Growth Pattern Research Articles

7191 When Pain Is Misdiagnosed: A Case of Parathyroid Carcinoma Masked as Fibromyalgia

Abstract Disclosure: H. Pham: None. P.V. Kumar: None. S. Taylor: None. Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare and aggressive cause of hyperparathyroidism, typically associated with <1% of primary hyperparathyroidism cases. Incidence occurs mainly in the 5th decade of life, with less than 4% of all cases presenting in patients under age 30. Here, we highlight a case involving a 28-year-old woman with fibromyalgia who presented for worsening right shoulder pain in the setting of progressive, poorly characterized pain for the past year. Her initial physical exam was unremarkable aside from a non-tender left sided neck enlargement. However, her laboratory results were significant for corrected serum calcium of 15 mg/dL, serum phosphorus of 2.3 mg/dL, parathyroid hormone (PTH) >2500 pg/mL, and alkaline phosphatase 1604 units/L. X-ray of her right shoulder demonstrated mottled bone concerning for degenerative disease. Thyroid ultrasound revealed a complex cystic lesion posterior to the left thyroid lobe measuring 5.3 x 3.9 x 2.9 cm, worrisome for giant parathyroid adenoma. CT abdomen/pelvis showed diffuse osteosclerosis and innumerable lytic lesions, consistent with osteitis fibrosa cystica, as well as bilateral nephrolithiasis, likely medullary nephrocalcinosis. Her hypercalcemia was treated with aggressive hydration with normal saline and IV pamidronate. She underwent surgical resection of her parathyroid adenoma, which was unfortunately complicated by symptomatic hypocalcemia requiring prolonged care in the ICU. Her calcium levels did improve within a few days, and she was subsequently discharged with close outpatient follow-up. Final pathology report showed predominant thickened trabecular growth pattern with focal vascular invasion consistent with parathyroid carcinoma. Our patient’s case represents a rare presentation of parathyroid carcinoma in a young patient without any additional risk factors. Although atypical, her severe symptomatic hypercalcemia, nephrolithiasis, presence of large neck mass, and diffuse skeletal disease warranted immediate concern for malignant hyperparathyroidism instead of benign adenoma. Delayed diagnosis in our patient led to prolonged bone disease and severe complications. While hungry bone syndrome typically manifests post-parathyroidectomy in patients with end-stage renal disease, our patient experienced this complication in the setting of advanced, untreated hyperparathyroidism. We should consider hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism in our differential diagnosis for chronic pain, especially if pain remains uncontrolled with conservative measures. The most appropriate initial test for evaluation of hypercalcemia is a PTH level to distinguish between PTH-dependent and PTH-independent etiologies. Parathyroid carcinoma, even in young patients, should be considered when PTH is >3x upper limit of normal, serum calcium is >14, or skeletal and renal involvement is present. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Integrated deep banding and fertigation of phosphorus improves cotton yield by regulating root spatial distribution and growth

