The initiation of stomata, microscopic valves in the epidermis of higher plants that control of gas exchange, requires a co-ordinated sequence of asymmetric and symmetric divisions, which is under tight environmental and developmental control. Arabidopsis leaves grown under elevated photosynthetic photon flux density have a higher density of stomata. STOMAGEN encodes an epidermal patterning factor produced in the mesophyll, and our observations indicated that elevated photosynthetic irradiation stimulates STOMAGEN expression. Our analysis of gain and loss of function of STOMAGEN further detailed its function as a positive regulator of stomatal formation on both sides of the leaf, not only in terms of stomatal density across the leaf surface but also in terms of their stomatal index. STOMAGEN function was rate limiting for the light response of the stomatal lineage in the adaxial epidermis. Mutants in pathways that regulate stomatal spacing in the epidermis and have elevated stomatal density, such as stomatal density and distribution (sdd1) and too many mouth alleles, displayed elevated STOMAGEN expression, suggesting that STOMAGEN is either under the direct control of these pathways or is indirectly affected by stomatal patterning, suggestive of a feedback mechanism. These observations support a model in which changes in levels of light irradiation are perceived in the mesophyll and control the production of stomata in the epidermis by mesophyll-produced STOMAGEN, and whereby, conversely, stomatal patterning, either directly or indirectly, influences STOMAGEN levels.

• MeSH
• Arabidopsis genetics   growth & development   metabolism   radiation effects   MeSH
• Photosynthesis MeSH
• Plant Leaves growth & development   metabolism   radiation effects   MeSH
• Arabidopsis Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Stomata genetics   growth & development   metabolism   radiation effects   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Plant radiation effects   MeSH
• Signal Transduction MeSH
• Light MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental radiation effects   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Stomata modulate the exchange of water and CO2between plant and atmosphere. Although stomatal density is known to affect CO2diffusion into the leaf and thus photosynthetic rate, the effect of stomatal density and patterning on CO2assimilation is not fully understood. We used wild types Col-0 and C24 and stomatal mutants sdd1-1 and tmm1 of Arabidopsis thaliana, differing in stomatal density and pattern, to study the effects of these variations on both stomatal and mesophyll conductance and CO2assimilation rate. Anatomical parameters of stomata, leaf temperature and carbon isotope discrimination were also assessed. Our results indicate that increased stomatal density enhanced stomatal conductance in sdd1-1 plants, with no effect on photosynthesis, due to both unchanged photosynthetic capacity and decreased mesophyll conductance. Clustering (abnormal patterning formed by clusters of two or more stomata) and a highly unequal distribution of stomata between the adaxial and abaxial leaf sides in tmm1 mutants also had no effect on photosynthesis. Except at very high stomatal densities, stomatal conductance and water loss were proportional to stomatal density. Stomatal formation in clusters reduced stomatal dynamics and their operational range as well as the efficiency of CO2transport.

• MeSH
• Arabidopsis genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Photosynthesis genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Plants, Genetically Modified genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Carbon Isotopes metabolism   MeSH
• Carbon Dioxide metabolism   MeSH
• Arabidopsis Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Stomata genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Guard cells on the leaf epidermis regulate stomatal opening for gas exchange between plants and the atmosphere, allowing a balance between photosynthesis and transpiration. Given that guard cells possess several characteristics of sink tissues, their metabolic activities should largely depend on mesophyll-derived sugars. Early biochemical studies revealed sugar uptake into guard cells. However, the transporters that are involved and their relative contribution to guard cell function are not yet known. Here, we identified the monosaccharide/proton symporters Sugar Transport Protein 1 and 4 (STP1 and STP4) as the major plasma membrane hexose sugar transporters in the guard cells of Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that their combined action is required for glucose import to guard cells, providing carbon sources for starch accumulation and light-induced stomatal opening that are essential for plant growth. These findings highlight mesophyll-derived glucose as an important metabolite connecting stomatal movements with photosynthesis.

