The promoter of a H2O2-inducible, Arabidopsis glutathione S-transferase gene contains closely linked OBF- and OBP1-binding sites

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of multifunctional enzymes that play critical roles in the detoxification of xenobiotics and the protection of tissues against oxidative damage. GSTs are important enzymes in plant responses to a number of environmental stresses including herbicides and pathogen attack. Ocs elements are a group of related, 20 bp promoter elements which have been exploited by some plant pathogens to express genes in plants. Ocs elements have also been found to regulate the expression of a plant GST promoter. An Arabidopsis GST gene, called GST6 has been isolated. GST6 expression is under tissue-specific control and is induced following treatment with auxin, salicylic acid and H2O2. The GST6 promoter contains a binding site for two Arabidopsis ocs element binding factors (OBF), that has some sequence homology to ocs element sequences. Interestingly, OBP1 (OBF binding protein), a DNA-binding protein that was isolated by screening an Arabidopsis cDNA library with a labeled OBF protein as a probe, binds next to the OBF-binding site on the GST6 promoter. OBP1 was able to significantly stimulate the binding of OBF proteins to the GST6 promoter, raising the possibility that interactions between the OBP1 and OBF proteins may be important for GST6 expression.

Improving chickpea yield by incorporating resistance to ascochyta blight

Ascochyta blight [Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Lab.] is the most destructive disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), but it can be managed effectively by the use of resistant cultivars. Therefore, a breeding programme was initiated during 1977-78 at ICARDA, Syria, to breed blight-resistant, high-yielding chickpeas with other desirable agronomic traits. Crosses were made in main season at Tel Hadya, Syria, and the F1s were grown in the off season at Terbol, Lebanon. The F2, F4 and F5 generations were grown in a blight nursery in the main season where blight epidemic was artificially created. The plants and progenies were scored for blight resistance and other traits. The F3 and F6 generations were grown in the off season under normal day length to eliminate late-maturing plants. The pedigree method of breeding was followed initially, but was later replaced by the F4-derived family method. The yield assessment began with F7 lines, first at ICARDA sites and later internationally. A total of 1584 ascochyta blight-resistant chickpea lines were developed with a range of maturity, plant height, and seed size not previously available to growers in the blight-endemic areas in the Mediterranean region. These included 92 lines resistant to six races of the ascochyta pathogen, and 15 large-seeded and 28 early maturity lines. New cultivars produced 33% more seed yield than the original resistant sources. The yield of chickpea declined by 340 kg ha(-1), with an increase in blight severity by one class on a 1-9 scale, reaching zero yield with the 8 and 9 classes. Development of blight-resistant lines made the introduction of winter sowing possible in the Mediterranean region with the prospect of doubling chickpea production. Twenty three cultivars have been released so far in 11 countries.

A novel phloem-specific gene is expressed preferentially in aerial portions of Vicia faba

We have isolated a gene from bean (Vicia faba L.), called Vein1, that encodes a novel protein. The Vein1 cDNA was isolated as a result of a differential screen for genes that are expressed in leaves but not in the most common cell type, the mesophyll cell. Northern blot analysis revealed that Vein 1 transcripts are differentially expressed in the plant with expression in leaves, stems and sepals but not in petals, mesophyll cells or roots. In situ hybridization studies of stem and leaf sections indicate that the expression of Vein1 is localized to the phloem tissue. Interestingly, Vein1 was differentially expressed in stem tissue with the highest expression in the oldest internodes. The deduced Vein1 protein sequence does not share homology with any known protein sequences. The 17 kDa Vein1 protein is highly hydrophilic and contains a histidine-rich motif, where six out of seven amino acids are histidines. The function of Vein1 is unknown, although the expression patterns suggests that it may play a role in mature phloem tissue in the aerial parts of the plant.

Laparoscopic tubal sterilization in obese women: experience from a teaching institution

To determine whether laparoscopy presents any significant risks for tubal sterilization in obese women, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 248 consecutive patients who had laparoscopic tubal sterilization between January and December 1991 at our institution. The 147 obese women were compared with the 101 nonobese women as controls for the study parameters. Two methods of closed laparoscopy were used as interval procedures, with similar proportions in obese and nonobese women. We observed no complications in any patient, and there were not significant differences in the mean operating time and estimated blood loss between the two groups of women. We concluded that laparoscopy should be considered safe and laparoscopic tubal sterilization can be performed in obese women with the same efficiency, morbidity rate, and length of hospitalization as in nonobese women.

