RESUMO
Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is an acute form of encephalitis that can lead to poor neurological outcomes. Although the exact pathogenesis of HSE remains elusive, recent reports suggest a significant role for postinfectious immune-inflammatory processes in the central nervous system (CNS). This study aimed to clarify the association between CNS autoimmune responses and clinical presentation in patients with HSE, focusing on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics, particularly the IgG index. We retrospectively analyzed 176 consecutive patients suspected of having aseptic meningitis /encephalitis for chronological changes in CSF findings and clinical presentations. These patients underwent PCR screening for herpesviruses (HV) in their CSF. We identified seven patients positive for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), 20 patients positive for varicella-zoster virus, and 17 patients who met the criteria for aseptic meningitis but were PCR-negative for HV. Patients in the HSV-1-positive group exhibited a significant increase in the IgG index at the time of PCR-negative conversion compared with on admission (p = 0.0156), while such a change was not observed in the other two groups. Additionally, all patients in the HSV-1-positive group tested negative for anti-neural autoantibodies in CSF and serum samples collected approximately 3 weeks after onset. This study, therefore, highlights that CSF IgG index elevation occurs even after PCR-confirmed HSV-1 clearance, which might indicate immunopathogenesis that is independent of antibody-mediated mechanisms.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais , Encefalite por Herpes Simples , Herpesvirus Humano 1 , Imunoglobulina G , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Feminino , Masculino , Encefalite por Herpes Simples/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Encefalite por Herpes Simples/imunologia , Herpesvirus Humano 1/imunologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto , Idoso , Anticorpos Antivirais/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Adulto Jovem , Adolescente , Herpesvirus Humano 3/imunologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Autoanticorpos/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Autoanticorpos/sangue , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Criança , Líquido Cefalorraquidiano/virologia , Líquido Cefalorraquidiano/imunologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease with characteristic motor and autonomic symptoms. Impaired brain serotonergic innervation can be associated with various clinical indices of MSA; however, the relationship between clinical symptoms and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), a main serotonin metabolite, has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: To compare CSF 5-HIAA levels between patients with MSA and healthy controls, we included 33 controls and 69 MSA patients with either predominant parkinsonian or cerebellar ataxia subtypes. CSF 5-HIAA levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Additionally, we investigated correlations between CSF 5-HIAA and various clinical indices in 34 MSA patients. RESULTS: CSF 5-HIAA levels were significantly lower in MSA patients than in controls (p < 0.0001). Probable MSA patients had lower CSF 5-HIAA levels than possible MSA patients (p < 0.001). In MSA patients, CSF 5-HIAA levels were inversely correlated with scores in Parts 1, 2, and 4 of the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale, and with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in Part 3. Structural equation modeling revealed significant paths between serotonin and clinical symptoms, and significance was highest for activities of daily living, walking, and body sway. CONCLUSIONS: Serotonin dysfunction, as assessed by CSF 5-HIAA levels, may implicate greater MSA severity.
Assuntos
Ataxia Cerebelar , Atrofia de Múltiplos Sistemas , Humanos , Serotonina , Ácido Hidroxi-Indolacético/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Atividades CotidianasRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: There is a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers in prison in several developed countries, but the situation in Japan has not been well reported. This study aimed to determine the state of HCV infection among criminals in Japan. METHODS: We enrolled 533 criminals in rehabilitation facilities (354 men and 179 women) who underwent a medical check-up from April 2014 to March 2022. Their records of blood tests, medical history, and drug injection use were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The HCV-antibody positive rate was 11.1 % (59/533), with rates of 8.2 % (29/354) in men and 16.8 % (30/179 in women. Approximately half of the HCV-infected residents had a history of drug injection, and this rate did not vary by age or by sex. Although an opportunity to treat HCV infection with medical assistance from government was provided to all residents who were positive for HCV RNA, 26.5 % of them abandoned the treatment. CONCLUSION: In spite of the generous economical support to treat HCV infection by the government and the free access system in Japan, eliminating HCV in criminals appears to be difficult. The reason for this problem might be the criminals' negligent attitude to life.
