Morphological Markers Research Articles

Extreme wrinkling of the nuclear lamina is a morphological marker of cancer

Nuclear atypia is a hallmark of cancer. A recent model posits that excess surface area, visible as folds/wrinkles in the lamina of a rounded nucleus, allows the nucleus to take on diverse shapes with little mechanical resistance. Whether this model is applicable to normal and cancer nuclei in human tissues is unclear. We image nuclear lamins in patient tissues and find: (a) nuclear laminar wrinkles are present in control and cancer tissue but are obscured in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) images, (b) nuclei rarely have a smooth lamina, and (c) wrinkled nuclei assume diverse shapes. Deep learning reveals the presence of extreme nuclear laminar wrinkling in cancer tissues, which is confirmed by Fourier analysis. These data support a model in which excess surface area in the nuclear lamina enables nuclear shape diversity in vivo. Extreme laminar wrinkling is a marker of cancer, and imaging the lamina may benefit cancer diagnosis.

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Inhibit the Proliferation and Invasion of Uterine Fibroblast Cells

Objective: To investigate the effects of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC) on the proliferation and invasion capacities of uterine fibroblast cells. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from the hUC-MSC culture medium via ultracentrifugation. The morphology, particle size, and surface markers of the hUC-MSC-derived exosomes (hUC-MSC-exo) were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and Western blotting. The impact of the exosomes on uterine fibroblast proliferation and invasion was assessed using the CCK-8 proliferation assay and Transwell invasion assays. Results: The exosomes exhibited a typical bilayer membrane structure with a diameter of 100–150 nm, and their average particle size was approximately 130 nm. The zeta potential was around -33 mV. Specific exosome markers, including CD9, TSG101, and CD63, were prominently expressed. Functionally, hUC-MSC-exo significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of uterine fibroblast cells. Conclusion: This study reveals the inhibitory effects of hUC-MSC-derived exosomes on uterine fibroblast proliferation and invasion, highlighting their potential therapeutic value. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying uterine scarring and suggest novel approaches for pharmacological treatment.

Effects of ploidy level on leaf morphology, stomata, and anatomical structure of Hibiscus syriacus L.

BackgroundHibiscus syriacus L. is a deciduous shrub with a strong environmental resistance and wide application prospects. The genetic background and ploidy levels of Hibiscus cultivars are complex, and polyploid breeding has long been an important method for developing new Hibiscus cultivars. However, the relationship of ploidy levels with leaf morphology, stomatal characteristics, and leaf anatomy remains unclear.ResultsThis study analyzed three ploidy levels (triploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid) of Hibiscus syriacus. Flow cytometry confirmed the ploidy levels, and morphological traits were evaluated. Leaf length, leaf width, and petiole length decreased with increasing ploidy. Stomatal length, stomatal width, guard cell length, and guard cell width increased and stomatal number and density decreased with increasing ploidy. The hexaploids exhibited the highest midrib diameter and palisade tissue thickness values. Correlation analyses revealed that stomatal morphology served as a reliable marker for determining ploidy levels.ConclusionThis study highlights the impact of varying ploidy levels on the leaf and stomatal morphologies and leaf anatomy of Hibiscus syriacus. These findings can provide theoretical guidance for improving Hibiscus cultivars in terms of stress resistance, adaptability, and ornamental traits, and for developing new cultivars with enhanced characteristics. Future research should focus on utilizing these morphological markers to optimize breeding strategies for Hibiscus cultivars.

New species, new synonyms, and resurrected taxa: A review of West and Central Palaearctic members of the genus Pseudoanthidium (Apoidea: Megachilidae)

