Genetic diversity and molecular characterization of Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) subgroup II infecting Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and Pea (Pisum sativum) in Pothwar region of Pakistan / Diversidade genética e caracterização molecular do Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) subgrupo II infectando espinafre (Spinacia oleracea) e ervilha (Pisum sativum) na região de Pothwar, Paquistão

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a tremendous threat to vegetables across the globe, including in Pakistan. The present work was conducted to investigate the genetic variability of CMV isolates infecting pea and spinach vegetables in the Pothwar region of Pakistan. Serological-based surveys during 2016-2017 revealed 31.70% overall CMV disease incidence from pea and spinach crops. Triple-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA) revealed that all the positive isolates belong to CMV subgroup II. Two selected cDNA from ELISA-positive samples representing each pea and spinach crops were PCR-amplified (ca.1100 bp) and sequenced corresponding to the CMV CP gene which shared 93.7% nucleotide identity with each other. Both the sequences of CMV pea (AAHAP) and spinach (AARS) isolates from Pakistan were submitted to GenBank as accession nos. MH119071 and MH119073, respectively. BLAST analysis revealed 93.4% sequence identity of AAHAP isolate with SpK (KC763473) from Iran while AARS isolate shared maximum identity (94.5%) with the strain 241 (AJ585519) from Australia and clustered with some reference isolates of CMV subgroup II from UK (Z12818) and USA (AF127976) in a Neighbour joining phylogenetic reconstruction. A total of 59 polymorphic (segregating) sites (S) with nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.06218 was evident while no INDEL event was observed in Pakistani isolates. The evolutionary distance of Pakistani CMV isolates was recorded as 0.0657 with each other and 0.0574-0.2964 with other CMV isolates reported elsewhere in the world. A frequent gene flow (Fst = 0.30478 <0.33) was observed between Pakistani and earlier reported CMV isolates. In genetic differentiation analysis, the value of three permutation-based statistical tests viz; Z (84.3011), Snn (0.82456), and Ks* (4.04042) were non-significant. The statistical analysis revealed the [...].

Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) é uma tremenda ameaça aos vegetais em todo o mundo, inclusive no Paquistão. O presente trabalho foi conduzido para investigar a variabilidade genética de isolados de CMV infectando vegetais de ervilha e espinafre na região de Pothwar, Paquistão. Pesquisas com base em sorologia durante 2016-2017 revelaram 31,70% da incidência geral da doença por CMV em safras de ervilha e espinafre. O ensaio de imunoabsorção enzimática em sanduíche de anticorpo triplo (TAS-ELISA) revelou que todos os isolados positivos pertencem ao subgrupo II do CMV. Dois cDNA selecionados de amostras positivas para ELISA representando cada safra de ervilha e espinafre foram amplificados por PCR (ca.1100 pb) e sequenciados correspondendo ao gene CMV CP que compartilhou 93,7% de identidade de nucleotídeo um com o outro. Ambas as sequências de isolados de ervilha CMV (AAHAP) e espinafre (AARS) do Paquistão foram submetidas ao GenBank como nos de acesso. MH119071 e MH119073, respectivamente. A análise BLAST revelou 93,4% de identidade de sequência do isolado AAHAP com SpK (KC763473) do Irã, enquanto o isolado AARS compartilhou a identidade máxima (94,5%) com a cepa 241 (AJ585519) da Austrália e agrupada com alguns isolados de referência do subgrupo II de CMV do Reino Unido (Z12818) e EUA (AF127976) em uma reconstrução filogenética vizinha. Um total de 59 sítios polimórficos (segregantes) (S) com diversidade de nucleotídeos (π) de 0,06218 foi evidente, enquanto nenhum evento INDEL foi observado em isolados do Paquistão. A distância evolutiva de isolados de CMV do Paquistão foi registrada como 0,0657 entre si e 0,0574-0,2964 com outros isolados de CMV relatados em outras partes do mundo. Um fluxo gênico frequente (Fst = 0,30478 < 0,33) foi observado entre os isolados de CMV do Paquistão e relatados anteriormente. Na análise de diferenciação genética, os valores de três testes estatísticos baseados em [...].

Genetic diversity and molecular characterization of Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) subgroup II infecting Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and Pea (Pisum sativum) in Pothwar region of Pakistan / Diversidade genética e caracterização molecular do Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) subgrupo II infectando espinafre (Spinacia oleracea) e ervilha (Pisum sativum) na região de Pothwar, Paquistão

