Growth Pattern Research Articles

Competing pathways of intracranial aneurysm growth: linking regional growth distribution and hemodynamics.

The complex mix of factors, including hemodynamic forces and wall remodeling mechanisms, that drive intracranial aneurysm growth is unclear. This study focuses on the specific regions within aneurysm walls where growth occurs and their relationship to the prevalent hemodynamic conditions to reveal critical mechanisms leading to enlargement. The authors examined hemodynamic models of 67 longitudinally followed aneurysms, identifying 88 growth regions. These regions (of enlargement) were pinpointed through alignment and distance mapping between baseline and follow-up models. Aneurysm wall subdivisions were created based on saccular anatomy and flow-related characteristics, which were used to assess local hemodynamics. The distribution of growing regions across these subdivisions was then studied and stratified by aneurysm location and morphology to reveal distinct growth patterns. Statistical significance was evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Growth predominantly occurred in the body (p < 0.0001) of aneurysms, with anterior communicating artery (ACom) (p < 0.0001) and lateral (p = 0.002) aneurysms showing a significantly greater tendency for growth in this region. In comparison, middle cerebral artery (MCA) (p < 0.0001) and bifurcation (p = 0.0001) aneurysms demonstrated growth in both the dome and the body. Notable differences in growth distribution across saccular regions included ACom versus MCA (neck, p = 0.038), bifurcation versus lateral (neck, p = 0.008), and so forth. The central flow region saw the most growth (p < 0.0001); although not significant, ACom (p = 0.196) and lateral (p = 0.218) aneurysms showed a tendency for growth in inflow and central zones, while MCA (p = 0.001) and bifurcation (p < 0.0001) aneurysms were more likely to grow in the central flow region. Two primary mechanisms seem to influence aneurysm growth: high-flow impingement jets in the neck, body, and inflow zones leading to wall degeneration/thinning, mainly in ACom aneurysms; and slow, oscillatory flow conditions in the dome and central flow zones promoting wall remodeling/thickening, mainly in MCA aneurysms. This latter mechanism is also observed as secondary flows in ACom aneurysms. These findings emphasize the need to understand the distinct and sometimes concurrent mechanisms of aneurysm growth, advocating for targeted monitoring and interventions that mitigate rupture risks by considering the unique hemodynamic environments within different aneurysm regions and locations.

The combination of hyperspectral imaging, untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics highlights a coordinated stress-related biochemical reprogramming triggered by polyethylene nanoparticles in lettuce.

Polyethylene nanoplastics (NPs) are widely diffused in terrestrial environments, including soil ecosystems, but the stress mechanisms in plants are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two increasing concentrations of NPs (20 and 200mgkg-1 of soil) in lettuce. To this aim, high-throughput hyperspectral imaging was combined with metabolomics, covering both primary (using NMR) and secondary metabolism (using LC-HRMS), along with lipidomics profiling (using ion-mobility-LC-HRMS) and plant performance. Hyperspectral imaging highlighted a reduced plant growth pattern. Several vegetative indexes indicated plant toxicity, with 20mgkg-1 NPs significantly decreasing lettuce density and vegetation health (as indicated by NDVI and plant senescence reflectance indexes). Consistently, photosynthetic activity also decreased. At the biochemical level, metabolomics and lipidomics pointed out a multi-layered broad biochemical reprogramming of primary and secondary metabolism involving a decrease in sterols, sphingolipids, glycolipids, and glycerophospholipids in response to NPs. The reduction in phosphatidylinositol coincided with an accumulation of diacylglycerols (DAG), suggesting the activation of the phospholipase C lipid signaling pathway. Moreover, nanoplastic treatments down-modulated different biosynthetic pathways, particularly those involved in N-containing compounds and phenylpropanoids. Our mechanistic basis of NPs stress in plants will contribute to a better understanding of their environmental impact.

Breastfeeding and infant growth in relation to childhood overweight - A longitudinal cohort study.

