The risk of neoplasm associated with dysgenetic testes in prepubertal and pubertal/adult patients

Introduction. In patients with Y-chromosome in the karyotype, partial gonadal dysgenesis and disorders of male reproductive sex organs development are usually resected in childhood because of the high risk of germ cell tumours (GCT). In patients with Y-chromosome, complete gonadal dysgenesis and female genitalia gonadectomy is performed markedly later. However, due to the relatively low number of adult patients with preserved dysgenetic gonads, the true risk of neoplasm is unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of neoplasia in dysgenetic gonads of children and adults with Y-chromosome in a retrospective study. Material and methods. A review of medical documentation of 94 patients with disorders of sex development (DSD), Y-chromosome and gonadal dysgenesis (GD), aged 1.2–32 years (47 prepubertal, 1.2–10 years; 47 pubertal/adult, 13–32 years), was conducted. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone were determined. Bilateral gonadectomy was performed in 73.4% of patients, and unilateral gonadectomy with biopsy of the contralateral gonad in 26.4%. All gonadal tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical evaluation with antibodies against PLAP and OCT3/4 (markers of malignant germ cells, but also foetal multipotent germ cells), while gonads of prepubertal patients were examined by c-KIT, as well. Results. Streak gonads were identified on both sides (complete GD) in 30.8%, a streak gonad on one side and an underdeveloped testis on the other (asymmetric GD) in 38.3%, and underdeveloped testicular structure on both sides (partial GD) in 30.8% of cases. Germ cell neoplasia was found in 53.2% of patients (51.1% in children, 55.3% in pubertal/adults). Invasive GCT were identified in 11.7% of cases, of which 90.9% were in pubertal/adult patients. Other neoplastic lesions included gonadoblastoma (16% prevalence) and testicular carcinoma in situ (25.5%). In younger patients FSH serum levels were increased in 81% of cases (mean 2.82 ± 2.18 IU/L), while LH in 58% (mean 1.82 ± 1.69 IU/L). Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism was diagnosed in most of the pubertal/ /adult patients (mean FSH 54.2 ± 23.3 IU/L, mean LH 21.7 ± 12.1 IU/L, mean testosterone 5.5 ± 4.5 nmol/L). Conclusions. Dysgenetic gonads in patients with Y chromosome have a high risk of germ cell neoplasia (ca. 50%). If they are preserved until puberty/early adulthood, they may develop overt, invasive GCT. The gonads also have poor hormonal activity (hypergonadotropic hypogonadism) in most of the pubertal/adult patients. Each of these cases must be considered individually and a decision to remove the gonad or not should be based on the comprehensive analysis of the phenotype by a multidisciplinary team of specialists in consultation with the patient and the parents. If dysgenetic gonads are not resected in childhood, these patients need careful ongoing follow-up examination, including biopsy and histopathological evaluation.

Geochemistry and mineralogy of technogenic soils developed on old mine heaps of abandoned iron ore mines in the Ławęczna area (Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland)

The article presents the results of preliminary geochemical and mineralogical studies of technogenic soils (Technosols) of abandoned iron ore mines on the Ławęczna Hill near Miedziana Góra in the Holy Cross (Świętokrzyskie) Mountains, southcentral Poland. The results of chemical analyses (XRF) were used to calculate the soil enrichment factors of arsenic, copper, iron, lead and zinc, and compare the element concentrations to their levels in uncontaminated soils across Poland and in the city of Kielce. The highest values of soil enrichment factors of metals (As 27.699, Ni 26.455, Cu 9.353, Zn 3.344, Pb 0.62) were recorded for the sand fraction composed of iron oxyhydroxides and hematite, whereas the lowest (Ni 0.22, Cu 0.069, Zn 0.007, Pb 0.028) for the clay–silt and sand fractions, which were primarily composed of calcite and quartz as well as for gravel fraction. The clay-silt fraction shows the highest enrichment in arsenic (27.69). The examined metals and arsenic show positive geochemical anomalies

The Pivotal Role of Phenological Stages Enhanced by Plant Origin Preparations in the Process of Rhizogenesis of Rosa ‘Hurdal’ Stem Cuttings

