GmYUC2a mediates auxin biosynthesis during root development and nodulation in soybean.

Auxin plays central roles in rhizobial infection and nodule development in legumes. However, the sources of auxin during nodulation are unknown. In this study, we analyzed the YUCCA (YUC) gene family of soybean and identified GmYUC2a as an important regulator of auxin biosynthesis that modulates nodulation. Following rhizobial infection, GmYUC2a exhibited increased expression in various nodule tissues. Overexpression of GmYUC2a (35S::GmYUC2a) increased auxin production in soybean, resulting in severe growth defects in root hairs and root development. Upon rhizobial infection, 35S::GmYUC2a hairy roots displayed altered patterns of root hair deformation and nodule formation. Root hair deformation occurred mainly on primary roots, and nodules formed exclusively on primary roots of 35S::GmYUC2a plants. Moreover, transgenic 35S::GmYUC2a composite plants showed delayed nodule development and a reduced number of nodules. Our results suggest that GmYUC2a plays an important role in regulating both root growth and nodulation by modulating auxin balance in soybean.

Continuous glucose monitoring system can improve the quality of glucose control and glucose variability compared with point-of-care measurement in critically ill patients: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) could improve glucose management in critically ill patients compared with frequent and conventional point-of-care (POC) glucose measurements. METHODS: A total of 144 patients with an expected length of stay in the ICU of at least 72 hours and with an admission glucose or two random glucose values of >10.0 mmol/L within 24 hours after admission, were randomly assigned to the CGMS group (n = 74) or the conventional group (C group, n = 70). Both groups used the same insulin algorithm to reach the same glucose target range (8.0-10.0 mmol/L). RESULTS: Time in range (TIR, 8.0-10.0 mmol/L), which is our primary outcome measure, was higher in the CGMS group than in the C group (51.5% vs. 29.0%, P < .001). Glucose variability (coefficient of variation, CV; standard deviation, SD; glucose lability index, and GLI) was improved by CGMS (all P < .05). Mean glucose level (MGL) (9.6 vs. 10.3 mmol/L, P = .156) and the proportion of patients with hypoglycemia did not differ between CGMS (5.4%) and C (5.7%) (P = 1.000). However, duration of hypoglycemia was reduced in the CGMS group (15 vs. 28 minutes, P = .032). Clinical outcomes were similar between groups except for the fewer usage of CRRT and lower peak plasma urea nitrogen level in the CGMS group. CONCLUSION: The use of CGMS, compared with POC glucose measurement, could improve the TIR, GV and duration of hypoglycemia.

An insight into the amphiphobicity and thermal degradation behavior of PDMS-based block copolymers bearing POSS and fluorinated units.

Methacryloxypropyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MAPOSS) and dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFHM) are proposed to separately block-copolymerize with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based acrylate block copolymer (PDMS-b-PMMA). The syntheses of PDMS-b-PMMA-b-PMAPOSS and PDMS-b-PMMA-b-PDFHM were executed in this manner to examine the effect of PMAPOSS and PDFHM on surface amphiphobic behavior and thermal degradation behavior. PMAPOSS and PDFHM were found to both contribute towards the improvement of static hydrophobicity. However, the PMAPOSS was found to disable the dynamic hexadecane-dewetting properties because of its restriction on molecular wriggling motion and its induced high roughness. In contrast, PDFHM was found to improve the dynamic dewetting properties for oil-based ink. With regard to the thermal stability, the incorporation of either PMAPOSS or PDFHM into PDMS-b-PMMA with PDMS (Mn ∼1000 or 5000 Da) favors the increase in the original thermal-decomposition temperature. However, the presence of PMAPOSS initiates a higher degradation rate and fails to improve the thermal stability in the case of long PDMS (Mn ∼10 000 Da) due to the heterogeneous dispersion of POSS in the matrix.

Cage and linear structured polysiloxane/epoxy hybrids for coatings: Surface property and film permeability.

Three polysiloxane/epoxy hybrids obtained by evolving cage- or linear-structured polysiloxane into poly glycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) matrix are compared used as coatings. One is the cage-structured hybrid of P(GMA/MA-POSS) copolymer obtained by GMA and methacrylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MA-POSS) via free radical polymerization, the other two are PGMA/NH2-POSS and PGMA/NH2-PDMS hybrids by cage-structured aminopropyllsobutyl POSS (NH2-POSS) or linear-structured diamino terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (NH2-PDMS) to cure PGMA. The effect of MA-POSS, NH2-POSS and NH2-PDMS on polysiloxane/epoxy hybrid films is characterized according to their surface morphology, transparency, permeability, adhesive strength and thermo-mechanical properties. Due to caged POSS tending to agglomerate onto the film surface, P(GMA/MA-POSS) and PGMA/NH2-POSS films exhibit much more heterogeneous surfaces than PGMA/NH2-PDMS film, but the well-compatibility between epoxy matrix and MA-POSS has provided P(GMA/MA-POSS) film with much higher transmittance (98%) than PGMA/NH2-POSS film (24%), PGMA/NH2-PDMS film (27%) and traditional epoxy resin film (5%). The introduction of polysiloxane into epoxy matrix is confirmed to create hybrids with strong adhesive strength (526-1113N) and high thermos-stability (Tg=262-282°C), especially the cage-structured P(GMA/MA-POSS) hybrid (1113N and 282°C), but the flexible PDMS improves PGMA/NH2-PDMS hybrid with much higher storage modulus (519MPa) than PGMA/NH2-POSS (271MPa), which suggests that PDMS is advantage in improving the film stiffness than POSS cages. However, cage-structured P(GMA/MA-POSS) and PGMA/NH2-POSS indicate higher permeability than PGMA/NH2-PDMS and traditional epoxy resin. Comparatively, the cage-structured P(GMA/MA-POSS) hybrid is the best coating in transparency, permeability, adhesive strength and thermostability, but linear-structured PGMA/NH2-PDMS hybrid behaviors the best coating in mechanical property.