Rapid infant growth is positively, and breastfeeding inversely, associated with childhood overweight. However, the interplay has only been sparsely investigated. We aimed to investigate how exclusive breastfeeding duration modify the effect of infant growth on childhood overweight. We included routinely collected data on duration of exclusive breastfeeding and child growth from Aarhus Municipality, Denmark, and on maternal health from the patient records at Aarhus University Hospital, 2008-2013. Infant growth was estimated using latent class analysis. Duration of exclusive breastfeeding was grouped in never, ≤4 months, and >4 months. Childhood overweight was defined as a BMI Z-score of >1 at age 5-9 years. We investigated the risk of overweight dependent on infant growth and breastfeeding duration both independently and combined using logistic regression and adjusting for potential confounders. In 7,074 infants we identified three growth patterns: average, accelerated, and decelerated. Never or ≤4 months of breastfeeding was associated with being overweight at 5-9 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.61 [95% CI: 1.27 -2.03] and aOR: 1.54 [95% CI: 1.28 - 1.85], respectively) compared to >4 months of breastfeeding. Accelerated, as compared to average, infant growth was associated with childhood overweight (aOR: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.01 - 1.79]). In the combined analysis, accelerated infant growth showed no evidence of being associated with overweight if infants were exclusively breastfed >4 months (aOR: 1.20 [0.68-2.10]). Decelerated growth was not associated with overweight regardless of exclusive breastfeeding duration, compared to infants with average growth who were exclusively breastfed >4 months. Longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding was associated with decreased risk of being overweight, while accelerated infant growth was associated with increased risk. Children with accelerated infant growth who were never breastfed had the highest risk of overweight at 5-9 years of age, while there was no association if the infants were exclusively breastfed >4 months.

Life history data derived from the dental histological analysis of Giraffa camelopardalis: Implications for the palaeohistology of extinct giraffids.

The analysis of incremental marks in the enamel, dentine and cementum of extant and extinct species provides important information about the rate and pattern of tooth growth, which permits inferences about key life history traits. Traditionally, such research has mainly focused on primates, while other mammalian groups have remained relatively unexplored. In some cases, this has led to the misidentification of incremental markings and the miscalculation of dental growth parameters in non-primate taxa, which has highlighted the importance of obtaining more reliable comparative frameworks. Here, we partially fill this gap by providing a detailed analysis of the dental microstructure in the extant giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis. We specifically studied the histology of the different cusps (i.e. protoconid, metaconid, hypoconid, entoconid and hypoconulid) of two first lower molars and two third lower molars with different degree of wear to identify the different incremental markings and to calculate dental growth parameters such as daily secretion rate and enamel formation front angle for each cusp and tooth. Our results show that incremental markings in enamel were more apparent as compared to those in dentine and/or cementum and have permitted a deeper analysis of the former tissue. Enamel laminations, which had a daily periodicity, were the most common incremental lines in all teeth. Supradaily Retzius lines and subdaily cross-striations and laminations were also recognised in dental enamel, revealing multiple secretory pulses of the ameloblasts in the giraffe. Generally, values of enamel growth parameters (i.e. daily secretion rate and enamel formation front angle) obtained for the first lower molar were comparable to those reported for closely related taxa, while those calculated for the third lower molar present a higher degree of variation that may be linked to differences in general somatic rates of growth. Nevertheless, enamel growth parameters were highly variable within each tooth, suggesting caution when making general (palaeo)biological inferences from dental histology. The giraffe dentine and cementum also register incremental lines. In the dentine, most of these features were classified as daily von Ebner's lines and their counting and measurement revealed values of secretion rates that agree with those previously reported in other artiodactyls. The age calculated from the incremental lines in the dental cementum matches that deduced from dental wear, suggesting that the counting of yearly lines in this tissue is a reliable tool to estimate individual age in giraffids. This study further suggests ways to refine future analyses of dentine and cementum and sets the stage for dental palaeohistology of extinct giraffids and closely related ungulates for which life history information is still unknown.

