Defensive Role of Plant Hormones in Advancing Abiotic Stress-Resistant Rice Plants

Consistent climatic perturbations have increased global environmental concerns, especially the impacts of abiotic stresses on crop productivity. Rice is a staple food crop for the majority of the world’s population. Abiotic stresses, including salt, drought, heat, cold and heavy metals, are potential inhibitors of rice growth and yield. Abiotic stresses elicit various acclimation responses that facilitate in stress mitigation. Plant hormones play an important role in mediating the growth and development of rice plants under optimal and stressful environments by activating a multitude of signalling cascades to elicit the rice plant’s adaptive responses. The current review describes the role of plant hormone-mediated abiotic stress tolerance in rice, potential crosstalk between plant hormones involved in rice abiotic stress tolerance and significant advancements in biotechnological initiatives including genetic engineering approach to provide a step forward in making rice resistance to abiotic stress.

Konno Procedure for Managing Small Aortic Root during Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery: An Experience of 12 Cases

Background: Small aortic annulus during aortic valve replacement can lead to implanting a smaller sized valve compared to the body surface area thereby causing patient prosthesis mismatch. Various aortic root enlargement techniques have been described depending on anterior or posterior approach. Konno procedure uses anterior approach for aortic root enlargement. In this study, we reviewed results of Konno procedure done from 2011 to 2019 by a single surgeon. Methods: 12 adult patients who underwent aortic valve replacement along with Konno procedure for small aortic root by a single surgeon at a single center between 2011 and 2019 were reviewed. Echocardiographic and demographic data and post-operative data were obtained from medical records. Symptomatic profile was assessed as per New York Heart Association Classification. Intraoperative findings and post-operative period findings were noted. Follow up symptom profile was assessed for these patients. Results: 12 patients underwent Konno procedure between 2011 and 2019 for small aortic root along with valve replacement. The main indication for surgery was aortic stenosis with small aortic annulus, with or without involvement of the mitral valve. Preoperatively, 3 patients had NYHA class II and 9 patients had NYHA class III symptoms. Mean age at operation was 26.42 years, minimum age 10 years, and maximum age 39 years. 3 were females and 9 were males. Mean bypass time was 106.4 minutes and aortic cross clamp time was 80.67 minutes. Mechanical aortic valves were implanted in all patients. Mean post-operative blood loss was 134.2 ml and duration of ventilation before extubation was 14.5 hours. Mean duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 2.83 days and hospital stay was 9.1 days. Mean gradient in the post-operative period was 10.75 mm Hg. There was no mortality in these 12 patients and no reoperation was needed in the follow up period. Follow up in the outpatient department suggested all patients had NYHA class I symptoms and anticoagulation with warfarin adjusted to prothrombin time— International normalised ratio. Conclusion: Konno procedure is effective for managing small aortic root as bigger outflow orifice area through the larger valve prosthesis improves ventricular outflow and hence, improves the outcomes.

Methyl-salicylate:A surveillance system fortriggering immunity in neighboring plants

Plant behavioral actions have been one of the major topicsof research in plant biology and agriculture.These actionsfrom plants are determined by their instant structural andphysical reactions to the circumstances(Bouwmeester et al.,2019).Upon sensing abiotic factors such as salinity,flooding,high temperature,drought,plants make suitable changes intheir physiology and behavior to survive such harsh conditions.

Direct acetylation of a conserved threonine of RIN4 by the bacterial effector HopZ5 or AvrBsT activates RPM1-dependent immunity in Arabidopsis

Plant pathogenic bacteria deliver effectors into plant cells to suppress immunity and promote pathogen survival;however, these effectors can be recognised by plant disease resistance (R) proteins to activate innate immunity. The bacterial acetyltransferase effectors HopZ5 and AvrBsT trigger immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes lacking SUPPRESSOR OF AVRBST-ELICITED RESISTANCE 1 (SOBER1). Using an Arabidopsis accession, Tscha-1, that naturally lacks functional SOBER1 but is unable to recognise HopZ5, we demonstrate that RESISTANCE TO P. SYRINGAE PV MACULICOLA 1 (RPM1) and RPM1-INTERACTING PROTEIN 4 (RIN4) are indispensable for HopZ5- or AvrBsT-triggered immunity. Remarkably, T166 of RIN4, the phosphorylation of which is induced by AvrB and AvrRpm1, was directly acetylated by HopZ5 and AvrBsT. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the acetylation of RIN4 T166 is required and sufficient for HopZ5- or AvrBsT-triggered RPM1-dependent defence activation. Finally, we show that SOBER1 interferes with HopZ5- or AvrBsT-triggered immunity by deacetylating RIN4 T166. We have thus elucidated detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the activation and suppression of plant innate immunity triggered by two bacterial acetyltransferases, HopZ5 and AvrBsT from different bacterial pathogens.

Acetabulum fractures in elderly patients:A review

Fractures of the acetabulum in elderly patients were often caused by low energy trauma.Fractures involving anterior column are more common and often associated with impaction and comminution.Osteoporosis further complicates the management.Percutaneous fracture fixation has low morbidity but it is a technically demanding procedure.Open reduction and fracture fixation is done with or without simultaneous total hip replacement.Delayed total hip replacement is considered in posttraumatic arthritis patients.Patients with minimal displaced fractures,associated both-column fractures with secondary congruence of joint and patients who are medically unfit for surgery can be managed non-operatively.Whatever be the method of management,these elderly patients should be mobilised as early as possible.