 (kHz), and effective electromechanical coupling factor (keff) = 0.473 were obtained for the manufactured BZT-BCT ceramic with D/T = 1.0. The maximum sensitivity and frequency of the AE sensor made of the BZT-BCT ceramic with a D/T ratio of 1.0 were 65 dB and 30 kHz, respectively.

New Insights into the Transcriptional Regulation of Genes Involved in the Nitrogen Use Efficiency under Potassium Chlorate in Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Potassium chlorate (KClO3) has been widely used to evaluate the divergence in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) between indica and japonica rice subspecies. This study investigated the transcriptional regulation of major genes involved in the NUE in rice treated with KClO3, which acts as an inhibitor of the reducing activity of nitrate reductase (NR) in higher plants. A set of two KClO3 sensitive nitrate reductase (NR) and two nitrate transporter (NRT) introgression rice lines (BC2F7), carrying the indica alleles of NR or NRT, derived from a cross between Saeilmi (japonica, P1) and Milyang23 (indica, P2), were exposed to KClO3 at the seedling stage. The phenotypic responses were recorded 7 days after treatment, and samples for gene expression, physiological, and biochemical analyses were collected at 0 h (control) and 3 h after KClO3 application. The results revealed that Saeilmi (P1, japonica) and Milyang23 (P2, indica) showed distinctive phenotypic responses. In addition, the expression of OsNR2 was differentially regulated between the roots, stem, and leaf tissues, and between introgression lines. When expressed in the roots, OsNR2 was downregulated in all introgression lines. However, in the stem and leaves, OsNR2 was upregulated in the NR introgression lines, but downregulation in the NRT introgression lines. In the same way, the expression patterns of OsNIA1 and OsNIA2 in the roots, stem, and leaves indicated a differential transcriptional regulation by KClO3, with OsNIA2 prevailing over OsNIA1 in the roots. Under the same conditions, the activity of NR was inhibited in the roots and differentially regulated in the stem and leaf tissues. Furthermore, the transcriptional divergence of OsAMT1.3 and OsAMT2.3, OsGLU1 and OsGLU2, between NR and NRT, coupled with the NR activity pattern in the roots, would indicate the prevalence of nitrate (NO3¯) transport over ammonium (NH4+) transport. Moreover, the induction of catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activities in Saeilmi (P1, KClO3 resistant), and the decrease in Milyang23 (P2, KClO3 sensitive), coupled with the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, indicated the extent of the oxidative stress, and the induction of the adaptive response mechanism, tending to maintain a balanced reduction-oxidation state in response to KClO3. The changes in the chloroplast pigments and proline content propose these compounds as emerging biomarkers for assessing the overall plant health status. These results suggest that the inhibitory potential of KClO3 on the reduction activity of the nitrate reductase (NR), as well as that of the genes encoding the nitrate and ammonium transporters, and glutamate synthase are tissue-specific, which may differentially affect the transport and assimilation of nitrate or ammonium in rice.

RNA-Seq and Electrical Penetration Graph Revealed the Role of Grh1-Mediated Activation of Defense Mechanisms towards Green Rice Leafhopper (Nephotettix cincticeps Uhler) Resistance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