Wool carder bees of the genus Pseudoanthidium comprise approximately 60–65 species, which are found in the Palaearctic, Indo-Malayan and Afrotropical realms. Their taxonomic relationships are little understood. Herein, I revised West and Central Palaearctic members of the genus. Four species are described as new, namely P. farsiense sp. nov. from Iran, P. microrubrum sp. nov. from Morocco, P. syriacum sp. nov. from Syria, and P. tajikistanicum sp. nov. from Tajikistan. The largely overlooked species Anthidium fulviventre Friese, 1917, described from Russia, and Anthidium ivanovi Mavromoustakis, 1954, described from Tajikistan, are recognized as members of the Pseudoanthidium genus, as P. fulviventre (Friese, 1917) comb. nov. and P. ivanovi (Mavromoustakis, 1954) stat. resurrect. & comb. nov. Anthidium moricei Friese, 1911, from Jordan, and A. royoi Dusmet, 1915, from Morocco, are resurrected from synonymy with P. melanurum and suggested to be treated as P. moricei (Friese, 1911) stat. resurrect. and P. royoi (Dusmet, 1915) stat. resurrect. & comb. nov. The hitherto unknown males of P. moricei (Friese, 1911) and P. rubellulum Pasteels, 1969 are described based on material from Jordan and Israel, respectively. Royanthidium bicoloripenne Pasteels, 1981 (syn. nov.) from Morocco, is revealed to be a junior synonym of P. octodentatum (Pérez, 1895). Morphological traits, along with DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene (“barcoding gene”), allowed clustering the species in five polytypic and five monotypic species groups. As key character traits of the type species of nominate Pseudoanthidium largely fit the subgeneric characters of the subgenus Royanthidium Pasteels, 1969, Royanthidium is regarded as a junior synonym (syn. nov.) of nominate Pseudoanthidium. The species of the subgenus Exanthidium Pasteels, 1969 form a uniform clade both in terms of morphology and DNA marker. An examination of the non-Palaearctic Pseudoanthidium species is suggested to determine whether Exanthidium deserves subgenus status.

Induction of neuronal differentiation in glioma cells by histone deacetylase inhibitors based on Connectivity Map discovery.

Neuron conversion leads to proliferation inhibition of glioma cells and may be an effective strategy to combat glioma and prevent recurrence. In this study, drug repositioning based on Connectivity Map (CMap) was conducted to discover drugs that could induce the differentiation of glioma cells into neuron-like cells, complemented by in vitro experimental validation. Downregulated neuronal genes in glioma were identified by the Human Protein Atlas database and the GeneCards database, and enrichment analysis and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) were performed to ensure their reliability before they were uploaded to CMap for drug screening. The potential drug targets were screened through GEPIA and validated by the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas database. Cell morphology, proliferation, and neuronal marker expression were detected to evaluate the differentiation-inducing effect of the selected drugs. The bioinformatics analysis identified histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as potential drugs. HDAC1/3/7 showed the relationship with neuronal genes, and HDAC1 showed the highest level of inverse correlation with neuronal gene expression and had the highest hazard ratio. In vitro study showed that both the pan-HDAC inhibitor belinostat, class I and class IIa HDAC inhibitor valproic acid, and selective HDAC1 inhibitor parthenolide induce morphology alteration, proliferation inhibition, expression of neuronal markers including microtubule-associated protein 2, neuronal nuclei antigen, and synaptophysin in U87 cells. This study suggests that the HDAC inhibitors belinostat, valproic acid, and parthenolide can induce glioma cells to differentiate into neuron-like cells, with HDAC1/3/7 being the likely drug targets and HDAC1 potentially playing an important role in this.

