Identification of banana ADA1 gene family members and their expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses / 生物工程学报

The Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) is an ancillary transcription initiation complex which is highly conserved. The ADA1 (alteration/deficiency in activation 1, also called histone H2A functional interactor 1, HFI1) is a subunit in the core module of the SAGA protein complex. ADA1 plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as stress resistance. In this paper, we performed genome-wide identification of banana ADA1 gene family members based on banana genomic data, and analyzed the basic physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, selection pressure, promoter cis-acting elements, and its expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses. The results showed that there were 10, 6, and 7 family members in Musa acuminata, Musa balbisiana and Musa itinerans. The members were all unstable and hydrophilic proteins, and only contained the conservative SAGA-Tad1 domain. Both MaADA1 and MbADA1 have interactive relationship with Sgf11 (SAGA-associated factor 11) of core module in SAGA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that banana ADA1 gene family members could be divided into 3 classes. The evolution of ADA1 gene family members was mostly influenced by purifying selection. There were large differences among the gene structure of banana ADA1 gene family members. ADA1 gene family members contained plenty of hormonal elements. MaADA1-1 may play a prominent role in the resistance of banana to cold stress, while MaADA1 may respond to the Panama disease of banana. In conclusion, this study suggested ADA1 gene family members are highly conserved in banana, and may respond to biotic and abiotic stress.

Comparison of visual quality after refractive surgery between smart pulse technology-assisted transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy of 1 050Hz ablation frequency and small incision lenticule extraction / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To compare the visual quality between smart pulse technology-assisted(SPT)transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy(TransPRK)of 1 050Hz ablation frequency and small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)for myopia and astigmatism.METHODS: A total of 138 cases(248 eyes)who received corneal refractive surgery in the Eye Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM were enrolled from July 2020 to January 2021. The patients were divided into TransPRK group(64 cases, 123 eyes)and SMILE group(74 cases, 125 eyes)according to the surgical method. The follow-up duration was 6mo. Strehl ratio(SR)and high-order aberration at 6mm pupil diameter measured by Sirius anterior segment integrated analyzer and LogMAR visual acuity were recorded at different preoperative and postoperative time points.RESULTS: The uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)of TransPRK group was worse than SMILE group at 1wk and 1mo after surgery(all P<0.05), but UCVA was better in TransPRK group at 6mo after surgery(P<0.05). SR in TransPRK group was lower than that in SMILE group at 1wk and 1mo after surgery(all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SR between the two groups at 3 and 6mo after surgery(P=0.968, 0.433). At 1wk after surgery, there was no significant difference in coma between the two groups(P=0.554). At 1, 3, and 6mo after surgery, coma in the TransPRK group was lower than that in SMILE group(all P<0.05). At 1wk, 1 and 3mo after surgery, the trefoil aberration in TransPRK group was higher than that in SMILE group(all P<0.05). At 6mo after surgery, there was no significant difference in trefoil aberration between the two groups(P=0.167). At 6mo after surgery, UCVA of TransPRK group and SMILE group were -0.13±0.05 and -0.11±0.08, respectively, which were better than the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)before surgery(-0.07±0.05 and -0.07±0.05; all P<0.05). Furthermore, the SR of both groups was higher than that before surgery(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Both SPT-assisted TransPRK of 1 050Hz ablation frequency and SMILE can achieve better visual acuity after refractive surgery, while SMILE has better visual quality at 1wk and 1mo after surgery. However, SPT-assisted TransPRK of 1 050Hz ablation frequency has better visual acuity at 6mo after surgery than SMILE, and the coma is smaller.

