Expression of Pinellia ternata leaf agglutinin under rolC promoter confers resistance against a phytophagous sap sucking aphid, Myzus persicae

BACKGROUND: Piercing/sucking insect pests in the order Hemiptera causes substantial crop losses by removing photoassimilates and transmitting viruses to their host plants. Cloning and heterologous expression of plantderived insect resistance genes is a promising approach to control aphids and other sap-sucking insect pests. While expression from the constitutive 35S promoter provides broad protection, the phloem-specific rolC promoter provides better defense against sap sucking insects. The selection of plant-derived insect resistance genes for expression in crop species will minimize bio-safety concerns. RESULTS: Pinellia ternata leaf agglutinin gene (pta), encodes an insecticidal lectin, was isolated and cloned under the 35S and rolC promoters in the pGA482 plant transformation vector for Agrobacterium-mediated tobacco transformation. Integration and expression of the transgene was validated by Southern blotting and qRT-PCR, respectively. Insect bioassays data of transgenic tobacco plants showed that expression of pta under rolC promoter caused 100% aphid mortality and reduced aphid fecundity up to 70% in transgenic tobacco line LRP9. These results highlight the better effectivity of pta under rolC promoter to control phloem feeders, aphids. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested the potential of PTA against aphids and other sap sucking insect pests. Evaluation of gene in tobacco under two different promoters; 35S constitutive promoter and rolC phloemspecific promoter could be successfully use for other crop plants particularly in cotton. Development of transgenic cotton plants using plant-derived insecticidal, PTA, would be key step towards commercialization of environmentally safe insect-resistant crops.

Peripheral arterial blood pressure versus central arterial blood pressure monitoring in critically ill patient safter Cardio-pulmonary Bypass

Objective: To determine the accuracy of peripheral [radial] arterial access as compared to central [femoral] arterial access for measurement of invasive blood pressure [IBP] in critically ill patients after cardiopulmonary bypass

Methods: Sixty patients [60] who required high inotropic/vasopressor support on weaning from cardio-pulmonary bypass and weaned off in 2nd attempt were included in this study. The duration of this study was from June 2015 to August 2016. Radial and femoral arterial access was achieved in all patients for simultaneous measurement of blood pressure. Arterial pressures were noted after 5, 15 and 30 minutes of weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass for both radial and femoral artery simultaneously

Results: Mean age of study patients was 56.48+/-11.17 years. 85% patients were male. There was significant difference in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressures between the radial artery and femoral artery cannulation. Mean arterial pressures were significantly high in femoral artery as compared to the radial artery. The mean arterial pressures after five minutes of weaning using central access were 76.28+/-10.21 mmHg versus 64.15+/-6.76 mmHg in peripheral arterial access [p-value <0.001]. Similarly we also found significant difference in mean arterial pressures after 15 minutes of weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass 78.70+/-10.12 mmHg in central access versus 72.03+/-6.76 mmHg using peripheral arterial access [p-value <0.001]. The difference in arterial pressures were less marked as compared to the previous differences after 30 minutes of weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass as compared to the earlier readings [p-value 0.001]

Conclusion: Peripheral arterial pressures are unreliable in critically ill patients after cardiopulmonary bypass receiving high dose of inotropic drugs. Central arterial access should be used in these patients to get accurate estimates of patients' blood pressure in early periods after cardiopulmonary bypass

Incidence and risk factors of pulmonary complications after cardiopulmonary bypass

Objective: To determine the frequency of post-operative pulmonary complications [PPCs] after cardio-pulmonary bypass and association of pre-operative and intraoperative risk factors with incidence of PPCs

Methods: This study was an observational analysis of five hundred and seventeen [517] patients who underwent cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. Incidence of PPCs and risk factors of PPCs were noted. Logistic regression was applied to determine the association of pre-operative and intraoperative risk factors with incidence of PPCs

Results: Post-operative pulmonary complications occurred in 32 [6.2%] patients. Most common postoperative pulmonary complication was atelectasis that occurred in 20 [3.86%] patients, respiratory failure in 8 [1.54%] patients, pneumonia in 3 [0.58%] patients and acute respiratory distress syndrome in 1 [0.19%] patients. The main risk factor of PPCs were advance age > 60 years [odds ratio 4.16 [1.99-8.67], p-value <0.001], prolonged CPB time > 120 minutes [odds ratio 3.62 [1.46-8.97] p-value 0.003], pre-op pulmonary hypertension [odds ratio 2.60 [1.18-5.73] p-value 0.016] and intraoperative phrenic nerve injury [odds ratio 7.06 [1.73-28.74], p-value 0.002]. Operative mortality was 9.4% in patients with PPCs and 1.0% in patients without PPCs [p-value 0.01]

