Analysis of the floral transcriptome uncovers new regulators of organ determination and gene families related to flower organ differentiation in Gerbera hybrida (Asteraceae)

Development of composite inflorescences in the plant family Asteraceae has features that cannot be studied in the traditional model plants for flower development. In Gerbera hybrida, inflorescences are composed of morphologically different types of flowers tightly packed into a flower head (capitulum). Individual floral organs such as pappus bristles (sepals) are developmentally specialized, stamens are aborted in marginal flowers, petals and anthers are fused structures, and ovaries are located inferior to other floral organs. These specific features have made gerbera a rewarding target of comparative studies. Here we report the analysis of a gerbera EST database containing 16,994 cDNA sequences. Comparison of the sequences with all plant peptide sequences revealed 1656 unique sequences for gerbera not identified elsewhere within the plant kingdom. Based on the EST database, we constructed a cDNA microarray containing 9000 probes and have utilized it in identification of flower-specific genes and abundantly expressed marker genes for flower scape, pappus, stamen, and petal development. Our analysis revealed several regulatory genes with putative functions in flower-organ development. We were also able to associate a number of abundantly and specifically expressed genes with flower-organ differentiation. Gerbera is an outcrossing species, for which genetic approaches to gene discovery are not readily amenable. However, reverse genetics with the help of gene transfer has been very informative. We demonstrate here the usability of the gerbera microarray as a reliable new tool for identifying novel genes related to specific biological questions and for large-scale gene expression analysis.     

Carnitine deficiency and L-carnitine supplementation in lysinuric protein intolerance

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and mechanisms of development of carnitine deficiency in patients with lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI). In our cohort of 37 Finnish patients with LPI, 8 (8-52 years of age) have been diagnosed with hypocarnitinemia. Their free and total serum carnitine levels, acyl carnitine profiles, renal function, diet, and medication were compared with the data from 8 age- and sex-matched patients with LPI not treated with carnitine supplementation. In patients with LPI, hypocarnitinemia was strongly associated with female sex, renal insufficiency, and the use of ammonia-scavenging drugs. Of the 8 hypocarnitinemic patients, 3 complained of muscle weakness, and their symptoms disappeared during carnitine supplementation. Oral lysine supplementation did not correct hypocarnitinemia in our patients. The patients with LPI are at considerable risk for carnitine deficiency. Supplementation of hypocarnitinemic LPI patients with oral L-carnitine improved serum total carnitine values, but the ratio of free and total carnitine remained subnormal in all supplemented patients except one. Furthermore, decreased ratio of free and total serum carnitine was common even in LPI patients with normal total serum carnitine concentration.     

Parainfluenza virus type 3 infections in a hematology unit

Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3) is associated with a high mortality rate in BMT recipients with lower respiratory tract infections. We describe nine patients with hematological malignancies (five having undergone either allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplantation) identified as having PIV3 infection during a 2-month period in a Hematology Unit. Four patients with infiltrates on chest radiograph received intravenous ribavirin therapy; all survived. The infection was community-acquired in two patients, while nosocomial origin of the disease was evident, or presumed, in the remaining seven. The policy implemented to control the spread of PIV3 was as follows: (1) nasopharyngeal samples for antigen detection were obtained from all patients presenting with respiratory symptoms; (2) all diagnosed (or suspected) PIV3-positive hematological patients were nursed following contact isolation precautions, preferably in the Infectious Diseases Unit; and (3) staff were given further education on hospital hygiene. Our experience shows that it may be possible to avoid mortality for PIV3 lower respiratory tract infection in immunocompromised patients by early commencement of intravenous ribavirin. It is also possible, even without closing the ward, to contain nosocomial spread of PIV3 by implementing systematic nasopharyngeal sampling for rapid diagnostics, and by strict adherence to cohorting and contact isolation precautions.     

Jaw fractures in children

From a total of 350 jaw fractures treated in 1980-1984 at Kuopio University Central Hospital, 20% were in children. These injuries were evaluated retrospectively regarding age, sex, incidence and etiology. Forty-five of the patients were boys and 25 girls. The frequency of maxillary and mandibular fractures in 70 young patients was 28.6%. The most common type of bone fractures was fracture of the alveolar process, which was prevalent in persons with mixed dentition. Before the age of 7 years, falls from height were the common causes of jaw fractures. The major cause of the jaw fractures in children from 7 to 15 years old was road accidents (47.1%), especially in boys. Most of these were cycling accidents, only a few patients were victims of automobile accidents. In addition, about one third (25.7%) of the patients were treated in the hospital because of multiple injuries to other organs.     

Aetiological diagnosis of brain abscesses and spinal infections: application of broad range bacterial polymerase chain reaction analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of the broad range bacterial rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method combined with DNA sequencing in the aetiological diagnosis of intracranial or spinal infections in neurosurgical patients. METHODS: In addition to conventional methods, the broad range bacterial PCR approach was applied to examine pus or tissue specimens from cerebral or spinal lesions in patients treated in a neurosurgical unit for a clinical or neuroradiological suspicion of bacterial brain abscess or spondylitis. RESULTS: Among the 44 patients with intracranial or spinal lesions, the final diagnosis suggested bacterial disease in 25 patients, among whom the aetiological agent was identified in 17. A causative bacterial species was identified only by the rDNA PCR method in six cases, by both the PCR methodology and bacterial culture in six cases, and by bacterial culture alone in five. All samples in which a bacterial aetiology was identified only by the PCR approach were taken during antimicrobial treatment, and in three patients the method yielded the diagnosis even after >/= 12 days of parenteral treatment. One case also identified by the PCR approach alone involved a brain abscess caused by Mycoplasma hominis, which is not readily cultured by routine methods. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with brain abscesses and spinal infections, the broad range bacterial rDNA PCR approach may be the only method to provide an aetiological diagnosis when the patient is receiving antimicrobial treatment, or when the causative agent is fastidious.     

Evaluation of exposure to man-made vitreous fibers by nasal lavage

The objectives of this study were to develop a biomonitoring method for the assessment of exposure to man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), to examine the level of exposure to MMVF in the prefabricated house industry, and to study nasal inflammatory reactions and respiratory symptoms associated with MMVF among workers. Nasal lavage was performed on workers from two factories, and concentrations of MMVF were measured by electron microscopy. Cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma) were also assayed and inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, and macrophages) were counted microscopically. Concentrations of airborne fibers (longer than 5 microm) were measured for comparison. Moreover, the exposure to MMVF and the related symptoms were studied with a structured questionnaire. In nasal lavage samples, the mean concentration of MMVF (length >1.5 microm) was 3260 f/ mL in Factory 1, 1680 f/mL in Factory 2, and below 500 f/mL in the control group. About 52% of the retained fibers were longer than 100 microm. The group-specific mean concentrations of MMVF in nasal lavage samples correlated with production rates and airborne fiber levels in both plants. The airborne concentrations of MMVF both in the breathing zone and fixed-point samples were low (below 0.1 f/cm(3)). No significant differences in the biological response (inflammatory cells, cytokines) were found between the groups exposed and the control group. The workers complained of some irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract, which could be reduced by appropriate protective equipment. It is concluded that nasal lavage can be used as a biomonitoring method in the assessment of MMVF exposure.     

Secular trend in candidemia and the use of fluconazole in Finland, 2004-2007

Background  

In a previous study we observed an increasing trend in candidemia in Finland in the 1990s. Our aim was now to investigate further population-based secular trends, as well as outcome, and evaluate the association of fluconazole consumption and prophylaxis policy with the observed findings.