Allergic Rhinitis: A Critical Modern Review

Allergic rhinitis addresses a hyperactivity of the resistant framework in any case harmless particles making a fiery reaction where none is required. Allergic Rhinitis is clinically represented by a mixture of two or additional nasal symptoms: running, blocking, itching and sneezing. Allergic rhinitis is regularly partitioned by age, seriousness, and duration of symptoms. Investigation represents how epidemiologic evaluations on the commonness of hypersensitive or allergic rhinitis shift considerably with whether both clinical appraisal and testing were utilized to make the determination. The treatment of allergic rhinitis should combine allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy and allergen immunotherapy. Treatments of allergic rhinitis include intranasal corticosteroids, oral and topical antihistamines, decongestants, intranasal cromolyn, intranasal anticholinergics. First-generation and Second-generation oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are the most effective modality for treating allergic rhinitis. Immunotherapy is an efficient immune-modulating treatment that ought to be counseled if pharmacologic medical care for allergic rhinitis isn't effective or not tolerated. This article provides an overview of the prevalence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and appropriate management of the allergic rhinitis.

Interações ambientais e resistência física de um depósito de resíduos finos da indústria de rochas ornamentais / Environmental interactions and physical resistance of a fine waste deposit from dimension stone industry

RESUMO Embora vários trabalhos proponham aplicações para os resíduos finos gerados no beneficiamento de rochas ornamentais, ainda não há evidências das vantagens financeiras para tal aproveitamento. Assim, a descrição dos depósitos existentes, muitos deles construídos sem triagem ou qualquer medida de proteção ambiental, torna-se imprescindível para seu melhor gerenciamento. Este trabalho estudou a caracterização física, química e mineralógica, além da resistência mecânica de um depósito de resíduos tradicionais e de seu substrato geológico. Cerca de 75% das partículas que compõem os resíduos são menores do que 0,0625 mm e o teor de umidade varia entre 26 e 60%. Os valores de pH variam entre 8,2 e 10,5. Os elementos químicos predominantes são Si, Al, Fe e, em menor proporção, Ca, Na e K. Esses elementos compõem quartzo, plagioclásio, microclina, calcita, muscovita, biotita e zircão. Ao comparar as características dos resíduos com as do substrato geológico, não foram encontrados indícios de migração das substâncias químicas analisadas. Os Stantard Penetration Tests mostram que as camadas não apresentam resistência suficiente para receber fundações rasas. É provável que as concentrações de Fe em alguns níveis contribuam com o aumento da resistência mecânica em áreas localizadas do depósito.

ABSTRACT Although several works propose applications for the fine wastes generated by the dimension stones processing, the financial advantages of recovering these materials are not yet evident. Then, the description of the deposits, much of them constructed without screening or any environmental protection measure, becomes indispensable for their best management. This work studies the physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization, as well as the mechanical resistance of a traditional waste deposit and its geological substrate. Around 76% of the particles that compound the wastes are smaller than 0,0625 mm and their humidity vary between 26 and 60%. The pH-values are between 8.2 and 10.5. The major chemical elements are Si, Al, Fe, and, at less proportions, Ca, Na, and K. These elements compound quartz, plagioclase, microcline, calcite, muscovite, biotite, and zircon. When comparing the characteristics of the wastes with the geological substrate, indicatives of the analyzed substances' migration was not found. The Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) show that the layer´s strength is not good enough to receive shallow foundations. It is probable that Fe concentrations at some levels contribute for incrementing the deposit´s mechanical resistance.

Signal-Processing tools for core-collection selection from genetic-resource collection / Herramienta de procesamiento de señales para la selección de "Core-Collection" desde colección de recursos genéticos

