Expansion and Diversification of the 14-3-3 Gene Family in Camellia sinensis.

14-3-3 proteins are signal moderators in sensing various stresses and play essential functions in plant growth and development. Although, 14-3-3 gene families have been identified and characterized in many plant species, its evolution has not been studied systematically. In this study, the plant 14-3-3 family was comprehensively analyzed from green algae to angiosperm. Our result indicated that plant 14-3-3 originated during the early evolutionary history of green algae and expanded in terricolous plants. Twenty-six 14-3-3 genes were identified in the tea genome. RNA-seq analysis showed that tea 14-3-3 genes display different expression patterns in different organs. Moreover, the expression of most tea 14-3-3 genes displayed variable expression patterns under different abiotic and biotic stresses. In conclusion, our results elucidate the evolutionary origin of plant 14-3-3 genes, and beneficial for understanding their biological functions and improving tea agricultural traits in the future.

Hemorrhagic pleural effusion related to acquired coagulation factor VIII deficiency: A case report.

A patient with acquired hemophilia A (AHA) with hemorrhagic pericardial effusions was admitted to Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital (Xiamen, China) in August 2015. The patient had been experiencing progressive dyspnea for 1 week. Bloody effusion (~6.3 l) was drained from the membrane surrounding the heart over a period of 20 days. Biochemical, cytological and radiological examinations were unable to elucidate the reason for the effusion. Coincidentally, it was discovered that activated partial thromboplastin time prolongation could not be corrected by plasma mixing. Furthermore, immunologic and functional assays identified that the patient had factor VIII-deficient plasma. Finally, the coagulopathy was treated by infusion of cryoagglutinin and steroids to eradicate the coagulation inhibitor. The production of cardiac bloody effusions did not recur. Notably, the patient was diagnosed with AHA accompanied by the rare complication of pericardial effusions. The present case was the first to report AHA with the complication of pericardial effusions.

Microanatomy of the spermatic cords during microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy: initial experience in Asian men.

The microanatomy of the inguinal spermatic cords has never been reported in Asia. The purpose of this study was to describe the number and relationship of the veins, arteries and lymphatics in the spermatic cord and to clarify the location of the vas deferens in Asian men. Fifty-one patients receiving 79 primary microsurgical varicocelectomies performed by a single surgeon from April 2011 to July 2012 were studied. The number of internal and external spermatic veins, testicular arteries and lymphatic channels preserved during the inguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy were recorded. The relationship between the right and left vascular anatomy during bilateral varicocelectomies was evaluated. The data showed that mean numbers of 1.5±0.9 arteries, 5.6±2.2 spermatic veins and 3.6±1.9 lymphatics were identified during the repairs. The internal spermatic arteries were surrounded by a dense complex of adherent veins in 81.2% of the cases. The external spermatic vein or veins were found in 60.8% of the cases. The vas deferens may be contained within the internal spermatic fascia. The results suggest that the number of veins may be highly variable and less than those reported in the English literature, but there is some similarity in the inguinal microanatomy of the right and left spermatic cords. Further research is warranted to clarify our results.

[Analysis of clinical efficacy and safety of combining pneumatic and ultrasonic power in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for renal stones].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of combining pneumatic and ultrasonic power during PCNL. METHODS: From Sep 2003 to Aug 2005, we treated 486 patients (509 kidneys) by combining pneumatic and ultrasonic power during percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The percutaneous renal access was successfully established in 478 patients under ultrasound guidance and immediate phase I lithotripsy was performed, and delayed phase II lithotripsy was performed for 6 patients. Average time required for entire procedure is 73 mins, and average time for stone management is 41 mins. No severe complications occurred. No Residual stone fragment in 438 kidneys, stone free rate was 86.1%. Residual stone fragment was found in 71 kidneys by postoperative KUB and received second PCNL or adjuvant ESWL. CONCLUSION: The combined application of pneumatic and ultrasonic power in PCNL appears to be efficacious and safe for disintegrating and removing renal calculi.