A Novel Genotype Independent Protocol for In Vitro Plant Regeneration from Mature Seed Derived Callus of Tall Fescue (\u3ci\u3eFestuca Arundinacea\u3c/i\u3e Schreb.)

Tall fescues (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) are cool season forage and turf grasses of significant agricultural importance in different grassland countries. Genetic improvement of tall fescues by conventional selection procedures is slow, since these are predominantly, cross-pollinated, hexaploid and generally infertile (Jauhar, 1993). Genetic Engineering approaches for incorporation of agronomically useful traits may contribute to the development of improved tall fescue cultivars (Spangenberg et al., 1998). However for any genetic engineering studies, it is essential to develop a genotype-independent, reproducible and efficient in vitro plant regeneration protocol. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of different sterilization procedures for in vitro seed germination and studied the effects of different concentrations and combinations of 2,4-D and BAP on callus induction, growth and regeneration potential of two cultivars of tall fescue

Efficient \u3cem\u3eIn Vitro\u3c/em\u3e Regeneration System From Seed Derived Callus of Perennial Ryegrass (\u3cem\u3eLolium Perenne\u3c/em\u3e) And Annual Ryegrass (\u3cem\u3eLolium Multiflorum\u3c/em\u3e)

The commercially important ryegrasses in cool temperate climates throughout the world are annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L). Improvements through conventional breeding have been slow as they are usually heterozygous and highly self-infertile. Hence, there is a need to use modern biotechnological tools to the development of improved rye grass cultivars for incorporating value added traits. Successful transformation of rye grasses has been done using suspension cells, which is time consuming and laborious (Spangenberg et al., 1995, 1998). We report here a rapid and highly efficient in vitro plant regeneration system from seed derived callus in annual and perennial rye grasses

Compaction Quality Control of Earth Fills Using Dynamic Cone Penetrometer

Quality control for compaction of earth fills is commonly performed by measuring the in situ density using the sand cone method. In situ density measurements from sand cone testing are highly operator-dependent; in addition, the test procedure is tedious and time-consuming. In this study, a dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) was used to perform quality control (QC) of earthworks by measuring penetration resistance in compacted soil. DCP tests were performed on three test pads specially constructed using different soil types - clayey sand with gravel, clayey sand, and silty sand. The test results were expressed in terms of a dynamic penetration index (DPI), defined as the depth of penetration of the cone per hammer blow. Correlations are developed between DPI and compacted density for the three soil types considered. In order to meet the criterion of compacted density equal to or greater than 98% of the maximum density from a laboratory standard Proctor test, DPI values are found to range from 5 to 8 mm/blow, corresponding to 250 mm penetration of cone on tested soil types. The effect of the fall height of the hammer on the measured DPI is also studied by performing DCP tests for two fall heights, 575 and 450 mm. DPI values are found to increase by 11-26% when the height of the fall increases from 450 to 575 mm, for the highest energy level considered in the study. It is also found that DPI is very sensitive to the moisture content and in situ density of compacted layers. The DCP device provided quick test results and was simple to operate on any subgrade layer; hence, the frequency of QC tests can be increased, leading to an improvement in the overall quality of compaction of earthworks

Dupilumab-Associated Head and Neck Dermatitis Shows a Pronounced Type 22 Immune Signature Mediated by Oligoclonally Expanded T Cells

Dupilumab, an IL4R-blocking antibody, has shown clinical efficacy for atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment. In addition to conjunctivitis/blepharitis, the de novo appearance of head/neck dermatitis is now recognized as a distinct side effect, occurring in up to 10% of patients. Histopathological features distinct from AD suggest a drug effect, but exact underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We profiled punch biopsies from dupilumab-associated head and neck dermatitis (DAHND) by using single-cell RNA sequencing and compared data with untreated AD and healthy control skin. We show that dupilumab treatment was accompanied by normalization of IL-4/IL-13 downstream activity markers such as CCL13, CCL17, CCL18 and CCL26. By contrast, we found strong increases in type 22-associated markers (IL22, AHR) especially in oligoclonally expanded T cells, accompanied by enhanced keratinocyte activation and IL-22 receptor upregulation. Taken together, we demonstrate that dupilumab effectively dampens conventional type 2 inflammation in DAHND lesions, with concomitant hyperactivation of IL22-associated responses

Dupilumab-associated head and neck dermatitis shows a pronounced type 22 immune signature mediated by oligoclonally expanded T cells

Abstract Dupilumab, an IL4R-blocking antibody, has shown clinical efficacy for atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment. In addition to conjunctivitis/blepharitis, the de novo appearance of head/neck dermatitis is now recognized as a distinct side effect, occurring in up to 10% of patients. Histopathological features distinct from AD suggest a drug effect, but exact underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We profiled punch biopsies from dupilumab-associated head and neck dermatitis (DAHND) by using single-cell RNA sequencing and compared data with untreated AD and healthy control skin. We show that dupilumab treatment was accompanied by normalization of IL-4/IL-13 downstream activity markers such as CCL13, CCL17, CCL18 and CCL26. By contrast, we found strong increases in type 22-associated markers (IL22, AHR) especially in oligoclonally expanded T cells, accompanied by enhanced keratinocyte activation and IL-22 receptor upregulation. Taken together, we demonstrate that dupilumab effectively dampens conventional type 2 inflammation in DAHND lesions, with concomitant hyperactivation of IL22-associated responses

Supplementary Material for: Complications of Implanted Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Introduction: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has emerged as a promising tool in ischemic stroke rehabilitation. However, there has been no systematic review summarizing its adverse effects, critical information for patients and providers when obtaining informed consent for this novel treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis reports the adverse effects of VNS. Methods: A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to identify common complications after VNS therapy. The search was executed in: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Ovid MEDLINE. All prospective, randomized controlled trials using implanted VNS therapy in adult patients were eligible for inclusion. Case studies and studies lacking complete complication reports were excluded. Extracted data included technology name, location of implantation, follow-up duration, purpose of VNS, and adverse event rates. Results: After title-and-abstract screening of 4933 studies, 21 were selected for final inclusion. Across these studies, 1474 patients received VNS implantation. VNS was used as a potential therapy for epilepsy (9), depression (8), anxiety (1), ischemic stroke (1), chronic heart failure (1), and fibromyalgia (1). The 5 most common post-implant adverse events were voice alteration/hoarseness (n=671, 45.5%), paresthesia (n = 233, 15.8%), cough (n = 221, 15.0%), dyspnea (n = 211, 14.3%), and pain (n = 170, 11.5%). Conclusions: Complications from VNS are mild and transient, with reduction in severity and number of adverse events with increasing follow-up time. In prior studies, VNS has served as treatment option in several instances of treatment-resistant conditions, such as epilepsy and psychiatric conditions, and its use in stroke recovery and rehabilitation should continue to be explored