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Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... Nov 2017The genus Solanum (family Solanaceae) includes more than 1400 species and has buzz-pollinated flowers with poricidal anthers. The present study aimed to describe the...
Reproductive biology of endemic Solanum melissarum Bohs (Solanaceae) and updating of its current geographic distribution as the basis for its conservation in the Brazilian Cerrado.
The genus Solanum (family Solanaceae) includes more than 1400 species and has buzz-pollinated flowers with poricidal anthers. The present study aimed to describe the distribution, breeding system and pollination mechanism of Solanum melissarum, a species endemic to Brazil. The study of breeding system was conducted in an urban forest fragment in Jataí, GO. Distribution data were gathered from floristic surveys and digital plant databases. The floral morphology and the pollination mechanism were studied on through field observations and preserved flowers. The breeding system was determined through hand pollination treatments. The species has a distribution only in the Brazilian Atlantic forest coastal, and this study provides the first records of S. melissarum for the state of Goiás. The pendulous flowers have poricidal anthers close to the stigma, with membranous thecae joined by a connective bearing osmophores that attract males of Euglossa cordata bees. As they collect fragrances, the bees press the thecae and pollen is released through a bellows mechanism. Based on the hand-pollination treatments, this species is self-incompatible. Isolated forest fragments may not include enough pollinators to ensure the pollination of plants with specialized systems. However, they are essential for the conservation of species with interesting phytogeographic patterns, such as the vicariance observed in S. melissarum, and for the conservation of regional diversity.
Topics: Brazil; Conservation of Natural Resources; Grassland; Plant Dispersal; Reproduction; Solanum
PubMed: 28492799
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.01516 -
Veterinary World Mar 2017The present investigation was conducted to study the association between udder morphology and activity of milk leukocytes in high yielding crossbred cows.
AIM
The present investigation was conducted to study the association between udder morphology and activity of milk leukocytes in high yielding crossbred cows.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 48 healthy high yielding crossbred cows were selected for the study. The udder configuration and teat/udder morphology were recorded before milking. Milk samples (100 ml/cow) were collected aseptically. Milk somatic cell counts (SCC) and milk differential leukocyte counts were performed microscopically. Milk leukocytes (viz., neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages) were isolated from milk samples by density gradient centrifugation. Phagocytic index (PI) of milk neutrophils and macrophages were evaluated by colorimetric nitro blue tetrazolium assay. Lymphocytes proliferation response was estimated by MTT assay and expressed as stimulation index.
RESULTS
There was a significant (p<0.01) positive correlation between milk SCC with mid teat diameter, teat base diameter and significant (p<0.05) negative correlation between milk SCC and the height of the teat from the ground. Milk SCC was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in bowl-shaped udder and higher (p<0.01) in pendulous type. Milk macrophage percentage was positively (p<0.01) correlated with udder circumference. PI of milk neutrophil was negatively (p<0.01) correlation between teat base diameter, and PI of milk macrophages was found to be positively (p<0.01) correlated with teat apex diameter. Both PI of milk neutrophils and macrophages was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in the animals having flat and round teat and pendulous type of udder. PI of milk neutrophils was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in flat teat. PI of milk macrophages was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower in the round and flat teats compared to pointed and cylindrical teats.
CONCLUSION
Udder risk factors such as teat shape and size, teat to floor distance, udder shape, and size may decrease the activity of milk leukocytes hence facilitates the incidence intramammary infections.
PubMed: 28435198
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.342-347 -
BioMed Research International 2017. This study was to evaluate the utility of the compound graft for tubularized urethroplasty by seeding mesothelial cells onto autogenous granulation tissue. . Silastic...
