Summary
The chloroplast NAD(P)H dehydrogenase‐like (NDH) complex consists of about 30 subunits from both the nuclear and chloroplast genomes and is ubiquitous across most land plants. In some ...orchids, such as Phalaenopsis equestris, Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium catenatum, most of the 11 chloroplast genome‐encoded ndh genes (cp‐ndh) have been lost. Here we investigated whether functional cp‐ndh genes have been completely lost in these orchids or whether they have been transferred and retained in the nuclear genome. Further, we assessed whether both cp‐ndh genes and nucleus‐encoded NDH‐related genes can be lost, resulting in the absence of the NDH complex. Comparative analyses of the genome of Apostasia odorata, an orchid species with a complete complement of cp‐ndh genes which represents the sister lineage to all other orchids, and three published orchid genome sequences for P. equestris, D. officinale and D. catenatum, which are all missing cp‐ndh genes, indicated that copies of cp‐ndh genes are not present in any of these four nuclear genomes. This observation suggests that the NDH complex is not necessary for some plants. Comparative genomic/transcriptomic analyses of currently available plastid genome sequences and nuclear transcriptome data showed that 47 out of 660 photoautotrophic plants and all the heterotrophic plants are missing plastid‐encoded cp‐ndh genes and exhibit no evidence for maintenance of a functional NDH complex. Our data indicate that the NDH complex can be lost in photoautotrophic plant species. Further, the loss of the NDH complex may increase the probability of transition from a photoautotrophic to a heterotrophic life history.
Significance statement
The NDH complex is composed of multiple genes encoded by the chloroplast and nuclear genomes. Some photoautotrophs have been shown to lack all the chloroplast genome‐encoded ndh genes but the genes in the nucleus have never been assessed. Through sequencing the ndh‐complete orchid genome, Apostasia odorata, we showed that the missing ndh genes in ndh‐free orchids are not transferred to the nucleus, and the nuclear NDH‐related genes were also lost resulting in no NDH complex.
ABCB10 is one of the three ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters found in the inner membrane of mitochondria. In mammals ABCB10 is essential for erythropoiesis, and for protection of mitochondria ...against oxidative stress. ABCB10 is therefore a potential therapeutic target for diseases in which increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress play a major role. The crystal structure of apo-ABCB10 shows a classic exporter fold ABC transporter structure, in an open-inwards conformation, ready to bind the substrate or nucleotide from the inner mitochondrial matrix or membrane. Unexpectedly, however, ABCB10 adopts an open-inwards conformation when complexed with nonhydrolysable ATP analogs, in contrast to other transporter structures which adopt an open-outwards conformation in complex with ATP. The three complexes of ABCB10/ATP analogs reported here showed varying degrees of opening of the transport substrate binding site, indicating that in this conformation there is some flexibility between the two halves of the protein. These structures suggest that the observed plasticity, together with a portal between two helices in the transmembrane region of ABCB10, assist transport substrate entry into the substrate binding cavity. These structures indicate that ABC transporters may exist in an open-inwards conformation when nucleotide is bound. We discuss ways in which this observation can be aligned with the current views on mechanisms of ABC transporters.
FactSage
®
was introduced in 2001 as the fusion of the
F*A*C*T/FACT-Win and
ChemSage thermochemical packages. The
FactSage package runs on a PC operating under Microsoft Windows
® and consists of a ...series of information, database, calculation and manipulation modules that enable one to access and manipulate pure substances and solution databases. With the various modules one can perform a wide variety of thermochemical calculations and generate tables, graphs and figures of interest to chemical and physical metallurgists, chemical engineers, corrosion engineers, inorganic chemists, geochemists, ceramists, electrochemists, environmentalists, etc. This paper presents a summary of the recent developments in the
FactSage thermochemical software and databases. In the article, emphasis is placed on the new databases and the calculation and manipulation of phase diagrams and complex phase equilibria.