Abstract Selecting a representative core collection (CC) is a proven and effective strategy for overcoming the expenses and difficulties of managing genetic resources in gene banks around the globe. Because of the diverse applications available for these sub-collections, several algorithms have been successfully implemented to construct them based on genotypic, phenotypic, passport or geographic data (either by individual datasets or by consensus). However, to the best of our knowledge, no single comprehensive datasets has been properly explored to date. Thus, researchers evaluate multiple datasets in order to construct representative CCs; this can be quite difficult, but one feasible solution for such an evaluation is to manage all available data as one discrete signal, which allows signal processing tools (SPTs) to be implemented during data analysis. In this research, we present a proof- of-concept study that shows the possibility of mapping to a discrete signal any type of data available from genetic resource collections in order to take advantage of SPTs for the construction of CCs that adequately represent the diversity of two crops. This method is referred to as 'SPT selection.' All available information for each element of the tested collections was analysed under this perspective and compared when possible, with one of the most used algorithms for CC selection. Genotype-only SPT selection did not prove as effective as standard CC selection did not prove as effective as standard CC selection algorithms; however, the SPT approach can consider genotype alongside other types of information, which results in well-represented Ccs that consider both the genotype and agromorphological diversities present in original collections. Furthermore, SPT-based analysis can evaluate all available data both in a comprehensive manner and under different perspective, and despite its limitations, the analysis renders satisfactory results. Thus, SPT-based algorithms for CC selection can be valuable in the field of genetic resources research, management and exploitation.

Resumen La selección de una colección núcleo (core-collection) representativa (CC) es una estrategia comprobada y eficaz para superar los gastos y las dificultades de la gestión de los recursos genéticos en los bancos de germoplasma de todo el mundo. Debido a las diversas aplicaciones disponibles para estas subcolecciones, se han implementado con éxito varios algoritmos para construirlos en base a datos genotípicos, fenotípicos, de pasaporte o geográficos (ya sea por conjuntos de datos individuales o por consenso). Sin embargo, hasta donde tenemos conocimiento, no se han explorado adecuadamente conjuntos de datos integrales hasta la fecha. Por lo tanto, los investigadores evalúan conjuntos de datos múltiples para construir CCs representativos; esto puede ser bastante difícil, pero una solución factible para tal evaluación es administrar todos los datos disponibles como una señal discreta, que permite implementar herramientas de procesamiento de señal (SPT) durante el análisis de datos. En esta investigación, presentamos un estudio de prueba de concepto que muestra la posibilidad de asignar a una señal discreta cualquier tipo de datos disponibles de colecciones de recursos genéticos para aprovechar los SPT para la construcción de CC que representen adecuadamente la diversidad de dos cultivos. Este método se conoce como "selección de SPT." Toda la información disponible para cada elemento de las colecciones analizadas se analizó bajo esta perspectiva y se comparó cuando fue posible, con uno de los algoritmos más utilizados para la selección de CC. La selección de SPT de solo genotipo no resultó tan efectiva como los algoritmos de selección de CC estándar; sin embargo, el enfoque SPT puede considerar el genotipo junto con otros tipos de información, lo que da como resultado CCs bien representados que consideran tanto el genotipo como las diversidades agromorfológicas presentes en las colecciones originales. Además, el análisis basado en SPT puede evaluar todos los datos disponibles, tanto de manera integral y bajo diferentes perspectivas, y a pesar de sus limitaciones, el análisis arroja resultados satisfactorios. Por lo tanto, los algoritmos basados en SPT para la selección de CC pueden ser valiosos en el campo de la investigación, gestión y explotación de recursos genéticos.

Food and Aeroallergens Sensitisation Pattern amongst Atopic Dermatitis Children in Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Introduction:Various foods and aeroallergens are commonly attributed as the cause and exacerbating factors ofatopic dermatitis (AD) in children. This study aim to describe the common food and aeroallergensImmunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitisation pattern and the association between atopic dermatitis (AD)children of varying eczema severities and age groups.Methods:Patients who fulfil the criteria of AD were recruited and their eczema severities were assessed usingEczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score. Skin prick test (SPT) was performed and serum totalIgE and specific IgE taken for 6 common foods (cow’s milk, soya, egg white, peanut, wheat andchicken) and 4 aeroallergens [cat dander (Felix domesticus) and house dust mites (Dermatophagoidespteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis)]. IgE sensitisation was diagnosedpositive when the SPT yield a wheal of ≥3mm compared with the negative control and/or serumspecific IgE level of >0.35ku/L. Data was analysed using SPSS®v20.Results:Overall IgE sensitisation to at least one food and/or aeroallergen was 95%. The most prevalentfood allergen in Group A [≤1 year old] (n=10) was egg white in which both tests showed statisticalsignificant results when compared with Group B [>1 year old] (n=50). Other common food allergensincluded cow’s milk and peanut. D. pteronyssinus was the commonest aeroallergen. Aeroallergenswere significantly more prevalent in Group B when comparing both groups.Conclusion:Food and aeroallergen sensitisations were very common among AD children. Food allergens weremore common in infants and aeroallergens in older children. Bigger sample size may provide morerepresentative results.