The green rice leafhopper (GRH, Nephotettix cincticeps Uhler) is one of the most important insect pests causing serious damage to rice production and yield loss in East Asia. Prior to performing RNA-Seq analysis, we conducted an electrical penetration graph (EPG) test to investigate the feeding behavior of GRH on Ilpum (recurrent parent, GRH-susceptible cultivar), a near-isogenic line (NIL carrying Grh1) compared to the Grh1 donor parent (Shingwang). Then, we conducted a transcriptome-wide analysis of GRH-responsive genes in Ilpum and NIL, which was followed by the validation of RNA-Seq data by qPCR. On the one hand, EPG results showed differential feeding behaviors of GRH between Ilpum and NIL. The phloem-like feeding pattern was detected in Ilpum, whereas the EPG test indicated a xylem-like feeding habit of GRH on NIL. In addition, we observed a high death rate of GRH on NIL (92%) compared to Ilpum (28%) 72 h post infestation, attributed to GRH failure to suck the phloem sap of NIL. On the other hand, RNA-Seq data revealed that Ilpum and NIL GRH-treated plants generated 1,766,347 and 3,676,765 counts per million mapped (CPM) reads, respectively. The alignment of reads indicated that more than 75% of reads were mapped to the reference genome, and 8859 genes and 15,815,400 transcripts were obtained. Of this number, 3424 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 1605 upregulated in Ilpum and downregulated in NIL; 1819 genes upregulated in NIL and downregulated in Ilpum) were identified. According to the quantile normalization of the fragments per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads (FPKM) values, followed by the Student's t-test (p < 0.05), we identified 3283 DEGs in Ilpum (1935 upregulated and 1348 downregulated) and 2599 DEGs in NIL (1621 upregulated and 978 downregulated) with at least a log2 (logarithm base 2) twofold change (Log2FC ≥2) in the expression level upon GRH infestation. Upregulated genes in NIL exceeded by 13.3% those recorded in Ilpum. The majority of genes associated with the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, nucleotides, the activity of coenzymes, the action of phytohormones, protein modification, homeostasis, the transport of solutes, and the uptake of nutrients, among others, were abundantly upregulated in NIL (carrying Grh1). However, a high number of upregulated genes involved in photosynthesis, cellular respiration, secondary metabolism, redox homeostasis, protein biosynthesis, protein translocation, and external stimuli response related genes were found in Ilpum. Therefore, all data suggest that Grh1-mediated resistance against GRH in rice would involve a transcriptome-wide reprogramming, resulting in the activation of bZIP, MYB, NAC, bHLH, WRKY, and GRAS transcription factors, coupled with the induction of the pathogen-pattern triggered immunity (PTI), systemic acquired resistance (SAR), symbiotic signaling pathway, and the activation of genes associated with the response mechanisms against viruses. This comprehensive transcriptome profile of GRH-responsive genes gives new insights into the molecular response mechanisms underlying GRH (insect pest)-rice (plant) interaction.

OsASN1 Overexpression in Rice Increases Grain Protein Content and Yield under Nitrogen-Limiting Conditions.

Nitrogen (N) is a major limiting factor affecting crop yield in unfertilized soil. Thus, cultivars with a high N use efficiency (NUE) and good grain protein content (GPC) are needed to fulfill the growing food demand and to reduce environmental burden. This is especially true for rice (Oryza sativa L.) that is cultivated with a high input of N fertilizer and is a primary staple food crop for more than half of the global population. Here, we report that rice asparagine synthetase 1 (OsASN1) is required for grain yield and grain protein contents under both N-sufficient (conventional paddy fields) and N-limiting conditions from analyses of knockout mutant plants. In addition, we show that overexpression (OX) of OsASN1 results in better nitrogen uptake and assimilation, and increased tolerance to N limitation at the seedling stage. Under field conditions, the OsASN1 OX rice plants produced grains with increased N and protein contents without yield reduction compared to wild-type (WT) rice. Under N-limited conditions, the OX plants displayed increased grain yield and protein content with enhanced photosynthetic activity compared to WT rice. Thus, OsASN1 can be an effective target gene for the development of rice cultivars with higher grain protein content, NUE, and grain yield under N-limiting conditions.

Do All ASPECT Score Regions have the Same Predictive Power for Functional Outcomes?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score) is a 10-point topographic CT scan score that has been shown to be a strong prognostic factor in acute ischemic stroke. We investigated whether all ASPECTS regions have the same prognostic value. METHODS: Clinical characteristics, ASPECTS, and 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) data were retrospectively collected in 350 patients who were diagnosed with middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory stroke. To describe the 3-month mRS data, an ordered categorical approach was applied using a proportional odds model. Furthermore, external validation was performed using additional data from 30 patients. RESULTS: As expected, ASPECTS was an independently important predictor. However, when 10 regions were analyzed separately, the M1, M2, and M3 regions, related to MCA cortex, were not found to predict 3-month mRS scores in the final model. The odds ratios for ischemic change in other regions (except M1, M2, and M3) ranged from 2.6 to 3.8. Moreover, among clinical characteristics, only age was identified as a significant predictor. The sensitivity and specificity of the final model in the external validation were 91% and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: All ASPECTS regions did not have the same predictive power for functional outcomes, defined as the 3-month mRS. The implementation of a proportional odds model allowed a proper description of the ordered categorical nature of the mRS and the identification of relevant predictors.