Hormonal modulation of the vaginal bacterial flora in experimental polycystic ovarian disease

Rats exposed to constant light develop polycystic ovarian (PCO) disease with persistent estrus, representing an estrogen-dominant condition. Herein, we report that fluctuations seen in the vaginal microflora in cyclic rats were not observed in PCO rats with persistent estrus. The vaginal-cervical mucosa of PCO rats showed numerous adherent bacteria by scanning electron microscopy, similar to that seen in proestrus and estrus rats, but unlike the diestrus rats in which fewer organisms adhered to the mucosa. Administration of human chorionic gonadotropin induced ovulation in PCO rats, which was associated with a significant decrease in serum estradiol, an increase in progesterone, and a significant decrease in the estradiol/progesterone ratio compared with baseline values (P < 0.01). This also resulted in an influx of leukocytes in the vagina with a significant decrease in vaginal anaerobic as well as aerobic bacterial flora. These data demonstrate that loss of cyclic ovarian activity in PCO rats with persistent estrus causes increased bacterial colonization of the vaginal-cervical mucosa, and the ovarian hormones appear to modulate the colonization of bacteria in the lower genital tract.

Interactions between distinct types of DNA binding proteins enhance binding to ocs element promoter sequences

Octopine synthase (ocs) elements are a group of promoter elements that have been exploited by plant pathogens to express genes in plants. ocs elements are components of the promoters of certain plant glutathione S-transferase genes and may function as oxidative stress response elements. Genes for ocs element binding factors (OBFs), which belong to a specific class of highly conserved, plant basic domain-leucine zipper transcription factors, have been isolated and include the Arabidopsis OBF4 and OBF5 genes. To characterize proteins that modulate the activity of the OBF proteins, we screened an Arabidopsis cDNA library with the labeled OBF4 protein and isolated OBP1 (for OBF binding protein). OBP1 contains a 51-amino acid domain that is highly conserved with two plant DNA binding proteins, which we refer to as the MOA domain. OBP1 is also a DNA binding protein and binds to the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter at a site distinct from the ocs element in the 35S promoter. OBP1 specifically increased the binding of the OBF proteins to ocs element sequences, raising the possibility that interactions between these proteins are important for the activity of the 35S promoter.

Isolation of a Vicia faba metallothionein-like gene: expression in foliar trichomes

Animal metallothioneins (MTs) are cysteine-rich, low-molecular-weight proteins that bind to heavy metals and are believed to play a role in their metabolism and detoxification. Genes encoding MT-like proteins have been isolated in a number of plants although their function remains to be elucidated. We describe the isolation and characterization of a bean cDNA encoding an MT-like protein. The bean gene, called MT, was isolated as a result of a differential screen for genes that are expressed in leaves but not in the most common cell type, the mesophyll cell. MT contained two regions with abundant cysteines and sequence comparison found that MT had greatest homology to MT-like subtype 2 from other plant species. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that MT was expressed in the left, stem and flower, at very low levels in roots and was not detectable in mesophyll protoplasts. MT transcript levels were not significantly affected by treatment with Cu, Zn or Cd. In the left, in situ hybridization studies demonstrated striking cell specificity with MT expression confined predominantly to trichomes. Possible explanations for the pronounced expression of MT in leaf trichomes are discussed.

Effect of obesity on the clinical and hormonal characteristics of the polycystic ovary syndrome

The polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome is frequently associated with obesity. That subset of women reportedly shows a much higher incidence of hirsutism and menstrual irregularities than do nonobese women with PCO syndrome. We evaluated the clinical features and hormonal profiles of 56 women with PCO syndrome and correlated them with the presence or absence of obesity. Thirty-eight (67.8%) of these women were obese (body mass index > or = 25 kg/m2). While presenting with the classic manifestations of PCO, they did not differ significantly from the manifestations of nonobese women with PCO syndrome. Although obese women with PCO had a lower incidence of oligomenorrhea as compared to nonobese women with PCO (57.9% vs. 83.3%, respectively) and amenorrhea was more frequent in the former group (42.1% vs. 16.6%, respectively), these findings are not statistically significant. The incidences of hirsutism and anovulatory infertility in the obese group as compared to the nonobese group were 81.6% vs. 77.8% and 28.9% vs. 27.8%, respectively (not statistically significantly different). The mean (+/- SE) serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), LH/FSH ratios, prolactin and testosterone were not statistically significantly different among the two groups. The present study found that obesity is common in PCO syndrome but that there are no significant differences in the clinical and hormonal characteristics of obese and nonobese women with it. Further studies are warranted to clarify the impact of obesity on clinical, metabolic and hormonal changes in PCO syndrome.