Context or problemTraditionally, 100 % phosphorus (P) fertilizer application as a band at various depths before sowing significantly influenced crop root growth and yield by reducing P fixation and optimizing its spatial distribution. However, with the advent of drip fertigation in Xinjiang, China, P fertilization practices have shifted from 100 % basal to a combination of basal and fertigation for enhanced P nutrition in cotton. Despite this, the impact of pre-sowing P band application on cotton growth under drip fertigation remains unclear. Objective or research questionThis study aimed to determine the optimal P fertilizer banding depth for cotton under a drip fertigation system. MethodsField trials were conducted comparing different basal P fertilizer application depths (5 cm, 15 cm, and 25 cm, denoted as D5, D15, and D25, respectively) with 50 % of the P rate and the remaining 50 % applied as topdressing via drip fertilization. A control (CK) involving 50 % broadcasted P fertilizer and 50 % topdressed P was included. The study focused on the effects of P application depth on soil P availability, root growth patterns, P utilization, and cotton yield. ResultsAt the boll opening stage, the D15 treatment exhibited a significant 18.69 %-49.76 % increase in available phosphorus in the 10–40 cm soil layer compared to the CK. During the peak boll to boll opening stage, the D15 treatment significantly outperformed the CK in terms of total root biomass density (11.62 %-17.54 %), total root length (16.75 %-24.81 %), total root surface area (23.07 %-37.59 %), and total root volume (20.69 %-26.23 %). Moreover, root activity and growth parameters were notably higher in the D15 treatment within the 10–40 cm soil layer. ConclusionsApplying 50 % of the P fertilizer as a band at a 15 cm depth before planting drip-irrigated cotton is optimal. This practice enhances soil P availability, stimulates root growth and distribution, and ultimately improves P utilization and cotton yield. Implications or significanceBanding P fertilizer at a 15 cm depth in combination with drip fertigation demonstrates superior yield benefits. This technology offers a novel approach to fertilizer application, enhancing nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity in drip-irrigated systems.

6809 Natural History Of Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Results From Pediatric And Adult Patients In The CAHtalog Registry

Abstract Disclosure: P.C. White: Consulting Fee; Self; Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.. Research Investigator; Self; Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. G.P. Sen: Employee; Self; Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. F. Tang: Employee; Self; Cytel. J. Chen: Employee; Self; PicnicHealth. K. Lin-Su: Advisory Board Member; Self; CARES Foundation. D. Matos: Employee; Self; CARES Foundation. H. Cheng: Employee; Self; Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. E. Roberts: Employee; Self; Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. J.L. Chan: Employee; Self; Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. G.S. Jeha: Employee; Self; Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.. Introduction: Patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are exposed to excess androgens and glucocorticoids (GC), which can affect growth and lead to obesity and other metabolic complications. CAHtalog is an active US-based CAH registry developed in partnership with CARES Foundation on the PicnicHealth platform to abstract retrospective and prospective medical record data. This study reports auxological and comorbidity data for pediatric and adult patients in the CAHtalog registry. Methods: All available medical records for consented adult and pediatric patients were collected. Data were abstracted and structured into a de-identified dataset. CAHtalog data available as of October 2023 were included for analysis. Auxological data were compared to the 2000 CDC growth data. Changes in body mass index (BMI) since the first documented measurements were evaluated. Comorbidities were defined based on diagnosis codes (ICD-9/10), laboratory measurements, vital signs, and/or clinical notes. Results: Data from 32 adult (mean age: 35.8±12.7 years; 72% female) and 35 pediatric patients (mean age: 12.7±5.5 years; 51% female) were available. From the first through last medical record with relevant ages (≥18 or <18 years), median follow-up durations were 13 years (adult) and 11 years (pediatric). Pediatric patients had early growth acceleration (that was more pronounced in females) with 95% confidence intervals for height-for-age of 66-99th percentile for females (2-10 years) and 42-87th percentile for males (2-13 years), followed by blunted pubertal growth. The mean peak bone age to chronological age ratio was 1.2±0.2 at age 7 years. The mean BMI-for-age consistently exceeded the 90th percentile in children aged ≥6 years, particularly for females. In adults, obesity (BMI ≥30) was highly prevalent in both females (74%) and males (33%) at all ages (61% overall), exceeding NHANES 2017-2018 general population prevalence (42%). Hypertension (53%), fatigue (47%), acne (36%), hyperlipidemia (33%), and insomnia/sleep disturbances (28%) were common comorbidities. Conclusion: Our CAH data reveal a persistent abnormal growth pattern, characterized by accelerated growth in early childhood and a deceleration in adolescents; early obesity was noted and sustained into adulthood. The anomalous growth trajectory and high rate of comorbidities reiterate the importance of early intervention and targeted disease management in this population. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Mobile signals, patterning, and positional information in root development.

