Effects of magnesium sulphate on neostigmine-induced recovery from moderate neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium: a randomized controlled trial.

Magnesium enhances the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents. However, there is a paucity of evidence demonstrating possible effects of magnesium on neostigmine-induced recovery from neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium. This study compared the profiles of recovery from neuromuscular blockade between groups treated with magnesium (Group M) and placebo controls (Group C). Sixty-four patients were randomly allocated to Group M or Group C. Patients in Group M received a loading dose of 50 mg/kg magnesium and continuous infusion of 15 mg/kg/hr. Patients in Group C received a comparable amount of saline. Rocuronium at 0.6 mg/kg was used for tracheal intubation and 0.1 mg/kg of rocuronium was additionally administered to maintain train-of-four (TOF) status of 2-3 during surgery. At the end of surgery, neostigmine (50 µg/kg) plus glycopyrrolate (10 µg/kg) were administered, and the recovery time for TOF ratios of 0.7, 0.8, and 0.9 was measured. The primary outcome was the time from neostigmine administration to recovery with a TOF ratio of 0.9. In addition, rocuronium onset time (time from administration of rocuronium to 95% suppression of the first TOF twitch response), additional requirements for rocuronium and spontaneous recovery period (the time from administration of rocuronium to reappearance of the first TOF twitch response) were also measured. Neostigmine-induced recovery time was comparable between Group M and Group C (10.6 ± 4.3 vs. 9.1 ± 5.0 min, respectively, p = 0.22). The rocuronium onset time was shorter in Group M, and the spontaneous recovery period was longer in Group M. The amount of additional rocuronium administered was 27% lower in Group M, but this difference was not significant. Magnesium was not shown to prolong neostigmine-induced recovery time from neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium, however, it enhanced the clinical effects of rocuronium.

The Involvement of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in the Development of Hyperalgesia during the Early Postoperative Period.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperalgesia frequently occurs after surgery and is associated with adverse effects on surgical outcomes. Thus, we aimed to examine whether the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function after surgery is involved in the development of postoperative hyperalgesia. METHODS: Surgery- and pain-related variables were measured 24 and 48 h after the first and second total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) in postmenopausal patients undergoing 1-week-interval staged bilateral TKA. Two sets of saliva samples were consecutively collected from patients before (pre-T1) and 1 week after (post-T1) the first TKA (n = 69). HPA axis function was analyzed in a subgroup of 20 patients with a typical cortisol awakening response (CAR) in both the sets of saliva samples. RESULTS: Surgery-related variables were comparable between the first and second TKAs. However, pain-related variables (pain ratings and the amount of opioid analgesics consumed) were greater after the second than the first TKA. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) secretion during the post-awakening period (CARauc and Daucawk, respectively) was higher at post-T1 than at pre-T1, but the molar CARauc/Daucawk ratio was comparable between the time points examined. No relationship was observed between the pre-T1 CARauc and pain ratings after the first TKA. However, post-T1 CARauc showed a positive correlation with pain ratings after the second TKA. Postoperative pain ratings were negatively correlated with Daucawk and positively correlated with the molar CARauc/Daucawk ratio at all examined time points. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The results suggest that adrenocortical steroidogenic activity favoring the production of cortisol over DHEA after surgery may contribute to the development of hyperalgesia during the early postoperative period.

Comparison of the Effects of Normocapnia and Mild Hypercapnia on the Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation in Patients Undergoing Gynecological Laparoscopy with Total Intravenous Anesthesia.

