Amygdala and subregion volume are associated with photoperiod and seasonal depressive symptoms : A cross sectional study in the UK Biobank cohort

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research has been conducted using the UK Biobank Resource. This work was supported by the Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre with financial support from the Roland Sutton Academic Trust (RSAT-0039/R/16) and Jazan University and Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Complete Sequences of Organelle Genomes from the Medicinal Plant Rhazya Stricta (Apocynaceae) and Contrasting Patterns of Mitochondrial Genome Evolution Across Asterids

Rhazya stricta is native to arid regions in South Asia and the Middle East and is used extensively in folk medicine to treat a wide range of diseases. In addition to generating genomic resources for this medicinally important plant, analyses of the complete plastid and mitochondrial genomes and a nuclear transcriptome from Rhazya provide insights into inter-compartmental transfers between genomes and the patterns of evolution among eight asterid mitochondrial genomes. Results: The 154,841 bp plastid genome is highly conserved with gene content and order identical to the ancestral organization of angiosperms. The 548,608 bp mitochondrial genome exhibits a number of phenomena including the presence of recombinogenic repeats that generate a multipartite organization, transferred DNA from the plastid and nuclear genomes, and bidirectional DNA transfers between the mitochondrion and the nucleus. The mitochondrial genes sdh3 and rps14 have been transferred to the nucleus and have acquired targeting presequences. In the case of rps14, two copies are present in the nucleus; only one has a mitochondrial targeting presequence and may be functional. Phylogenetic analyses of both nuclear and mitochondrial copies of rps14 across angiosperms suggests Rhazya has experienced a single transfer of this gene to the nucleus, followed by a duplication event. Furthermore, the phylogenetic distribution of gene losses and the high level of sequence divergence in targeting presequences suggest multiple, independent transfers of both sdh3 and rps14 across asterids. Comparative analyses of mitochondrial genomes of eight sequenced asterids indicates a complicated evolutionary history in this large angiosperm clade with considerable diversity in genome organization and size, repeat, gene and intron content, and amount of foreign DNA from the plastid and nuclear genomes. Conclusions: Organelle genomes of Rhazya stricta provide valuable information for improving the understanding of mitochondrial genome evolution among angiosperms. The genomic data have enabled a rigorous examination of the gene transfer events. Rhazya is unique among the eight sequenced asterids in the types of events that have shaped the evolution of its mitochondrial genome. Furthermore, the organelle genomes of R. stricta provide valuable genomic resources for utilizing this important medicinal plant in biotechnology applications.King Abdulaziz UniversityIntegrative Biolog

ECONOMICAL STUDY OF IN VIVO AND IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF RUSSELIA EQUISETIFORMIS

This experimental trial was performed throughout two successive seasons (2015-2016) and (2016-2017) at the nursery of Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt. Intended to find out the effect of the individual and combined effects of different growing media with different types of propagation on morphological traits and some chemical constituents of Russelia equisetiformis Schlecht. & Cham plant. Accordingly, on September 1st, in the two seasons, different plant parts of the whole plant (tip and mid cutting of 10-12 cm length, besides divisions containing foliage and root parts were planted in 10 cm plastic pots (one plant/pot) for every growing media used. The plants were left to grow under open field conditions. The layout of the experiment was a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates (2 growing media × 3 types of propagation). The results emphasized that the mixture of sand + 15% compost proved its mastery in improving vegetative growth parameters (plant height, number of branches/plant, fresh and dry weight of shoots). Besides, it was the best mixture used for raising fresh and dry weight of roots. Also, such mixture was superior in increasing survival rate %. Meantime, it raised pigments content in the leaves (chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophylls and carotenoids). Results showed also the prevalence of using division parts in propagation, which to improvise the above mentioned morphological traits studied in both seasons. Meanwhile, using tip cuttings in propagation proved its mastery in raising survival rate %, whereas using mid cuttings was the best in rising chlorophyll (b) in the leaves in both seasons. Also, using either mid cuttings or division parts was the best in raising total chlorophyll in the leaves. Using tip cuttings or division parts was the best in increasing carotenoids content in leaves in the first season, whereas using either mid cuttings or division plants was the best for raising the same content in the second one. From the aforementioned results, it could be recommended to use division parts in propagation and using the mixture of sand + compost 15% in pots for obtaining the best characters of Russelia equisetiformis plant under local conditions. Moreover, a protocol of micropropagation of Russelia equisetiformis was established using nodal explants taken from the main shoot and lateral branches. Explants were sterilized using 0.1% (w/v) mercuric chloride for 7 and 10 min for the main shoot and lateral branches explants, respectively as 100% of explants were surface decontaminated, survived and stimulated to form shoots. Data of the multiplication stage showed that the highest survival percentages were recorded when explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP at 0.25 or 0.50 mg/l or kin at 0.25 mg/l which recorded 97.22, 93.06 and 94.44%, respectively. The significantly highest number of the formed shootlets/explant (3.05) was obtained when medium was supplemented with 0.75 mg/l BAP during the third subculture. The significantly highest value of shootlet length (4.72 cm) was recorded when 0.25 mg/l of kin was used during the second subculture. The most suitable treatment for rooting stage was ¾ MS strength which recorded 100% rooting, 8.86 roots/plantlet with 4.56 cm root length. The in vitro propagated plantlets (microshoots with well-developed roots) were hardened in greenhouse with 82% survival rate. From the above mentioned results, it could be concluded that using tissue culture in propagation is considered the best economic way for the propagation of theRusselia equisetiformis plant comparing with that gained from the other propagation method used. Additionally, it could be mentioned that the profitability rate % of the production by the way of tissue culture method only 780.73% comparing with 338.2% terminal cutting

