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The xylem undergoes physiological changes in response to various environmental conditions during the process of plant growth. To understand these physiological changes, it is extremely important to observe the transport of xylem. In this study, the distribution and structure of vascular bundle in Lilium lancifolium were observed using the method of semithin section. Methods for introducing a fluorescent tracer into the xylem of the stems were evaluated. Then, the transport rule of 5(6)-Carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) in the xylem of the stem of L. lancifolium was studied by fluorescence dye in live cells tracer technology. The results showed that the vascular bundles of L. lancifolium were scattered in the basic tissue, the peripheral vascular bundles were smaller and densely distributed, and the closer to the center, the larger the volume of vascular bundles and the more sparsely distributed. The vascular bundles of L. lancifolium are limited external tenacity vascular bundles, which are composed of phloem and xylem. The most suitable method for CFDA labeling the xylem of isolated stem segments of L. lancifolium was solution soaking for 24 h. The running speed of CF in the isolated stem was 0.3 cm/h, which was consistent with the running speed of the material in the field. CF could be transported between the xylem and parenchyma cells, indicating that the material transport in the xylem could be through the symplastic pathway. The above results laid a foundation for the study of the xylem transport mechanism and the xylem pathogen disease of lily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bordetella holmesii is a bacterium recently recognized in 1995. It is a gram-negative coccobacillus that can cause pertussis-like symptoms in humans as well as invasive infections. It is often confused with Bordetella pertussis because routine diagnostic tests for whooping cough are not species-specific. The prevalence of B. holmesii as a cause of pertussis has increased in several countries. Therefore, B. holmesii assays are important for determining the epidemiology of pertussis, for the choice of an effective treatment, and for detecting vaccination failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotizing pneumonia (NP) is a serious and rare disease in children. Pediatric data on NP are limited and the impact of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been very poorly evaluated. We conducted a retrospective study at Toulouse University Hospital between 2008 and 2018. Children who presented with thin-walled cavities in the areas of parenchymal consolidation on imaging were included in the study. The incidence of NP did not decrease during this period. Bacterial identification occurred in 56% of cases (14/25) and included six cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae , five of Staphylococcus aureus , two of Streptococcus pyogenes , and one of Streptococcus viridans. Streptococcus pneumoniae NP are more frequently associated with empyema/parapneumonic effusion compared to S. aureus NP (p = 0.02). Patients with S. pyogenes NP more often required volume expansion than did S. pneumoniae cases (p = 0.03). When comparing children born before and after implementation of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, we identified a relative modification of the bacterial epidemiology, with an increase in the proportion of S. pyogenes NP and S. aureus NP and a decrease in the proportion of NP caused by S. pneumoniae. Future studies are needed to assess the epidemiology of NP in children. Continued surveillance of identified pneumococcal serotypes is essential to document epidemiological changes in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently develops in patients receiving cancer therapy and requires a wide differential diagnosis due to possible role of unique cancer and drug-related factors, in addition to common pre- and post-renal causes. Rapid development of new molecular targeted anti-cancer drugs and immunotherapies has opened unprecedented possibilities of treatment at the price of an increased spectrum of renal side effects. The present review aims at providing a state-of-the-art picture of AKI in cancer patient (PubMed and Embase libraries were searched from inception to January 2024), with a focus on differential diagnosis and management of diverse clinical settings. Reports of parenchymal AKI due to glomerular, microvascular, tubular and interstitial damage have been constantly increasing. Complex electrolyte and acid-base disorders can coexist. The role of renal biopsy and possible therapeutic approaches are also discussed. Onconephrology has become an important subspecialty of clinical nephrology, requiring constantly updated skills and a high degree of interdisciplinary integration to tackle diagnostic challenges and even therapeutic and ethical dilemmas. Integrated onconephrological guidelines and availability of biomarkers may provide new tools for management of this unique type of patients in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants of Opuntia have modified stems, which are called cladodes, and are specialized structures able to photosynthesize. This study was conducted in order to compare the anatomy of the cladodes of the fruitproducing cultivars Floreadora, Moradaza, and Solferino of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.). The thickness of cladodes, cuticle, epidermis, collenchyma, parenchyma cell walls, and xylem walls was measured; the number of cell strata of the epidermis, collenchyma, parenchyma cells, xylem vessels, and calcium oxalate crystals (druse), were counted, as well as the perimeter of parenchyma cells, xylem vessels, and mucilage cells. A completely randomized experimental design with three replications was used. Among the most outstanding results, it was determined that the cv. Solferino presented the greatest thickness of cladodes, cuticle, collenchyma, collenchyma strata, and druses, and the greatest number of parenchyma cells. Such findings may have interpretations for the adaptation of the Opuntia plants to certain extreme environments. This is because a thicker cuticle, epidermis, collenchyma, and parenchyma in these plants can improve survival and growth in arid conditions. At the same time, these characteristics can optimize the efficient use of water, while providing greater protection of the inner tissues. All of the above has applicability for the selection and cultivation of promising genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease that most commonly affects women of reproductive age. The disease is manifested by diffuse destruction of the pulmonary parenchyma with the formation of cysts on a characteristic finding of multidetector computerized tomography (MD-CT) of the chest. It is thought that the presence of cells with estrogen and progesterone receptors among proliferating smooth muscle cells lead to the spread of cystic structures lined by endothelial cells. Towards the end of pregnancy and after childbirth, collapse of the lung parenchyma or rupture of the cyst wall occurs causing a dramatic clinical picture in the form of pneumothorax. Sirolimus is the only drug of choice that should improve and stabilize the patient's pulmonary function and quality of life. Unfortunately, this drug is not always effective enough, so only option for treatment is bilateral lung transplantation. The authors present the patient in the last trimester of pregnancy who was admitted to the hospital with clinical picture of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. Dramatic picture of pneumothorax could not be solved solely by drainage in which atypical segmental resection of the lung was performed within a few days so on these samples lymphangioleiomyomatosis were diagnosed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La pyélonéphrite xanthogranulomateuse est une pyélonéphrite chronique caractérisée par une réaction granulomateuse inflammatoire destructrice du parenchyme rénal. C'est une entité rare dont l'atteinte peut être diffuse avec une extension vers les organes de voisinage, notamment vers la peau. Un patient âgé de 73 ans, présentait depuis trois ans des nodules fistulisés et douloureux de la paroi abdominale. La tomodensitométrie et l'imagerie par résonance magnétique abdominale concluaient au diagnostic d'une pyélonéphrite xanthogranulomateuse avec extension à la peau, au côlon et au muscle psoas. Une double antibiothérapie permettait une amélioration des lésions cutanées. Une néphrectomie totale gauche était proposée au patient, mais refusée par ce dernier qui a été perdu de vue par la suite. Nous rapportons une observation originale de pyélonéphrite xanthogranulomateuse révélée par des nodules cutanés de la paroi abdominale avec une extension vers la peau, le côlon et le muscle psoas. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a chronic pyelonephritis characterized by an inflammatory granulomatous reaction that destroys the renal parenchyma. It is an uncommon entity. Diffuse inflammation has the potential to spread to nearby organs, especially the skin. A 73-year-old patient presented with a three-year history of painful and fistulized nodules on the abdominal wall. The results of abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis with extension to the skin, colon, and psoas muscle. The skin lesions were improved by a double antibiotic therapy. The patient was advised to have a radical left nephrectomy, but he refused surgery and was then lost to follow-up. We report an uncommon case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis revealed by cutaneous nodules of the abdominal wall, with an extension toward the skin, the colon and the psoas muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staminal nectaries show diversity in their position, size, shape, color, and number in Ranunculales. In Papaveraceae, nectaries only appear at the base of stamen in these lineages with disymmetric and zygomorphic flowers. However, the diversity of the staminal nectaries' developmental characteristics and structure is unknown. The diversity of staminal nectaries of Hypecoum erectum, Ichtyoselmis macrantha, Adlumia asiatica, Dactylicapnos torulosa, Corydalis edulis, and Fumaria officinalis (six species belonging to six genera, respectively) in the Fumarioideae was investigated under scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In all species studied, according to the developmental characteristics of the nectaries, four developmental stages can be divided into initiation, enlargement, differentiation, and maturation, and the number of nectaries can be determined at the stage of initiation (stage 1), and morphological differentiation occurs at the developmental stage 3. The staminal nectaries consist of secretory epidermis, parenchyma tissue, and phloem with some sieve tube elements reaching the secretory parenchyma cells; however, the number of cell layers of parenchyma can vary from 30 to 40 in I. macrantha and D. torulosa, to only 5 to 10 like in F. officinalis. Secretory epidermis cells are larger than secretory parenchyma cells with abundant microchannels on the outer cell wall. There were abundant mitochondria, Golgi bodies, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and plastids in secretory parenchyma cells. Nectar is stored in the intercellular space and exuded to the exterior via microchannels. In A. asiatica, according to the evidence of small secretory cell characteristics such as dense cytoplasm, and numerous mitochondria, together with the filamentous secretions present on the surface of epidermal cells on groove, it can be inferred that the U-shaped sulcate which is located in the white projection formed at the filament of triplets in A. asiatica is nectariferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corynebacterium kutscheri infection in rodents is usually related to stressful conditions. In this study, C. kutscheri infection has been reported that occurred as a complication in rats subjected to intense swimming stress during an experimental study. Weight loss, indifference to the environment, fluffy feathers, and hunched posture were observed in affected rats. The lungs contained numerous, randomly distributed, variably sized, slightly raised, cream-colored caseopurulent foci. There were occasional weak adhesions between the lung lobes and the adjacent costal pleura. Multifocal to coalescing necro-suppurative pneumonia with intralesional scattered large colonies of bacteria was observed histopathologically. Adjacent in the pulmonary parenchyma, interalveolar hypercellularity, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, fibrinonecrotic vasculitis, and pleuritis were observed. Brown-Breen staining revealed gram-positive cocobacilli in the lesion areas. Furthermore, cardiac lesions in which the atria were more severely affected than the ventricles were identified. This lesion was characterized by thickening of the epicardium with intense infiltrates of macrophages admixed with scattered neutrophils. In severely affected rats, this lesion was also involved to the underlying myocardium. Bacterial culture yielded positive growth for C. kutsheri from the lesioned organ. Polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the presence of genetic material for C. kutscheri. As a result, it was revealed that Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with C. kutscheri due to intense exercise stress. Periodic controls of C. kutscheri have been suggested in units where experimental animals are raised, both because of its negative effects on the results of the studies to be conducted and because of its zoonotic nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Congenital pulmonary malformations (CPMs) are rare in children. This study aimed to describe the clinical, imaging characteristics, and treatment of patients with this pathology. Methods: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study with data from patients with CPMs diagnosed at Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño-Breña (Lima-Peru), from January 2010 to December 2020. We described CPM clinical and imaging characteristics, type and treatment. Results: The sample was formed of 70 patients. The median age was 29 months (range 15 days-14 years) and the male/female ratio was 1.4. The chest tomography found parenchymal involvement in 50 (71.4%) cases and mixed involvement (parenchymal and vascular) in 18 (25.7%) cases. Congenital malformation of the pulmonary airway was present in 39 (55.7%) cases, followed by bronchogenic cyst in 10 (14.3%), intralobar pulmonary sequestration in 9 (12.9%), and extralobar pulmonary sequestration in 7 (10%). Lobectomy was performed in 61 (87.1%) cases, cystectomy in 5 (7.1%), segmentectomy in 2 (2.9%), and embolization in 2 (2.9%). The most frequent post-operative complication was pneumonia, found in 9 (12.9%) cases. The median hospital stay was 26 days. No patient died during hospitalization. Conclusions: In our institution, the most frequent CPM was congenital malformation of the pulmonary airway, and lobectomy was the most frequently performed surgical procedure. CPMs represent a diverse group of disorders of lung development with varied imaging patterns and clinical manifestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Splenosis is the presence of ectopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue in various compartments of the human body, occurring after rupture of the splenic parenchyma. Methods. A systematic PubMed and Scopus search was conducted. Results. The mean age of the patients was 51.7 years. The majority of patients were of female gender. An emergency presentation was noted in 30 out of 85 patients, having abdominal pain as main symptom. The principal reason for splenectomy were traffic accidents. The time span between splenectomy and the initial symptoms ranged between 1 and 57 years. The most frequent symptom at presentation of pelvic splenosis was abdominal pain. Almost a quarter of the included patients were without any symptom. Presence of extrapelvic splenosis was descripted in almost half of the included patients. With regards to the type of treatment provided, exploratory laparotomy, laparoscopic surgical exploration / laparoscopy, robotic removal of splenium and watchful waiting, were performed in 35 (41.2%), 32 (37.6%), 3 (3.5%) and 15 (16.3%) patients, respectively. No fatality was reported. Conclusion. Pelvic splenosis is a rare clinical condition. It may mimic several clinical conditions and mislead diagnosis. The clinical history of splenectomy for trauma or different other reasons may establish diagnosis and exclude other morbidities. Excision and complete removal of pelvic splenosis