Ultra-sculpturing of seed morphotypes in selected species of genus Salvia L. and their taxonomic significance.

The taxonomic importance of macromorphological and micromorphological seed characteristics was investigated using SEM of ten species of the Salvia genus from Pakistan. The aim was to identify diagnostic seed ultrastructural features that could aid in species delimitation, correct identification and phylogenetic position. The ultrastructure of Salvia varies greatly, and a wide range of unique micromorphological features have been observed. Seed micromorphological features were explored by SEM, including seed shape, colour, texture, cell outline, surface sculpturing, epidermal cell arrangement, anticlinal, and periclinal wall pattern. Seed shapes were categorized as obovate, spherical, spheroid, broadly elliptic, elliptic and oblong, mostly with a terminal hilum. Seed colours were black, light brown, dark brown, brown and yellow. Exo-morphological characters, i.e. epidermal cell arrangements, included irregular, wavy pentagonal-hexagonal, regular pentagonal-hexagonal. Cluster analysis was used to assess similar and distinct species within Salvia with a feasible explanation. Taxonomic keys were made based on micromorphological qualitative features that help to delimit species and identify them quickly within the Salvia genus. Seed morphology of ten Salvia species was described and investigated, and the diagnostic significance of features evaluated using SEM. This study analysed seed features, especially at the species level, which might provide much new taxonomic information. The results revealed that, in seed morphology, using SEM can help with taxon identification, especially at the genus and species levels.

ASSESSMENT OF SERUM ALARIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the potential relationship between plasma alarin levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). PATIENTS AND METHOD: We included 154 participants, divided into four groups in a cross-sectional study design. The first group includes patients with T2DM without complications (n=30), the second group patients with T2DM with microvascular complications (T2DM-noC n=32), the third group patients with T2DM with macrovascular complications, T2DM-MV (n=32) and the last group is the healthy control group (n=60). RESULTS: In our study 94 patients were diabetic; 47 females and 47 males. The control group consists of 60 people, 30 women and 30 men. It was found that these had a significant (p>0.05) variation in serum alarin levels among the T2DM (T2DM-noC=3.1±0.7 ng/mL T2DM-mV=2.8±0.4 ng/mL, T2DM-MV= 3.6±0.4 ng/mL) versus control group (15.6±2.6).We failed to find a significant variation of serum alarin levels (p>0.05) between T2DM subgroups. Serum alarin levels were significantly higher among control patients (p<0.05). There was no difference between diabetic sub-groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that serum alarin levels in patients with T2DM are lower than in normal people. Further studies are needed to investigate the possible prognostic value of alarin in clinical practice in T2DM.

TRPV2 POLYMORPHISMS INCREASE OR REDUCE THE RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES - HASHIMOTO THYROIDITIS COMORBIDITY.

CONTEXT: Thyroid disorders are common in diabetics and related to severe diabetic complications. TRPV2 ion channels have crucial functions in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism which have an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes. Also, they have a significant effect on various immunological events that are involved in the HT pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate rs14039 and rs4792742 polymorphisms of the TRPV2 ion channels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n=100) Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT, n=70) and comorbid T2DM and HT (T2DM+HT, n=100) patients and control (n=100). DESIGN: Case-control study. SUBJECT AND METHODS: RT-PCR genotyping was used to determine rs14039 and rs4792742 polymorphisms with DNA samples of subjects and appropriate primer and probes. Besides, required biochemical analyses were performed. RESULTS: It was determined that the frequencies of the rs14039 GG homozygote polymorphic genotype and the G allele were significantly higher in T2DM+HT patients compared to the control (p=0.03 and p=0.01, respectively) and that especially the GG genotype increases the risk of T2DM+HT 3.046-fold (p=0.01, OR=3.046). It was detected that the GG genotype increased the risk of HT 2.54-fold (p=0.05, OR=2.541). TRPV2 rs4792742 polymorphisms reduce the risk of HT and T2DM+HT comorbidity almost by half and have a protective effect against HT and T2DM+HT. CONCLUSION: The rs14039 GG genotype of the TRPV2 gene significantly increases the risks of development of T2DM+HT and HT disorders, may have a significant role in the pathophysiology of these diseases, also leading to predisposition for their development. Conversely, rs4792742 polymorphic genotypes have a strong protective effect against the HT and T2DM+HT comorbidity.

