The effect of salicylic and jasmonic acids on the activity of SnAGO genes in the fungus Stagonospora nodorum Berk. in in vitro culture and during infection of wheat plants.

RNA interference is a gene silencing mechanism that plays an important role in genetic regulation in a number of eukaryotes. Argonaute (AGO) proteins are central to the complex RNA interference system. However, their role in this mechanism, both in the host plant organism and in the pathogen, has not yet been fully elucidated. In this work, we identified and phylogenetically analyzed the SnAGO1, SnAGO2, SnAGO3, and SnAGO18 genes of the pathogenic fungus Stagonospora nodorum Berk., and analyzed their expression under conditions of infection of plants with varying degrees of resistance to the pathogen. The expression level against the background of plant immunization with the resistance inducers salicylic and jasmonic acids was assessed. In addition, the activity of these genes in the culture of the fungus in vitro was studied under the direct influence of resistance inducers on the mycelium of the fungus. Earlier activation of the SnAGO genes in in vitro culture under the influence of salicylic and jasmonic acids suggests their sensitivity to it. In an in vivo system, plant immunization to induce the accumulation of pathogen SnAGO transcripts was found. At the same time, the SnAGO genes of the fungus S. nodorum, when interacting with plant cells, reacted depending on the degree of host resistance: the highest level of transcripts in the resistant variety was observed. Thus, our data prove that the SnAGO genes of the fungus S. nodorum effectively interact with the host defense system in direct proportion to the degree of resistance of the latter to the pathogen. It was proposed to use the ratio of the transcriptional activity of the fungal reference gene SnTub to the host TaRLI gene as a marker of disease development in the initial period of the infectious process.

Engineered neuronal circuits shaped and interfaced with carbon nanotube microelectrode arrays.

Standard micro-fabrication techniques which were originally developed to fabricate semi-conducting electronic devices were inadvertently found to be adequate for bio-chip fabrication suited for applications such as stimulation and recording from neurons in-vitro as well as in-vivo. However, cell adhesion to conventional micro-chips is poor and chemical treatments are needed to facilitate the interaction between the device surface and the cells. Here we present novel carbon nanotube-based electrode arrays composed of cell-alluring carbon nanotube (CNT) islands. These play a double role of anchoring neurons directly and only onto the electrode sites (with no need for chemical treatments) and facilitating high fidelity electrical interfacing-recording and stimulation. This method presents an important step towards building nano-based neurochips of precisely engineered networks. These neurochips can provide unique platform for studying the activity patterns of ordered networks as well as for testing the effects of network damage and methods of network repair.

A new skeletal dysplasia syndrome with rhizomelia of the humeri and other malformations.

An Arab family is reported in which the proband and two affected sibs had bilateral rhizomelia of the humerus and other skeletal, craniofacial and cardiac abnormalities. Since all three affected sibs died during early childhood, this may be a lethal condition. We believe this constellation of findings which has not been previously described represents a new syndrome, most probably transmitted as an autosomal recessive disorder.

Encephalopathy in compensated Hashimoto thyroiditis: a clinical expression of autoimmune cerebral vasculitis.

A young girl with compensated Hashimoto thyroiditis suffered from progressive encephalopathy while euthyroid. Seizures and mental abnormalities responded excellently to corticosteroids only, supporting the view that encephalopathy could be the clinical manifestation of autoimmune cerebral vasculitis.

[Gilbert's disease]. / Enfermedad de Gilbert.

An extensive review of Gilbert's disease (unconjugated, non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia) is made with incidence not exactly determined, but it is a disease linked to hereditary factors. Two types of the disease, together with the controversy existing as to their pathogenesis are discussed. The clinical picture and all laboratory studies carried out to reach a diagnosis are reviewed. Also, the histopathology and treatment are briefly described. Two cases of this disease in the same family are presented.