Callose deficiency modulates plasmodesmata frequency and extracellular distance in rice pollen mother and tapetal cells.

Background And Aims: Fertilization relies on pollen mother cells able to transition from mitosis to meiosis to supply gametes. This process involves remarkable changes at the molecular, cellular and physiological levels, including (but not limited to) remodelling of the cell wall. During the onset of meiosis, the cellulose content in the pollen mother cell walls gradually declines, with the concurrent deposition of the polysaccharide callose in anther locules.

Multicenter prospective validation study for international chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease consensus diagnostic criteria.

Purpose: To validate the international chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) diagnostic criteria (ICCGVHD) compared to the National Institute of Health diagnostic criteria 2014 (NIH2014) for chronic ocular GVHD.

Methods: Between 2013 and 2019, the study enrolled 233 patients with or without chronic ocular GVHD combined with the presence or absence of systemic chronic GVHD in an internationally prospective multicenter and observational cohort from 9 institutions. All patients were evaluated for four clinical parameters of ICCGVHD.

The Association of Family Functioning With Possible Major Depressive Disorders and Complicated Grief Among Bereaved Family Members of Patients With Cancer: Results From the J-HOPE4 Study, a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Follow-Up Survey in Japan.

Context: Family functioning is a modifiable factor associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and complicated grief (CG) among the bereaved families of patients with advanced cancer; however, the evidence regarding this association is limited.

Objectives: We aimed to explore the association of family functioning with possible MDD and CG among the bereaved families of patients with advanced cancer who died in palliative care units.

Methods: This study is a part of the J-HOPE4 study, a nationwide cross-sectional multi-purpose questionnaire survey conducted in 2018.

Successful multidisciplinary treatment including repeated metastasectomy for recurrent squamous cell esophageal carcinoma: a case report.

Background: Recurrences after radical esophagectomy are common. The prognosis for recurrent esophageal cancer is generally poor. Recurrences usually occur between 1 and 3 years of surgery, with the duration of median survival after recurrence ranging from 5 to 10 months.

Proteolytic inactivation of ADAMTS13 by plasmin in human plasma: risk of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is caused by inactivation of a von Willebrand factor (VWF)-cleaving enzyme, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13), which leads to platelet-rich thrombi comprising unusually large VWF multimers. We have found that ADAMTS13 can bind to the inactivated form of plasmin. In addition, plasmin cleaves purified ADAMTS13 into several fragments and inactivates it.

[Clinical Utility of Tapentadol].

Tapentadol(TP)is a new strong opioid analgesicthat has both m-opioid receptor(MOR)effects and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor(NRI)effects. In comparison with the existing strong opioid analgesics, the mechanism of action suitable for palliation of neuropathic pain is expected to be better for TP. The analgesic effect and side effects of this drug were tested in 10 cases of exacerbation of neuropathic pain at our hospital, and the sedative response rate was 70%.

Gastric Cancer Screening by Combined Assay for Serum Anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG Antibody and Serum Pepsinogen Levels--The ABC Method.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and gastric atrophy are both risk factors for gastric cancer. Recently it has been found that X-ray examination for gastric cancer screening does not have much effect on the detection rate for gastric cancer in Japan. A candidate for a new mass screening for gastric cancer, the ABC method, using the combination assay of Hp and serum pepsinogen, was useful for identifying the development of gastric cancer in high-risk and low-risk populations.

Pollen tube reuses intracellular components of nucellar cells undergoing programmed cell death in Pinus densiflora.

Through the process known as programmed cell death (PCD), nucelli of Pinus densiflora serve as the transmitting tissue for growth of the pollen tube. We sought to clarify the processes of degradation of nucellar cell components and their transport to the pollen tube during PCD in response to pollen tube penetration of such nucelli. Stimulated by pollination, synthesis of large amounts of starch grains occurred in cells in a wide region of the nucellus, but as the pollen tube penetrated the nucellus, starch grains were degraded in amyloplasts of nucellar cells.

Evolution of shoot apical meristem structures in vascular plants with respect to plasmodesmatal network.

Vascular plants have evolved shoot apical meristems (SAMs), whose structures differ among plant groups. To clarify the evolutionary course of the different structural types of SAMs, we compared plasmodesmatal networks in the SAMs for 17 families and 24 species of angiosperms, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The plasmodesmata (PD) in almost all cell walls in median longitudinal sections of SAMs were counted, and the PD density per unit area was calculated for each cell wall.

High-intensity transient signals due to prosthetic valve obstruction: diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Background: High-intensity transient signals (HITS) can be detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) in patients carrying a mechanical prosthetic valve. The HITS counts and a frequency analysis were evaluated in patients with prosthetic valve obstruction in the aortic position.

Methods: Simultaneous echocardiographic, cineradiographic, and TCD evaluations for a St.