Advances in Spt proteins and stress resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae / 生物工程学报

Spt proteins are defined as a large family of transcription regulators of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. They are crucial components of the SAGA complex that regulates transcription through interaction with the TATA box in the upstream region of the target genes. About 10% of total gene transcriptions are related to Spt proteins and these genes are highly related to environmental stress response. Such vast regulation network and complex mechanisms have become a hotspot. Spt proteins are also important to suppress transposon-induced mutations, being a switch on regulation of transposon behaviors and adaptive evolution of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Besides that, some Spt proteins are directly involved in regulating unsaturated lipid acids synthesis, which could remold the cell membrane to resist environmental stresses. Here, we review Spt proteins, the advances in Spt proteins study, and their potential applications in improving yeast's stress resistance through transcription regulation, transposon activity regulation and cell membrane alternation.

The correlation between serum total IgE,blood eosinophil,degree of sensitization to allergens and frac-tional exhaled nitric oxide in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis / 实用医学杂志

Objective To analyze the correlation among serum total IgE(TIgE),blood eosinophil(EOS) counts,the degree of sensitization for skin prick test(SPT),and fractional exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO)in chil-dren with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Methods We collected 121 children with asthma and allergic rhinitis andtheir serum TIgE,blood EOS,FeNO,and SPT for 14 common allergens. Results There were 75.2%patients sensitizing to at least two allergens.TIgE levels in poly-sensitized subjects were higher than that of mono-sensitized subjects(P < 0.05)The number of SPT sensitized allergens was positively correlated with the TIgE levels(P <0.05)FeNO levels were correlated with TIgE levels and EOS percentage(P < 0.05). TIgE levels in subjects with class 2 or 3 in SPT for house dust mite increased significantly ,compared with class 0 or 1. Conclusion There were some correlations among the four detections ,providing important reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of respiratory allergic disease

Chironomid midges as allergens: evidence from two species from West Bengal, Kolkata, India.

Background & objectives: Arthropods of different taxonomic identity including chironomid midges are known to induce allergic response in humans. The present study was done to access two common chironomid species Chironomus circumdatus and Polypedilum nubifer for their sensitizing potential as an allergen in atopic patients and controls. Methods: Following preparation of allergenic extracts of the two chironomid species separately, 198 atopic patients attending an allergy clinic and 50 age matched controls were tested along with a routine panel of allergens to assess sensitization. Results: The skin prick test (SPT) results revealed that 189 of the 198 patients (95.4%) demonstrated sensitization to both the chironomid species. Higher levels of total IgE was observed in atopic subjects than in the control group. Interpretation & conclusions: The results suggest that the chironomid midges Chironomus circumdatus and Polypedilum nubifer can elicit sensitization in humans. A potential risk for allergic reactions by susceptible individuals exists due to these chironomid species, owing to their abundance and chances of contact with human beings. Further studies may be initiated to characterize the nature of the allergens and to assess their clinical relevance.