[Value of focused critical ultrasound in the treatment of critical patients in Lushan earthquake].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of focused critical ultrasound in the treatment of critical patients in Lushan earthquake. METHODS: The utilization of bedside ultrasound and its effects on the treatment of critical patients in Lushan earthquake were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: After brief training of resident doctors, bedside ultrasound was performed for 107 sessions. And 97 sessions (90.7%) of ultrasound exams were valuable for diagnosis and treatment. The exams included hemodynamic monitoring for 44 sessions and bedside lung ultrasound for 58 sessions. In hemodynamic monitoring, after heart function estimation, fluid resuscitation was restarted in 8 cases (8/44, 18.2%) and terminated in 2 cases to control risks. False estimate of volume by clinical experience were 8 sessions (8/44, 18.2%). And corrections were made after ultrasound exams. A total of 18 cases (18/44, 40.9%) of hemodynamic treatments improved with the help of focused critical ultrasound. Bedside lung ultrasound was performed to monitor the change of lung water in fluid resuscitation 6 sessions and guide the pleural fluid drainage and lung recruitment before weaning 17 sessions; the BLUE-plus lung ultrasound protocol was performed for 32 sessions. And 24 cases of lung consolidation and atelectasis were found. Chest physiotherapy was then performed. The focused critical ultrasound exam was also performed to locate thrombus, biliary infection and intracranial infection, etc. CONCLUSION: Focused critical ultrasound can provide reliable clinical information to reduce unnecessary examination and optimize therapies for Lushan earthquake victims.

[Measurement of peak velocity variation of common carotid artery with bedside ultrasound to estimate preload in surgery ICU].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of bedside ultrasound measuring peak velocity variation of common carotid artery to estimate preload of the patients in surgery ICU. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, SICU patients with sinus rhythm and positive pressure ventilation were included. The peak velocity variation in common carotid artery (delta V peak) during each respiratory circle was measured by ICU resident with short-term training and experienced attending songrapher. Stroke volume before and after the fluid challenge was also measured by the experienced songrapher as the gold standard of fluid responsiveness. Then the ROC, feasibility and accuracy of the diagnosis trial were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 46 patients included. The peak velocity variation of common carotid artery measured by the attending (delta V peak) is highly related with delta SV (r1 = 0.76, P < 0.05). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.95 (P < 0.05). The peak velocity variation of common carotid artery (delta V peak) > 12.1% predicted fluid responsiveness with sensitivity of 90.9%, specificity of 83.3%, positive predictive value of 83.3% and negative predictive value of 90.9%. The peak velocity variation of common carotid artery measured by the resident (delta V peak2) were highly related with delta V peak1 (R2 = 0.68, P < 0.05), the AUC was 0.94. CONCLUSION: Measurement of peak velocity variation of common carotid artery with bedside ultrasound can accurately estimate the volume status of the patients in surgery ICU, and it is easy to be performed by the residents of ICU.

[Relationship between early serum albumin variation and prognosis in patients with severe acute pancreatitis treated in ICU].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum albumin variation within 24 hours of ICU admission and prognosis in critically ill patients with sever acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all the clinical data of the patients with SAP treated in ICU from Jul. 2005 to Jun. 2010. The patients were divided into two groups, survival group (n = 131) and death group (n = 108). Clinical and laboratory data, outcomes, and serum albumin within 24 hours after admission to ICU of those patients were evaluated respectively, and Logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Significant differences were existed between two groups (P < 0.01) in average age, the score of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), Ranson criteria, the score of sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), and albumin variation within 24 hours (Serum albumin descent degree and ratio in early stage). However, sex ratio, mean serum albumin concentration within 24 hours, and onset time did not have significant differences (P > 0.05). The area under ROC curve for albumin variation within 24 hours were 0. 728 and 0. 742, the best cut-off values were 4.25 g/L (sensitivity 61.45%, specificity 81.67%) and 13.5% (sensitivity 62.65%, specificity 78.33%), respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that albumin variation within 24 hours was associated with death. CONCLUSION: The albumin variation within 24 hours was the risk factors for poor prognosis of critically ill SAP in early stage.