Mesoporous titania and zirconia nanoparticles (MTN and MZrN, respectively) exhibiting a desired specific surface area and porous structure, different acidity, and different crystallinity were ...successfully synthesized through a controlled hydrolysis method and different post-treatments without the utilization of surfactants. The catalytic activities of the synthesized MTN and MZrN were investigated for the conversion of cellulose to glucose and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in an ionic liquid (i.e., 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, EMIMCl) system. The amount of the catalyst (4.0 mg) and reaction time (3 h) were optimized for cellulosic conversion over the HT-MTN catalyst, resulting in maximum 12.9% glucose and 18.2% HMF yields at 120 degree C reaction temperature. HT-MZrN exhibited superior HMF yield (i.e., 29.2%) to HT-MTN (i.e., 18.2%) because of the appearance of relatively strong acidity at 450 degree C. In addition, we studied the effect of different crystallinity (i.e., amorphous, tetragonal, and monoclinic phases) of the same MZrN material on the conversion yields of glucose and HMF. Crystalline MZrN materials (i.e., either tetragonal or monoclinic phase) exhibited higher HMF yields than amorphous MZrN because of the existence of relatively strong acidity. The tetragonal MZrN catalyst presented better performance than monoclinic and amorphous MZrN catalysts because its acidity at higher temperature (i.e., over 450 degree C) was higher than that of the other two, which shows great potential in one-pot cellulose-to-HMF conversion.
Abstract Background Organ donation after brain death is a major source for obtaining transplantable organs for patients with end-stage organ disease. However, the time from declaring brain death to ...organ procurement is often longer than expected. Analyzing factors that delay organ procurement may help to prevent damage to organs from marginal and unstable donors and aid in preparation for recipient operation. The aim of this study was to examine factors associated with the interval between the time of declaring brain death and organ procurement. Methods Medical records of patients who underwent organ procurement after brain death from February 2009 to April 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Of the 77 patients which were scheduled to undergo organ procurement, 68 eventually underwent procurement of ≥1 organ. The average time interval from 1st exam for brain death to organ procurement decreased from 1,248 minutes in 2009 to 910 minutes in 2015. Although not statistically significant, during the 6-year period, the time interval decreased from 1,105 minutes to 1,075 minutes in the latter half of the period ( P = .623). Organ procurement was extensively delayed most commonly owing to false negative electroencephalogram (EEG; 62.5%). Conclusions With increasing experience in dealing with brain death donors, the time interval from declaring brain death to organ procurement decreased. We suggest that an EEG be performed during the initial stages of examination for brain death to prevent unnecessary preparation of recipient operation owing to a false EEG test.
Background
There is little information about clinical outcomes after intraoperative cardiac arrest (IOCA). We determined the incidence and characteristics of 3‐month mortality after IOCA.
Methods
The ...electronic medical records of 238,648 adult surgical patients from January 2005 to December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Characteristics of IOCA were documented using the Utstein reporting template.
Results
IOCA occurred in 50 patients (21/100,000 surgeries). Nineteen patients died in the operating room, and further 12 patients died within 3 months post‐arrest (total mortality: 62%). Three survivors at 3 months post‐arrest had unfavourable neurological outcome. Finally, 34 patients showed unfavourable clinical outcomes at 3 months post‐arrest. The incidences of non‐cardiac surgery, emergency, pre‐operative intubation state, non‐shockable initial cardiac rhythm, hypovolaemic shock, pre‐operative complications‐induced cardiac arrest, non‐anaesthetic cause of cardiac arrest, intra‐ and post‐arrest transfusion, and continuous infusion of inotrope or vasopressor in intensive care unit (ICU) were significantly higher in non‐survivors at 3 months post‐arrest. Total epinephrine dose administrated during arrest was higher, and the duration of cardiac compressions was longer in non‐survivors at 3 months post‐arrest.
Conclusions
In this study, the incidence of IOCA was 21/100,000 surgeries and the 3‐month mortality rate after IOCA was 62%. Several factors including surgical emergency, non‐shockable initial cardiac rhythm, pre‐operative complications, surgical complications, long duration of cardiac compressions, high total epinephrine dose, transfusion, and continuous infusion of inotropes or vasopressors in ICU seemed to be risk factors for 3‐month mortality after IOCA. These risk factors should be considered in the light of relatively small sample size of this study.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)-guided central venous catheter (CVC) placement has been reported to be accurate and successful. It has been shown that the CVC tip can be reliably placed at the level of the ...carina using a simple formula based on the puncture site, the ‘brachiocephalic notch’ on the clavicle, and the carina as landmarks. This study was performed to compare the accuracy of CVC tip localization between ECG- and landmark-guided catheterization.
Patients were randomized either to the ECG (n=121) or to the landmark (n=128) group. All catheterizations were performed via the right internal jugular vein (IJV). In the ECG group, CVCs were placed where P-wave returned to a normal configuration on right atrial ECG. In the landmark group, CVCs were placed at a depth derived by adding the distance between insertion point and the notch on the clavicle and the vertical length between the notch and the carina on a routine chest radiograph. On the postoperative portable chest radiograph, incidences of correct CVC tip position, defined as in the superior vena cava, were checked.
