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WRKY transcription factors (TFs) play key roles in plant defense responses through phytohormone signaling pathways. However, their functions in tropical fruit crops, especially in banana, remain largely unknown. Several

An endoscopist’s adenoma detection rate (ADR) is inversely related to interval colorectal cancer risk and cancer mortality. Previous studies evaluating the impact of gastroenterology fellow participation in colonoscopy on ADR have generated conflicting results. We aimed to determine the impact of fellow participation, duration of fellowship training, and physician sex on ADR and advanced ADR (AADR). We retrospectively analyzed average-risk patients undergoing screening colonoscopy at Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System Brooklyn Campus and Kings County Hospital Center. Review of colonoscopy and pathology reports were performed to obtain adenoma-specific details, including the presence of advanced adenoma and adenoma location (right vs. left colon). There were 893 colonoscopies performed by attending only and 502 performed with fellow participation. Fellow participation improved overall ADR (44.6% vs. 35.4%, p

ObjectiveThere is a lack of literature on postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complications in predominantly black urban populations of low socioeconomic status. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and predictors of post-ERCP complications in this patient population.DesignRetrospective review of ERCP cases performed at two hospitals from 2007 to 2017 was performed. The categories of complications evaluated were overall complications, severe or fatal complications, pancreatitis, bleeding, infection, perforation and cardiopulmonary events. Predictors of complications were determined by univariate analysis.ResultsA total of 1079 ERCP procedures were reviewed. There were 106 complications (9.8%). Twenty-one were severe (1.9%) and 20 were fatal (1.9%). Both post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and post-ERCP bleeding occurred in 18 patients (1.7%) each. Risk factors for overall complications were male sex (OR 1.54), ASA grade IV or V (OR 2.19), prior history of PEP (OR 6.98) and pancreatic duct stent placement (OR 2.75). Those who were ASA grade III or lower (OR 0.4) or who underwent biliary stone extraction (OR 0.62) had fewer complications. PEP was more likely in those with a prior history of PEP (OR 37.6). Those with a suspected or known biliary duct stone had less frequent pancreatitis (OR 0.32). Post-ERCP bleeding was more likely in the presence of cholangitis (OR 8.72).ConclusionOutcomes of ERCP in a predominantly black urban population demonstrate a lower incidence of PEP and all-cause mortality compared with historical data reported in the general population. Potential risk factors for post-ERCP complications were identified but require larger studies for validation.

The identification of causal variants in sequencing studies remains a considerable challenge that can be partially addressed by new gene-specific knowledge. Here, we integrate measures of how essential a gene is to supporting life, as inferred from viability and phenotyping screens performed on knockout mice by the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium and essentiality screens carried out on human cell lines. We propose a cross-species gene classification across the Full Spectrum of Intolerance to Loss-of-function (FUSIL) and demonstrate that genes in five mutually exclusive FUSIL categories have differing biological properties. Most notably, Mendelian disease genes, particularly those associated with developmental disorders, are highly overrepresented among genes non-essential for cell survival but required for organism development. After screening developmental disorder cases from three independent disease sequencing consortia, we identify potentially pathogenic variants in genes not previously associated with rare diseases. We therefore propose FUSIL as an efficient approach for disease gene discovery., Discovery of causal variants for monogenic disorders has been facilitated by whole exome and genome sequencing, but does not provide a diagnosis for all patients. Here, the authors propose a Full Spectrum of Intolerance to Loss-of-Function (FUSIL) categorization that integrates gene essentiality information to aid disease gene discovery.

The RAR1 gene encodes a cochaperone of HSP90 that is required for disease resistance, which is mediated by multiple NBS-LRR resistance receptors in plants. An ortholog of RAR1 has not yet been isolated and characterized in banana, which is an important food security crop. In this study, we isolated a banana RAR1 gene (MaRAR1) and characterized its structure, genomic organization, phylogeny, expression, subcellular localization and function in plant immunity. MaRAR1 was present as a single-copy gene in the Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis genome. An analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed two highly conserved CHORD domains common among known RAR1 proteins and the presence of all residues involved in binding to the chaperone HSP90 and the cochaperone SGT1. Interestingly, MaRAR1 was surrounded by several genes encoding transcription factors and other proteins whose homologs in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice have been implicated in biotic or abiotic stress responses. The phylogenetic analysis showed that MaRAR1 clustered in the monocot clade and supported the idea of an ancient origin for this type of protein. Additionally, MaRAR1 was constitutively expressed in vegetative and reproductive tissues, and its protein was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of onion epidermal cells. Moreover, the overexpression of this gene in transgenic (T2) tobacco plants enhanced resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci. The new information gained in this work has expanded our knowledge of RAR1 in the Musaceae family and provided useful tools for enhancing disease resistance in banana and other crops.