Comparative genomics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae isolated from children with pneumonia: South Korea, 2010-2016.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of respiratory tract infections in children and adults. This study applied high-throughput whole genome sequencing (WGS) technologies to analyze the genomes of 30 M. pneumoniae strains isolated from children with pneumonia in South Korea during the two epidemics from 2010 to 2016 in comparison with a global collection of 48 M. pneumoniae strains which includes seven countries ranging from 1944 to 2017. RESULTS: The 30 Korean strains had approximately 40% GC content and ranged from 815,686 to 818,669 base pairs, coding for a total of 809 to 828 genes. Overall, BRIG revealed 99% to > 99% similarity among strains. The genomic similarity dropped to approximately 95% in the P1 type 2 strains when aligned to the reference M129 genome, which corresponded to the region of the p1 gene. MAUVE detected four subtype-specific insertions (three in P1 type 1 and one in P1 type 2), of which were all hypothetical proteins except one tRNA insertion in all P1 type 1 strains. The phylogenetic associations of 30 strains were generally consistent with the multilocus sequence typing results. The phylogenetic tree constructed with 78 genomes including 30 genomes from Korea formed two clusters and further divided into two sub-clusters. eBURST analysis revealed two clonal complexes according to P1 typing results showing higher diversity among P1 type 2 strains. CONCLUSIONS: The comparative whole genome approach was able to define high genetic identity, unique structural diversity, and phylogenetic associations among the 78 M. pneumoniae strains isolated worldwide.

Factors contributing to excessive daytime sleepiness in Korean adults with epilepsy: A sleep questionnaire-based study.

OBJECTIVES: We determined factors contributing to excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in Korean adults with epilepsy (AWE). METHODS: A total of 147 AWE who had been treated for >1 year were included. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Subjective sleep disturbances were assessed with the Sleep Apnea of Sleep Disorder Questionnaire (SA-SDQ) and questionnaires about insomnia and restless legs syndrome (RLS). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was also used. An ESS score >10 was considered indicative of EDS. Multivariate logistic regression analyses using the backward elimination method were performed for variables with a p < 0.10 on univariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean ESS score was 6.8 (standard deviation [SD]: 4.4). Among the 147 subjects, 36 (24.5%) had EDS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being employed (odds ratio [OR]: 4.469, p < 0.01), the presence of at least one sleep disturbance (OR: 3.626, p < 0.01), and antiepileptic drug (AED) polytherapy (OR: 2.663, p < 0.05) were independently associated with EDS in the overall group of AWE. In contrast, being employed (p < 0.05) and higher Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) scores (p < 0.05) in a model for men with epilepsy, as well as having at least one sleep disturbance (p < 0.05) in a model for women with epilepsy, were identified as independent factors for EDS. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive daytime sleepiness in AWE may have a multifactorial origin. Being employed, subjective sleep disturbances, and AED polytherapy are independent predictors of EDS. There may be sex differences in factors associated with EDS.

Flexible Energy Harvester Based on Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Composite Films.

In these days, we are facing emerging energy crisis due to depletion of fossil fuels. Therefore, renewable energy which is based on wind energy, mechanical force energy, microwave energy and vibrations energy have attracted a lot of attentions. Piezoelectric energy harvesting is one of the promising renewable energy sources. As the use portable electronic devices increases, the need for portable renewable energy sources further increases. Especially, piezoelectric materials can be the best selection due to their robust properties. In this research, piezoelectric composites were prepared and investigated for piezoelectric energy harvesting applications. In this study, two types of flexible energy harvesters, 0.36BS-0.64PT-PVDF composite and PVDF film, were prepared and analyzed. Due to its high Curie temperature and low lead content, BS-PT is expected to be a substitute for PZT in the near future. The composite materials based on the PVDF and 0.36BS-0.64PT film showed higher open circuit voltage (0.73 V) than PVDF film (0.49 V). Also, the stored voltage of 0.36BS-0.64PT-PVDF composite film was 330 nJ which is 5.68 times higher than 58 nJ for PVDF films. By introducing the piezoelectric BS-PT ceramics, 0.36BS-0.64PT-PVDF composite film shows the enhanced performance such as open circuit voltage, energy and dielectric constant compared with those of PVDF materials. It seems that 0.36BS-0.64PT-PVDF composite film is more suitable for flexible energy device.

Spring-Based Active Shock Absorber Systems with Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters.