• MeSH
• Arabidopsis * genetics   MeSH
• Glucose MeSH
• Arabidopsis Proteins * genetics   MeSH
• Plant Stomata MeSH
• Light MeSH
• Carbon MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Element content and expression of genes of interest on single cell types, such as stomata, provide valuable insights into their specific physiology, improving our understanding of leaf gas exchange regulation. We investigated how far differences in stomatal conductance (gs ) can be ascribed to changes in guard cells functioning in amphistomateous leaves. gs was measured during the day on both leaf sides, on well-watered and drought-stressed trees (two Populus euramericana Moench and two Populus nigra L. genotypes). In parallel, guard cells were dissected for element content and gene expressions analyses. Both were strongly arranged according to genotype, and drought had the lowest impact overall. Normalizing the data by genotype highlighted a structure on the basis of leaf sides and time of day both for element content and gene expression. Guard cells magnesium, phosphorus, and chlorine were the most abundant on the abaxial side in the morning, where gs was at the highest. In contrast, genes encoding H+ -ATPase and aquaporins were usually more abundant in the afternoon, whereas genes encoding Ca2+ -vacuolar antiporters, K+ channels, and ABA-related genes were in general more abundant on the adaxial side. Our work highlights the unique physiology of each leaf side and their analogous rhythmicity through the day.

• MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• DNA, Complementary genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Plant Leaves genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Electron Probe Microanalysis MeSH
• Droughts MeSH
• Populus classification   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Proton-Translocating ATPases genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Stomata genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Plant MeSH
• RNA, Plant genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Plant Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Trees genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Transpiration physiology   MeSH
• Water physiology   MeSH
• Plant Development MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Stomatal ontogenesis, patterning, and function are hallmarks of environmental plant adaptation, especially to conditions limiting plant growth, such as elevated temperatures and reduced water availability. The specification and distribution of a stomatal cell lineage and its terminal differentiation into guard cells require a master regulatory protein phosphorylation cascade involving the YODA mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase. YODA signaling results in the activation of MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASEs (MPK3 and MPK6), which regulate transcription factors, including SPEECHLESS (SPCH). Here, we report that acute heat stress affects the phosphorylation and deactivation of SPCH and modulates stomatal density. By using complementary molecular, genetic, biochemical, and cell biology approaches, we provide solid evidence that HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS 90 (HSP90s) play a crucial role in transducing heat-stress response through the YODA cascade. Genetic studies revealed that YODA and HSP90.1 are epistatic, and they likely function linearly in the same developmental pathway regulating stomata formation. HSP90s interact with YODA, affect its cellular polarization, and modulate the phosphorylation of downstream targets, such as MPK6 and SPCH, under both normal and heat-stress conditions. Thus, HSP90-mediated specification and differentiation of the stomatal cell lineage couples stomatal development to environmental cues, providing an adaptive heat stress response mechanism in plants.

• MeSH
• Arabidopsis physiology   MeSH
• Cell Differentiation MeSH
• Cell Division MeSH
• Cell Lineage MeSH
• Epigenesis, Genetic MeSH
• Phosphorylation MeSH
• Cotyledon cytology   MeSH
• MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases metabolism   MeSH
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases metabolism   MeSH
• Mutation MeSH
• Arabidopsis Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Plant Stomata cytology   growth & development   metabolism   MeSH
• Heat-Shock Response * MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Plant MeSH
• Signal Transduction MeSH
• Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Binding MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most prevalent oral mucosal immunological diseases. A recent case-control study in the Egyptian population suggested that single nucleotide polymorphism Gly54Asp (rs1800450) of the mannose-binding lectin 2 gene might affect the mannose-binding lectin serum level and recurrent aphthous stomatitis development. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of six functional mannose-binding lectin 2 gene polymorphisms and analyse their role in recurrent aphthous stomatitis susceptibility in the Czech population. METHODS: The study included 227 subjects; 137 healthy people and 90 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Six mannose-binding lectin 2 gene polymorphisms (rs11003125, rs7096206, rs7095891, rs5030737, rs1800450, rs1800451) were analysed by the SNaPshot assay method, mannose-binding lectin serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in a subgroup of subjects (N = 87). RESULTS: No significant differences in mean of mannose-binding lectin serum levels between healthy controls and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis were observed (383 ng/ml ± 249 standard deviation (SD) vs. 316 ng/ml ± 177 SD in remission phase vs. 343 ng/ml ± 254 SD in active phase; p > 0.05), also the allele and genotype frequencies of the studied mannose-binding lectin 2 polymorphisms did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05, odds ratio (OR): 0.75-1.23). Moreover, the distribution of mannose-binding lectin 2 haplotypes and haplogenotypes was similar in the healthy subjects and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (p > 0.05, OR: 0.75-1.23). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not confirm the previously reported association of the mannose-binding lectin 2 Gly54Asp gene variant and low mannose-binding lectin serum level as the risk factors for susceptibility to recurrent aphthous stomatitis. In addition, no significant relationships between mannose-binding lectin 2 functional haplotypes or haplogenotypes and recurrent aphthous stomatitis were observed.

