GATA transcription factor in common bean: A comprehensive genome-wide functional characterization, identification, and abiotic stress response evaluation.

The GATA transcription factors (TFs) have been extensively studied for its regulatory role in various biological processes in many plant species. The functional and molecular mechanism of GATA TFs in regulating tolerance to abiotic stress has not yet been studied in the common bean. This study analyzed the functional identity of the GATA gene family in the P. vulgaris genome under different abiotic and phytohormonal stress. The GATA gene family was systematically investigated in the P. vulgaris genome, and 31 PvGATA TFs were identified. The study found that 18 out of 31 PvGATA genes had undergone duplication events, emphasizing the role of gene duplication in GATA gene expansion. All the PvGATA genes were classified into four significant subfamilies, with 8, 3, 6, and 13 members in each subfamily (subfamilies I, II, III, and IV), respectively. All PvGATA protein sequences contained a single GATA domain, but subfamily II members had additional domains such as CCT and tify. A total of 799 promoter cis-regulatory elements (CREs) were predicted in the PvGATAs. Additionally, we used qRT-PCR to investigate the expression profiles of five PvGATA genes in the common bean roots under abiotic conditions. The results suggest that PvGATA01/10/25/28 may play crucial roles in regulating plant resistance against salt and drought stress and may be involved in phytohormone-mediated stress signaling pathways. PvGATA28 was selected for overexpression and cloned into N. benthamiana using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic lines were subjected to abiotic stress, and results showed a significant tolerance of transgenic lines to stress conditions compared to wild-type counterparts. The seed germination assay suggested an extended dormancy of transgenic lines compared to wild-type lines. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the PvGATA gene family, which can serve as a foundation for future research on the function of GATA TFs in abiotic stress tolerance in common bean plants.

PD-L1 Expression in Mismatch Repair-deficient Endometrial Carcinoma and Tumor-associated Immune Cells: Differences Between MLH1 Methylated and Nonmethylated Subgroups.

Mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient endometrial carcinomas show increased programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression compared with MMR-intact endometrial carcinomas, but there are limited data regarding PD-L1 expression between sporadic and inherited carcinomas exhibiting MMR loss. Most of the studies investigating PD-L1 expression in endometrial carcinoma have used tissue microarrays and did not examine all tumor blocks. In this study, we analyzed the expression of PD-L1 in resection specimens of 176 consecutive endometrial carcinomas using all tumor blocks; we compared PD-L1 expression in MMR-deficient endometrial carcinomas, including the MLH1 and PMS2-loss subgroup, and the other MMR-loss subgroups (MSH2 and MSH6, isolated PMS2, and isolated MSH6), with the MMR-intact subgroup. MLH1 methylation was performed in tumors with MLH1 and PMS2 loss. Tumor cell (TC) and tumor-associated immune cell (IC) PD-L1 positivity with a 1% cutoff was observed in 21% (n=37) and 66.5% (n=117) of cases, respectively, and with a 5% cutoff in 5.1% (n=9) and 39.8% (n=70) of cases, respectively. MMR protein deficiency was a statistically significant parameter associated with IC PD-L1 positivity, with 1% and 5% cutoffs on multivariate analysis [odds ratio (OR)=5.236, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.075-13.211, P=0.001, and OR=3.702, 95% CI=1.759-7.791, P=0.001, respectively]. The multivariate analysis showed that IC PD-L1 positivity, using both 1% and 5% cutoffs, was significantly associated with the MLH1 and PMS2 loss compared with the MMR protein-intact subgroup (MLH1 and PMS2 loss for 1% cutoff: OR=5.104, 95% CI=1.876-13.881, P=0.001, and for 5% cutoff: OR=3.322, 95% CI=1.540-7.166, P=0.002). Squamous differentiation was an independent predictor for TC PD-L1 positivity, with a 5% cutoff (OR=6.102, 95% CI=1.280-10.096, P=0.026). Larger tumor size was an independent predictive factor for IC PD-L1 positivity with a 1% cutoff (OR=6.757, 95% CI=1.569-29.109, P=0.010). Overall, 48 (92.3%) of 52 MLH1 methylated tumors showed IC PD-L1 positivity with 1% cutoff, and 34 (65.4%) of 52 MLH1 methylated tumors showed IC PD-L1 positivity with 5% cutoff. Our results show a higher rate of IC PD-L1 positivity than in previous studies. This is likely due in part to the use of all tumor blocks. MLH1 and PMS2 loss was an independent predictive factor for IC PD-L1 positivity, with both 1% and 5% cutoffs. Using univariate analysis, we observed decreased disease-free survival for IC PD-L1 positivity ≥5%. Our study results should now be tested and proven in larger cohorts, with longer follow-up data.