The association of mean glucose level and glucose variability with intensive care unit mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the association of mean glucose level (MGL) and glycemic lability index (GLI; as a measure of glucose variability) with intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paper-based medical records of patients with SAP who were admitted to the ICU of West China Hospital between July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2010, were analyzed. Glucose measurements, demographic characteristics, clinical features, data on the first and second 24-hour Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, and outcomes were obtained. Time-weighted glucose parameters were used. We statistically analyzed the relationship between these variables and both ICU and hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 294 patients with 34,796 glucose measurements were included in the final analysis. The time-weighted MGL was 9.31 ± 1.91 mmol/L, and the median of GLI was 55.27 (mmol/L)(2) h-(1) wk-(1). Intensive care unit mortality was 43.5% and increased progressively as GLI increased, reaching 62.5% of patients with GLI above 115.89 (mmol/L)(2) h-(1) wk-(1). The highest odds ratio for ICU death was found in patients with the highest quartile of GLI: odds ratio, 3.47 (95% confidence interval, 1.76-6.86; P < .000). No such relationship could be found with MGL. Glycemic lability index was better able to predict ICU death than was MGL (the area under the curves were 0.642 vs 0.561, respectively; z test was 2.677; P = .0074). The logistic regression analysis showed that GLI, the second 24-hour APACHE II score, and the number of organ failures upon ICU admission contributed independently to the risk of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that GLI was a better predictor of ICU and hospital mortality than was MGL. Together with the second 24-hour APACHE II score and the number of organ failures upon ICU admission, GLI is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with SAP.

[Short-term intensive glucose control in patients with severe acute pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of intensive glucose control (IGC) on glucose variability (GV) and clinical outcomes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and to assess predictive values of different measures of GV on intensive care unit (ICU) death. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, non-blinded clinical trial was conducted. All adult patients with diagnosis of SAP, who were admitted to ICU of West China Hospital between July 1st 2010 and July 1st 2011, were enrolled. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive either IGC to maintain glucose level between 6.1 mmol/L and 8.3 mmol/L or control group (none intervention was given). GV, ICU mortality, the incidence of infection, length of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay of the two groups were compared. The standard deviation of blood glucose level [GLU(SD)], mean amplitude of glycemic excursion [GLU(MAGE)] and glycemic lability index [GLU(GLI)] were chosen as measures of GV to analyze the multi variable correlation between them and ICU mortality, and the ability of these three parameters was assessed in predicting ICU death using area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two patients were eligible for the study, and 30 patients with SAP were enrolled in the study, with 15 cases in each group. The basic data of the two groups were comparable. Compared with control group, IGC showed an effect to reduce GV, including GLU(SD) [mmol/L: 1.81 (0.97, 2.65) vs. 2.48 (1.29, 2.87)], GLU(MAGE) [mmol/L: 3.76 (3.67, 5.85) vs. 5.30 (4.35, 6.80)], GLU(GLI) [306.8 (220.6, 613.3) vs. 339.5 (218.4, 423.1)], and lower ICU mortality (13.3% vs. 40.0%), but the difference showed no significant difference (all P > 0.05). It could also shorten the length of ICU stay (days: 11.3 ± 9.9 vs. 15.8 ± 7.6, P < 0.01), decrease the incidence of infection of blood stream and the lung (6.7% vs. 40.0%; 33.3% vs. 73.3%, both P < 0.05). A positive correlation between GLU(GLU) and ICU mortality was found (r = 0.371, P = 0.044), but no correlation was found between GLU(SD) or GLU(MAGE) and ICU mortality (r value was -0.144 and -0.065, P value was 0.448 and 0.731). AUC for GLU(SD), GLU(MAGE) and GLU(GLI) was 0.594 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.382-0.805], 0.543 (95%CI 0.287-0.798) and 0.751 (95%CI 0.548-0.954) respectively, and GLU(GLI) was the best predictor of ICU death. CONCLUSIONS: IGC had an effect to reduce GV, decrease ICU mortality, shorten length of ICU stay, and lower the incidence of infection. Compared with GLU(SD) and GLU(MAGE), GLU(GLI) was the best predictor of ICU death.

Oxidative kinetic resolution of 1-phenylethanol catalyzed by sugar-based salen-Mn(III) complexes.

Three new chiral salen-Mn(III) complexes with sugars at the C-5(5') positions of the salicylaldehyde moieties of the salen ligand were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by FTIR, MS, and elemental analysis. The complexes together with two previously reported ones were successfully used as chiral catalysts for the oxidative kinetic resolution (OKR) of 1-phenylethanol using PhI(OAc)2 as an oxidant and KBr as an additive. Excellent enantiomeric excess (up to 89%) of the product was achieved in 0.5h at 20 degrees C. The results showed that the sugars at C-5(5') of salicylaldehyde moieties in the ligand had influences on the catalytic performances of the complexes. It was concluded that the sugars with the same rotation direction of polarized light as the diimine bridge within the complex could enhance the chiral induction of the complex in the OKR of 1-phenylethanol, but the sugars with the opposite one would reduce that of the corresponding complex.