Some biostimulants, including plant origin preparations, act similarly to plant growth regulators. Moreover, the supplementation of known and unknown rooting cofactors can stimulate rhizogenesis in cuttings. The aim of this research was to assess the response of difficult-to-root and long-rooting stem cuttings of the once-blooming old variety Rosa ‘Hurdal’ to preparations of plant origin. The hypothesis was that the plant origin preparations could enhance rooting processes by inhibiting chlorophyll a/b degradation in leaves and postponing leaf senescence, simultaneously increasing the quality of cuttings. The one-bud stem cuttings were made in four phenological stages: (H1) flower buds closed, (H2) open flowers, (H3) just after petal fall, and (H4) 7–14 days after petal shedding. They were treated with either standard commercial powder preparations containing 0.4% indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 0.2% 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) as well as with commercial plant origin preparations that this work will henceforth refer to as: Algae Extract, Organic Preparation, and Plant Extract. The cuttings were evaluated after 12 weeks of rooting them in two substrates: peat–perlite and peat–sand (v:v; 1:1). Mean root percentages for both substrates were noted after preparation from stage H1 (74.5%), H2 (59.5%), H3 (50.8%) shoots. The H4 cuttings did not root at all and were not considered further. The means for all phenology stages together were the highest by the use of 0.6% Algae Extract, 0.012% and 0.02% Organic Preparation, and 0.2% and 0.4% Plant Extract. The lowest means were reported for the control cuttings as well as NAA and IBA treatment. Plant origin preparations encouraged growth parameters but did not unequivocally inhibit the decrease of chlorophyll content in the cuttings’ leaves. The percentage of cuttings that rooted in both rooting substrates was determined by the quality of the cuttings as well as the chlorophyll a/b and soluble protein content in the leaves

The Pivotal Role of Phenological Stages Enhanced by Plant Origin Preparations in the Process of Rhizogenesis of Rosa ‘Hurdal’ Stem Cuttings

Some biostimulants, including plant origin preparations, act similarly to plant growth regulators. Moreover, the supplementation of known and unknown rooting cofactors can stimulate rhizogenesis in cuttings. The aim of this research was to assess the response of difficult-to-root and long-rooting stem cuttings of the once-blooming old variety Rosa ‘Hurdal’ to preparations of plant origin. The hypothesis was that the plant origin preparations could enhance rooting processes by inhibiting chlorophyll a/b degradation in leaves and postponing leaf senescence, simultaneously increasing the quality of cuttings. The one-bud stem cuttings were made in four phenological stages: (H1) flower buds closed, (H2) open flowers, (H3) just after petal fall, and (H4) 7–14 days after petal shedding. They were treated with either standard commercial powder preparations containing 0.4% indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 0.2% 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) as well as with commercial plant origin preparations that this work will henceforth refer to as: Algae Extract, Organic Preparation, and Plant Extract. The cuttings were evaluated after 12 weeks of rooting them in two substrates: peat–perlite and peat–sand (v:v; 1:1). Mean root percentages for both substrates were noted after preparation from stage H1 (74.5%), H2 (59.5%), H3 (50.8%) shoots. The H4 cuttings did not root at all and were not considered further. The means for all phenology stages together were the highest by the use of 0.6% Algae Extract, 0.012% and 0.02% Organic Preparation, and 0.2% and 0.4% Plant Extract. The lowest means were reported for the control cuttings as well as NAA and IBA treatment. Plant origin preparations encouraged growth parameters but did not unequivocally inhibit the decrease of chlorophyll content in the cuttings’ leaves. The percentage of cuttings that rooted in both rooting substrates was determined by the quality of the cuttings as well as the chlorophyll a/b and soluble protein content in the leaves

The Impact of Seasonal Changes in Plant Tissue on Rhizogenesis of Stem Cuttings of Once Blooming Roses