Stromal Clues in Endometrial Carcinoma: Loss of Expression of ß-Catenin, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Regulators, and Estrogen-Progesterone Receptor.

Epithelial-stroma interactions in the endometrium are known to be responsible for physiological functions and emergence of several pathologic lesions. Periglandular stromal cells act on endometrial cells in a paracrine manner through sex hormones. In this study, we immunohistochemically evaluated the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulators (SNAIL/SLUG, TWIST, ZEB1), adhesion molecules (ß-catenin and E-cadhenin), estrogen (ER)-progesterone (PR) receptor and their correlation with each other in 30 benign, 148 hyperplastic (EH), and 101 endometrioid-type endometrial carcinoma (EC) endometria. In the epithelial component, loss of expression in E-cadherin, ER and PR, and overexpression of TWIST and ZEB1 were significantly higher in EC than in EH (P<0.01). In the periglandular stromal component, ß-catenin and SNAIL/SLUG expression were significantly higher in normal endometrium and simple without atypical EH compared with complex atypical EH and EC (P<0.01). In addition, periglandular stromal TWIST expression was significantly higher in EH group compared with EC (P<0.05). There was significantly negative correlation between ß-catenin and ER, TWIST and ER, and TWIST and PR in hyperplastic and carcinomatous glandular epithelium, whereas there was a significantly positive correlation between ß-catenin and SNAIL-SLUG, ß-catenin and TWIST, ß-catenin and ER, ß-catenin and PR, SNAIL-SLUG and ER, SNAIL-SLUG and PR, TWIST and ER, TWIST and PR, in periglandular/cancer-associated stromal cells (P<0.01). In conclusion, the pattern of positive and negative correlations in the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulators (SNAIL-SLUG and TWIST), sex hormone receptors (ER and PR), and ß-catenin between ECs and hyperplasia, as well as between epithelium and stroma herein, is suggestive of a significant role for these proteins and their underlying molecular processes in the development of endometrial carcinomas.

Primary synovial sarcoma of the kidney.

Synovial Sarcoma (SS) is a soft tissue neoplasm that occurs generally in the proximity of large joints. Here, we report a case of a 45-year-old man who was diagnosed with Primary SS of the kidney which is an extremely rare tumor that accounts for less than 2% of malignant renal tumors. We also review the literature on primary synovial sarcomas of the kidney and focus especially on the renal tumors' differential diagnosis.

Genome-wide analysis of PvMADS in common bean and functional characterization of PvMADS31 in Arabidopsis thaliana as a player in abiotic stress responses.

Changing climatic conditions with rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns pose significant challenges to agricultural productivity, particularly for common bean crops. Transcription factors (TFs) are crucial regulators that can mitigate the impact of biotic and abiotic stresses on crop production. The MADS-box TFs family has been implicated in various plant physiological processes, including stress-responsive mechanisms. However, their role in common bean and their response to stressful conditions remain poorly understood. Here, we identified 35 MADS-box gene family members in common bean, with conserved MADS-box domains and other functional domains. Gene duplication events were observed, suggesting the significance of duplication in the evolutionary development of gene families. The analysis of promoter regions revealed diverse elements, including stress-responsive elements, indicating their potential involvement in stress responses. Notably, PvMADS31, a member of the PvMADS-box gene family, demonstrated rapid upregulation under various abiotic stress conditions, including NaCl, polyethylene glycol, drought, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments. Transgenic plants overexpressing PvMADS31 displayed enhanced lateral root development, root elongation, and seed germination under stress conditions. Furthermore, PvMADS31 overexpression in Arabidopsis resulted in improved drought tolerance, likely attributed to the enhanced scavenging of ROS and increased proline accumulation. These findings suggest that PvMADS31 might play a crucial role in modulating seed germination, root development, and stress responses, potentially through its involvement in auxin and ABA signaling pathways. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential roles of PvMADS-box genes in abiotic stress responses in common bean, offering prospects for crop improvement strategies to enhance resilience under changing environmental conditions.

