Cytological studies reveal high variation in ascospore number and shape and conidia produced directly from ascospores in Morchella galilaea.

Spores are important as dispersal and survival propagules in fungi. In this study we investigated the variation in number, shape, size and germination mode of ascospores in Morchella galilaea, the only species of the genus Morchella known to fruit in the autumn. Based on the observation of five samples, we first discovered significant variation in the shape and size of ascospores in Morchella. One to sixteen ascospores were found in the asci. Ascospore size correlated negatively with ascospore number, but positively with ascus size, and ascus size was positively correlated with ascospore number. We noted that ascospores, both from fresh collections and dried specimens, germinated terminally or laterally either by extended germ tubes, or via the production of conidia that were formed directly from ascospores at one, two or multiple sites. The direct formation of conidia from ascospores takes place within asci or after ascospores are discharged. Using laser confocal microscopy, we recorded the number of nuclei in ascospores and in conidia produced from ascospores. In most ascospores of M. galilaea, several nuclei were observed, as is typical of species of Morchella. However, nuclear number varied from zero to around 20 in this species, and larger ascospores harbored more nuclei. One to six nuclei were present in the conidia. Nuclear migration from ascospores to conidia was observed. Conidia forming directly from ascospores has been observed in few species of Pezizomycetes; this is the first report of the phenomenon in Morchella species. Morphological and molecular data show that conidial formation from ascospores is not found in all the specimens of this species and, hence, is not an informative taxonomic character in M. galilaea. Our data suggest that conidia produced from ascospores and successive mitosis within the ascus may contribute to asci with more than eight spores. The absence of mitosis and/or nuclear degeneration, as well as cytokinesis defect, likely results in asci with fewer than eight ascospores. This study provides new insights into the poorly understood life cycle of Morchella species and more broadly improves knowledge of conidia formation and reproductive strategies in Pezizomycetes.

A multicenter cross-sectional survey of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of geriatric nurses regarding dysphagia care.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is common in the elderly population, and it can lead to complications such as aspiration, undernutrition, and psychological and social interaction disorders in the elderly and have a great impact on quality of life. This study aimed to understand the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of geriatric nurses regarding dysphagia care for elderly adults and to analyze the relevant influencing factors to improve care plans for elderly patients with dysphagia. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey of 782 geriatric nurses from 17 hospitals in Sichuan Province was conducted using a questionnaire to determine their KAP regarding dysphagia care. RESULTS: The geriatric nurses' mean score for geriatric dysphagia-related knowledge was 55.30±0.61 (out of a total score of 100). The results of a univariate analysis showed that the geriatric dysphagia-related knowledge scores differed significantly among the nurses according to their age, education level, title, hospital level, and years of work experience (P<0.05). The multivariate regression results indicated that title, hospital level, and experience with caring for elderly patients with dysphagia were the main factors that influenced geriatric dysphagia-related knowledge scores. CONCLUSIONS: The geriatric nurses had acceptable practices and attitudes regarding dysphagia care, but their knowledge regarding geriatric dysphagia needs to be enhanced. Hospital administrators should provide targeted training to improve geriatric nurses' competency in dysphagia care and thus ensure the quality and safety of dysphagia care for elderly patients.

Sharp recanalization for long-segment superior vena cava occlusion in a hemodialysis patient with vascular resource exhaustion: a case report.

Hemodialysis is the lifeline of end-stage renal patients, and the correct choice of vascular access is vital to patients with vascular resource exhaustion. A 57-year-old female was admitted to the hospital due to catheter dysfunction. Color-doppler ultrasound (CDU) showed that the patient's inferior vena cava (IVC), right brachiocephalic vein, and long segment of the superior vena cava (SVC) were occluded. During surgery, we found that the obstruction of the SVC extended from the opening of the azygous vein to the junction of the SVC and the right atrium and was 6.9 cm in length. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the original tunneled cuffed catheter (TCC) was pulled out, a 4-French sheath was implanted into the right, and a guidewire was inserted to locate the distal end of the SVC. Another puncture needle was inserted from the right brachiocephalic vein into the distal end of the SVC and the steel core of the Rosch-Uchida Transjugular Liver Access Set (RUPS-100) was then inserted through the puncture needle. After correcting the positive and lateral position and determining the way in which the SVC entered the right atrium from the distal end, a 0.035-inch hard guidewire was then inserted into the right atrium through the steel core and a 6-mm balloon was used to dilate the SVC. The end of the catheter was then implanted into the IVC. No surgical complications occurred and at the 30-month follow-up and time of writing, the catheter remained primarily patent. The use of the RUPS-100 for sharp recanalization of an occluded long segment of the SVC can increase the likelihood of patient survival, but the risks during this operation are still not negligible and require precise guidance.