Hepatobiliary phase image manifestation classification and pathological features of nodules in nodules accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: To analyze the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) image manifestation classification and pathological features of nodules in nodules accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma (NIN-HCC). Methods: Twenty-five cases cases (27 lesions) with cirrhosis who were confirmed as NIN-HCC by surgical pathology and underwent gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI examination before surgery at Nantong Third Hospital affiliated with Nantong University from July 2015 to November 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. The size, signal intensity, enhancement pattern, and pathological features of internal and external nodules were analyzed in NIN-HCC. The lesions score were recorded according to the 2018 version of the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (LI-RADS) classification criteria. NIN-HCCs were grouped and typed according to the different HBP signal intensities of the inner and outer nodules. The independent-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact probability method were used to compare the differences in imaging features and LI-RADS scores between the groups. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between the pathological differentiation degree of internal and external nodules and the HBP signal intensity. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze recurrence-free survival (RFS) following NIN-HCC surgery. Results: The internal nodules of the 27 NIN-HCCs showed altered hypervascularity with a maximum diameter of (13.2±5.5) mm during the arterial phase. 51.9% (14/27) and 48.1% (13/27) showed "fast in and fast out" and fast in and slow out"enhancement patterns. The external nodules showed altered hypovascularity with a maximum diameter of (25.7±7.3) mm, and 13 (48.1%) of them were accompanied to manifest during the arterial phase. NIN-HCC was divided into two groups according to the signal intensity of HBP of the outer nodules with the background liver parenchyma signal intensity as a reference: the hyposignal group (n=17, 63.0%) and the isosignal group (n=10, 37.0%). The hyposignal group and the isosignal group were divided into A~C type and D~F type, a total of six types, according to the hypo, iso, and hyper signals of the inner nodules and the signal intensity of the outer nodules as a reference. Within the hyposignal group, 7.4% (2/27) of the inner nodules showed hyposignal (type A), 37.0% (10/27) showed isosignal (type B), and 18.5% (5/27) showed hypersignal (type C). Within the isosignal group, 29.6% (8/27) of the inner nodules showed hyposignal (type D), 7.4% (2/27) showed isosignal (type E), and there was no hypersignal (type F). 40.7% (11/27) of the lesions were LR-4 in LI-RADS score, and 59.3% (16/27) were LR-5. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the maximum diameter, enhancement pattern, and LI-RADS score of internal and external nodules between the hypo and iso signal group. Histologically, NIN-HCC showed fine trabecular/pseudoglandular duct type without microvascular invasion, among which the inner nodules were mainly moderately differentiated HCC, and the outer nodules were mainly well-differentiated HCC. The degree of differentiation between the inner and outer nodules and the HBP signal intensity had no statistically significant difference (r=0.290, P=0.143; r=0.079, P=0.697). The median RFS follow-up time after NIN-HCC radical resection was 31.7 months, and the cumulative RFS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 96.0%, 76.0%, and 64.0%, respectively. Conclusions: NIN-HCC can serve as a morphological marker for early-stage diagnosis of multi-step cancer evolution in HCC, with certain imaging and pathological features. HBP imaging classification is helpful to enhance the diagnostic recognition of this disease.

Peduncle Rot of Banana Caused by Fusarium petroliphilum and F. pernambucanum in Guangxi, China.

Banana is one of the main fruit crops worldwide. In October 2020, peduncles with rot were observed on bananas (Musa sp. ABB, Pisang Awak subgroup) at a about 1600 square meter commercial banana plantation in Dayu Town (23.17° N, 109.80° E), Guigang, Guangxi, China. The incidence of the disease was about 40%. The interior of the peduncle initially appeared reddish-brown and gradually turned black, and the peduncle eventually rotted. Two whole diseased bunches diseased samples were collected from banana plantations. Small pieces of tissues from the peduncle at the junction of disease and health were surface-disinfected in 75% ethanol for 10 s, 2% NaClO for 1 min, and rinsed three times in sterile water, then placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) for incubation at 25°C. Forty-nine fungal isolates with similar morphology were recovered from diseased tissues, with 82% isolation frequency. Six isolates (GG3-1, GG3-2, GG3-3, GG4-1, GG4-2 and GG4-3) were selected for further study. Genomic DNAs of these isolates were extracted from 7-day-old mycelia. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor (TEF1), calmodulin (CAM), and partial RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) of six representative isolates were amplified and sequenced (O'Donnell et al. 2000, 2010; White et al. 1990). Sequences were deposited in GenBank. (accessions PP087392-PP087397 for ITS; PP102792-PP102797 for TEF1; PP102798-PP102803 for CAM; PP102804-P102809 for RPB2). A phylogenetic tree based on concatenated sequences of all markers using the Maximum Likelihood algorithm (Xia et al. 2019; Schroers et al. 2016). Based on phylogenetic analyses, GG3-1, -2 and -3 were identified as F. petroliphilum with 100% bootstrap support, and GG4-1, -2 and -3 were tightly clustered with F. pernambucanum with 95% bootstrap support. The two representative isolates GG3-2 and GG4-2 were selected for morphology and pathogenicity observation. Colonies of GG3-2 were light yellow and flat mycelium. They produced falciform macroconidia of 46.1 ± 5.3 × 2.6 ± 0.4 μm with 3 to 5 septates, and hyaline, ovoid microconidia of 7.6 ± 0.9 × 4.0 ± 0.6 μm with 0 septate (Brown et al. 2022). Mycelia were whitish to yellowish aerial mycelium for GG4-2. Their macroconidia were falcate of 31.6 ± 3.0 × 4.3 ± 0.3 μm with curved apical cells, foot-shaped basal cells, and 3 to 5 septates. The microconidia were fusoid of 8.9 ± 1.0 × 2.7 ± 0.3 μm with 0 to 1 septate (Santos et al. 2019). For pathogenicity tests, the ends of the banana peduncles were cut off. Needle punctures were made on the ethanol-treated peduncle pieces, followed by inoculation with 20 μL of conidial suspension (106 spores/ml) of each of the two isolates with three replications each. Sterilized water was used as a control. Peduncle pieces were placed in a humid box and incubated at 28ºC. After 7 days, reddish-brown to black lesions were observed on all inoculated peduncle pieces, while no symptoms were observed on the control pieces. The fungus was isolated from the inoculated peduncle pieces and found to match the morphological characteristics and marker sequences of the original isolates, confirming Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of peduncle rot on banana caused by F. petroliphilum and F. pernambucanum in China. This study will provide valuable information on causal pathogens of this disease which can contribute to improving prevention and disease management strategies for growers.