The Status of Spermatogenesis in Germ Cell Tumor Bearing Testis and Its Association with Metastatic Disease.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the status of spermatogenesis detected by histological examination of non-tumoral testicular tissues in tumor bearing testis and its association with advanced stage disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) that undergone radical orchiectomy. All non-tumoral areas of the orchiectomy specimens were examined for the status of spermatogenesis. Patients were divided into two groups as localized (stage I) and metastatic (stage II-III) disease and analyzed separately for seminomatous (SGCT) and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-four patients were included in our final analysis. Of those, 195 patients had SGCT, and 259 patients had NSGCT. Three hundred and six patients had localized disease at the time of diagnosis. Median (Q1-Q3) age was 31 (26 - 38) years and 102 (22.5%) patients had normal spermatogenesis, 177 (39.0%) patients had hypospermatogenesis and 175 (38.5%) patients had no mature spermatozoa. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, embryonal carcinoma >50% (1.944, 95 %CI 1.054-3.585, P = .033) and spermatogenesis status (2.796 95% CI 1.251-6.250, P = .012 for hypospermatogenesis, and 3.907, 95% CI 1.692-9.021, P = .001 for absence of mature spermatozoa) were independently associated with metastatic NSGCT. However, there was not any variables significantly associated with metastatic SGCT on multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that only 22.5% of patients with TGCTs had normal spermatogenesis in tumor bearing testis. Impaired spermatogenesis (hypospermatogenesis or no mature spermatozoa) and predominant embryonal carcinoma are associated with advanced stage NSGCT.

3-({4-[(2-Methyl-benzyl-idene)amino]-5-sulfanyl-idene-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl}meth-yl)-1,3-benzoxazol-2(3H)-one.

In the title compound, C(18)H(15)N(5)O(2)S, a weak intra-molecular C-H⋯S hydrogen bond results in a small dihedral angle of 3.71 (9)° between the methyl-phenyl and triazole rings, which, in turn, form dihedral angles of 80.09 (8) and 77.32 (8)°, respectively, with the benzoxazolone mean plane. In the crystal, N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link mol-ecules into chains along [001], and weak C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and π-π inter-actions between the five- and six-membered rings [centroid-centroid distances = 3.5074 (11) and 3.616 (1) Å] consolidate the crystal packing.

Time-varying causality between income inequality and ecological footprint in Turkey.

This paper investigates the relationship between income inequality and environmental degradation for the case of Turkey between 1987 and 2017 through the bootstrap causality method that changes over time. The study used the GINI coefficient to denote income inequality and ecological footprint (EFP) to represent environmental degradation. According to the analysis results, a causal relationship has been determined for Turkey from GINI to EFP between 2002 and 2015 and from EFP to GINI between 2002 and 2008. Thanks to the method used in the analysis, it was concluded that GINI-affected EFP positively between 2002 and 2005 and negatively between 2006 and 2015. Between 2002 and 2005, Turkey endured a difficult period of restructuring after two major banking crises in 1999 and 2001. The rapid development, especially in industry and urbanization, caused environmental degradation in this period. Between 2006 and 2015, the central dynamic of Turkey's growth trend was the finance sector, and rapid privatizations were realized. Nevertheless, the income justice improvement in this period negatively impacted the environment due to consumption and production habits. Policymakers should evaluate Turkey in its economic reality and produce policies accordingly. Environmental awareness should be increased in the production and consumption activities of all segments of society, benefiting from the developments in income distribution. The ecological impact of the income redistribution policy, along with its market and social consequences, needs to be evaluated.

Unusual presentation of neurobrucellosis: a solitary intracranial mass lesion mimicking a cerebral tumor : a case of encephalitis caused by Brucella melitensis.