Programmed cell death of Pinus nucellus in response to pollen tube penetration.

In ovules of Pinus densiflora, pollen tubes elongate and branch into the nucellar tissue in the direction of the female gametophyte. After pollination, nucellar cells located around the pollen grain and tube die off. We showed here that the nuclei of the nucellar cells were stained by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-fluorescein nick end labeling).

Pulmonary artery aneurysms developed in a family.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) is a rare condition, and its pathogenesis and clinical significance are not clearly understood. Although reports of this condition have increased, PAAs developed in a family have never been reported. We describe PAA associated with atrial septal defect in a mother and daughter.

Does off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting really preserve renal function?

It is well known that the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) influences renal function and occasionally results in renal failure following cardiac surgery. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) without CPB may avoid this and preserve the perioperative renal function. The present study enrolled 52 patients undergoing CABG without CPB (OPCAB group) and matched them for renal function and prognostic variables with 53 patients undergoing conventional CABG (CABG group).

Mitral valve repair in a patient with acromegaly: case report.

A 61-year-old woman had acromegaly associated with mitral regurgitation (MR) resulting from prolapse of the posterior mitral leaflet. At the age of 51 years, the patient was diagnosed with hypertension and a cardiac murmur. She had the characteristic acromegalic appearance, but without visual disturbance.

Treatment of acute massive/submassive pulmonary embolism.

Thirty-five consecutive patients with massive and submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) were reviewed. In 75% of these cases, PE could be suspected on the basis of electrocardiogram alone. Echocardiography was quite useful for diagnosing PE and assessing right ventricle after-load at the bedside.

Open heart operation in a patient with hereditary spherocytosis: a case report.

A 9-year-old girl who had ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is described. The patient had a history of splenectomy for HS and underwent repair of the ASD under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), however, no significant or persistent hemolysis was observed during and after CPB. Only 10 patients with HS who underwent cardiac operations using CPB have been reported.

High-dose cimetidine reduces proinflammatory reaction after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Cimetidine, which is usually used for gastric ulcer, enhances cellular immunity. The effect of cimetidine on perioperative proinflammatory response after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass was investigated.

Methods: Elective coronary artery bypass graft cases in which CPB was performed were placed randomly in a cimetidine (C) group (n = 20) or a no-treatment (N) group (n = 20).

Right atrial thrombus associated with combined valvular disease: case report.

A 77-year-old man had a large right atrial (RA) thrombus associated with a combined mitral and tricuspid valve disease. Echocardiography showed a large, immobile, non-homogeneous, irregularly surfaced mass in the dilated RA, and prolapse of the anterior mitral leaflet resulting in massive mitral regurgitation. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a laminated structure with calcification and distinct margins, without invasion to the wall of the RA.

Repair of left ventricular rupture following mitral valve replacement concomitant with left atrial reduction procedure--intracardiac patch and extracardiac buttress suture.

Rupture of the posterior wall of the left ventricle after mitral valve replacement is a dire complication associated with a very high mortality. This study reports a successful repair of type I left ventricular rupture, which occurred after mitral valve replacement concomitant with a left atrial reduction procedure, by combination of an intracardiac patch and an extracardiac buttress suture. In a case such as this, in which hemostasis is quite difficult to establish, this combination technique is particularly effective.

[Effects of colforsin daropate hydrochloride in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery].

The effects of Adehl, colforsin daropate hydrochloride, on hemodynamics were studied in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Twenty-six patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting were divided into two groups according to the intraoperative administration of Adehl. The control group (n = 14) received no Adehl treatment and the Adehl group (n = 12) received Adehl infusion immediately after anesthesia induction (0.

Triple valve replacement with bileaflet mechanical valves: is the mechanical valve the proper choice for the tricuspid position?

A more durable mechanical valve may be a better choice for the tricuspid position than a bioprosthesis when the patient already has mechanical prosthesis in the left side of the heart. Eleven cases of triple valve replacement (total follow-up period, 49.5 patient years), all with mechanical valves, are reviewed to assess optimal valve selection.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with mild renal insufficiency.

Unlabelled: It is well known that dialysis-dependent renal failure increases the likelihood of a poor outcome following cardiac surgery. However, it is not known whether non-dialysis-dependent mild renal insufficiency also influences clinical outcome. Fifty-five patients with non-dialysis-dependent renal insufficiency undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (Renal group: serum creatinine level >1.

A novel glycine-rich protein is associated with starch grain accumulation during anther development.

LIM14, originally identified as a lily gene associated with microsporogenesis, encodes a protein which has two distinct domains, one with glycine-serine repeats and the other with a hydrophobic signal peptide at the N-terminus. The putative LIM14 protein, however, is distinct from the glycine-rich cell wall proteins which have been described before. RNA analyses indicated that the LIM14 transcript is specifically detected in the anther from zygotene to young pollen stage.