nodules is not always necessary and it depends on the clinical symptomatology. Careful imaging and precise assessment with the assistance of nuclear medicine may lead to correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We report our initial experience with intrathoracic negative pressure therapy (ITNPT) in the stage-adjusted treatment of pleural empyema (PE) based on a case series. Materials and methods: ITNPT represents a further development for intrathoracic use. After thoracic surgical open debridement, an intrathoracic negative pressure dressing was inserted. The drainage elements were a thin open-pore double-layer drainage film (OF) with open-pore polyurethane foams (PUF). Only the OF was placed in direct contact with the lung parenchyma. Negative pressure was generated using an electronic pump (continuous suction, −75 mm Hg). In revision thoracotomies, ITNPT was stopped or continued depending on local findings. Results: In total, 31 patients with stage II and III pleural empyema underwent ITNPT, which was administered during the primary procedure (n = 17) or at revision (n = 14). Treatment duration was a mean of 10 days (2–18 days) with a mean change interval of 4 days (2–6 days). Intrathoracic negative pressure dressings were applied a mean of 3.5 (1–6) times. The empyema cavity continuously reduced in size and was cleansed by the suction. The OF has a minimum intrinsic volume with maximum absorption surface. Once negative pressure is established, there is no intrathoracic dead volume and the parenchyma can expand. The protective material properties of OF make ITNPT suitable for the treatment of pleural empyema. Targeted local intrathoracic drainage of the septic focus is a possible adjunct to surgery. The surgical dressings must be changed repeatedly. The method is suitable for the treatment of complex stage II and III pleural empyemas. Conclusion: The OF can be used as an intrathoracic drainage element for ITNPT in pleural empyema. This new application option expands the range of indications for negative pressure therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mabea fistulifera, a species pollinated mainly by diurnal and nocturnal vertebrates, presents pendulous inflorescences with approximately 70 pairs of nuptial nectaries (NNs). These NNs exude voluminous nectar drops that defy gravity, remaining exposed at the inflorescence for more than a day. We aimed to investigate the NN secretory process and the unique nectar presentation of M. fistulifera. NNs and their exudate were collected at different secretory stages and submitted to structural studies and chemical analysis. The epidermis is devoid of stomata and constitutes the main site of synthesis for non-sugar metabolites found on nectar and nectar-coating film. Nectary parenchyma presents few small starch grains, and vascular strands are distributed until the nectary parenchyma cells close to the epidermis. Vascular tissues at the nectary parenchyma seem to provide sugar and water for the nectar. A film composed of lipids, alkaloids, and proteins covers the nectar drops. The film guarantees the nectar offering for several hours, as it minimizes water loss and prevents falls by gravitational action. The release of large nectar drops is intrinsically linked to the NN anatomical traits and the exudate composition. Low sugar concentration and predominance of hexoses in M. fistulifera nectar are essential for maintaining nectar exudation for many hours, which results in the visitation of a broad spectrum of pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fast-growing Zara plant (a putative hybrid of Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) is usually planted for cattle fodder. For the first time, Zara plant was evaluated for its pulping potential based on anatomical, chemical, and morphological characteristics. This plant was characterized by an acceptable amount of α-cellulose (40.32%) and lignin (18.4%), with medium fiber length (1.09 mm). Soda-anthraquinone (AQ) pulping of Zara plant was investigated. Anatomically, stems of Zara plant had porous structure, mainly composed of vascular bundles surrounded by parenchyma tissue. Consequently, they were easier to delignify and defibrate, and a pulp yield of 46.54% was obtained, with kappa number 15.45 under the conditions of 14% alkali charge for 120 min of cooking at 150 ℃. Good papermaking properties were observed, the tensile index was 78.9 N.m/g at 43 °SR. The resulting pulps showed good bleachability in elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching sequences (D0(EP)D1). Pulp brightness of 81.5%, with the viscosity of 16.0 mPaS, was obtained, with the consumption of 25 kg ClO2/ton of pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracosis is the blackish pigmentation of the lung parenchyma and tracheobronchial tree. A female Lion Tailed Macaque aged 19 years was being kept captive in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo for 17 years. On 30th November 2019, the animal was found dead in the zoo and was subjected to a necropsy at the zoo hospital. The necropsy revealed diffused black deposits throughout the lungs on gross examination. On histopathological analysis, blackish deposits could be found throughout the lung parenchyma as free particles in addition to those observed in macrophages. Vehicular emissions seem to have caused the condition to develop. This is the first reported case of anthracosis in a Lion Tailed Macaque. The condition can adversely affect the health and life expectancy of Lion Tailed Macaques. The conservation status of Lion Tailed Macaques makes it important to prevent such pathologies from affecting the relatively smaller population of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the effect of an ultrahigh b value of 3000 s/mm2 and the minimal TE of 53 ms on image quality and T2 shine-through effect in liver diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using a 3-Tesla MRI scanner with a peak gradient of 100 mT/m. Methods: At b values of 1000 and 3000 s/mm2 and at the minimal (44-53 ms) and routine TEs (70 ms), DWI of our original phantom and liver DWI in 10 healthy volunteers and 26 patients with 35 hepatic hemangiomas were acquired with this scanner, and the quantified SNR of the phantom and the hepatic parenchyma in the volunteers and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the hepatic hemangiomas were calculated; two independent readers qualitatively graded the overall image quality in the volunteers and determined the presence or absence of the T2 shine-through effect related to the hemangiomas in the patients. We compared the SNR and subjective overall image quality between the minimal and routine TEs and the CNR and incidence of the T2 shine-through effect between b values of 1000 and 3000 s/mm2. Interreader agreement was also evaluated. Results: The SNR at both b values was significantly higher, and the subjective overall image quality at a b value of 3000 s/mm² was significantly better at the minimal TE than at the routine TE (P < 0.05 for all). The CNR at both TEs and the incidence of the T2 shine-through effect at the minimal TE were significantly lower at a b value of 3000 s/mm2 than at a b value of 1000 s/mm² (P < 0.05 for all). Inter-reader agreement was excellent. Conclusion: Liver DWI at the ultrahigh b value can reduce the T2 shine-through effect with improvement of image quality using the minimal TE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the histochemical method, a qualitative comparative analysis of the accumulation of primary and transient starch in three selected populations of Miscanthus sacchariflorus and M. sinensis (genus Miscanthus Anderss) has been carried out. A high content (estimated at 5 points on a 5-point scale) of primary starch is found, which, as is known from the literature, is one of the characteristic features of plants with C4 photosynthesis. In addition, in the populations of both species, a high content of transient starch in the stem parenchyma is revealed, which we estimate at 4 points for M. sacchariflorus and 5 points for M. sinensis. Therefore, we propose, as an additional indicator, to study the transient starch contained in the stem parenchyma of C4 plants. For each population, depending on the primer used, 1 to 5 unique PCR fragments are found that are absent in other populations, on the basis of which the molecular genetic formulas used to certify these three selected populations are compiled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) tuberculomas often mimic tumors on conventional imaging, differentiation of which may not be possible without invasive tissue sampling. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), owing to its unrivalled property of characterizing molecular diffusion, may help in better lesion characterization and tractography may help understand the pattern of white matter involvement by tuberculomas. Purpose: To estimate qualitative and quantitative diffusion tensor changes in brain tuberculomas and to evaluate patterns of white matter involvement using 3D tractography. Material and Methods: Thirty patients with brain tuberculomas were evaluated on a 3-T magnetic resonance scanner. Diffusion tensor images were acquired along 20 non-colinear encoding directions with two b-values (b = 0, b = 1000). Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on quantitative fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in the center of the tuberculoma and perilesional area. Similar ROIs were placed in contralateral hemispheres for comparison. Tractography maps were also generated. Results: Mean FA in the center and perilesional area of tuberculomas were 0.098 ± 0.041 and 0.311 ± 0.135, respectively. ADC values in corresponding regions were 0.920 ± 0.272 ×10−3 mm2/s and 1.157 ± 0.277 ×10−3 mm2/s. These values were significantly different compared to contralateral similar brain parenchyma. Tractography revealed interruption of white fibers in the center with deviation of fibers at the periphery in the majority of tuberculomas with none showing infiltration of white matter described in tumors. Conclusion: Significant qualitative as well as quantitative DTI changes were seen in tuberculoma and perilesional areas compared to contralateral hemisphere with tractography showing a pattern different from that described in tumors. These findings may help to differentiate tuberculomas from infiltrating tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In preclinical studies, which are conducted to study the therapeutic effectiveness and pharmacological safety of biologically active compounds for the correction of autoimmune thyroiditis, various experimental models of this pathology are used in the experiment. In this work, we analyzed various models of thyroiditis that have been used for the past fifty years. Such an analysis made it possible to choose the most optimal model for the study of autoimmune pathology of the thyroid gland as well as for the correction of this condition. The analysis of known and the search for new pathogenetically justified models of autoimmune diseases of endocrine organs is a very urgent task. The aim of the work was to study the dynamics of changes in the histomorphological structure of the thyroid gland when modeling autoimmune thyroiditis in rats using an allogeneic antigen isolated from the human thyroid gland. The postoperative thyroid gland of a person was used as an antigen. Morphological changes in the thyroid gland were studied one, three and six months after the end of the simulation. It was found that the use of this type of immunization led to changes in the parenchyma of the gland, characteristic of autoimmune thyroiditis. Already one month after modeling, Gürtle cells, fibrosis, areas of lymphoid infiltration of the parenchyma were registered. These pathological changes persisted and worsened three and six months after the end of the simulation. The investigated type of model of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis is easily reproduced. Pathological changes in the gland deepen over time and are comparable to those that occur in people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE; Although the findings of acute new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection on dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) have recently been defined, the long-term changes in lung perfusion associated with COVID-19 pneumonia have not yet been clarified. We aimed to examine the longterm course of lung perfusion in COVID-19 pneumonia cases using DECT and to compare changes in lung perfusion to clinical and laboratory findings. METHODS; On initial and follow-up DECT scans, the presence and extent of perfusion deficit (PD) and parenchymal changes were assessed. The associations between PD presence and laboratory parameters, initial DECT severity score, and symptoms were evaluated. RESULTS: The study population included 18 females and 26 males with an average age of 61.32 ± 11.3 years. Follow-up DECT examinations were performed after the mean of 83.12 ± 7.1 (80-94 days) days. PDs were detected on the follow-up DECT scans of 16 (36.3%) patients. These 16 patients also had ground-glass parenchymal lesions on the follow-up DECT scans. Patients with persistent lung PDs had significantly higher mean initial D-dimer, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein values than patients without PDs. Patients with persistent PDs also had significantly higher rates of persistent symptoms. CONCLUSION: Ground-glass opacities and lung PDs associated with COVID-19 pneumonia can persist for up to 80-90 days. Dual-energy computed tomography can be used to reveal long-term parenchymal and perfusion changes. Persistent PDs are commonly seen together with persistent COVID-19 symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Directed cell migration is an essential building block of life, present when an embryo develops, a dendritic cell migrates toward a lymphatic vessel, or a fibrotic organ fails to restore its normal parenchyma. Directed cell migration is often guided by spatial gradients in a physicochemical property of the cell microenvironment, such as a gradient in chemical factors dissolved in the medium or a gradient in the mechanical properties of the substrate. Single cells and tissues sense these gradients, establish a back-to-front polarity, and coordinate the migration machinery accordingly. Central to these steps we find physical forces. In some cases, these forces are integrated into the gradient sensing mechanism. Other times, they transmit information through cells and tissues to coordinate a collective response. At any time, they participate in the cellular migratory system. In this review, we explore the role of physical forces in gradient sensing, polarization, and coordinating movement from single cells to multicellular collectives. We use the framework proposed by the molecular clutch model and explore to what extent asymmetries in the different elements of the clutch can lead to directional migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Iraqi dhub-lizard enters the hibernation when the temperature decreases in the winter. During this period, light microscopic analysis showed that the hepatic tissue is surrounded by a thin capsule composed mainly of collagen fibres. Trabeculae extended from this capsule towards the parenchyma were restricted to the subcapsular region and the liver tissue had no clear lobulation. Hepatocytes were arranged into one or two cell thick cords or acini contained three to five cells. Hepatocytes were polyhedral, oval and pyramidal in shape, and some of these cells demonstrated degenerative changes. Sinusoids appeared either as narrow irregular shape channels separating the hepatic cords with two layers of cells or wide channels separating the cords with one layer of cells. At the beginning of hibernation, application of the PAS technique revealed that glycogen granules spread heterogeneously within the hepatocyte cytoplasm and appeared dark pink in colour while at the end of hibernation these granules decreased in quantity and appeared light pink in colour. Large quantities of various-sized melanomacrophage aggregations were present in the liver tissue. The liver contained a very dense vascular system represented by the vessels of portal areas, the central veins, and the presence of hematopoietic tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive devices (LNG-IUDs) are designed to exhibit only local hormonal effects. There is an ongoing debate on whether LNG-IUDs can have side effects similar to systemic hormonal medication. Benign background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) in dynamic contrast–enhanced (DCE) MRI has been established as a sensitive marker of hormonal