Apical Branches Research Articles

Antifungal activity and mechanism of mefentrifluconazole against Magnaporthe grisea causing rice blast

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe grisea, is one of the most destructive diseases of rice worldwide. Mefentrifluconazole, a novel isopropanol triazole fungicide, exhibits excellent bioactivity to a wide range of fungi. However, its antifungal activity against M. grisea is not well studied. In this study, the sensitivity of 103 M. oryzae strains to mefentrifluconazole was determined by mycelial growth rate method, and the effect of mefentrifluconazole on the biochemical and physiological characteristers was examined. The results indicated that mefentrifluconazole exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against M. oryzae with EC50 values of 103 M. oryzae strains tested ranging from 0.363 to 1.576 μg/mL, and the average EC50 value of 0.958 ± 0.298 μg/mL. After mefentrifluconazole treatment, the apical branches of M. oryzae mycelia increased and the mycelia became distorted, twisted and ruptured. In addition, mefentrifluconazole increased relative conductivity, disrupted cell wall and membrane integrity, and significantly reduced ergosterol content. The expression levels of demethylation inhibitor resistance-associated genes Cyp51A, ABC6 and MFS1 were all significantly upregulated, suggesting an adaption response to mefentrifluconazole of M. oryzae. Furthermore, the results of pot experiment showed that mefentrifluconazole provided >70% control efficacy against rice blast at 300 μg/mL, surpassing the performance of carbendazim, prochloraz and azoxystrobin at the same concentration. Overall, this study demonstrated the strong inhibitory activity of mefentrifluconazole against M. oryzae and the excellent efficacy in controlling rice blast, thus providing new sights into rice blast control as well as the practical application of mefentrifluconazole.

Multiplication of apical and axillary shoots of coffee arabica using various types of cytokinins

Abstract In-vitro shoot multiplication presents a promising avenue for replicating the genetic characteristics of parent plants, commonly utilized in various plant biotechnological techniques such as mutation replication, protoplast fusion, anther culture, and genetic engineering. The primary aim of this research was to assess the impact of different cytokinins on the proliferation of apical and axillary shoots in Arabica coffee multiplication. A Completely Randomized Factorial Design was employed, considering two factors: explant source and cytokinin type. Explants were sourced from both apical and axillary branches of AS2K Arabica coffee plantlets. Three cytokinins, namely 6-Benzyl adenine purine (BAP), isopentenyl adenine (2-IP), and kinetin, were incorporated into the Murashige and Skoog (MS) 1962 basal medium at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/l. The findings revealed significant effects of all three cytokinins on shoot number, plantlet height, and leaf growth, albeit without influencing root development. Notably, axillary shoot-derived explants demonstrated a more pronounced effect on shoot count compared to those from apical shoots. Among the cytokinin treatments assessed, BAP at a concentration of 2 mg/l in the MS medium yielded optimal results for propagating the AS2K variety of Arabica coffee, thus representing the recommended medium for this purpose.

TAF15 downregulation contributes to the benefits of physical training on dendritic spines and working memory in aged mice.

Moderate physical training has been shown to hinder age-related memory decline. While the benefits of physical training on hippocampal memory function are well-documented, little is known about its impact on working memory, which is linked to the prelimbic cortex (PrL), one major subdivision of the prefrontal cortex. Here, we examined the effects of physical training on spatial working memory in a well-established animal model of physical training, starting at 16 months of age and continuing for 5 months (running wheel 1 h/day and 5 days/week). This training strategy improved spatial working memory in aged mice (22-month-old), which was accompanied by an increased spine density and a lower TAF15 expression in the PrL. Specifically, physical training affected both thin and mushroom-type spines on PrL pyramidal cells, and prevented age-related loss of spines on selective segments of apical dendritic branches. Correlation analysis revealed that increased TAF15-expression was detrimental to the dendritic spines. However, physical training downregulated TAF15 expression in the PrL, preserving the dendritic spines on PrL pyramidal cells and improving working memory in trained aged mice. When TAF15 was overexpressed in the PrL via a viral approach, the benefits of physical training on the dendritic spines and working memory were abolished. These data suggest that physical training at a moderate pace might downregulate TAF15 expression in the PrL, which favors the dendritic spines on PrL pyramidal cells, thereby improving spatial working memory.