Conclusion: The incidence of post-operative pulmonary complications was 6.2% in this study. Advanced age [age > 60 years], prolonged CPB time [CPB time > 120 minutes], pre-op pulmonary hypertension and intraoperative phrenic nerve injury are independent risk factors of PPCs after surgery

Pulmonary function abnormalities in patients with metabolic syndrome

A cross sectional survey was conducted to evaluate for any deterioration in lung functions in patients having characteristics of metabolic syndrome. In a medical camp, study participants underwent blood pressure measurement, blood glucose and total cholesterol testing, anthropometry and waist circumference. A total of 42 non smoker subjects including 28 [66.6%] males and 14 [33.3%] females who were suffering from metabolic syndrome underwent spirometry using American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society [ATS/ERS] criteria. Out of 28 [66.6%] males, 19 [67.85%] had spirogram within normal limits, while 9 [32.14%] had abnormalities in pulmonary function testing including reduced PEF, FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75, while out of 12 females, 7 [58.33%] had spirogram having all parameters within normal limits, while 5 [41.66%] had considerable spirometric abnormalities. Non smoker patients with metabolic syndrome have considerable abnormalities on pulmonary function testing which may have implications on their future respiratory health. Further larger studies for pulmonary functions evaluation are required in obese population

Knowledge of family physicians about the fundamental diagnostic modality for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The adequate knowledge of primary health practitioners about spirometry being the best test for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is essential because of high prevalence and sustained global rise in COPD population

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of family physicians by a questionnaire [data interpretation] was conducted to assess the existing status of knowledge about the spirometric diagnosis for COPD. This was undertaken on the occasion of two scientific presentations as well as by directly approaching them at their clinics

Results: A total of 150 questionnaires were given and 148 were returned with a response rate of 98.66%. Sixty three participants [42.56 %] selected the correct answer [spirometry: FEV1, FVC and FEV1/VC ratio] while 57.44% opted for the wrong answers for COPD diagnostic strategy given in the clinical scenario. More senior family physicians [P- value 0.076] and more educated physicians [P- value 0.022] had a better knowledge regarding the correct answer of performing spirometry

Conclusion: There is inadequate knowledge among family physicians about the fundamental diagnostic modality [spirometry] of COPD

Laser: an emerging tool in laryngology

The aim of this prospective study is to assess the utility of The KTP [Potassium Titanyl Phosphate] laser in pediatric and adult laryngology. We have performed 31 laryngeal procedures both for pediatrics and adults in two years [2006-2008] for variety of laryngeal lesions. These procedures include congenital, benign and malignant lesions. Most of these patients were recruited from the outpatient services of the department of Otolaryngology Tawam hospital Al Ain, United Arab Emirates and some of them were referred from peripheral medical centers. Results: The KTP laser is an important and versatile state of the art tool for both pediatric and adult laryngology. It has wide range of applications in the air way from the nasopharynx to the distil Bronchi. Due to its multiple ways of applications, it provides precise surgical care. We have performed 31 laryngeal procedures both for pediatrics and adults in two years, and have not encountered any complication during surgery. The use of KTP laser in grade 3 and grade 4 sublottic stenosis is questionableWe believe that Benefits of endoscopic use of KTP laser include decreased morbidity and a significant quick recovery rate versus open procedures. Other big advantages of the KTP laser are its multiple modes of delivery, the flexibility of its fiber, and its easy maneuverability in the airway

Thyroid papillqary carcinoma in a throglossal duct remnant

Thyroglossal duct remnants [TGDR] are the most common congenital cervical swellings, but malignant change is reported to occur only in about 1% of such lesions. Papillary thyroid carcinoma [PTC] is the most frequent carcinoma in TGDRS constituting some 80% of these tumours. We report a 57 year old male patient with PTC of the thyroglossal duct remnant together with a review of the literature and discussion regarding management. This patient was treated with Sistrunk's operation as well as a total thyroidectomy

Thyroid papillary carcinoma in a thyroglossal duct remnant

Thyroglossal duct remnants [TGDR] are the most common congenital cervical swellings, but malignant change is reported to occur only in about 1% of such lesions. Papillary thyroid carcinoma [PTC] is the most frequent carcinoma in TGDRs constituting some 80% of these tumours. We report a 57 year old male patient with PTC of the thyroglossal duct remnant together with a review of the literature and discussion regarding management. This patient was treated with Sistrunk's operation as well as a total thyroidectomy