Withania somnifera is an important medicinal plant, however, its cultivation and quality are compromised through infestation by leaf spot disease caused by the fungus, Alternaria alternata. To find ...suitable strategies against this disease, studies on post‐infectional changes are important. ROS are critical as they interact with other defence signalling pathways. We analyzed ROS‐generating and scavenging systems in healthy and diseased leaf samples of W. somnifera and ROS‐driven downstream defence pathways.
We used DAB and NBT assays for ROS detection, spectrophotometry and in‐gel assays for ROS scavenging enzymes, a thioglycolic acid (TGA) based assay, histochemical staining for lignin, and qRT‐PCR for transcript‐level expression.
Leaf spot infection in W. somnifera increased NADPH oxidase activity and ROS accumulation in infected leaves, together with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity. Leaf spot‐infected leaves had increased lignin content and higher expression of lignin biosynthesis genes. In addition, transcript levels of defence‐related genes, NPR1 and PR, were also upregulated.
The present work provides insights into responses to leaf spot disease through defence‐related signalling in W. somnifera. It demonstrates crosstalk between ROS and lignin biosynthesis. This work identified potential targets for developing strategies to confer disease resistance against A. alternata in W. somnifera.
In response to Alternaria alternata infection in Withania somnifera, reactive oxygen species trigger the biosynthesis of lignin and expression of defence‐related genes via signalling cascades.
PurposeMeibomian gland ductal cysts (MGDCs) and steatocystomas are epithelial lined, keratin-containing lesions of the eyelids. MDGCs are variably called tarsal keratinous cysts, intratarsal ...keratinous cysts of the meibomian glands, intratarsal inclusion cysts, epidermal cysts and epidermoid cysts. Both lesions are poorly described in the literature. We report a series of seven MGDC and steatocystomas, and examine their clinical, pathological and immunohistochemistry features and their management and outcomes.Patients and methodsA retrospective review of case notes and histopathology slides of all MGDCs and steatocystomas identified at one major histopathology service in South Australia between 2013 and 2015.ResultsSeven cases were identified, with an average age of 64. The lesions range from 4 to 18 mm diameter and are firm, well-circumscribed and non-tender, and sometimes the keratin-filled cyst protrudes visibly under the tarsal conjunctiva. Two cases were previously misdiagnosed as chalazia but recurred after incision and curettage. Histologically, these lesions are lined by squamous epithelium but lack a well-formed stratum granulosum and can be distinguished by their immunohistochemical staining characteristics. Complete excision, including a wedge of underlying tarsal plate for MDGCs, is curative for with a follow up of 12-36 months.ConclusionsMGDCs and steatocystomas should be included in the differential of benign eyelid lesions. Diagnosing and differentiating these lesions from chalazia is important for determining the optimal management strategy.
Electrodeposition of Ni-Zn-P alloy coatings was studied from an electrolyte containing hypophosphorous acid (H3PO2) as a source of phosphorus. In this study, the effect of electrolyte pH on deposit ...composition, current efficiency and anomalous codeposition was investigated in detail. With increase in pH of the electrolyte, the Zn and P-content of the NiZnP alloy coating decreased with commensurate increase in Ni-content. The faradic efficiency of deposition was found to increase with increase in pH and ultimately saturated beyond pH=10. At lower pH, the anomalous effect of Zn2+ was prominent which turned into non-anomalous at pH≥9.0. Evidence of simultaneous electroless deposition was noticed during electrodeposition and the corresponding deposition rate was nearly unaffected due to electrolyte pH variation. X-ray diffraction investigation confirmed the deposition of amorphous NiZnP alloys throughout the composition range studied here. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination of as-deposited surface showed smooth to nodular growth pattern with multiple cracks depending upon the pH values. The cross-section examination of deposited Ni-Zn-P alloy microstructure revealed growth of multiple layers with non-uniform thickness ranging from 100nm to 1μm along the growth direction. Corrosion experiments were performed in static as well as in potentiodynamic conditions in an electrolyte containing Na2SO4, H3BO3 under neutral condition. Coatings with Zn content in the range 18–22wt% were found to display open circuit potential (OCP) of −0.630 to −0.600V vs. SCE which are more active but close to steel substrate OCP and hence can be used as a sacrificial coating for the protection of steel for a longer duration.