Two new species of Callophyllis (Rhodophyta, Kallymeniaceae) from the Russian Pacific coast

ABSTRACT Seven species of Callophyllis have been known off the Pacific coast of Russia; hovewer, molecular data have been obtained only for three species. In this study we re-examined the genus along the Russian Pacific coast using a comparative morphological study and molecular analyses based on rbcL and nrLSU. Five genetic species were identified on the Russian coast based on phylogenetics and species delimitation (ASAP and p-distance) analyses; while C. beringensis, C. papulosa and C. platyna were outscore of the analyses. The results of the molecular analyses uncovered one undescribed species, which we named C. selivanovae sp. nov. The divergence between this species and other species of the genus varied from 1.16% to 5.66%, while intraspecific divergence in the genus was in a range of 0.00%–0.22%. In phylogenetic trees C. selivanovae was recognized as sister to a diverse clade including C. thompsonii, C. beringensis, C. violacea, C. flabellulata and C. variegata from the Pacific coast of Canada. Callophyllis selivanovae from the southeastern coast of Kamchatka is morphologically close to C. beringensis, described from St. Paul Island (Bering Sea); the two species differ in features of branching, shape and size of the terminal branches. We propose a new name, C. perestenkoae sp. nov., for the algae previously listed in the Russian flora as ‘C. flabellata’. Pacific specimens assigned to C. perestenkoae differ from C. flabellata from the type locality (Atlantic, France) in having irregular branching, thicker apical branches, and smaller cystocarps. We also filled in the gaps in the description of C. radula for which procarp and tetrasporangia are described herein for the first time.

Polystyrene microplastics induced disturbances in neuronal arborization and dendritic spine density in mice prefrontal cortex

An increasing use of plastics in daily life leads to the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the environment, posing a serious threat to the ecosystem, including humans. It has been reported that MPs cause neurotoxicity, but the deleterious effect of polystyrene (PS) MPs on neuronal cytoarchitectural morphology in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) region of mice brain remains to be established. In the present study, Swiss albino male mice were orally exposed to 0.1, 1, and 10 ppm PS-MPs for 28 days. After exposure, we found a significant accumulation of PS-MPs with a decreased number of Nissl bodies in the PFC region of the entire treated group compared to the control. Morphometric analysis in the PFC neurons using Golgi-Cox staining accompanied by Sholl analysis showed a significant reduction in basal dendritic length, dendritic intersections, nodes, and number of intersections at seventh branch order in PFC neurons of 1 ppm treated PS-MPs. In neurons of 0.1 ppm treated mice, we found only decrease in the number of intersections at the seventh branch order. While 10 ppm treated neurons decreased in basal dendritic length, dendritic intersections, followed by the number of intersections at the third and seventh branch order were observed. As well, spine density on the apical secondary branches along with mRNA level of BDNF was significantly reduced in all the PS-MPs treated PFC neurons, mainly at 1 ppm versus control. These results suggest that PS-MPs exposure affects overall basal neuronal arborization, with the highest levels at 1 and 10 ppm, followed by 0.1 ppm treated neurons, which may be related to the down-regulation of BDNF expression in PFC.

The effect of the oak powdery mildew, oak lace bug, and other foliofagous insects on the growth of young pedunculate oak trees

