A DELLA in disguise: SPATULA restrains the growth of the developing Arabidopsis seedling.

The period following seedling emergence is a particularly vulnerable stage in the plant life cycle. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the phytochrome-interacting factor (PIF) subgroup of basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factors has a pivotal role in regulating growth during this early phase, integrating environmental and hormonal signals. We previously showed that SPATULA (SPT), a PIF homolog, regulates seed dormancy.

Perception of UV-B by the Arabidopsis UVR8 protein.

To optimize their growth and survival, plants perceive and respond to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. However, neither the molecular identity of the UV-B photoreceptor nor the photoperception mechanism is known. Here we show that dimers of the UVR8 protein perceive UV-B, probably by a tryptophan-based mechanism.

Functional interaction of the circadian clock and UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8-controlled UV-B signaling pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Circadian clocks regulate many molecular and physiological processes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), allowing the timing of these processes to occur at the most appropriate time of the day in a 24-h period. The accuracy of timing relies on the synchrony of the clock and the environmental day/night cycle. Visible light is the most potent signal for such synchronization, but light-induced responses are also rhythmically attenuated (gated) by the clock.

Does the endoscopic appearance of the ileocecal valve suggest the severity of Crohn's disease in the terminal ileum?

Unlabelled: Despite ileoscopy being the only procedure, which can accurately detect mucosal abnormalities in the ileum, it is performed only in 5-15% of the colonoscopies.

Aim: The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the predictive value of the endoscopic findings of the ileocecal valve (ICV) in patients with CD.

Methods: Data of 100 ileal or ileocolonic CD patients (45 females, 55 males, mean age 27.

Light-regulated nuclear import and degradation of Arabidopsis phytochrome-A N-terminal fragments.

The photoreceptor phytochrome-A (phyA) regulates germination and seedling establishment by mediating very low fluence (VLFR) and far-red high irradiance (FR-HIR) responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. In darkness, phyA homodimers exist in the biologically inactive Pr form and are localized in the cytoplasm. Light induces formation of the biologically active Pfr form and subsequent rapid nuclear import.

Association of adherence to therapy and complementary and alternative medicine use with demographic factors and disease phenotype in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background And Aims: Previous studies have suggested an increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Furthermore, a significant number of IBD patients fail to comply with treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of non-adherence and the use of CAM in Hungarian patients with IBD.

Clinical trial: Preliminary efficacy and safety study of a new Budesonide-MMX® 9 mg extended-release tablets in patients with active left-sided ulcerative colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease with relapses. Many patients need systemic corticosteroids to induce clinical remission.

Aim: Efficacy and safety of Budesonide-MMX® 9 mg tablets, a new oral, extended-release formulation, were evaluated in patients suffering from active, left-sided UC with colitis activity index (CAI) <14.

Comparison of the efficacy of unipolar and bipolar electrode configuration during subthalamic deep brain stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nuclei (STN) is a well established treatment in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Based on the clinical efficacy and elicited side-effects, both unipolar and bipolar stimulation modes may be applied. Bipolar stimulation usually produces a more focused and therefore thinner area of tissue activated during stimulation than unipolar stimulation does.

Genetic analyses of interactions among gibberellin, abscisic acid, and brassinosteroids in the control of flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Background: Genetic interactions between phytohormones in the control of flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana have not been extensively studied. Three phytohormones have been individually connected to the floral-timing program. The inductive function of gibberellins (GAs) is the most documented.

Quantitative analysis of regulatory flexibility under changing environmental conditions.

The circadian clock controls 24-h rhythms in many biological processes, allowing appropriate timing of biological rhythms relative to dawn and dusk. Known clock circuits include multiple, interlocked feedback loops. Theory suggested that multiple loops contribute the flexibility for molecular rhythms to track multiple phases of the external cycle.

[Analysis of antiparkinsonian drug reduction after bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation].

Background: Bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nuclei (STN) is a well-established and cost-effective treatment in advanced PD.

Objectives: To quantitatively analyze the change in use of antiparkinsonian drugs one year after subthalamic deep brain stimulator (DBS) implantation in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD).

Patients And Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients with advanced PD underwent bilateral STN DBS implantation were involved in the study.

[Prophylactic migraine treatment with topiramate].

Migraine is a very common disorder characterized by the combination of typical headache with associated autonomic symptoms and ranked by the WHO as number 19 among all diseases worldwide causing disability. Considerable progresses have been made in recent years to understand the pathophysiology of migraine, which has led to improved treatment options for the acute migraine attack as well as migraine prophylaxis. When headaches are frequent or particularly severe, prophylactic therapy should be considered, however preventive treatment is often insufficient to decrease migraine frequency substantially or is not well tolerated.

The impact of left prefrontal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on depression in Parkinson's disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Based on several open-label and case studies, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) seems to have an antidepressive effect on patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, this hypothesis requires further confirmation. We conducted a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on depression and various motor and nonmotor features of PD.

New therapeutic targets in ulcerative colitis: the importance of ion transporters in the human colon.

Background: The absorption of water and ions (especially Na(+) and Cl(-)) is an important function of colonic epithelial cells in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Despite the comprehensive animal studies, there are only scarce available data on the ion transporter activities of the normal and inflamed human colon.

Methods: In this study, 128 healthy controls and 69 patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) were involved.