Biological arrow of time: emergence of tangled information hierarchies and self-modelling dynamics

Abstract We study open-ended evolution by focusing on computational and information-processing dynamics underlying major evolutionary transitions. In doing so, we consider biological organisms as hierarchical dynamical systems that generate regularities in their phase-spaces through interactions with their environment. These emergent information patterns can then be encoded within the organism's components, leading to self-modelling "tangled hierarchies". Our main conjecture is that when macro-scale patterns are encoded within micro-scale components, it creates fundamental tensions (computational inconsistencies) between what is encodable at a particular evolutionary stage and what is potentially realisable in the environment. A resolution of these tensions triggers an evolutionary transition which expands the problem-space, at the cost of generating new tensions in the expanded space, in a continual process. We argue that biological complexification can be interpreted computation-theoretically, within the Gödel--Turing--Post recursion-theoretic framework, as open-ended generation of computational novelty. In general, this process can be viewed as a meta-simulation performed by higher-order systems that successively simulate the computation carried out by lower-order systems. This computation-theoretic argument provides a basis for hypothesising the biological arrow of time.

Clinicopathologic Characteristics of 40 Cases of Juvenile Conjunctival Nevus.

Limited studies have been conducted on juvenile conjunctival nevus (JCN) in Asian populations. This study aims to investigate the clinical and pathologic characteristics of JCN cases among the Han ethnicity in northwest China, providing insights for pathologists and ophthalmologists in diagnosing this condition. A subset of conjunctival nevi in children and adolescents, characterized by a confluent growth pattern and lack of maturation, was identified and defined as JCN. A retrospective analysis of the clinicopathologic features of these cases was performed. The study included 40 patients aged 3-20 years, with a median age of 15.5 years. Six cases involved congenital conjunctival pigmentation. Twenty-four were male patients and 16 were female patients, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1. Microscopically, nevus cells grew confluently within or beneath the epidermis and exhibited moderate cellular atypia. In some cases, the junction of the epithelium and the lamina propria layer was obscured by the integration of nevus cell clusters, mimicking epithelial invasion and potentially leading to a misdiagnosis. Over an average follow-up of 78.5 months, no recurrence or postoperative complications were observed. Diagnosing JCN is challenging because of its histologic resemblance to conjunctival melanoma. A systematic analysis of JCN can improve the recognition of its benign nature by pathologists and ophthalmologists, helping to prevent overdiagnosis of conjunctival malignant melanoma in this young population.

Life history and growth dynamics of a peirosaurid crocodylomorph (Mesoeucrocodylia; Notosuchia) from the Late Cretaceous of Argentina inferred from its bone histology.

Notosuchia were a successful lineage of Crocodyliformes that achieved a remarkable diversity during the Cretaceous of Gondwana, particularly in South America. Although paleohistology has expanded our knowledge of the paleobiology of notosuchians, several clades of this lineage remain poorly understood in this aspect. Here we help to address this gap by conducting the first histological analysis of appendicular bones of a peirosaurid. To increase our knowledge about growth dynamics and examine intraeskeletal and interspecific histological variation, we analyze the microstructure of a tibia, fibula, phalanx, fragment of ornamented element (possible osteoderm or skull bone) and a possible long bone of an individual assigned to Peirosauridae indet. (MAU-Pv-437). The peirosaurid studied here appears to have reached sexual but not somatic maturity and the minimum age inferred from appendicular bones results in a lower estimated than the age inferred from osteoderms in a previous study on the same individual. The cortical bone in MAU-Pv 437 is formed by vascularized parallel fibered bone/lamellar bone which indicates that this individual experienced a moderate growth rate. This indicates different growth dynamics from what has been observed for other notosuchians specimens, suggesting a lack of a uniform growth pattern for this clade.

Development of the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), on pork tissue at two temperatures.

