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Optical coherence tomography angiography analysis of microvascular network in retinal vein occlusion: superficial vs. deep capillary plexus
No full textIntroduction and aim: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a diagnostic imaging modality that provides distinct visualization of the vascular networks present in both the superficial and deep capillary plexuses. The present study employed OCTA to examine microvascular changes in the macular plexuses of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) patients, comparing them to unaffected eyes and a control group. Materials and methods: We examined 35 patients with RVO and 35 healthy individuals, assessing both eyes of the RVO patients, resulting in 105 eyes examined overall. Data measurement of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses was performed using OCTA (Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT 6000) and ImageJ software. Results: The foveolar avascular zone (FAZ) exhibited an expanded area, a greater perimeter, and loss of circularity in contrast to healthy and unaffected eyes at both superficial and deep capillary plexuses. In RVO eyes, vascular density, perfusion density, and vascular length density were notably lower compared to both controls and fellow eyes, with similar reductions observed in fellow eyes compared to controls. Conclusion: The study assessed OCTA parameters to analyze the macular microvascular network in RVO patients. The OCTA quantitative evaluation of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses in the macula of RVO eyes shows significant differences in FAZ and microvascular densities compared to fellow eyes and the control group. Similar differences were also observed in fellow eyes compared to the control group. OCTA offers quantitative information specific to layers about the microvascular alterations induced by RVO
Symbiotic synergy: How Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi enhance nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and soil health through molecular mechanisms and hormonal regulation
No full textArbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is integral to sustainable agriculture and enhances plant resilience to abiotic and biotic stressors. Through their symbiotic association with plant roots, AM improves nutrient and water uptake, activates antioxidant defenses, and facilitates hormonal regulation, contributing to improved plant health and productivity. Plants release strigolactones, which trigger AM spore germination and hyphal branching, a process regulated by genes, such as D27, CCD7, CCD8, and MAX1. AM recognition by plants is mediated by receptor-like kinases (RLKs) and LysM domains, leading to the formation of arbuscules that optimize nutrient exchange. Hormonal regulation plays a pivotal role in this symbiosis; cytokinins enhance AM colonization, auxins support arbuscule formation, and brassinosteroids regulate root growth. Other hormones, such as salicylic acid, gibberellins, ethylene, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid, also influence AM colonization and stress responses, further bolstering plant resilience. In addition to plant health, AM enhances soil health by improving microbial diversity, soil structure, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. This symbiosis supports soil pH regulation and pathogen suppression, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers and improving soil fertility. To maximize AM ’s potential of AM in agriculture, future research should focus on refining inoculation strategies, enhancing compatibility with different crops, and assessing the long-term ecological and economic benefits. Optimizing AM applications is critical for improving agricultural resilience, food security, and sustainable farming practices
The diagnostic value of endometrial cytology in diagnosing endometrial pathology
No full textEndometrial carcinoma remains one of the leading places in terms of frequency among oncogynecological diseases, both in countries with developed primary and secondary prevention and in countries with poorly functioning prevention. The implementation of screening programs would lead to the detection of oncological diseases in outpatient settings at an early stage, which would lead to positive socio-economical effects for society. This study aims to determine the test’s validity through the following criteria: sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive value of endometrial cytology compared with the histological result of examined tissue samples. We studied 300 women with abnormal uterine bleeding examined at the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Saint Marina University Hospital– Pleven. Specimens for endometrial cytology were taken from all patients before invasive intervention. We compared the cytological results to evaluate the test validity, including sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive value in the cases with endometrial carcinoma. Statistical data processing was performed using the software programs MS Office Excel 2019 and IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0. The significance of results, findings and conclusions was determined at p < 0.05. A comparative analysis was performed on the cytological and histological results we obtained before and after the invasive manipulation. The study found statistical significance between the Pipelle biopsy results and cytological results (χ2 = 50.05, df = 24, p = 0.01, Cramer’s v = 0.439). Data analysis showed that endometrial cytology had a high specificity in proving endometrial carcinoma and a low positive predictive value (Se = 80%; Sp = 98%; PV = 66.7%; NV = 96.9%). Endometrial cytology could be an effective diagnostic method and can be applied to diagnose endometrial pathology. The combination of the two methods - cytological examination and transvaginal ultrasound would undoubtedly improve the detection rate of endometrial carcinoma. Additionally, cytology is an appropriate outpatient procedure that can be recommended for endometrial screening, especially in patients at high risk of developing endometrial cancer
Taxonomic revision on the Gobio group in the Yellow River drainage, with discussion on the validity of the genus Acanthogobio (Cypriniformes, Gobionidae)