stimulation of the breast. We investigated the association between LNG-IUD use and BPE in breast MRI to further explore possible systemic effects of LNG-IUDs. Methods: Our hospital database was searched to identify premenopausal women without personal history of breast cancer, oophorectomy, and hormone replacement or antihormone therapy, who had undergone standardized DCE breast MRI at least twice, once with and without an LNG-IUD in place. To avoid confounding aging-related effects on BPE, half of included women had their first MRI without, the other half with, LNG-IUD in place. Degree of BPE was analyzed according to the ACR categories. Wilcoxon-matched-pairs signed-rank test was used to compare the distribution of ACR categories with vs. without LNG-IUD. Results: Forty-eight women (mean age, 46 years) were included. In 24/48 women (50% [95% CI: 35.9–64.1%]), ACR categories did not change with vs. without LNG-IUDs. In 23/48 women (48% [33.9–62.1%]), the ACR category was higher with vs. without LNG-IUDs; in 1/48 (2% [0–6%]), the ACR category was lower with vs. without LNG-IUDs. The change of ACR category depending on the presence or absence of an LNG-IUD proved highly significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of an LNG-IUD can be associated with increased BPE in breast MRI, providing further evidence that LNG-IUDs do have systemic effects. Key Points: • The use of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive devices is associated with increased background parenchymal enhancement in breast MRI. • This suggests that hormonal effects of these devices are not only confined to the uterine cavity, but may be systemic. • Potential systemic effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive devices should therefore be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plant tissues are plentiful, diverse, and due to convergent evolution are structurally similar to many animal tissues. Decellularized plant tissues feature microtopographies that resemble cancellous bone (porous parenchyma) and skeletal muscle (fibrous vascular bundles). However, the use of plant tissues as an inexpensive and abundant biomaterial for controlling stem cell behavior has not been widely explored. Methods: Celery plant tissues were cut cross-sectionally (porous parenchyma) or longitudinally (fibrous vascular bundles) and decellularized. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were then cultured atop plant tissues and confocal imaging of single cells was used to evaluate the early effects of microtopography on MSC adhesion, morphology, cytoskeletal alignment, Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling, and downstream lineage commitment to osteogenic or myogenic phenotypes. Results: Microtopography was conserved post plant tissue decellularization and MSCs attached and proliferated on plant tissues. MSCs cultured on porous parenchyma spread isotropically along the periphery of plant tissue pores. In contrast, MSCs cultured on vascular bundles spread anisotropically and aligned in the direction of fibrous vascular bundles. Differences in microtopography also influenced MSC nuclear YAP localization and actin anisotropy, with higher values observed on fibrous tissues. When exposed to osteogenic or myogenic culture medium, MSCs on porous parenchyma had a higher percentage of cells stain positive for bone biomarker alkaline phosphatase, whereas myoblast determination protein 1 (MyoD) was significantly upregulated for MSCs on fibrous vascular bundles. Conclusions: Together, these results show that plant tissues are an abundant biomaterial with defined microarchitecture that can reproducibly regulate MSC morphology, mechanosensing, and differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical procedures in highly vascularized renal parenchyma sometimes can cause iatrogenic vascular complications. Although incidence renal pseudoaneurysms after partial nephrectomy is low, around 1%, clinical presentation of these patients can be quite severe - hematuria, lumbar pain, dizziness, weakness. Prompt and precise diagnostics and treatment are essential. Ultrasound and Computed Tomography are two most common diagnostic approaches for the assessment of pseudoaneurysms or arteriovenous fistulas following partial nephrectomy. Endovascular selective microcoil embolization is a safe and effective kidney-preserving procedure for treating iatrogenic vascular complications. Although when embolizing renal arteries some of renal parenchyma loses perfusion and becomes fibrotic, no significant decrease in renal function in early post-embolization period was noted. Comparing open surgery to endovascular treatment of pseudoaneurysms, latter one allows shorter average hospital stay and less frequent cardiac and peripheral vascular complications. The article discusses a case of a patient that had developed renal pseudoaneurysm after partial nephrectomy. During a routine check-up of a middle-aged woman a presumable renal cyst was found. On more throughout examination the cyst was ruled as a tumour and partial nephrectomy was performed. After 12 days from surgery patient was admitted to hospital complaining macrohematuria, lower abdomen pain, episodic right-side ache. Urgent contrast enhanced computed tomography was performed, which confirmed that patient was bleeding from the operated kidney. Patient was admitted to interventional radiology departament and perform embolization of bleeding vessel. After embolization of pseudoaneurysm, bleeding was controlled and patient was completely treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Renal parenchymal disease is commonly encountered on imaging, and an understanding of the spectrum of pathology is vital to making correct diagnoses and recommendations for management. These conditions can be categorized based on the presence of calcifications, cysts, solid masses, patterns of enhancement, and other characteristic non-mass findings, as well as on their spatial distribution (i.e., medullary vs. cortical). Making an accurate diagnosis is often challenging, as there is overlap in the features of various diseases, and many benign entities may mimic pathology. Objective: This review broadly discusses imaging features of renal parenchymal disease and provides a systematic approach to characterize findings and appropriately guide further management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the laparoscopic skills of medical students and identify personal characteristics in terms of greater easiness in performing laparoscopic surgical procedures. Methods: This study included medical students in the 6th semester of a Medical School in Brazil who answered 10 questions concerning their habits and characteristics. A laparoscopic platform and an abdominal synthetic model were used to assess surgical skills comprising the three following surgical steps: to pass the needle through the trocar and to place it in the laparoscopic needle holder, to perform a laparoscopic simple stitch in synthetic liver parenchyma and, to perform a laparoscopic surgical knot. The duration of the activity was limited to four minutes and the procedure was monitored by a laparoscopic surgeon. Results: The study included 50 students. Of these, 18% completed the three surgical stages. Steps 1 and 2 were completed by 94% and 88% of students, respectively. No statistically significant variables were found when characteristics of the groups with and without success in the three stages were compared. The group that finished the activity had a faster time completing step 2 than the group that failed (mean time of 115.3 seconds against 157.8 seconds, p=0.03). Conclusion: The minority of students could complete effectively all three surgical steps. No personal traits related to greater surgical skill were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ümraniye Pediatri Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Folia Cardiologica is the property of VM Medica-VM Group (Via Medica) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rain cracking in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) imposes a severe limitation on commercial producers of this high value fruit. In recent years, considerable progress has been made in unraveling the mechanistic basis of fruit cracking in sweet cherry. In this mini review we discuss the so-called Zipper hypothesis that explains the events