Abstract 4119262: Anti-atherosclerotic Potential of M2 Macrophage-Derived Exosomes by Promoting Cholesterol Efflux of Foam Cell-Like Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via the PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1/ ABCG1 Pathway

Background: Impediment in the excretion of lipid deposits within SMC-derived foam cells (SMC-FCs) is one of the reasons for the continuous expansion of the plaque necrotic core. This study aims to explore the effect and underlying mechanimsm of exosomes secreted by M2 macrophage (M2-exos) on SMC-FCs lipid metabolism and plaque stability. Methods: First, immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of CD45 (a recognized differentially expressed molecule of myeloid and SMC-FCs) and the key proteins of cholesterol efflux pathway, ABCA1 and ABCG1, in human early and late plaques. Exosomes derived from M0 and M2 macrophages were purified by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, and characterized based on specific morphology and surface markers. Western blot, Oil red O staining and cell total cholesterol assay were used to assess the effects of M2-exos on the lipid mechanism of SMC-FCs. RNA-seq was used to detect the miRNA profiles of M2-exos. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to identify candidate miRNAs. The dual-luciferase reporting system was utilized to assess the regulatory effect of candidate miRNA on target gene. Then, the effect of M2-exos on the progression and stability of plaques in ApoE -/- mice was evaluated using Oil red O, H&E, Masson, Movat and immunohistochemistry. Results: Immunofluorescence revealed that compared with early plaques, VSMC-FCs (CD45 - ) were significantly increased in late plaques, and the expression levels of ABCG1 and ABCA1 were marked lower than those in macrophage-derived foam cells (CD45 + ). Purified M2-exos treatment significantly promoted the cholesterol efflux of SMC-FCs in vitro. In high-fat-fed ApoE -/- mice, M2-exos significantly reduced the VSMC-FCs, delayed the progression of plaques, decreased necrotic core area and enhanced plaque stability. MiRNA profiling and comprehensive analysis of signaling pathways showed that M2-exos were rich in miR-7683-3p, which played a key role in regulating SMC-FCs lipid metabolism through PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1/ABCG1 pathway. Dual-luciferase reporting assay showed that miR-7683-3p can specifically bind to the promoter region of homeobox genes A1(HoxA1), an inhibitor of PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1/ABCG1 pathway. Conclusion: M2-exos exerted an obvious atherosclerotic protective effect, and the underlying mechanism was closely related to MiR-7683-3p, which targeted the 3’UTR of HoxA1 mRNA and activated the PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1/ABCG1 mediated cholesterol efflux in SMC-FCs.

