Adhesive internal hernia: multidetector CT findings and clinical relevance.

AIM: To review the clinical and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) features of adhesive internal hernias (IHs) and to ascertain specific MDCT criteria to assist in the diagnosis of adhesive IHs and the early detection of intestinal strangulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and preoperative abdominal MDCT findings of 34 patients with surgically confirmed abdominal adhesive IHs were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: The specific MDCT features of adhesive IHs included the following: dislocating and clustering of intestinal segments (100%); stretching and crowding of the mesenteric vessels (100%); presence of hernial orifice (88.2%), peritoneal adhesive bands (76.5%); and the fat notch sign (85.3%). In addition, the significant MDCT features indicative of intestinal strangulation compared with those without intestinal strangulation were bowel wall thickening (p=0.009), intramural haemorrhage (p=0.007), and abnormal bowel wall enhancement (p=0.023). Furthermore, bowel obstruction occurred in 17 (50%) patients, and mesenteric whirl was apparent in 8 (23.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: This article illustrates the specific MDCT criteria of adhesive IHs. Knowledge of MDCT findings in adhesive IHs and their complications is essential for making the correct diagnosis and may help guide early clinical management.

Novel genetic male sterility developed in (Capsicum annuum x C. chinense) x C. pubescens and induced by HNO2 showing Mendelian inheritance and aborted at telophase of microspore mother cell stage.

A novel genetic male sterile germplasm was developed by successively crossing of (C. annuum x C. chinense) x C. pubescens and by chemical mutagenesis in pepper. The sterile anthers showed morphological abnormalities, but pistils developed normally with fine pollination capability. We investigated fertility segregation through sib-crossing of the same strains and test crossing by male sterile plants with 6 advanced inbred lines. The results showed that male fertility in the pepper was dominant in the F1 generation and segregated at a rate of 3:1 in the F2 generation, suggesting that monogenic male sterility was recessive and conformed to Mendelian inheritance. Cyto-anatomy analysis revealed that microspore abortion of sterile anthers occurred during telophase in the microspore mother cell stage when tapetal cells showed excessive vacuolation, resulting in occupation of the loculi. The microspore mother cells self-destructed and autolyzed with the tapetum so that meiosis in pollen mother cells could not proceed past the tetrad stage.

Expression profiles of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.

Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common clinical pathology and has become a focus for research in recent years. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes responsible for the degradation of almost all extracellular matrix proteins (ECM). The over-expression of MMPs or tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may disrupt the dynamic balance of the ECM. Therefore, in the current study, the expression levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in lumbar IDD patients were evaluated in an attempt to elucidate their role in IDD pathogenesis and progression. In total, 60 IDD patients were recruited as the experimental group, along with 20 cases of lumbar vertebral injury without disc degeneration as the control group. Preoperative venous blood samples were collected, and intervertebral disc tissues were collected from the lesion during surgery. Serum and tissue levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Serum and tissue MMP-1 levels in IDD patients were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, sub-group analysis revealed that severe IDD patients had higher MMP-1 levels compared with mild or moderate IDD patients (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in TIMP- 1 levels in either the serum or tissues of IDD patients compared to patients in the control group (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate that MMP-1 expression is increased in IDD, with higher expression observed in more severe cases, whereas TIMP-1 expression was similarly expressed in both normal and degenerated discs.

Cloning and expression analysis of heat-shock transcription factor gene CaHsfA2 from pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

The heat-shock transcription factor (Hsf) gene CaHsfA2 (GenBank accession No. JX402923) was cloned from the Capsicum annuum thermotolerant line R9 by combining the techniques electron cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The gene, which is 1436 bp in length, had an open reading frame of 1089 bp that encoded 362 amino acids. There was an 831-bp intron between positions 321 and 322 of the cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequence of CaHsfA2 contained the conserved domains of Hsf, including DNA binding domain, adjacent domain with heptad hydrophobic repeats (A/B), activator motifs, nuclear localization signal, and nuclear export signal, and it had the highest E value of hypothesized annotation of HsfA2. CaHsfA2 had the nearest phylogenetic relationship with HsfA2 from Lycopersicon peruvianum and Mimulus guttatus, which was consistent with its botanical classification. After heat-shock treatment at 40°C for 2 h, the expression of CaHsfA2 was observed in different tissues of thermotolerant cultivar R9 and thermosensitive line B6; however, the expression levels of the CaHsfA2 gene were significantly different as follows: expression in B6 leaf > stem > flower > root, and expression in R9 flower > leaf > stem ≈ root.