Cerebral hemodynamics may be altered by hypercapnia during a lung-protective ventilation (LPV), CO2 pneumoperitoneum, and Trendelenburg position during general anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of normocapnia and mild hypercapnia on the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2), and intraoperative respiratory mechanics in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). Sixty patients (aged between 19 and 65 years) scheduled for laparoscopic gynecological surgery in the Trendelenburg position. Patients under propofol/remifentanil total intravenous anesthesia were randomly assigned to either the normocapnia group (target PaCO2 = 35 mmHg, n = 30) or the hypercapnia group (target PaCO2 = 50 mmHg, n = 30). The ONSD, rSO2, and respiratory and hemodynamic parameters were measured at 5 min after anesthetic induction (Tind) in the supine position, and at 10 min and 40 min after pneumoperitoneum (Tpp10 and Tpp40, respectively) in the Trendelenburg position. There was no significant intergroup difference in change over time in the ONSD (p = 0.318). The ONSD increased significantly at Tpp40 when compared to Tind in both normocapnia and hypercapnia groups (p = 0.02 and 0.002, respectively). There was a significant intergroup difference in changes over time in the rSO2 (p < 0.001). The rSO2 decreased significantly in the normocapnia group (p = 0.01), whereas it increased significantly in the hypercapnia group at Tpp40 compared with Tind (p = 0.002). Alveolar dead space was significantly higher in the normocapnia group than in the hypercapnia group at Tpp40 (p = 0.001). In conclusion, mild hypercapnia during the LPV might not aggravate the increase in the ONSD during CO2 pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position and could improve rSO2 compared to normocapnia in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy with TIVA.

The Effect of Intraoperative Magnesium Sulphate Infusion on Emergence Agitation after Ambulatory Ophthalmic Surgery in Children.

This study investigated whether intraoperative infusion of magnesium sulphate reduces the incidence of emergence agitation (EA) in paediatric patients who undergo ambulatory ophthalmic surgery using the Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale. Ninety-two paediatric patients who were scheduled for elective ophthalmic surgery were randomly allocated to two groups: control or magnesium. In the magnesium group, patients received an initial intravenous loading dose of 30 mg/kg of 10% solution of magnesium sulphate over 10 min and then a continuous infusion of 10 mg/kg×h during the surgery. In the control group, an equal volume of 0.9% isotonic saline was administered in the same way as in the magnesium group. The PAED scale was assessed at 15-min intervals until the PAED score reached below 10 at the postanaesthetic care unit. EA was defined as a PAED score of 10 or higher. Of the 86 patients recruited, 44 and 42 were allocated to the control and magnesium groups, respectively. The incidence of EA was 77.3% in the control group and 57.1% in the magnesium group (odds ratio, 0.392; 95% confidence interval, 0.154 to 0.997; p = 0.046). The intraoperative infusion of magnesium sulphate significantly reduced the incidence of EA.

Origin of strong red emission in Er3+-based upconversion materials: role of intermediate states and cross relaxation.

Among the various upconversion (UC) materials, sodium yttrium fluoride doped with ytterbium and erbium (NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+) is the most widely studied owing to its high UC efficiency. Nonetheless, UC mechanisms are not yet fully understood and, in particular, near-infrared-to-red UC mechanisms are still under debate. Herein, we examine UC mechanisms in Er3+-based UC materials. Most importantly, the 4F3/2 and 4F5/2 states of Er3+ were found to be important intermediate states for strong red emission, for the first time. The cross relaxation between the Er3+ ions, back energy transfer from Er3+ to Yb3+, and relative doping concentrations of Er3+ and Yb3+ in NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ were found to play important roles in the relative intensity between red and green emissions. The proposed UC mechanism will provide design principles for various Er3+-based UC materials.

The effects of Plasma-Lyte 148 solution on blood coagulation: an in-vitro, volunteer study using rotational thromboelastometry.

: The current study aimed to measure the effects of Plasma-Lyte 148 solution on the blood coagulation profile according to the hemodilution level using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) tests. Venous blood was collected from 12 healthy volunteers and divided into four specimen bottles, which were diluted at different levels with Plasma-Lyte 148 (0, 20, 40, and 60%). Following this, ROTEM tests were performed on the study samples. We found that as the hemodilution level increased, the ROTEM values showed a hypocoagulable pattern. The change rate of the maximum clot firmness (MCF) of INTEM was greater in the 40 (P = 0.015) and 60% (P < 0.001) dilutions than it was in the 20% dilution. Greater lengthening of the clot formation time of EXTEM was observed in the 60% dilution than it was in the 20% dilution (P < 0.001). The alpha-angle of EXTEM showed a greater decrease in the 60% dilution than it did in the 20% dilution (P < 0.001). A larger change rate of the MCF of EXTEM was observed in the 40 (P = 0.003) and 60% (P < 0.001) dilutions than it was in the 20% dilution. A greater decrease in the MCF of FIBTEM was identified in the 40 (P = 0.009) and 60% (P < 0.001) dilutions than in the 20% dilution. All coagulation pathways exhibited hypocoagulable patterns as the hemodilution level increased. However, most of the mean values of ROTEM parameters were within the normal reference range, except for those of the 60% dilution.