ocs element promoter sequences are activated by auxin and salicylic acid in Arabidopsis

ocs elements are a group of promoter elements that have been exploited by two distinct groups of plant pathogens, Agrobacterium and certain viruses, to express genes in plants. We examined the activity of single and multiple ocs elements linked to a minimal plant promoter and the uidA reporter gene in transgenic Arabidopsis. beta-Glucuronidase activity was detected only in root tips and in callus tissue after auxin treatment. A more sensitive assay revealed that auxin treatment also increased ocs element activity in aerial parts of the plant, although the absolute levels of ocs element activity were greater in roots. The response of ocs elements to exogenous auxin began within 1 h. Salicylic acid, a disease-resistance signal in plants, also increased ocs element activity in both roots and aerial parts of the plant. The question of whether the induction in ocs element activity is mediated through auxin and/or salicylic acid signal transduction pathways or is part of a more general stress response is discussed.

Isolation and characterization of two related Arabidopsis ocs-element bZIP binding proteins

Ocs-elements are a group of related, bipartite promoter elements which have been exploited by two distinct groups of plant pathogens, Agrobacterium and certain viruses to express genes in plants. The genes for two Arabidopsis bZIP (basic region-leucine zipper) proteins that bind to ocs-elements have been isolated and characterized. The genes, called OBF4 and OBF5, were isolated by screening an Arabidopsis genomic library with degenerate oligonucleotides complementary to the DNA-binding domains of other plant ocs-element-binding proteins. The OBF4 and OBF5 proteins show 53% amino acid identity but low DNA homology. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that each of the OBF genes is a member of a small family. OBF4 is more similar to the tobacco TGA1a and Arabidopsis TGA1 proteins, while OBF5 is more similar to the maize OBF3.1, wheat HBP1b and Arabidopsis aHBP1b proteins. The DNA-binding properties of OBF4 and OBF5 were similar although OBF5 was able to bind simultaneously to both halves of the ocs-element more efficiently than OBF4. This difference in binding to the ocs-element between two closely related proteins from the same species is potentially significant since binding to both halves of the ocs-element is a pre-requisite for in vivo transcriptional activity.

Isolation of a maize bZIP protein subfamily: candidates for the ocs-element transcription factor

Ocs-elements, a family of 20 bp DNA sequences, are components of a number of promoters active in plants. In the maize BMS cell line the dominant ocs-element binding activity is the ocs-element transcription factor complex called OTF. The isolation of cDNA clones from a BMS cDNA expression library for two bZIP (basic region-leucine zipper) proteins that bind the ocs-element sequence and are good candidates for forming at least part of OTF is described. The two ocs-element binding proteins, called OBF3.1 and OBF3.2, are closely related, with the OBF3.1 protein sharing 95.8% amino acid homology with part of the OBF3.2 protein although there were significant differences in the 3' untranslated regions. Genomic Southern blot analysis revealed a small gene family with a minimum of two OBF3 loci mapping to chromosomes 3L105 and 8L075. The OBF3.1 protein shared considerable homology with the wheat HBP1b protein (80% amino acid identity) and to a lesser extent with the tobacco TGA1aa protein. OBF3.1 like HBP1b was able to bind well to the Hex sequence but poorly to G-box/ABRE sequences. Interestingly, OBF3.1 bound eightfold more efficiently to an ocs-element sequence than TGA1a, raising the possibility that OBF3.1 and TGA1a may be distinct members of an OBF3/TGA subfamily.