Genetic determinants of the defense response of resistant and susceptible pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivars infected with Phytophthora capsici (Oomycetes; Pythiaceae).

Based on culture isolation and morphological observation blight-infected pepper plants in Shaanxi Province, China, we identified the pathogen causing pepper phytophthora blight as Phytophthora capsici. Varieties that differed in resistance (CM334, PBC602, and B27) were inoculated with this pathogen. The root activity of resistant CM334 variety was the highest while that of susceptible B27 variety was the lowest. Also, significant differences in the activity of POD, PAL, and ß-1,3-glucanase were found; there was a positive correlation between disease resistance and activity of these three enzymes. We inhibited mycelial growth and sporangia formation of P. capsici using crude ß-1,3-glucanase and PAL enzymes isolated from the resistant variety CM334 after it had been inoculated with P. capsici. These two enzymes had a synergistic effect on inhibition of P. capsici mycelial growth and sporangia formation. Expression of the defensive genes CaPO1, CaBGLU, CaBPR1, and CaRGA in the three varieties was higher in the leaves than in the roots. All three genes were upregulated in infected leaves and roots of the pepper plants, always expressing at higher levels in the resistant cultivar than in the susceptible cultivar, suggesting that the differences in resistance among the pepper genotypes involve differences in the timing and magnitude of the defense response.

Maintaining and restoring cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

We studied the efficiency of maintaining and restoring cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) systems in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). An Rf-linked molecular marker was employed to analyze the interaction between 6 CMS lines (A), 5 maintainers (B), and 6 restorers (C). Sterility was maintained in the matings of lines 201A x 200B, 203A x 200B, 206A x 200B, 200A x 201B, 206A x 201B, 200A x 202B, 200A x 203B, 200A x 206B, and 201A x 206B. All 6 restorers restored the fertility of lines 200A, 202A, 203A, and 204A, except that 213C could not restore the fertility of lines 200A and 204A. However, the 6 restorers had diverse restoring abilities in individual CMS lines. The Rf-linked molecular marker was amplified by PCR in lines 207C, 208C, and 213C. This DNA marker was only found in the F1 hybrids M39, M14, M19, M25, M13, M20, and M22. We conclude that the restorers 208C and 207C can transmit the Rf gene or the Rf-linked marker to F1 hybrids.

Construction of the intermediate vector pVBG2307 by incorporating vital elements of expression vectors pBI121 and pBI221.

Molecular chaperones of plasmid pBI121 carrying CaMV35S promoter and a nucleotide sequence of plasmid pBI221 were inserted into plasmid pCAMBIA2300 to construct an intermediate vector: pVBG2307. This novel vector pVBG2307 contains a greatly expanded multiple cloning site with an adjacent imported CaMV35S promoter sequence. This vector allows controlled transformation of DNA in both Escherichia coli and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Cloned PG, orf456, ipt genes and E8, a fruiting promoter, were amplified by PCR of cDNA libraries of Capsicum annum and Lycopersicon esculentum and were then transferred into vector pVBG2307. The viability of this vector was demonstrated, as it regulated PG, orf456, ipt and E8 genes in E. coli and could be transferred into Agrobacterium strain EHA105-4.

Functional expression of large-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels in lateral globus pallidus neurons.