The majority of old and long-to-root roses are enough frost resistant to grow on their own roots in moderate and coolclimates. The most often used method of rose propagation are single node stem cuttings derived from blooming shoots. Thelong duration of rhizogenesis exposes cuttings to stress conditions and precocious ageing processes, which result in a lowrooting percentage. It was hypothesized that in the short season of flowering the amount of nutrients in shoots of stock plantschanges, thus affecting the process of rhizogenesis, as well as a condition of rooted cuttings, which may be estimated by thecontents of the biologically active components. The shoots of four rose cultivars were cut in four phenological stages: flowerbuds closed, flowers opened, just after petal shedding and 7-14 days after petal fall. The rooting percentage were counted after10 weeks of rooting. The evaluation of plant material were carried out before and after rooting, including: soluble proteins,chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, polyphenolic acids, reducing and total soluble carbohydrates. The research revealedvariability, characteristic for each examined cultivar, in the contents of the biologically active compounds, both before and afterrooting, in cuttings harvested from stock plants in successive phases of development. Decrease in pigment contents in leaves ofrooted cuttings may suggest a progressing senescence, both during propagation and later in a vegetative season. The cuttings of‘Mousseuse Rouge’ rooted similarly when harvested in each of the phenological phases (53.8-67.5%). For other cultivars thehighest rooting percentage was obtained for cuttings harvested from shoots with closed flower buds: (‘Hurdals’ 47.5%,‘Maiden’s Blush’ 55.0%, ‘Semiplena’ 67.5%). In these cultivars a relationship between rooting percentage and changes in thecontents of pigments, sugars or/and polyphenolic acids in successive phenological phases was shown

Testicular, Epididymal and Vasal Anomalies in Pediatric Patients with Cryptorchid Testes and Testes with Communicating Hydrocele

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of the testicular, epididymal, and vasal anomalies (TEVA) in cryptorchid and communicating hydrocele pediatric patients. Six hundred and ninety-one prepubertal boys underwent inguinal exploration for 741 undescended (UDT) or hydrocele testes. Two hundred and fifty-five TEVA were detected in 154 UDT boys, compared to 32 defects in 24 hydrocele patients (p < 0.001). The TEVA were more frequent in bilateral UDT (p = 0.009). Multiple defects were observed more frequently in the intra-abdominal testicles (p = 0.028). A correlation was found between the testicular atrophy index (TAI) and the incidence and number of TEVA in the UDT boys (p < 0.001). The smaller the testis (higher TAI), the more the defects that appeared in it and the higher the frequency of their appearance. Another correlation was established between testis position and the incidence and number of TEVA (p < 0.001). The higher the testis position, the more the defects that appeared in it and the higher the frequency of their appearance. A correlation was established between the position and the volume of the affected testis (p < 0.001). The higher the gonad position, the more severe the atrophy observed in it. The TEVA were more frequent in the UDT boys than in the hydrocele patients. We revealed that the risk of abnormal fusion between the testis, epididymis, and vas deferens is connected with the testis position (intra-abdominal testes) and bilateral non-descent

Barley Seeds miRNome Stability during Long-Term Storage and Aging

Seed aging is a complex biological process that has been attracting scientists’ attention for many years. High-throughput small RNA sequencing was applied to examine microRNAs contribution in barley seeds senescence. Unique samples of seeds that, despite having the same genetic makeup, differed in viability after over 45 years of storage in a dry state were investigated. In total, 61 known and 81 novel miRNA were identified in dry seeds. The highest level of expression was found in four conserved miRNA families, i.e., miR159, miR156, miR166, and miR168. However, the most astonishing result was the lack of significant differences in the level of almost all miRNAs in seed samples with significantly different viability. This result reveals that miRNAs in dry seeds are extremely stable. This is also the first identified RNA fraction that is not deteriorating along with the loss of seed viability. Moreover, the novel miRNA hvu-new41, with higher expression in seeds with the lowest viability as detected by RT-qPCR, has the potential to become an indicator of the decreasing viability of seeds during storage in a dry state

MLST-based population structure of Polish isolates obtained in 2011 to 2012, constructed using eBURST analysis (S1 File).

<p>The size of the circle (symbolizing STs) corresponds to the number of isolates belonging to a ST. Blue spots indicate the founder of a clonal group. Single-locus variant and double-locus variant links are represented by pink and blue lines, respectively.</p