. This study was to evaluate the utility of the compound graft for tubularized urethroplasty by seeding mesothelial cells onto autogenous granulation tissue. . Silastic tubes were implanted subcutaneously in 18 male rabbits, of which nine underwent omentum biopsies simultaneously for in vitro expansion of mesothelial cells. The granulation tissue covering the tubes was harvested 2 weeks after operation. Mesothelial cells were seeded onto and cocultured with the tissue for 7 days. A pendulous urethral segment of 1.5 cm was totally excised. Urethroplasty was performed with mesothelial cell-seeded tissue tubes in an end-to-end fashion in nine rabbits and with unseeded grafts in others as controls. Serial urethrograms were performed at 1, 2, and 6 months postoperatively. Meanwhile, the neourethra was harvested and analyzed grossly and histologically. . Urethrograms showed cell-seeded grafts maintained wide at each time point, while strictures formation was found in unseeded grafts. Histologically, layers of urothelium surrounded by increasingly organized smooth muscles were observed in seeded grafts. In contrast, myofibroblasts accumulation and extensive scarring occurred in unseeded grafts. . Mesothelial cell-seeded granulation tissue tube can be successfully used for tubularized urethroplasty in male rabbits.
Topics: Animals; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; Coculture Techniques; Dimethylpolysiloxanes; Epithelial Cells; Granulation Tissue; Male; Myofibroblasts; Peritoneal Cavity; Rabbits; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Tissue Engineering; Urethra; Urothelium
PubMed: 28337443
DOI: 10.1155/2017/1850256 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Mar 2017The origins of the five groups of living seed plants, including the single relictual species , are poorly understood, in large part because of very imperfect knowledge...
The origins of the five groups of living seed plants, including the single relictual species , are poorly understood, in large part because of very imperfect knowledge of extinct seed plant diversity. Here we describe well-preserved material from the Early Cretaceous of Mongolia of the previously enigmatic Mesozoic seed plant reproductive structure , which has been presumed to be a ginkgophyte. Abundant new material shows that is a seed-bearing cupule that was borne on a stalk at the tip of a short shoot. Each cupule is umbrella-like with a central column that bears a thick, resinous, four-lobed outer covering, which opens from below. Four, pendulous, winged seeds are attached to the upper part of the column and are enclosed by the cupule. Evidence from morphology, anatomy, and field association suggests that the short shoots bore simple, elongate leaves that have similar venation and resin ducts to leaves of living seed-bearing structures are very different from those of but very similar to fossils described previously as and do not closely resemble the seed-bearing structures of any living or extinct plant, but are comparable in some respects to those of certain Peltaspermales and Umkomasiales (corystosperms). Vegetative similarities of the plant to , and reproductive similarities to extinct peltasperms and corystosperms, support previous ideas that may be the last survivor of a once highly diverse group of extinct plants, several of which exhibited various degrees of ovule enclosure.
Topics: Fossils; Ginkgo biloba; Plants; Seeds
PubMed: 28265050
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1621409114 -
The Canadian Veterinary Journal = La... Feb 2017From May 2008 to December 2013, 320 cases of otitis externa were diagnosed among 2012 dogs undergoing routine physical examinations at Celtic Creatures Veterinary...
From May 2008 to December 2013, 320 cases of otitis externa were diagnosed among 2012 dogs undergoing routine physical examinations at Celtic Creatures Veterinary Clinic, Sydney River, Nova Scotia for a diagnosis frequency of 15.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 14.3% to 17.6%]. Twenty-four percent of these dogs exhibited 1 or multiple recurrences despite initial treatment with topical antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory solutions. The frequency of diagnosis was significantly higher in breeds with pendulous ears, but was not affected by ear hairiness. There were no seasonal patterns in the frequency of diagnosis. In clinical examination of 60 dogs with otitis externa, bacteria were evident in 47% of infections. Of 10 genera cultured, spp. and diptheroids were most common. In this study, analysis of clinical records provided insights into the local prevalence of otitis externa and the efficacy of treatment in routine clinical situations.
Topics: Actinomycetales; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Nova Scotia; Otitis Externa; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Staphylococcus
PubMed: 28216686
DOI: No ID Found -
Polish Journal of Radiology 2016A 'watering can penis' secondary to penile tuberculosis is an extremely rare clinical entity. Retrograde Urethrography - Voiding Cystourethrography evaluation of the...