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L., 1753) is one of the widely distributed oak species in Europe. A large number of organisms develop on its leaves. To determine the extent to which the oak powdery mildew, oak lace bug, and other foliofagous insects affect the growth of young oak trees, three experimental fields were selected in a 10-year-old pedunculate oak stand. In each of them, 50 trees were randomly selected, and their height was measured at the beginning of the vegetative season. The first experimental field was treated with a systemic insecticide, the second with a systemic fungicide, and the third, a comparison area, with water, during the entire vegetative season. At the end of the vegetative season, 25 plants with one apical branch were selected in each experimental field. Their height was measured, and 20 leaves were taken from each plant to determine the extent of the damage on them at the end of the experiment. After processing the obtained data, it was determined that: 1. Both foliofagous insects and oak leaf inhabiting fungi affect the growth of the oak trees significantly; 2. The oak lace bug did not influence the growth of the young trees significantly, as its abundance was low in all of the experimental areas; 3. The greatest damage on the leaves was caused by defoliator insects, which is why they contributed the most to the decrease in growth caused by insects; 4. The influence of the foliofagous insects on the growth of the trees was not significantly different from the influence of fungi; 5. Suppression of oak powdery mildew and foliofagous insects on young trees is useful as it positively influences the vitality and growth of those trees, and contributes to economic and ecological gain.

Successful conservative treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism in unrepaired d-transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary hypertension: a case report

Background: Unrepaired dextro-transposition of great arteries (D-TGA) is well known for long-term complications, including tricuspid valve regurgitation, arrhythmias, and coronary artery abnormalities. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a frequent, progressive, and fatal complication in unrepaired CHD. This chronic condition can induce pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Aim: To report the management of PTE in unrepaired D-TGA with PH. Case Presentation: We present a rare case of an eleven-year-old male in unrepaired D-TGA with PH. He came with hemoptysis with no sign of acute or chronic infection. This condition was not associated with endocarditis or tuberculosis. The patient underwent a CT-pulmonary angiography examination and found a filling defect in the apical and posterior branches of the right superior pulmonary artery, suggesting a PTE that caused pulmonary parenchymal infarction. He was treated with intravenous low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for ten days (1 mg/kg) and tranexamic acid. On follow-up, he did not experience cardiovascular collapse or hypotension; by the day, the hemoptysis had decreased in frequency and volume. He received long-term warfarin (2 mg/day) for three months. After three months of follow-up, the PTE was not visualized from CT-pulmonary angiography. Summary: Hemoptysis is rare and life-threatening in unrepaired CHD. Heparin administration continued with warfarin, and tranexamic acid provides a good prognosis in patients with PTE with D-TGA and PH.

Toxicity of an Emamectin Benzoate Microemulsion against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Its Effect on the Prevention of Pine Wilt Disease

(1) Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a devastating disease of pine forests caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Control of the disease is a worldwide problem due to the impossibility of using chemical nematicides on a large scale and for long periods. (2) Based on preliminary tests of microemulsion quality and stability, the optimum formulation was selected from 14 formulated microemulsions. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of the selected formulation at 48 h after treatment of B. xylophilus was 31.45 μg/mL of emamectin benzoate. The active ingredient reached the apical branches of Pinus thunbergii within 90 days of injection. (3) P. thunbergii was inoculated with B. xylophilus at 100 days post-injection, and the trees treated with the formulation remained uninfected for 450 days. Trunk injection exerted substantial control over PWD. (4) These results indicate that this formulation has the advantages of good transportability and long persistence in pine trees after injection and that it effectively prevents PWD. Therefore, this emamectin benzoate formulation can effectively reduce PWD occurrence in pine forests.

Long-term depression induction and maintenance across regions of the apical branch of CA1 dendrites.

Well known as the center for learning and memory, hippocampus is the crucial brain region to study synaptic plasticity in the context of cellular fundamental mechanisms such as long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP). However, despite years of extensive research, the key to our LTD queries and their induction mechanisms has not been fully understood. Previously, we reported the induction of late-LTD (L-LTD) in the distally located synapses of apical branch of hippocampal CA1 dendrites using strong low-frequency stimulation (SLFS). In contrast synapses at the proximal site could not express L-LTD. Thus, in the present study, we wanted to investigate whether or not synapses of apical dendritic branch at the proximal location could induce and maintain LTD and its related properties in in vitro rat hippocampal slices. Results indicated that the SLFS in the distal and proximal region triggered the plasticity related proteins (PRP) synthesis in both regions, as evident by the induction and maintenance of L-LTD in the distal region by virtue of synaptic and cross-tagging. In addition, the application of emetine at the time of proximal input stimulation prevented the transition of early-LTD (E-LTD) into L-LTD at the distal region, proving PRP synthesis at the proximal site. Further, it was observed that weak low-frequency stimulation (WLFS) could induce E-LTD in the proximal region along with LTD-specific tag-setting at the synapses. In conclusion, the current study suggests unique findings that the synaptic and cross-tagging mediate L-LTD expression is maintained in the proximal location of hippocampus apical CA1 dendrites.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of fluopyram trunk-injection in Pinus massoniana and its efficacy against pine wilt disease.

