Morphological Appearance Research Articles

Amidation-Reaction Strategy Constructs Versatile Mixed Matrix Composite Membranes towards Efficient Volatile Organic Compounds Adsorption and CO2 Separation.

Mixed matrix composite membranes (MMCMs) have shown advantages in reducing VOCs and CO2 emissions. Suitable composite layer, substrate, and good compatibility between the filler and the matrix in the composite layer are critical issues in designing MMCMs. This work develops a high-performance UiO-66-NA@PDMS/MCE for VOCs adsorption and CO2 permea-selectivity, based on a simple and facile fabrication of composite layer using amidation-reaction approach on the substrate. The composite layer shows a continuous morphological appearance without interface voids. This outstanding compatibility interaction between UiO-66-NH2 and PDMS is confirmed by molecular simulations. The Si─O functional group and UiO-66-NH2 in the layer leads to improved VOCs adsorption via active sites, skeleton interaction, electrostatic interaction, and van der Waals force. The layer and ─CONH─ also facilitate CO2 transport. The MMCMs show strong four VOCs adsorption and high CO2 permeance of 276.5 GPU with a selectivity of 36.2. The existence of VOCs in UiO-66-NA@PDMS/MCE increases the polarity and fine-tunes the pore size of UiO-66-NH2, improving the affinity towards CO2 and thus promoting the permea-selectivity for CO2, which is further verified by GCMC and EMD methods. This work is expected to offer a facile composite layer manufacturing method for MMCMs with high VOC adsorption and CO2 permea-selectivity.

Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors of the Ovary: An Update and Review. Part I - Pure Ovarian Stromal Tumors.

In two separate reviews, we review the time-honored but still frequently challenging features of ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors, and also emphasize new developments including unusual morphologic appearances that, despite the relative rarity of many of the tumors, result in a disproportionate number of differential diagnostic problems, variant immunohistochemical profiles, and specific molecular and syndromic associations. These neoplasms are also of historical interest as current knowledge is still based in significant part on the contributions of 2 giants of gynecologic pathology, Dr Robert Meyer and Dr Robert E. Scully. In part I, we present the major clinical, pathologic, and genomic features of the pure ovarian stromal tumors including comments on differential diagnosis and briefly note significant historical contributions. In part II we will discuss pure sex cord and sex cord-stromal tumors.

Association between tumor morphology and efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

The IMbrave150 trial revealed that atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (AtezoBv) showed a higher objective response rate (ORR) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although conversion therapy after AtezoBv has been recently reported, markers predictive of its efficacy, particularly radiological imaging markers, have not yet been identified. The present study focused on tumor morphological appearance on radiological imaging and evaluated whether it could be associated with AtezoBv efficacy. Ninety-five intrahepatic lesions in 74 patients who were given AtezoBv for advanced HCC were recruited for evaluation. The lesions were divided into two groups, simple nodular (SN group) and non-simple nodular (non-SN group), based on the gross morphology on pretreatment imaging, and retrospectively evaluated for treatment response and other relevant clinical outcomes. Assessing the size of individual tumors after treatment, waterfall plots showed that tumor shrinkage in the non-SN group including 56 lesions was higher than that in the SN group comprising 39 lesions. The ORR was significantly higher in the non-SN group (39.3% vs. 15.4%, p=0.012). Additionally, the median time to nodular progression was longer in the non-SN group (21.0months vs. 8.1months, p=0.119) compared to the SN group. Six patients with non-SN lesions underwent sequential local therapy. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab may show increased therapeutic efficacy in patients with tumors with a higher potential for aggressive oncological behavior, such as non-SN lesions. Treatment strategies focusing on conversion therapy may be crucial in patients with non-SN lesions.

Ever Expanding Morphologic Patterns of Mesonephric-like Adenocarcinomas of the Uterine Corpus: A Report of Two Tumors and a Brief Review of the Literature.

Mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma (MLA) of the endometrium shows a variety of morphologic appearances, including small glands, tubules with eosinophilic materials in the lumen, prominent papillary patterns, spindled cells, solid formations, and corded and hyalinized patterns. Unique morphology, characteristic immunohistochemical staining patterns, molecular alterations, and awareness of the pathologists make it possible to identify this tumor accurately. This report of two additional morphologic patterns, intestinal goblet cells mimicking intestinal-type mucinous carcinoma and squamous differentiation with spindle and epithelioid cells mimicking carcinosarcoma of the endometrium will expand the literature on MLA.

Population study of Cucurbita moschata based on morphological characters and isozyme banding patterns in Bima District, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract. Furqan M, Suranto, Sugiyarto. 2023. Population study of Cucurbita moschata based on morphological characters and isozyme banding patterns in Bima District, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 30-38. Pumpkin is a tropical plant that benefits from its lipid, protein, carbohydrate, and mineral contents. The morphological characters of pumpkins can be influenced by their genetics and environment. This research aimed to examine the relationship among 9 accessions of Cucurbita moschata Duchesne from 9 locations in Bima district, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province, Indonesia. The morphological characters of stems, leaves, and flowers were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively and an ANOVA was used to look at the difference of leaf and flower characters. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) with peroxidase and esterase was used to detect isozyme banding patterns. Morphological characters and isozyme data were analyzed using a UPGMA method with NTSYS version 2.0 software to construct a dendrogram. The results show evidence of the varied morphological appearance of C. moschata from the different locations. A total of 12 esterase bands and 10 peroxidase bands were detected from Wera2. An undetected band with Rf value of 0.567 was recorded, while a unique band with Rf value of 0.133 (peroxidase) was not detected. Undetected bands with Rf values of 0.645 and 0.726 of esterase were also recorded. A dendrogram showed three clusters of 9 accessions studied, in which Wera2 and Wera3 each stood alone, and a third large group was formed from the 7 remaining accessions. These results confirm the uniqueness of the Wera2 and Wera3 accessions. These results would be good information in determining a management strategy for improving the quality of pumpkins in the future.

Verification of molecular subtyping of bladder cancer in the GUSTO clinical trial

AbstractThe GUSTO clinical trial (Gene expression subtypes of Urothelial carcinoma: Stratified Treatment and Oncological outcomes) uses molecular subtypes to guide neoadjuvant therapies in participants with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Before commencing the GUSTO trial, we needed to determine the reliability of a commercial subtyping platform (Decipher Bladder; Veracyte) when performed in an external trial laboratory as this has not been done previously. Here, we report our pre‐trial verification of the TCGA molecular subtyping model using gene expression profiling. Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue blocks of MIBC were used for gene expression subtyping by gene expression microarrays. Intra‐ and inter‐laboratory technical reproducibilities, together with quality control of laboratory and bioinformatics processes, were assessed. Eighteen samples underwent analysis. RNA of sufficient quality and quantity was successfully extracted from all samples. All subtypes were represented in the cohort. Each sample was subtyped twice in our laboratory and once in a separate reference laboratory. No clinically significant discordance in subtype occurred between intra‐ or inter‐laboratory replicates. Examination of sample histopathology showed variability of morphological appearances within and between subtypes. Overall, these results show that molecular subtyping by gene expression profiling is reproducible, robust and suitable for use in the GUSTO clinical trial.

Laser soldering of nickel plated steel sheets

The growing prominence of the electric vehicle industry, fueled by environmental concerns, has demanded innovation in various aspects of battery technologies with special emphasis on increasing the efficiency of both electric storage and its retrieval. An unexplored area of this is to identify the possibilities and limits of laser soldering. Here, we reveal the effects of surface pretreatment conditions and the amount of filler, along with the laser power and irradiation time on the characteristics of laser-soldered joints, by simultaneously evaluating the electrical and mechanical behavior of laser-soldered nickel-plated steel sheets (Hilumin®). By describing the morphological characteristics of the resolidified solder and the electrical and mechanical properties of the joints, we identify three, characteristically different morphological appearances and highlight the optimal one, where uniform and mostly void-free solder can be produced. Furthermore, we report a correlation between the threshold of upper sheet melting (either expressed as laser power or irradiation time) and joint deterioration in terms of the electrical and mechanical properties of the joint. We conclude that laser soldering can create joints with outstanding electrical conductance and adequate mechanical stability that meets the critical specifications of battery joining technologies when the surface pretreatment condition and processing parameters are properly optimized.