The presence of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK) channels, which are considered to play an important role in the excitability of neurons, in the highly-excitable lateral globus pallidus (LGP) neurons has yet to be confirmed. In this study, we confirmed the functional expression of BK channels in mouse LGP neurons and investigated the characteristics of their single-channel currents using inside-out patch-clamp recordings. These BK channels had a conductance of 276 pS, were activated by the elevation of both the transmembrane potential and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), and were completely blocked by the BK channel-specific blocker paxilline (100 nM). In addition, the channel currents were sensitive to high-energy phosphate compounds and low internal pH. The cellular function of these BK channels was then investigated by nystatin-perforated whole-cell recording. Paxilline (100 nM) had no effect on the frequency and half-width of the action potential (AP) in LGP neurons under control conditions, but significantly attenuated the hyperpolarization that was caused by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), an inhibitor of ATP synthesis. In addition, the pancreatic beta-cell type ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP) channel) blocker tolbutamide (0.25 mM) also attenuated the hyperpolarization, in a manner similar to paxilline. The voltage-dependent potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA, 2 mM) significantly decreased the frequency and increased the half-width of the AP in LGP neurons under control conditions, and attenuated CCCP-induced hyperpolarization to an extent close to that of paxilline. The results presented here suggest that functional BK channels are present in LGP neurons, and may behave as partners of K(ATP) channels in the regulation of neuronal activity under metabolic stress conditions.

Protective role of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in hypoxia-induced generalized seizure.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels are activated by various metabolic stresses, including hypoxia. The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), the area with the highest expression of K(ATP) channels in the brain, plays a pivotal role in the control of seizures. Mutant mice lacking the Kir6.2 subunit of K(ATP) channels [knockout (KO) mice] were susceptible to generalized seizures after brief hypoxia. In normal mice, SNr neuron activity was inactivated during hypoxia by the opening of the postsynaptic K(ATP) channels, whereas in KO mice, the activity of these neurons was enhanced. K(ATP) channels exert a depressant effect on SNr neuronal activity during hypoxia and may be involved in the nigral protection mechanism against generalized seizures.

Enhancement by dibutyryl cyclic AMP of voltage-dependent Ca2+ and K+ currents in the guinea-pig vas deferens.

This study was designed to investigate a possible role for intracellular cyclic AMP involved in agonist-induced changes in electrical activity of smooth muscle of the guinea-pig vas deferens. The action of dibutyryl adenosine 3', 5'-phosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) (up to 30 microM) was examined in current- and voltage-clamp, using the double sucrose gap method. Under current-clamp, dibutyryl cyclic AMP clearly shortens the duration of action potential by hastening the rates of depolarization and of repolarization and increases the peak amplitude. Under voltage-clamp, dibutyryl cyclic AMP enhances the maximum ICa by increasing the conductance (ga), but without affecting its reversal potential (Ea) and kinetics in preparations in normal Krebs solution as well as in preparations in tetraethylammonium chloride loading solution. In normal Krebs solution, dibutyryl cyclic AMP also enhances the peak (Ib') and late outward K+ currents (Ib) by increasing the conductances (gb') and (gb), respectively. These results indicate that in vas deferens smooth muscle intracellular cyclic AMP may be of functional significance for activation of voltage-dependent peak and late IK channels as well as activation of voltage-dependent ICa channel.

Possible involvement of Ca(2+)-related inward current in P2-purinoceptor-mediated depolarization of the guinea-pig vas deferens.

The effect of a Ca2+ antagonist or Ca2+ chelator on the membrane responses elicited by P2-purinoceptor activation was examined in current- and voltage-clamped muscle from the guinea-pig vas deferens. The non-hydrolyzable ATP-analogue 5'-adenylylimidophosphate (AMP-PNP) depolarized the membrane and the associated inward current. Superfusion with Ca(2+)-free solution containing Co2+ or EGTA markedly suppressed the AMP-PNP-induced membrane response, thereby suggesting that the inward current responsible for the depolarizing effect of AMP-PNP may involve activation of a Ca(2+)-related conductance.

Concentration-related effects of extracellular application of ATP on the action potential and membrane currents of the guinea-pig vas deferens.

The ionic mechanisms underlying concentration-related alterations in the action potential configuration caused by ATP were studied using preparations of the guinea-pig vas deferens voltage-clamped by a double sucrose gap method. Under current-clamp conditions, ATP at concentration of 1.6 microM enhanced the rates of rise and of repolarisation of the action potential whereas at concentration of 1.6 mM it reduced both rates. Under voltage-clamp conditions, lower concentrations increased the maximum inward Ca current without altering kinetics or reversal potential. Higher concentrations reduced the maximum inward Ca current with slowing of rates of activations and inactivation, but also caused a negative shift in reversal potential without affecting conductance. These results suggest that a low ATP concentration activates the voltage-dependent Ca current channels and that the action of a high ATP concentration is related to the internal Ca ion concentration.