Multicellular organisms use mobile intercellular signals to generate spatiotemporal patterns of growth and differentiation. These signals, termed morphogens, arise from localized sources and move by diffusion or directional transport to be interpreted at target cells. The classical model for a morphogen is where a substance diffuses from a source to generate a concentration gradient that provides positional information across a field. This concept, presented by Wolpert and popularized as the "French Flag Model," remains highly influential, but other patterning models, which do not rely on morphogen gradients, also exist. Here, we review current evidence for mobile morphogenetic signals in plant root development and how they fit within existing conceptual frameworks for pattern formation. We discuss how the signals are formed, distributed, and interpreted in space and time, emphasizing the regulation of movement on the ability of morphogens to specify patterns. While significant advances have been made in the field since the first identification of mobile morphogenetic factors in plants, key questions remain to be answered, such as how morphogen movement is regulated, how these mechanisms allow scaling in different species, and how morphogens act to enable plant regeneration in response to damage.

Leaf abaxial and adaxial surfaces differentially affect the interaction of Botrytis cinerea across several eudicots.

Eudicot plant species have leaves with two surfaces: the lower abaxial and the upper adaxial surface. Each surface varies in a diversity of components and molecular signals, resulting in potentially different degrees of resistance to pathogens. We tested how Botrytis cinerea, a necrotroph fungal pathogen, interacts with the two different leaf surfaces across 16 crop species and 20 Arabidopsis genotypes. This showed that the abaxial surface is generally more susceptible to the pathogen than the adaxial surface. In Arabidopsis, the differential lesion area between leaf surfaces was associated with jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) signaling and differential induction of defense chemistry across the two surfaces. When infecting the adaxial surface, leaves mounted stronger defenses by producing more glucosinolates and camalexin defense compounds, partially explaining the differential susceptibility across surfaces. Testing a collection of 96 B.cinerea strains showed the genetic heterogeneity of growth patterns, with a few strains preferring the adaxial surface while most are more virulent on the abaxial surface. Overall, we show that leaf-Botrytis interactions are complex with host-specific, surface-specific, and strain-specific patterns.

Changes in the radial growth patterns of two dominant tree species in north-central China under climate warming

The radial growth pattern of alpine coniferous trees in the mid-high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere has an unstable and inconsistent response to climate warming. Understanding the growth trends of trees in the past and future is crucial for forest cultivation against the background of climate change. Thus, we used traditional dendroclimatological methods to analyze the radial growth patterns and stability in response to climate change of the two dominant species on Guancen Mountain and concluded that: (1) the radial growth of Larix principis-rupprechtii was more sensitive than that of Picea meyeri to climatic factors; (2) before and after the abrupt temperature change, the major controlling climatic factors for the radial growth of the two dominant species were spring precipitation and mean temperature, respectively; (3) before the abrupt temperature change, the radial growth of L. principis-rupprechtii was affected by the mean temperature in autumn, while that of P. meyeri was restricted by the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index in spring; after the abrupt temperature change, the major controlling climate factors of L. principis-rupprechtii and P. meyeri were winter drought and the combination of water and heat in summer, respectively; and (4) after the abrupt temperature change, the interannual basal area increments of the two species followed an upward trend, however, the radial growth rate of both species decreased after detrending, and the growth and development of both species were seriously stressed by drought. Under the background of climate warming, to explore the coping situation of different tree species in the same habitat, to provide theoretical and mechanism support for the future cultivation of forests according to local conditions, and to provide suggestions for the "greening" problem fundamentally.

The pace of life for forest trees.

Tree growth and longevity trade-offs fundamentally shape the terrestrial carbon balance. Yet, we lack a unified understanding of how such trade-offs vary across the world's forests. By mapping life history traits for a wide range of species across the Americas, we reveal considerable variation in life expectancies from 10 centimeters in diameter (ranging from 1.3 to 3195 years) and show that the pace of life for trees can be accurately classified into four demographic functional types. We found emergent patterns in the strength of trade-offs between growth and longevity across a temperature gradient. Furthermore, we show that the diversity of life history traits varies predictably across forest biomes, giving rise to a positive relationship between trait diversity and productivity. Our pan-latitudinal assessment provides new insights into the demographic mechanisms that govern the carbon turnover rate across forest biomes.