The house fly, Musca domestica, L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is a filth fly that is often associated with criminal and civil investigations surrounding abuse, neglect, and death of humans and other vertebrates. However, development data, which are crucial for determining the age of immatures collected under forensically relevant circumstances, are limited. Given the lack of data and the recognition of population-specific growth patterns, the aim of this study was to generate data for development of a M. domestica population from Texas, USA, on decomposing lean pork at 24.0°C (i.e., approximate room temperature in Texas) and 37.0°C (i.e., approximate human body temperature). As expected, fly development significantly differed between temperatures with development at the higher temperature taking significantly less time (development from egg to adult emergence occurred c. 48.5% faster at 37.0°C than at 24.0°C). The value of this dataset is demonstrated through an applied comparison with previously published data for the house fly. Differences in development times across life stages for the studies are evident, with shorter time of colonization estimations using the data published by Wang etal. (2018), especially in later life stages. These data represent the first development dataset for the house fly on decomposing flesh in North America. Furthermore, the comparison with the previously published dataset demonstrate data from this study are of value for future forensic investigations in Texas or possibly other parts of the United States where this species is encountered, as they can be used to determine time of colonization.

Supporting the Advancement of a National Agenda for Pediatric Healthcare Reform: A multi-year Evaluation of a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program.

To evaluate the implementation and sustainability of the effect of a 1-year Leadership in Education for Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) program in a southeastern state, and to examine its impact on advancing the Maternal Child Health Bureau's (MCHB) Blueprint for Change-a national agenda for pediatric healthcare reform. This study applies the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework to rigorously evaluate LEND implementation and impact between 2018 and 2022. In-depth interviews (N = 24) were conducted among long-term (1-year) LEND trainees, via Zoom, in a southeastern state. A hybrid approach of deductive and inductive thematic analysis was conducted to identify emergent patterns and themes from trainees' experiences, related to the EPIS constructs and national priorities. Exploration and Preparation. Trainees identified insights from multidisciplinary discussions and family panels as key facilitators to their development. Trainees reported growth in confidence and communication and improving their service delivery, including implementation of a collaborative approach to patient care, family-centered care, and occasionally facilitating their obtainment of leadership positions. Trainees also reported systemic barriers to implementation, including time and financial constraints. Sustainability. Trainees identify their experienced shift in mindset and statewide connections as drivers for sustained change, with suggestions for follow-up events and networking opportunities to enhance the effect of LEND training. These results may inform LEND objectives to enhance the statewide network and to advance a national framework for prioritizing family well-being and quality of life and access to services.

Study of Histotripsy With Subsequent Heating on In Vitro VX2 Cancer Cells.

Focused ultrasound has emerged as a precise and minimally invasive modality for effective cancer treatment. In this study, we propose a novel method that integrates the mechanical effects of focused ultrasound, known as histotripsy, with heating to enhance both the immediate and sustained cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Our investigation focused on VX2 cancer cells in suspension, examining five experimental groups: blank control, negative control, heating alone, histotripsy alone, and histotripsy with subsequent heating. B-mode ultrasound imaging was utilized to visualize cavitation bubble cloud formation and its motion during histotripsy. The suspension was contained in individually sealed compartments obtained from bubble wrap (referred to as bubble wrap compartments) embedded within the agarose phantom. Residual living cells were examined immediately after treatment and cultured for 96 hours to analyze the growth patterns. Additionally, CFDA SE staining was employed to assess cell proliferation. Furthermore, both intracellular and extracellular heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels were measured to investigate the potential initiation of an immune response. The combination of histotripsy and subsequent heating significantly reduced the normalized concentration of living cells immediately after treatment. It also decreased the proliferation rate of residual cells compared with the other experimental groups. Histotripsy with subsequent heating also increased the generation and release of HSP70, which might potentially enhance an innate anti-tumor immune response in vivo. Histotripsy and subsequent heating improved the immediate lethal impact on VX2 cancer cells and curtailed the proliferation of residual cancer cells in suspension. This study presents a promising strategy for cancer therapy in the future.