Among the diverse presentations of neurobrucellosis, solitary intracranial mass lesions are extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, we describe here the second case of neurobrucellosis mimicking a cerebral tumor caused by Brucella melitensis. The mass lesion was clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from a brain tumor. The diagnosis was established by isolating Brucella melitensis in a blood culture and a positive Wright's agglutination test on the cerebrospinal fluid at 1:320 titers. Paraffin sections of the cerebral mass showed nongranulomatous encephalitis. We suggest that patients with an isolated intraparenchymal mass lesion with nongranulomatous encephalitis should also be studied for brucellosis in endemic areas.

Intraoperative frozen section is essential for assessment of myometrial invasion but not for histologic grade confirmation in endometrial cancer: a ten-year experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of endometrial biopsy (EB), transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and intraoperative frozen section (FS) for assessment of myometrial invasion and histologic grade to predict more conservative surgery in endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data of 220 patients with endometrial carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperatively, the subjects were evaluated by EB and TVS. Intraoperatively, FS was also performed to evaluate histological grading and myometrial invasion. All patients underwent surgical-pathological staging after removal of the uterus, adnexa and pelvic lymph nodes. Sensitivity and specificity values were calculated for EB, TVS and FS with regard to detection of histological grading and neoplastic invasion of the myometrium according to the final histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Bilateral pelvic and common iliac lymphadenectomy was performed in 80 patients without performing intraoperative biopsy because of preoperative high risk. Evaluation of the tumor grade by preoperative EB showed a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 73, 97 and 91%, respectively. Evaluation of the tumor grade by intraoperative biopsy showed a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 73, 96 and 90%, respectively. Evaluation of the depth of myometrial invasion with TVS showed a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 52, 91 and 79%, respectively. Evaluation of the depth of myometrial invasion with intraoperative biopsy showed a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 86, 94 and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of the histologic grade by EB and of the depth of myometrial invasion by intraoperative biopsy is a good option for deciding the necessity of lymphadenectomy.

Evaluation of histopathological changes in control biopsies which taken 48 sessions after NBUVB phototherapy for early-stage mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND: There are not many studies investigating histomorphological changes in 48 sessions in patients with early-stage MF after narrowband UVB (NBUVB) treatment. Our purpose is to evaluate histological features of phototherapy after 48 sessions and determine which parameters are more reliable for controlling skin biopsies. METHODS: Biopsies of 32 patients with early stage of MF, who were treated with NBUVB phototherapy, were histologically evaluated before and after the treatments, including epidermotropism, stratum corneum, epidermal thickness, dermal infiltration, papillary dermal fibrosis, vascular alterations, and other dermal changes. We discuss the histomorphological effects of NBUVB phototherapy on skin biopsies by comparing the responders with nonresponders, with before and after the treatment. RESULTS: 9 patients (28%) did not give any response to treatment. Alleviation in epidermotropism, increases in parakeratosis and normal keratosis, perivascular infiltration, and melanophages, decrease in the lichenoid/patchy lichenoid infiltration pattern after the treatment was statistically significant. Comparing by response, normalization of stratum corneum and epidermis, orthohyperkeratosis, decrease in linearly arranged cells, the lichenoid/patchy lichenoid infiltration, the loss of inflammation were statistically significant in responders group. CONCLUSION: We detected a significant decrease in linearly arranged cells after phototherapy, indicating that it is an "important diagnostic parameter" in evaluation of therapeutic response.

3-Anilinomethyl-5-chloro-1,3--benzoxazol-2(3H)-one.

In the title compound, C(14)H(11)ClN(2)O(2), the 2,3-dihydro-1,3-benzoxazole ring system is essentially planar [maximum deviation = 0.009 (2) Å] and makes a dihedral angle of 79.15 (7)° with the phenyl ring. Inter-molecular N-H⋯O and weak C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds occur in the crystal structure.

1-[4-(4-Chloro-phen-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-3-(6-oxo-3,4-diphenyl-1,6-dihydro-pyridazin-1-yl)propan-1-one.