Abstract Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a tremendous threat to vegetables across the globe, including in Pakistan. The present work was conducted to investigate the genetic variability of CMV isolates infecting pea and spinach vegetables in the Pothwar region of Pakistan. Serological-based surveys during 2016-2017 revealed 31.70% overall CMV disease incidence from pea and spinach crops. Triple-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA) revealed that all the positive isolates belong to CMV subgroup II. Two selected cDNA from ELISA-positive samples representing each pea and spinach crops were PCR-amplified (ca.1100 bp) and sequenced corresponding to the CMV CP gene which shared 93.7% nucleotide identity with each other. Both the sequences of CMV pea (AAHAP) and spinach (AARS) isolates from Pakistan were submitted to GenBank as accession nos. MH119071 and MH119073, respectively. BLAST analysis revealed 93.4% sequence identity of AAHAP isolate with SpK (KC763473) from Iran while AARS isolate shared maximum identity (94.5%) with the strain 241 (AJ585519) from Australia and clustered with some reference isolates of CMV subgroup II from UK (Z12818) and USA (AF127976) in a Neighbour-joining phylogenetic reconstruction. A total of 59 polymorphic (segregating) sites (S) with nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.06218 was evident while no INDEL event was observed in Pakistani isolates. The evolutionary distance of Pakistani CMV isolates was recorded as 0.0657 with each other and 0.0574-0.2964 with other CMV isolates reported elsewhere in the world. A frequent gene flow (Fst = 0.30478 <0.33) was observed between Pakistani and earlier reported CMV isolates. In genetic differentiation analysis, the value of three permutation-based statistical tests viz; Z (84.3011), Snn (0.82456), and Ks* (4.04042) were non-significant. The statistical analysis revealed the values 2.02535, 0.01468, and 0.71862 of Tajima's D, Fu, & Li's F* and D* respectively, demonstrating that the CMV population is under balancing selection.

Resumo Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV) é uma tremenda ameaça aos vegetais em todo o mundo, inclusive no Paquistão. O presente trabalho foi conduzido para investigar a variabilidade genética de isolados de CMV infectando vegetais de ervilha e espinafre na região de Pothwar, Paquistão. Pesquisas com base em sorologia durante 2016-2017 revelaram 31,70% da incidência geral da doença por CMV em safras de ervilha e espinafre. O ensaio de imunoabsorção enzimática em sanduíche de anticorpo triplo (TAS-ELISA) revelou que todos os isolados positivos pertencem ao subgrupo II do CMV. Dois cDNA selecionados de amostras positivas para ELISA representando cada safra de ervilha e espinafre foram amplificados por PCR (ca.1100 pb) e sequenciados correspondendo ao gene CMV CP que compartilhou 93,7% de identidade de nucleotídeo um com o outro. Ambas as sequências de isolados de ervilha CMV (AAHAP) e espinafre (AARS) do Paquistão foram submetidas ao GenBank como nos de acesso. MH119071 e MH119073, respectivamente. A análise BLAST revelou 93,4% de identidade de sequência do isolado AAHAP com SpK (KC763473) do Irã, enquanto o isolado AARS compartilhou a identidade máxima (94,5%) com a cepa 241 (AJ585519) da Austrália e agrupada com alguns isolados de referência do subgrupo II de CMV do Reino Unido (Z12818) e EUA (AF127976) em uma reconstrução filogenética vizinha. Um total de 59 sítios polimórficos (segregantes) (S) com diversidade de nucleotídeos (π) de 0,06218 foi evidente, enquanto nenhum evento INDEL foi observado em isolados do Paquistão. A distância evolutiva de isolados de CMV do Paquistão foi registrada como 0,0657 entre si e 0,0574-0,2964 com outros isolados de CMV relatados em outras partes do mundo. Um fluxo gênico frequente (Fst = 0,30478 < 0,33) foi observado entre os isolados de CMV do Paquistão e relatados anteriormente. Na análise de diferenciação genética, os valores de três testes estatísticos baseados em permutação viz, Z (84,3011), Snn (0,82456) e Ks * (4,04042) não foram significativos. A análise estatística revelou os valores 2,02535, 0,01468 e 0,71862 de Tajima's D, Fu, & Li's F * e D * respectivamente, demonstrando que a população de CMV está sob seleção de balanceamento.

Leguminosas como causa infrecuente de alergia alimentaria en Colombia: reporte de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Legumes as an infrequent cause of food allergy in Colombia: report of two cases and review of the literature

La alergia alimentaria se ha venido incrementando a nivel mundial, afectando alrededor del 1,5 % a 2,5 % de los adultos y 6 % de los niños, y tiene un gran impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sus cuidadores, debido a las dietas de restricción. Los alérgenos más prevalentes son la leche, el huevo, el trigo, la soja, los frutos secos, el maní, el pescado y los mariscos. Las leguminosas mejor estudiadas son el maní y la soja; otras leguminosas como las lentejas, garbanzos y arvejas representan la quinta causa de alergia alimentaria en el área mediterránea, en Turquía y en la India, siendo menos prevalentes en otras áreas geográficas. La alergia a las leguminosas es una entidad infrecuente en Colombia, se desconoce la prevalencia en el país. Describimos los primeros dos casos de anafilaxia por lentejas reportados en el país. Ambos pacientes menores de 18 años, con reacciones adversas tras la ingesta de leguminosas, en las cuales se demuestra alergia mediada por IgE a las lentejas y además sensibilización en el primer caso a las arvejas y garbanzos, y en el segundo caso a los frijoles. Diferentes datos sobre la prevalencia se han descrito en varias áreas geográficas, siendo mayor en países con dietas mediterráneas. Las reacciones mediadas por IgE suelen aparecer incluso con el alimento altamente cocido, debido a la termo-estabilidad de las proteínas. La reactividad cruzada más frecuente se relaciona con los garbanzos y las arvejas

