Molecular cloning and subcellular localization of six HDACs and their roles in response to salt and drought stress in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L)

BACKGROUND: Histone acetylation is an important epigenetic modification that regulates gene activity in response to stress. Histone acetylation levels are reversibly regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). The imperative roles of HDACs in gene transcription, transcriptional regulation, growth and responses to stressful environment have been widely investigated in Arabidopsis. However, data regarding HDACs in kenaf crop has not been disclosed yet. RESULTS: In this study, six HDACs genes (HcHDA2, HcHDA6, HcHDA8, HcHDA9, HcHDA19, and HcSRT2) were isolated and characterized. Phylogenetic tree revealed that these HcHDACs shared high degree of sequence homology with those of Gossypium arboreum. Subcellular localization analysis showed that GFP-tagged HcHDA2 and HcHDA8 were predominantly localized in the nucleus, HcHDA6 and HcHDA19 in nucleus and cytosol. The HcHDA9 was found in both nucleus and plasma membranes. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the six HcHDACs genes were expressed with distinct expression patterns across plant tissues. Furthermore, we determined differential accumulation of HcHDACs transcripts under salt and drought treatments, indicating that these enzymes may participate in the biological process under stress in kenaf. Finally, we showed that the levels of histone H3 and H4 acetylation were modulated by salt and drought stress in kenaf. CONCLUSIONS: We have isolated and characterized six HDACs genes from kenaf. These data showed that HDACs are imperative players for growth and development as well abiotic stress responses in kenaf.

Morbidity and mortality of corrosive injury of esophagus: a study of 50 cases

Objective: To evaluate the morbidity and mortality of corrosive injury of esophagus. Introduction: Corrosive ingestion, mostly accidental in children and with suicidal or deliberate self-harm intention in adults, still remains a prevalent condition in developing countries. It is relatively common among the illiterate people having poor socioeconomic condition residing in the rural areas. It poses a great challenge to the otorhinolaryngologist from management point of view. Study design: Descriptive study. Place and duration of study: This study was conducted in the department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Allied Hospital [PMC] Faisalabad during a period of two years from November 2013 to October 2015

Patients and Methods: Fifty patients with history of corrosive ingestion were included in the study. All patients were admitted in the ENT department and thoroughly investigated regarding history, physical examination and investigations according to a written proforma. Inclusion criteria: The patients of either sex ranging from 3 years to 60 years, having history of corrosive ingestion and giving written consent for any surgical intervention and regular follow up were included in the study. Exclusion criteria: Patients having age below 3 years and above 60 years, patients with malignant stricture, peptic stricture and not giving written consent for surgical intervention and regular follow up were excluded. Data analysis: SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze the data

Results: Out of 50 patients, 16% were males and 84% were females ranging from 3 years to 60 years. Thirty one patients [62%] were from rural areas while 19 patients [38%] were urban dwellers. Forty one patients [82%] took acid whereas 9 patients [18%] took alkali. Eleven patients [22%] reported early within first three days of corrosive intake while 39 patients [78%] reported late. Two patients out of 50 were received in very serious condition with respiratory distress and shock who died despite of emergency treatment. Endoscopic examination of 48 survivors showed grade I corrosive injury in 6 patients [12.5%], grade II injury in 30 patients [62.5%] and grade III injury in 12 patients [25%]. Forty two patients were found to develop esophageal strictures. Thirty four patients [81%] out of 42 had single stricture while 08 patients [19%] had multiple strictures who were referred to general surgery for further management. Treatment: Patients having minor burns were successfully managed conservatively and no stricture was found in 6 months follow up period. Patients with single stricture were managed with endoscopic dilation with good results while patients having multiple strictures of esophagus were referred to general surgery for further management

Conclusion: Stricture formation in the esophagus and resulting dysphagia is more frequently seen in those patients who present late after corrosive ingestion. Moreover endoscopic dilatation of corrosive induced strictures with gum elastic bougies is quite safe and effective procedure to relive dysphagia although repeated sessions of endoscopic dilatations are often required

Pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns in community acquired bacterial infections of skin

Background: Common infections of the skin are mostly treated empirically depending upon the personal habits or promotional efforts of the pharmaceutical industry. Scientific approach to the treatment of such infections would be either to treat the infections definitively based on the culture and sensitivity results or at least on evidence based treatment

Objective: To determine the pathogens involved and their sensitivity patterns in common skin infections in a tertiary care hospital

Subjects and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, over a period of three months from 1[st] September to 30[th] November, 2013, involving a total of 135 subjects suffering from various common bacterial infections of skin. Their pus or blister fluid samples were taken and cultured in blood agar or Macconkey's agar to determine the pathogens involved and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns by disc method. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 15

Results: The dominant bacteria causing skin infections remain Gram Positive cocci [37.8%] followed by Gram Negative Rods [26.7%]. The most sensitive antibiotic was found to be Amikacin [20.7%], followed by sulzone/cefoparazone [19.2%], ciprofloxacin [14%], linezolid [14%] and azithromycin [9.6%]

Conclusion: From the present study, it is concluded that Gram positive cocci continue to remain the most common pathogen in bacterial infections of the skin, followed by Gram Negative Rods. Most of the pathogens were sensitive to Amikacin followed by sulzone/cefoparazone combination, ciprofloxacin, linezolid, azithromycin, levofloxacin. The results of this study emphasize the need for checking the indigenous sensitivity patterns of the pathogens and accordingly modify our empirical prescription of the antibiotics based on such studies

investigation of mechanism of vasodilator activity of 17 beta-estradiol as being geriomic or non-genomic

To determine the vasodilator activity of 17 beta-estradiol as being genomic or non-genomic. The experimental protocol was divided into three groups, In group I aorta of rat was subjected to serial dilutions of norepinephrine and a standard concentration was selected, which produced optimal vasoconstriction. In group II, tissue was challenged with serial dilutions of 17 beta-estradiol in the presence of vascconstriction induced by the standard concentration of norepinephrine. Meanwhile in group III tissue was challenged with serial dilutions of 17 beta-estradiol in presence of standard concentration of norepinephrine after pretreatment with dactinomycin, which was used to inhibit protein synthesis so that genomic mode of action could be blocked. In our study 17 beta-estradiol, after pretreatment with dactinomycin, produced vasodilator activity in the same pattern as obtained without administration of protein synthesis inhibitor in the tissue preconstricted with norepinephrine [P<0.001]. The observations demonstrate the vasodilator activity of the 17 beta-stradiol to be its non-genomic action