In this research, energy harvesters with different types of spring-based shock absorbers were invested for the active shock absorber applications. Two different types of spring-based shock absorbers were prepared for the comparison, coil type spring-based shock absorbers and specially designed slice type spring-based shock absorbers. Shock absorbers have been widely employed to protect the complicated main system by cancelling the applied mechanical forces from outsides. Therefore, in the classical points of view, shock absorber can be prepared by the elastic materials to store and release the applied mechanical energy with sequentially in the form of elastic energy, thermal energy, and sound energy. However, in recently, there are strong demands to replace this classical shock absorber to the energy harvesters, which can collect the wasted energy in the form of electrical energy. Therefore, in this research, alternative two different types of spring-based advanced shock absorber will be presented and discussed. To combine with the spring-based shock absorber, multilayered piezoelectric energy harvesters were attached to collect the applied mechanical energy.

The Surgical Choice of Incidental Periampullary Carcinoma Management in Emergency Laparotomy.

BACKGROUND Laparotomy patients are occasionally diagnosed as having incidental periampullary cancers, making emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) inevitable. In this situation is difficult to decide whether to perform an emergency PD or a two-stage PD. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 27 patients who underwent emergency abdominal laparotomy were diagnosed with periampullary or pancreatic cancer during the operation without enough preoperative preparation. Ten patients underwent emergency one-stage PD and 17 patients underwent two-stage PD. Data of 137 patients with elective PD were selected as the control group. The preoperative, operative, and postoperative parameters, including hospital stay, medical cost, blood loss, and postoperative complications between elective PD and emergency PD (one-stage and two-stage) and between one-stage PD and two-stage PD were analyzed by chi-square test, Fisher test, or t test. RESULTS Patients undergoing emergency two-stage PD had less blood loss (P=0.014), while patients with one-stage PD had shorter hospital stay (P=0.004), shorter operation time (P=0.047), and lower treatment costs (P=0.003). Additionally, the complications rates between one-stage and two-stage PD had no significant difference (P=0.365). Elective PD was the optimal method due to shorter hospital stay (P<0.001), less hemorrhage (P<0.001), shorter operative time (P<0.001), and lower cost (P<0.001) compared with emergency PD. CONCLUSIONS Based on our experience, one-stage PD had advantages of shorter hospital stay, shorter operation time, and lower treatment costs, while two-stage PD had less blood loss. The emergency two-stage PD may be more suitable for patients with unstable vital signs if emergency PD is inevitable in an emergency laparotomy.

The Impact of Discrepancy between Measured versus Stated Weight on Hemorrhagic Transformation and Clinical Outcomes after Intravenous Alteplase Thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: An accurate measurement of patient weight is important in determining the dosage for intravenous alteplase thrombolysis. In most emergency rooms, however, weight is not measured. We investigated the difference between stated and measured weight and its effect on hemorrhagic transformation and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We enrolled 128 consecutive patients who had hyperacute stroke and were treated by alteplase. Alteplase dose was calculated using the weight provided by patient or guardian/caregiver, and the actual weight was measured after administration. Patients were classified into 2 groups: overused group (stated weight >measured weight) and underused group (measured weight ≥stated weight). The prevalence of hemorrhagic transformation on follow-up, determined by gradient-recalled echo MRI or non-enhanced CT, was compared between the 2 groups. The predictors for hemorrhage with progression, defined as an increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) by a value of 4 or more accompanied by hemorrhage, were determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis and included the overused or underused alteplase and baseline clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Sixty-six (51.6%) of 128 patients were in the underused group and 62 patients (48.4%) in the overused group. The median difference between the stated and measured weights was 1.5 (interquartile range 0.56-3.81) kg, with the largest difference being 25.6 kg. Although there were no significant difference in baseline clinical and laboratory findings between the 2 groups, the overused group showed a significantly higher prevalence of hemorrhagic transformation (p = 0.012) and hemorrhage with progression (p = 0.025). The multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that overused alteplase (OR 7.26; 95% CI 1.24-42.45; p = 0.028), baseline glucose (>144 mg/dL; OR 5.03; 95% CI 1.00-25.26; p = 0.050), and initial NIHSS (OR 1.13 per 1-point NIHSS increase; 95% CI 1.00-1.27; p = 0.047) in model 1 that use alteplase overdose as a categorical variable and overused alteplase (OR 1.67 1-mg increase; 95% CI 1.05-2.66; p = 0.027) in model 2 that use an overused alteplase dose as numerical variable were significant predictors for hemorrhage with progression. CONCLUSION: More alteplase usage than actual weight led to higher hemorrhagic transformation. As one of the predictors for clinical deterioration, it is important to administrate alteplase based on an accurately measured weight.

