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Proteins are essential to rice caryopsis development and quality formation. High temperature is an important environmental factor, which may decrease grain quality. In the present study rice caryopsis proteins were profiled by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Expressions of more than 400 polypeptide spots during caryopsis development, in response to temperature treatments or between varieties were monitored. Among them, more than 70 differentially expressed polypeptides were analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. We identified 54 proteins with known functions. Of these, 21 were involved with carbohydrate metabolism, 14 with protein synthesis and sorting, and 9 with stress responses. Waxy (Wx) proteins and glutelins were the most significant spots, which increased significantly during development. Allergen-like proteins, PPDK and NADH-SDH, also were expressed during development, implying their physiological roles in caryopsis. Expression of large isoforms of Wx proteins was correlated with the amylose content of rice caryopses. One protein with high GC content in its DNA sequence was correlated with the chalky trait of kernels. High temperature (35/30 degrees C) decreased the expression of Wx proteins, allergen-like proteins, and elongation factor 1beta, but increased the expression of small heat shock proteins (sHSP), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and prolamin. sHSP was positively correlated with the appearance of chalky kernels. During development, glutelins were phosphorylated and glycosylated, indicating that these molecules were post-translationally modified. Possible functions of the expression of candidate proteins on the grain quality are discussed.

The present study was performed to understand the effects of high temperature (HT) during filling on the expression of storage proteins and the quality of rice grains. HT (35/30 °C day/night) reduced the weight, amylose content, and flour gel consistency of grains. It increased the accumulation of all classes of storage proteins at early filling stage but decreased the accumulation of prolamins at maturation. For albumins, the expressions of cyclophilin 2, peroxiredoxin, and HSP16.9 were differentially enhanced by HT. For globulins, HT decreased the accumulation of globulin but increased that of glyoxalase I and peroxiredoxin. HT enhanced the transcription of genes for glutelins, prolamins, globulins, and protein disulfide isomerase at early filling stage but decreased the expression of these genes at a later stage. Low amounts of prolamins and globulins, as well as low pH value, were found in sound, immature, and dead kernels grown under HT. The relationships among HT, storage proteins, and grain quality are discussed.

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To analyze the clinical and microbiological characteristics and factors associated with the outcome of lacrimal canaliculitis. Methods: Thirty four patients (34 eyes) treated for lacrimal canaliculitis between January 2001 and December 2006 in a tertiary medical centre were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and microbiological profiles, treatment outcome, and risk factors related to recurrence and concretions formation were evaluated. Results: There were 10 males and 24 females with a mean age of 64 years. The average time lapse to diagnosis was 18 months. Lower canaliculus (91%) was most commonly involved. Six patients (18%) had both upper and lower canaliculitis. Culture positive specimens were 21 of 25 (84%), with a mixed infection of 7 (28%). Streptococcus species (28%), Staphylococcus species (20%), and Actinomyces (16%) were the most commonly cultured organisms. Concretions were noted in nine patients (26%). All cultures of concretions were positive. No specific factor was found to be related to concretions formation. Canaliculotomy was performed in 25 patients (74%). Recurrence developed in seven patients (21%), with a mean time to recurrence of 24 months. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that male patients (p = 0.038) and presence of concretions (p = 0.001) were associated with higher recurrent rate. Both patients with Haemophilus influenzae isolate developed recurrence (100%). Conclusion: Canaliculitis are often delayed diagnosed and prone to recur or persist. Male gender and concretions are important risk factors for recurrence. Surgical removal of all possible concretions is essential for cure.

In this paper, we present the development of two piezoelectric MEMS generators, {3-1} mode and {3-3} mode, which have the ability to scavenge mechanical energy of ambient vibrations and transform it into useful electrical power. These two piezoelectric MEMS generators are of cantilever type made by a silicon process and which can transform mechanical energy into electrical energy through its piezoelectric PZT layers. We developed a PZT deposition machine which uses an aerosol deposition method to fabricate the high-quality PZT thin film efficiently. Our experimental results show that our {3-1} mode device possesses a maximum open circuit output voltage of 2.675 V P-P and a maximum output power of 2.765 μW with 1.792 V P-P output voltage excited at a resonant frequency of 255.9 Hz under a 2.5 g acceleration level. The {3-3} mode device possessed a maximum open circuit output voltage of 4.127 V P-P and a maximum output power of 1.288 μW with 2.292 V P-P output voltage at its resonant frequency of 214 Hz at a 2g acceleration. We also compared the output characteristics of both the {3-1} mode and the {3-3} mode piezoelectric MEMS generators which were both excited at a 2g acceleration level.

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This study illustrates the necessity for pathologic diagnosis of pauci-immune GN despite ANCA negativity. The poor prognosis associated with ANCA negativity in this study may be partly due to delayed diagnosis since these patients frequently lacked systemic involvement.