Arabidopsis non-TZF gene AtC3H17 functions as a positive regulator in salt stress response.

Functional studies of CCCH-type zinc finger proteins in abiotic stress responses have largely focused on tandem CCCH-type zinc finger (TZF) genes, whereas the study of functional roles of non-TZF genes in abiotic stress responses has largely been neglected. Here, we investigated the functional roles of AtC3H17, a non-TZF gene of Arabidopsis, in salt stress responses. AtC3H17 expression significantly increased under NaCl, mannitol, and ABA treatments. AtC3H17-overexpressing transgenic plants (OXs) were more tolerant under NaCl and MV treatment conditions than the wild type (WT). atc3h17 mutants were more sensitive under NaCl and MV treatment conditions compared with the WT. The transcription of the salt stress-responsive genes in ABA-dependent pathway, such as RAB18, COR15A, and RD22, was significantly higher in AtC3H17 OXs than in WT both under NaCl-free condition and after NaCl treatment. Our results demonstrate that AtC3H17 functions as a positive regulator in salt stress response, via the up-regulation of ABA-dependent salt stress-response pathway.

AtC3H17, a Non-Tandem CCCH Zinc Finger Protein, Functions as a Nuclear Transcriptional Activator and Has Pleiotropic Effects on Vegetative Development, Flowering and Seed Development in Arabidopsis.

Despite increasing reports that CCCH zinc finger proteins function in plant development and stress responses, the functions and molecular aspects of many CCCH zinc finger proteins remain uncharacterized. Here, we characterized the biological and molecular functions of AtC3H17, a unique Arabidopsis gene encoding a non-tandem CCCH zinc finger protein. AtC3H17 was ubiquitously expressed throughout the life cycle of Arabidopsis plants and their organs. The rate and ratio of seed germination of atc3h17 mutants were slightly slower and lower, respectively, than those of the wild type (WT), whereas AtC3H17-overexpressing transgenic plants (OXs) showed an enhanced germination rate. atc3h17 mutant seedlings were smaller and lighter than WT seedlings while AtC3H17 OX seedlings were larger and heavier. In regulation of flowering time, atc3h17 mutants showed delayed flowering, whereas AtC3H17 OXs showed early flowering compared with the WT. In addition, overexpression of AtC3H17 affected seed development, displaying abnormalities compared with the WT. AtC3H17 protein was localized to the nucleus and showed transcriptional activation activity in yeast and Arabidopsis protoplasts. The N-terminal region of AtC3H17, containing a conserved EELR-like motif, was necessary for transcriptional activation activity, and the two conserved glutamate residues in the EELR-like motif played an important role in transcriptional activation activity. Real-time PCR and transactivation analyses showed that AtC3H17 might be involved in seed development via transcriptional activation of OLEO1, OLEO2 and CRU3. Our results suggest that AtC3H17 has pleiotropic effects on vegetative development such as seed germination and seedling growth, flowering and seed development, and functions as a nuclear transcriptional activator in Arabidopsis.

Comparison of Four Saliva Detection Methods to Identify Expectorated Blood Spatter.

Blood spatter analysis is an important step for crime scene reconstruction. The presence of saliva in blood spatter could indicate expectorated blood which is difficult to distinguish from impact spatter. In this study, four saliva test methods (SALIgAE(®) , Phadebas(®) sheet, RSID(™) -Saliva kit, and starch gel diffusion) were compared to identify the best method for detecting expectorated blood spatter. The RSID(™) -Saliva kit showed the highest sensitivity even when saliva was mixed with blood, and was not inhibited by the presence of blood. The SALIgAE(®) test provided easy and rapid results, but the yellow color of a positive reaction was overwhelmed by the red color of the blood. The starch gel diffusion method and the Phadebas(®) sheet exhibited relatively low sensitivity and the assay took a long time. When using the RSID(™) -Saliva kit for identifying saliva in blood, results should be read within 10 min.