Value of the Myelogram in the Diagnosis of Gaucher Disease: Two Cases Report

Among the most common constitutional overload enzymopathies, Gaucher disease is a rare constitutional overload disease and often caused by lysosomal enzyme deficiencies in pediatric population more than adults. The cause of Gaucher disease is a deficiency of glucocerebrosidase resulting in an accumulation of glucocerebroside) in macrophages. These abundant macrophages are present in the lymphoid tissues (spleen, liver, marrow, lymph node), some of which have a characteristic morphological appearance (Gaucher cell) allowing the diagnosis to be suggested during myelogram. Reporting two cases of adult patients in whom the demonstration of overload cells in the myelogram allowed us to direct towards the diagnosis of Gaucher disease.

DEDIFFERENTIATED LEIOMYOSARCOMA

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND : Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma that ranges from 7-10% of all cases of soft tissue sarcoma, usually occurring in adult and elderly patients.CASE REPORT : Patient Mr. M, male, 71 years old, construction worker, Tulungagung Regency. The patient has a main complaint, namely a lump under the right armpit, felt since 2 months before visiting dr. Iskak Tulungagung.DISCUSSION : Pleomorphic LMS or dedifferentiated LMS shows nonspecific and poorly differentiated pleomorphism. To make this diagnosis, the characteristic morphological features of classic LMS must be obtained, or the patient must have a prior history of LMS. On immunohistochemistry, approximately 50–75% of pleomorphic LMS are positive for at least one myogenic marker, although the smear is often weaker and more focal than in a typical area of leiomyosarcoma.CONCLUSION: Microscopically, the morphological appearance of dedifferentiated LMS can resemble the appearance of other high-grade sarcomas, so clinical, radiological, histopathological considerations and further examinations such as immunohistochemical smears are needed.

Optimizing the Strength and Toughness of V/Mo-Modified 0.22C-5.24Mn Steel by Short-Time Partial Austenitization Process.

In order to obtain the good match between yield strength and low-temperature toughness, the short-time partial austenitization (SPA) process was employed for V/Mo-bearing 0.22C-5.24Mn steel. The initial microstructure after intercritical tempering was dual-phase ferrite and reversed austenite (RA), while the final microstructure consisted of ferrite, RA, and secondary martensite (SM) after being subjected to the SPA process. (V, Mo)C with disclike morphology mainly precipitated during intercritical tempering, and the aspect ratio of particles decreased, leading to the appearance of near-spherical morphology. After being subjected to SPA process, the resultant multiphase hierarchical microstructure (three layers: outer layer of ferrite, interlayer of SM, and inner layer of RA) enabled a high yield strength of 1097 MPa, a total elongation of 14%, and an impressive impact energy of 33.3 J at -20 °C. The strengthening contribution of (V, Mo)C precipitation was estimated to be about 108 MPa.

Advancements in stone classification: unveiling the beauty of urolithiasis.

Urolithiasis has become increasingly prevalent, leading to higher disability-adjusted life years and deaths. Various stone classification systems have been developed to enhance the understanding of lithogenesis, aid urologists in treatment decisions, and predict recurrence risk. The aim of this manuscript is to provide an overview of different stone classification criteria. Two authors conducted a review of literature on studies relating to the classification of urolithiasis. A narrative synthesis for analysis of the studies was used. Stones can be categorized based on anatomical position, size, medical imaging features, risk of recurrence, etiology, composition, and morphoconstitutional analysis. The first three mentioned offer a straightforward approach to stone classification, directly influencing treatment recommendations. With the routine use of CT imaging before treatment, precise details like anatomical location, stone dimensions, and Hounsfield Units can be easily determined, aiding treatment planning. In contrast, classifying stones based on risk of recurrence and etiology is more complex due to dependencies on multiple variables, including stone composition and morphology. A classification system based on morphoconstitutional analysis, which combines morphological stone appearance and chemical composition, has demonstrated its value. It allows for the rapid identification of crystalline phase principles, the detection of crystalline conversion processes, the determination of etiopathogenesis, the recognition of lithogenic processes, the assessment of crystal formation speed, related recurrence rates, and guidance for selecting appropriate treatment modalities. Recognizing that no single classification system can comprehensively cover all aspects, the integration of all classification approaches is essential for tailoring urolithiasis patient-specific management.

