Aim
Diastasis of rectus abdominis is a condition defined as a separation between this muscle and the linea alba, which leads to weakness in the abdominal muscles. Later, such weakness will influence ...the biomechanical posture causing back pain in women. In the present study, our aim was to assess the accuracy of clinical examination in measuring diastasis of rectus abdominis in the postpartum period.
Method
Puerperal women (
n
=106) were selected for this study, including caesarean delivery (62 %) and vaginal delivery (38 %). Diastasis of rectus abdominis was measured in the postpartum period using clinical examination and ultrasonography, at four levels of the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis, in the region above the umbilical scar.
Results
At each level of measurement, the results were statistically analyzed using the Student’s
t
and Pearson tests (confidence interval 95 %), Bland–Altman plot, and Kappa test. The Student
t
test showed no significant difference between clinical examination and ultrasonography. The Pearson test showed correlation with positive coefficients; moderate correlation (
r
> 0.5) in the first levels (3, 6, and 9 cm) and a strong correlation (
r
> 0.75) in the last level (12 cm). In the Kappa test, 65 % of diagnoses given in the clinical examination were confirmed by ultrasonography.
Conclusions
These results show a good agreement between both forms of examination, allowing clinical examination to be used in the diagnosis of rectus muscle diastasis, when ultrasonography is not available.
Asian rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) is a common disease in Brazilian soybean fields and it is difficult to control. To identify a biochemical candidate with potential to combat this disease, a new ...chitinase-like xylanase inhibitor protein (XIP) from coffee (Coffea arabica) (CaclXIP) leaves was cloned into the pGAPZα-B vector for expression in Pichia pastoris.
A cDNA encoding a chitinase-like xylanase inhibitor protein (XIP) from coffee (Coffea arabica) (CaclXIP), was isolated from leaves. The amino acid sequence predicts a (β/α)8 topology common to Class III Chitinases (glycoside hydrolase family 18 proteins; GH18), and shares similarity with other GH18 members, although it lacks the glutamic acid residue essential for catalysis, which is replaced by glutamine. CaclXIP was expressed as a recombinant protein in Pichia pastoris. Enzymatic assay showed that purified recombinant CaclXIP had only residual chitinolytic activity. However, it inhibited xylanases from Acrophialophora nainiana by approx. 60% when present at 12:1 (w/w) enzyme:inhibitor ratio. Additionally, CaclXIP at 1.5 μg/μL inhibited the germination of spores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi by 45%.
Our data suggests that CaclXIP belongs to a class of naturally inactive chitinases that have evolved to act in plant cell defence as xylanase inhibitors. Its role on inhibiting germination of fungal spores makes it an eligible candidate gene for the control of Asian rust.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Main conclusion
The ex vitro hairy root system from petioles of detached soybean leaves allows the functional validation of genes using classical transgenesis and CRISPR strategies (e.g., sgRNA ...validation, gene activation) associated with nematode bioassays.
Agrobacterium rhizogenes
-mediated root transformation has been widely used in soybean for the functional validation of target genes in classical transgenesis and single-guide RNA (sgRNA) in CRISPR-based technologies. Initial data showed that in vitro hairy root induction from soybean cotyledons and hypocotyls were not the most suitable strategies for simultaneous performing genetic studies and nematode bioassays. Therefore, an ex vitro hairy root system was developed for in planta screening of target molecules during soybean parasitism by root-knot nematodes (RKNs). Applying this method, hairy roots were successfully induced by
A. rhizogenes
from petioles of detached soybean leaves. The soybean
GmPR10
and
GmGST
genes were then constitutively overexpressed in both soybean hairy roots and tobacco plants, showing a reduction in the number of
Meloidogyne incognita
-induced galls of up to 41% and 39%, respectively. In addition, this system was evaluated for upregulation of the endogenous
GmExpA
and
GmExpLB
genes by CRISPR/dCas9, showing high levels of gene activation and reductions in gall number of up to 58.7% and 67.4%, respectively. Furthermore, morphological and histological analyses of the galls were successfully performed. These collective data validate the ex vitro hairy root system for screening target genes, using classical overexpression and CRISPR approaches, directly in soybean in a simple manner and associated with nematode bioassays. This system can also be used in other root pathosystems for analyses of gene function and studies of parasite interactions with plants, as well as for other purposes such as studies of root biology and promoter characterization.
Background and Aims
Crohn’s disease (CD) can lead to work disability with social and economic impacts worldwide. In Brazil, where its prevalence is increasing, we assessed the indirect costs, ...prevalence, and risk factors for work disability in the state of Rio de Janeiro and in a tertiary care referral center of the state.
Methods
Data were retrieved from the database of the Single System of Social Security Benefits Information, with a cross-check for aid pension and disability retirement. A subanalysis was performed with CD patients followed up at the tertiary care referral center using a prospective CD database, including clinical variables assessed as possible risk factors for work disability.
Results
From 2010 to 2018, the estimated prevalence of CD was 26.05 per 100,000 inhabitants, while the associated work disability was 16.6%, with indirect costs of US$ 8,562,195.86. Permanent disability occurred more frequently in those aged 40 to 49 years. In the referral center, the prevalence of work disability was 16.7%, with a mean interval of 3 years between diagnosis and the first benefit. Risk factors for absence from work were predominantly abdominal surgery, anovaginal fistulas, disease duration, and the A2 profile of the Montreal classification.
Conclusions
In Rio de Janeiro, work disability affects one-sixth of CD patients, and risk factors are associated with disease duration and complications. In the context of increasing prevalence, as this disability compromises young patients after a relatively short period of disease, the socioeconomic burden of CD is expected to increase in the future.
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