Arabidopsis HRE1α, a splicing variant of AtERF73/HRE1, functions as a nuclear transcription activator in hypoxia response and root development.

KEY MESSAGE: HRE1α shows transcriptional activation activity in its C-terminal region via GCC box but not DRE/CRT and plays an important role in root development via root meristem cell division regulation. AtERF73/HRE1 protein, a member of the Arabidopsis AP2/ERF family, contains a conserved AP2/ERF DNA-binding domain. Here, we studied the molecular function of HRE1α, a splicing variant of AtERF73/HRE1, as well as its role in root development. HRE1α-overexpressing transgenic plants (OXs) showed tolerance to submergence. HRE1α showed transcriptional activation activity via GCC box but not DRE/CRT. The 121-211 aa region of HRE1α was responsible for the transcriptional activation activity, and the region was conserved among homologs of other species but was not found in other Arabidopsis proteins. HRE1α OXs showed increased primary root length due to elevated root cell division. Our results suggest that HRE1α functions as a transcription activator in the nucleus, and plays an important role in root development through regulation of root meristem cell division.

Synthesis of multifunctional Fe3O4-CdSe/ZnS nanoclusters coated with lipid A toward dendritic cell-based immunotherapy.

We demonstrate a novel route to synthesize Fe3O4-CdSe/ZnS multifunctional nanoclusters (MNCs) with excellent optical and magnetic properties and biocompatibility. The successful fabrication of highly fluorescent and magnetic MNCs is achieved via a coupling process based on a partial ligand exchange reaction at the aqueous-organic solution interface. In addition, we show that dendritic cells (DCs), the sentinel of the immune system, can uptake the MNCs without significant change in cell viability. The MNCs uptaken by the DCs can be used for imaging, tracking, and separating the DCs. Furthermore, the MNCs can be loaded with a pathogen-associated molecular pattern, lipid A, via a hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction. Ex vivo labeling of DCs with the MNC-lipid A complex enhances the DC migration to draining lymph nodes and tumor antigen-specific T cell responses in vivo. Our work may contribute to the development of synthetic routes to various multifunctional nanoclusters and DC-based cancer immunotherapies.

Arabidopsis MKKK20 is involved in osmotic stress response via regulation of MPK6 activity.

Plants have developed various regulatory pathways to adapt to environmental stresses. In this study, we identified Arabidopsis MKKK20 as a regulator in the response to osmotic stress. mkkk20 mutants were found to be sensitive to high concentration of salt and showed higher water loss rates than wild-type (WT) plants under dehydration conditions. In addition, mkkk20 mutants showed higher accumulation of superoxide, a reactive oxygen species (ROS), compared to WT plants under high salt condition. In contrast, transgenic plants overexpressing MKKK20 displayed tolerance to salt stress. MKKK20 transcripts were increased by the treatments with NaCl, mannitol, MV, sorbitol, and cold, suggesting that MKKK20 is involved in the response to osmotic, ROS, and cold stresses. In-gel kinase assay showed that MKKK20 regulates the activity of MPK6 under NaCl, cold, and H(2)O(2) treatments. Taken together, our results suggest that MKKK20 might be involved in the response to various abiotic stresses, especially osmotic stress, through its regulation of MPK6 activity.

The clinical effective dose of alfentanil for suppressing cough during emergence from desflurane anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The administration of short-acting opioids before emergence is useful for preventing emergence cough induced by an endotracheal tube. This study examined the clinically effective dose of alfentanil for suppressing cough during emergence from desflurane anesthesia. METHODS: Twenty-nine adult patients undergoing elective oral surgery were enrolled in this study. During emergence from anesthesia, the patients received alfentanil diluted in 10 ml normal saline when the end-tidal vol% of desflurane decreased to 3%. The initial alfentanil dose was 16 µg/kg. The alfentanil dose for consecutive patients, determined by Dixon's up-and-down method, increased or decreased by 2 µg/kg according to a previous patient's result. RESULTS: The 50% effective dose (ED(50)) of alfentanil for suppressing cough during emergence from desflurane anaesthesia was 9.3 ± 1.5 µg/kg according to Dixon's up-and-down method. Isotonic regression revealed an ED(50) and ED(95) (95% confidence interval) of alfentanil 10.0 µg/kg (6.8-13.2 µg/kg) and 14.0 µg/kg (7.7-19.4 µg/kg), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ED(95) of alfentanil for suppressing emergence cough was 14.0 µg/kg. A single bolus administration of alfentanil during emergence from anesthesia was useful for suppressing emergence cough.