HMGA2-positive salivary gland neoplasms with prominent trabecular/canalicular morphology: a focus on carcinomas arising within this phenotype.

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) with a prominent trabecular/canalicular morphology has consistent HMGA2 protein expression, and association with HMGA2 fusions. We report our experience with this subtype, with emphasis on the carcinomas that can arise in this context. A retro- and prospective review (2013-2024) of major salivary gland tumours with prominent trabecular/canalicular morphology was performed. Twenty-one parotid tumours met the criteria: 14 benign (66.7%), six carcinomas (28.6%), and one of uncertain behaviour (4.7%). HMGA2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on all cases. Next-generation sequencing was successfully performed on 18. Seven benign cases had a conventional PA component. In all cases, the tumour cells in these trabecular/canalicular areas demonstrated variable papillary thyroid carcinoma-like nuclear changes, including chromatin clearing, overcrowding, membrane irregularities, and intranuclear pseudoinclusions. Benign tumours were well-demarcated, whereas carcinomas demonstrated either a multinodular pattern of invasion or subtle infiltration. Two carcinomas showed increased cytologic atypia and architectural complexity and one had perineural invasion. By IHC, all were positive for HMGA2. In the trabecular/canalicular areas, there was consistent strong expression of CAM5.2, S-100, and SOX-10 and variable expression of p63 but negative p40. HMGA2 alterations were detected in 16 of 18 cases (89%). Follow-up was available on two carcinomas, with one being locally recurrent. While most HMGA2-positive salivary gland neoplasms with a prominent trabecular/canalicular growth pattern are benign, they, like traditional PAs, may give rise to carcinomas that can locally recur. These carcinomas can be deceptively bland, subtly infiltrative, or have a multinodular pattern of invasion.

Integrating generative AI with ABCDE rule analysis for enhanced skin cancer diagnosis, dermatologist training and patient education.

The early detection and accurate monitoring of suspicious skin lesions are critical for effective dermatological diagnosis and treatment, particularly for reliable identification of the progression of nevi to melanoma. The traditional diagnostic framework, the ABCDE rule, provides a foundation for evaluating lesion characteristics by visual examination using dermoscopes. Simulations of skin lesion progression could improve the understanding of melanoma growth patterns. This study aims to enhance lesion analysis and understanding of lesion progression by providing a simulated potential progression of nevi into melanomas. The study generates a dataset of simulated lesion progressions, from nevi to simulated melanoma, based on a Cycle-Consistent Adversarial Network (Cycle-GAN) and frame interpolation. We apply an optical flow analysis to the generated dermoscopic image sequences, enabling the quantification of lesion transformation. In parallel, we evaluate changes in ABCDE rule metrics as example to assess the simulated evolution. We present the first simulation of nevi progressing into simulated melanoma counterparts, consisting of 152 detailed steps. The ABCDE rule metrics correlate with the simulation in a natural manner. For the seven samples studied, the asymmetry metric increased by an average of 19%, the border gradient metric increased by an average of 63%, the convexity metric decreased by an average of 3%, the diameter increased by an average of 2%, and the color dispersion metric increased by an average of 45%. The diagnostic value of the ABCDE rule is enhanced through the addition of insights based on optical flow. The outward expansion of lesions, as captured by optical flow vectors, correlates strongly with the expected increase in diameter, confirming the simulation's fidelity to known lesion growth patterns. The heatmap visualizations further illustrate the degree of change within lesions, offering an intuitive visual proxy for lesion evolution. The achieved simulations of potential lesion progressions could facilitate improved early detection and understanding of how lesions evolve. By combining the optical flow analysis with the established criteria of the ABCDE rule, this study presents a significant advancement in dermatoscopic diagnostics and patient education. Future research will focus on applying this integrated approach to real patient data, with the aim of enhancing the understanding of lesion progression and the personalization of dermatological care.