Pancreatic Serous Cystadenoma: A Continuing Diagnostic Challenge.

Objective: To understand the natural history of serous cystadenoma. To understand the diagnostic accuracy of serous cystadenoma and identify possible factors that lead to the correct diagnosis. Summary Background data: Serous cystadenoma (SCA) is a benign cystic pancreatic neoplasm of the pancreas, accounting for approximately 15% of resected pancreatic cysts. Current recommendations are to proceed with surgical resection in symptomatic patients or when there is uncertainty regarding diagnosis. The latter continues to be a challenge since intentional resection of a serous cystadenoma account for only a minority of resected of cases. Methods: Retrospective single-institution review of patients who on final pathology had a diagnosis of pancreatic serous cystadenoma and of patients who had this diagnosis and were managed non-operatively. Demographic data, cyst characteristics, and growth rate were collected for analysis. Results: A total of 250 patients were analyzed. Median age was 62 (range 22 – 89), 65% were female, and 34% had symptoms. Tumor size ranged from 0.6 to 20, with a median of 3.4 cm. The morphological appearance was microcystic in 58%, macrocystic in 16%, mixed-type in 23%, and solid in 3%. Pancreatic duct dilation and pancreatic atrophy were found in 22% and 14%, respectively. The average growth rate was 1.8 mm/year regardless of tumor size. Of the 172 patients who underwent surgery, serous cystadenoma was the preoperative diagnosis in only 33%. A correct diagnosis was independently associated with large tumors and cyst fluid CEA analysis. Pancreatic duct dilation was independently associated with an in-growing cyst and presence of calcification. Conclusion: SCA is a slow-growing pancreatic cystic neoplasm that is mostly asymptomatic but can lead to pancreatic duct dilation and atrophy in some patients. A surprisingly small number of correct preoperative diagnoses confirms that this entity continues to be a diagnostic challenge. A more thorough preoperative workup that includes EUS should improve the rate of mis-diagnosis.

Optimizing the structural and photocatalytic performance of Ag‐decorated ZnO/Zn(OH)2 nanoparticles for RhB degradation

AbstractIn this study, as‐prepared and Ag‐decorated ZnO/Zn(OH)2 composite nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained using the sol–gel technique. First, the effect of aging on the structural, optical, and morphological features was examined. Ag NPs can interact with the electronic structure of ZnO/Zn(OH)2 NPs, resulting in changes in their energy levels. It was found that the composite NPs obtained after 6 h solution aging increased in full width at half maximum and good crystallinity of the structures from the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The Raman spectrum supports the experimental data obtained from XRD and Fourier transform infrared, a material containing a mixture of ZnO and Zn(OH)2. From the morphological study, Ag NPs were successfully decorated on the ZnO/Zn(OH)2 surface, and composite NPs did not change the morphological appearance of the structure. Second, the photocatalytic performance of the samples was investigated. In the experimental setting, ultra‐violet A light was employed as the irradiation source, whereas rhodamine B (RhB) was used as the dyestuff. The photo‐degradation of the RhB dyestuff on composite NPs was observed to be 98.5% and 92.5% for 6 and 2 h aged samples, respectively. On Ag NPs, the catalytic performance of the sample was increased up to 95% after 180 min.