Plastidic phosphoglucomutase and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase mutants impair starch synthesis in rice pollen grains and cause male sterility.

To elucidate the starch synthesis pathway and the role of this reserve in rice pollen, we characterized mutations in the plastidic phosphoglucomutase, OspPGM, and the plastidic large subunit of ADP-glucose (ADP-Glc) pyrophosphorylase, OsAGPL4 Both genes were up-regulated in maturing pollen, a stage when starch begins to accumulate. Progeny analysis of self-pollinated heterozygous lines carrying the OspPGM mutant alleles, osppgm-1 and osppgm-2, or the OsAGPL4 mutant allele, osagpl4-1, as well as reciprocal crosses between the wild type (WT) and heterozygotes revealed that loss of OspPGM or OsAGPL4 caused male sterility, with the former condition rescued by the introduction of the WT OspPGM gene. While iodine staining and transmission electron microscopy analyses of pollen grains from homozygous osppgm-1 lines produced by anther culture confirmed the starch null phenotype, pollen from homozygous osagpl4 mutant lines, osagpl4-2 and osagpl4-3, generated by the CRISPR/Cas system, accumulated small amounts of starch which were sufficient to produce viable seed. Such osagpl4 mutant pollen, however, was unable to compete against WT pollen successfully, validating the important role of this reserve in fertilization. Our results demonstrate that starch is mainly polymerized from ADP-Glc synthesized from plastidic hexose phosphates in rice pollen and that starch is an essential requirement for successful fertilization in rice.

Pyramiding of two rice bacterial blight resistance genes, Xa3 and Xa4, and a closely linked cold-tolerance QTL on chromosome 11.

KEY MESSAGE: We fine mapped the Xa4 locus and developed a pyramided rice line containing Xa3 and Xa4 R - alleles and a cold-tolerance QTL. This line will be valuable in rice breeding. Bacterial blight (BB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a destructive disease of cultivated rice. Pyramiding BB resistance genes is an essential approach for increasing the resistance level of rice varieties. We selected an advanced backcross recombinant inbred line 132 (ABL132) from the BC3F7 population derived from a cross between cultivars Junam and IR72 by K3a inoculation and constructed the mapping population (BC4F6) to locate the Xa4 locus. The Xa4 locus was found to be delimited within a 60-kb interval between InDel markers InDel1 and InDel2 and tightly linked with the Xa3 gene on chromosome 11. After cold (4 °C) treatment, ABL132 with introgressions of IR72 in chromosome 11 showed lower survival rate, chlorophyll content, and relative water content compared to Junam. Genetic analysis showed that the cold stress-related quantitative trait locus (QTL) qCT11 was located in a 1.3-Mb interval close to the Xa4 locus. One line, ABL132-36, containing the Xa3 resistance allele from Junam, the Xa4 resistance allele from IR72, and the cold-tolerance QTL from Junam (qCT11), was developed from a BC4F6 population of 250 plants. This is the first report on the pyramiding of Xa3 and Xa4 genes with a cold-tolerance QTL. This region could provide a potential tool for improving resistance against BB and low-temperature stress in rice-breeding programs.

Ectopic expression of a hot pepper bZIP-like transcription factor in potato enhances drought tolerance without decreasing tuber yield.

Over-expression of group A bZIP transcription factor genes in plants improves abiotic stress tolerance but usually reduces yields. Thus, there have been several efforts to overcome yield penalty in transgenic plants. In this study, we characterized that expression of the hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) gene CaBZ1, which encodes a group S bZIP transcription factor, was induced by salt and osmotic stress as well as abscisic acid (ABA). Transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants over-expressing CaBZ1 exhibited reduced rates of water loss and faster stomatal closure than non transgenic potato plants under drought and ABA treatment conditions. CaBZ1 over-expression in transgenic potato increased the expression of ABA- and stress-related genes (such as CYP707A1, CBF and NAC-like genes) and improved drought stress tolerance. Interestingly, over-expression of CaBZ1 in potato did not produce undesirable growth phenotypes in major agricultural traits such as plant height, leaf size and tuber formation under normal growth conditions. The transgenic potato plants also had higher tuber yields than non transgenic potato plants under drought stress conditions. Thus, CaBZ1 may be useful for improving drought tolerance in tuber crops. This might be the first report of the production of transgenic potato with improved tuber yields under drought conditions.

The effect of recurrent seizures on cognitive, behavioral, and quality-of-life outcomes after 12 months of monotherapy in adults with newly diagnosed or previously untreated partial epilepsy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether seizure recurrence has a negative impact on cognition, psychological function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over a 12-month period of monotherapy in adults with newly diagnosed or previously untreated partial epilepsy. METHODS: Seizure freedom (SF) was defined as no seizure recurrence during the 40-week maintenance period of medication. Neuropsychological tests, the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31) were administered at baseline and after 48 weeks of carbamazepine or lamotrigine monotherapy. Seventy-three patients successfully continued treatment until the 48-week follow-up time point. Fifty patients (68.5%) had SF, and the remaining 23 were not seizure-free (NSF). A seizure outcome group-by-time interaction was analyzed using a linear mixed model. RESULTS: A group-by-time interaction was identified for the total QOLIE-31 score (p<0.05) and score on two QOLIE-31 subscales (social function: p<0.001 and seizure worry: p<0.001), with a significant improvement over time only present in the SF group (all p<0.001). There was no significant group-by-time interaction for most cognitive function tests, with the exception of the serial clustering score (p<0.01) and number of recognition hits on the California Verbal Learning Test (p<0.05). Serial clustering did not differ between the SF and NSF groups at baseline, but was significantly more used in the NSF group than in the SF group at 48 weeks (p<0.01). There was no significant group-by-time interaction for any dimension of the SCL-90. CONCLUSION: Recurrent seizures had a significant effect on HRQoL, a subtle effect on cognitive performance, and no effect on psychological symptoms over one year in newly diagnosed or previously untreated adults with partial epilepsy.

Sleep hygiene and its association with mood and quality of life in people with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: We determined whether sleep hygiene is directly related to mood and quality of life (QoL) in people with epilepsy and, if not, documented the indirect effects of sleep hygiene through sleep quality. METHODS: Data were collected from 150 adults with epilepsy. The Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), Quality of Life in Epilepsy-10 (QOLIE-10), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Sleep Problems Index-2 (SPI-2) of the Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used. To determine the direct and indirect associations between SHI, mood, and QoL, multiple linear regression analyses and the Sobel test were performed. RESULTS: Inadequate sleep hygiene behaviors were answered affirmatively by ≥15% of the participants represented by 6 out of 13 items of the SHI. A younger age was independently related to higher SHI scores (p=0.013). The higher SHI scores were directly related to lower QoL independent of sleep quality, anxiety, and depressive symptoms (p<0.05) but not independently related to anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Sobel test confirmed that the SHI scores were associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms through sleep quality (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate sleep hygiene is independently related to low QoL but indirectly related to anxiety and depressive symptoms through sleep quality. Patients of a younger age are at risk of poorer sleep hygiene.

The association between mental health, chronic disease and sleep duration in Koreans: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep duration holds considerable importance as an indicator of mental/physical health. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between sleep duration, mental health, and chronic disease prevalence in Koreans. METHODS: Of 31,596 subjects eligible for the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010-2012), 17,638 participants who answered items on sleep duration (aged ≥ 19 yrs) were analyzed in a cross-sectional study. Association between sleep duration, mental health, and chronic disease prevalence was assessed using logistic regression, and adjusted for various socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics. RESULTS: Short or long sleep duration showed correlations with mental health, and items of significance showed gender-specific patterns. Women displayed significant associations with stress and depressive symptoms, and men with stress, thoughts of suicide, and psychiatric counseling. While stress was related with short sleep duration in both genders, depressive symptoms showed a relationship with long duration in men, and short duration in women. Prevalence of any chronic disease was associated with ≤ 6 h sleep when adjusted for factors including mental health, and among chronic diseases, cancer and osteoarthritis showed associations with short sleep duration, while diabetes and dyslipidemia were associated with normal sleep duration. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health problems were associated with sleep duration with gender-specific patterns. Associations with osteoarthritis, cancer, diabetes, dyslipidemia and abnormal sleep duration persisted after adjustment for mental health.