Cellular automata modelling to simulate patterns of urban growth for Nusantara: Indonesia’s new capital

This paper uses cellular automata (CA) modelling to simulate possible patterns of urban growth for Nusantara–Indonesia’s new capital. The modelling uses criteria such as projected population growth and planned development stages and a range of relevant factors that influence urban development. Further the study simulates the possible impact of future urban growth on key biodiversity areas (KBAs). Two scenarios were modelled to simulate urban growth patterns–(1) the nature sensitive city and (2) the Indonesian government’s current plan. Results of the scenario-based CA modelling demonstrate that scenario 1 offers a more sustainable and liveable approach to urban growth, despite its larger land footprint. This is achieved by preserving protected and key biodiversity areas, which are essential for the long-term well-being and resilience of the environment. While scenario 2 is more land-efficient, it presents a possible risk to the overall ecological integrity and liveability of the metropolis by impinging into key biodiversity areas. The study’s cellular automata approach and methodology can be employed for urban planning and biodiversity impact assessment in similar contexts of new city development.

Assessing the spatial variability of cage movement and velocity attenuation of an off-bottom oyster farm and its influence on eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) growth performance

The global shellfish aquaculture industry has expanded over the last seven decades. Similarly, the size of individual shellfish farming operations has grown in some states. Circulation processes in natural water bodies are dynamic and vary across multiple temporal and spatial scales. How gear installation affects the circulation of currents and waves, and subsequent phytoplankton delivery to crops within farms, is largely unknown. Documenting and understanding variability in wave and current energy within an individual farm could help optimize production. Our study sought to understand the variability in oyster growth attributable to hydrodynamic and atmospheric forcing across an active commercial shellfish aquaculture lease in the Patuxent River, Maryland. We observed a 17 % reduction in water flow downstream of the farm (rho = −0.673, p = 0.002, Spearman rank test), suggesting the bottom cages attenuated downstream current velocity during flood tides. Differences in flow speed and the movement of cages and oysters throughout the farm correlated with variances in oyster shell morphology and oyster survival while in bottom cages. Our results demonstrate the occurrence of variability in production within an individual farm location. Further, our findings suggest that insight into the spatial growth patterns across a lease can be practical for forecasting growth and quality of cultured oysters and may enable growers to strategically place oysters within their farm to improve yield and product consistency.

First Principles Unveiling Equilibrium Shapes for Understanding Morphological Growth Mechanisms in Alumina Polymorphs

Understanding the morphological evolution of crystals is crucial for industrial applications and surface engineering. This study employs a multifaceted analytical approach to comprehensively analyze gibbsite, boehmite, η, γ, δ, θ, κ, and α-Al2O3. Density Functional Theory (DFT) surface energy calculations provide essential viewpoints into facet exposure and stability, enriching our comprehension of growth patterns. Using the Bravais–Friedel–Donnay–Harker (BFDH) method, a meticulous investigation into morphological properties reveals equilibrium shapes for each structure. Crucially, our models unveil the inaugural equilibrium shapes for structures previously undocumented in the literature (e.g., η, δ, θ, and κ-Al2O3). The study explores morphological growth process during phase transitions from gibbsite and boehmite to alpha alumina, emphasizing nucleation and dissolution preferences for specific facets. A grain analysis, considering bulk energy, surface area, and volume, designates α-Al2O3 as the most stable phase, offering valuable standpoints on thermodynamics and indicating a direct correlation between facet area and volume. Additionally, a comprehensive 3D surface energy mapping offers intricate visualization of facet interactions, providing valuable viewpoints into the complex relationships between surface energy, facet area, and interplanar distance. Comparisons of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra, exclusively within the 200–400 cm-1 range, underscore close agreement between theoretical and experimental spectra, consistent with the expected reduction in specific surface area during polymorphic transformation.