IPSC-derived PSEN2 (N141I) astrocytes and microglia exhibit a primed inflammatory phenotype

BackgroundWidescale evidence points to the involvement of glia and immune pathways in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD-associated iPSC-derived glial cells show a diverse range of AD-related phenotypic states encompassing cytokine/chemokine release, phagocytosis and morphological profiles, but to date studies are limited to cells derived from PSEN1, APOE and APP mutations or sporadic patients. The aim of the current study was to successfully differentiate iPSC-derived microglia and astrocytes from patients harbouring an AD-causative PSEN2 (N141I) mutation and characterise the inflammatory and morphological profile of these cells.MethodsiPSCs from three healthy control individuals and three familial AD patients harbouring a heterozygous PSEN2 (N141I) mutation were used to derive astrocytes and microglia-like cells and cell identity and morphology were characterised through immunofluorescent microscopy. Cellular characterisation involved the stimulation of these cells by LPS and Aβ42 and analysis of cytokine/chemokine release was conducted through ELISAs and multi-cytokine arrays. The phagocytic capacity of these cells was then indexed by the uptake of fluorescently-labelled fibrillar Aβ42.ResultsAD-derived astrocytes and microglia-like cells exhibited an atrophied and less complex morphological appearance than healthy controls. AD-derived astrocytes showed increased basal expression of GFAP, S100β and increased secretion and phagocytosis of Aβ42 while AD-derived microglia-like cells showed decreased IL-8 secretion compared to healthy controls. Upon immunological challenge AD-derived astrocytes and microglia-like cells showed exaggerated secretion of the pro-inflammatory IL-6, CXCL1, ICAM-1 and IL-8 from astrocytes and IL-18 and MIF from microglia.ConclusionOur study showed, for the first time, the differentiation and characterisation of iPSC-derived astrocytes and microglia-like cells harbouring a PSEN2 (N141I) mutation. PSEN2 (N141I)-mutant astrocytes and microglia-like cells presented with a ‘primed’ phenotype characterised by reduced morphological complexity, exaggerated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and altered Aβ42 production and phagocytosis.

Cauda Equina Cavernoma at level L1 Concurred with Intervertebral Disc Herniation at Level L5-S1: A Case Report of Misdiagnosis.

Vascular tumors show an extremely wide spectrum of morphologic appearances and clinical behavior. Hemangiomas or cavernomas occupy a gray zone and, because of their mass effect and localized nature, are designed frequently as tumors. Cavernous angiomas are uncommon vascular malformations found in all locations within the central nervous system. Incidence reported lie between 0.02 and 0.9%. Within the spinal cord they are most likely intramedullary and they account for 5-12% of all vascular lesions [1], [3]. Cauda equina is the least frequent site [3]. We show a case of misdiagnosis of a 45-year-old man complained of low back pain six months prior to surgery. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed an L5-S1 bulky disc herniation extruding to the center of the lumbar spinal canal and compressing the thecal sac and the L5 left nerve root. An intracanal structure, at L1 level, was found and a tumor was suspected. A contrast enhanced MRI showed a round mass of 4mm diameter, slightly enhanced by gadolinium on T1W scans. Radiological diagnosis was a schwannoma. After neurosurgical and radiological evaluation, the patient underwent to the surgery. Tumor was pathologically confirmed to be cavernoma. Post-surgery, symptoms decreased and the hypoesthesia recovered completely. There were no post-operative complications. There are very few descriptions (to our knowledge, < 30 cases [2] are documented in the literature) of intradural extramedullary cavernomas of the cauda equina. The most frequent presentation of cavernomas of cauda equina is between L1 and L3 [2,3], sometimes extended to more than one level. In our case the level was T12-L1, extended more in L1, on the right side, the presentation was sub-acute. Surgical intervention was direct to the disc herniation, secondary to the exeresis of the tumor. Because of intra-operating and histological findings, the acute presentation was more to be appointed to the cavernomas lesion, so the surgery we performed was precise and effective due the radiological misdiagnosis and sub-acute clinical manifestation. In our opinion their management should be a complete microsurgical removal of the tumor not only to obtain a neurological improvement in symptomatic cases, but also to achieve a definitive diagnosis.

Development of self-compatible Chinese cabbage lines of Chiifu through marker-assisted selection.

