QTL-seq and transcriptomic integrative analyses reveal two positively regulated genes that control the low-temperature germination ability of MTP-maize introgression lines.

KEY MESSAGE: Two candidate genes (ZmbZIP113 and ZmTSAH1) controlling low-temperature germination ability were identified by QTL-seq and integrative transcriptomic analyses. The functional verification results showed that two candidate genes positively regulated the low-temperature germination ability of IB030. Low-temperature conditions cause slow maize (Zea mays L.) seed metabolism, resulting in slow seedling emergence and irregular seedling emergence, which can cause serious yield loss. Thus, improving a maize cultivar's low-temperature germination ability (LTGA) is vital for increasing yield production. Wild relatives of maize, such as Z. perennis and Tripsacum dactyloides, are strongly tolerant of cold stress and can thus be used to improve the LTGA of maize. In a previous study, the genetic bridge MTP was constructed (from maize, T. dactyloides, and Z. perennis) and used to obtain a highly LTGA maize introgression line (IB030) by backcross breeding. In this study, IB030 (Strong-LTGA) and Mo17 (Weak-LTGA) were selected as parents to construct an F2 offspring. Additionally, two major QTLs (qCS1-1 and qCS10-1) were mapped. Then, RNA-seq was performed using seeds of IB030 and the recurrent parent B73 treated at 10 °C for 27 days and 25 °C for 7 days, respectively, and two candidate genes (ZmbZIP113 and ZmTSAH1) controlling LTGA were located using QTL-seq and integrative transcriptomic analyses. The functional verification results showed that the two candidate genes positively regulated LTGA of IB030. Notably, homologous cloning showed that the source of variation in both candidate genes was the stable inheritance of introgressed alleles from Z. perennis. This study was thus able to analyze the LTGA mechanism of IB030 and identify resistance genes for genetic improvement in maize, and it proved that using MTP genetic bridge confers desirable traits or phenotypes of Z. perennis and tripsacum essential to maize breeding systems.

Symptomatic appendiceal intussusception-rare pitfall of the historical inversion technique.

Appendiceal intussusception is a rare condition with an unknown incidence of clinical presentation, and an estimated incidence of 0.01% is based on a histological study only. It presents a diagnostic challenge with lack of standardized management strategies, and its description in literature is limited to case reports and series. Clinical presentation is often variable and nonspecific; it is uncommon to have a definitive preoperative diagnosis. Iatrogenic appendiceal intussusception can occur as a result of the historical simple inversion or inversion-ligation appendicectomy technique, but it is seldom reported to cause symptoms. We present a case of symptomatic appendiceal intussusception diagnosed preoperatively on both computed tomography and colonoscopy prior to proceeding with elective definitive surgery in a patient with no reported prior history of appendicectomy.

Journey of a stone-thirty years on.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard surgical treatment of gallstone disease and a commonly performed procedure in general surgery. Retained gallstones from intraoperative spillage remain largely asymptomatic and complications are rare. Peak incidence of presentation occurs within a year; however, it is important to recognize retained gallstones as a differential for acute presentations even many years postoperatively. We present the case of a 74-year-old female who presented with a retained-gallstone-associated abdominal wall abscess 30 years after spillage during the original surgery, which was successfully treated with a stepwise extraperitoneal approach with local drainage.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Pregnancy: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study From an Australian Tertiary Center.

Background Cholecystectomy is the second most common non-obstetric indication for surgery during pregnancy; however, there is little recent literature specifically exploring perioperative care approaches, and a paucity of Australian data exists. This study investigates the incidence of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) during pregnancy, peri-operative management, and post-operative outcomes in a single Australian tertiary center. Methods A retrospective analysis of LCs performed on pregnant patients between the ages of 16 and 50 years at a tertiary hospital between 2016 and 2023 was completed. Results Twenty-three patients underwent LC. The median gestational age was 17+4 weeks (4+3-30+6). Cases were performed in all three trimesters, with the majority in the second trimester (n=12, 52.2%). Surgery indications were recurrent biliary colic (n=11, 47.8%), acute cholecystitis (n=8, 34.8%), and gallstone pancreatitis (n=4, 17.4%). Obstetrics and Gynecology (O&G) consultations occurred in 56.5% (n=13) of cases. Fetal heart rate (FHR) was recorded perioperatively in 82.6% (n=19) of cases. Preoperative steroids were given to 40% of eligible patients. An intraoperative cholangiogram was performed in 12 (52.2%) cases, of which eight (66.7%) utilized abdominal shielding. There was no perioperative maternal mortality nor fetal loss. Surgical morbidities were pancreatitis (n=1), bile leak (n=1), and intraoperatively recognized bile duct injury (n=1). Two threatened preterm labors and five (26.3%) preterm deliveries occurred. Conclusion Performing LC in pregnancy does carry a risk of major morbidity; however, there was no mortality or fetal loss across all trimesters. The decision to perform abdominal shielding during an intraoperative cholangiogram should be approached sensitively in a case-by-case manner, given recent paradigm shifts in radiology. A multidisciplinary approach with standardized local perioperative care policies regarding procedures such as O&G consultation, perioperative steroid use, and FHR monitoring is strongly recommended.

Rare case of concurrent suprasternal and cardiac metastasis from small bowel neuroendocrine tumour.

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rare tumours derived from the neuroendocrine cell system, arising across a wide range of organs, most commonly the gastrointestinal tract and bronchopulmonary symptoms. Although NETs can metastasis widely throughout the body, cardiac metastasis is rare with an incidence of 2-4% and usually presents in the presence of extensive metastasis elsewhere. Suprasternal metastasis to the neck is exceedingly rare with <20 cases reported in the literature. We report the case of a 71-year-old female with concurrent cardiac and suprasternal metastasis at diagnosis of terminal ileal NET.