• MeSH
• Stomatitis, Aphthous * genetics   MeSH
• Gene Frequency MeSH
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide MeSH
• Mannose-Binding Lectin MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Úvod a cíl: Při terapii recidivující aftózní stomatitidy (RAS) se doporučuje tzv. Škachova kúra, při které pacienti užívají kyselinu listovou a vitamin B6. Kyselina listová je v organismu využitelná pouze ve formě aktivního folátu (vitamin B9); v metabolické přeměně sehrává důležitou úlohu enzym methylentetrahydrofolát reduktáza (MTHFR), jehož funkčnost je zásadně ovlivněna genovými polymorfismy. Cílem práce bylo ověřit předpoklad, že podání aktivní formy kyseliny listové spolu s vitaminy B6 a D3 může pozitivně ovlivnit četnost výsevu aft i průběh jejich hojení u pacientů s RAS. Metody: V rámci pilotní studie jsme klinicky vyšetřili deset pacientů, u nichž jsme analyzovali haplogenotypy v genu MTHFR. Podmínky pro zařazení pacientů s RAS byly: věk 18–50 let, česká národnost, geneticky podmíněná snížená schopnost metabolizovat kyselinu listovou (špatný metabolizátor – PM nebo intermediární – IM) a nepřítomnost systémového onemocnění (Crohnova choroba, Behçetova choroba, onemocnění ledvin a další nemoci). Farmakoterapie v upraveném designu dvojitě zaslepené zkřížené studie (cross-over design) probíhala od jara 2018 v délce trvání tří měsíců. Pacientům byl ve třífázovém schématu podáván aktivní folát (glukosaminová sůl 5-methylfolátu), vitaminy B6 a D3, po dobu terapie nesměli užívat žádné jiné potravinové doplňky. Vedli si denní záznamy o svém zdravotním stavu a možných rizikových faktorech RAS a byli v měsíčních intervalech klinicky i laboratorně vyšetřeni. Zaznamenali jsme jak subjektivní hodnocení efektu terapie pacienty, tak i získaná laboratorní data, která byla vyhodnocena statistickým softwarem Statistica v.13. Výsledky: Do studie jsme zařadili tři muže a sedm žen s RAS ve věku 28 až 47 let; tři z nich byli podle genového profilu MTHFR definováni jako PM a sedm jako IM kyseliny listové. Podle subjektivního hodnocení jedna pacientka udala zhoršení stavu, dva pacienti nepozorovali během terapie změnu svého zdravotního stavu a sedm osob bylo spokojeno, neboť u nich došlo k méně častému/žádnému výsevu aft a/nebo doba hojení byla významně kratší. Subjektivní hodnocení terapie pozitivně korelovalo s objektivním klinickým nálezem (r = 0,993, p < 0,001). Z laboratorní analýzy vyplynulo, že podání vitaminu D3 signifikantně zvýšilo sérové koncentrace 25-OH D3 z nízkých/limitních na optimální hodnoty. Medián koncentrací před zahájením studie byl 54,2 nmoll-1, těsně před podáním 68,1 nmoll-1 versus měsíc po podání 96,6 nmoll-1 (norma: 50–175 nmoll-1), (p ≤ 0,01). Další sledované parametry, jako koncentrace kyseliny listové v séru, homocysteinu, ALT, AST a krevní obraz, byly u pacientů ve fyziologickém rozmezí před terapií i po ní. Závěr: Navržená modifikace Škachovy vitaminové kúry se zdá být vhodná pro léčbu pacientů s RAS, u kterých je genetická predispozice ke snížené funkci enzymu MTHFR, neboť během našeho pozorování došlo u 70 % pacientů k subjektivnímu i objektivnímu zlepšení stavu.