Transcriptomic and metabolic responses of Calotropis procera to salt and drought stress

Background: Calotropis procera is a wild plant species in the family Apocynaceae that is able to grow in harsh, arid and heat stressed conditions. Understanding how this highly adapted plant persists in harsh environments should inform future efforts to improve the hardiness of crop and forage plant species. To study the plant response to droμght and osmotic stress, we treated plants with polyethylene glycol and NaCl and carried out transcriptomic and metabolomics measurements across a time-course of five days. Results: We identified a highly dynamic transcriptional response across the time-course including dramatic changes in inositol signaling, stress response genes and cytokinins. The resulting metabolome changes also involved sharp increases of myo-inositol, a key signaling molecule and elevated amino acid metabolites at later times. Conclusions: The data generated here provide a first glimpse at the expressed genome of C. procera, a plant that is exceptionally well adapted to arid environments. We demonstrate, through transcriptome and metabolome analysis that myo-inositol signaling is strongly induced in response to drought and salt stress and that there is elevation of amino acid concentrations after prolonged osmotic stress. This work should lay the foundations of future studies in adaptation to arid environments

Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Neurological Complications of Infective Endocarditis: Impact on Surgical Management and Prognosis

International audienceObjectives:Symptomatic neurological complications (NC) are a major cause of mortality in infective endocarditis (IE) but the impact of asymptomatic complications is unknown. We aimed to assess the impact of asymptomatic NC (AsNC) on the management and prognosis of IE.Methods: From the database of cases collected for a population-based study on IE, we selected 283 patients with definite left-sided IE who had undergone at least one neuroimaging procedure (cerebral CT scan and/or MRI) performed as part of initial evaluation.Results Among those 283 patients, 100 had symptomatic neurological complications (SNC) prior to the investigation, 35 had an asymptomatic neurological complications (AsNC), and 148 had a normal cerebral imaging (NoNC). The rate of valve surgery was 43% in the 100 patients with SNC, 77% in the 35 with AsNC, and 54% in the 148 with NoNC (p<0.001). In-hospital mortality was 42% in patients with SNC, 8.6% in patients with AsNC, and 16.9% in patients with NoNC (p<0.001). Among the 135 patients with NC, 95 had an indication for valve surgery (71%), which was performed in 70 of them (mortality 20%) and not performed in 25 (mortality 68%). In a multivariate adjusted analysis of the 135 patients with NC, age, renal failure, septic shock, and IE caused by S. aureus were independently associated with in-hospital and 1-year mortality. In addition SNC was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality.Conclusions The presence of NC was associated with a poorer prognosis when symptomatic. Patients with AsNC had the highest rate of valve surgery and the lowest mortality rate, which suggests a protective role of surgery guided by systematic neuroimaging results

Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility (ICSR) Concept: The Case of 21st Century Middle East