RESUMO
Rice production is seriously affected by saline-alkaline stress worldwide. To elucidate the saline-alkaline tolerance mechanisms in a novel tolerant rice variety, Shwe Nang Gyi (SNG), we investigated ion accumulation in SNG and Koshihikari (KSH), which is a saline-alkaline sensitive rice variety, and the candidates for saline-alkaline inducible genes in SNG using RNA-seq. SNG had superior ion accumulation capacity, such as K and Zn, compared to KSH. In contrast, SNG accumulated the same level of Na content in its leaf blades as KSH despite the higher dry weight of the SNG leaf blades. We further found that the expression of numerous genes, including several K+ transporter/high-affinity K+ transporter/K+ uptake protein/K+ transporter (HAK/KUP/KT) family members, were upregulated in SNG, and that OsHAK17 and OsHAK21 expression levels in the roots were significantly higher in SNG than in KSH. Moreover, yeast complementation analysis revealed that OsHAK17 was involved in K+ uptake under high-Na conditions. These results suggested that SNG has an effective K+ acquisition system supported by OsHAK17 functioning in saline-alkaline environments.
Assuntos
Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Oryza , Proteínas de Plantas , Plantas Tolerantes a Sal , Álcalis , Proteínas de Transporte de Cátions/genética , Proteínas de Transporte de Cátions/metabolismo , Oryza/genética , Oryza/metabolismo , Folhas de Planta/genética , Folhas de Planta/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Raízes de Plantas/genética , Raízes de Plantas/metabolismo , Potássio/metabolismo , Tolerância ao Sal/genética , Plantas Tolerantes a Sal/genética , Plantas Tolerantes a Sal/fisiologia , Plantas Tolerantes a Sal/metabolismo , Sódio/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although several coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines initially showed high efficacy, there have been concerns because of waning immunity and the emergence of variants with immune escape capacity. METHODS: A test-negative design case-control study was conducted in 16 healthcare facilities in Japan during the Delta-dominant period (August-September 2021) and the Omicron-dominant period (January-March 2022). Vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection was calculated for 2 doses for the Delta-dominant period and 2 or 3 doses for the Omicron-dominant period compared with unvaccinated individuals. RESULTS: The analysis included 5795 individuals with 2595 (44.8%) cases. Among vaccinees, 2242 (55.8%) received BNT162b2 and 1624 (40.4%) received messenger RNA (mRNA)-1273 at manufacturer-recommended intervals. During the Delta-dominant period, VE was 88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 82-93) 14 days to 3 months after dose 2 and 87% (95% CI, 38-97) 3 to 6 months after dose 2. During the Omicron-dominant period, VE was 56% (95% CI, 37-70) 14 days to 3 months since dose 2, 52% (95% CI, 40-62) 3 to 6 months after dose 2, 49% (95% CI, 34-61) 6+ months after dose 2, and 74% (95% CI, 62-83) 14+ days after dose 3. Restricting to individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19 and additional adjustment for preventive measures (ie, mask wearing/high-risk behaviors) yielded similar estimates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In Japan, where most are infection-naïve, and strict prevention measures are maintained regardless of vaccination status, 2-dose mRNA vaccines provided high protection against symptomatic infection during the Delta-dominant period and moderate protection during the Omicron-dominant period. Among individuals who received an mRNA booster dose, VE recovered to a high level.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Humanos , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , SARS-CoV-2 , Vacinas contra COVID-19 , Japão/epidemiologia , Vacina BNT162 , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Eficácia de Vacinas , RNA MensageiroRESUMO
PURPOSE: Colorectal cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers in Japan and the number of cancer survivors has increased. Work-related issues of cancer survivors have been investigated in relation to occupational health, and sufficient evidence in clinical practice is needed to support this. This study aimed to obtain the relevant information, intending to support the employment of patients with colorectal cancer for clinical settings. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter cohort study, which included patients who underwent surgery with clinical stage I-III colorectal cancer. An electronic survey was used at the time of hospital admission to collect the patients' occupational information, including job resignation soon after cancer diagnosis. A cross-sectional analysis was performed to evaluate the patients' employment situations. RESULTS: Of 129 eligible patients, 46 (36%) were female. Thirty-nine (30%) were self-employed and 72 (56%) worked at small-sized workplaces, which are not obliged to have occupational physicians. Most patients (89%) expressed their desire to return to work, but eight patients (6%) left their jobs soon after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer before undergoing surgery for several reasons stemming from worries about future treatment and its consequences. Multivariable analyses indicated that nonregular employees and the self-employed might be at a disadvantage in keeping their job at diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should address work-related issues for survivorship, which begins at cancer diagnosis and, when available, collaborate with occupational physicians while being mindful that patients working at smaller companies do not have immediate access to occupational physicians.