Food allergy has been increasing worldwide. Affects around 1.5% to 2.5% of adults and 6% of children, and has a great impact on the quality of life of patients and their caregivers, due to restricted diets. The most prevalent allergens are milk, egg, wheat, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish and shellfish. The best studied legumes are peanuts and soybeans; other legumes such as lentils, chickpeas and peas represent the fifth cause of food allergy in the Mediterranean area, Turkey and India, being less prevalent in other geographical areas. Allergy to legumes is not common in Colombia, the prevalence in the country is unknown. We describe the first two cases of legumes anaphylaxis reported in the country. Both patients were under 18 years of age, with adverse reactions after ingesting legumes, in which IgE-mediated allergy was demonstrated; in the first case to lentils, peas and chickpeas, and in the second case, to lentils and beans. Different data on prevalence have been described in various geographical areas, being higher in countries with Mediterranean diets. IgE-mediated reactions usually appear even with highly cooked food, due to the thermo-stability of proteins. The most frequent cross-reactivity is related to chickpeas and peas

Effects of the composite of buckwheat-oat-pea on blood glucose in diabetic rats / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effects of buckwheat-oat-pea (BOP) composite flour [buckwheat ∶ oats ∶ peas=6 ∶ 1 ∶ 1 (quality ratio)] on blood glucose in diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#In this study, 64 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups by fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body weight: normal control group, model control group, metformin group, buckwheat group, oats group, BOP low-dose group (BOP-L), medium-dose group (BOP-M), and high-dose group (BOP-H). The rats in the normal control group were fed with normal diet, the rats in the model control group and metformin group were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD), and the rats in the buckwheat group, oats group, and BOP-L, BOP-M, BOP-H groups were fed with HFD containing 10% buckwheat flour, 10% oat flour, 3.3% BOP, 10% BOP, 30% BOP, respectively. The HFD in all the groups had the same percentage of energy from fat (45%). After 30 days, the rats fed with HFD received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg, once a week for two weeks) to establish diabetes mellitus. After the model was successful established, the rats were fed for another 28 days. During the study, the body weight, food intake/body weight (FI/BW) and water intake/body weight (WI/BW), food utilization rate, 24 h urine volume, FBG, glucose area under curve (GAUC) of oral glucose tolerance test were measured regularly. At the end of the study, the fasting serum glucose and insulin were measured, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated.@*RESULTS@#With the inducing of HFD and streptozotocin, compared with the normal control group, the rats in the model control group had higher FI/BW, WI/BW, 24 h urine volume, FBG, GAUC, HOMA-IR (P < 0.05), and lower body weight, food utilization rate (P < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, the rats in the three BOP groups all had higher body weight, food utilization rate (P < 0.05), and lower WI/BW, HOMA-IR (P < 0.05); the rats in the BOP-L and BOP-M groups had lower FI/BW, 24 h urine volume, FBG (P < 0.05), and the rats in the BOP-M group also had lower GAUC (P < 0.05). After the establishment of diabetes, there was no significant difference in blood glucose and the other indicators between the rats in the three BOP groups and the buckwheat group or the oats group (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The BOP had the effects of reducing blood glucose, insulin resistance and diabetic symptoms on diabetic rats, and had the value for further development and utilization.

Genotyping of Low β -ODAP Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L. ) Germplasm with EST-SSR Markers

Abstract Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an important protein source in arid regions as both human and animal food. Despite its significance, the use of grass pea is limited by the presence of β-N-oxalyl-L-a,b-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP) which can cause neurological disorders. Breeding studies in grass pea have therefore focused on developing high-yielding varieties with low β-ODAP content. However, the narrow range of genetic diversity and the restricted genomic tools in grass pea have slowed progress in such breeding. The present investigation was conducted to explore the genetic diversity of low β-ODAP germplasm consisting of 22 accessions with 31 EST-SSR markers. The molecular analyses revealed a total of 133 alleles ranging from 142 to 330 bp with a mean number of alleles per locus of 4.29. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) value was calculated as 0.49, and the EST-SSRs in loci S5, S6 and S116 were of the most informative PICs. A dendrogram based on Nei's genetic distance matrix revealed that breeding lines were grouped in two main clusters. Genetic distances were higher between GP6/GP11, GP4/GP11 and GP5/GP8 accessions which could be further used in crop improvement studies for developing wider genetic diversity.