Markets are the place where buyers and sellers meet. The characteristics of such a place are almost universal, measurable, money is the medium, and the rules are mainly simple and flexible. Customers, partners and suppliers, competitors, and employees are the elements of the market environment. On the other hand, the non-market elements are everything that affects the market indirectly. Non-market strategy recognises that businesses are social and political beings, not just economic agents. A non-market strategy allows a company to shape the environment in which it operates, creating opportunities. Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility (ICSR) derives itself from core principles in the holy Qur’an. The three major foundational principles for ICSR are the vicegerency of mankind on earth, divine accountability and the duty on mankind to enjoin good and forbid evil. ICSR concept appears to be in close conformity with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, but in many respects go further than the minimum standards adopted by this framework. MNCs should not underestimate the Middle Eastern region historical events of the Arab League boycott, the Danish cartoons and the ‘Arab Spring’ revolution. Admitting these, the ICSR concept will offers great opportunities for MNCs to invest and operate in the Middle East

Delayed versus early pushing during the second stage of labour in primigravidas under epidural anaesthesia with occipitoposterior malposition: a randomised controlled study

This randomised controlled trial aimed to compare the effect of early and delayed pushing during the second stage of labour in women with occipitoposterior (OP) malposition. It included 184 nulliparous women with OP position randomised to early pushing in which women were allowed to push within one hour after full cervical dilatation or delayed pushing in which women were asked not to push for maximum of three hours or start pushing when the vertex was visible. The primary outcome was successful vaginal delivery. The rate of spontaneous vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the early pushing group (80.4 vs. 60.9%, p=.004) while the rate of instrumental vaginal delivery (30.4 vs. 15.4%) and CS (8.7 vs. 4.3%) was significantly higher in the delayed pushing group. Women in the delayed pushing group showed a significantly longer duration of the second stage (129.4 ± 7.5 vs. 61.6 ± 15.3 minutes, p<.001) and shorter duration of pushing (219.8 ± 74.8 vs. 693.9 ± 145.2 seconds, p<.001) .The rate of 2nd and 3rd degree perineal lacerations (19.6 and 13% vs. 5.4 and 8.7% respectively, p=.013) and vaginal tears (41.3 vs. 8.7%, p<.001) was significantly higher in the early pushing group. We concluded that early pushing during the second stage of labour is associated with higher rates of spontaneous vaginal delivery and vaginal and perineal lacerations. Clinical trial registration NCT03121274.Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Occipitoposterior malposition is common during delivery especially in primigravida and is associated with higher rates of instrumental delivery and caesarean section. It can be managed through early or delayed pushing. What the results of this study add? Early pushing is associated with higher rates of spontaneous vaginal delivery, perineal and vaginal tears, shorter duration of second stage of labour, shorter duration of pushing, lower rates of both instrumental vaginal delivery and caesarean section. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Early pushing during the second stage of labour is associated with higher rates of spontaneous vaginal delivery and vaginal and perineal lacerations in women with OP malposition and should be tried and not delaying the pushing

Low loss Kagome hollow-core photonic crystal fiber for high power fast laser beam transportation and pulse compression

International audienc

CD4+ CD25+ cells in type 1 diabetic patients with other autoimmune manifestations

The existence of multiple autoimmune disorders in diabetics may indicate underlying primary defects of immune regulation. The study aims at estimation of defects of CD4+ CD25+high cells among diabetic children with multiple autoimmune manifestations, and identification of disease characteristics in those children. Twenty-two cases with type 1 diabetes associated with other autoimmune diseases were recruited from the Diabetic Endocrine and Metabolic Pediatric Unit (DEMPU), Cairo University along with twenty-one normal subjects matched for age and sex as a control group. Their anthropometric measurements, diabetic profiles and glycemic control were recorded. Laboratory investigations included complete blood picture, glycosylated hemoglobin, antithyroid antibodies, celiac antibody panel and inflammatory bowel disease markers when indicated. Flow cytometric analysis of T-cell subpopulation was performed using anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-CD25 monoclonal antibodies. Three cases revealed a proportion of CD4+ CD25+high below 0.1% and one case had zero counts. However, this observation did not mount to a significant statistical difference between the case and control groups neither in percentage nor absolute numbers. Significant statistical differences were observed between the case and the control groups regarding their height, weight centiles, as well as hemoglobin percentage, white cell counts and the absolute lymphocytic counts. We concluded that, derangements of CD4+ CD25+high cells may exist among diabetic children with multiple autoimmune manifestations indicating defects of immune controllers