Elemental Profiling of Rice FOX Lines Leads to Characterization of a New Zn Plasma Membrane Transporter, OsZIP7.

Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients required for proper development in both humans and plants. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains are the staple food for nearly half of the world's population, but a poor source of metals such as Fe and Zn. Populations that rely on milled cereals are especially prone to Fe and Zn deficiencies, the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies in humans. Biofortification is a cost-effective solution for improvement of the nutritional quality of crops. However, a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying grain accumulation of mineral nutrients is required before this approach can achieve its full potential. Characterization of gene function is more time-consuming in crops than in model species such as Arabidopsis thaliana. Aiming to more quickly characterize rice genes related to metal homeostasis, we applied the concept of high throughput elemental profiling (ionomics) to Arabidopsis lines heterologously expressing rice cDNAs driven by the 35S promoter, named FOX (Full Length Over-eXpressor) lines. We screened lines expressing candidate genes that could be used in the development of biofortified grain. Among the most promising candidates, we identified two lines ovexpressing the metal cation transporter OsZIP7. OsZIP7 expression in Arabidopsis resulted in a 25% increase in shoot Zn concentrations compared to non-transformed plants. We further characterized OsZIP7 and showed that it is localized to the plasma membrane and is able to complement Zn transport defective (but not Fe defective) yeast mutants. Interestingly, we showed that OsZIP7 does not transport Cd, which is commonly transported by ZIP proteins. Importantly, OsZIP7-expressing lines have increased Zn concentrations in their seeds. Our results indicate that OsZIP7 is a good candidate for developing Zn biofortified rice. Moreover, we showed the use of heterologous expression of genes from crops in A. thaliana as a fast method for characterization of crop genes related to the ionome and potentially useful in biofortification strategies.

The state of leucocyte adhesiveness/aggregation (LAA) in the peripheral blood of burned mice: an early and sensitive inflammatory indicator and a marker of pulmonary leukostasis.

The inflammatory response during thermal injury increases the adhesiveness of white blood cells. A direct slide test was used to compare the state of leucocyte adhesiveness/aggregation (LAA) in the peripheral blood of mice subjected to a thermal injury with the findings in control animals. The state of LAA in the peripheral blood increased from baseline values of 1.1 +/- 1.1 per cent to 6.5 +/- 1.3 per cent within 1 h and to 11.0 +/- 1.2 per cent and 14.8 +/- 4 per cent after 3 and 6 h respectively following thermal injury. The respective leucocyte counts were 3075 +/- 277/mm3 (baseline), 3871 +/- 359, 3840 +/- 687 and 6395 +/- 1152 cells/mm3. The LAA values had subsided by 5 days following burning and correlated with the degree of pulmonary leukostasis. Our study suggests that the LAA is an early and sensitive marker of inflammation and that it can be used as a marker for the presence of pulmonary leukostasis during thermal injury.

Electrical burn injury of the scalp--bone regrowth following application of latissimus dorsi free flap to the area.

A large defect of the scalp was observed soon after debridement of a high-tension electrical burn of the scalp. Bone scan revealed no uptake of radioactive material to the parietal bone below the necrotic tissue of the scalp. Consecutive bone scans after latissimus dorsi free flap transfer revealed progressive regrowth of the bone.

Isolated gonadotropin deficiency in a boy with hypotelorism and median facial defect.

We diagnosed isolated gonadotropin deficiency in a 17-year-old boy with orbital hypotelorism and median cleft lip and palate.

Omiderm, a new synthetic wound covering: physical properties and drug permeability studies.

Omiderm (Omikron Scientific Ltd., Rehovot, Israel), a new synthetic wound covering based on hydrophilized polyurethane, was found to be highly permeable to water. Values in the region of 5000 g/m2 24 h were found for the water permeability of Omiderm in comparison to 1400 and 500 g/m2 24 h for Biobrane (Hall, Woodroof Inc., Santa Ana, CA) and OP site (Smith and Nephew Ltd.), respectively. Permeabilities of antibacterial agents through Omiderm were found to be two to three orders of magnitude greater than those through Biobrane. The in vitro effectiveness of various antibacterial agents in lowering bacterial growth of different bacterial strains were applied to seeded agar plates through Omiderm membrane was investigated. NBH ointment (1% Neomycin, 1% Bacitracin, and 0.5% Hydrocortisone) was found to be the most effective material in inhibiting bacterial growth, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa where silver sulfadiazine was superior. In in vivo experiments bacterial counts of infected wounds covered with Omiderm and topically treated with NBH were lowered to less than 10(3) organism/g tissue after one day of treatment.