Crista Galli Morphology in Fetuses.

To determine alterations in the crista galli (CG) size in fetuses with advancing weeks. Skull bases of 32 fetuses (11 males/21 females) aged 17 to 32 weeks in utero were included in the study. The width (width of CG), height (height of CG), and length (length of CG) of CG were measured, and also olfactory fossa depth (OFD) was measured to determine the relation of CG with OFD. Width of CG, height of CG, length of CG, and OFD were measured as 1.77 ± 0.59mm, 5.10 ± 1.70mm, 12.32 ± 2.25mm, and 1.56 ± 0.56mm, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the measurements in terms of sex and side (P> 0.05). Apart from OFD, the parameters were greater in the third-trimester fetuses than in the second-trimester fetuses (P< 0.001). Olfactory fossa depth was similar in both trimester fetuses (P= 0.798). Olfactory fossa depth did not alter with advancing gestational weeks (P= 0.077), but the others increased (P< 0.01). Only one configuration regarding Keros types was observed. Type 1 was detected in all fetuses (100%). A linear function was calculated as y=1.442+0.455×age for the length of CG, y=-2.566+0.321×age for the height of CG, y=0.641+0.039×age for OFD, and y=-1.088+0.119×age for the width of CG. Crista galli size increased with advancing fetal weeks. The authors detected Keros type 1 in all fetuses. The authors' linear functions representing the growth pattern of CG and OFD in fetuses may be useful in estimating their dimensions.

Evaluation of Upper Airway Growth Patterns With Cephalometric Analysis Based on Cervical Vertebral Maturation in the Japanese: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective This study aims to establish standard values for the upper airway cross-sectional area and evaluate growth patterns using the cervical vertebral maturation stage (CVMS) in a Japanese population. Methods A cross-sectional sample of 400 patients, aged 6-20 years, was selected randomly from the Orthodontic Clinic at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) dental hospital. Cervical vertebral maturation stages (CVMS I-V) guided the classification of participants into five equal groups. Lateral cephalometric radiographs taken prior to orthodontic treatment were used to measure the upper airway's cross-sectional area. The growth spurt and sex differences in growth patterns were assessed through these measurements. Results Standard values for the upper airway dimensions at each CVMS stage were established. Significant growth spurts were noted between CVMS II-III and CVMS III-IV in males and at CVMS II-III in females. The weighted kappa coefficient (κ) demonstrated almost perfect intra- and inter-evaluator agreement, confirming the reliability of CVMS in growth assessment. Conclusion CVMS provides a reliable framework for assessing growth patterns of the upper airway, with distinct variations between sexes noted. These findings support the utility of CVMS in clinical growth evaluation and orthodontic treatment planning.

Urban expansion in highly populous East Asian megacities during 1990–2020: Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, and Shanghai

The world is experiencing unprecedented urbanization, particularly through the continuous growth of megacities, leading to significant urban land expansion. The spatial layout and growth patterns of urban areas play a critical role in determining cities' sustainable development. However, the optimal path for cities undergoing rapid urbanization remains uncertain. This study examines four megacities—Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, and Shanghai—and, from the perspective of urban land density, compares their patterns and processes of land expansion in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. Findings reveal that the urban land area of China's megacities has expanded nearly fourfold over the past three decades. Meanwhile, Tokyo and Seoul have adopted a polycentric urban structure, becoming increasingly compact. In contrast, Beijing and Shanghai are only beginning to show signs of polycentric development. The study concludes that cities experiencing rapid growth should not impose excessive limitations on urban expansion. Polycentric and compact development has become a critical strategy for megacities. These insights offer valuable guidance for urban planning and sustainable development in both established and emerging megacities across East Asia.