Isolation of a maize bZIP protein subfamily: candidates for the ocs-element transcription factor

Ocs-elements, a family of 20 bp DNA sequences, are components of a number of promoters active in plants. In the maize BMS cell line the dominant ocs-element binding activity is the ocs-element transcription factor complex called OTF. The isolation of cDNA clones from a BMS cDNA expression library for two bZIP (basic region-leucine zipper) proteins that bind the ocs-element sequence and are good candidates for forming at least part of OTF is described. The two ocs-element binding proteins, called OBF3.1 and OBF3.2, are closely related, with the OBF3.1 protein sharing 95.8% amino acid homology with part of the OBF3.2 protein although there were significant differences in the 3' untranslated regions. Genomic Southern blot analysis revealed a small gene family with a minimum of two OBF3 loci mapping to chromosomes 3L105 and 8L075. The OBF3.1 protein shared considerable homology with the wheat HBP1b protein (80% amino acid identity) and to a lesser extent with the tobacco TGA1aa protein. OBF3.1 like HBP1b was able to bind well to the Hex sequence but poorly to G-box/ABRE sequences. Interestingly, OBF3.1 bound eightfold more efficiently to an ocs-element sequence than TGA1a, raising the possibility that OBF3.1 and TGA1a may be distinct members of an OBF3/TGA subfamily.

Paraganglioma of the external auditory canal

A rare case of paraganglioma of the external auditory canal is presented. It was treated by excision and no recurrence has been noted after 18 months of follow up.

Clinical sequelae of Japanese encephalitis in children

Over a five and a half year period, virological investigations for Japanese encephalitis (JE) were conducted in children admitted with acute encephalitis like illness to a large city hospital. The diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis was made by viral isolation from cerebrospinal fluid and/or a four-fold or higher rise in haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies in paired sera followed by demonstration of specific IgM antibodies by HI test after treatment with 2-mercapto ethanol. All children surviving the illness were contacted by post and followed up for sequelae. A total of 55 children could be followed up after 12-18 months and 22 of these even after 2 yr. A high rate of major sequelae (45.5%) in the form of frank motor deficits (32.7%), mental retardation (21.8%) and/or convulsions (18.2%) was observed. Neurological deficits were of diverse types and improved even after 2 yr of the illness. Fourteen patients (25.4%) had only minor deficits in the form of scholastic backwardness, behavioural problems and/or subtle neurological signs. Only 16 (29.2%) patients were completely normal on follow up. JE may therefore be an important cause of neurological handicap in this area. Sequelae of the disease were more severe if the initial illness was prolonged (P < 0.001, CI 2.45, 12.64), or associated with focal neurological deficits (P < 0.001, CI 1.97, 7.02).

Characteristics of indigent women with ruptured and unruptured tubal pregnancies

The diagnosis of tubal pregnancy, whether ruptured or unruptured, often requires a surgical procedure, such as laparoscopy or laparotomy, for confirmation. We compared women with ruptured and unruptured tubal pregnancies to determine whether the clinical presentations, morbidity and surgical complications in the two groups were significantly different. We compared the demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, laboratory findings, morbidity and complications from surgical management in the two groups. Women with ruptured tubal pregnancies had a higher incidence of abdominal pain lasting less than 24 hours, adnexal tenderness and positive culdocentesis from hemoperitoneum as compared to women with unruptured tubal gestations. Abnormal uterine bleeding was observed less frequently in women with ruptured tubal pregnancies as compared to women with unruptured ones despite similar gestational ages at presentation. All the patients with a tubal pregnancy were managed surgically. The morbidity and surgical complication rates in the two groups were not significantly different.

Clomiphene-dexamethasone treatment of clomiphene-resistant women with and without the polycystic ovary syndrome

We used clomiphene and dexamethasone in 40 infertile women to treat chronic anovulation resistant to the use of clomiphene alone. Eighteen (45%) of the women had the polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome; the remaining 22 (55%) had clomiphene-resistant anovulation from idiopathic causes. Both groups of women were similar in regard to age, parity, duration of infertility and absence of other causes of infertility besides chronic anovulation. Ovulation could be induced in approximately 90% of the women in each group. Altogether, 19 of 36 women (52.8%) conceived without any side effects or complications. The cumulative probability of conception at nine months of treatment was 87.5% in PCO patients and 46% in the non-PCO group. Clomiphene plus dexamethasone was highly effective in the treatment of clomiphene-resistant anovulation associated with infertility in women with and without the PCO syndrome.

Asymptomatic heterotopic ovarian pregnancy

An unruptured heterotopic ovarian pregnancy was diagnosed and managed surgically. We believe this is the first such case in a woman who was asymptomatic at presentation for an unrelated complaint.