Cross-section image of NiZnP alloy coating showing multilayer growth pattern and distribution of elements across the layers. NiZnP alloy (22.84wt%) shows OCP very close to steel (−659mV vs. SCE). Display omitted
•High pH favors Ni-discharge rate but retards Zn deposition.•Low pH favors anomalous codeposition and smooth deposition.•A multilayer growth pattern in NiZnP alloys by DC electrodeposition was reported.
Vismodegib (Erivedge, Genentech) is a first-in-class inhibitor of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway, which is licensed for use in locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and metastatic BCC. The National ...Institute for Health and Care Excellence withdrew recommendation for use of vismodegib secondary to a lack of data comparing vismodegib to standard supportive care. The purpose of this multicentre, international case series is to report outcomes of patients with locally advanced periocular BCC who have been treated with vismodegib.
The medical records of all patients treated with vismodegib were retrospectively reviewed across seven institutions in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
Thirteen patients were identified. Seven (54%) patients were male. All BCCs were ill-defined, with seven (58%) having orbital involvement at presentation. Median treatment time was 7 months (range 2-36 months). Eleven out of 13 patients developed side effects, the most common being fatigue in six patients (46%). Median follow-up was 24 months (range 12-48 months). Complete response was found in 5/13 patients (38%) and a partial response in 8/13 patients (62%). Six patients had further surgery after vismodegib, with three classed as globe-sparing operations. Three patients developed recurrence (23%). Three patients (23%) ultimately underwent exenteration.
This study demonstrates vismodegib to be a well-tolerated treatment which may, in some cases, facilitate globe-sparing surgery and hence avoid disfiguring operations such as exenteration. Uncertainty does remain regarding the long-term outcomes of patients treated with vismodegib.
Both primary and secondary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the orbit are rare entities, though cystic SCC is even more so. It may provide a significant diagnostic conundrum to oculoplastic surgeons. ...We present a case of an 86 year old male with a supero-medial transilluminating cystic lesion of the orbit. There was a preceding history of a moderately differentiated SCC of the cheek, excised 3 months prior. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated no bone erosion. The cyst was excised aided by fibrin glue. This demonstrated a poorly differentiated cystic SCC with perineural infiltration. The patient elected for palliative aspirations of the cyst and is alive 12 months later. Cystic SCC of the orbit may present to a number of specialties, including maxillofacial and orbital surgeons. Both diagnosis and management may be challenging. We review common patterns in previous cases and discuss management.
Age-related changes in peripheral anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentrations and transcriptional abundance of AMH gene in testicular tissue were studied in crossbred (Holstein Friesian × Tharparkar) ...and Zebu (Tharparkar) males. In both the breeds, basal AMH concentrations were estimated using ELISA method in blood plasma obtained from six males each at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months age. After blood collection at respective ages, all the males were castrated and expression and immunolocalization of AMH was performed in the testicular tissue. The concentration of AMH in blood plasma was found to be highest at 1 month of age in both crossbred and Zebu males, which subsequently decreased with advancing age. Significantly (P < 0.05) lower concentration of AMH was observed in crossbred as compared with Zebu males at 24 months of age. In line with peripheral AMH concentrations, the expression of AMH gene was also higher (P < 0.05) at 1 month of age, which thereafter declined significantly with advancement of age in crossbred males. Furthermore, the expression of AMH gene differed significantly between Zebu and crossbred males at all the age groups studied. Immunolocalization of AMH in testicular tissue also revealed a stronger expression at 1 month age, which gradually decreased till 24 months of age. The true Sertoli cell count was significantly higher in Zebu compared with crossbred males at all age groups studied except at 6 months age. The relationship between Sertoli cell count and circulating AMH concentrations was negative and significant (r = −0.81; P = 0.004). In conclusion, expression of AMH gene in testicular tissue and peripheral blood concentrations of AMH were higher in young compared with adults in both crossbred and Zebu males; however, the transcriptional abundance and circulating levels of AMH were higher in Zebu compared with crossbred males.