Adequacy of methodology for conducting germination test in forage pea seeds / Adequação da metodologia para condução do teste de germinação em sementes de ervilha forrageira

Seeds presents variable germination performance at different temperatures and substrates, which are basic components of germination test. Within this context, this work aimed to adapt the methodology for the seeds germination's test of P. sativum subsp. arvense. The experiment required four portions of seeds, five temperature degrees (15, 20, 25, 20-30 and 15-25 °C), and two substrata (roll of paper and in sand). Seeds evaluation considered the following: moisture degree and germination test. The effect of seed portion, substrata and temperature in germination was assessed on a daily basis. It was calculated the rate of germination, of anormal plants, of dormant and dead seeds, and of speed of germination index; initial, final and average times, and synchrony. The experimental design consisted of random blocks with four replications, while conjoint analysis was the statistical procedure adopted. The germination test for forage pea seeds should be conducted at the constant temperature 20 °C in roll of paper substratewith the first count and final count on the 4th and 7th day, respectively.

As sementes apresentam desempenho germinativo variável em diferentes temperaturas e substratos, que são componentes básicos do teste de germinação. Dentro deste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo adequar a metodologia para o teste de germinação de sementes de P. sativum subsp. arvense. Para tanto, foram utilizados quatro lotes de sementes, cinco temperaturas (15, 20, 25, 20-30 e 15-25 °C) e dois substratos (rolo de papel e entre areia). O teor de água das sementes foi determinado antes das avaliações e o efeito dos lotes, substratos e temperaturas sobre a germinação foi avaliado diariamente. Calculou-se a porcentagem de germinação, de plântulas anormais, de sementes dormentes e mortas, o índice de velocidade de germinação, os tempos inicial, final e médio e sincronia. O delineamento adotado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e o procedimento estatístico adotado foi análise conjunta. O teste de germinação deve ser conduzido na temperatura constante de 20 °C, em substrato rolo de papel com primeira contagem e contagem final ao 4° e 7° dia, respectivamente.

Primary epiploic appendagitis: compared with diverticulitis and focused on obesity and recurrence

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is limited data to compare the clinical characteristics and recurrence rates between left-sided primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) versus left-sided acute colonic diverticulitis (ACD), and right-sided PEA versus right-sided ACD, respectively.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiologic images of the patients who presented with left-sided or right-sided acute abdominal pain and had computer tomography performed at the time of presentation showing radiological signs of PEA or ACD between January 2004 and December 2014. We compared the clinical characteristics of left PEA versus left ACD and right PEA versus right ACD, respectively.RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (left:right = 27:29) and 308 patients (left:right = 24:284) were diagnosed with symptomatic PEA and ACD, respectively. Left-sided PEA were statistically significantly younger (50.2 ± 15.4 years vs. 62.1 ± 15.8 years, P= 0.009), more obese (body mass index [BMI]: 26.3 ± 2.9 kg/m² vs. 22.3 ± 3.1 kg/m² , P< 0.001), and had more tendencies with normal or mildly elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (1.2 ± 1.3 mg/dL vs. 8.4 ± 7.9 mg/dL, P< 0.001) than patients with left-sided ACD. The discriminative function of age, BMI and CRP between left-sided PEA versus left-sided ACD was 0.71 (cutoff: age ≤ 59 years, sensitivity of 66.7%, specificity of 77.8%), 0.84 (cutoff: BMI > 24.5 kg/m² , sensitivity of 80.0%, specificity of 80.0%) and 0.80 (cutoff: CRP < 1.8 mg/dL, sensitivity of 72.2%, specificity of 85.7%).CONCLUSIONS: If patients with left lower quadrant abdominal pain are less than 60 years, obese (BMI > 24.5 kg/m² ) with or without normal to mild elevated CRP levels (CRP < 1.8 mg/dL), it might be necessary for clinicians to suspect the diagnosis of PEA rather than ACD.

Diseño de un alimento infantil listo para consumir fortificado con hierro a base de arveja (Pisum sativum) / Design of a ready-to-eat child food fortified with pea-based iron (Pisum sativum)