BACKGROUND
A 'watering can penis' secondary to penile tuberculosis is an extremely rare clinical entity. Retrograde Urethrography - Voiding Cystourethrography evaluation of the urethra and the urinary bladder plays a very important role in the diagnostics as well as further management of the urethral abnormalities. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second case in literature where a 'watering can penis' was noted secondary to penile TB. This is also the first documented case of 'watering can penis' as a consequence of venereal transmission of TB.
CASE REPORT
A 50-year-old male presented with multiple discharging sinuses along the penis. RGU revealed multiple, contrast-filled, narrow, irregular, fistulous tracts arising from the pendulous part of the anterior urethra. This distal segment of the pendulous part of the anterior urethra also showed significant distortion and irregular, beaded narrowing. VCUG showed a markedly-contracted and small-capacity urinary bladder with a thickened, irregular and edematous wall with multiple hypertrophied trabeculae along its walls. The patient was administered anti-tubercular treatment. At the end of this treatment regimen, a repeat RGU-VCUG will be performed and decision regarding urethroplasty and further management will be planned depending upon the presence of any remaining fistulas or strictures involving the urethra.
CONCLUSIONS
'Watering can penis' as a result of penile TB is a very rare clinical entity. The differential diagnoses of a 'watering can penis' should be kept in mind in the evaluation of these patients. RGU and VCUG evaluation is an important conventional imaging modality used in the evaluation of urethral strictures and fistulas in case of 'watering can penis'.
PubMed: 27733889
DOI: 10.12659/PJR.897943 -
Romanian Journal of Morphology and... 2016Granulomatous slack skin (GSS) represents an extremely rare variant of mycosis fungoides with only 70 cases reported in the literature to date. It is characterized...
Granulomatous slack skin - seven years follow-up of a case with features of "parapsoriasis en plaques", muscle involvement, granulomatous vasculitis, and necrobiotic changes.
Granulomatous slack skin (GSS) represents an extremely rare variant of mycosis fungoides with only 70 cases reported in the literature to date. It is characterized clinically by the occurrence of bulky, pendulous skinfolds, usually located in flexural areas and histologically by an infiltrate composed of small neoplastic T-lymphocytes joined by granulomatous inflammation with scattered multinucleated giant cells containing nuclei arranged in a wreath-like fashion. Since its first description, very rare cases of GSS with muscle involvement, large vessels involvement, or necrobiotic changes have been reported. We present an extraordinary case of GSS with all these unusual features developing in the lesions of the same patient. The long follow-up of seven years allowed us to document the evolution of each lesion. Some lesions appeared and evolved in a manner very reminiscent of those of "parapsoriasis en plaques", others were classical GSS lesions, and still others developed large ulcerated lesions. These ulcerated lesions consistently failed to respond to conventional wound therapy, skin directed therapy [retinoids + psoralen combined with ultraviolet A (PUVA)-therapy], and interferon-alpha therapy. Remarkably, the ulcers completely healed when systemic corticosteroids were added. We hence postulate that the ulcers appeared because of large vessel vasculitis rather than tumoral direct destruction.
Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Follow-Up Studies; Giant Cells; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous; Male; Muscles; Necrosis; Parapsoriasis; Vasculitis
PubMed: 27516031
DOI: No ID Found -
The British Journal of Radiology Sep 2016To develop an alternative three-dimensional treatment plan with standardized fields class solution for whole-breast radiotherapy in patients with large/pendulous breast...
A new three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) technique for large breast and/or high body mass index patients: evaluation of a novel fields assessment aimed to reduce extra-target-tissue irradiation.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an alternative three-dimensional treatment plan with standardized fields class solution for whole-breast radiotherapy in patients with large/pendulous breast and/or high body mass index (BMI).