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a destructive disease of pine trees caused by the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Fluopyram, a novel nematicide compound with systemic activity, is a prospective trunk-injection agent against pinewood nematodes. The disadvantage of current trunk-injection agents is that they were not evenly distributed in tree tissues and were poor in the persistence of effect and efficiency. Therefore, we investigated the spatiotemporal transport pattern and residue behavior of fluopyram following its injection into the trunk of Pinus massoniana. Fluopyram transport in the trunk occurred through radial diffusion and vertical uptake within 1 week of the injection, reaching all tissues of P.massoniana, including apical branches and needles. Three years after the field test, the infection of PWD declined substantially with treatment using the fluopyram trunk-injection agent, which demonstrated 100% efficacy in both the mild and moderate occurrence areas, and 71.1% efficacy in the severe occurrence area. Fluopyram as trunk-injection agent exerted substantial control over PWD, with its efficacy being influenced by the infection time of PWD. The half-life of 10% fluopyram in treated pine trees was 346.6 days with 3-year persistence. The advantages of overall distribution and long persistence of fluopyram in the tree after injection help explain its evident efficacy against PWN. Overall, fluopyram trunk-injection has potential to prevent PWD. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gelidocalamuszixingensis (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Arundinarieae), a new species from southern China revealed by morphological and molecular evidence.

The genus Gelidocalamus T. H. Wen, endemic to southern China, is a small but taxonomically problematic genus of Arundinarieae (Poaceae, Bambusoideae). During field work, a population of Gelidocalamus from Zixing, Hunan, was discovered, appearing to be distinct from our previously identified collection. Comparisons of the population of Zixing were performed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a plastid genome-based phylogeny. Morphologically, it was mostly similar to G.multifolius, but differed by culm leaf erect with densely white pubescence, apical branch sheath much longer than the internodes and foliage leaf larger. Phylogenetically, the new species was well-supported as a sister to the clade of G.multifolius + G.tessellatus, and the above three taxa were clustered in the Shibataea clade (IV) of Arundinarieae. Thus, the new species, formally named as Gelidocalamuszixingensis W.G.Zhang, G.Y.Yang & C.K.Wang, was described and illustrated herein.

Study of variations in the broncho-arterial pedicles of the upper right lung lobe

Bronchial distribution and functional arterial vascularization of the upper lobe of the right lung are subject to many anatomical variations. The control of these variations is essential for endoscopic and agiographic examinations. It also offers a better guarantee for safe and controlled surgery. In this preliminary work, the exploitation of 15 heart-lung blocks treated by the injection corrosion method allowed us to study the general arrangement of the broncho-arteries of the right upper lung lobe and their anatomical variations in the Senegalese population. Our results were as follows: the right upper lobar bronchus was born on average at 1.25 cm from the tracheal bifurcation, with an average length of 1.13 cm. It ended with trifurcation into apical (B1), dorsal (B2) and ventral (B3) segmental bronchi in 10 cases (66.66%); in 3 cases (20%), it ended with bifurcation into the dorsal segmental bronchus and the apico-ventral trunk (B1+B3) (1 case), the apico-dorsal trunk (B1+B2) and the ventral segmental bronchus (B3), finally, in ventral and dorsal segmentary bronchi giving each one an apical branch (1 case); in a last case, it ended by quadrifurcation, giving an external parabronche. The right upper lobe was vascularized by 1 to 4 arteries, with eight modes of vascularization. It received more frequently two arteries. The anterior mediastinal artery was the most common (100%). These results allowed us to discuss anatomical variations in the bronchial tree of the right upper lung lobe and the pulmonary arterial distribution in that lobe. These variations must be taken into account during endoscopic examinations of imaging and surgery of pulmonary excision, under penalty of accidents.

Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Adenocarcinoma in Complete Response for 5 Years Post-first-line Nivolumab Immunotherapy: Are We Talking about a Cure?

Background: Metastasis of the Central Nervous System (CNS) is one of the frequently occurring complications of advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and has been observed in 24–44% of patients. Patients suffering from NSCLC along with CNS metastases have a generally poor prognosis.
 Case Report: A 57-year-old nonalcoholic, non-diabetic, heavy smoker male patient was diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) (Adenocarcinoma), PD-L1 expression 80% with liver, spleen, and brain metastases. In June 2016, the patient was diagnosed with Stage III-A EGFR wild right-sided lung adenocarcinoma (T4N0M0), for which he underwent Curative Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in Jordan, followed by two cycles of Etoposide plus CDDP (Cisplatin). In February 2017, the patient came to the hospital with the chief complaint of massive hemoptysis. His CT scan showed an appearance in keeping with the right upper-lobe cavitating tumor with possible contralateral lung, splenic, and hepatic metastases. The patient was offered pneumonectomy but refused it. Interventional radiology (IR) tumor embolization of the apical and posterior (A1 and A2) branches of the right superior pulmonary artery with no procedural complication was performed to stop the bleeding.
 At the end of that same month, on February 28, 2017, he presented to emergency with seizures, for which a contrast CT scan showed two enhancing lesions, one of the left parietal lobe posteriorly 1.8 cm with marked white matter oedema causing a mass effect and the effacement of the posterior horn of the left lateral ventricle. The second is a small ring-enhancing deposit of the right occipital lobe 6 mm with surrounding oedema.
 The liver biopsy failed to show any malignancy. After the MDT discussion, the largest lesion in the brain was removed and a small lesion was kept. The left occipital metastasis was resected and was found to be a metastatic adenocarcinoma of lung origin. It was positive for TTF-1 and positive for Moc 31. P63 and CK5/6 were negative (no squamous component is seen). No brain radiotherapy was offered. First-line palliative Nivolumab was started on March 20, 2017. Nivolumab first proved to be highly successful against brain metastases. However, it was discontinued as the patient developed myelitis after seven months of continuous treatment. After the discontinuation and improvement of myelitis symptoms, Nivolumab was resumed. The amazing thing about this treatment approach was that his disease was completely cleared up and he had been in complete remission for five years. Additionally, all of his tumor indicators had decreased and normalized.
 Conclusion: Our case report demonstrated a full response to first-line Nivolumab in a patient with PD-L1-positive NSCLC having visceral and brain metastases. However, our patient suffered from myelitis, which may have been a Nivolumab-related adverse event.
 The important point is that he has been achieving a durable complete response for nearly 5 years, so are we talking about the certain biology of a tumor that can be cured by immunotherapy?

A comprehensive analysis of higher‐level phylogenetic relationships of Hemiptera based on transcriptome data