Resumen Introducción: La deficiencia de hierro es uno de los problemas nutricionales más prevalentes a nivel mundial y afecta principalmente a la población vulnerable como niños menores de 5 años. Los alimentos fortificados de consumo infantil hacen parte de las estrategias de intervención y se elaboran a partir de la mezcla ingredientes como cereales, frutas, leguminosas, entre otros. La arveja, es una leguminosa que puede ser empleada con el fin de aprovechar sus propiedades nutricionales. Objetivo: Diseñar un alimento infantil con arveja (Pisum sativum) listo para consumir, fortificado con hierro e higienizado por pasteurización. Materiales y métodos: Se seleccionó el porcentaje de arveja adecuado en el alimento mediante análisis sensorial. La selección de la sal de hierro se realizó mediante análisis fisicoquímico y sensorial empleando sulfato ferroso y hierro aminoquelado. Posteriormente se evaluó el crecimiento de microorganismos mesófilos con el fin de seleccionar el tratamiento térmico de pasteurización. La evaluación de vida útil se llevó a cabo a través de pruebas sensoriales. Finalmente se realizó la evaluación fisicoquímica, composicional y microbiológica del alimento higienizado. Resultados: La adición de arveja en porcentajes no mayores al 6,5% dentro de la formulación del alimento resultó aceptable para los padres de niños menores de 5 años. Por otra parte la sal seleccionada por generar menos cambios sobre el color y la acidez del alimento durante el almacenamiento fue hierro aminoquelado. Los resultados de tratamiento térmico mostraron que para reducir la concentración inicial de mesófilos y obtener un alimento de buena calidad de acuerdo con la normativa colombiana vigente fue necesario someter el alimento a 85°C durante 13 minutos (0,45 D), con lo que se consiguió mantener la calidad inicial del alimento durante 12 días bajo refrigeración. Conclusiones: El alimento desarrollado cumple con los criterios sensoriales y microbiológicos exigidos en la normativa colombiana vigente y es apto para el consumo, además se puede catalogar como alto en hierro y buena fuente de proteína, aportando el 25% y el 15% de la recomendación diaria en Colombia respectivamente.

Abstract Introduction: Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutritional problems at the global level which mainly affects the vulnerable population as children under 5 years of age. Fortified foods of child consumption are part of the intervention strategies, which are made from the mixture of ingredients such as cereals, fruits, legumes, among others. Pea is a legume that can be used in order to take advantage of its nutritional properties. Objective: To design a ready-to-eat child food with peas (Pisum sativum), fortified with iron and sanitized by pasteurization. Materials and methods: The appropriate percentage of peas in the food was selected by sensory analysis. The selection of iron salt was made by physicochemical and sensory analysis using ferrous sulphate and chelate iron. Subsequently, the growth of mesophilic microorganisms was evaluated in order to select the pasteurization heat treatment. The useful life evaluation was carried out through sensory tests. Finally, the physico-chemical, compositional and microbiological evaluation of the sanitized food was implemented. Results: The addition of peas in percentages not greater than 6.5% within the food formulation was acceptable for parents of children under 5. On the other hand, the selected salt to generate less changes on the color and acidity of the food during storage was chelate iron. The results of heat treatment showed that for reducing the initial concentration of mesophiles and obtaining a good quality food according to the Colombian regulations in force, it was necessary to submit the food to 85 °C for 13 minutes (0.45 D), which managed to maintain the initial quality of the food for 12 days under refrigeration. Conclusions: The developed food complies with the sensory and microbiological criteria demanded in the Colombian regulations in force and is suitable for consumption. Besides, it can be catalogued as high in iron and a good source of protein, contributing with 25% and 15% of the daily recommendation in Colombia, respectively.

Development of Cookies with Brewer's Yeast and Beans to Improve Skin Health of Lactating Women

The purpose of this research was to provide basic information for cookies made with black soybeans, chick peas, lentils, oatmeal, and brewer's yeast and to establish the optimum formula for the development of low glycemic index (GI) cookies with high biotin content for lactating women. This study was performed to determine the optimal composite recipe of oatmeal cookies with two different concentrations levels of bean powder (black soybeans, chick peas, lentils) and brewer's yeast using a central composite design. In addition, the mixing conditions of oatmeal cookies were optimized using response surface methodology of sensory evaluation and mechanical and physicochemical analysis. As a result, mechanical and physicochemical analyses showed significant values for lightness, redness, yellowness, hardness, and water content (P < 0.05), while sensory evaluation showed significant values for flavor, taste, crispness, and overall acceptability (P < 0.05). The optimal sensory combination was suggested to be 3.73 g of bean powder and 1.59 g of brewer's yeast. Considering all outcomes obtained throughout the experiments, brewer's yeast, black soybeans, chick peas, lentils, and oatmeal are suitable ingredients for increasing functionality and consumer acceptability of cookies. In addition, these results are expected to be useful in producing cookies of optimal quality, contributing to the development of various nutritious foods, and improving the food industry for lactating women.