Comparative Allergen Profile in the Krishna-Godavari regions

Allergic diseases are amongst the most common chronic disorders worldwide. Over 20% of the world population suffers from immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and anaphylaxis. In India alone, 20% of the population suffers from allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Airway allergy is now considered to be a disease which is not confined to a specific target organ, but rather a disorder of the whole respiratory tract. Epidemiological, experimental and clinical observations have suggested a link between rhinitis and asthma, leading to the definition of allergic rhinobronchitis or united airway disease and the concept of ‘one airway one disease’. Aeroallergens play a major role in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergic diseases. Skin tests are the cornerstone for the identification of causative allergens and selection of therapy, including environmental control and immunotherapy. The Krishna and Godavari regions are two of the nine coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh with varied environmental pollutants like cotton dust, granite dust and stone crushings, besides being a potential agricultural area. These areas have high prevalence of naso-bronchial allergies. With this background, the present study was done to study the skin sensitivity to various allergens by skin prick testing in patients of naso-bronchial allergy, visiting the Department of Pulmonology, Katuri Medical College and Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India, and to compare the prevalence of various allergens among the Krishna and Godavari regions.

Dietary effect of red ginseng extracts mixed with torilis fructus and corni fructus on the epidermal levels of ceramides and ceramide related enzyme proteins in uv-induced hairless mice

UV-irradiation is a major factor of photo-aged skin, by which pigmentation, wrinkles and laxity are increased. In addition, the epidermal barrier is disrupted, ultimately causing dryness in photo-aged skin. As an effort to search dietary sources for improving the dryness of UV irradiated skin, the dietary effect of red ginseng based functional foods on the epidermal level of ceramides, a major lipid maintaining epidermal barrier, was determined in this study. Albino hairless mice were fed either a control diet [group UV (UV-irradiated control)] or diets with 0.5% (group M0.5) or 1% (group M1.0) of red ginseng extracts mixed with Torilis fructus and Corni fructus (66.7% red ginseng) in parallel with UV irradiation for 5 wks. A normal control group (group C) was fed a control diet without UV irradiation for 5 wks. The epidermal level of ceramides in group UV was significantly lower than that in group C, in which ceramidase, an enzyme involved in ceramide degradation, was highly expressed. In group M0.5, the epidermal level of ceramide was significantly increased to the level even higher than in group C. In addition, protein expression of serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT), a key enzyme involved in de novo ceramide synthesis, was increased in group M0.5. However the epidermal levels of ceramides as well as of ceramidase protein expression in group M1.0 did not differ from those in group UV. In conclusion, we demonstrate that dietary supplementation of red-ginseng extracts mixed with Torilis fructus and Corni fructus at a level of 0.5% level in diet increased the epidermal level of ceramides coupled with the elevated expression of SPT protein.

Frozen fruit skin prick test for the diagnosis of fruit allergy.

Background: Diagnosis of fruit sensitisation by skin prick test (SPT) is fast and easy to perform. Nevertheless, some fruit is not available throughout the year. Freezing aliquots of these fresh fruits to be defrosted would be a good solution to perform SPT at any time. Objective: To compare the reproducibility of SPT with Rosaceae and Cucurbitaceae frozen fruit with fresh and commercial fruit extracts. Methods: SPT with the following fruit were performed: apricot, cherry, strawberry, nectarine, Japanese medlar, peach, (peel and pulp), yellow and red plum, melon and watermelon. We compared fresh fruit, commercial extract and fruit which had been frozen at -18°C. Results were read by planimetry (Inmunotek prick-filmTM) after 15 minutes. Results: The study group comprised 48 patients (9 males, 39 females) with a mean age of 31, 6 ± 2,0 years. Concordance of positive and negative results was extremely high and significant in all cases. Correlation between frozen fruit and commercial extract, frozen fruit and fresh and commercial extract and fresh fruit was statistically significant in all cases except for strawberry. Conclusions: The use of frozen fruit is a valid method, as the performance of the SPT is similar to that of fresh fruit. This enables diagnostic procedures with seasonal fruit at any time of the year.

Study of allergens in patients with asthma in Chongqing area / 重庆医科大学学报

Objective:To discuss the types of allergens and the positive rate of these patients suffering from bronchial asthma.Methods:25 patients with chronic bronchitis (CB) were studied as compared with 66 patients with bronchial asthma (BA).The spin prick test (SPT) was used.Results:(1) Positive allergy skin test:20.0% in CB and 87.9% in BA.There was significant difference between the two groups( ? 2=39.16, P