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Plant inflorescence architecture is determined by inflorescence meristem (IM) activity and controlled by genetic mechanisms associated with environmental factors. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1) is expressed in the IM and is required to maintain indeterminate growth, whereas LEAFY (LFY) is expressed in the floral meristems (FMs) formed at the periphery of the IM and is required to activate determinate floral development. Here, we address how Arabidopsis indeterminate inflorescence growth is determined. We show that the 26S proteasome subunit REGULATORY PARTICLE AAA-ATPASE 2a (RPT2a) is required to maintain the indeterminate inflorescence architecture in Arabidopsis. rpt2a mutants display reduced TFL1 expression levels and ectopic LFY expression in the IM and develop a determinate zigzag-shaped inflorescence. We further found that RPT2a promotes DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE1 degradation, leading to DNA hypomethylation upstream of TFL1 and high TFL1 expression levels in the wild-type IM. Overall, our work reveals that proteolytic input into the epigenetic regulation of TFL1 expression directs inflorescence architecture in Arabidopsis, adding an additional layer to stem cell regulation. The proteasome subunit RPT2a promotes DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE1 degradation, causing DNA hypomethylation upstream of TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1) and high TFL1 levels in the Arabidopsis inflorescence meristem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast-like symbionts (YLSs) are transovarially transmitted between brown planthopper generations, but the transmission mechanism is poorly understood. In the present study, we found that YLSs do not enter the brown planthopper oocyte until it develops to late vitellogenesis. During oocyte vitellogenesis, the diversification and morphological changes of the follicular cells surrounding the oocyte are associated with the accumulation and polarization of vitellogenin (Vg) and lipids in the oocyte, indirectly affecting the entry of YLSs into the oocyte. Additionally, the posterior follicular cells, one of the diversified follicular cell populations, form the epithelial plug that is the only structure for YLSs to enter the oocyte. In addition, actin is rearranged within the follicular cells to build an actin bridge for YLSs to move from the epithelial plug to the oocyte, indicating that actin mediates the entry of YLSs into the brown planthopper oocyte during oocyte vitellogenesis. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the entry of YLSs into the brown planthopper oocyte is triggered by oocyte vitellogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which describes the OstrinlysC, a c-type lysozomes from the Asian corn borer, and demonstrates its activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It states that the OstrinlysC gene profile was studied by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It says that OstrinlysC gene was up-regulated in immune tissues after injection of the larvae with bacteria. It suggests that OstrinlysC gene plays a role in immune responses.

The article discusses a case of an 8-year-old Uygur girl who developed typical pain in her arm and shoulder and diagnosed with Pancoast's syndrome secondary to lobar pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. It cites the results of the physical examination and the treatment received by the patient. It also notes dramatic improvement in both clinical manifestation and radiological finding under the combination therapy of antibiotic (cefoperazone) and low-dose corticosteroid (dexamethasone).

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Pregnancy-related aortic dissection (AoD) in Marfan syndrome is a lethal catastrophe. Due to its rarity and limited clinical experience, there is no consensus regarding the optimal management strategy. We seek to present our 21-year experience in such patients , focusing on management strategies and early and late outcomes. METHODS Between 1998 and 2019, we managed 30 pregnant women with Marfan syndrome (mean age 30.7 ± 4.3 years) who sustained AoD at a mean of 28.3 ± 8.8 weeks of gestation (GWs). AoD was acute in 21 (70%), type A (TAAD) in 24 (80%) and type B (TBAD) in 6 (20%). Fourteen TAADs (58.3%, 14/24) and 2 TBADs (33.3%, 2/6) occurred in the third trimester or postpartum. The maximal aortic size was < 45 mm in 26.7% (8/30; 3 TAADs, 5 TBADs). Management strategy was based on the types of dissection and GWs (i.e. surgical versus medical treatment, surgery or delivery first). RESULTS TAADs were treated medically in 1 and surgically in 23. The timing of delivery and surgery were caesarean first at 35.4 ± 6.1 GWs in 7 (29.2%), followed by surgery after mean 46 days; single-stage C-section and surgery at 32.0 ± 5.0 GWs in 10 (41.7%); and surgery first at 18.0 ± 5.8 GWs in 6 (25%), followed by C-section after 20 days. Maternal and foetal mortality were 28.6% (2/7) and 14.3% (1/7), 10.0% (1/10) and 20.0% (2/10) and 16.7% (1/6) and 83.3% (5/6), respectively. Five TBADs (83.3%) were managed with C-section followed by surgery in 2 and medical treatment in 3. The respective maternal and foetal mortality were 50% (1/2) and 100% (2/2) and 33.3% (1/3) and 33.3% (1/3), respectively. One TBAD was managed surgically first followed by C-section, resulting in maternal survival and foetal death. Follow-up was complete in 95.8% (23/24) at 3.7 ± 2.9 years. Four late deaths occurred and reoperation was performed in 1 patient. Maternal and foetal survival were 64.3% and 54.1% at 6 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Management of AoD in pregnant women with Marfan syndrome should be based on types of dissection (surgical versus medical) and gestational age (delivery or surgery first), which largely determine maternal and foetal survival. Aortic repair should be considered prior to conception in women with Marfan syndrome even at diameters smaller than recommended by current guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of exophthalmos and coated aorta in Erdheim-Chester disease in a 52-year-old man. Highlights include bilateral retrobulbar intraconal masses with obliteration of normal orbital fat shown by magnetic resonance imaging of the skull, soft-tissue encasement of the thoracic and abdominal aorta and aortic arch vessels revealed by a computed tomography scan, and conservative medical treatment underwent by the patient.

The article describes the case of onychomadesis and phalanx osteolysis in congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis in a seven-year-old girl. Highlights include amputation of the digits of both hands on physical examination, complete anhidrosis revealed by a thermal sweating test, and the patient's treatment with iodophors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Rhizobia were isolated from invasive Mimosa spp. ( M. diplotricha and M. pudica) in Dehong district of the province of Yunnan in subtropical southern China. Almost all of the 98 isolates were β-rhizobia in the genera Burkholderia and Cupriavidus. These strains were analysed for their distribution characteristics together with strains from a previous study from Sishuangbanna. The proportion of nodules containing each β-rhizobial genus varied between Mimosa species, with Cupriavidus being predominant in M. diplotricha nodules (63.3% compared to 36.7% occupation with Burkholderia), but with M. pudica showing a slight preference for Burkholderia over Cupriavidus, with them occupying 56.5% and 43.5% of nodules, respectively. The symbiosis-essential genes nodA and nifH were present in all the Burkholderia and Cupriavidus strains tested, and their phylogenies indicated that these Mimosa symbionts share symbiotic genes with native South American rhizobia. The evolutionary discrepancies among 16 S r RNA genes, nodA and nifH of Mimosa spp. symbionts, suggests that the nod and nif genes of β -rhizobia evolved independently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on macrophage brought by the intervention of anti-proliferation effects of Anthodia camphorata. It says that medicinal mushrooms induces a variety of immune responses that garnered therapeutic effects in treating hepatoma. The study has tested anti-tumor effects using immunomodulation of macrophages and extracts of A. camporatha which indicate that results of anti-tumor effects wielded by modulation of macrophage activation of A. camphorata.