leading up to the 'unzipping' of the fruit skin and ultimately to cracking. Using the Zipper model, we then explore the reasons why fruits may sometimes crack under rain shelters or postharvest in the box, in transit, and why the measured response of fruit cracking to Ca sprays is so frustratingly inconsistent. Based on the Zipper hypothesis, cracking is the result of a series (causal chain) of events that ultimately 'unzip' the fruit. Tension (stress) develops in the skin during stage III growth. Stress results in microcracks in the cuticle. Microcracking is exacerbated by surface wetness and high humidity. Microcracks focus subsequent water uptake into particular regions on the fruit surface. Here, they allow water to bypass the cuticle and to penetrate through to the cells of the skin and flesh. Ultimately, water causes the large, thin-walled parenchyma cells to burst. This allows their cell contents (including malic acid) to leak into the apoplast. The malic acid causes the neighboring cells also to leak and it also extracts Ca from the cell walls. The cell walls then swell and cell-to-cell adhesion decreases. In this way a crack forms and propagates, 'unzipping' the skin in a way somewhat analogous to that in which a 'ladder' will propagate from a small area of damage in a knitted fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The death and structural alterations in the secondary xylem of Gmelina arborea trees in response to fungal invasion were investigated by light and electron microscopy methods. In vivo experiments indicate that Alternaria alternata is an aggressive pathogen which invades the deeper part of the wood in the branches--up to 4 cm from the site of infection--within 10 days of inoculation. The mycelial invasion occurred through pits and boreholes formed by the fungus in the vessels, fibers, and axial and ray parenchyma cells. Scanning electron microscopy also revealed the colonization of fungus through pit and vessel elements. In vitro studies showed that ray cells and fibers were more prone to cell wall damage in contrast to vessels during the initial stage of infection. The etiology of infection found in the infected samples collected from the living trees and samples of in vivo and in vitro experiments showed similar patterns of infection and confirmed that A. alternata is responsible for the mortality and decay in Gmelina trees. It causes a typical soft-rot pattern with cell wall alterations such as cavity formation by "L" bending. The separation of fibers at the compound middle lamella region indicated that the fungus is capable of degrading both lignin-rich regions of cell walls. The boreholes in the fiber wall also showed distinct variations in size and shape. The penetration of fungal hyphae through the middle lamella and removal of lignin from the cell walls was also confirmed with transmission electron microscopy studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 7-year-old male gray wolf was found dead at a zoo during exhibition. To determine the cause of death, histological and gross necropsy diagnoses and a molecular analysis were performed. The gross necropsy revealed a swollen abdomen, hemorrhagic exudates around the mouth, splenomegaly, a discolored liver, a congested kidney, hemorrhagic ascites, and dark gray-colored membranes and air bubbles in the fundus of the stomach. Rod-shaped bacteria were found in the liver parenchyma and hemorrhagic ascites using Giemsa staining. The nucleotide sequencing of the cultured bacteria identified the causative agent as Plesiomonas shigelloides, which is rarely responsible for systemic infections. This study describes a rare case and the first reported systemic gastrointestinal infection due to P. shigelloides in a zoo animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to study the lungs respiratory part in rats of different ages after methionine administration. The experiments were conducted on 48 male 3 and 15 months old Wistar rats. Animals received 250 mg/kg of methionine daily for 21 days. Lungs tissue samples were taken at the end of the experiment. We used histological, morphometric, biochemical and statistical research methods. It was found that in the lungs of 3-month experimental rats, the area of the alveolus (in 19%) and the relative area of air spaces (in 11%) decreased, and the relative area of the parenchyma and stroma - increased (in 16%) at the end of the experiment. Elevated levels of hydroxyproline in the lung tissue of these rats may indicate an increase in the number of connective tissue elements. In 15-month-old animals treated with methionine the morpho- and biochemical signs of improvement in the functional capabilities of the lungs were observed. Thus, the administration of methionine with young rats reduces the activity of the lungs, and the adult animals, on the contrary, increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pterogyne nitens is commonly known in northeastern Brazil as a lesser-known fast-growing species in the Caatinga biome, which is a difficult place for tree development due to the low natural fertility soils and low availability of water. Due to the importance of expanding information about the anatomical wood properties of Caatinga native species, the aim of this work was to characterize the anatomical elements, to macroscopically describe the wood and make inferences about its possible end-uses. Maceration was performed which enabled measuring fiber dimensions, pore frequency and the following technological indexes: cell wall fraction, slenderness ratio, Runkel index and flexibility coefficient. Histological sections enabled describing the arrangements of the cellular elements in different observation sections and to determine the pore diameter. P. nitens wood has anatomical arrangements characterized by confluent axial parenchyma, being diffuse-porous with the presence of tylosis and heterogeneous/stratified rays (biseriate). The fibers were classified as very short (length 0.81 mm), not flexible and Runkel index 0.82. The pores were few in number with a frequency of 32.9 pores/mm2, distributed in a diffuse format and many were obstructed by tylosis. Based on the anatomical results and considering other technological studies, P. nitens wood is most suitable for charcoal production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Carlina corymbosa L., Carthamus dentatus Vahl. and Picnomon acarna (L.) Cass. are belonging to Asteraceae family. The purpose of the study is to determine the anatomical structures of these species in the same tribe and to compare the features. Samples of root, stem and leaf of each species were collected, fixed and examined using a light microscope. In addition, some anatomical features were measured. Secondary growth was observed in the root cross section of each species. Secretory ducts were determined in all species. While the pith is filled with xylem elements in C. corymbosa and C. dentatus, the pith of P. acarna consists of different shaped parenchyma cells. Periderm was observed in the stem in all species. All species contain bicollateral vascular bundles in stem. In all species, glandular and nonglandular trichomes were observed on the leaf cross section, on the surface of the adaxial and abaxial epidermis. While C. corymbosa has dorsiventral mesophyll, unifacial mesophyll is observed in other species. There is bicollateral vascular bundle in C. corymbosa whereas collateral vascular bundle was identified in C. dentatus and P. acarna. Also, C. corymbosa and C. dentatus have only one vascular bundle in the midrib but P.acarna has three vascular bundles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo is an anisotropic, hierarchical, and hygroscopic material. Moisture transport in bamboo is one of the most fundamental properties affecting almost all other physical and mechanical properties of the material. This study investigated the water vapor sorption behaviors of bamboo at various structural levels: cell walls, cells (with pits) and bamboo blocks. The specimens with two sorption directions, longitudinal (L) and transverse (T), were measured by saturated salt solution method and dynamic vapor sorption. The parallel exponential kinetics model was used to analyze the sorption kinetics. The results showed that at the cell wall level, the sorption rate and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of cell wall in the L specimens