In the title compound, C(29)H(27)ClN(4)O(2), the six-membered ring of the pyridazine group is nearly planar [maximum deviation = -0.062 (2) Å] and its mean plane makes dihedral angles of 43.05 (9), 44.71 (10) and 72.57 (9)°, respectively, with the two phenyl and benzene rings. The piperazine ring has a chair conformation and its mean plane is almost perpendicular to the attached benzene ring, with a dihedral angle of 83.20 (16)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via two pairs of C-H⋯O inter-actions, which result in the formation of chains propagating along [10-1]. Neighbouring chains are linked via C-H⋯π inter-actions.

N-[2-(4-Bromo-benzo-yl)eth-yl]isopropyl-aminium chloride.

The crystal structure of the title compound, C(12)H(17)BrNO(+)·Cl(-), is stabilized by N-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network. The inter-actions framework is completed by C-H⋯π contacts between a methyl-ene group and the benzene ring of a symmetry-related mol-ecule.

N-(2-Benzoyl-eth-yl)propan-2-aminium chloride.

In the title salt, C(12)H(18)NO(+)·Cl(-), N-H⋯Cl inter-actions between the free chloride anions and the organic cations connect the mol-ecules into hydrogen-bond dimers, forming a R(2) (2)(8) motif. The dimers are linked by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains extending along [301]. The carbonyl group is co-planar with the phenyl ring [C-C-C=O torsion angle = -3.3 (7)°]. The side chain has an E conformation.

N-[2-(4-Methyl-benzo-yl)eth-yl]propan-2-aminium chloride.

In the title compound, C(13)H(20)NO(+)·Cl(-), the protonated amino N atom is hydrogen bonded to the chloride anion. N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link the anions and cations into dimers, which are connected by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming supra-molecular chains extending along [100].

No association between serum paraoxonase, arylesterase activities, and hydatidiform mole.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between hydatidiform mole (HM) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and phenotyping in comparison with healthy subjects (both pregnant and nonpregnant women). METHODS: Eighty women were enrolled in this study. Of these, 26 had HM (group 1). Twenty-seven healthy women in the first trimester of pregnancy with a single viable fetus were included in the study as control subjects (group 2). The remaining 27 subjects were healthy nonpregnant women who also participated as control subjects (group 3). Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured using commercially available kits (Relassay, Gaziantep, Turkey). Paraoxonase activity measurements were performed both in the absence (basal activity) and presence of NaCl (salt-stimulated activity). The phenotype distribution of PON1 activity was determined by the double-substrate method. RESULTS: Basal and salt-stimulated paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were not significantly different between the HM, healthy pregnant control, and healthy nonpregnant control groups. Hence, PON1 phenotype distribution of the subjects was not significantly different between these 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: We determined no association between HM (complete or partial) and PON1 activity and phenotyping in comparison with pregnant and nonpregnant healthy subjects. Further studies including metastatic or invasive HM are needed.

2-{2-[4-(4-Fluoro-phen-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxoeth-yl}-6-(morpholin-4-yl)-4-phenyl-pyridazin-3(2H)-one.

In the title compound, C(26)H(28)FN(5)O(3), the morpholine ring adopts a chair conformation. The piperazine ring is puckered [Q(T) = 0.5437 (15) Å, θ = 8.89 (15) and ϕ = 357.2 (11)°]. The 1,6-dihydro-pyridazine ring makes dihedral angles of 28.03 (7) and 77.46 (7)° with the phenyl and benzene rings, respectively. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked along the c axis by C-H⋯O inter-actions and are flattened parallel to the ac plane. C-H⋯π inter-actions also contribute to the stability of the structure.

3-(4-Chloro-benzo-yl)-4-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-1-phenethyl-piperidin-4-ol.

In the title compound, C(26)H(25)Cl(2)NO(2), the piperidine ring adopts a chair conformation with a cis configuration of the carbonyl and hy-droxy substituents. The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings of the chloro-benzene groups is 24.3 (2)°. The phenyl ring forms dihedral angles of 59.4 (3) and 44.1 (3)° with the benzene rings. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by inter-molecular O-H⋯N and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯π inter-actions into layers parallel to the bc plane.