Conflicting reports exist regarding the racial and the gender distribution of rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). In a major population study of predominately Whites, RA-ILD was reported mainly among smoker middle-aged men. However, recent data suggest that the disease is that of elderly women. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify the gender differences and clinical characteristics of RA-ILD in a predominantly Black population.Cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from the records of 1142 patients with RA diagnosis by ICD codes of which 503 cases met the inclusion criteria for the study. Eighty-six patients had chronic respiratory symptoms of cough and dyspnea and were further assessed by our multidisciplinary group of investigators. Thirty-two subjects with an established diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis met the diagnostic criteria for interstitial lung disease.Of the 32 patients with RA-ILD, mean age was 62.6 ± 2.2 (± SEM), 93.7% were females, and 89% Blacks with a BMI = 29.2 (Kg/mOur study indicates RA-ILD among Blacks is predominantly a disease of elderly females with higher rates of GERD and CVD risk factors. Further studies are needed to identify the pathogenetic differences accounting for the gender distribution of RA-ILD among Black and White populations.Key Points• First study to assess ILD among predominantly Black RA patients.• The prevalence of RA-associated ILD was 6.36%, affecting mostly women in their sixth decade with seropositive disease.• COPD was the most common airway disease among non-RA-ILD Black population.• GERD was found in approximately one-third of patients with RA-associated ILD versus one-fifth of those RA patients without any lung disease.

Red Man syndrome (RMS) occurs with the rapid infusion of intravenous (IV) vancomycin. RMS induced by oral vancomycin has been the focus of a limited number of case reports. We present a case of a 75-year-old female admitted with severe Clostridium difficile colitis who received oral vancomycin and by the second day of therapy, she developed flushing, erythema, and pruritus involving the face, neck and upper torso. Oral vancomycin was immediately withheld, and diphenhydramine was initiated. Clinical improvement was apparent 24 hours after discontinuation of oral vancomycin. Our case adds to the published literature on this rare clinical entity that should be considered when severe colitis patients prescribed oral vancomycin, as part of the standard of care, develop the typical signs and symptoms of RMS.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have nearly twice the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the general population. We aimed to assess, in a predominantly Black population, the prevalence of traditional and RA-specific CVD risk factors and therapeutic patterns. Utilizing ICD codes, we identified 503 RA patients ≥18 years old who were seen from 2010 to 2017. Of them, 88.5% were Black, 87.9% were women and 29.4% were smokers. CVD risk factors (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia) were higher than in previously reported White RA cohorts. Eighty-seven percent of the patients had at least one traditional CVD risk factor, 37% had three or more traditional CVD risk factors and 58% had RA-specific risk factors (seropositive RA, &gt, 10 years of disease, joint erosions, elevated inflammatory markers, extra-articular disease, body mass index (BMI) &lt, 20). CV outcomes (coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and stroke) were comparable to published reports. Higher steroid use, which increases CVD risk, and lesser utilization of biologics (decrease CV risk) were also observed. Our Black RA cohort had higher rates of traditional CVD risk factors, in addition to chronic inflammation from aggressive RA, which places our patients at a higher risk for CVD outcomes, calling for revised risk stratification strategies and effective interventions to address comorbidities in this vulnerable population.

Phytases are phosphatases employed in monogastric animal feed to improve animal growth rates and protect the environment by reducing phosphorous in manure. In this study, the highly active phytase PhyAsr of the protein tyrosine phosphatase class, which was derived from the ruminal bacterium Selenomonas ruminantium, was successfully produced for the first time in the chloroplast of the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Two homoplasmic lines (C1 and C3) exhibited the highest level of PhyAsr expression, while the highest phytase activity was detected in the C1 line at 34 U/g dry weight. The results of this study indicate that C. reinhardtii is a suitable host for producing the phytase PhyAsr, which may be utilized as a supplement in the monogastric animal diet.

This study analyzed the lipid profiles of two acid-tolerant mutants (M1 and M5) and a wild-type (WT) strain of Chlorella saccharophila. Six main types of compounds were identified in the lipid fractions: hydrocarbons, FAMEs (after transesterification of TAGs), free fatty acids, terpenes, sterols and fatty alcohols. Compared with the M1 and M5 mutant lines, the WT strain presented the highest relative abundance of hydrocarbons (73.63%), while the relative abundance of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) obtained were higher in the M1 (28.39%) and M5 (29.17%) mutants than in the WT strain. High-value lipids, including terpenes and fatty alcohols, were also detected in higher proportions in the M1 and M5 mutants than in the WT strain, while sterols were only detected in the M1 and M5 mutants. These results show that C. saccharophila and its acid-tolerant mutants are a rich source of lipids with potential industrial applications.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by fibroproliferative alterations of the microvasculature leading to fibrosis and loss of function of the skin and internal organs. Gastrointestinal manifestations of SSc are the most commonly encountered complications of the disease affecting nearly 90% of the SSc population. Among these complications, the esophagus and the anorectum are the most commonly affected. However, this devastating disorder does not spare any part of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and includes the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large bowels as well as the liver and pancreas. In this review, we present the current understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of SSc including vasculopathy, endothelial to mesenchymal transformation as well as the autoimmune pathogenetic pathways. We also discuss the clinical presentation and diagnosis of each part of the GIT affected by SSc. Finally, we highlight the latest developments in the management of this disease, addressing the severe malnutrition that affects this vulnerable patient population and ways to assess and improve the nutritional status of the patients.