Assuntos
Sobreviventes de Câncer , Neoplasias Colorretais , Cirurgiões , Humanos , Feminino , Masculino , Estudos de Coortes , Japão , Estudos Transversais , Estudos Prospectivos , Emprego , Sobreviventes , Neoplasias Colorretais/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Colorretais/cirurgiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: No studies have examined the associations between adult height and ischemic stroke subtypes. METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study that included 2,451 thrombotic and 687 embolic stroke cases, as well as 1,623 intracerebral and 768 subarachnoid hemorrhage cases without history of stroke aged 40-79 years, and the same number of sex- and age-matched controls. Cases and controls were grouped according to the quintile cut-off values of height in controls, and the third quintile, which was approximately the average height group, was used as the reference group. Height divided by one standard deviation of height in controls was also examined as a continuous variable. The analyses were carried out separately for participants aged 40-59 years and 60-79 years. RESULTS: In both younger and older men, height was linearly inversely associated with total and thrombotic strokes, and the shortest quintile compared to the reference group was associated with increased risks of these strokes. Although height was linearly inversely associated with embolic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage in younger men, the shortest quintile did not show increased risks of these strokes. Height did not seem to be associated with total stroke and any stroke subtypes in younger women. In contrast, the tallest quintile was significantly associated with increased risks of total stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage, and height tended to be positively associated with these strokes in older women. CONCLUSION: We reported the associations between adult height and ischemic stroke subtypes for the first time, which differed according to sex and age group.
Assuntos
AVC Embólico , AVC Isquêmico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Masculino , Adulto , Humanos , Feminino , Idoso , Incidência , AVC Embólico/complicações , Estudos de Casos e Controles , População do Leste Asiático , Japão/epidemiologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/epidemiologia , Hemorragia Cerebral/epidemiologia , Hemorragia Cerebral/complicações , AVC Isquêmico/complicações , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
A 46-year-old male patient with a drinking history presented at our hospital with jaundice. He was diagnosed with moderate alcoholic hepatitis based on laboratory data. The white blood cell (WBC) counts were gradually increased and the prothrombin time was prolonged after hospitalization. Methylprednisolone (1000mg/day for 3 days) followed by oral prednisolone (40mg/day) was administered. However, the liver function was not improved and the patient progressed to severe alcoholic hepatitis. Therefore, we performed granulocytapheresis (GCAP). The WBC counts and interleukin-6 decreased and the liver function improved after 3 GCAP sessions.
Assuntos
Hepatite Alcoólica , Masculino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Hepatite Alcoólica/terapiaRESUMO
A 38-year-old rice farmer visited a hospital for abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed a liver tumor and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a hypovascular tumor, both in segment 4. Thus, he was diagnosed with liver abscess. Ten days later, CT showed a new liver tumor in segment 8, but the size of the liver tumor in segment 4 had decreased. He was suspected with parasitic disease because of eosinophilia. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed a high level of serum Fasciola antibody. The patient was diagnosed with fascioliasis and was treated with triclabendazole. Post-treatment, CT revealed that the liver tumors had shrunk. Eosinophilia and multiple lesions were characteristic findings of parasitic disease.