The continuously refined genome assembly of the Chinese cabbage accession Chiifu is widely recognized as the reference for Brassica rapa. However, the high self-incompatibility of Chiifu limits its broader utilization. In this study, we report the development of self-compatible Chiifu lines through a meticulous marker-assisted selection (MAS) strategy, involving the substitution of the Chiifu allele of MLPK (M-locus protein kinase) with that from the self-compatible Yellow Sarson (YS). A YS-based marker (SC-MLPK) was employed to screen 841 B. rapa accessions, confirming that all eight accessions with the mlpk/mlpk (mm) genotype exhibited self-compatibility. Additionally, we designed 131 High-Resolution Melting (HRM) markers evenly distributed across the B. rapa genome as genomic background selection (GBS) markers to facilitate the introgression of self-compatibility from YS into Chiifu along with SC-MLPK. Genome background screening revealed that the BC3S1 population had a proportion of the recurrent parent genome (PR) ranging from 93.9% to 98.5%. From this population, we identified self-compatible individuals exhibiting a high number of pollen tubes penetrating stigmas (NPT) (>25) and a maximum compatibility index (CI) value of 7.5. Furthermore, we selected two individuals demonstrating significant similarity to Chiifu in both genetic background and morphological appearance, alongside self-compatibility. These selected individuals were self-pollinated to generate two novel lines designated as SC-Chiifu Lines. The development of these self-compatible Chiifu lines, together with the SC-MLPK marker and the set of HRM markers, represents valuable tools for B. rapa genetics and breeding.

Evaluation of the expression level of microRNA-21, microRNA-15a, microRNA-372 in human follicular fluid stem cells-derived oocyte-like cells (OLCs).

Today, researchers have succeeded in achieving oocyte-like cells through the in vitro differentiation of stem cells. MicroRNAs are key regulators of oocyte development. In this study we decided to evaluate the expression pattern of microRNA-21, microRNA-15a, and microRNA-372 in oocyte-like cells, to determine the maturation stage of oocyte-like cells. Human follicular fluid samples were collected and centrifuged, and their cells were divided into 3 groups; day 7 as control group, days 14 and 21. During this period, the cells were evaluated for their morphological appearance and viability by inverted microscopy. RNA isolation was performed and cDNA was reversely transcribed by specific stem-loop RT primers. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect microRNA expression. The relative expression of microRNA-21 and microRNA-15a on day 21 was significantly down-regulated compared to the control group (day 7), but microRNA-372 did not show a significant difference. Also, on day 14 compared to the control group (day 7), microRNA-21 did not show a significant difference; but microRNA-15a and microRNA-372 were significantly down-regulated. MicroRNA-21 and microRNA-15a on day 21 compared to day 14 revealed down-regulated levels, but microRNA-372 revealed up-regulated levels. Our results showed significant decreases in the expression of microRNA-21 and microRNA-15a in oocyte-like cells, as well as in oocytes, which may lead to cytoplasmic maturation, germinal vesicle break down and the completion of meiosis І. In addition, down-regulation expression of microRNA-372 maybe a confirmation that mesenchymal stem cells have differentiated into germ cells, and these cells were differentiated into oocyte-like cells.

Quantitative evaluation of mitochondrial dynamics during maintenance of cellular bioenergetics using ImageJ

Background/Aim: Mitochondria are one of the most dynamic organelles essential for maintaining cellular energy demands, including execution of several vital cellular processes. This feature is attributed to rapid adaptation in morphological features which dictates their functionality. Depending on the cellular status, mitochondria can be rod shaped, branched, spherical , interconnected or can exist as a network. Aim of this study was to analyse mitochondrial morphological appearance under normal vs stress condition in mitochondria. Methods: The study evaluated mitochondrial morphology under normal and experimentally generated cellular stress condition by utilising ImageJ software, a versatile image analysis tool. Live-cell imaging technique was employed to capture high-resolution images of mitochondrial dynamics in SH-SY5Y cells and subsequent ultra-structural changes were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy. The images were later processed using ImageJ software, with inbuilt plugins designed for image processing. Results: The present study identified alterations in mitochondrial morphology ranging from elongated, rod and interconnected mitochondria indicative of healthy mitochondrial network in controls to punctate, large/ rounded and fragmented mitochondria in stress induced treated condition. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy confirmed significant abber-ation of mitochondrial structure with disapperance of outer mitochondrial membrane, decrease in matrix space and increase in mitochondrial size, with concomittant decrease in the cristae length and simultaneous increase in cristae lumen width in treated sections. Conclusion: The study implicates existence of a mutual association between mitochondrial morphology and execution of cellular functions occurring during several pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, by utilising such a tool for quantitative analysis , a deeper understanding of mitochondrial dynamics and potential advancement in development of mitochondria-targeted drugs is suggested.

