Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of 20 transcription factor genes of MADS, ARF, HAP2, MBF and HB families in moisture stressed shoot and root tissues of sorghum.

Transcription factors (TFs) are an important target in understanding the regulation of plant responses to environmental stress including moisture stress. Members of the same TF family may differ in their response to moisture stress. The expression pattern could vary between shoot and root tissues depending on level of moisture stress. A set of five rarely studied TF families viz., MADS-box (MCM1, AGAMOUS, DEFICIENS and SRF), Auxin Responsive Factor (ARF), Heme Activator Protein 2 (HAP2), Multiprotein Bridging Factor (MBF) and Homeobox (HB) together having 20 members in sorghum, were expression analyzed through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in well watered and moisture stressed shoot and root tissues of sorghum using SYBR Green® to quantify dsDNA synthesis. Fluorescence values were used to calculate PCR efficiency by using LinRegPCR. The PTSb00029.1 and PTSb00033.1 of ARF family and PTSb00174.1 and PTSb00175.1 of HB family recorded 2 to 5, PTSb00221.1 and PTSb00208.1 of MADS family and PTSb00128.1 of HAP2 family recorded 5 to 10 fold up-regulation under moisture stress regimes. The PTSb00128.1, a HAP2 family member, recorded 15 fold up-regulation in mild moisture stressed root tissues. TF genes such as PTSb00218.1, PTSb00220.1, PTSb00031.1, PTSb00032.1, PTSb00034.1 and PTSb00223.1 were found down regulating in both tissues types under moisture stress condition. However, the PTSb00128.1, PTSb00221.1, PTSb00029.1, PTSb00033.1 and PTSb00174.1 TFs were found up-regulating to varied levels in mild and severe moisture stressed root tissues only. Verification of qRT-PCR results was done by in situ hybridization (ISH) of randomly selected two TF genes in shoot and root tissues of sorghum. Taken together, moisture stress triggered up-regulation of more genes in root tissue compared to shoot tissue in sorghum.

Endoscopic biliary stenting facilitates safe and early removal of T-tube in liver transplant patients.

AIM: Duct to duct anastomosis in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) patients have been traditionally performed with a t-tube in place for 3 to 6 months. Following removal of the t-tube a high incidence of biliary leakage has been reported. METHODS: Prospective study to evaluate the role of endoscopic biliary stenting to facilitate early and uncomplicated t-tube removal. All patients with duct to duct biliary anastomosis who had a t-tube in situ, from January 1998 to December 2002 were included in this study. RESULTS: There were 29 patients eligible for the study. Eight patients were not included due to early death. A protocol t-tube cholangiogram was performed in all patients, (median 12 days; range 4-47 days) followed by an endoscopic stent insertion (median 37 days; range 20-55 days). The stent was removed later (median 84 days; range 45-133 days). All complications related to the procedure were noted. Stent insertion was successful in all cases. In 2 patients a second endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was necessary, either because of failure to cannulate the papilla or to reposition the stent. There was a patient who presented a biliary leak due to stent displacement requiring a laparotomy. There were two further biliary leaks, one of them in an asymptomatic patient, which were managed conservatively. In addition 1 patient developed a mild case of postERCP pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: In liver transplants patients with an end-to-end choledochostomy with a t-tube, endoscopic biliary stenting allows an early removal of the T tube, with few complications.

Continuous infusion of N-acetylcysteine reduces liver warm ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may modulate the initial phase (less than 2 h) of liver warm ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury but its effect on the late phase remains unclear. The present study investigated the role of NAC during the early and late phases in a rabbit lobar IR model. METHODS: Liver ischaemia was induced by inflow occlusion to the median and left liver lobes for 60 min, followed by 7 h of reperfusion. In the NAC group (n = 6), NAC was administered intravenously at 150 mg per kg over the 15 min before reperfusion and maintained at 10 mg per kg per h during reperfusion. In the IR group (n = 6), 20 ml 5 per cent dextrose was infused over the 15 min before reperfusion and continued at a rate of 10 ml/h. Animals in a sham operation group (n = 6) underwent laparotomy but no liver ischaemia. All animals were killed at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: Intracellular tissue oxygenation was improved after the second hour of reperfusion in animals treated with NAC compared with that in the IR group (P = 0.023). Hepatic microcirculation improved after 5 h of reperfusion (P = 0.036) and liver injury was reduced after 5 h, as indicated by alanine aminotransferase activity (P = 0.007) and indocyanine green clearance (uptake, P = 0.001; excretion, P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The main protective effect of NAC becomes apparent 5 h after hepatic ischaemic injury.

Synthesis and biological activity of some 3-methyl/ethoxycarbonyl-6-arylimidazo[2, 1-b]thiazoles and their 5-bromo/5-formyl derivatives