Impact of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty on Hemodynamics and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: the Initial Korean Experience

BACKGROUND: The treatment of choice for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). However, not all patients are eligible for PEA, and some patients experience recurrence of pulmonary hypertension even after PEA. METHODS: Patients who underwent balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) between December 2015 and April 2017 were enrolled from the Samsung Medical Center CTEPH registry. Enrolled patients underwent right heart catheterization, echocardiography, and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) at baseline, 4 and 24 weeks after their first BPA session. We compared clinical and hemodynamic parameters at the baseline and last BPA session. RESULTS: Fifty-two BPA sessions were performed in 15 patients, six of whom had a history of PEA. BPA resulted in improvements in World Health Organization (WHO) functional class (2.9 ± 0.8 to 1.7 ± 0.6, P = 0.002), 6MWD (387.0 ± 86.4 to 453.4 ± 64.8 m, P = 0.01), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (14.1 ± 3.6 to 15.6 ± 4.3 mm, P = 0.03) and hemodynamics, including a decline in mean pulmonary artery pressure (41.1 ± 13.1 to 32.1 ± 9.5 mmHg, P < 0.001) and in pulmonary vascular resistance (607.4 ± 452.3 to 406.7 ± 265.4 dyne.sec.cm−5, P = 0.01) but not in cardiac index (2.94 ± 0.79 to 2.96 ± 0.93 L/min/m2, P = 0.92). Six cases of complications were recorded, including two cases of reperfusion injury. CONCLUSION: BPA might be a safe and effective treatment strategy for both inoperable CTEPH patients and patients with residual pulmonary hypertension after PEA.

Topical or oral treatment of peach flower extract attenuates UV-induced epidermal thickening, matrix metalloproteinase-13 expression and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in hairless mice skin

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a major cause of skin photoaging. Previous studies reported that ethanol extract (PET) of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch flowers (PPF, peach flowers) and its subfractions, particularly the ethylacetate (PEA) and n-butanol extracts (PBT), have potent antioxidant activity and attenuate the UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in human skin cells. In this study, we investigated the protective activity of PPF extract against UV-induced photoaging in a mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Hairless mice were treated with PET or a mixture of PEA and PBT either topically or orally along with UV irradiation. Histological changes and biochemical alterations of mouse skin were examined. Major phenolic compounds in PPF extract were analyzed using an ACQUITY UPLC system. RESULTS: The overall effects of topical and oral treatments with PPF extract on the UV-induced skin responses exhibited similar patterns. In both experiments, the mixture of PEA and PBT significantly inhibited the UV-induced skin and epidermal thickening, while PET inhibited only the UV-induced epidermal thickening. Treatment of PET or the mixture of PEA and PBT significantly inhibited the UV-induced MMP-13 expression, but not typeⅠ collagen expression. Topical treatment of the mixture of PEA and PBT with UV irradiation significantly elevated catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) activities in the skin compared to those in the UV irradiated control group, while oral treatment of the mixture of PEA and PBT or PET elevated only catalase and SOD activities, but not GPx. Thirteen phytochemical compounds including 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, cimicifugic acid E and B, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside and kaempferol glycoside derivatives were identified in the PPF extract. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that treatment with PET or the mixture of PEA and PBT, both topically or orally, attenuates UV-induced photoaging via the cooperative interactions of phenolic components having anti-oxidative and collagen-protective activities.

Potential of the physiological response of pea plants (Pisum sativum L. ) to iron deficiency (direct or lime- induced) / Potencial da resposta fisiológica das plantas de ervilha (Pisum sativum L. ) à deficiência de ferro (direta ou induzida pelo calcário)

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important food crop in Tunisia, where calcareous soils represents the major limiting factor for agriculture production. In the present study a greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the effects of direct and bicarbonate- induced iron deficiency on plant growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthesis, spad index and iron nutrition in two Tunisian pea genotypes (Pisum sativum L.). Plants were grown hydroponically and iron deficiency was induced for 3 weeks. Iron deficiency decreased all the above physiological parameters. The direct Fe deficiency is more drastic than bicarbonate- induced Fe deficiency. A close relationship between plant growth, photosynthesis and SPAD index was observed. Fe use efficiency for plant growth and Fe use efficiency for photosynthesis discriminates clearly the studied genotypes and seems to be the main reason of the tolerance of Kelvedon, as compared to Lincoln.

A ervilha (Pisum sativum L.) é uma cultura alimentar importante na Tunísia, onde os solos calcários representam o principal fator limitante para a produção agrícola. No presente estudo, foi conduzido um experimento em estufa para avaliar os efeitos da deficiência de ferro direta e induzida por bicarbonato sobre o crescimento de plantas, a fluorescência da clorofila, a fotossíntese, o índice SPAD e a nutrição de ferro em dois genótipos de ervilha da Tunísia (Pisum sativum L.). As plantas foram cultivadas hidroponicamente e a deficiência de ferro foi induzida durante 3 semanas. A deficiência de ferro diminuiu todos os parâmetros fisiológicos acima. A deficiência de Fe direta é mais drástica do que a deficiência de Fe induzida por bicarbonato. Observou-se uma estreita relação entre o crescimento das plantas, a fotossíntese e o índice SPAD. A eficiência de uso de Fe para o crescimento de plantas e a eficiência de uso de Fe para a fotossíntese discriminam claramente os genótipos estudados e parecem ser a razão principal da tolerância de Kelvedon, em comparação com a de Lincoln.