Gene action for cold tolerance in chickpea

Six crosses were investigated using combining ability and generation mean analyses for reaction to cold tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The combining ability variances revealed the significance of both additive and nonadditive gene effects, with preponderance of additive gene effects. The generation mean analysis revealed the presence of genie interactions in addition to additive and dominance gene effects. Among the interactions, additive×additive and dominance×dominance with duplicate epistasis were present. Cold tolerance was dominant over susceptibility to cold. Selection for cold tolerance would be more effective if dominance and epistatic effects were reduced after a few generations of selfing.

Gestational diabetes and neonatal macrosomia in the polycystic ovary syndrome

Since patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly have insulin resistance, albeit with normal glucose tolerance, we evaluated glucose tolerance in PCOS patients exposed to the diabetogenic effect of pregnancy. The clinical material was obtained from two centers, in Springfield, Illinois (22 patients), and New York, New York (31 patients), and the results were compared with a control population with 2,306 consecutive general pregnancies. There were no differences between PCOS patients from the two centers in regard to age or ponderal index (P greater than .1). A review of the medical records showed that the incidence of gestational diabetes in the PCOS patients was 7.5%, similar (P greater than .1) to the 6.6% frequency of gestational diabetes in the controls. The overall incidence of neonatal macrosomia (birth weight greater than 4,000 g) was 7% (4 of 57) among infants born to PCOS women. That was similar to the 12.4% incidence of neonatal macrosomia among infants born to women with normal glucose tolerance and to the 14.5% incidence among infants born to women with gestational diabetes. Preexisting PCOS does not appear to increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes or neonatal macrosomia.

Ultrastructural basis for continued steroidogenesis in the rat polycystic ovary

Because constant light causes persistent estrus in the rat, that animal provides a suitable experimental model for studying the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary disease. We studied the scanning and transmission electron microscopic features of the rat polycystic ovary along with changes in serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations to further elucidate the mechanism of chronic anovulation during persistent estrus. The surface epithelium of the polycystic ovary showed no ovulatory stigmas and contained focal areas of degenerating and proliferating cells. The tunica albuginea was conspicuous, with many fibrils, collagenous materials and fibroblastlike cells adjoining the theca externa layer. The cytoplasm of theca interna cells contained numerous lipid vacuoles and images of extracted cholesterol crystals. The granulosa cells were atrophic and lacked the prominent Golgi apparatus typically found in granulosa cells of proestrous ovaries in cycling rats. With an increasing duration of constant light and chronic anovulation, the mean serum estradiol concentration in persistent-estrus rats was significantly higher and the mean serum progesterone concentration significantly lower than in age-matched controls. Alterations in estradiol-progesterone metabolism in the ovaries may be important etiologic factors in the pathogenesis of chronic anovulation found in polycystic ovary disease in rats.

Coexistence of polycystic ovary syndrome and pelvic endometriosis

Pelvic endometriosis was observed in 15 of 91 women (16.5%) with laparoscopically confirmed polycystic ovary syndrome. There were no significant clinical differences among those with and those without endometriosis. The groups were of similar age, parity, and ponderal indices and had similar incidences of oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, and infertility; the serum concentrations of LH, FSH, LH/FSH, prolactin, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were also similar in each group. However, women with polycystic ovaries and endometriosis presented more frequently with regular menses (40 versus 14.5%; P = .05) and less frequently with secondary amenorrhea (0 versus 38.2%; P = .05) and galactorrhea (0 versus 9.2%; P = .05) than the women with polycystic ovaries alone. Endometriosis appears to be a coincidental finding in polycystic ovary syndrome, and its development does not modify significantly the clinical picture or biochemical profiles of these patients. However, menstrual patterns seem to be affected.

Mucormycosis of the bovine udder

Nine cross-bred cows suffering from mucormycosis of the udder were observed. Histopathological and cultural examination of the lesions revealed the presence of Mucor spec.

Cesarean scar endometriosis: a review

Endometriosis in the abdominal scar following cesarean section is a rare event, but may be more frequent than estimated from the literature. Five cases collected over 5 years are presented suggesting an incidence over 1 percent. Diagnosis and management are discussed and the literature regarding this entity is reviewed. Newer methods of treatment are available, but surgical excision remains the method of choice.