Changes in physiological responses and MTP (metal tolerance protein) transcripts in soybean (Glycine max) exposed to differential iron availability.

Members of MTP (metal tolerance protein) family are potential metal ion transporters, but little is known about how their responses and expression are altered in response to the deficiency and excess of Fe in soybean. In this study, root and shoot length and biomass in addition to leaf chlorophyll score, PSII efficiency and photosynthetic performance index were adversely affected by Fe-deficiency and excess Fe. Fe and S concentrations in the root and shoot, as well as the increased root FCR activity, consistently decreased and increased, respectively, accompanied by elevated Zn levels under Fe deficiency and Fe toxicity. This implies that Fe-uptake of plants subjected to differential Fe availability are likely determined by S and Zn nutritional status. In qPCR analysis, GmMTP5, GmMTP7, GmMTP8, and GmMTP10 genes showed downregulation under Fe shortage, whereas GmMTP6 and GmMTP11 were significantly upregulated due to Fe-toxicity. Further, GmMTP1, GmMTP3, GmMTP6, GmMTP7, and GmMTP10 were significantly induced in response to Fe toxicity, indicating their potential role in metal tolerance. Bioinformatics analysis showed that soybean MTP genes possessed a close relationship with certain Arabidopsis genes (i.e. ZAT, MTPB1) involved in solute transport and metal sequestration. Furthermore, top five motifs of soybean MTP protein correspond to the cation efflux family exhibited strong amino acid and evolutionary similarities with Arabidopsisthaliana. These findings shed light on Fe homeostasis mechanisms in soybean and could be used to regulate Fe uptake through breeding or transgenic manipulations of MTP genes.

Surgical management of scalp arterio-venous malformation and scalp venous malformation: An experience of eleven cases.

AIMS: Scalp arterio-venous malformation (AVM) and scalp venous malformation (SVM) are rare conditions that usually need surgical treatment. Here, we have reported our experience of the surgical management of such lesions with a short review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 11 patients with scalp AVM and SVM, who underwent surgical excision of lesion in our hospital from 2006 to 2012, were included. All suspected high-flow AVM were investigated with the selective internal and external carotid digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) ± computed tomography (CT) scan of brain with CT angiogram or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain with MR angiogram, and all suspected low-flow vascular malformation (VM) was investigated with MRI of brain + MR angiogram. Eight were high-flow and three were low-flow VM. RESULTS: All lesions were successfully excised. Scalp cosmetic aspects were acceptable in all cases. There was no major post-operative complication or recurrence till last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: With preoperative appropriate surgical planning, scalp AVM and SVM can be excised without major complication.

Blinded, multi-center validation of EEG and rating scales in identifying ADHD within a clinical sample.

Previous validation studies of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment by rating scales or EEG have provided Class-IV evidence per standards of the American Academy of Neurology. To investigate clinical applications, we collected Class-I evidence, namely from a blinded, prospective, multi-center study of a representative clinical sample categorized with a clinical standard. Participating males (101) and females (58) aged 6 to 18 had presented to one of four psychiatric and pediatric clinics because of the suspected presence of attention and behavior problems. DSM-IV diagnosis was performed by clinicians assisted with a semi-structured clinical interview. EEG (theta/beta ratio) and ratings scales (Conners Rating Scales-Revised and ADHD Rating Scales-IV) were collected separately in a blinded protocol. ADHD prevalence in the clinical sample was 61%, whereas the remainder had other childhood/adolescent disorders or no diagnosis. Comorbidities were observed in 66% of ADHD patients and included mood, anxiety, disruptive, and learning disorders at rates similar to previous findings. EEG identified ADHD with 87% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Rating scales provided sensitivity of 38-79% and specificity of 13-61%. While parent or teacher identification of ADHD by rating scales was reduced in accuracy when applied to a diverse clinical sample, theta/beta ratio changes remained consistent with the clinician's ADHD diagnosis. Because theta/beta ratio changes do not identify comorbidities or alternative diagnoses, the results do not support the use of EEG as a stand-alone diagnostic and should be limited to the interpretation that EEG may complement a clinical evaluation for ADHD.