A Histological Analysis of Regeneration in Watermelon

The optimization of regeneration protocol for different genotypes increases the yield in transformation studies. Cotyledon explants of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsum & Nakai] cv Crimson Sweet were cultured on MS medium containing combinations of benzyl adenine (BA) (0, 5, 10, 20 µM) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0, 0.5, 5 µM). Maximum shoot growth and subsequent rooting from explants on regeneration medium were obtained from the media containing 10 µM BA + 0.5 µM IAA and 20 µM BA (75 and 78%) by direct organogenesis, respectively. Histological analysis showed that cell division was observed in the epidermal and subepidermal layers. Protuberant structures were observed in tissues between 7 and 12 days in culture. Meristematic structures were observed after 12days in culture which later developed into buds.     

Evaluation of Acetic Acid-Induced Chronic Gastric Ulcer Healing by Propionyl-L-Carnitine Administration

The aim of our study was to investigate the healing effect of propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) on chronic gastric ulcers and its underlying mechanisms. This study included rats with gastric ulcers induced by applying serosal glacial acetic acid. These rats were then given either saline (vehicle) or PLC at doses of 60 and 120 mg/kg, administered orally 3 days after ulcer induction for 14 consecutive days. Our study found that treatment with PLC resulted in a reduction of the gastric ulcer area, a faster rate of ulcer healing, and stimulated mucosal restoration. Additionally, the treatment with PLC reduced the number of Iba-1+ M1 macrophages while increasing the number of galectin-3+ M2 macrophages, as well as desmin+ microvessels, and α-SMA+ myofibroblasts in the gastric ulcer bed. The mRNA expression of COX-2, eNOS, TGF-β1, VEGFA, and EGF in the ulcerated gastric mucosa was greater in the PLC-treated groups compared with the vehicle-treated rats. In conclusion, these findings suggest that PLC treatment may accelerate gastric ulcer healing by stimulating mucosal reconstruction, macrophage polarization, angiogenesis, and fibroblast proliferation, as well as fibroblast-myofibroblast transition. This process is associated with the upregulation of TGF-β1, VEGFA, and EGF, as well as modulation of the cyclooxygenase/nitric oxide synthase systems.     

Reconstruction of orbital floor fracture using solvent-preserved bone graft

The orbital floor is one of the most frequently damaged parts of the maxillofacial skeleton during facial trauma. Unfavorable aesthetic and functional outcomes are frequent when it is treated inadequately. The treatment consists of spanning the floor defect with a material that can provide structural support and restore the orbital volume. This material should also be biocompatible with the surrounding tissues and easily reshaped to fit the orbital floor. Although various autografts or synthetic materials have been used, there is still no consensus on the ideal reconstruction method of orbital floor defects. This study evaluated the applicability of solvent-preserved cadaveric cranial bone graft and its preliminary results in the reconstruction of the orbital floor fractures. Twenty-five orbital floor fractures of 21 patients who underwent surgical repair with cadaveric bone graft during a 2-year period were included in this study. Pure blowout fractures were determined in nine patients, whereas 12 patients had other accompanying maxillofacial fractures. Of the 21 patients, 14 had clinically evident diplopia (66.7 percent), 12 of them had enophthalmos (57.1 percent), and two of them had gaze restriction preoperatively. Reconstruction of the floor of the orbit was performed following either the subciliary or the transconjunctival approach. A cranial allograft was placed over the defect after sufficient exposure. The mean follow-up period was 9 months. Postoperative diplopia, enophthalmos, eye motility, cosmetic appearance, and complications were documented. None of the patients had any evidence of diplopia, limited eye movement, inflammatory reactions in soft tissues, infection, or graft extrusion in the postoperative period. Providing sufficient orbital volume, no graft resorption was detected in computed tomography scan controls. None of the implants required removal for any reason. Enophthalmos was seen in one patient, and temporary scleral show lasting up to 3 to 6 weeks was detected in another three patients. Satisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in all patients. This study showed that solvent-preserved bone, which is a nonsynthetic, human-originated, processed bioimplant, can be safely used in orbital floor repair and can be considered as another reliable treatment alternative.     