Percutaneous endobiliary radiofrequency ablation for refractory benign hepaticojejunostomy and biliary strictures.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of percutaneous endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) and balloon dilation for the treatment of hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) strictures resistant to surgery and/or other interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients who underwent percutaneous ERFA for HJ stricture were included. There were 10 men and 8 women with a mean age of 48.3±10.8 (SD) years (range: 33-69 years). The 18 patients had a total of 29 benign HJ strictures secondary to cholecystectomy (14 patients; 78.0%), Whipple procedure (3 patients; 16.6%) or blunt abdominal trauma (1 patient; 5.4%). The different end-points were technical success, clinical success, recurrence, procedure-related mortality, and morbidity. RESULTS: Technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 83.3%, respectively. No mortality and major procedure-related complications were observed. One patient experienced minor complication (self-limited pleural effusion). Two patients did not show favorable response to ERFA whereas 10 patients had no stricture recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 7.3 months±1.0 (SD) (range: 4-10 months). CONCLUSION: ERFA is a safe and effective treatment for benign HJ and biliary strictures. However, more studies involving more patients with a long-term follow-up period should be made to fully determine the long-term results of ERFA.

Multidetector Computed Tomography Findings of Splenic Artery Aneurysms Associated With Liver Involvement in Wilson's Disease.

PURPOSE: The purposed of this study was to examine the incidence and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) in patients with liver involvement related to Wilson's disease. METHODS: Eighteen patients with clinically and/or pathologically proven Wilson's disease underwent triphasic MDCT. Arterial, portal, and equilibrium phase images were obtained. The analysis of the CT features included the presence and characteristics of the SAA, splenic artery (SA) diameter, the presence and size of the portosystemic collateral vessels, and spleen volume. RESULTS: SAAs were detected in 11 patients (61.1%). Eight (72.7%) patients had multiple aneurysms. In 6 (54.5%) patients, the SAAs were located in the distal third of the SA and the intraparenchymal part of the SA. In 3 (27.3%) patients, the SAAs were located only in the distal third of the SA. In 1 (9.1%) patient, the aneurysms were located in the intermediate, distal third, and intraparenchymal part of the SA; in another (9.1%) patient, the aneurysms were located only in the intraparenchymal part of the SA. There were significant differences between the patients with SAA and those without SAA with respect to SA diameter, portosystemic collateral vessel diameter, and spleen volume (P = .007, P < .001, and P = .006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of SAAs seems to be higher in patients with liver involvement related to Wilson's disease compared with patients with other causes of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Large portosystemic collaterals, increased SA diameter, and spleen volume were significant factors for the presence of SAAs.

Specific calcitonin gene-related peptide binding sites present throughout rat intestine.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide is found extensively in the innervation of the intestine and has potent pharmacological effects on secretion, blood flow, and motility. Although essential for assessing the physiological significance of CGRP, detailed information concerning the distribution of its receptor(s) within the intestine is lacking. By using autoradiographic methods, we identified specific binding sites for 125I-tyr0-CGRP-alpha in all regions of the rat small and large intestine. Particularly dense saturatable binding is observed within the lamina propria. There is moderate saturatible binding in the myenteric plexuses. These findings clearly support the notion that CGRP has a neuroeffector role in intestinal functions.

[Early summer meningoencephalitis. Extension of the endemic area to mid-Hessia]. / Frühsommermeningoenzephalitis (FSME). Ausbreitung des Endemiegebietes nach Mittelhessen.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most severe arbovirus disease transmitted by ticks. The mortality of the central European form is 0.7-2%. Active immunisation is recommended for endemic regions. We report on 4 patients with TBE acquired in Middle-Hessen between 1994 and 1997 (2 in 1997). After repeated CSF and serum testing the TBE-specific antibodies were found in all 4 cases. In one case there was also evidence for a prior infection with borrelia burgdorferi. The results of the initial CSF-analysis were atypical in 2 cases (high cell count of 136 cells/mm3, total protein up to 1.5 g/l). The endemic region for TBE has expanded in northern direction into Middle-Hessen, a region in which Lyme borreliosis is also endemic. Thus, true double infections are possible. This and the initially frequently atypical CSF-findings make the differential diagnosis difficult. Therefore, repetitive CSF and blood examinations are recommended.