Dynamics of inland saline ground water and associated growth potential of common carp Cyprinus carpio for a sustainable aquaculture

Natural and anthropogenic causes have led to soil degradation, salinisation of inland areas, and groundwater. The degraded soils are unsuitable for primary agriculture, but can be utilised for saline aquaculture. ICAR-CIFE has initiated a selective breeding program for faster growth in common carp cultured at low salinity (6–8 ppt). The present study demonstrates the dynamic nature of physico-chemical parameters of Inland Saline Ground Water (ISGW) and the growth potential of selectively bred F1 generation of common carp using ISGW. About 1560 common carp fingerlings were stocked in two ponds, each representing a unique size class (> 100 g and < 100 g). "The water quality parameters, viz., temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, total hardness, total alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium recorded during the culture period had mean values of 30.27 ℃, 6.73 ppt, 8.48, 5.02 mg L−1, 1544.83 mg L−1, 217.29 mg L−1, 177.22 mg L−1 and 332.33 mg L−1, respectively". The average body weight of common carp at stocking in Pond 1 and Pond 2 was 42.43 g and 180.86 g, respectively. The average standard length at stocking for Pond 1 and Pond 2 was 10.57 cm and 16.57 cm, respectively. The overall means for harvest body weight and standard length at 200 days of culture in summer months were 432.48 ± 4.14 g and 22.72 ± 3.04 cm, respectively. The effects of standard length, sex of fish, and sex by pond interaction were found to be significant on the harvest body weight. The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCE), and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) obtained for Pond 1 and Pond 2 were 2.19, 45.8, 1.53; 2.25, 44.44, and 1.48, respectively. The daily weight gain for Pond 1 and Pond 2 was 1.58 g and 1.61 g, respectively. In conclusion, the common carp reared in an inland saline environment showed a similar growth pattern in both size classes as reported in freshwater culture. Thus, the present study recommends common carp as a potential candidate species for inland saline aquaculture in degraded soils and advocates its scientific propagation.

Fascin structural plasticity mediates flexible actin bundle construction.

Fascin cross-links actin filaments (F-actin) into bundles that support tubular membrane protrusions including filopodia and stereocilia. Fascin dysregulation drives aberrant cell migration during metastasis, and fascin inhibitors are under development as cancer therapeutics. Here, we use cryo-EM, cryo-electron tomography coupled with custom denoising and computational modeling to probe human fascin-1's F-actin cross-linking mechanisms across spatial scales. Our fascin cross-bridge structure reveals an asymmetric F-actin binding conformation that is allosterically blocked by the inhibitor G2. Reconstructions of seven-filament hexagonal bundle elements, variability analysis and simulations show how structural plasticity enables fascin to bridge varied interfilament orientations, accommodating mismatches between F-actin's helical symmetry and bundle hexagonal packing. Tomography of many-filament bundles and modeling uncover geometric rules underlying emergent fascin binding patterns, as well as the accumulation of unfavorable cross-links that limit bundle size. Collectively, this work shows how fascin harnesses fine-tuned nanoscale structural dynamics to build and regulate micron-scale F-actin bundles.

Classroom data science: data and dataing for making sense of multivariate plant growth

Abstract What is considered data and how it is communicated publicly is rapidly changing. Participation in society involves multiple opportunities to engage with complex statistical concepts in media, in personal health, and regarding climate change. Children also are engaging with evolving data types in social media interactions and in educational contexts where they are the data. Yet little time is spent in classrooms supporting children to explore and make their own data decisions about various data types. This study investigates the role that fourth graders’ use of graphing conventions played in supporting their conceptual development of: non-traditional data and dataing during one lesson. The author hopes to contribute a new perspective in conceptualising dataing as enculturating statistical practices around data that involves multiple features, to communicate key information, involving tools for engaging with statistics to communicate a story. In this case study, a video clip presented an entrance point in exploring multivariate data (multiple variables). Video observation and student graphs revealed insights into children’s data and dataing experiences and processes involved with multivariate data, supported by a classroom culture that valued statistical processes as a creative and meaningful, story-telling endeavour. When students were tasked with representing plant growth using a graph, displays included a wide range of variables such as patterns of leaf growth and qualitative stages of plant growth. Engaging with multivariate data in exploratory ways supported students in this study to play with graphing conventions, establishing local mathematical practices involving non-traditional data.