Performance Evaluation of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fed Diets with Varying Dietary Inclusion Levels of Christmas Melon (Laganaria breviflorus) as a Partial Replacement for Wheat Offal

This study evaluates the effects of Christmas melon (Laganaria breviflorus)-based diets on the growth and hematology of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) after a 6 (six)-month feeding trial. A total of 240 C. gariepinus juveniles with an average weight of 10.68 g were procured from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Hatchery Unit for the feeding trial. After acclimating for a week (7 days) using 2.00 mm Coppens feed (45% CP) twice per day, the fish samples were randomly distributed into 12 tarpaulin tanks of 4 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft with a 200 L water holding capacity (four (4) different treatments presented in triplicate). Twenty (20) fish per tank were fed twice daily with the compounded feed with varying dietary inclusion levels of Christmas melon (0% (control), 5%, 10% and 15%). The weights and lengths of the sampled fish were measured biweekly to determine the growth performance, while hematological parameters, such as the packed cell volume, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and leucocytes were determined midway through and at end of the feeding trial. The data collected were analyzed using ANOVA, and the results revealed the optimum growth and nutrient utilization and hematological and serum biochemical parameters of C. gariepinus in T3. The length–weight relationship results revealed that the fish exhibited an isometric growth pattern with B-values above 3 across the treatments. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study revealed that Christmas melon (L. breviflorus) could replace wheat offal by up to 10% in the diet of C. gariepinus without negative effects on the obtained optimal growth performance, hematological parameters, or serum biochemistry.

Effect of Different Altitudinal Zones on Growth Parameters of Garcinia indica (Choisy) in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India

This study examines the impact of altitudinal variation on the growth of Garcinia indica in Agro-climatic Zone-9 of Karnataka, specifically in the Uttara Kannada district of the Western Ghats. Eight experimental sites, categorized into four altitudinal zones (Plains, Up-ghat, Mid-ghat, and Coastal), were analyzed for tree height, girth, and crown diameter. Results show significant growth variations, with the Up-ghat zone having the highest mean tree height (10.73 m), the Coastal zone showing the largest girth (69.67 cm), and the Mid-ghat zone exhibiting the widest crown diameter (7.08 m). Four type of canopy found viz., Pyramidal, Full-crowned, Weeping and Spreading. These growth differences are influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, humidity, and light availability, which are more favourable in higher altitude regions. The findings have practical implications for commercial Garcinia indica cultivation, indicating plains and up-ghat as optimal for higher productivity. Understanding these growth patterns supports sustainable harvesting and improved yields for industries using kokum butter and extracts.

Morphological and Molecular Diversity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Causing Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) Anthracnose Disease in Côte d’Ivoire

Yam is a plant of great importance for the Ivorian people in terms of food, nutrition, economy, and socio-cultural value. However, its production is threatened by several biotic factors, including anthracnose, one of the most destructive diseases affecting yams. The objective of this study was to assess the morphological and molecular diversity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolates responsible for anthracnose in yam (Dioscorea alata) in Côte d'Ivoire. Twenty-seven previously isolated strains were collected from Plant Health Laboratory of Nangui ABROGOUA University and analyzed. The study examined the cultural (coloration, growth mode, texture, and colony diameter), microscopic (conidial shape, size, and spore concentration), and molecular characteristics of these isolates. Significant morphological diversity was observed among the isolates. Macroscopically, three major groups were identified based on colony coloration (whitish, orange, and grayish). Colony textures varied, presenting cottony, flaky, downy, or filamentous appearances, with growth patterns ranging from concentric and radiating to regular rings. Colony diameters ranged from 37 mm to 82 mm. Microscopically, sporulation varied significantly among isolates, ranging from 1.1 × 10⁵ to 85.4 × 10⁵ spores, as did conidial size, which ranged from 10.54 to 19.29 µm in length and 3.93 to 6.43 µm in diameter. Molecular analysis through comparison with GenBank nucleotide sequences revealed homology rates of 99-100% and varying proximities between the rDNA sequences of the isolates. In conclusion, the characterization of these isolates provides valuable insights for improving disease control strategies for yam anthracnose.