SUMMARY Introduction, aim: When treating recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), a so-called Skach‘s therapy, in which patients are administered folic acid and vitamin B6, is recommended. The human body can process folic acid only in the form of active folate (vitamin B9); methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) plays an important role in metabolic transformation, function of this enzyme is fundamentally influenced by gene polymorphisms. The aim of the study was to verify the assumption that administration of the active form of folic acid together with vitamins B6 and D3 can positively affect the frequency of aphthae/ulcers eruption and the course of their healing in patients with RAS. Methods: In the pilot study, we clinically examined ten patients in whom we analyzed haplogenotypes in the MTHFR gene. Conditions for inclusion of patients with RAS were: age 18–50 years, Czech nationality, genetically impaired ability to metabolize folic acid (poor metaboliser – PM or intermediate – IM) and the absence of systemic disease (Crohn‘s disease, Behçet‘s disease, kidney disease and other diseases). Pharmacotherapy in a modified double-crossed blind study (cross-over design) ran from spring 2018 and lasted three months. Patients were treated with active folate (glucosamine salt 5-methylfolate), vitamins B6 and D3 in the three-phase regimen, they were not allowed to use any other food supplements during the therapy. They kept daily records of their health status and possible risk factors for RAS and were examined clinically and in the laboratory at monthly intervals. We recorded both the subjective evaluation of the effect of the therapy by patients and the obtained laboratory data, which were evaluated by statistical software Statistica v.13. Results: The study was comprised of three men and seven women with RAS, aged 28 to 47 years; according to the MTHFR gene profile, three were defined as PM and seven as IM of folic acid. Based on the subjective assessment, one patient reported a deterioration, two patients did not observe a change in their health state during therapy, and seven were satisfied because they had a lower or no aphthae eruption and/or healing time was significantly shorter. Subjective evaluation of therapy positively correlated with objective clinical finding (r = 0.993, P < 0.001). The laboratory analysis showed that administration of vitamin D3 significantly increased serum concentrations of 25-OH D3 from low/limit to optimal values, median of concentrations prior to study was 54.2 nmoll-1, just before administration 68.1 nmoll-1 vs. month after administration 96.6 nmoll-1 (norm: 50–175 nmoll-1), (P ≤ 0.01). The other studied parameters, such as concentration of folic acid in serum, homocysteine, ALT, AST, and blood count, were within the physiological range before and after therapy. Conclusion: The proposed modification of Skach‘s vitamin therapy seems to be appropriate for the treatment of patients suffering from RAS with genetic predisposition for reduced MTHFR function as during our observation, 70% of patients experienced subjective and objective improvement of their state.

• MeSH
• Stomatitis, Aphthous * therapy   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Pharmacogenetics MeSH
• Clinical Studies as Topic MeSH
• Folic Acid therapeutic use   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Vitamin D therapeutic use   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Genetic factors, especially those related to immune system functioning, have been intensively studied to determine their role in the development of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The aim of the present study was to analyze gene variability in interleukin (IL)2, IL4 (and its receptor α, IL4Rα), IL10, and IL13, which were selected based on literature review and/or their functional relevance, in Czech patients with RAS and in healthy controls. In total, 252 subjects (178 controls and 74 patients with RAS) were enrolled in this case-control study, and their detailed anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained. Nine polymorphisms in the genes encoding interleukins were determined using PCR techniques. There were no significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies of the IL2, IL4, IL4Rα, IL10, and IL13 polymorphisms rs2069762/rs2069763, rs2243250/rs79071878, rs1801275, rs1800896, and rs1800925, respectively, between controls and patients with RAS. The minority alleles rs1800871 and rs1800872, which encode variants of IL10, were associated with a statistically significantly higher risk of RAS, as confirmed by the results of genotype and haplotype analyses. We suggest that variability in the IL10 gene may play an important role in the development of RAS in the Czech population.