Assuntos
Eosinofilia , Fasciolíase , Abscesso Hepático , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Masculino , Humanos , Adulto , Fasciolíase/diagnóstico por imagem , Fasciolíase/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/diagnósticoRESUMO
The full spectrum of human herpesviruses (HHV)-associated neuroinfectious diseases in immunocompetent adults remains unclear. Hence, we sought to elucidate the epidemiology and clinical features of these diseases. The study subjects were patients over 16 years old suspected of neuroinfectious diseases who underwent spinal tap performed by neurologists in our university hospital between April 2013 and March 2018. The presence of seven HHV DNAs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was determined by real-time PCR. HHV DNAs were detected in 33 (10.2%) of the 322 patients. The most frequently detected herpesvirus was varicella zoster virus (VZV) (19 patients), followed by HHV-6 (four patients), herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 (three patients), HSV-2 (three patients), and Epstein-Barr virus (two patients). HHV DNAs were detected in CSF collected from patients with various neuroinfectious diseases, including myelitis, peripheral neuritis, encephalitis, and meningitis. All patients with HSV-1 DNA had encephalitis, whereas all patients with HSV-2 DNA had meningitis. Eleven of the 19 patients with VZV DNA had meningitis. Patients with VZV-associated encephalitis (median age, 80 years) were significantly older than non-encephalitis patients (median age, 60.5 years) (P = 0.046). Although post-herpetic neuralgia was observed in seven (54%) of the 13 patients with VZV and without encephalitis, no such neurological sequela was observed in the four encephalitis patients. In conclusion, HHVs were associated with approximately 10% of neuroinfectious diseases in this cohort. VZV was the most common pathogen, probably due to the large number of VZV meningitis patients. In addition, patients with VZV-associated meningitis were significantly younger than patients with VZV-associated encephalitis.
Assuntos
Encefalite , Infecções por Vírus Epstein-Barr , Infecções por Herpesviridae , Herpesvirus Humano 1 , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , DNA Viral/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Herpesvirus Humano 1/genética , Herpesvirus Humano 2/genética , Herpesvirus Humano 3/genética , Herpesvirus Humano 4 , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo RealRESUMO
We introduce a new digital workflow to fabricate a fixed partial denture (FPD) utilizing the three-dimensional surface morphology of provisional restoration (PR) and abutment teeth. Scanned images of the full maxilla with abutment teeth, full maxilla with PR, and PR alone were superimposed. The surfaces of the final FPD were designed based on the entire morphology of the PR and abutment teeth surfaces. The inner and outer surfaces converged at the margin lines of the abutment teeth. Fine modifications to the final FPD design were performed manually, and the final FPD was fabricated and successfully installed in the patient.
Assuntos
Desenho Assistido por Computador , Reparação de Restauração Dentária/métodos , Prótese Parcial Fixa , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral nutrient for plants. Nevertheless, excessive P accumulation in leaf mesophyll cells causes necrotic symptoms in land plants; this phenomenon is termed P toxicity. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying P toxicity in plants have not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of P toxicity in rice. We found that under excessive inorganic P (Pi) application, Rubisco activation decreased and photosynthesis was inhibited, leading to lipid peroxidation. Although the defence systems against reactive oxygen species accumulation were activated under excessive Pi application conditions, the Cu/Zn-type superoxide dismutase activities were inhibited. A metabolic analysis revealed that excessive Pi application led to an increase in the cytosolic sugar phosphate concentration and the activation of phytic acid synthesis. These conditions induced mRNA expression of genes that are activated under metal-deficient conditions, although metals did accumulate. These results suggest that P toxicity is triggered by the attenuation of both photosynthesis and metal availability within cells mediated by phytic acid accumulation. Here, we discuss the whole phenomenon of P toxicity, beginning from the accumulation of Pi within cells to death in land plants.