AbstractHemiptera is the largest order of non‐holometabolous insects. Recent phylogenetic studies have contributed greatly to our understanding of the phylogeny of the group. However, parts of the hemipteran tree remain unclear. In this study, we have sequenced transcriptomes from five sternorrhynchan species, four exemplars from Aphididae, and one from Monophlebidae. The addition of published transcriptome data produced alignments of >105 000 amino acids from 224 hemipteran taxa in 30 superfamilies covering all suborder and infraorder clades. The data confirmed the Sternorrhyncha superfamily relationship of Aleyrodoidea + (Psylloidea + [Coccoidea + Aphidoidea]). In addition, phylogenomic analyses supported a basal split of Sternorrhyncha and the remaining hemipteran lineages. The Fulgoromorpha formed a sister clade to Cicadomorpha, with strong support. Therefore, our results supported the monophyly of Auchenorrhyncha. The Coleorrhyncha was robustly resolved as a sister group of Auchenorrhyncha, contrary to the concept of the Heteropterodea. Within Heteroptera, the Enicocephalomorpha, Dipsocoromorpha, and Gerromorpha were resolved as the earliest branching groups, while the Nepomorpha, Leptopodomorpha, Cimicomorpha, and Pentatomomorpha were the successive sister groups to the remaining clades in the series. The Cimicomorpha and Pentatomomorpha were sister groups that occupied the most apical branches of the heteropteran tree. Although some phylogenetic estimates yielded conflicting hypotheses for superfamily relationships of Cicadomorpha, Four‐cluster Likelihood Mapping (FcLM) analyses revealed a greater phylogenetic signal for the relationship of Membracoidea + (Cicadoidea + Cercopoidea).

Robust Satellite-Based Identification and Monitoring of Forests Having Undergone Climate-Change-Related Stress

Climate-induced drought events are responsible for forest decline and mortality in different areas of the world. Forest response to drought stress periods may be different, in time and space, depending on vegetation type and local factors. Stress analysis may be carried out by using field methods, but the use of remote sensing may be needed to highlight the effects of climate-change-induced phenomena at a larger spatial and temporal scale. In this context, satellite-based analyses are presented in this work to evaluate the drought effects during the 2000s and the possible climatological forcing over oak forests in Southern Italy. To this aim, two approaches based on the well-known Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were used: one based on NDVI values, averaged over selected decaying and non-decaying forests; another based on the Robust Satellite Techniques (RST). The analysis of the first approach mainly gave us overall information about 1984–2011 rising NDVI trends, despite a general decrease around the 2000s. The second, more refined approach was able to highlight a different drought stress impact over decaying and non-decaying forests. The combined use of the RST-based approach, Landsat satellite data, and Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform allowed us to identify in space domain and monitor over time significant oak forest changes and climate-driven effects (e.g., in 2001) from the local to the Basilicata region scale. By this way, the decaying status of the Gorgoglione forest was highlighted two years before the first visual field evidence (e.g., dryness of apical branches, bark detachment, root rot disease). The RST exportability to different satellite sensors and vegetation types, the availability of suitable satellite data, and the potential of GEE suggest the possibility of long-term monitoring of forest health, from the local to the global scale, to provide useful information to different end-user classes.

P412 SCAD: A PLANET TO DISCOVER IN THE UNIVERSE OF ACS

Abstract We hereby present the case of a 36–year–old woman with neither a history of cardiovascular disease nor any cardiovascular risk factors. Her only past medical history included a pregnancy from in vitro fertilization and endometriosis treated with progestin. She was admitted to A&E for sudden onset severe stabbing thoracic pain, which occurred at rest and was exacerbated by respiratory efforts, and with spontaneous resolution shortly after admission. While the ECG did not show any signs of ischemic, blood tests revealed a minor rise in inflammatory markers and a significant rise in troponin values, the latter consistent with acute myocardial injury. Given the clinical suspicion of myopericarditis vs acute coronary syndrome, the patient was admitted to cardiac intensive care unit. Bedside echocardiogram performed shortly after admission demonstrated minor pericardial effusion and regional wall motion abnormalities. Thus, the patient underwent urgent coronary angiography, which revealed pronounced vasospasm at the proximal segment of the circumflex artery, which subsided after administration of nitrate, as well as spontaneous dissection of the mid left anterior descending artery extending to its apical branch. Since no high–risk features were identified (single vessel, mid–distal coronary lesion, no symptoms of persistent ischemia), revascularisation was not attempted and conservative therapy was undertaken. During the following days, genetic evaluation and further diagnostic tests were performed to exclude vascular abnormalities in other anatomical sites, which all resulted negative. Outpatient follow–up with CT coronary angiogram demonstrated full patency of left anterior descending artery with spontaneous resolution of the former dissection. This clinical scenario represents an example of an uncommon and thus often overlooked cause of acute coronary syndrome with yet limited evidence on optimal therapeutic and follow–up strategies.

