Digital Gangrene:An Unusual Manifestation of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

BACKGROUND: Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) comprise a group of haematologic malignancies with different histologic subtypes. The clinical picture varies from indolent to aggressive presentation and nodal (lymphadenopathy) to extranodal (central nervous system, gastrointestinal, cutaneous plaque, or ulcer) involvement. Digital gangrene is seldom reported. Here, we describe a patient with pain and blackening of all fingers and toes as presenting symptoms of NHL. Case Presentation. A 32-year-old male weaver had been smoking three to five cannabis-containing cigarettes daily for about ten years and methamphetamine four to five tablets daily for five years. He had no history of Raynaud's phenomenon, fever, cough, weight loss, skin rash, joint pain, and atherogenic or thrombogenic risk factors. We found normal blood pressure and absent peripheral pulses in arms and legs, dry gangrene of all fingers and toes, generalized lymphadenopathy, and hepatomegaly with ascites. The chest X-ray was normal, as were blood sugar, lipid profile, and hepatic and renal function. Rheumatoid factor, antinuclear and antiphospholipid antibodies, C-ANCA and P-ANCA, hepatitis B and C, and HIV were negative. CT abdomen revealed hepatosplenomegaly with multiple intra-abdominal lymphadenopathies. The peripheral angiogram showed 90-99% stenosis of radial and dorsalis pedis arteries with normal proximal vessels. Diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was confirmed by histopathology of cervical lymph node (diffuse type), immunohistochemically subtyped as peripheral T cell lymphoma (not otherwise specified). The digital ischemia worsened despite cessation of cannabis and methamphetamine and starting CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) treatment, making amputation necessary. CONCLUSION: We present, to our knowledge, the first report of peripheral T cell lymphoma, NOS presenting with gangrene in all digits complicated by methamphetamine and cannabis abuse. This uncommon vascular manifestation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma may cause a diagnostic dilemma and delayed initiation of treatment

Screening of Sorghum genotypes for salt-tolerance based on seed germination and seedling stage

Soil salinity is an increasing problem in the world and the main obstacle to agricultural productivity especially in areas where irrigation is necessary. Adoption of salt tolerant genotype is more important here and so screening of salt tolerant cultivars is essential. For that, quick method to screen salt-tolerant plants, particularly in early stages of their growth is important. Methodology: For this purpose, some laboratory studies using nine sorghum genotypes were conducted to screen salt tolerant genotypes during germination and seedling growth stages. The genotypes were Hybrid sorgo, Debgiri, BD 703, BD 706, BD 707, BD 713, BD 720, BD 725 and BD 738 and salinity levels were 0 dSm-1 (control), 6 dSm-1, 12 dSm-1 and 18 dSm-1. There were 36 (9×4) treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Saline treatments were imposed by sea water solution. To screen out the salt-tolerant genotypes germination percentage, rate of germination, vigor index and different physiological parameters i.e. germination stress tolerance index (GSTI), root length stress tolerance index (RLSI), shoot length stress tolerance index (SLSI) and fresh weight stress tolerance index (FSTI) were studied. Key findings: In this study, all the parameters were decreased with increasing salinity. On the basis of the results obtained using above mentioned germination and physiological criteria, sorghum genotypes Hybrid sorgo, BD 703 & BD 707 were categorized as tolerant while Debgiri and BD 713 were found as sensitive ones. Besides these, sorghum genotypes were not tolerant up to 18dSm-1 though some of them were tolerant at 12dSm-1. Conclusion: Overall, these tolerant and sensitive genotypes might be used in the further genetic improvement of the same and different crops

Genotypic divergence, photosynthetic efficiency, sodium extrusion, and osmoprotectant regulation conferred salt tolerance in Sorghum

Salt stress is one of the major limitations to modern agriculture that negatively influences plant growth and productivity. Salt tolerant cultivar can provide excellent solution to enhance stress tolerance with plant fitness to unfavorable environments. Therefore, this study was aimed to screen salt tolerant sorghum genotypes through evaluating of different morphological, biochemical, and physiological attributes in response to salinity stress. In this study, we have been evaluated total six sorghum genotypes including Hybrid sorgo, Debgiri, BD-703, BD-706, BD-707, and BD-725 under salt stress (12 dS m−1 NaCl). The response variables included length and weight of root and shoot, root: shoot ratio (RSR), photosynthesis (A), transpiration rate (E), elemental concentrations (K+ , Na+ and K+ /Na+ ), photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), water use efficiency (WUE) and pigment content (chlorophyll a, and b). The results revealed that saline environment significantly reduced all response variables under study of sorghum genotypes, however, Hybrid sorgo remained unmatched by recording the maximum root and shoot traits. The same genotype recorded higher photosynthetic efficiency which was attributed to Na+ extrusion, K+ uptake and higher K+ /Na+ ratio (1.8 at stress), while these mechanisms were not fully active in rest of genotypes. Moreover, this study also implies the involvement of proline in imparting tolerance against saline environment in Hybrid sorgo genotype. Overall, BD-703 remained the most salt sensitive genotype as evident from the minimum morphological growth traits and the least biosynthesis of osmoprotectants. These findings open new research avenues for salt stress alleviation by identifying elite salt-tolerant genotypes of sorghum for breeding programs