Early infection response of fungal biotroph Ustilago maydis in maize.

Common smut, caused by Ustilago maydis (DC.) Corda, is a destructive fungal disease of maize worldwide; it forms large tumors, reducing corn yield and quality. However, the molecular defense mechanism to common smut in maize remains unclear. The present study aimed to use a leading maize inbred line Ye478 to analyze the response to U. maydis inoculation. The histological and cytological analyses demonstrated that U. maydis grew gradually to the host cells 6 h post-inoculation (hpi). The samples collected at 0, 3, 6, and 12 hpi were analyzed to assess the maize transcriptomic changes in response to U. maydis. The results revealed differences in hormone signaling, glycometabolism, and photosynthesis after U. maydis infection; specific changes were detected in jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), ethylene (ET), and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathways, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and photosystems I and II, probably related to defense response. MapMan analysis demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes between the treatment and control groups were clustered into light reaction and photorespiration pathways. In addition, U. maydis inoculation induced chloroplast swelling and damage, suggesting a significant effect on the chloroplast activity and subsequent metabolic process, especially hexose metabolism. A further genetic study using wild-type and galactinol-sucrose galactosyltransferase (gsg) and yellow-green leaf-1 (ygl-1) mutants identified that these two U. maydis-induced genes negatively regulated defense against common smut in maize. Our measurements showed the pathogen early-invasion process, and the key pathways of both chlorophyll biosynthesis and sugar transportation were critical modified in the infected maize line, thereby throwing a light on the molecular mechanisms in the maize-U. maydis interaction.

Stereotactic bilateral transfrontal minimal radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the amygdalohippocampal complex for bilateral medial temporal lobe epilepsy: a retrospective study of 12 patients.

Some patients with temporal lobe epilepsy have bilateral discharges and a few have bilateral medial temporal sclerosis. Stereotactic bilateral radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) of the amygdalohippocampal complex can terminate seizures or reduce seizure severity in patients with bilateral medial temporal lobe epilepsy (BMTLE). To explore the safety and efficacy of bilateral transfrontal minimal RFTC of the amygdalohippocampal complex for the treatment of BMTLE. A total of 12 BMTLE patients were treated with bilateral transfrontal minimal RFTC of the amygdalohippocampal complex under limited coagulations. The volumes of coagulated lesions were less than 0.6 cm3 Clinical outcomes were evaluated using Engel's classification, the Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale (LSSS) 2.0, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R), and Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R). Quality of life (QOL) was evaluated using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Of the 12 patients, five (42%) were assessed as Engel Class I during 12-62 months of follow-up. LSSS scores declined sharply compared with the baseline of patients not in the seizure-free category. Functions of memory and intelligence declined transiently without statistical significance (p>0.05) immediately after surgery, but improved significantly (p<0.05) six months later. The qualities of life improved except vitality. Bilateral transfrontal minimal RFTC of the amygdalohippocampal complex may terminate seizures or reduce seizure severity in patients with BMTLE. Under limited coagulations, neuropsychological function was not affected but improved along with seizure control.

Sonography and Transthoracic Echocardiography for Diagnosis of Systemic Cardiovascular Metastatic Tumor Thrombi.

Sonography and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) are seldom used for assessment of metastatic tumor thrombi in the cardiovascular system in routine clinical practice. We performed this retrospective study to evaluate the combination of sonography with TTE for diagnosis of metastatic tumor thrombi in heart and systemic vessels. Vascular, abdominal, pelvic, and small-part sonography was applied in 18 patients, and TTE was conducted simultaneously in 14 patients. Tumor thrombi invaded into the inferior vena cava system in 12 patients, superior vena cava system in 5 patients, and aorta in 1 patient; they extended to the right cardiac chambers in 11 patients. Six patients had diagnoses by pathologic examination. The primary neoplasms were identified by conventional imaging in 17 patients. The morphologic and echogenic characteristics of the tumor thrombi were diverse and depended on their original tumors. The thrombi were either contiguous or discrete from the original tumors. The neoplastic vascularity of the thrombi and the invasive extension were the primary characteristics that distinguished them from bland thrombi. Simultaneous application of sonography and TTE is a feasible way to comprehensively evaluate cardiovascular metastatic tumor thrombi in most patients.