An unsupervised automatic texture classification method for ultrasound images of thyroid nodules

Objective.Ultrasound is the predominant modality in medical practice for evaluating thyroid nodules. Currently, diagnosis is typically based on textural information. This study aims to develop an automated texture classification approach to aid physicians in interpreting ultrasound images of thyroid nodules. However, there is currently a scarcity of pixel-level labeled datasets for the texture classes of thyroid nodules. The labeling of such datasets relies on professional and experienced doctors, requiring a significant amount of manpower. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop an unsupervised method for classifying nodule textures.Approach.Firstly, we develop a spatial mapping network to transform the one-dimensional pixel value space into a high-dimensional space to extract comprehensive feature information. Subsequently, we outline the principles of feature selection that are suitable for clustering. Then we propose a pixel-level clustering algorithm with a region growth pattern, and a distance evaluation method for texture sets among different nodules is established.Main results.Our algorithm achieves a pixel-level classification accuracy of 0.931 for the cystic and solid region, 0.870 for the hypoechoic region, 0.959 for the isoechoic region, and 0.961 for the hyperechoic region. The efficacy of our algorithm and its concordance with human observation have been demonstrated. Furthermore, we conduct calculations and visualize the distribution of different textures in benign and malignant nodules.Significance.This method can be used for the automatic generation of pixel-level labels of thyroid nodule texture, aiding in the construction of texture datasets, and offering image analysis information for medical professionals.

GPNMB expression differentiates subependymal giant cell astrocytoma from other mimickers.

Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) are neoplasms that exhibit slow growth patterns and are closely associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Recent research indicates that TFE3/TFEB-targeted biomarker glycoprotein nonmetastatic B (GPNMB) is upregulated inTSC1/2-related tumours. In this study, we performed molecular analysis on SEGAs and analyzed GPNMB expression in 6 SEGAs, 10 PXAs, 9 GBMs, 8 eGBMs, 8 diffuse astrocytomas, 8 oligodendrogliomas and 7 glioneuronal tumours through immunohistochemistry, 100% (6/6) of the SEGA cases exhibited positive GPNMB expression, whereas it was negative in all other CNS tumours. The results indicated that GPNMB is specifically expressed in all SEGAs, distinguishing it from other morphologically similar tumours. The findings demonstrate specific GPNMB expression in SEGA, underscoring its promise as a diagnostic biomarker.

Non-myxoid solid variant of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma: An underrecognized subtype.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare sarcoma defined by NR4A3 gene rearrangements, typically featuring uniform cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and mild atypia, arranged in cords or clusters within a chondromyxoid stroma. A cellular variant, characterized by increased cellular density and a solid growth pattern, has been recognized. We encountered three cases of round cell sarcomas, diagnosed as EMC based on NR4A3 or NR4A2 rearrangements. To identify additional pure solid EMC cases, we performed a retrospective review of our institutional files spanning 22 years, focusing on cases labeled as "myxoid chondrosarcoma" with "cellular" features. Histologic slides and clinical data were reviewed. In addition to the three study cases, 43 cases of EMC with cellular features were identified, none of which exhibited the exclusive round-to-spindle cell morphology seen in the study cases. The three unique cases involved two females and one male (ages 42-62) with tumors in the proximal extremities and trunk. The tumors (3.5-10cm) were well-circumscribed and densely cellular. One tumor exhibited a biphasic pattern with distinct round and spindle cell areas, whereas the other two were composed purely of round/epithelioid cells. High-grade nuclear atypia and brisk mitotic activity (9-13 per 10 HPFs) were observed, with necrosis identified in one case. Next-generation sequencing revealed TCF12::NR4A3, EWSR1::NR4A3, and EWSR1::NR4A2 fusions. Two patients developed metastases (lymph nodes and lungs), whereas one remained disease-free at last follow-up. We describe a round cell subtype of EMC, distinct from the traditional cellular variant, characterized by a sheet-like proliferation of large, uniform round-to-epithelioid cells and the absence of chondromyxoid stroma. This potentially underrecognized subtype requires molecular testing for accurate diagnosis. Moreover, the presence of NR4A2 fusions, although rare, suggests that the absence of NR4A3 rearrangements does not entirely exclude EMC.

