Characterization of volatile compounds of Daucus crinitus Desf. Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction as alternative technique to Hydrodistillation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Traditionally, the essential oil of aromatic herbs is obtained using hydrodistillation (HD). Because the emitted volatile fraction plays a fundamental role in a plant's life, various novel techniques have been developed for its extraction from plants. Among these, headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) can be used to obtain a rapid fingerprint of a plant's headspace. <it>Daucus crinitus </it>Desf. is a wild plant that grows along the west coast of Algeria. Only a single study has dealt with the chemical composition of the aerial part oils of Algerian <it>D. crinitus</it>, in which isochavicol isobutyrate (39.0%), octyl acetate (12.3%), and β-caryophyllene (5.4%) were identified. Using GC-RI and GC-MS analysis, the essential oils and the volatiles extracted from separated organs of <it>D. crinitus </it>Desf. were studied using HS-SPME.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>GC-RI and GC-MS analysis identified 72 and 79 components in oils extracted using HD and in the volatile fractions extracted using SPME, respectively. Two types of essential oils were produced by the plant: the root oils had aliphatic compounds as the main component (87.0%-90.1%), and the aerial part oils had phenylpropanoids as the main component (43.1%-88.6%). HS-SPME analysis showed a more precise distribution of compounds in the organs studied: oxygenated aliphatic compounds were well represented in the roots (44.3%-84.0%), hydrocarbon aliphatic compounds were in the leaves and stems (22.2%-87.9%), and phenylpropanoids were in the flowers and umbels (47.9%-64.2%). Moreover, HS-SPME allowed the occurrence of isochavicol (29.6 - 34.7%) as main component in <it>D. crinitus </it>leaves, but it was not detected in the oils, probably because of its solubility in water.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrates that HD and HS-SPME modes could be complimentary extraction techniques in order to obtain the complete characterization of plant volatiles.</p

Secondary fibrosarcoma of the brain stem treated with cyclophosphamide and Imatinib

Radiation-induced midbrain fibrosarcoma is a rare, highly aggressive tumor, which is associated with poor prognosis. We present the case of a 48-year old man with brainstem fibrosarcoma 20 years following radiation therapy received for a pituitary tumor. We discuss this case in the context of the diagnostic criteria for these tumors, and previous reports of secondary and primary sarcomas of the central nervous system

Transcriptome of Aphanomyces euteiches: New Oomycete Putative Pathogenicity Factors and Metabolic Pathways

Aphanomyces euteiches is an oomycete pathogen that causes seedling blight and root rot of legumes, such as alfalfa and pea. The genus Aphanomyces is phylogenically distinct from well-studied oomycetes such as Phytophthora sp., and contains species pathogenic on plants and aquatic animals. To provide the first foray into gene diversity of A. euteiches, two cDNA libraries were constructed using mRNA extracted from mycelium grown in an artificial liquid medium or in contact to plant roots. A unigene set of 7,977 sequences was obtained from 18,864 high-quality expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) and characterized for potential functions. Comparisons with oomycete proteomes revealed major differences between the gene content of A. euteiches and those of Phytophthora species, leading to the identification of biosynthetic pathways absent in Phytophthora, of new putative pathogenicity genes and of expansion of gene families encoding extracellular proteins, notably different classes of proteases. Among the genes specific of A. euteiches are members of a new family of extracellular proteins putatively involved in adhesion, containing up to four protein domains similar to fungal cellulose binding domains. Comparison of A. euteiches sequences with proteomes of fully sequenced eukaryotic pathogens, including fungi, apicomplexa and trypanosomatids, allowed the identification of A. euteiches genes with close orthologs in these microorganisms but absent in other oomycetes sequenced so far, notably transporters and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases, and suggests the presence of a defense mechanism against oxidative stress which was initially characterized in the pathogenic trypanosomatids

The streamlined genome of Phytomonas spp. relative to human pathogenic kinetoplastids reveals a parasite tailored for plants

