Orobanche foetida resistance in two new faba bean genotypes produced by radiation mutagenesis

Purpose: Broomrape produces serious damage to many legume crops and, particularly, becomes a limiting factor for faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production in the Mediterranean basin. Currently, several traditional methods of control have been developed, but none has proved to be effective for this parasite. However, breeding for resistance to this pest remains as one of the most feasible and environment-friendly methods for managing broomrape, but the mechanisms governing the interaction between the parasite and the host are not yet well understood. Therefore, we studied the behavior and molecular and enzymatic changes associated with the resistance to Orobanche foetida in faba bean mutants, which were obtained through radiation mutagenesis.

Materials and methods: Three faba bean genotypes were used in this study, the variety ‘Badï’, characterized by high productivity in Orobanche-free soils and susceptibility to O. foetida, and two mutant lines P2M3 and P7M3 (derived from radio mutagenesis program), selected for their higher resistance to O. foetida in a field evaluation. The infection progress and the relative changes in the co-culture response, the enzymatic activities changes and the efficiency of the root extract stimulants from the host plant were followed and evaluated in all the genotypes.

Results: Experiments showed that low induction of seed germination is a major component of resistance in these lines against O. foetida. This is confirmed by the in vitro experiments with root exudates. The parallel reduction in infection was accompanied by the continuous enhancement of the peroxidase activity, the polyphenol oxidase activity and the phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in faba bean roots.

Conclusion: These data suggest the contribution of these enzymes in faba bean resistance to O. foetida broomrape induced by the use of gamma rays. Management of Orobanche by way of crop selection, based on these enzyme systems is a possible option.     

Markers Associated with COVID-19 Susceptibility,Resistance, and Severity

In December 2019, the latest member of the coronavirus family, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan, China, leading to the outbreak of an unusual viral pneumonia known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 was then declared as a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The initial mortality rate of COVID-19 declared by WHO was 2%; however, this rate has increased to 3.4% as of 3 March 2020. People of all ages can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, but those aged 60 or above and those with underlying medical conditions are more prone to develop severe symptoms that may lead to death. Patients with severe infection usually experience a hyper pro-inflammatory immune reaction (i.e., cytokine storm) causing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which has been shown to be the leading cause of death in COVID-19 patients. However, the factors associated with COVID-19 susceptibility, resistance and severity remain poorly understood. In this review, we thoroughly explore the correlation between various host, viral and environmental markers, and SARS-CoV-2 in terms of susceptibility and severity.     

Eyelid Skin Involvement in Pemphigus Foliaceus

Purpose: To report the involvement of eyelid skin in a patient with pemphigus foliaceus. Methods: Retrospective, interventional case report of a patient with pemphigus foliaceus involving both eyelids. The diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus was based on histopathology and confirmed by direct immunofluorescence and immunoblot. Failure to respond to conventional immunosuppressive therapy, including high-dose corticosteroids, methotrexate, azathioprine, dapsone, and mycophenolate mofetil, necessitated the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy. Results: After successful treatment with IVIg, no change in visual acuity or other sequelae secondary to ocular pemphigus foliaceus were observed. Normal ocular architecture was maintained. Clinical remission was observed after successful therapy. Conclusions: Pemphigus foliaceus involves the skin of the eyelid and does not involve the conjunctiva. The patient did not respond to conventional immunosuppressive therapy. The use of IVIg as mono-therapy resulted in long-term clinical remission.     

Purification and biochemical characterization of pancreatic phospholipase A2 from the common stingray Dasyatis pastinaca

Background  

Mammalian sPLA2-IB are well characterized. In contrast, much less is known about aquatic ones. The aquatic world contains a wide variety of living species and, hence represents a great potential for discovering new lipolytic enzymes.     

Presacral ganglioneuroma in an 8-year-old child: case report,and literature review

Ganglioneuromas are benign tumors of the sympathetic nervous system, rarely found in the presacral region. In this study, we report the case of presacral ganglioneuroma in an 8-year-old girl, who complained of abdominal pain with diarrhea and abdominal distension. Ultrasound showed a large hypoechoic pelvic mass complicated by right ureter hydronephrosis. the CT and MRI confirm the presence of a presacral tissue mass with heterogeneous enhancement after contrast injection. The child underwent a complete surgical resection, and the anatomopathological study returned in favor of a ganglioneuroma. The presacral ganglioneuroma is an extremely rare tumor in that only twenty cases have been reported in the literature. 3 of which were less than 8-years-old. Through our case, we will review the epidemiological, clinical, radiological and therapeutic characteristics of this type of tumor.     

In patients on prolonged HAART,a significant pool of HIV infected CD4 T cells are HIV-specific

OBJECTIVES: To examine the antigen specificities of HIV reservoir CD4 T cells in patients on prolonged and effective highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). DESIGN: Five HIV-infected patients, who were highly adherent to antiretroviral treatment, were selected on the basis of long-term undetectable plasma viral RNA on unmodified HAART. To investigate the antigen specificities of infected memory CD4 T cells, we examined the capacity of recall antigens, including HIV antigens, to induce virus production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). METHODS: To quantify CD4 T cells infected by replication-competent virus, and to determine their antigen specificities, we used a limiting dilution-based culture assay. CD8 T cell-depleted PBMC at several cell densities were activated by using Tuberculin purified protein derivative, cytomegalovirus, or HIV-1 p24 with and without HIV-1 Nef. RESULTS: We found that the pool of infected CD4 T cells includes HIV-specific cells with apparent frequencies between 5- and 100-fold higher than those of the common specificities for cytomegalovirus or Tuberculin. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a significant proportion of replication-competent HIV-infected CD4 T cells in these patients are memory cells directed against HIV determinants. This may provide a rationale for the therapeutic use of recombinant HIV antigens to reduce the pool of HIV-reservoir cells.     

Paraganglioma of urinary bladder: report of two cases

BACKGROUND: Extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma is a rare entity. Its occurrence in the urinary bladder has only been reported less than 200 times. AIM: Report 2 news cases CASES REPORT: Here we present two case reports of bladder paraganlioma with an update of the diagnostic techniques, treatment modalities and follow-up of patients with this disease. The common presentation of paraganglioma of the urinary bladder is painless haematuria, headache, palpitation and anxiety. Treatment of this lesion requires the same preparation as for any other site of pheochromocytoma. Partial cystectomy ensures radical and effective treatment. Long-term surveillance is necessary as recurrences or metastases have been described 20 and 40 years after treatment.