Phytotoxicity of glyphosate in the germination of Pisum sativum and its effect on germinated seedlings

The present study evaluated the effects of glyphosate on Pisum sativum germination as well as its effect on the physiology and biochemistry of germinated seedlings. Different physico-chemical biomarkers, viz., chlorophyll, root and shoot length, total protein and soluble sugar, along with sodium and potassium concentration, were investigated in germinated seedlings at different glyphosate concentrations. This study reports the influence of different concentrations of glyphosate on pea seeds and seedlings. Physicochemical biomarkers were significantly changed by glyphosate exposure after 15 days. The germination of seedlings under control conditions (0 mg/L) was 100% after 3 days of treatment but at 3 and 4 mg/L glyphosate, germination was reduced to 55 and 40%, respectively. Physiological parameters like root and shoot length decreased monotonically with increasing glyphosate concentration, at 14 days of observation. Average root and shoot length (n=30 in three replicates) were reduced to 14.7 and 17.6%, respectively, at 4 mg/L glyphosate. Leaf chlorophyll content also decreased, with a similar trend to root and shoot length, but the protein content initially decreased and then increased with an increase in glyphosate concentration to 3 mg/L. The study suggests that glyphosate reduces the soluble sugar content significantly, by 21.6% (v/v). But internal sodium and potassium tissue concentrations were significantly altered by glyphosate exposure with increasing concentrations of glyphosate. Biochemical and physiological analysis also supports the inhibitory effect of glyphosate on seed germination and biochemical effects on seedlings.

Long-term outcomes of surgery for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension compared with medical therapy at a single Korean center

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the gold standard for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in Western countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes of performing PEA on CTEPH patients in comparison with medical therapy at a single Korean center. METHODS: This retrospective study included 88 CTEPH patients. These patients were classified into the PEA group (n = 37) or non-PEA group (i.e., medical therapy; n = 51). The clinical characteristics, hemodynamic data, and long-term survival rates were compared. Independent prognostic factors for CTEPH were also investigated. RESULTS: CTEPH was not associated with either gender, and the mean age at diagnosis was 53.3 ± 13.7 years. Echocardiography revealed that the mean peak velocity of the tricuspid regurgitation jet was 4.2 ± 0.7 m/sec and the mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 51.7 ± 15.1 mmHg. The PEA and non-PEA groups demonstrated no significant differences, except in terms of the right ventricular end-diastolic diameter. The survival rates of the PEA group were significantly higher than the non-PEA group at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years (p = 0.032). Multivariate analyses indicated that World Health Organization class IV and PEA were significant predictors of poorer and better outcomes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PEA demonstrates more favorable effects on long-term survival than medical therapy in Korean CTEPH patients who were considered operable.

Anthocyanins from Clitoria ternatea Attenuate Food-Borne Penicillium expansum and its Potential Application as Food Biopreservative

Clitoria ternatea or Commonly known blue pea, is a perennial climber crop native to Asian countries. The current study was aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity C. ternatea extract on food borne microorganisms and its antifungal effect on Penicillium expansum. The extract showed significant antimicrobial activity against 3 Gram positive bacteria, 2 Gram negative bacteria and 1 filamentous fungus on disc diffusion assay. The extract also showed good biocidal effect on all Gram positive bacteria tested and P. expansum. However, the kill curve analysis revealed that the fungicidal activity of the extract against P. expansum conidia was depend on the concentration of the extract and the time of exposure of the conidia to the extract. The scanning electron micrograph of the extract treated P. expansum culture showed alterations in the morphology of fungal hyphae. The germination of P. expansum conidia was completely inhibited and conidial development was totally suppressed by the extract, suggesting the possible mode of action of anthocyanin. Besides, the extract also exhibited 5.0-log suppression of microbial growth relative to control in the rice model. The results indicate the potential use of the C. ternatea anthocyanin as food biopreservative.

Effect of palmitoylethanolamide on inflammatory and neuropathic pain in rats / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests that neuroinflammation, which is characterized by infiltration of immune cells, activation of mast cells and glial cells, and production of inflammatory mediators in the peripheral and central nervous systems, plays an important role in the induction and maintenance of chronic pain. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), which is a type of N-acylethanolamide and a lipid, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Relative to the anti-inflammatory effect, little is known about its analgesic effect in chronic pain. This study aimed to determine whether PEA relieves chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injured by transection of the left L5 and L6 spinal nerves to induce neuropathic pain or were injected with monoiodoacetic acid into the synovial cavity of knee joints to induce inflammatory pain. To assess the degree of pain, two kinds of stimuli - pressing von Frey filaments and wetting with acetone - were applied to the plantar surface of the rat to measure mechanical and cold sensitivity, respectively. Pain was measured by assessing behavioral responses, including paw withdrawal response threshold and paw withdrawal frequency upon stimulation. RESULTS: Neuropathic pain caused by spinal nerve transection (SNT) decreased the mechanical threshold and increased the frequency of response to acetone application. But, cold allodynia caused by SNT did not decrease the withdrawal frequency. Mechanical hyperalgesia caused by chronic inflammation was significantly reduced by both intraperitoneal and intra-articular injections of PEA. CONCLUSIONS: These outcomes revealed that PEA might be effective in relieving inflammatory and neuropathic pain, especially pain induced by mechanical hyperalgesia, but not cold allodynia.

