Seed treatments to overcome dormancy of waterlily tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana Regel.)

Abstract Dormancy and germination requirements were investigated in seeds of Tulipa kaufmanniana Regel (Liliaceae). The present study was conducted to study the dormancy breaking treatment in Tulip seed. An experiment was conducted with four replications and three treatments including: 3 different stratification periods (0, 5 and 7 weeks), varying concentrations of GA 3 (0, 250 and 500ppm) and 4 levels of KNO 3 (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% v/v). Germination percentage and mean germination time were significantly enhanced by treating seeds with mentioned treatments compared with the untreated control seeds. It was concluded that stratification for 7 weeks was more effective treatment on studied traits than 5 weeks. Moreover, cold stratification was a better treatment on breaking seed dormancy of waterlily seeds than GA 3 and KNO 3 treatments. Applying 500ppm concentration of GA 3 and 0.1 of KNO 3 after stratification resulted in higher germination in waterlily dormant seeds

Encephalomyocarditis virus may use different pathways to initiateinfection of primary human cardiomyocytes

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) caninfect a wide range of vertebrate species including swineand non-human primates, but few data are available forhumans. We therefore wanted to gain further insight intothe mechanisms involved in EMCV infection of humancells. For this purpose, we analyzed the permissiveness ofprimary human cardiomyocytes towards two strains ofEMCV; a pig myocardial strain (B279/95) and a rat strain(1086C). In this study, we show that both strains productivelyinfect primary human cardiomyocytes and inducecomplete cytolysis. Binding and infection inhibitionexperiments indicated that attachment and infection areindependent of sialic acid and heparan sulfate for B279/95and dependent for 1086C. Sequence comparison betweenthe two strains and three-dimensional analysis of the capsidrevealed that six of the seven variable residues are surfaceexposed,suggesting a role for these amino acids in binding.Moreover, analysis of variants isolated from the 1086Cstrain revealed the importance of lysine 231 of VP1 in theattachment of EMCV to cell-surface sialic acid residues.Together, these results show a potential for EMCV strainsto use at least two different binding possibilities to initiateinfection and provide new insights into the mechanismsinvolved in primary human cell recognition by EMCV

A novel human skin chamber model to study wound infection ex vivo

Wound infections with multi-drug resistant bacteria increase morbidity and mortality and have considerable socioeconomic impact. They can lead to impaired wound healing, resulting in rising treatment costs. The aim of this study was to investigate an ex vivo human wound infection model. Human full-thickness skin from the operating room (OR) was placed into the Bo-Drum® and cultivated for 7 days in an air–liquid interphase. On day 8, the skin was inoculated with either (1) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, (2) Staphylococcus aureus (105 CFU, n = 3) or (3) carrier control. 1, 3 and 7 days after inoculation colony forming units in the tissue/media were determined and cytokine expression was quantified. A reliable and reproducible wound infection could be established for 7 days. At this timepoint, 1.8 × 108 CFU/g tissue of P. aeruginosa and 2 × 107 CFU/g tissue of S. aureus were detected. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated bacterial infection and epidermolysis in infected skin. RT-PCR analysis exhibited a significant induction of proinflammatory cytokines after infection. The BO-drum® is a robust, easy-to-use, sterilizable and reusable ex vivo full-skin culture system. For investigation of wound infection, treatment and healing, the BO-drum® presents a convenient model and may help to standardize wound research

S100A7 and the progression of breast cancer

The S100 gene family comprises more than 20 members whose protein sequences encompass at least one EF-hand Ca(2+ )binding motif. The expression of individual family members is not ubiquitous for all tissues and there appears to be an element of tissue-specific expression. Molecular analysis of breast tumors has revealed that several S100s, including S100A2, S100A4 and S100A7, exhibit altered expression levels during breast tumorigenesis and/or progression. Subsequent studies have started to describe a functional role for these S100 proteins as well as their mechanism of action and the biochemical pathways they modify. The present review outlines what is known about S100A7 in breast cancer and summarizes the need to better understand the importance of this protein in breast cancer