METHODS
Two treatment plans [tangential fields and standardized five-fields technique (S5F)] for a total dose of 50 Gy/25 fractions were generated for patients with large breasts [planning target volume (PTV) >1000 cm(3) and/or BMI >25 kg m(-2)], supine positioned. S5F plans consist of two wedged tangential beams, anteroposterior: 20° for the right breast and 340° for the left breast, and posteroanterior: 181° for the right breast and 179° for the left breast. A field in field in medial-lateral beam and additional fields were added to reduce hot spot areas and extra-target-tissue irradiation and to improve dose distribution. The percentage of PTV receiving 95% of the prescribed dose (PTV V95%), percentage of PTV receiving 105% of the prescribed dose (PTV V105%), maximal dose to PTV (PTV Dmax), homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index were recorded. V10%, V20%, V105% and V107% of a "proper" normal tissue structure (body-PTV healthy tissue) were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using SYSTAT v.12.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL).
RESULTS
In 38 patients included, S5F improved HI (8.4 vs 10.1; p ≤ 0.001) and significantly reduced PTV Dmax and PTV V105%. The extra-target-tissue irradiation was significantly reduced using S5F for V105% (cm(3)) and V107% (cm(3)) with a very high difference in tissue irradiation (46.6 vs 3.0 cm(3), p ≤ 0.001 for V105% and 12.2 vs 0.0 cm(3), p ≤ 0.001 for V107% for tangential field and S5F plans, respectively). Only a slight increase in low-dose extra-target-tissue irradiation (V10%) was observed (2.2719 vs 1.8261 cm(3), p = 0.002).
CONCLUSION
The S5F technique in patients with large breast or high BMI increases HI and decreases hot spots in extra-target-tissues and can therefore be easily implemented in breast cancer radiotherapy.
ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE
The treatment planning strategy proposed in this study has several advantages: (a) it is extremely reliable as the standard supine positioning is used; (b) the standardized class solution allows for widespread use;
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Body Mass Index; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Hypertrophy; Mastectomy, Segmental; Middle Aged; Organ Sparing Treatments; Organs at Risk; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy, Conformal
PubMed: 27355127
DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20160039 -
PeerJ 2016This article presents and describes Plantago humboldtiana, an extremely narrow endemic rheophytic new species from a waterfall in Corupá, Santa Catarina state, southern...
Yet another new species from one of the best-studied neotropical areas: Plantago humboldtiana (Plantaginaceae), an extremely narrow endemic new species from a waterfall in southern Brazil.
This article presents and describes Plantago humboldtiana, an extremely narrow endemic rheophytic new species from a waterfall in Corupá, Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. The new species is unique in presenting a combination of type-G antrorse trichomes on scapes, pendulous inflorescences and 1-seeded pyxidia. Only one population is known to exist, despite intensive search efforts in nearby, similar environments. Its conservation status is assessed as critically endangered (CR) as the only known population is restricted to a dramatically small area, and is subject to extreme fluctuation due to occasional floods, and also to intense visitation by tourists, which can disturb its fragile habitat. We also present an updated identification key to the species of Plantago that occur in Santa Catarina. The recent description of three narrow endemic, threatened new species of Plantago in Santa Catarina, which is the Brazilian state with its flora best studied, highlights the need for more taxonomic research, especially in the neotropics.
PubMed: 27231665
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2050 -
Dermatology Online Journal Mar 2016Cutis laxa, clinically characterized by loose and pendulous skin related to loss of elastic tissue, is a rare heterogeneous condition. It is classified into congenital... (Review)
Review
Cutis laxa, clinically characterized by loose and pendulous skin related to loss of elastic tissue, is a rare heterogeneous condition. It is classified into congenital and acquired types. We report a case of generalized acquired cutis laxa type 1 in a young man following pruritic urticarial plaques. We have done a brief review of literature.
Topics: Adult; Cutis Laxa; Facial Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Skin; Thorax
PubMed: 27136630
DOI: No ID Found