Members of the family Trypanosomatidae infect many organisms, including animals, plants and humans. Plant-infecting trypanosomes are grouped under the single genus Phytomonas, failing to reflect the wide biological and pathological diversity of these protists. While some Phytomonas spp. multiply in the latex of plants, or in fruit or seeds without apparent pathogenicity, others colonize the phloem sap and afflict plants of substantial economic value, including the coffee tree, coconut and oil palms. Plant trypanosomes have not been studied extensively at the genome level, a major gap in understanding and controlling pathogenesis. We describe the genome sequences of two plant trypanosomatids, one pathogenic isolate from a Guianan coconut and one non-symptomatic isolate from Euphorbia collected in France. Although these parasites have extremely distinct pathogenic impacts, very few genes are unique to either, with the vast majority of genes shared by both isolates. Significantly, both Phytomonas spp. genomes consist essentially of single copy genes for the bulk of their metabolic enzymes, whereas other trypanosomatids e.g. Leishmania and Trypanosoma possess multiple paralogous genes or families. Indeed, comparison with other trypanosomatid genomes revealed a highly streamlined genome, encoding for a minimized metabolic system while conserving the major pathways, and with retention of a full complement of endomembrane organelles, but with no evidence for functional complexity. Identification of the metabolic genes of Phytomonas provides opportunities for establishing in vitro culturing of these fastidious parasites and new tools for the control of agricultural plant disease. © 2014 Porcel et al

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Influence of aging on electrolytic capacitors function in static converters: Fault prediction method

International audienceThe failure of electrolytic capacitors is the cause of most breakdowns of static converters. The function of these capacitors is to filter and to store electrical energy. Accelerated aging tests showed that the increase of the internal resistance ESR of the capacitors is a good indicator of their faulty state. The filter function is affected by the capacitors wearout on the one hand. At high frequency, the voltage ripple at the terminals of the capacitors increases according to ESR rise. On the other hand, the storage function is not much influenced by the capacitors aging. As static converters work most of the time at variable load, high transient values of the voltage ripple occur when output current changes that can induce false alarms. These transients are verified theoretically and experimentally. In order to avoid these transients effects, we suggest to monitor the fundamental component of the voltage ripple. This latter waveform is the best signature of the capacitors state. The ESR of the capacitors and the time before their failure are deduced from the processing of this waveform with other converter parameters such as input voltage, output current and ambient temperature

Sarcoma of the sella after radiotherapy for pituitary adenoma

Secondary malignancies are infrequent sequelae of pituitary radiotherapy. The goal of the present case study is to analyze clinical features of a selected group of cases to define the special characteristics of these tumors. We report the illustrative case of a 38-year-old man with acromegaly who had transsphenoidal surgery and radiotherapy 7 years before presenting with a sellar high-grade sarcoma. Transsphenoidal and transcranial resection, as well as repeated gamma knife radiosurgery, could not prevent tumor progression and development of meningiosis sarcomatosa. We performed a thorough search of the literature and reviewed numerous publications and reports on primary and secondary sarcomas of the sella. Our search revealed 51 cases of mesenchymal malignancies after sellar radiotherapy. For further analysis, we identified and selected a group of patients based on the criteria for studying radiation-induced tumors as described by Cahan.Compared to the surgically treated group, secondary sarcomas of the sella are more frequent in patients who have had radiotherapy. These tumors occur at normal dose schedules with long latencies. Their growth is very aggressive and they may develop meningiosis sarcomatosa. Until now, no treatment modalities have been able to stop the progression of these neoplasms. Radiation-induced sarcoma is a rare sequela of pituitary radiotherapy. It is important for the treating physician to keep in mind the possibility of post-radiation sarcoma development. Additionally, one must include these tumors into the differential diagnosis in pituitary patients presenting with tumor recurrence more than 5 years after radiotherapy in combination with a secondary lack of hormonal activity