EFFECT OF DIGITAL BLOCK ON SPAO2, LAG TIME AND HEIGHT OF PLETHYSMOGRAPHIC WAYE OF PULSE OXIMETER BY SIMULATED SHOCK

Introduction. Pulse oximetry is impaired by hypotention and peripheral vasoconstriction. Digital block may cause to increase tissue perfusion and improve the parameters of pulse oximetry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of digital block on SPa02, lag time and height of plethysmographic wave of pulse oximeter by simulated shock in upper extrimity.
 Methods. In an experimental study, 34 Paitents under general anesthesia and elective surgery were selected. Lag time and height of pletysmographic wave and SPa02 had been measured in two fingers shocked by cooling, elevation of hand and inflation of cuff; then, compared to opposite middle finger as control. shocked Middle finger were blocked by lidocaine 2% and these parameters were measured in the 15th and 20th minutes after digital block. Data analysis was performed by SPSS using ANOVA.
 Results. Mean height of plethysmographic wave in blocked finger was signihcontly taller than shocked and control fingers in the 15th minute (respectively, 16.9±6, 10.8 ± 4. 3,10.7 ± 4.3, P < 0.05) and the 20th minute afters digital block (21.1 ± 5.8, 11.8 ± 4.3, 11.2 ± 3.9, P < 0.05). There were not significalt differences between three fingers in lag time and SPa02.
 Discussion. This study documents effect of digital block, undergoing shock condition in improving the parameters of pulse oximetry

Onychomycosis: Diagnosis and definition of cure

Until now, there has been no agreement on criteria defining resolution of onychomycosis. Most published reports use clinical and mycological cure, which comprises a completely normal-appearing nail plate, and negative nail culture and microscopy results, as the end point for defining success of therapeutic intervention. Reported here is the definition of onychomycosis, which delineates both primary and secondary criteria for diagnosis of onychomycosis and identifies clinical and laboratory parameters to define a resolved fungal nail infection. Onychomycosis cure is defined by the absence of clinical signs or the presence of negative nail culture and/or microscopy results with one or more of the following minor clinical signs: (1) minimal distal subungual hyperkeratosis; and (2) nail-plate thickening. Clinical signs indicative of persistent onychomycosis at the end of the observation period include (1) white/yellow or orange/brown streaks or patches in or beneath the nail plate; and (2) lateral onycholysis with subungual debris. Although nail appearance will usually continue to improve after cessation of therapy, the nails may have a persistent abnormal appearance even in cases where treatment has been effective

Environmental enrichment does not impact on tumor growth in mice

The effect of environmental enrichment (EE) on a variety of physiologic and disease processes has been studied in laboratory mice. During EE, a large group of mice are housed in larger cages than the standard cage and are given toys and equipment, enabling more social contact, and providing a greater surface area per mouse, and a more stimulating environment. Studies have been performed into the effect of EE on neurogenesis, brain injury, cognitive capacity, memory, learning, neuronal pathways, diseases such as Alzheimer’s, anxiety, social defeat, emotionality, depression, drug addiction, alopecia, and stereotypies. In the cancer field, three papers have reported effects on mice injected with tumors and housed in enriched environments compared with those housed in standard conditions. One paper reported a significant decrease in tumor growth in mice in EE housing. We attempted to replicate this finding in our animal facility, because the implications of repeating this finding would have profound implications for how we house all our mice in our studies on cancer. We were unable to reproduce the results in the paper in which B16F10 subcutaneous tumors of mice housed in EE conditions were smaller than those of mice housed in standard conditions. The differences in results could have been due to the different growth rate of the B16F10 cultures from the different laboratories, the microbiota of the mice housed in the two animal facilities, variations in noise and handling between the two facilities, food composition, the chemical composition of the cages or the detergents used for cleaning, or a variety of other reasons. EE alone does not appear to consistently result in decreased tumor growth, but other factors would appear to be able to counteract or inhibit the effects of EE on cancer progression