Pulseless electrical activity during general anesthesia induction in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is a clinical condition characterized by unresponsiveness and lack of palpable pulse in the presence of organized cardiac electrical activity and is caused by a profound cardiovascular insult (e.g., severe prolonged hypoxia or acidosis, extreme hypovolemia, or flow-restricting pulmonary embolus). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that is characterized by progressive degeneration of all levels of the motor nervous system. Damage to the respiratory system and weakness of the muscles may increase the likelihood of an emergency situation occurring in patients with ALS while under general anesthesia. We report a case of PEA during the induction of general anesthesia in a patient with ALS who presented for dental treatment and discuss the causes of PEA and necessary considerations for general anesthesia in patients with ALS.

Attitudes and Dispositions about Doping of the Korean National Team Who Participated in the Incheon Asian Para Games / 대한스포츠의학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the tendencies and awareness of the doping of the Korea national disabled athletes who participated in Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games. The subjects were composed of Korea national athletes (211 person, male 141 person, female 70 person) participated in 16 sports in Incheon 2014 Asian Para Games. Firstly, the data were collected by questionnaires measure including doping knowledge, behavior and attitude (performance enhancement attitude scale, PEAS) and analyzed using SPSS ver. 18.0 for window. The results indicate that female athletes tend to be more generous than men tendencies to for doping (p=0.027). Especially the aged groups showed significant differences in over fifty athletes (p=0.016). The PEAS score according to the sports type showed a generous doping tendency in speed/power type (p=0.01). Furthermore 43% of athletes acquire knowledge of the doping from Sports Association, directors, coaches, while Korea Anti-Doping Agency was lower by 23%. In conclusion, We need to provide education and information to improve awareness of doping for the national team players and coaches.

Associations Between Prolonged Intubation and Developing Post-extubation Dysphagia and Aspiration Pneumonia in Non-neurologic Critically Ill Patients

OBJECTIVE: To identify the associations between the duration of endotracheal intubation and developing post-extubational supraglottic and infraglottic aspiration (PEA) and subsequent aspiration pneumonia. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study from January 2009 to November 2014 of all adult patients who had non-neurologic critical illness, required endotracheal intubation and were referred for videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Demographic information, intensive care unit (ICU) admission diagnosis, severity of critical illness, duration of endotracheal intubation, length of stay in ICU, presence of PEA and severity of dysphagia were reviewed. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were enrolled and their PEA frequency was 59%. Patients with PEA had significantly longer endotracheal intubation durations than did those without (median [interquartile range]: 15 [9-21] vs. 10 [6-15] days; p=0.02). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the endotracheal intubation duration was significantly associated with PEA (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.18; p=0.04). Spearman correlation analysis of intubation duration and dysphagia severity showed a positive linear association (r=0.282, p=0.02). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of endotracheal intubation duration for developing PEA and aspiration pneumonia were 0.665 (95% CI, 0.542-0.788; p=0.02) and 0.727 (95% CI, 0.614-0.840; p=0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: In non-neurologic critically ill patients, the duration of endotracheal intubation was independently associated with PEA development. Additionally, the duration was positively correlated with dysphagia severity and may be helpful for identifying patients who require a swallowing evaluation after extubation.

An analysis of vascular system in the compound tendrilled afila leaf in Pisum sativum.

Recent work on the venation patterning and morphogenesis of leaf/leaflet has posed the question how different are these in tendrils, which are another type of vegetative lateral organ. Here, the venation patterns of leaflets, stipules and tendrils were compared in the model species, P. sativum. Unlike reticulated venation in leaflets and stipules, venation in tendrils comprised of one or more primary veins. A few secondaries were attached to a primary vein, mostly distally. Bilaterally symmetrical secondary veins were rare. The primary veins in tendrils were daughter strands from dichotomously divided mother veins in rachis, connected finally to vascular strands in stem. A tendril received primary vein from one or more mother strands. Some mother strands contributed primary veins to proximal, distal and terminal domain tendrils of af leaf. The tendrils shared the multi-primary vein character with stipules. Vein redundancy provided a mechanism for survival of tendril/leaf against injury to some of the veins/mother veins. The presence of aborted primary veins that did not reach apex, rows of cambium cells attached to primary vein(s) at apex, the pattern of attachment of primary veins to mother veins and cessation of vein growth in apical direction in aborted tendrils of af lld genotype indicated that the growth of primary veins and tendril was acropetal. Loss-of-function of AF extended the repression of TL and MFP genes on leaflet development from distal and apical domains to proximal domain of leaves in af mutants.