Palynotaxonomy of Neotropical species of Paullinia L. (Sapindaceae)

Paullinia is the second-largest genus within the Sapindaceae, with approximately 200 species. It predominantly comprises lianas that inhabit humid forests, mainly the Amazon and Atlantic forests in Brazil. This study aimed to characterize the pollen morphology of 60 species of Paullinia, examining the potential of pollen characters as morphological markers to support the systematics of the genus. The pollen material was obtained from exsiccatae of flower buds from major herbaria. Pollen grains were acetolyzed, measured, described, and illustrated using light microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used for accurate descriptions of surface features. The analyzed characters included pollen shape, size, aperture type and number, and exine ornamentation. The similarity of pollen characters between species was analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The results showed that pollen grains of Paullinia species are shed in monads, heteropolar in most species and isopolar in some others, medium or large in size, oblate or suboblate, and 3- or 3-4-porate, with perforate sexine ornamentation in most species and microreticulate in some others. Multivariate analyses revealed that pollen morphology is informative and holds taxonomic potential, enabling grouping based on the similarity of the unique pollen characters of the genus. Species dispersion on the PCA biplot showed that the five clusters formed by HCA were robust, suggesting that quantitative and qualitative pollen characters exhibit consistency with regard to the similarity species. The palynological findings presented here contribute to enhancing our understanding of the morphological characters, aiding in the taxonomy and systematics of the genus.

A Comparative Study of Subordinate Conjunctions in Azerbaijani and English: A Typological Perspective

This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of subordinate conjunctions in Azerbaijani and English, examining their syntactic structures, semantic functions, and frequency of usage. Drawing from a diverse corpus of literary, academic, and spoken texts, the research reveals significant typological differences between the two languages. Azerbaijani, with its agglutinative and head-final structure, uses flexible clause positioning and morphological markers, whereas English adheres to a fixed, head-initial clause arrangement. The semantic analysis categorizes conjunctions into causal, conditional, temporal, and adversative types, highlighting unique patterns and preferences in each language. Additionally, frequency analysis shows a higher density of conditional conjunctions in Azerbaijani, reflecting cultural emphasis on hypothetical relationships. These findings have important implications for translation, language teaching, and linguistic theory, offering practical tools and insights for both academic and applied linguistics. The study also identifies limitations, such as the focus on written texts, and suggests directions for future research, including analysis of spoken language and digital communication.

A visible seedling-stage screening system for the Brassica napus hybrid breeding by a novel hypocotyl length-regulated gene BnHL.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is a globally significant oilseed crop with strong heterosis performance. Recessive genic male sterility (RGMS) is one of the key approaches for utilizing heterosis in B. napus. However, this method faces the inherent challenge of being time-consuming and labour-intensive for removing fertile plants during seed production. Here, we report a hypocotyl length-regulated gene, BnHL, which is closely linked to a known fertility gene, BnMs2, serving as a seedling morphology marker. This marker could be used to identify fertile plants in the breeding of RGMS lines based on hypocotyl traits. By targeting the BnHL gene, both homozygous and heterozygous edited mutants exhibited significantly longer hypocotyls than the wild type (WT). Furthermore, germination experiments revealed that 7 days after seed germination, the difference in hypocotyl length between the mutant and the WT seedlings reached its maximum, effectively distinguishing fertile plants under both white (W) and red/far-red (R/FR) light. Mutations in BnHL did not result in significant changes in main agronomic traits. Thus, this study provides a comprehensive strategy for screening and identifying a new morphological marker gene for early screening in RGMS hybrid breeding with completely non-transgene during the whole production.

Utilizing the apical-out enteroids in vitro model to investigate intestinal glucose transport, barrier function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses in broiler chickens.

