Comparative transcriptome analysis of high- and low-embryogenic Hevea brasiliensis genotypes reveals involvement of phytohormones in somatic embryogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Rubber plant (Hevea brasiliensis) is one of the major sources of latex. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a promising alterative to its propagation by grafting and seed. Phytohormones have been shown to influence SE in different plant species. However, limited knowledge is available on the role of phytohormones in SE in Hevea. The anther cultures of two Hevea genotypes (Yunyan 73477-YT and Reken 628-RT) with contrasting SE rate were established and four stages i.e., anthers (h), anther induced callus (y), callus differentiation state (f), and somatic embryos (p) were studied. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and transcriptome analyses were used to study phytohormone accumulation and related expression changes in biosynthesis and signaling genes. RESULTS: YT showed higher callus induction rate than RT. Of the two genotypes, only YT exhibited successful SE. Auxins, cytokinins (CKs), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), gibberellins (GAs), and ethylene (ETH) were detected in the two genotypes. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), CKs, ABA, and ETH had notable differences in the studied stages of the two genotypes. The differentially expressed genes identified in treatment comparisons were majorly enriched in MAPK and phytohormone signaling, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and metabolic pathways. The expression changes in IAA, CK, ABA, and ETH biosynthesis and signaling genes confirmed the differential accumulation of respective phytohormones in the two genotypes. CONCLUSION: These results suggest potential roles of phytohormones in SE in Hevea.

Ascertainment of silent myocardial infarction in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (from the GLOBAL LEADERS Trial)

Abstract: Q-wave myocardial infarction (QWMI) comprises 2 entities. First, a clinically evident MI, which can occur spontaneously or be related to a coronary procedure. Second, silent MI which is incidentally detected on serial electrocardiographic (ECG) assessment. The prevalence of silent MI after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the drug-eluting stent era has not been fully investigated. The GLOBAL LEADERS is an all-comers multicenter trial which randomized 15,991 patients who underwent PCI to 2 antiplatelet treatment strategies. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause death or nonfatal new QWMI at 2-years follow-up. ECGs were collected at discharge, 3-month and 2-year visits, and analyzed by an independent ECG core laboratory following the Minnesota code. All new QWMI were further reviewed by a blinded independent cardiologist to identify a potential clinical correlate by reviewing clinical information. Of 15,968 participants, ECG information was complete in 14,829 (92.9%) at 2 years. A new QWMI was confirmed in 186 (1.16%) patients. Transient new Q-waves were observed in 28.5% (53 of 186) of them during the follow-up. The majority of new QWMI (78%, 146 of 186) were classified as silent MI due to the absence of a clinical correlate. Silent MI accounted for 22.1% (146 of 660) of all MI events. The prevalence of silent MI did not differ significantly between treatment strategies (experimental vs reference: 0.88% vs 0.98%, p = 0.5027). In conclusion, we document the prevalence of silent MI in an all-comers population undergoing PCI in this large-scale randomized trial. (AU)

Long-term prognosis and risk heterogeneity of heart failure complicating acute myocardial infarction.

The Killip classification of acute heart failure was developed decades ago to predict short-term mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to determine the long-term prognosis of acute heart failure graded according to the Killip classification in 15,235 unselected patients hospitalized for AMI from 2000 to 2005. Vital status for each patient was ascertained, through to March 1, 2012, from linkage with national death records. A stepwise gradient in the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for 12-year mortality was observed with increasing Killip class: class I (n = 10,123), HR 1.00 (reference group); class II (n = 2,913), HR 1.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06 to 1.21); class III (n = 1,217) HR 1.49 (95% CI 1.37 to 1.62); and class IV (n = 898), HR 2.80 (95% CI 2.53 to 3.10). Unexpectedly, in a landmark analysis excluding deaths <30 days after admission, patients in Killip class IV had lower adjusted long-term mortality than those in class III. The adjusted HR for 12-year mortality comparing Killip class IV with Killip class III in patients <60 years of age was 1.71 (95% CI 1.33 to 2.19, p <0.001) and in patients >60 years of age was 2.30 (95% CI 2.07 to 2.56, p <0.001). In conclusion, on the basis of simple clinical features, the Killip classification robustly predicted 12-year mortality after AMI. The heterogeneity in early versus late risk in patients with Killip class IV heart failure underscores the importance of appropriate early treatment in cardiogenic shock.

The REMEDEE trial: a randomized comparison of a combination sirolimus-eluting endothelial progenitor cell capture stent with a paclitaxel-eluting stent.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare the efficacy and safety results after coronary implantation of a combined sirolimus-eluting CD34 antibody coated Combo stent (OrbusNeich Medical, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) with the paclitaxel-eluting Taxus Liberté stent (PES) (Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts). This report summarizes the first-in-man randomized, controlled multicenter REMEDEE trial (Randomized study to Evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an abluMinal sirolimus coatED bio-Engineered StEnt) angiographic, intravascular ultrasound, and clinical results up to 12 months. BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents have limited restenosis and reintervention but are complicated by especially late and very late stent thrombosis and accelerated neoatherosclerosis. Alternative or adjunct technologies should address these limitations. METHODS: One hundred eighty-three patients with de novo native coronary artery stenoses were randomized 2:1 to Combo stent or PES implantation. The primary endpoint is the angiographic in-stent late lumen loss at 9 months, which was tested for noninferiority between the 2 stent groups. Secondary endpoints include the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. RESULTS: The Combo stent was found to be noninferior to the PES in 9-month angiographic in-stent late lumen loss with 0.39 ± 0.45 mm versus 0.44 ± 0.56 mm (pnoninferiority = 0.0012). At 12 months, the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events was 8.9% in the Combo group and 10.2% in the PES group (p = 0.80) with no difference in mortality, occurrence of myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization. No stent thrombosis was reported in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In the REMEDEE trial the Combo stent has shown to be effective by meeting the primary noninferiority angiographic endpoint and safe, with an overall low rate of clinical events in both stent groups, including no stent thrombosis up to 12 months.