Facile reaction of arylacylbromide 1 with 2-amino-4-methylthiazole 2 and its hindered reaction with 2-amino-4-ethoxycarbonylthiazole 3 during the synthesis of 3-methyl/ethoxycarbonyl-6-arylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles 8/9 are explained on the basis of electronic effects of the 4-substituent of thiazole substrate. Their bromination/formylation afforded the corresponding 5-bromo and 5-formyl derivatives. Results of preliminary screening of the target compounds reveal moderate anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Arterialization of the portal vein improves hepatic microcirculation and tissue oxygenation in experimental cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Arterialization of the portal vein (APV) has shown beneficial effects on liver regeneration and function in selected patients undergoing liver resection and transplantation. Whether APV improves liver perfusion and function in cirrhosis is unclear. This study investigated the effect of APV on hepatic haemodynamics and liver function in a rat model of cirrhosis. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were divided into three groups: normal controls (n = 7), cirrhosis with sham laparotomy (sham; n = 7) and cirrhosis with APV (APV; n = 9). Portal venous blood flow, portal vein pressure and hepatic parenchymal microcirculation (HPM) were measured before and after APV. Hepatic parenchymal oxygenation was assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy and hepatocellular injury by standard liver function tests. Measurements were taken at baseline, after APV and 7 days after surgery. RESULTS: APV increased portal blood flow and pressure in cirrhotic rats without altering intrahepatic portal resistance. APV increased the HPM in cirrhotic rats by a mean(s.e.m.) of 28.5(0.1) per cent on day 0 and 54.6(0.1) per cent by day 7 (P = 0.001). Liver tissue oxygenation was increased by APV and the plasma gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase level was reduced (mean(s.e.m.) 6.0(0.5) versus 3.8(0.3) units/l before and after APV respectively; P = 0.006) at day 7. CONCLUSION: APV increases portal blood flow, tissue perfusion and oxygenation in cirrhosis.

Agenesis of gall bladder--a diagnostic dilemma.

A case of suspected chronic cholecystitis who underwent laparotomy, was found to have agenesis of gall bladder. Standard investigative modalities which are done for chronic cholecystitis might be fallacious and baffling. Agenesis of gall bladder should be kept in mind whenever the gall bladder is improperly visualised in routine imaging methods.

Lymphangioma of the chest wall.

A lymphangioma of the chest wall, hitherto unreported is described here.

Thyroid abscess.

Thyroid abscess arising from Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis (AST) is a rare clinical disorder. The ability of the thyroid gland to resist infection is well known and infection in the thyroid gland is rare, particularly so with the advent of widespread usage of antibiotics. An internal pharyngeal fistula (Pyriform sinus fistula) is the most common underlying abnormality in patients with AST. We report a case of an adult male who presented with a thyroid abscess. The causal organism was found to be Staphylococcus aureus. Intravenous antibiotics and, incision and drainage of the abscess led to an uncomplicated recovery.

Can we do away with PTBD?

Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) is performed in surgical jaundice to decompress the biliary tree and improve hepatic functions. However, the risk of sepsis is high in these patients due to immunosuppression and surgical outcome remains poor. This raises a question--can we do away with PTBD? To answer this query a study was carried out in 4 groups of patients bearing in mind the high incidence of sepsis and our earlier studies, which have demonstrated immunotherapeutic potential of Tinospora cordifolia (TC): (A) those undergoing surgery without PTBD (n = 14), (B) those undergoing surgery after PTBD (n = 13). The mortality was 57.14% in Group A as compared to 61.54% in Group B. Serial estimations of bilirubin levels carried out during the course of drainage (3 Wks) revealed a gradual and significant decrease from 12.52 +/- 8.3 mg% to 5.85 +/- 3.0 mg%. Antipyrine half-life did not change significantly (18.35 +/- 4.2 hrs compared to basal values 21.96 +/- 3.78 hrs). The phagocytic and intracellular killing (ICK) capacities of PMN remained suppressed (Basal: 22.13 +/- 3.68% phago. and 19.1 +/- 4.49% ICK; Post drainage: 20 +/- 8.48% Phago and 11.15 +/- 3.05% ICK). Thus PTBD did not improve the metabolic capacity of the liver and mortality was higher due to sepsis. Group (C) patients received TC during PTBD (n = 16) and Group (D) patients received TC without PTBD (n = 14). A significant improvement in PMN functions occurred by 3 weeks in both groups (30.29 +/- 4.68% phago, 30 +/- 4.84% ICK in Group C and 30.4 +/- 2.99% phago, 27.15 +/- 6.19% ICK in Group D). The mortality in Groups C and D was 25% and 14.2% respectively during the preoperative period. There was no mortality after surgery. It appears from this study that host defenses as reflected by PMN functions play an important role in influencing prognosis. Further decompression of the biliary tree by PTBD seems unwarranted.

Immunotherapy with Tinospora cordifolia: a new lead in the management of obstructive jaundice.

OBJECTIVE: Immunosuppression associated with deranged hepatic function and sepsis results in poor surgical outcome in extrahepatic obstructive jaundice. The effect of an ayurvedic agent, Tinospora cordifolia (TC), which has been shown to have hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory properties in experimental studies, on surgical outcome in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice was evaluated. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomly divided into two groups, matched with respect to clinical features, impairment of hepatic function (as judged by liver function tests including antipyrine elimination) and immunosuppression (phagocytic and killing capacities of neutrophils). Group I received conventional management, ie vitamin K, antibiotics and biliary drainage; Group II received Tinospora cordifolia (16 mg/kg/day orally) in addition, during the period of biliary drainage. RESULTS: Hepatic function remained comparable in the two groups after drainage. However, the phagocytic and killing capacities of neutrophils normalized only in patients receiving Tinospora cordifolia (28.2 +/- 5.5% and 29.47 +/- 6.5% respectively). Post-drainage bactobilia was observed in 8 patients in Group I and 7 in Group II, but clinical evidence of septicemia was observed in 50% of patients in Group I as against none in Group II (p < 0.05). Post-operative survival in Groups I and II was 40% and 92.4% respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Tinospora cordifolia appears to improve surgical outcome by strengthening host defenses.