Effect of preservation period on the viscoelastic material properties of soft tissues with implications for liver transplantation

The liver harvested from a donor must be preserved and transported to a suitable recipient immediately for a successful liver transplantation. In this process, the preservation period is the most critical, since it is the longest and most tissue damage occurs during this period due to the reduced blood supply to the harvested liver and the change in its temperature. We investigate the effect of preservation period on the dynamic material properties of bovine liver using a viscoelastic model derived from both impact and ramp and hold experiments. First, we measure the storage and loss moduli of bovine liver as a function of excitation frequency using an impact hammer. Second, its time-dependent relaxation modulus is measured separately through ramp and hold experiments performed by a compression device. Third, a Maxwell solid model that successfully imitates the frequency- and time-dependent dynamic responses of bovine liver is developed to estimate the optimum viscoelastic material coefficients by minimizing the error between the experimental data and the corresponding values generated by the model. Finally, the variation in the viscoelastic material coefficients of bovine liver are investigated as a function of preservation period for the liver samples tested 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h after harvesting. The results of our experiments performed with three animals show that the liver tissue becomes stiffer and more viscous as it spends more time in the preservation cycle.     

Identification and SAR of a new series of thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines as Tpl2 kinase inhibitors

We report here the synthesis and SAR of a new series of thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines as potent Tpl2 kinase inhibitors. The proposed binding mode suggests the potential flipped binding mode depending on the substitution. Biacore studies show evidence of binding of these molecules to the protein kinase. The kinome inhibition profile of these molecules suggests good selectivity.     

Adaptation improves discrimination of face identity

Whether face adaptation confers any advantages to perceptual processing remains an open question. We investigated whether face adaptation can enhance the ability to make fine discriminations in the vicinity of the adapted face. We compared face discrimination thresholds in three adapting conditions: (i) same-face: where adapting and test faces were the same, (ii) different-face: where adapting and test faces differed, and (iii) baseline: where the adapting stimulus was a blank. Discrimination thresholds for morphed identity changes involving the adapted face (same-face) improved compared with those from both the baseline (no-adaptation) and different-face conditions. Since adapting to a face did not alter discrimination performance for other faces, this effect is selective for the facial identity that is adapted. These results indicate a form of gain control to heighten perceptual sensitivity in the vicinity of a currently viewed face, analogous to forms of adaptive gain control at lower levels of the visual system.     

An uncommon association of vacterl complex with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and horseshoe lung

We report a case of VACTERL complex which had concomitant horseshoe lung, laryngeal cleft, and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, which has not been previously reported.     

The value of ultrasonography alone in screening surveys of cystic echinococcosis in children in Turkey

A total of 1205 primary school children were examined for cystic echinococcosis in five villages of Manisa, Turkey, to evaluate the efficacy of diagnostic methods of this infection in community-based screening surveys. Six hundred and thirty children from three villages, examined by a portable ultrasound scanner, chest microfilm and serological methods (ELISA, indirect hemagglutination) in our previous study, were designated as Study Group 1; and 575 children, from two adjacent villages, examined by ultrasonography alone in the present study, were designated as Study Group 2. In Study Group 1, hepatic cystic echinococcosis was detected in two cases (0.3%) by ultrasonography, while 43 (8.9%) and 49 (10.1%) cases were found to be positive for cystic echinococcosis by ELISA and indirect hemagglutination, respectively. Three of 575 children (0.5%) were diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis (two hepatic and one renal involvement) by ultrasonography alone in Study Group 2; and lung lesions were later detected in both cases with liver involvement by chest radiography.

Our results suggested that serological tests may be beneficial in suspected cases for confirmation and differential diagnosis, but have some drawbacks, such as discrepancy in results and high false seropositivity rates. Chest microfilm is not easy in field studies and exposure to X-ray is undesirable. As a reliable, simple, inexpensive and rapid technique, ultrasonography alone is recommended to be used in community-based screening surveys for cystic echinococcosis with confirmatory tests for suspected cases found during the screening program.