Endowing TADF luminophors with AIE properties through adjusting flexible dendrons for highly efficient solution-processed nondoped OLEDs.

The amalgamation of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, termed AIE-TADF, is a promising strategy to design novel robust luminescent materials. Herein, we transform 2,3,4,5,6-penta(9H-carbazol-9-yl)benzonitrile (5CzBN) from an ACQ molecule into an AIEgen by simply decorating the 5CzBN core with alkyl chain-linked spirobifluorene dendrons. By increasing the number of flexible dendrons, these materials can not only show obvious AIE-TADF characteristics and uniform film morphology, but can also exhibit better resistance to isopropyl alcohol, which are beneficial to fully solution-processed OLEDs. Notably, 5CzBN-PSP shows great device efficiency with an external quantum efficiency (EQE), current efficiency and power efficiency of 20.1%, 58.7 cd A-1 and 46.2 lm W-1, respectively and achieved record-breaking efficiency in solution-processed nondoped OLEDs based on AIE emitters. This work demonstrates a general approach to explore new efficient emitters by the marriage of AIE and TADF which could potentially improve their performance in various areas.

[Pulmonary sarcoidlike granulomatosis induced by aluminum dust: a case report and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the etiological diagnosis of pulmonary granulomatosis. METHODS: The clinical, radiological and pathological data of a patient with sarcoidlike lung granulomatosis confirmed by open lung biopsy were presented, and relevant literatures were reviewed. RESULTS: A 50-year-old female worker presented with intermittent cough and dyspnea for 3 years, after exposure to aluminum dust for 15 years. Radiographs of the chest and high-resolution CT demonstrated bilateral areas of ground-glass attenuation, patchy areas of consolidation, extensive reticular hyper-attenuating areas and traction bronchiectasis. Lung function studies showed a restrictive pattern with a low diffusion capacity. Lung biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of diffuse, noncaseating granulomatous nodules. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive radiograph analysis revealed large quantities of foreign particles mainly containing aluminum in granulomas. Her cough, dyspnea, radiological shadowing and pulmonary function showed marked improvement after corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: With the occupational history, histological and mineralogical studies, the patient was considered to have pulmonary sarcoidlike granulomatosis, most likely related to occupational exposure to aluminum dust. The search for any possible relevant exposure of a patient with suspected sarcoidosis seems mandatory.

[A high-resolution CT and pathological study of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of high-resolution CT(HRCT) findings of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and the correlation with pathological changes. METHODS: The HRCT features of 9 cases (3 men and 6 women) of histopathologically confirmed NSIP were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with the pathological findings. RESULTS: The predominant HRCT features, found in all the cases, were bilaterally patchy areas of ground-glass opacity with or without areas of consolidation. Irregular linear opacities, traction bronchiectasis, and thickening of bronchovascular bundles were also frequently seen. The abnormalities were distributed over the peripheral zones of the middle and lower lungs in most cases. Honeycombing was not a feature in all the cases. Areas of ground-glass opacity with or without irregular linear opacity or traction bronchiectasis corresponded pathologically to areas of interstitial thickening caused by varying degrees of interstitial inflammation and fibrosis showing temporal uniformity. Areas of consolidation were associated with extensive collagen-type interstitial fibrosis and mild interstitial inflammation at the biopsy sites, and occasionally represented the areas of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, foamy cell collections in alveolar spaces, or microscopic honeycombing with mucin stasis. CONCLUSION: The HRCT manifestations of NSIP are characteristic though not specific. In patients with consistent clinical features, the diagnosis of NSIP can be suspected by typical HRCT findings.

[Giant cell interstitial pneumonia: a case report and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the characteristics of giant cell interstitial pneumonia (GIP). METHODS: The clinical, radiological and pathological data of a patient with GIP confirmed by open lung biopsy were presented, and relevant literatures were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients with GIP usually had a history of exposure to metal dust. Clinical presentations include cough and dyspnea on exertion, and pulmonary function testing showed a restrictive abnormality. On chest radiography and high-resolution CT scans, it presents as bilateral areas of ground-glass attenuation, areas of consolidation, diffuse small nodules, extensive reticular opacities and traction bronchiectasis. The main pathological findings include a desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)-like reaction with intra-alveolar macrophages and numerous large multinucleated histiocytes that ingested inflammatory cells were admixed with macrophages. The finding of GIP is almost pathognomonic for hard metal pneumoconiosis. CONCLUSIONS: GIP is a very rare chronic interstitial pneumonia, and has no characteristic clinical manifestations. Radiographic findings are similar to other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Meticulous history taking on occupational exposure is important for the diagnosis of GIP.