Calotropis procera (L.) mediated synthesis of AgNPs and their application to control leaf spot of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (L.).

Nature is gifted with a wide range of ornamental plants, which beautify and clean the nature. Due to its great aesthetic value, there is a need to protect these plants from a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (L.) is an ornamental plant and it is commonly known as China rose or shoeblack plant. It is affected by several fungal and bacterial pathogens. Current study was designed to isolate leaf spot pathogen of H. rosa-sinensis and its control using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Based on molecular and morphological features, the isolated leaf spot pathogen was identified as Aspergillus niger. AgNPs were synthesized in the leaf extract of Calotropis procera and characterized. UV-vis spectral analysis displayed discrete plasmon resonance bands on the surface of synthesized AgNPs, depicting the presence of aromatic amino acids. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) described the presence of C-O, NH, C-H, and O-H functional groups, which act as stabilizing and reducing molecules. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the average size (~32.43 nm) of AgNPs and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) depicted their spherical nature. In this study, in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of AgNPs was investigated. In vitro antifungal activity analysis revealed the highest growth inhibition of mycelia (87%) at 1.0 mg/ml concentration of AgNPs. The same concentration of AgNPs tremendously inhibited the spread of disease on infected leaves of H. rosa-sinensis. These results demonstrated significant disease control ability of AgNPs and suggested their use on different ornamental plants.

Kaposi's sarcoma of the breast.

Kaposi's sarcoma of the breast is extremely rare. We report a case of a patient with AIDS presenting with Kaposi's sarcoma localized to the breast and review another published case of a patient with AIDS and disseminated cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma with breast involvement. Although rare, the diagnosis should be considered in patients with breast lumps.

The laboratory diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma and related disorders.

Plasma cell myeloma constitutes the commonest primary malignant tumor affecting the skeleton of the adult. It is also one of several forms of monoclonal gammopathy that include Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, the heavy chain diseases, "benign" (nonprogressive, asymptomatic) monoclonal gammopathy, and primary amyloidosis. The diagnosis of classic or advanced myeloma rests on the findings of sheets of plasmacytic cells in a bone marrow biopsy sample or aspirate; a serum monoclonal immunoglobulin usually of the IgG or IgA class or Bence Jones protein in the urine; and evidence of multiple lytic lesions in x-ray views of the skeleton. Pitfalls in the diagnosis of earlier or unusual forms of myeloma require a careful application of classic diagnostic criteria or of criteria established by clinical cooperative groups.

Trabecular or Merkel's cell carcinoma.

Two cases of trabecular cell carcinoma of the skin are presented. The clinical presentation and behavior, and the histologic findings, of the tumor are described. Surgical excision of the primary lesion with regional lymph node dissection, if indicated, is the treatment of choice. Distant metastasis is treated by local irradiation.