[Comparison of open and endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm mid-term outcomes: a single center randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of open and endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm. METHODS: Between January 2009 and January 2011, 84 patients were randomized to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) or open repair. There were 48 patients in EVAR group, 42 cases were male (87.5%), 6 cases were female (12.5%), aged from 50 to 83 years with a mean of 70.8 years. There were 36 patients in open repair group, 31 cases were male (86.1%), 5 cases were female (13.9%), aged from 50 to 80 years with a meal of 67.4 years. The results of perioperative period and follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Between the two groups, there was significant difference on operative time (t = 9.863, P = 0.000), blood loss (t = 4.647, P = 0.000), blood transfusion (t = 3.334, P = 0.002), hospital stay (t = 2.327, P = 0.022), and medical expense (t = 2.314, P = 0.023). There was no significant difference for perioperative complications (χ(2) = 0.480, P = 0.488). There was no significant difference for complications (χ(2) = 0.664, P = 0.415) and mortality (P = 0.429) during 3 months follow-up. There was no significant difference for complications during 6 months follow-up (χ(2) = 0.128, P = 0.720). CONCLUSIONS: Operative time, blood loss and transfusion, hospital stay in EVAR group are less than which in open repair group, the medical expense of EVAR was higher than open repair. There is no significant difference for complications during 6 months follow-up between 2 groups. Long-term follow-up and more patents are needed to analyze survival rate and long-term complications.

[Preliminary study on differential expression of plasma proteins of patients with Takayasu's arteritis in different stage].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate differential expression of plasma proteins of patients with Takayasu's arteritis to screen disease-related or phase-related proteins or biomarkers. METHODS: From March, 2005 to January, 2006, Plasma of 20 patients with acute Takayasu's arteritis, 20 patients with chronic Takayasu's arteritis, and 20 healthy people as control were collected. Plasma proteins were profiled by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Spots of differential expression were screened by computerized map analysis and identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry. Circulation levels of parts of differential expression proteins were investigated by Elisa in each subject. RESULTS: Fourteen differential expression proteins were identified, including serum amyloid A, serum amyloid P, fibrinogen, complement C3c, C7, C4 binding protein, factor H related protein-1, immunoglobin, alpha-acid glycoprotein, RAG1 protein, alpha1-microglobin, apolipoprotein A-I, A-IV, transthyretin, haptoglobin. Proteins related to acute and chronic phase were serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, transthyretin, haptoglobin; Circulation levels of Serum amyloid A (SAA) and Complement C4 binding protein (C4BP) were significantly increased in active TA patients comparing to that in inactive TA patients and in controls (SAA: 95.9 vs 49.2, P = 0.009 and 23.9 mg/L, P = 0.001, respectively; C4BP: 88.5 vs 61.7, P = 0.023 and 32.6 mg/L, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Acute phase proteins and immune proteins may possible be markers for diagnosis and activity of Takayasu's arteritis, Complement activity, complement modulation protein and antibody production may be involved in immune mechanism of Takayasu's arteritis. Further study of these proteins may be helpful to elucidate the pathologic mechanism of Takayasu's arteritis.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase enhances MST1-mediated pro-apoptotic signaling through phosphorylation at serine 82.

Protein kinases play an important role in the maintenance of homeostasis between cell survival and apoptosis. Deregulation of these kinases leads to various pathological manifestations, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The MST1 encodes a serine/threonine kinase that is activated upon apoptotic stimulation, which in turn phosphorylates its downstream targets, Histone H2B and FOXO. However, the upstream regulators of MST1 kinase have been poorly studied. In this study, we report that JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) phosphorylates MST1 at serine 82, which leads to the enhancement of MST1 activation. Accordingly, the activation of MST1 phosphorylates FOXO3 at serine 207 and promotes cell death. The inhibition of JNK kinase per se attenuates MST1 activity and nuclear translocation as well as MST1-induced apoptosis. We also find the S82A (serine mutated to alanine) diminishes MST1 activation and its effect on the FOXO transcription activity. Collectively, these findings define the novel feedback regulation of MST1 kinase activation by its putative substrate, JNK, with implication for our understanding of the signaling mechanism during cell death.

Characteristics of osseous septum of split cord malformation in patients presenting with scoliosis: a retrospective study of 48 cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The coexistence of scoliosis and split cord malformation (SCM) is often encountered. The characteristics of the osseous septum of SCM are still unknown to us. Here we try to delineate the configuration and nature of the osseous septa. The correlation between scoliosis and SCM is also discussed. METHODS: 48 patients hospitalized for scoliosis were studied. SCM was subsequently identified in all of the patients. These patients underwent operations and were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The figuration, component, location and nature of osseous septa are described. 47 of the 48 SCMs (98%) were type I. Only 1 case was type II. 43 patients (90%) had 1 osseous septum. The other 5 patients (10%) had 2 osseous septa at different levels. 41 septa (78%) were mainly made of cortical bone, another 6 septa (11%) were mainly made of cancellous bone, while the other 6 (11%) were bone together with soft tissues. The prominent central blood vessels were found in 19 cases (36%). 10 osseous septa (19%) were derived from neural arches. 15 osseous septa (28%) were from both vertebral bodies and neural arches. CONCLUSION: We assumed that SCM might contribute to the progress of scoliosis. It is recommended that removal of the spur be carried out before corrective surgery on the spine.