Desarrollo de epitelio humano en cultivo de tejidos

Se hicieron desarrollar en serie células epidermicas humanas en cultivo superficial por inoculación de suspensiones de células dispersas. Las células individuales se convirtieron en colonias y las colonias se fundieron pra formar un epitelio confluente. Como el método de cultivo de células epiteliales humans "in vitro" puede generar una gran cantidad de epitelio, el procedimiento es aplicable en injertos de áreas grandes en pacientes severamente quemados

Desarrollo de epitelio humano en cultivo de tejidos

Se hicieron desarrollar en serie células epidermicas humanas en cultivo superficial por inoculación de suspensiones de células dispersas. Las células individuales se convirtieron en colonias y las colonias se fundieron pra formar un epitelio confluente. Como el método de cultivo de células epiteliales humans "in vitro" puede generar una gran cantidad de epitelio, el procedimiento es aplicable en injertos de áreas grandes en pacientes severamente quemados (AU)

Extensive sebaceous nevus.

An unusual patient with extensive sebaceous nevus lesions is presented. The lesions were found on the scalp and face and extended into the mouth and anal region. They were associated with premature eruption of three teeth, a cleft in the secondary palate, and a deformation of the upper third of the right auricle. Skeletal deformities were not found. Neurologic defects were not present during first months. The definitive treatment was postponed because of the patient's young age and the magnitude of the lesions.

A new temporary synthetic skin substitute.

Eighteen months of experience with a new synthetic temporary skin substitute (Omiderm, Omikron Scientific Ltd., Rehovot, Israel) is presented. The substitute is a thin, transparent, flexible membrane. It is used when a biological dressing would otherwise have been used. Our experience consists of laboratory studies and 75 clinical cases including donor sites application, chronic wounds, ulcers, partial thickness and full thickness burns. The membrane is very elastic, permitting free movement and physiotherapy during the healing process. The material protects the wound and prevents either the accumulation of fluid under it or wound desiccation. It does not interfere with the normal healing process. It reduces pain, prevents bacterial invasion and is very easy to handle. Complications, such as haematoma formation or infection, were quite few. We recommend its use in routine daily practice.

Tratamiento de las quemaduras de tercer grado del miembro superior / The treatment of third degree burns of the upper extremity

Las quemaduras de tercer grado del miembro superior requieren generalmente internación. El objetivo de los autores consiste en prevenir la profundización de las lesiones por infección y lograr rango óptmo de movilidad mediante la reducción del edema y ejercitación activa en forma intensiva. Los problemas de perfusión son detectados mediante la evaluación por ultrasonido Doppler de los pulso radiales, cubitales y del arco palmar. La escarotomía inmediata es necesaria cuando se detecta o sospecha insuficiencia vascular. Se recurre a la fasciotomía en caso de edema intenso. Se combina el ferulaje de la mano con un vendaje ligeralmente compresivo para reducir el edema. Los autores utilizan un sustituto de piel sintético para la cobertura de manos con quemaduras de espesor parcial. En grandes áreas con escaras se recurre a la exéresis tangencial precoz e injerto

Tratamiento de las quemaduras de tercer grado del miembro superior / The treatment of third degree burns of the upper extremity

Las quemaduras de tercer grado del miembro superior requieren generalmente internación. El objetivo de los autores consiste en prevenir la profundización de las lesiones por infección y lograr rango óptmo de movilidad mediante la reducción del edema y ejercitación activa en forma intensiva. Los problemas de perfusión son detectados mediante la evaluación por ultrasonido Doppler de los pulso radiales, cubitales y del arco palmar. La escarotomía inmediata es necesaria cuando se detecta o sospecha insuficiencia vascular. Se recurre a la fasciotomía en caso de edema intenso. Se combina el ferulaje de la mano con un vendaje ligeralmente compresivo para reducir el edema. Los autores utilizan un sustituto de piel sintético para la cobertura de manos con quemaduras de espesor parcial. En grandes áreas con escaras se recurre a la exéresis tangencial precoz e injerto (AU)

Congenital fusion of the gums with bilateral fusion of the temporomandibular joints.

A newborn baby with congenital bilateral complete fusion of the gums and the temporomandibular joints is presented. It seems to be the second case reported in the literature. The embryology, clinical features, and treatment of this rare disorder are described.

Terrorist bombing experience during 1975-79. Casualties admitted to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

During a period of 4 1/2 yr, 24 terrorist explosions occurred in Jerusalem. Of the 511 casualties, 340 were evacuated to the Department of Emergency in our hospital. A total of 272 admissions were graded by the "Injury Severity Score" (1), with a breakdown into light injuries (87%), medium (3%) and severe (10%). The high proportion of light injuries may be explained by the evacuation of all casualties to the nearest hospital without on-site triage. Injuries to the head and neck comprised 19.3%, and to the extremities 39% of all injuries.