First report of Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing dieback in custard apple (Annona squamosa) tree in China.

Custard apple (Annona squamosa Linn) is popular for its sweet taste and rich aroma. Hainan province is the major production area of custard apple in China. In September 2020, wilting of leaves and branches, discoloration of the vascular system and dieback of trees were observed in plantings in Lingao County of Hainnan Province, China (Fig. 1a-c). The incidence of dieback in three orchards was at least 19%, and affected samples were brought to the laboratory. Fragments of approximately 5 mm in length were obtained from five diseased branches, which were collected from different plants and orchards. Fragment surface were sterilized in 75% ethanol for 1 min, and 1% mercury chloride for 1 min, then rinsed three times with sterile distilled water. These tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin and incubated at 28°C for 3 days. Fungal colonies were transferred to fresh PDA plates, and single-spore cultures were obtained. We isolated twenty-six fungal strains, of which twenty-three isolates were morphologically identified as Lasiodiplodia species (Phillips et al. 2013). The colony morphology was initially round and white, then turned to grey or black after 5-7 days at 28°C, and formed pycnidia for 20 days (Fig. 1d). The immature conidia were ellipsoid, colorless, hyaline and unicellular, becoming brown, bicellular with longitudinal striations at maturity (Fig. 1e). Mature conidial size was: 26.61±1.57×14.87±1.14 µm (n=60). For molecular identification, genomic DNA of three isolates (HSYF01, HSYF02 and HSYF03) was extracted using E.Z.N.A.® HP Plant DNA kit (Omega Bio-Tek). The internal transcribed spacer of rDNA (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α) and β-tubulin (TUB) regions were amplified using the primers ITS1/4, EF1-728F/986R and Bt2a/Bt2b, respectively (Carbone and Kohn 1999; Glass and Donaldson 1995; White et al. 1990). A BLAST search of ITS, EF1-α and TUB gene sequences (Accession nos. MW625913-MW625918, MW876481-MW876483) had in 99.8% (493bp out of 494 bp), 99.31% (286bp out of 288 bp) and 100% (372bp out of 372 bp) identity to CBS164.96 of the L. theobromae (Accession nos. AY640255, AY640258 and KU887532). The identity of the putative pathogen isolates was further confirmed by phylogenetic analysis (Fig. 2). Ten healthy 1-2-year-old custard apple trees were used to confirm pathogenicity. Custard apple plants were wounded approximately 15-20 cm below the tips with a sterilized scalpel. Each cut was inoculated with a 5 mm agar plugs with mycelium from the PDA cultures. The wound site was moisturized with wet cotton wool and wrapped with laboratory film (Silveira et al. 2018). Two seedlings treated with sterile agar plugs served as a controls. The pathogenicity test was repeated twice. After 14 days of incubation in a glasshouse, all inoculated seedlings had characteristic discoloration and necrotic lesions starting from the apical branches, (Figs. 1f and 1g). The stems exhibited browning and vascular streaking of the wood from the inoculation point (Figs. 1h), while the control seedlings remained symptomless. Typical colonies of L. theobromae were isolated and identified from all inoculated seedings, fulfilling Koch´s postulates. Although, postharvest fruit stem-end rot on custard apple caused by L. theobromae was previously described (Hu et al. 2003; Meng et al. 2017), this is the first report of L. theobromae causing dieback in mature custard apple trees in China.

