Identification of a locus in maize controlling response to a host-selective toxin derived from Cochliobolus heterostrophus, causal agent of southern leaf blight.

KEY MESSAGE: A host-selective, proteinaceous maize toxin was identified from the culture filtrate of the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus. A dominant gene for toxin susceptibility was identified on maize chromosome 4. A toxic activity was identified from the culture filtrate (CF) of the fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus, causal agent of the maize disease southern leaf blight (SLB) with differential toxicity on maize lines. Two independent mapping populations; a 113-line recombinant inbred line population and a 258-line association population, were used to map loci associated with sensitivity to the CF at the seedling stage. A major QTL on chromosome 4 was identified at the same locus using both populations. Mapping in the association population defined a 400 kb region that contained the sensitivity locus. By comparing CF-sensitivity of the parents of the RIL population with that of the F1 progeny, we determined that the sensitivity allele was dominant. No relationship was observed between CF-sensitivity in seedlings and SLB susceptibility in mature plants; however, a significant correlation (- 0.58) was observed between SLB susceptibility and CF-sensitivity in seedlings. The activity of the CF was light-dependent and was sensitive to pronase, indicating that the toxin was proteinaceous.

Insights into the source contributions to the elevated fine particulate matter in Nigeria using a source-oriented chemical transport model.

In 2021, Nigeria was ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top countries with highly deteriorating air quality in the world. To date, no study has elucidated the sources of elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations over the entire Nigeria. In this study, the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model was applied to quantify the contributions of seven emissions sectors to PM2.5 and its components in Nigeria in 2021. Residential, industry, and agriculture were the major sources of primary PM (PPM) during the four seasons, elemental carbon (EC) and primary organic carbon (POC) were dominated by residential and industry, while residential, industry, transportation, and agriculture were the important sources of secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA) and its components in most regions. PM2.5 was up to 150 µg/m3 in the north in all the seasons, while it reached ∼80 µg/m3 in the south in January. Residential contributed most to PM2.5 (∼80 µg/m3), followed by industry (∼40 µg/m3), transportation (∼20 µg/m3), and agriculture (∼15 µg/m3). The large variation in the sources of PM2.5 and its components across Nigeria suggests that emissions control strategies should be separately designed for different regions. The results imply that urgent control of PM2.5 pollution in Nigeria is highly necessitated.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Actinidia hemsleyana.

The completed chloroplast genome sequence of Actinidia hemsleyana, collected from eastern China, was firstly determined using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic analysis. The length of cp genome was 156,845 bp, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 88,666 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 20,543 bp, which were separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 23,818 bp. The cp genome contained 132 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes, 41 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content was 37.19%, whereas the corresponding values of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 35.46%, 31.09%, and 43.06%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole cp genome sequences of 20 Actinidia species showed that A. hemsleyana has the closest relationship with A.latifolia.

Two anatomic variations of the vertebral artery in four patients.

In this article, we present four cases of rare anomalous aortic arch and vertebral arteries and discuss the possible embryologic etiologies. These include two cases in which the right vertebral artery originated from the right common carotid artery associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery originating from the middle of the aortic arch and two cases in which the left vertebral artery had a double origin from the left subclavian artery and aortic arch.

Concomitant occurrence of clinoid and cavernous segment aneurysms complicated with carotid cavernous fistula: A case report.

RATIONALE: Dual aneurysms arising from the internal cerotic artery (ICA) is a very rare occurrence. Clinoid segment aneurysms (CSAs) are often seen at the carotid dural rings while cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) are often a direct communication between the ICA and the cavernous sinus (CS). We present a case of complex concomitant occurrence of a CSA and a CCA complicated with delay aneurysmal rupture (DAR) resulting in carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) after our initial treatment of the patient with pipeline embolization devices (PLEDs) PATIENT CONCERNS:: We present a 64-year old female who we admitted at our institution due to one-year history of double vision. Neurological examinations were unremarkable. DIAGNOSIS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT)-scan revealed dual aneurysms on the ICA. Digital subtracting angiogram (DSA) confirmed a small CSA and a large CCA on the right ICA. INTERVENTIONS: We treated both aneurysms with PLED and subsequently observed DAR of CCA as a complication. OUTCOMES: We successfully occluded the fistula with ONYX (ev3, Irvine, CA) via the trans-venous approach. LESIONS: PLED was the best endovascular treatment option though DAR was inevitable. Although the trans-arterial approach may be the gold standard for the managing of CCF, the complex nature of our case made us opt for trans-venous approach. The trans-venous route is very appropriate for fistulas with complex parent arteries.

Delayed spontaneous rupture of cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery following dual ophthalmic segment aneurysms treatment with pipeline embolization device: A case report.

RATIONALE: The incidence of double aneurysms on the ophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is very rare. Nevertheless, delayed rupture of a parent artery instead of the aneurysmal sac following pipeline embolization device (PLED) is unusual. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present a 72-year-old female who was admitted at our facility with gradual onset of nonspecific visual changes. DIAGNOSIS: Conventional angiography revealed 2 aneurysms located at the ophthalmic segment of the left ICA. INTERVENTIONS: Both aneurysms were successfully treated with PLED. OUTCOMES: Two months after discharge, the patient was rushed into the emergency with bilateral conjunctival congestion. Computed tomography revealed intracranial hemorrhage at left temporal lobe while digital subtraction angiography established a left direct carotid cavernous fistula. We utilized stent (Solitaire 6*30) assisted coils to occlude the fistula. The patient is well and go about her normal duties. LESSIONS: Manipulation of the tortuous parent artery resulted in a focal traumatic weakness in the artery and subsequently a delay tear. We are of the view that, endovascular surgeons should be on the lookout for this complication following flow deviation treatment modalities.

Traumatic Penetrating Neck Injury with Right Common Carotid Artery Dissection and Stenosis Effectively Managed with Stenting: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating neck injuries (PNI) are common and associated with arterial and other neuronal injuries. Although many authors have written on penetrating and blunt carotid artery injuries as a result of PNI or traumatic neck injuries, no one has reported a case or case series on PNI that resulted in blunt carotid dissection and stenosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of 40-year-old building and construction male worker who slipped and fell on an iron rod that resulted in penetrating wound on the right side of the anterior neck a week prior to presenting at our facility. He pulled out the iron rod immediately. Computer tomography angiography (CTA) done revealed C2-C4 transverse process fractures on the right side and a fracture at the right lamina of C3 and right common carotid artery dissection with stenosis. He was successfully treated with stenting via endovascular approach. CONCLUSIONS: We adopt the view that patient should never pull out objects that result in PNI because of complex neurovascular architecture of the neck. The mortality rate of our patient will have doubled if the iron rode penetrated the common carotid artery. The gold standard treatment option for carotid artery dissection and stenosis is endovascular approaches.