were larger than those in the T specimens. The differences were probably caused by the looser cell wall layers in the L specimens. At the cellular scale, pits in the cell wall resulted in an enhanced sorption rate and EMC of the T specimens compared with the L specimens where the pits in the parenchyma cells were only distributed in the lateral walls but not in end walls. At the macro scale, the sorption rate and moisture content of bamboo blocks were largely controlled by the vessel cells. As a hierarchically-structured plant, bamboo performs the biological function of moisture transport at all these scales. This work helps improve the understanding of water transport behavior in bamboo, which may lead to better bamboo drying and impregnation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of plant tissue parenchyma's intercellular air spaces contributes to the understanding of anatomy and physiology. This is challenging due to difficulty in making direct measurements of the pore space and the complex mosaic of parenchymatous tissue. The architectural complexity of pore space has shown that single geometrical measurements are not sufficient for characterization. The inhomogeneity of distribution depends not only on the percentage content of phase, but also on how the phase fills the space. The lacunarity morphometric, as multiscale measure, provides information about the distribution of gaps that correspond to degree of spatial organization in parenchyma. Additionally, modern theories have suggested strategies, where the focus has shifted from the study of averages and histograms to the study of patterns in data fluctuations. Detrended fluctuation analysis provides information on the correlation properties of the parenchyma at different spatial scales. The aim is to quantify (with the aid of the aforementioned metrics), the mesostructural changes--that occur from one cycle of freezing and thawing--in the void phase of pome fruit parenchymatous tissue, acquired with X-ray microcomputed tomography. Complex systems methods provide numerical indices and detailed insights regarding the freezing-induced modifications upon the arrangement of cells and voids. These structural changes have the potential to lead to physiological disorders. The work can further stimulate interest for the analysis of internal plant tissue structures coupled with other physico-chemical processes or phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characterization of petrified wood provides valuable information about paleoclimatology and geological history and helps to reconstruct the past forest flora of different parts of the earth. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anatomical characteristics of fossil wood of the Miocene age collected from the Manchar Formation exposed at Thano Bula Khan, Sindh, Pakistan. In order to carry out a detailed anatomical investigation, three-dimensional sections were prepared using a petrotome. The microscopic analysis allowed us to study vessel size and arrangement, wood parenchyma, fibers, and xylem rays. Based on the comparison between recent and fossil wood, we concluded that the investigated characters are comparable with those of the genus Atalantia Corrêa of the Rutaceae family. Therefore, it was named as Atalantioxylon thanobolensis sp. nov. with reference to the location of Thano Bula Khan from which the fossil wood was collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Ureterocalicostomy (UC) involves excision of the hydronephrotic lower renal pole parenchyma and anastomosis of the dismembered ureter directly to the lower pole calyx. UC offers distinct advantages, notably for obstruction secondary to complicating anatomical anomalies of the kidney, such as horseshoe kidney. The present study was aimed to assess our experience and evaluate the outcome of primary laparoscopic UC in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical notes, imaging records, and laboratory investigations of all the children who had undergone laparoscopic UC as a primary procedure in our center during a 12-year period (January 2006-December 2017). RESULTS: Ten children (six males and four females) underwent laparoscopic primary UC for UPJO during the study period. The mean age of the children was 10.8 ± 2.78 years. The mean operating time was 175 min (range 140-210 min). No major intraoperative complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Primary laparoscopic UC for UPJO with complicated renal anatomy is feasible, safe, and associated with minimal morbidity. The outcomes show adequate drainage of the pelvicalyceal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety and short-term efficacy of hepatocyte transplantation (HCTx) have been widely proven. However, issues such as reduced viability and/or function of hepatocytes, insufficient engraftment, and lack of a long-term effect have to be overcome for widespread application of HCTx. In this study, we evaluated hepatocyte spheroids (HSs), formed by self-aggregation of hepatocytes, as an alternative to hepatocytes in single-cell suspension. Hepatocytes were isolated from C57BL/6 J mice liver using a three-step collagenase perfusion technique and HSs were formed by the hanging drop method. After the spheroids formation, the HSs showed significantly higher mRNA expression of albumin, ornithine transcarbamylase, glucose-6-phosphate, alpha-1-antitrypsin, low density lipoprotein receptor, coagulation factors, and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) than 2 dimensional (2D)-cultured hepatocytes (p < 0.05). Albumin production by HSs was significantly higher than that by 2D-cultured hepatocytes (9.5 ± 2.5 vs 3.5 ± 1.8 μg/dL, p < 0.05). The HSs, but not single hepatocytes, maintained viability and albumin mRNA expression in suspension (92.0 ± 2.8% and 1.03 ± 0.09 at 6 h). HSs (3.6 × 106 cells) or isolated hepatocytes (fSH, 3.6 × 106 cells) were transplanted into the liver of ApoE knockout (KO-/-) mice via the portal vein. Following transplantation, serum ApoE concentration (ng/mL) of HS-transplanted mice (1w: 63.1 ± 56.7, 4w: 17.0 ± 10.9) was higher than that of fSH-transplanted mice (1 w: 33.4 ± 13.0, 4w: 13.7 ± 9.6). In both groups, the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, and MIP-1β) were upregulated in the liver following transplantation; however, no significant differences were observed. Pathologically, transplanted HSs were observed as flat cell clusters in contact with the portal vein wall on day 7. Additionally, ApoE positive cells were observed in the liver parenchyma distant from the portal vein on day 28. Our results indicate that HS is a promising alternative to single hepatocytes and can be applied for HCTx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current work we evaluated the anatomical changes induced by T. harzianum and T. asperellum in two soybean cultivars, BRSGO Caiaponia and NA 5909 RG. Soybean production represents a growing market worldwide, and new methods aimed at increasing its productivity and yield are constantly being sought. Fungi of the genus Trichoderma have been widely used in agriculture as a promising alternative for the promotion of plant growth and for biological control of various pathogens. It is known that Trichoderma spp. colonize plant roots, but the anatomical changes that this fungus can cause are still less studied. Experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to collect leaves and soybean roots to perform analysis of growth parameters, enzymatic activity of defense-related enzymes and anatomical changes. It was observed that inoculation of Trichoderma spp. caused anatomical alterations, among them, increase in stomatal index at the abaxial leaf surface, thickness of the root cortex, thickness of adaxial epidermis, mean diameter of the vascular cylinder, thickness of the mesophyll, and thickness of the spongy parenchyma of the soybean plants. These results indicate that the alterations in these factors may be related to the process of plant resistance to pathogens, and better performance against adverse conditions. This study demonstrates that the anatomical study of plants is an important tool to show the effects that are induced by biological control agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out on three Schizostachyum species namely S. dulloa, S. fuschianum and S. polymorphum to evaluate the anatomical and physical characteristics