APETALA2 control of barley internode elongation

Many plants dramatically elongate their stems during flowering, yet how this response is coordinated with the reproductive phase is unclear. We demonstrate that microRNA (miRNA) control of APETALA2 (AP2) is required for rapid, complete elongation of stem internodes in barley, especially of the final ‘peduncle’ internode directly underneath the inflorescence. Disrupted miR172 targeting of AP2 in the Zeo1.b barley mutant caused lower mitotic activity, delayed growth dynamics and premature lignification in the peduncle leading to fewer and shorter cells. Stage- and tissue-specific comparative transcriptomics between Zeo1.b and its parent cultivar showed reduced expression of proliferation-associated genes, ectopic expression of maturation-related genes and persistent, elevated expression of genes associated with jasmonate and stress responses. We further show that applying methyl jasmonate (MeJA) phenocopied the stem elongation of Zeo1.b, and that Zeo1.b itself was hypersensitive to inhibition by MeJA but less responsive to promotion by gibberellin. Taken together, we propose that miR172-mediated restriction of AP2 may modulate the jasmonate pathway to facilitate gibberellin-promoted stem growth during flowering.

Summary: Regulation of reproductive stem elongation in barley by APETALA2 suggests a pivotal role for phase change repression of JA-associated responses to promote internode growth.

A trial of pre-emptive analgesia. Influence of timing of peroperative alfentanil on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements

The influence of timing of administration of peroperative alfentanil on pain and analgesic requirements after surgery was studied in 60 patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Thirty patients received alfentanil 7.5 micrograms.kg-1 on induction of anaesthesia, followed by alfentanil 7.5 micrograms.kg-1 90 s before surgical incision (group A). Thirty control patients received alfentanil 15 micrograms.kg-1, 10 min after abdominal incision (group B). In addition, 10 min after surgical incision both groups received morphine 0.2 mg.kg-1, given over a 10 min period. The visual analogue scores (median, interquartile range) for pain 24 h after operation were 28.5 mm (11.25-47.0) in group A and 21.0 mm (10.5-47.5) in group B, p = 0.76. There were no differences in visual analogue scores at intermediate times. Morphine consumption in the first 24 h after surgery (median, interquartile range) was 53.5 mg (37.25-60.0) in group A and 52.0 mg (39.75-71.0) in group B, p = 0.52. We conclude that postoperative morphine consumption and pain scores are no different when alfentanil 15 micrograms.kg-1 is given before or after skin incision for abdominal hysterectomy.

Intubation with propofol: evaluation of pre-treatment with alfentanil or lignocaine

The effect of lignocaine or alfentanil pre-treatment on conditions at orotracheal intubation following induction with propofol, but without the use of muscle relaxants, were compared in a prospective, controlled, double-blind study. Forty five healthy patients undergoing elective surgery were randomly allocated to receive either 0.9% saline (control), alfentanil 20 micrograms/kg-1, or lignocaine 1.5 mg kg-1 prior to induction with propofol 2.5 mg kg-1. Ease of intubation was scored on a four point scale from 'excellent' = 1 to 'not possible' = 4. Alfentanil pre-treatment allowed intubation in 93% of patients compared to 60% in each of the groups pre-treated with lignocaine or saline. Intubation scores of 1 or 2 were obtained in 14 out of 15 patients (93%) in the alfentanil group and this was significantly better than the lignocaine group (33%) or control group (20%). No difference was detected between the scores of the latter two groups.

Burke stroke time-oriented profile (BUSTOP): an overview of patient function

A simple multidisciplinary time-oriented computer-compatible functional profile is described for the quantitative assessment of stroke patients and their progress during rehabilitation. The reasons for developing a new rating scale as well as the implications for computer analysis of the data collected are discussed.