AtERF71/HRE2 transcription factor mediates osmotic stress response as well as hypoxia response in Arabidopsis.

Various transcription factors are involved in the response to environmental stresses in plants. In this study, we characterized AtERF71/HRE2, a member of the Arabidopsis AP2/ERF family, as an important regulator of the osmotic and hypoxic stress responses in plants. Transcript level of AtERF71/HRE2 was highly increased by anoxia, NaCl, mannitol, ABA, and MV treatments. aterf71/hre2 loss-of-function mutants displayed higher sensitivity to osmotic stress such as high salt and mannitol, accumulating higher levels of ROS under high salt treatment. In contrast, AtERF71/HRE2-overexpressing transgenic plants showed tolerance to salt and mannitol as well as flooding and MV stresses, exhibiting lower levels of ROS under high salt treatment. AtERF71/HRE2 protein was localized in the nucleus, and the C-terminal region of AtERF71/HRE2 was required for transcription activation activity. Taken together, our results suggest that AtERF71/HRE2 might function as a transcription factor involved in the response to osmotic stress as well as hypoxia.

EMF1 interacts with EIP1, EIP6 or EIP9 involved in the regulation of flowering time in Arabidopsis.

The EMBRYONIC FLOWER (EMF) 1 gene has been shown to be necessary for maintenance of vegetative development. To investigate the molecular mechanism of EMF1-mediated plant development, we screened EMF1-interacting proteins and identified 11 candidate proteins using the yeast two-hybrid system. Among the candidate genes, three EMF1-Interacting Protein (EIP) genes, EIP1, EIP6 and EIP9, are predicted to encode a WNK (with-no-lysine) kinase, a B-box zinc-finger protein and a DnaJ-domain protein, respectively. The expression patterns of EIP1, EIP6 and EIP9 were similar to that of EMF1, and EMF1-EIP1, EMF1-EIP6 and EMF1-EIP9 heterodimers were localized in the nucleus. In addition, eip1, eip6 and eip9 mutants flowered early and showed increased expression of flowering-time and floral organ identity genes, while EIP1-, EIP6- and EIP9-overexpressing transgenic plants showed late flowering phenotypes. Our results suggest that EMF1 interacts with EIP1, EIP6 and EIP9 during vegetative development to regulate flowering time in Arabidopsis.

Arabidopsis lenc1 mutant displays reduced ABA accumulation by low AtNCED3 expression under osmotic stress.

The plant hormone, abscisic acid (ABA), is a main signal transducer that confers abiotic stress tolerance to plants. Although the pathway of ABA production and the genes catalyzing its biosynthesis are largely defined, the regulatory mechanism of ABA biosynthesis in response to abiotic stress remains much unknown. In this study, to identify upstream genes regulating ABA biosynthesis involved in abiotic stress signal transduction, Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with altered promoter activity of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 3 (NCED3), a key gene in ABA biosynthesis, were identified and characterized. Among selected mutants, lenc1 (for low expression of NCED3 1) after dehydration treatment had lower AtNCED3 promoter activity compared with wild type. lenc1 mutation is recessive and is located on chromosome 4. Expression analysis of AtNCED3 and quantification of ABA levels showed that both the AtNCED3 transcripts and the endogenous ABA in lenc1 were less abundant than in wild type under dehydration treatments. The lenc1 was hypersensitive to methyl viologen (MV), LiCl, NaCl and high light. The aerial part of lenc1 lost water faster than wild type possibly due to a larger stomata opening. Our results suggest LENC1 might act as a positive regulator in AtNCED3 gene expression under osmotic stress.

Rice ternary MADS protein complexes containing class B MADS heterodimer.