Conventional 2D intestinal epithelial cell lines have been widely used in investigating intestinal functions, yet with limitations in recapitulating the in vivo gut physiology of chickens. A recently established chicken enteroid model with apical-out nature and the presence of leukocyte components represents intestinal mucosal functions. The objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate basic gut nutrient transport and barrier functions in this model and 2) identify the model's effectiveness in studying inflammation and oxidative stress responses. Enteroids were generated from individual villus units isolated from the small intestine of Cobb500 broiler embryos. Enteroid viability, morphology, and epithelial cell markers were monitored; barrier function was evaluated based on the permeability to fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FD4) with or without EDTA and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenges; nutrient transport was evaluated by fluorescence-labeled glucose (2NBD-G) with or without transporter blockade; the oxidative status was indicated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Inflammatory and oxidative challenges were induced by LPS and menadione treatment, respectively. Selected marker gene expressions, including tight junction proteins (CLDN-1, CLDN-2, ZO-1, and OCCL), epithelial cell markers (Lgr-5, LYZ, and MUC-2), cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and INF-γ), and antioxidant enzymes (Nrf-2, catalase, and SOD), were determined by using RT-qPCR. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA among treatment groups. Enteroid cell activity was stable from day (d) 2 to d 6 and declined at d 7. Epithelial cell marker and cytokine expressions were stable from d 4 to d 6. FD4 permeability was increased after the EDTA treatment (P ≤ 0.05). Transporter-mediated 2NBD-G absorption was observed, which was reduced with glucose transporter blockade (P ≤ 0.05). Enteroids showed classic responses to LPS challenges, including upregulated gene expressions of IL-1β and IL-6, downregulated gene expressions of ZO-1 and OCCL, and increased FD4 permeability (P ≤ 0.05). Enteroids showed increased ROS generation (P ≤ 0.05) in response to oxidative stress. In conclusion, this apical-out enteroid model is a stable alternative in vitro model that exhibits intestinal barrier, nutrient transport, oxidation, and inflammation functions. With this enteroid model, we developed two challenge protocols for evaluating intestinal functions under oxidative stress and inflammation conditions.

Diversity and morpho-chemo correlations of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) bark oil from Sri Lanka

The wide natural variation of Cinnamomum verum morphology in Sri Lanka suggests the chemo-diversity, which must be revealed for efficient utilization in a vast scope of industries. This study was carried out to determine the variation of essential oil constituents of cinnamon bark from major growing areas of Sri Lanka, morphological markers for oil constituents and genetic relationships for the correlations among major chemical constituents. E-Cinnamaldehyde (CM), (E)-Cinnamyl acetate (CA), Eugenol (EU), Benzyl benzoate (BB), linalool (LN) and β-caryophyllene (CR) were the highest abundant six out of 188 constituents reported through GC-MS analysis of bark essential oil. The mean values and 95% confidence intervals of CM, CA, EU, BB, LN and CR were 65.10±2.4 (60.15, 70.05), 15.93 ±2.14 (11.51, 20.34), 4.07±0.42 (3.19, 4.95), 3.21±0.52 (2.15, 4.28), 1.44 ± 0.16 (1.09,1.79) and 1.31±0.10 (1.11,1.53) respectively. CM was the highest abundant in 29/30 accessions, while CA was the highest abundant only in 1/30. CM varied with growing district. CM was negatively correlated with CA, (r=0.81) at the 0.01% level of significance irrespective of the growing district. The correlation between EU and BB was significant (r=0.49) at 0.01% level of significance. Chemical constituents were linked with the morphological characters: The leaf width (LW) was correlated with EU, (r=0.37) at 0.05% level of significance and the bark thickness (BT) was in a correlation with CR, (r=0.54) at 0.01% level of significance. Gene network model analysis identifying two pathways for CM, CA and BB biosynthesis, and two pathways for EU biosynthesis explained the correlations between major constituents.

Assessing population structure and morpho-molecular characterization of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) for elite germplasm identification.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), known for its adaptability and high yield potential, is vital in global edible oil production. Estimating genetic diversity is a key pre-breeding activity in crop breeding. The current study comprised of 48 genotypes which were assessed for their biometrical traits at department of Oilseeds, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, during the rainy season of 2022. The lines were subsequently characterised using 103 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for molecular diversity analysis. The results indicated that the net nucleotide distances indicated varying genetic divergence, with subpopulations II and V showing the highest (0.056) and I and IV the lowest (0.014). Subpopulation IV exhibited the highest heterozygosity (0.352), while subpopulation III had the lowest heterozygosity and a low Fst (0.173). Principal components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis were employed for assessing the morphological diversity, facilitating genotype grouping and parent selection for breeding programs. The first four components cumulatively accounted for 86.72% of the total variation. Cluster Analysis grouped 48 sunflower genotypes into three clusters based on genetic diversity. COSF 13B stands out for its high head diameter, oil content, seed yield, and oil yield based on mean performance of morphological data. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) mirrored the groupings from the Neighbor Joining method, with the first three components explaining 27.24% of the total variation. Molecular data analysis identified five distinct clusters among the germplasm. By integrating morphological and molecular marker data with genetic distance analysis, substantial diversity was revealed with the genotypes RHA 273 and GMU 325 consistently demonstrated high oil yield per plant. The genotypes GMU 477, GMU 450, COSF 13B, RHA 102, CMS 1103B, and RHA GPR 58 have been identified as suitable parents for enhancing oil content in sunflower breeding programs. These findings also aid in selecting SSR markers for genotype characterization and in choosing diverse parents for breeding programs.