and their variation across and along the culms. The vascular bundles were well developed and larger in size in middle zone at all height positions except top position of S. polymorphum. All the selected species had Type I vascular bundles in inner zone. Type II and Type III vascular bundles in S. dulloa and S. polymorphum and Type I and Type II vascular bundles in S. fuschianum were present in middle zone at bottom position. The number of vascular bundles increased but vascular bundle size (R/T ratio) decreased both along and across the culms in all the species. There was increase in fibre and parenchyma percentage along the culm height. Whereas, the vessel percentage did not show much variation. The dimensions of fibre, vessel and parenchyma characteristics (except fibre length and fibre diameter) decreased and most of them exhibited non-significant variation along and across the culms in all the species. Among physical characteristics, moisture content and shrinkage in culm wall thickness decreased along the culm height. While, there was increase in specific gravity and shrinkage in culm diameter. The results obtained from present study reveals that middle zone at bottom and middle positions is best for identification of Schizostachyum species. It will also be helpful to increase the utilization of these species for various end products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: In this study, we researched the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on parenchymal organs in ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat models. Material and Methods: Experimental animals divided into four groups: Sham group (Sh, n=6), Sham+NAC group (Sh+NAC, n=6), ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R, n=10) and N-acetylcysteine-given study group (I/R+NAC, n=10). For the Sham group and Sham + NAC group, only aortic exploration was performed. I/R group’s abdominal aortas were clamped just inferior to the renal artery for 4 hours following. Then, the reperfusion period was allowed for one hour. I/R+NAC group received the same procedure as I/R group and additionally treated with NAC intraperitoneally. After these procedures, all rats were sacrificed. The parenchymal organs were excised for biochemical, flow cytometric and histopathologic examination. The data were evaluated statistically. Results: In the I/R+NAC group, the MDA values in AC tissue were significantly lower than the I/R group (p:0.0032). MDA value in kidney tissue was significantly higher in the I/R group compared to the control groups (p:0.003). In the I/R+NAC group, the MDA value was significantly lower than the I / R group (p:0.0002). MPO values in lung tissue were found lower in the I/R+NAC group compared to the I/R group, it was not statistically significant (p:0.4497). In the I/R+NAC group, it was found statistically significantly lower than both the control and I/R groups in Flow cytometric evaluation (p:0.0002). In histopathological evaluation, the leukocyte count observed significantly higher in the I/R+NAC group compared to the control groups and was statistically significantly lower than the I/R group in histopathological evaluation (p:0,0004). Conclusion: NAC reduces ischemia and reperfusion injury in parenchymal organs and especially in the lungs in a rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is one of the popular vegetables in the world. However, drought has become more serious in recent years. Drought strongly reduced the development and yield of tomato. Thus, the effect of drought stress condition (1/2 Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 35 g.L-1 mannitol) and thermal pre-treatment (45 °C for 120 min) on in vitro shoot development of Solanum lycopersicum L. were studied to improve the drought-tolerant of tomato. Morphological, physiological and biochemical changes during the development of in vitro shoot in the drought stress condition were analyzed. Then, leaves of the shoot that pre-treated at 45 °C for 120 min and developed on the drought stress condition were cultured on ½ MS medium supplemented with 20 g.L-1 sucrose, 0.1 mg.L-1 Indole acetic acid, 2 mg.L-1 zeatin and 35 g.L-1 mannitol to regenerate the drought-tolerant shoots. In the drought stress condition (½ MS medium with 35 g.L-1 mannitol), the height of shoot, the number of leaves, and the total leaf area were decreased by approximately 50 % compared to control (½ MS medium without mannitol). Besides, the leaf midrib thickness and the vascular bundle width of the leaf in drought stress were smaller than those of the control. The leaf midrib thickness and the leaf vascular bundle width in drought stress condition were 953.30 µm and 320.21 µm, compared to 1243.80 µm and 410.15 µm in that of control. Chlorophyll fluorescence occurs in some parenchyma cells near the midrib vascular bundle of treated leaves instead of all parenchyma cells in control leaves. Under the drought stress condition, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic intensity and cytokinin activity of leaf were strongly decreased but respiration intensity, the content of carotenoid and proline, especially the activity auxin and abscisic acid were increased. Thermal pre-treatment stimulated shoot regeneration (2.53 shoots/leaf explant) while there was no shoot regenerated from the leaf of the control plant. The shoots regenerated by this method grew well in the drought stress condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acorus calamus L. grows in natural conditions in marshy places along the banks of ponds, canals and excessively moist soils of the Samarkand and Khorezm regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This plant is a valuable medicinal crop and has been used since ancient times in Central Asia. The raw material is rhizome. Recently, due to regular use, a strong reduction in the natural population of this plant has been observed. In this regard, to study the biological characteristics of Acorus calamus L. and introduce it into the culture, which is an important scientific and practical value. To do this, you must first study the anatomical structure of medicinal raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding what determine plants ability to survive drought and cold is crucial for predicting how plants may respond to ongoing climate change. Plant survival strategies are usually characterized by morphological and physiological adaptations, while their underlying anatomical settings are largely unknown. Woody angiosperms and herbaceous dicots have repeatedly evolved small water transporting conduits and large storage parenchyma tissues at colder or drier places to cope with freezing‐ and drought‐induced damages. However, whether these adaptations are also valid for graminoids remains unclear. Here we show that stem anatomical variations in grasses, sedges and rushes dominating in western Himalayan grasslands are driven by elevation and soil moisture via control over aboveground plant stature and belowground clonal growth, while phylogenetic constraints have only a weak effect. Phylogenetic comparative analyses controlling for confounding factors showed that the elevation‐related cooling controls the conductive system through reduced vessel diameter and extended assimilatory and storage tissues with more chlorenchyma and less sclerenchyma around vessels. The soil moisture deficit, on the other hand, determines stabilization structures by promoting short‐rhizomatous turf graminoids with hollow stems, thicker epidermis and deep adventitious roots in dry steppes and semi‐deserts. Saline wetlands and moist alpine pastures promote long‐rhizomatous short‐stature plants with lower need for mechanical support (absence of hollow stem) and exposure to high evaporative forcing (thinner epidermis). Observed trends of decreasing vessel sizes and lignification rate with elevation supports the existing knowledge that narrower vessels and extensive parenchyma assist plants to grow in cold environments by avoiding freezing‐induced cavitation. Our results bring novel information on ecological drivers influencing the evolution of anatomical adaptations in high mountain graminoids. Distinct grassland types, covering elevations from 2650 to 6150 m, harbor unrelated species with different evolutionary histories that have converged towards similar anatomical structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]