Assuntos
Oryza/metabolismo , Fósforo/toxicidade , Ácido Fítico/metabolismo , Folhas de Planta/metabolismo , Ribulose-Bifosfato Carboxilase/metabolismo , Ascorbato Peroxidases/metabolismo , Cloroplastos/efeitos dos fármacos , Cloroplastos/metabolismo , Citosol/efeitos dos fármacos , Citosol/metabolismo , Ativação Enzimática/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas/efeitos dos fármacos , Oryza/efeitos dos fármacos , Fósforo/metabolismo , Fotossíntese/efeitos dos fármacos , Fotossíntese/fisiologia , Folhas de Planta/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Superóxido Dismutase/genética , Superóxido Dismutase/metabolismoRESUMO
Determinant genes controlling biofilm formation in a plant commensal bacterium, Pseudomonas protegens Pf-5, were identified by transposon mutagenesis. Comprehensive screening of 7500 transposon-inserted mutants led to the isolation of four mutants exhibiting decreased and five mutants exhibiting increased biofilm formation. Mutations in the genes encoding MFS drug resistance transporter, LapA adhesive protein, RetS sensor histidine kinase/response regulator, and HecA adhesin/hemagglutinin led to decreased biofilm formation, indicating that these genes are necessary for biofilm formation in Pf-5. The mutants exhibiting increased biofilm formation had transposon insertions in the genes coding for an outer membrane protein, a GGDEF domain-containing protein, AraC transcriptional regulator, non-ribosomal peptide synthetase OfaB, and the intergenic region of a DNA-binding protein and the Aer aerotaxis receptor, suggesting that these genes are negative regulators of biofilm formation. Some of these mutants also showed altered swimming and swarming motilities, and a negative correlation between biofilm formation and swarming motility was observed. Thus, sessile-motile lifestyle is regulated by divergent regulatory genes in Pf-5.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Biofilmes , Pseudomonas/genética , Adesinas Bacterianas/genética , Adesinas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Genes Reguladores , Histidina Quinase/genética , MutaçãoRESUMO
Metallothioneins (MT) are primarily involved in metal chelation. Recent studies have shown that MT proteins are also involved in the responses of plants to various environmental stresses. The rice metallothionein-like gene OsMT-3a is upregulated by salinity and various abiotic stressors. A DNA construct containing the complete OsMT-3a coding sequence cloned downstream to the CaMV35S promoter was transformed into Arabidopsis and homozygous single-copy transgenic lines were produced. Compared to wild-type plants, transgenic plants showed substantially increased salinity tolerance (NaCl), drought tolerance (PEG), and heavy metal tolerance (CdCl2) as individual stresses, as well as different combinations of these stresses. Relevantly, under unstressed control conditions, vegetative growth of transgenic plants was also improved. The shoot Na+ concentration and hydrogen peroxide in transgenic plants were lower than those in wild-type plants. OsMT-3a-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines accumulated higher levels of Cd2+ in both shoots and roots following CdCl2 treatment. In the transgenic MT-3a lines, increased activity of two major antioxidant enzymes, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, was observed. Thus, rice OsMT-3a is a valuable target gene for plant genetic improvement against multiple abiotic stresses.
Assuntos
Arabidopsis/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Metalotioneína , Oryza/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Estresse Fisiológico , Arabidopsis/genética , Secas , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de Plantas , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
Previous studies have shown that patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome express autoantibodies against ganglioside GM1 (GM1), although its pathogenic significance for the development of the disease remains to be elucidated. nSMase2 is the best characterized neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) found in neuronal cells. Activation of this enzyme leads to ceramide production, which is a known second messenger of the cell-death program in neuronal cells. We have explored the effects of anti-GM1 antibodies on sphingomyelin metabolism of PC12 cells stably transfected with human trk cDNA (PCtrk cells) by determining their effects on nSMase2 activity. The data we present here strongly suggest that anti-GM1 caused a significant change in sphingomyelin content of the membrane fraction in PCtrk cells. Both nSMase2 activity and the level of nSMase2 protein were significantly decreased by anti-GM1 treatment of PCtrk cells, while acidic SMase activities remained unchanged. Our results indicate, for the first time, that anti-GM1 may produce profound impacts on lipid metabolism in neuronal cell membranes.
Assuntos
Anticorpos/farmacologia , Gangliosídeo G(M1)/imunologia , Síndrome de Guillain-Barré/metabolismo , Esfingomielina Fosfodiesterase/metabolismo , Esfingomielinas/metabolismo , Animais , Membrana Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Humanos , Células PC12 , RatosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: To visualize peripheral nerves in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), we used MR imaging. We also quantified the volumes of the brachial and lumbar plexus and their nerve roots. METHODS: Thirteen patients with CIDP and 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Whole-body MR neurography based on diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) was performed. Peripheral nerve volumes were calculated from serial axial MR images. RESULTS: The peripheral nervous system was visualized with 3-dimensional reconstruction. Volumes ranged from 8.7 to 49.5 cm3 /m2 in the brachial plexus and nerve roots and from 10.2 to 53.5 cm3 /m2 in the lumbar plexus and nerve roots. Patients with CIDP had significantly larger volumes than controls (P < 0.05), and volume was positively correlated with disease duration. CONCLUSIONS: MR neurography and the measurement of peripheral nerve volume are useful for diagnosing and assessing CIDP. Muscle Nerve 55: 483-489, 2017.