JK-1, a useful erythroleukemic cell line model to study a controlled erythroid differentiation from progenitors to terminal erythropoiesis

New hematopoietic cell models have recently emerged through immortalization of CD34 cells to study and understand various molecular mechanisms of erythropoiesis. Here, we characterize the JK-1 CML-derived cell line, previously shown to spontaneously differentiate without cytokines. Using an epigenetic differentiation inhibitor that keeps JK-1 in an early differentiation phase, we characterized 2 progenitor stages: BFU-E JK-1 and CFU-E JK-1 with CD34+/CD36− and CD34−/CD36 + phenotypes respectively. Then, using the PFI-1 inducer known to synchronously control the terminal differentiation of JK-1 cells, 5 precursor stages were obtained (ProE, Baso1-2, PolyC, OrthoC) and characterized via cell morphology, CD49a and Band3 markers. Enlarged phenotyping was carried out for the earlier phase, and expression kinetics of membrane proteins such as RhAG, RhD/CE, CD47, DARC and CD44 were performed on each stage of the terminal phase. Furthermore, since JK-1 offers the unique property of covering a broad spectrum of differentiation stages, we explored deeper the GATA2/GATA1 and the non-erythroid/erythroid spectrin ‘switching’. The possibility of obtaining large quantities of JK-1 cells at each stage of differentiation, as shown in this study, as well as the potential to genetically modify these cells, via CrisprCas9, makes their use of considerable interest for studying pathologies occurring during erythropoiesis.

Anemia and 4 cavities myocardial strain in acute heart failure

Abstract Background Anemia is a frequent comorbidity in heart failure (HF) in elderly patients. Few data are available concerning the correlation between anemia and echocardiographic morphologic, functional and hemodynamic markers in acute HF. Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate 4 cavities myocardial strain in elderly patients hospitalized with acute HF and to evaluate the influence of the presence of concomitant anemia. Methods One hundred and seven patients aged 70 years or older, hospitalized for acute HF were prospectively analyzed. Left ventricle longitudinal strain (LVGLS), left atrial (LA) reservoir, right atrial (RA) reservoir and right ventricle (RV) free wall strain were measured using speckle tracking transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at admission. The population was divided into 2 groups, with (N = 47) or without (N = 60) of anemia. Results Mean age was 81.2 ± 6.6 years; 67 (62.6%) patients were men. Anemia was documented in 60 (56.1%) patients. Patients with anemia, compared to those without anemia, had more frequently history of hypertension, diabetes, renal insufficiency, and iron deficiency (Table 1). Patients with anemia, compared to those without anemia, had higher indexed cardiac output, LV ejection fraction and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, TAPSE (Table 1). Myocardial strain analysis found that patients with anemia, compared to those without anemia, had significantly higher LVGLS, LA and RA reservoir strain (Figure 1). Conclusion Anemia is common in elderly patients with decompensated HF. Patients suffering from both anemia and acute HF exhibited significantly higher myocardial strain (except free wall RV strain), suggesting a possible compensatory mechanism. Further investigations are necessary to understand the pathophysiologic links between HF, anemia and myocardial strain as well as their implications for prognosis.

Development of an efficient selection procedure for high imperatorin-yielding hairy root clones of Urena lobata L. using morphological and molecular markers

Development of an efficient selection procedure for high imperatorin-yielding hairy root clones of Urena lobata L. using morphological and molecular markers

Gastric metastasis of small cell lung carcinoma: A rare but noteworthy entity to consider.

Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy known for its propensity for early and extensive metastatic spread. Gastric metastasis, where cancer cells disseminate from the lung to the stomach, is a rare but increasingly recognized complication of SCLC. This review provides a comprehensive overview of gastric metastasis in SCLC, addressing its clinical significance, diagnostic challenges, management strategies, and prognosis. Additionally, it examines the broader metastatic patterns of SCLC and compares them with other malignancies known for gastric metastasis. Gastric metastasis in SCLC, though infrequent, is clinically significant and often indicates advanced disease with a poor prognosis. SCLC typically metastasizes to the liver, brain, bones, and adrenal glands, with the stomach being an unusual site. The incidence of gastric metastasis ranges from 1% to 5% in autopsy studies, although this may be underestimated due to diagnostic difficulties and asymptomatic early lesions. Diagnosing gastric metastasis presents several challenges, including the asymptomatic nature of many cases, limitations of conventional imaging techniques, and difficulties in distinguishing metastatic lesions from primary gastric cancer via endoscopy. Histopathological diagnosis requires careful examination to identify SCLC cells through their characteristic small cell morphology and neuroendocrine markers. Management of gastric metastasis in SCLC typically involves a multidisciplinary approach. Systemic therapy, primarily chemotherapy, remains the cornerstone of treatment, with palliative care addressing symptoms and complications. Surgical intervention is usually reserved for specific cases requiring symptomatic relief. The prognosis for patients with gastric metastasis from SCLC is generally poor, reflecting the advanced stage of the disease. Median survival is significantly reduced compared to patients without gastric metastasis. This review emphasizes the need for enhanced awareness and early detection to improve patient outcomes and highlights the importance of ongoing research into better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Evaluating Inclusion of Commercial Pistachio By-Product as a Functional Ingredient in Rainbow Trout Fishmeal and Plant Meal-Based Diets.

To meet the growing demand for sustainable aquaculture, plant proteins are being explored as alternative sources in fish diets. However, some plant proteins can have adverse health effects on fish, prompting research into functional feed ingredients to mitigate these issues. This study investigated pistachio shell powder (PSP), rich in antioxidants, as a functional feed ingredient for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The effects of PSP inclusion (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%) on growth performance, intestinal health, and gut microbiota were assessed in fish fed either a fishmeal (FM) or plant meal (PM) diet over a 12-week feeding period. The results indicated that PSP inclusion at 1% significantly (p < 0.05) improved weight gain and growth performance in FM treatments, with no impact on growth in PM treatments. No significant differences were observed in other growth parameters, intestinal morphology, or oxidative stress markers, although a trend toward the downregulation of inflammatory genes was noted in PM treatments at 2% PSP inclusion. PSP inclusion did not significantly alter gut microbiota alpha diversity but affected beta diversity at the 0.5% level in the FM treatments (p < 0.05). Differential abundance analysis of gut microbiota revealed taxa-specific responses to PSP, particularly the genus Candidatus arthromitus, increasing in relative abundance with PSP inclusion in both the FM- and PM-based treatments. Overall, PSP inclusion up to 2% did not have significant adverse effects on the growth, intestinal health, or antioxidant status of rainbow trout.

Morphological and molecular characterization of some Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) cultivars

The diversity and genetic relationships among seven commercial chrysanthemum cultivars were analyzed using morphological and molecular markers. Vegetative growth, flowering, flower yield, and flower quality parameters were evaluated to assess genetic variability across the cultivars. Cultivars Crystal Red, Kodiack, and Crystal White exhibited superior vegetative growth, while Abrun, Crystal Red, and Kodiack displayed better flowering characteristics, particularly in terms of the number of inflorescences per plant and mass of colored flowering. Crystal White, Coca Bleach, and Crystal Red cultivars demonstrated the highest inflorescence stalk length, while cvs. Crystal Red, Crystal Yellow, Crystal Pink, and Kodiack Yellow recorded the maximum number of ray floret inflorescences. Other quality parameters such as inflorescence diameter and ray floret length were found to be optimal in Kodiack, Crystal White, Crystal Pink, Coca Bleach, and Crystal Yellow cultivars. Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers were employed to distinguish and identify standard-type chrysanthemum cultivars, utilizing twelve SSR markers from the chrysanthemum SSR database. The results suggest that these SSR markers hold promise for identifying additional chrysanthemum cultivar types and assessing genetic relationships among them. Association studies combining morphological and molecular data offer a valuable approach to identifying informative markers for plant breeding purposes.