To investigate ternary MADS protein complexes involved in the regulation of floral organ development in rice, we identified MADS proteins interacting with the class B MADS heterodimers, OsMADS16-OsMADS4 and OsMADS16-OsMADS2, using yeast three-hybrid assay. The class B heterodimers interacted with OsMADS6, 7, 8, 14 and 17, which belong to AP1-like, SEP-like or AGL6-like MADS proteins, generating ternary complexes. The entire region of the K and C domains of OsMADS4 was required for the formation of the OsMADS16-OsMADS4-OsMADS6 and OsMADS16-OsMADS4-OsMADS7 ternary complexes. Analysis results of transgenic plants concomitantly suppressing OsMADS4 and OsMADS6, together with the results of previous studies, suggest that the OsMADS16-OsMADS4-OsMADS6 ternary complex plays an important role in floral development, especially lodicule development.

The clinical effective dose of rocuronium for lightwand tracheal intubation after induction with alfentanil, propofol, and low concentrations of sevoflurane.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical effective dose of rocuronium for tracheal intubation using a lightwand after induction with propofol, alfentanil, and a low concentration of sevoflurane. METHODS: Twenty-eight adults scheduled to undergo elective surgery lasting less than one hour were enrolled in this study. All patients received alfentanil (10 microg/kg) and propofol (1.5 mg/kg) for the induction of anesthesia. Tracheal intubation using a lightwand was attempted 3 minutes after administering rocuronium and mask ventilation with 2 vol% of sevoflurane. The initial rocuronium dose was 0.5 mg/kg. The rocuronium dose for consecutive patients, determined by Dixon's up-and-down method, was increased or decreased by 0.05 mg/kg according to the result of the previous patient. The mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction, 1 min before intubation, 1 and 2 min after intubation. RESULTS: The 50% clinical effective dose (cED(50)) of rocuronium for tracheal intubation using a lightwand was 0.20 +/- 0.05 mg/kg according to Dixon's up and down method. Isotonic regression revealed the cED(50) and cED(95) (95% confidence intervals) to be 0.20 mg/kg (0.10-0.3 mg/kg) and 0.35 mg/kg (0.16-0.49 mg/kg), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The cED(50) and cED(95) of rocuronium for tracheal intubation using the lightwand were 0.20 mg/kg and 0.35 mg/kg, respectively, after induction with alfentanil, propofol, and a low concentration of sevoflurane.

OsDEG10 encoding a small RNA-binding protein is involved in abiotic stress signaling.

Excessive light can be harmful to photosynthetic apparatus since it causes photoinhibition and photooxidation, and plants often encounter hypoxic or anoxic environments when they become submerged by heavy rain or an ensuing flood. In this study, Oryza sativa Differentially Expressed Genes (OsDEGs) from rice under photooxidation and anoxia conditions were isolated using DD-PCR. Among them, OsDEG10 is predicted to encode a small RNA-binding protein (RBP) and the transcript levels of OsDEG10 strongly increased under most of abiotic stress treatments such as high light, anoxia, NaCl, ABA, MV and cold. However, the transcript levels of two rice OsDEG10 homologs were not changed under those treatments. OsDEG10 RNAi transgenic plants were more sensitive to high light and cold stresses compared to wild-type plants. Our results suggest that OsDEG10 is a small RBP involved in the response to various abiotic stresses.

Overexpression of Arabidopsis ZEP enhances tolerance to osmotic stress.

Zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) is an enzyme important in ABA biosynthesis and in the xanthophyll cycle. ABA, a plant hormone, is a key molecule that regulates plant responses to abiotic stress, such as drought and salinity, and is required for stress tolerance. To investigate the biological roles of the Arabidopsis thaliana ZEP gene (AtZEP) in stress response, we generated transgenic plants overexpressing the AtZEP gene and analyzed their responses to salt and drought stresses. AtZEP-overexpressing plants exhibited more vigorous growth under high salt and drought treatments than wild-type plants. In addition to enhanced de novo ABA biosynthesis, AtZEP-overexpressing plants also exhibited much higher expression of the endogenous stress-responsive genes RD29A and Rab18 than wild-type plants under salt stress. Moreover, the stomatal aperture of the AtZEP-overexpressing plants was smaller than wild-type plants after exposure to light. Our results therefore indicated that AtZEP plays important roles in response to osmotic stress.