CVCs were correctly placed in 96.1% of the landmark group (123/128) and in 95.9% of the ECG group (116/121). The mean CVC tip position relative to the carina was 0.0 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.28 to 0.19 cm in the landmark group and 0.0 (95% CI −0.19 to 0.28) cm in the ECG group.
During central venous catheterization via the right IJV, landmark guidance was comparable with ECG guidance with regard to CVC tip positioning in the superior vena cava.
Objective
To examine the concordance rate of non‐chromosomal congenital malformations in twin pairs based on zygosity.
Design
Retrospective cohort study.
Setting
A tertiary hospital in Korea.
...Population
Twin pairs born at Seoul National University Hospital between 2001 and 2019.
Methods
Congenital malformations were diagnosed by postnatal workups of neonates or autopsy in cases of stillborn infants. Zygosity was confirmed by sex, chorionicity and DNA analysis.
Main outcome measures
Concordance rate of congenital malformations in twin pairs based on zygosity.
Results
In total, 3386 twin pairs were included. The risk of a congenital malformation in the index twin increased significantly if the co‐twin had the congenital malformation, and the concordance rate was higher in monozygotic (MZ) than in dizygotic (DZ) twins (37.04 versus 16.77, P < 0.001). An increased risk of a congenital malformation in the presence of the same congenital malformation in the co‐twin was observed only for malformations of the nervous system, eye/ear/face/neck, circulatory system, cleft lip/palate, genital organs, urinary system and musculoskeletal system. Significantly higher concordance rates in MZ than in DZ twin pairs were observed only for the nervous system (40.00 versus 0.00, P < 0.001), circulatory system (32.97 versus 19.74, P = 0.021), cleft lip/palate (44.44 versus 0.00, P = 0.017) and urinary system (22.22 versus 0.00, P = 0.004), whereas significant differences were not found for the genital organs or musculoskeletal system.
Conclusions
Monozygotic twins had higher concordance rates than DZ twins only in specific organ systems. It may be speculated that nervous system, circulatory system, cleft lip/palate and urinary system are primarily genetically affected.
Tweetable
Monozygotic twins had higher concordance rates than dizygotic twins only in specific organ systems.
Tweetable
Monozygotic twins had higher concordance rates than dizygotic twins only in specific organ systems.
Maintaining a low central venous pressure (CVP) has been frequently used in liver resections to reduce blood loss. However, decreased preload carries potential risks such as hemodynamic instability. ...We hypothesized that a low CVP with milrinone would provide a better surgical environment and hemodynamic stability during living donor hepatectomy. Thirty‐eight healthy adult liver donors were randomized to receive either milrinone (milrinone group, n = 19) or normal saline (control group, n = 19) infusion during liver resection. The surgical field was assessed using a four‐point scale. Intraoperative vital signs, blood loss, the use of vasopressors and diuretics and postoperative laboratory data were compared between groups. The milrinone group showed a superior surgical field (p < 0.001) and less blood loss (142 ± 129 mL vs. 378 ± 167 mL, p < 0.001). Vital signs were well maintained in both groups but the milrinone group required smaller amounts of vasopressors and less‐frequent diuretics to maintain a low CVP. The milrinone group also showed a more rapid recovery pattern after surgery. Milrinone‐induced low CVP improves the surgical field with less blood loss during living donor hepatectomy and also has favorable effects on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative recovery.
Milrinone‐induced low CVP improves the surgical field during living donor hepatectomy.
ABSTRACT
We studied the 2018 outburst of the black hole transient H 1743 − 322 with a series of Insight-HXMT, NICER, and NuSTAR observations, covering the 1–120 keV band. With our broad-band X-ray ...spectral modelling, we confirm that the source remained in the low/hard state throughout the month-long outburst, although it became marginally softer at peak flux. We detected Type-C quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) and followed the evolution of their properties. The QPO frequency increased from ∼0.1 to ∼0.4 Hz during the rising phase of the outburst and decreased again in the decline. Continuum X-ray flux, power-law photon index, QPO frequency, and QPO root-mean-square amplitude were positively correlated. The QPO amplitude was slightly higher in the soft X-ray band (typical values of 12–16 per cent, compared with 8–10 per cent in the hard band). Our spectral-timing results shed light on the initial rising phase in the low/hard state, which has rarely been monitored with such high cadence, time resolution, and broad-band coverage. Combining spectral and timing properties, we find that ‘failed’ (hard state only) and ‘successful’ outbursts follow the same initial evolutionary track, although the former class of outburst never reaches the threshold for a transition to softer (thermally dominated) accretion regimes.
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