Myeloprotective and Hematinic Influence of Harungana madagascariensis in Benzene-initiated Onco-hematologic Process in Wistar Rats

Background: Harungana madagascariensis is a medicinal plant that is traditionally utilized for the treatment of anaemia. Benzene constitutes an occupational toxicant due to its adverse effect on hematology of exposed industrial workers leading to onco-hematology. Therefore, the efficacy of Harungana madagascariensis against benzene-induced pre-leukaemic condition was investigated in rat model.
 Methodology: Hematological disturbance leading to pre-leukemic conditions was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of 400mg/kg of benzene in propan-2-ol:water (1:1 v/v) every other day for 28 days. Following benzene intoxication, 200 mg/ kg HM was administered orally for 14 days. Hematological parameters and blood cell morphology were compared between baseline control and benzene-intoxicated rats with or without HM extract treatment.
 Results: BZ-induced hematologically disturbed rats exhibited anaemic symptoms marked by reduction in hemoglobin level, red blood cells, and packed cell volume with morphologic blast cell appearance, polychromasia, hypersegmented neutrophil, anisocytosis and poikilocytosis. Moreover, there was an altered redox status depicted by a significant reduction in plasma level of total sulfhydryl content with concomitant increase in advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) that were accompanied by increased frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and hypercellularity in the bone marrow of benzene intoxicated rats. However, treatment with Harungana madagascariensis restored blood hematology and alleviated the blood cell morphological alteration induced by benzene. It also improved plasma redox status, reduced the frequency of micronucleus and improve the architecture of bone marrow cellularity in treated intoxicated rats.
 Conclusion: Harungana madagascariensis protected against benzene-induced hematological alterations leading to pre-leukemic conditions in Wistar rats.

The Processing of Phi-features in Sentences with Third-person Pronoun: An ERP Study in Turkish

The relationship between Person and Number features is often addressed in both theoretical and experimental studies. It is noteworthy that the discussion on how these features are processed has evolved over time towards how Person and Number features are structured in constructions with different persons (first person, second person, third person). While some studies state that Person and Number features can only be tested with third-person sentences (Manchini et al., 2011; Mancini et al., 2014), other studies state that these features can be tested with all person pronouns except R-expressions (regular noun phrases) (Ackema & Neeleman, 2019). In the literature, it is noteworthy that the relationship between the processing of Person and Number features has been tested with first- and second-person pronouns and R-expressions, but there is no study testing the issue with third-person pronouns. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in the processing of Person and Number features in sentences with third-person pronouns in Turkish using Event-related Brain Potentials (ERPs). In this study, three conditions, namely Grammatical, Person Mismatch and Number Mismatch, were presented visually in words to 33 participants. In the study, a widespread N400 component was observed in both the processing of the Person feature and the processing of the Number feature. It was found that there was no difference between the two features in the corresponding time window. However, in the next time window, a late N400 component was observed in the processing of the Number feature, while a positivity (P600) was observed in the processing of the Person feature. In this time window, there is a difference in the processing of the Person and Number features. In conclusion, this study found that there is a difference in the processing of the Person and Number features in sentences with third-person pronouns in Turkish. It is suggested that the P600 finding in the processing of the Person feature reflects the difficulty in processing this feature. It is suggested that the late N400 finding in the processing of the Number feature may be due to the load it imposes on the processing process due to the fact that the morphological appearance of the Number feature in verb conjugation is parallel to nominal pluralisation, and the greater demand on working memory as the resolution of the Number mismatch involves more alternatives than the Person mismatch.