Early Appearance of Dendritic Alterations in Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons of the Ts65Dn Model of Down Syndrome

Down syndrome (DS), which is due to triplication of chromosome 21, is constantly associated with intellectual disability (ID). ID can be ascribed to both neurogenesis impairment and dendritic pathology. These defects are replicated in the Ts65Dn mouse, a widely used model of DS. While neurogenesis impairment in DS is a fetal event, dendritic pathology occurs after the first postnatal months. Neurogenesis alterations across the life span have been extensively studied in the Ts65Dn mouse. In contrast, there is scarce information regarding dendritic alterations at early life stages in this and other models, although there is evidence for dendritic alterations in adult mouse models. Thus, the goal of the current study was to establish whether dendritic alterations are already present in the neonatal period in Ts65Dn mice. In Golgi-stained brains, we quantified the dendritic arbors of layer II/III pyramidal neurons in the frontal cortex of Ts65Dn mice aged 2 (P2) and 8 (P8) days and their euploid littermates. In P2 Ts65Dn mice, we found a moderate hypotrophy of the apical and collateral dendrites but a patent hypotrophy of the basal dendrites. In P8 Ts65Dn mice, the distalmost apical branches were missing or reduced in number, but there were no alterations in the collateral and basal dendrites. No genotype effects were detected on either somatic or dendritic spine density. This study shows dendritic branching defects that mainly involve the basal domain in P2 Ts65Dn mice and the apical but not the other domains in P8 Ts65Dn mice. This suggests that dendritic defects may be related to dendritic compartment and age. The lack of a severe dendritic pathology in Ts65Dn pups is reminiscent of the delayed appearance of patent dendritic alterations in newborns with DS. This similarly highlights the usefulness of the Ts65Dn model for the study of the mechanisms underlying dendritic alterations in DS and the design of possible therapeutic interventions.

Differences in volatile emissions between healthy and gall-induced branches of Haplopappus foliosus (Asteraceae)

Changes in plant secondary metabolism due to insect galls are one of the frontiers in knowledge of plant-insect interactions, especially concerning volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Here we studied the in vivo VOCs released from healthy apical branches of Haplopappus foliosus DC. (Asteraceae) and compared these volatiles to the VOCs obtained from apical bud galls produced in this host plant when attacked by the gall midge Haplopappusmyiia gregaria (Cecidomyiidae). We field-collected VOCs by dynamic headspace and identified them by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. We found changes in the relative proportions of different classes of VOC in apical branches vs. apical bud galls. H. foliosus VOCs had mainly monoterpene hydrocarbons such as p-cymene, a recognized herbivore deterrent. We also found oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in the H. foliosus volatile mixture. H. foliosus modifies its fragrance composition when parasitized by gall midges, showing an increased proportion of some monoterpene hydrocarbons, e.g. limonene and camphene, while others such as α-thujene, p-cymene and γ-terpinene were down-expressed in apical bud gall VOCs. We discuss these results considering gall signaling and chemical ecology hypotheses, including the potential role of plant defenses as well as gall midge-derived modification for host plant VOCs, and comment on the ecological relevance of our findings.

Morphological study of bronchial tree and lung in Iraqi weasel (Herpestes javanicus)

The current study aimed to identify the morphological description and branches of the bronchial tree and lung for the weasel Herpestes javanicus as one of the Iraqi mammals inhabiting the Iraqi environment. In the current study, 10 samples with an mean weight of 288-564 g were used, trachea and lung were removed from the samples and confirmed using proven solutions and laboratory tests were conducted on 5 samples of the study to identify the branches of the bronchial tree using the technique of casting resin and then exposing the samples to erosion. Weasel has a pair of bright pink sponge lungs that occupy most of the thoracic cavity. The lungs look similar to the clover leaf have a top and three surfaces represented by the costal surface that is convex, and the middle surface, characterized by a narrow and diaphragm surface and is identical to the diaphragm. The right lung is larger than the left lung and the right lung consists of four lobes: apical, middle, caudal and an accessory lobe, while the left lung consists of three lobes: apical, middle, caudal lobes the top of the right lung appeared small and semi-sharp, while the left lung is round and blind. The right primary trachea branched into two branches, the upper branch enters into the apical lobe and branches in turn into two secondary branches, while the lower branched into three branches, the first of which enters into the middle lobe and the second to the middle lobe, the third branch into two branches enter the accessory lobes, while the primary left trachea branch into three secondary or lobe branches before entering the left lung branch, where the first branch enters into apical lobe when the second enters the middle lobe while the third section enters the caudal lobe.