The Immunopeptidomic Landscape of Ependymomas Provides Actionable Antigens for T Cell-Based Immunotherapy

Abstract Background Ependymoma are primary tumors of the nervous system. Due to their growth pattern, many ependymomas can be managed with neurosurgical resection alone. A substantial proportion of these tumors recurs or displays infiltrative growth patterns. Further established therapeutic options include radiation therapy. Systemic treatment options include platinum-based therapeutic regimes or a combination of lapatinib and temozolomide. Peptide-based immunotherapy represents a promising therapeutic strategy relying on the induction of tumor-specific T cells targeting human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-presented peptides. Our work aimed to analyze the landscape of naturally presented HLA class I and II ligands of primary ependymomas (EPN) to delineate EPN-associated antigens. Methods We investigated 22 EPN tissue samples using a comparative mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomic approach. Additionally, EPN-specific antigens were functionally characterized in T cell-based immunogenicity assays. Results We discovered a subset of EPN-exclusive peptides including HLA-A*02 and HLA-A*25/HLA-A*26–restricted HLA ligands and identified a small panel of cancer/testis antigens (CTAs)-derived HLA ligands. Furthermore, we outlined immunopeptidomic alterations in different ependymoma subgroups and progressive ependymoma. Subsequently, we performed functional characterization of the previously identified HLA-A*02:01 restricted peptide FLDS to demonstrate immunogenicity in vitro. Conclusion The immunopeptidome landscape of EPNs provides actionable targets that could further be explored as a T-cell-based immunotherapeutic strategy in this tumor entity.

First Report of Phytopythium vexans Causing Root Rot on Tulip Poplar in Tennessee and the United States.

Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a member of the Magnolia family, is a large, fast-growing, long-lived, deciduous tree native to eastern North America. One-year-old tulip poplar seedlings grown under field conditions in a commercial nursery in Warren County, Tennessee, exhibited severe root rot in May 2024. Dark brown to black lesions were observed on the affected roots. Disease severity was 60% of the affected root area, and disease incidence was 45% of 300 plants. Symptomatic root tissues were surface-disinfected with 70% ethanol and washed twice with distilled water. Small sections of root tissue were placed in Petri dishes containing V8-PARPH (V8 juice agar amended with pimaricin, ampicillin, rifampicin, pentachloronitrobenzene, and hymexazol) agar and incubated at 24°C in an 8-hour photoperiod cycle. After 3 days of incubation, whitish cottony mycelia with radiate and chrysanthemum flower-like growth patterns were observed (Supplementary Fig. 1a). The hyphae were coenocytic and 5.5 μm wide. Sporangia were subglobose with papillate, filamentous to globose smooth oogonia (18.35 to 23.86 μm; n = 50), bell-shaped antheridia, and spherical zoospores that are characteristic of Phytopythium vexans (de Cock et al. 2015) (Supplementary Fig. 1b and c). Total DNA was extracted (DNeasy PowerLyzer Microbial Kit) from 7-day-old isolates FBG7781-1 and FBG7781-2 and amplified using the ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), NL1/NL4 (Baten et al. 2014), Levup/Fm85mod (Robideau et al. 2011) and Cox2F/Cox2RC4 (Hudspeth et al. 2000) primer pairs. Isolates were sequenced using for genetic markers, including the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the 28S large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal RNA, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COXII), respectively. The sequences (GenBank accession nos. PQ555199 and PQ555200 for ITS, PQ555205 and PQ555206 for LSU, PQ562067 and PQ562068 for COXI, and PQ562065 and PQ562066 for COXII) were 100% identical to the ITS, LSU, COX1, and COXII genetic markers of P. vexans isolates in GenBank (ITS: PQ050141, LSU: AB468723, COXI: GU133478, COXII: AB468910). Pathogenicity tests were performed on 1-year-old tulip poplar seedlings grown in 1-gal containers (3.8 L) to fulfill Koch's postulates. Tulip poplar seedlings were drenched and inoculated (150 ml/plant) with a pathogen slurry (two plates of 7-day-old culture/liter) as described in Panth et al. 2021, using isolates FBG7781-1 and FBG7781-2 (five plants per isolate). Five plants were drenched with V8-PARPH agar slurry without the pathogen and served as controls. The study was conducted in a greenhouse maintained at 21 to 23°C and 70% relative humidity and watered twice daily for 2 min using an overhead irrigation system. Fifteen days after inoculation, dark brown lesions developed in the roots of all inoculated plants (Supplementary Fig. 2a). No symptoms were observed in the control plants (Supplementary Fig. 2b). Isolates resembling the morphological characteristics of P. vexans were recovered from inoculated plants using the method described above, and their identity as P. vexans was confirmed by DNA sequencing with the same four primer pairs previously described. Phytopythium vexans has been reported to cause root rot in flowering cherry, ginkgo, red maple, and redbud in Tennessee (Baysal-Gurel et al. 2021, Liyanapathiranage et al. 2023, Panth et al. 2021). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. vexans causing root rot of tulip poplar in Tennessee, the United States and worldwide. This finding is significantly important for the development of a successful disease management strategy for P. vexans in tulip poplar.