Assuntos
Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Sistema Nervoso Periférico/diagnóstico por imagem , Polirradiculoneuropatia Desmielinizante Inflamatória Crônica/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Humanos , Imageamento Tridimensional , Plexo Lombossacral/diagnóstico por imagem , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Polirradiculoneuropatia Desmielinizante Inflamatória Crônica/fisiopatologia , Estatística como AssuntoRESUMO
We report the case of a 66 year-old woman with chronic atrial fibrillation, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and spinocerebellar atrophy (SCA). Her mother and first-born son had died of heart disease at the ages of 65 and 16 years, respectively. Four of her 8 siblings had died suddenly of unknown cause or of heart disease, and 2 others of cerebral infarction by the 7th decade. Genetic testing revealed that she had a novel mutation (c. 482C > A, p. Ala161Asp) in the troponin I gene (TNNI3), and no abnormality of the GAA repeat in the frataxin gene. Her older brother with SCA but without HCM was also analyzed, with no abnormality noted in either gene. The Ala161Asp mutation in TNNI3 was implicated in the pathogenesis of her HCM, though an association between HCM and SCA was not revealed.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial/genética , Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica/genética , Mutação , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/genética , Troponina I/genética , Idoso , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica/complicações , Feminino , Humanos , Linhagem , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/complicaçõesRESUMO
The present study sought to investigate the factors implicated in growth impairment of huckleberry (a leafy vegetable) under water stress conditions. To achieve this, seedlings of plant were subjected to control, mild stress and severe stress conditions for 30 days. Plant growth, plant water relation, gas exchange, oxidative stress damage, electrolyte leakage rate, mineral content and osmolyte accumulation were measured. Water deficit markedly decreased leaf, stem and root growth. Leaf photosynthetic rate was tremendously reduced by decrease in stomatal conductance under stress conditions. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content markedly increased under mild (82%) and severe (131%) stress conditions, while electrolyte leakage rate (ELR) increased by 59% under mild stress and 3-fold under severe stress. Mineral content in leafwas high in stressed plants, while proline content markedly increased under mild stress (12-fold) and severe stress (15-fold), with corresponding decrease in osmotic potential at full turgor and an increase in osmotic adjustment. These results suggest that maintenance of high mineral content and osmotic adjustment constitute important adaptations in huckleberry under water deficit conditions and that growth depression under drought stress would be mainly caused by increased electrolyte leakage resulting from membrane damage induced by oxidative stress.
Assuntos
Folhas de Planta/fisiologia , Solanum/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Estresse Fisiológico/fisiologia , Água/metabolismo , Folhas de Planta/citologia , Raízes de Plantas/fisiologia , Caules de Planta/fisiologia , Solanum/fisiologiaRESUMO
Reduced Na(+) accumulation in the leaf blade is an important aspect of salinity tolerance and high affinity K(+) transporters (HKTs) are known to play a significant role in the process. Huckleberry and eggplant have previously been shown to display 'excluder' and 'includer' characteristics, respectively, under salt stress, but the underlying mechanisms have not been investigated. Here, we isolated the cDNA of the HKT homologs, Solanum scabrum HKT (SsHKT) from huckleberry and Solanum melongena HKT (SmHKT) from eggplant, and analyzed their expressions in different tissues under salt stress. SsHKT expression was markedly induced in the root (28-fold) and stem (7-fold), with a corresponding increase in Na(+) accumulation of 52% and 29%, respectively. Conversely, eggplant accumulated 60% total Na(+) in the leaf blade, with a lower SmHKT expression level in the root (3-fold). Huckleberry also maintained a higher K(+)/Na(+) ratio in the leaf blade compared to eggplant, due to the reduction of its Na(+) concentration and unaltered K(+) concentration. Functional analysis demonstrated that SsHKT-mediated Na(+) influx inhibited yeast growth under Na(+) stress, and that SsHKT did not complement the growth of the K(+) uptake-deficient CY162 strain under K(+)-limiting conditions. These results suggest that the Na(+) accumulation characteristics of both plants are caused by the differential expression of HKT genes, with SsHKT exerting a greater control over the ability of Na(+) to reach the leaf blade in huckleberry, than SmHKT does in eggplant.