In the present study, the variation of superparamagnetic (SPM) and ferromagnetic (FM) components and their effect on giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in electrodeposited CoCu/Cu multilayers (ML's) were ...investigated in the temperature range 30–300 K. For this, two different kinds of ML's, one with discontinuous Co-layer consisting of large superparamagnetic (SPM) (tCo = 0.2 and 0.3 nm) fractions and the other with continuous Co-layer containing large ferromagnetic (FM) (tCo = 2 and 3 nm) content were considered. Magnetoresistance measurements showed increase in MR magnitude with decrease in temperature associated with magnetic conversions in the magnetic Co-layers. At 300 K, a substantial difference in magnitude of MR was found for multilayers with tCo = 0.3 (5.07%) and 3 nm (8.82%). However, at 30 K very close values of MR for multilayer pair with tCo = 0.3 (16.48%) and 3 nm (17.72%) ensures a significant transformations of SPM to FM fractions in Co-layer at tCo = 0.3 nm. Similar results were obtained for the other pair of ML's i.e. tCo = 0.2 and 2 nm. This study suggests a suitable minimization of SPM content in the Co-layer could be another effective mechanism in maximizing the MR value. The measured temperature dependence of MR obeyed a simple T1 law.
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•At 30 K, ML's with 3 nm and 0.3 nm thick FM layer (tCu = 4 nm) shows ∼ 17% GMR.•At 300 K, ML's with 3 nm and 0.3 nm thick FM layer (tCu = 4 nm) shows ∼ 8.8% and 5% MR respectively.•Temperature dependence of resistivity in CoCu/Cu ML's obeys T1 law.•In electrodeposited ML's, minimization of SPM content in the Co-layer helps in achieving higher GMR.
Present study analyzed the changes in peripheral blood testosterone concentrations and testicular cytogram in relation to age and semen quality in crossbred males. Three different age groups of ...crossbred males viz. bull calves (6 months, n = 5), young bulls (15 months, n = 5) and adult bulls (4 to 6 years, n = 8) were utilized for the study. Testicular fine needle aspiration cytology technique was used to quantify testicular cytology and their indices. Peripheral blood testosterone concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Semen samples collected from adult bulls were microscopically evaluated for quality parameters. Mean peripheral blood testosterone concentrations in bull calves, young bulls and adult bulls were 2.28±0.09 ng/mL, 1.42±0.22 ng/mL and 5.66±1.08 ng/mL respectively, and that in adult bulls were significantly different (p<0.01) from young bulls and bull calves. There was no significant difference between the proportion of different testicular cells in bull calves and young bulls. Between young and adult bulls, significant differences (p<0.01) were observed in the proportion of spermatocytes, spermatozoa, and sperm: Sertoli cell ratio. The proportions of Sertoli cells showed a significant difference (p<0.01) between the three age groups. The number of primary spermatocytes had a positive correlation with peripheral blood testosterone concentrations in bull calves (r = 0.719, p<0.01). Number of Sertoli cells per 100 germ cells was negatively correlated with blood testosterone concentration in young bulls (r = -0.713, p<0.01). Among different semen parameters in adult bulls, ejaculate volume (r = 0.790, p<0.05) had positive relationship, and sperm motility had significant negative correlation (r = -0.711, p<0.05) with testosterone concentrations. The number of Sertoli cells and Sertoli cell index had a positive correlation with various semen quality parameters (p<0.001). Results of the present study conclude that number of Sertoli cells and Sertoli cell index are good indicators of semen quality, but peripheral blood testosterone concentrations may not have a direct relationship with various seminal attributes in crossbred bulls.
The present study compared the testicular cytology and histology between crossbred (Holstein-Friesian HF × Tharparkar) and purebred (HF and Tharparkar) bulls to find out differences if any.
Four ...peripubertal bulls from each breed were utilized for the study. Through percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy, Sertoli and spermatogenic cells were extracted, and morphometry was studied. For histological studies, testicular tissues obtained through unilateral castration were utilized. Sertoli cells specific GATA4 antibody was used to study the population of Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubule through immunofluorescence.
The testicular weight, volume, and scrotal circumference differed significantly among the breeds. The diameter and area of the seminiferous tubule was high in HF, followed by Karan Fries (KF), and Tharparkar bulls. However, the degree of compactness, based on qualitative evaluation, was high in Tharparkar followed by KF and HF bulls. The intensity of Leydig cells was higher in Tharparkar bulls followed by KF and HF. The proportion of Sertoli cells was higher (p<0.05) in HF and Tharparkar bulls compared to KF bulls.
It may be concluded that variations exist in testicular components of the breeds studied and the proportion of Sertoli cells in relation to spermatogenic cells was significantly lower in crossbred bulls compared to purebred bulls.
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