Role of inter- and extra-lesion tissue, transfer learning, and fine-tuning in the robust classification of breast lesions

Accurate and unbiased classification of breast lesions is pivotal for early diagnosis and treatment, and a deep learning approach can effectively represent and utilize the digital content of images for more precise medical image analysis. Breast ultrasound imaging is useful for detecting and distinguishing benign masses from malignant masses. Based on the different ways in which benign and malignant tumors affect neighboring tissues, i.e., the pattern of growth and border irregularities, the penetration degree of the adjacent tissue, and tissue-level changes, we investigated the relationship between breast cancer imaging features and the roles of inter- and extra-lesional tissues and their impact on refining the performance of deep learning classification. The novelty of the proposed approach lies in considering the features extracted from the tissue inside the tumor (by performing an erosion operation) and from the lesion and surrounding tissue (by performing a dilation operation) for classification. This study uses these new features and three pre-trained deep neuronal networks to address the challenge of breast lesion classification in ultrasound images. To improve the classification accuracy and interpretability of the model, the proposed model leverages transfer learning to accelerate the training process. Three modern pre-trained CNN architectures (MobileNetV2, VGG16, and EfficientNetB7) are used for transfer learning and fine-tuning for optimization. There are concerns related to the neuronal networks producing erroneous outputs in the presence of noisy images, variations in input data, or adversarial attacks; thus, the proposed system uses the BUS-BRA database (two classes/benign and malignant) for training and testing and the unseen BUSI database (two classes/benign and malignant) for testing. Extensive experiments have recorded accuracy and AUC as performance parameters. The results indicate that the proposed system outperforms the existing breast cancer detection algorithms reported in the literature. AUC values of 1.00 are calculated for VGG16 and EfficientNet-B7 in the dilation cases. The proposed approach will facilitate this challenging and time-consuming classification task.

Analysis of the Plasticity of Circulating Tumor Cells Reveals Differentially Regulated Kinases During the Suspension-to-Adherent Transition.

Research on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offers the opportunity to better understand the initial steps of blood-borne metastasis as main cause of cancer-related deaths. Here, we have used the colon cancer CTC-MCC-41 and breast cancer CTC-ITB-01 lines, which were both established from human CTCs as permanent cell lines as models to further study CTC biology with special emphasis on anchorage-independent survival and growth. Both cell lines showed a marked intrinsic plasticity to switch between suspension and adherent invitro growth, in 2D adherent culture conditions, and established an equilibrium of both growth patterns with predominant adherent cells in the CTC-MCC-41 line (77%) and suspension cells in the CTC-ITB-01 line (85%). Western blot analysis revealed a higher expression of pERK1/2 in CTC-ITB-01 adherent cells compared to the suspension counterpart that suggested the involvement of kinases in this process. Subsequent functional kinome profiling identified several serine/threonine as well as tyrosine kinases that were differentially regulated in adherent and suspension CTCs. In the adherent cells of the breast cancer line CTC-ITB-01 the activity of MSK1, Src family kinases and the PKG family was increased compared to the suspension counterpart. In adherent cells of the colorectal CTC-MCC-41 line, an increased activity of TYRO3 and JAK2 was detected, whereas p38 MAPK was strongly impaired in the suspension CTC-MCC-41 cells. Some of the regulated kinases, which include the Src family, TYRO3, MSK1, JAK2 and p38 MAPK, have been associated with crucial cellular processes including proliferation, migration and dormancy in the past. The investigated CTC lines exhibit a high plasticity, similar to the concept of 'adherent-to-suspension transition (AST)' that was recently suggested as a new hallmark of tumor biology by Huh etal. Moreover, we identified differentially regulated kinome profiles that may represent potential targets for future studies on therapeutic interventions.