Growth and development patterns of Noonan syndrome and advances in the treatment of short stature

Patients with Noonan syndrome (NS) are born with normal or slightly lower body length and weight compared to the normal ranges. However, their height gradually falls behind that of the general population, leading to growth retardation and delayed puberty. In China, the incidence of short stature in patients with NS is approximately 65%. Short stature in these patients arises from multiple causes, including feeding difficulties in infancy, comorbidities such as congenital heart disease, genetic heterogeneity, and disorders of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis. Growth hormone is commonly used to alleviate symptoms of short stature. This article reviews the growth and development patterns at different stages of NS, analyzes the causes of short stature, and summarizes the latest advances in treatment to provide new insights for the diagnosis and management of short stature in patients with NS.

Determination of optimal gamma radiation dose for mutation breeding in 'Sabz' fig (Ficus carica L.) cuttings based on radiosensitivity and phenotypic changes.

The dried fig cv. Sabz of Iran, distinguishes out among the several fig cultivars for its unique characteristics and excellent properties. The aims to this study were 1) Carefully monitoring the resulting phenotypic changes in growth patterns, leaf morphology, shoot traits, root characteristics, and other relevant traits after irradiated with different gamma rays; 2) Investigating the LD25, 50, 75 and GR25, 50, 75 values at different gamma radiation doses for chose optimum dose. According to our results, the LD50 was 70 Gy, while the LD25 and LD75 were approximately 48 and 95 Gy, respectively. Data analysis revealed that higher doses, ranging from 50 to 90 Gy, led to a reduction in leaf area for fig hardwood cuttings compared to those exposed to lower doses of gamma irradiation (10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy). In fig cuttings, the plant height gradually decreased in line with increasing irradiation doses up to 60 Gy. Among the root traits, root number was particularly influenced by higher radiation doses. On other hand, when fig cuttings were exposed to a 40 Gy radiation dosage, the average root count dropped by 50%. However, when fig cuttings were subjected to a 90 Gy radiation dose, the average root count surged by 90.7% in comparison to the control treatment. Additionally, the GR50 values were 63 Gy for internode length, 67 Gy for leaf area and 56 Gy for plant height and aerial biomass. However, the GR50 values for root number, root volume, and root biomass were 46 Gy, 57 Gy, and 51 Gy, respectively. An analysis based on the GR25, GR50, and GR75 values indicated that plant height, aerial biomass and root biomass exhibited greater sensitivity to radioactivity in comparison to other plant portions of the fig. According to the biological responses in the 'Sabz' fig, 60 Gy of gamma radiation is a suitable dose for initial mutagenesis studies.