• MeSH
• Stomatitis, Aphthous epidemiology   immunology   MeSH
• Alleles MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Gene Frequency MeSH
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease MeSH
• Genetic Variation * MeSH
• Genotype MeSH
• Haplotypes MeSH
• Interleukin-10 genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Interleukin-13 genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Interleukin-2 genetics   MeSH
• Interleukin-4 genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Interleukins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Molecular Epidemiology * MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• Polymorphism, Genetic MeSH
• Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Cytokinins (CKs) are phytohormones regulating plant growth and development as well as response to the environment. In order to evaluate their function in heat stress (HS) responses, the effect of CK elevation was determined during three types of HS - targeted to shoots, targeted to roots and applied to the whole plant. The early (30min) and longer term (3h) responses were followed at the hormonal, transcriptomic and proteomic levels in Arabidopsis transformants with dexamethasone-inducible expression of the CK biosynthetic gene isopentenyltransferase (ipt) and the corresponding wild-type (Col-0). Combination of hormonal and phenotypic analyses showed transient up-regulation of the CK/abscisic acid ratio, which controls stomatal aperture, to be more pronounced in the transformant. HS responses of the root proteome and Rubisco-immunodepleted leaf proteome were followed using 2-D gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF. More than 100 HS-responsive proteins were detected, most of them being modulated by CK increase. Proteome and transcriptome analyses demonstrated that CKs have longer term positive effects on the stress-related proteins and transcripts, as well as on the photosynthesis-related ones. Transient accumulation of CKs and stimulation of their signal transduction in tissue(s) not exposed to HS indicate that they are involved in plant stress responses.

• MeSH
• Alkyl and Aryl Transferases physiology   MeSH
• Arabidopsis drug effects   metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• Cytokinins physiology   MeSH
• Dexamethasone pharmacology   MeSH
• Plant Roots metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• Abscisic Acid physiology   MeSH
• Proteomics MeSH
• Heat-Shock Response physiology   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Plant physiology   MeSH
• Plant Growth Regulators physiology   MeSH
• Signal Transduction drug effects   physiology   MeSH
• Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization MeSH
• Gene Expression Profiling MeSH
• Plant Shoots metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• Hot Temperature MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

U staršího pacienta musíme jakoukoli medikaci podávat obezřetně. O chemoterapii to platí dvojnásob. Kontraindikací chemoterapie není věk, nicméně tato onkologická léčba musí být většinou přizpůsobena celkovému stavu, komorbiditám a orgánovým funkcím pacienta. Podpůrná léčba a ošetřovatelská péče jsou zde zásadní.

Any medication in elderly patients must be carefully indicated. In chemotherapy, this is double times valid. The age is not a contraindication of chemotherapy, however, this must be adjusted in respect to the performance status, comorbidities and organ functions in a patient. Supportive and nursing care are of very high importance.

• MeSH
• Anemia drug therapy   chemically induced   MeSH
• Erythropoietin therapeutic use   MeSH
• Chemotherapy-Induced Febrile Neutropenia prevention & control   MeSH
• Frail Elderly * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Neoplasms * drug therapy   MeSH
• Nausea prevention & control   MeSH
• Candidiasis, Oral drug therapy   chemically induced   MeSH
• Antineoplastic Agents * adverse effects   MeSH
• Diarrhea chemically induced   prevention & control   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Stomatitis chemically induced   prevention & control   therapy   MeSH
• Constipation drug therapy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH