CHR721, interacting with OsRPA1a, is essential for both male and female reproductive development in rice.

KEY MESSAGE: CHR721 functions as a chromatin remodeler and interacts with a known single-stranded binding protein, OsRPA1a, to regulate both male and female reproductive development in rice. Reproductive development and fertility are important for seed production in rice. Here, we identified a sterile rice mutant, chr721, that exhibited defects in both male and female reproductive development. Approximately 5% of the observed defects in chr721, such as asynchronous dyad division, occurred during anaphase II of meiosis. During the mitotic stage, approximately 80% of uninucleate microspores failed to develop into tricellular pollen, leading to abnormal development. In addition, defects in megaspore development were detected after functional megaspore formation. CHR721, which encodes a nuclear protein belonging to the SNF2 subfamily SMARCAL1, was identified by map-based cloning. CHR721 was expressed in various tissues, especially in spikelets. CHR721 was found to interact with replication protein A (OsRPA1a), which is involved in DNA repair. The expressions of genes involved in DNA repair and cell-cycle checkpoints were consistently upregulated in chr721. Although numerous genes involved in male and female development have been identified, the mode of participation of chromatin-remodeling factors in reproductive development is still not well understood. Our results suggest that CHR721, a novel gene cloned from rice, plays a vital role in both male and female reproductive development.

Rivaroxaban in the Treatment of PICC-associated Upper Extremity Venous Thrombosis.

PURPOSE: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are frequently used for prolonged drug administration, but their use is commonly complicated by the development of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) requiring anticoagulation. Here, we compared the efficacy and safety profile of rivaroxaban (20 mg/d) with low molecular weight (LMW) heparin and vitamin K antagonists in the treatment of PICC-associated UEDVT. METHODS: Patients (N = 84) with PICC-associated UEDVT were studied. All had UEDVT identified by ultrasound scanning. Further ultrasound images were obtained at 1, 2, and 3 months after the start of treatment. Forty-four patients were treated with rivaroxaban and 40 with initial LMW heparin and vitamin K antagonist with continuation of vitamin K antagonists alone once international normalized ratio was therapeutic FINDINGS: In the rivaroxaban group mean (SD) age was 51 (16) years and 57% were men, whereas in the other group respective values were 50 (16) years and 56%. All patients were receiving treatment for cancer. Resolution of thrombus had occurred in 53.5% at 1 month, 76.1% at 2 months, and 92.6% at 3 months in the rivaroxaban-treated patients. Corresponding values in the LMW heparin/vitamin antagonist-treated patients were 34.2%, 55.5%, and 88.5%, respectively. Differences between groups were significant at 1 month (P < 0.01) and 2 months (P < 0.05). There were no major bleeds in either group, and cumulative bleeding rates by 3 months were 7.3% in the rivaroxaban group and 11.4% in the LMW heparin/vitamin K antagonist group. IMPLICATIONS: Rivaroxaban led to faster resolution of PICC-associated UEDVT than LMW/vitamin K antagonists without any increase in bleeding.

Therapeutic effects of lactosyl derivative Gu-4 in a collagen-induced arthritis rat model.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disorder that is characterized by persistent recurrence of joint inflammation leading to cartilage and bone destruction. The present anti-arthritis therapies failed to achieve satisfactory remission in all patients; therefore, it is still necessary to develop novel approaches to fulfill the demand in clinic. Here, we reported the therapeutic effects of lactosyl derivative Gu-4, a synthetic compound that was previously identified as a selective inhibitor against leukocyte integrin CD11b, in a bovine type II collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. First, prophylactic administration of Gu-4 (1.2728 mg/kg) to rats by intraperitoneal injection every 2 days from the first day of collagen immunization significantly decreased the incidence of CIA, diminished the mean paw volume increase, and reduced the number of swollen paws. Second, administration of Gu-4 (1.2728 mg/kg) to rats at early-onset stage of CIA prevented the progression of the pathological process of RA, accelerated the remission of paw edema, and declined the arthritis score; after 5 weeks treatment, X-ray and histological examinations were carried out, the ankle joint of hind limb of Gu-4 treated CIA rats exhibited slighter bone erosion and much less inflammatory cell infiltration compared to those of saline treated animals; furthermore, Gu-4 remarkably attenuated the production of rheumatoid factor (RF) in the serum of CIA rats as determined by ELISA. Moreover, we performed in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay and found that Gu-4 significantly inhibited the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes isolated from CIA rats in a dose-dependent manner. Our results suggest that Gu-4 can effectively ameliorate CIA and might be an alternative option for the treatment of RA.