No full textThe Yellow River drainage is a biodiversity hotspot for the Gobio group, but no one has yet reviewed these species systematically. This study examined the type specimens of the species in the Gobio group and numerous newly captured specimens in the Yellow River drainage for an overall morphological comparison. A phylogenetic tree of those species based on mitochondrial cytochrome-b sequences was also constructed. Our results indicate the presence of four species, i.e., Gobio guentheri (this was described as Acanthogobio guentheri), G. rivuloides, G. coriparoides, and G. huanghensis. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated that G. tchangi is a junior synonym of G. huanghensis, while G. meridionalis is a junior synonym of G. rivuloides. Additionally, the phylogenetic analysis showed that the genus Acanthogobio is nested within Gobio. In order to maintain the monophyly of Gobio, this study suggests that the genus Acanthogobio should be a junior synonym of Gobio, and the type species A. guentheri should be treated as Gobio guentheri. Furthermore, the type specimens of Romanogobio johntreadwelli and R. amplexilabris were checked, and this study confirmed that these two species are junior synonyms of G. rivuloides. Therefore, the genus Romanogobio is not distributed in the Yellow River drainage. The Gobio species are primarily distributed in the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River drainage, from Qushian Township, Qinghai Province, to Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, at an average elevation above 300 meters. A diagnostic key for four valid Gobio species in the Yellow River drainage is provided
Re-description of Euryeidon consideratum Dankittipakul & Jocqué, 2004 (Araneae, Zodariidae), with a first description of the male
No full textEuryeidon consideratum Dankittipakul & Jocqué, 2004 was described, based on a single female from Doi Luang National Park, Thailand and no additional specimens have been recorded since.Euryeidon consideratum is re-described and illustrated, based on new material from Xishuangbanna, China. The male is described and illustrated for the first time. In addition, this paper further illustrates the female and provides a supplementary description, confirming that the median plate of the epigyne is absent in this species, rather than broken off as suggested in the original publication. The distribution map of this species is given
Description of a new cave-dwelling species of Claea (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from the Yangtze River basin in Sichuan, southern China
No full textThe first obligatory troglobitic Claea species, Claea scet, is described from a subterranean river in a cave connected to the Yangtze River in Hulu Town, Shawan District, Leshan City, Sichuan Province, southern China. C. scet differs from all congeners by the following combination of characters: Body pale without pigmentation; eye vestigial, diameter of eye 3.8–5.9% SL; short anal fin, anal fin height 7.0–8.4% SL. Molecular phylogenetic analysis supported the validity of the new species and revealed a close relationship between Claea and hypogean Triplophysa species
A new species of Bothropolys Wood, 1862 (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae) from south-western China
No full textThe genus Bothropolys is mostly known from North America and East Asia. So far eleven species of Bothropolys are reported in China.A new lithobiid species, Bothropolys biserialis sp. nov., is described and illustrated from the Yintiaoling National Nature Reserve in Wuxi County, Chongqing Municipality, south-western China. The new species is primarily compared with B. yoshidai Takakuwa, 1939, from the Hubei and Fujian Provinces, China, as well as Japan and North Korea and B. curvatus Takakuwa, 1939, from the Yunnan Province, China, as well as Japan and B. rugosus (Meinert, 1872), widely distributed in China, but it can easily be distinguished by antennae usually 20+20 articles, ocelli 21–27, usually 25 on each side, arranged in five irregular rows, with the posterior ocellus the largest, Tömösváry’s organ slightly smaller than the adjacent ocelli; commonly 9+9 coxosternal teeth, porodonts between the fourth and fifth or the fifth and sixth outer teeth; the posterior angles of TT 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 13 with obvious triangular projections; coxal pore formula 13–25, irregularly arranged, legs 1–14 with anterior and posterior accessory spurs, lacking posterior accessory spurs of legs 15. DaC spine on legs 12–15. Female gonopods with 4+4 moderately small coniform spurs, arranged in two rows. The type specimens are deposited in the collection of the Institute of Myriapodology, School of Life Sciences, Hengshui University, Hengshui, P. R. China
Resolving a nearly 95-year-old enigma: Transfer of the little-known Japanese moss Arctoa schistioides to Kiaeria falcata (Rhabdoweisiaceae, Bryophyta)
No full textTaxonomic uncertainties regarding rare species often impede effective biodiversity conservation. One such taxonomic uncertainty is the 95-year-old mystery surrounding Arctoa schistioides (Broth. ex Ihsiba) Ihsiba. Since its initial publication in 1929, this species has not been subjected to any further discoveries and is, thus, classified as “doubtful taxa” or “insufficiently known taxa” to date. Assessing the taxonomic status of this species is essential for determining whether a conservation strategy should be implemented. In this study, we examined the holotype of A. schistioides and treated this species as a new synonym of Kiaeria falcata (Hedw.) I.Hagen, a widely distributed species in the Northern Hemisphere, by providing detailed description, illustration and taxonomic notes. Our findings not only resolve this long-standing mystery, but also enhance our understanding of Japanese mosses and the global distribution of bryophytes
Taxonomic revalidation of Selenobrachys Schmidt, 1999 and Chilocosmia Schmidt & von Wirth, 1992 based on morphological and molecular analyses (Araneae, Theraphosidae), with the description of a new species from Romblon Island, Philippines
No full textSelenobrachys Schmidt, 1999 and Chilocosmia Schmidt & von Wirth, 1992 were considered junior synonyms to Orphnaecus Simon, 1892 without further morphological investigation nor the use of molecular methods of analysis. Herein, the type specimens are reexamined with newly collected samples of currently known Orphnaecus species, including new specimens from Romblon Island, Philippines. Morphological and molecular analyses were performed, utilizing cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and ribosomal genes (12S–tRNA-Val–16S). Synapomorphies in the structure of maxillary lyra, spermathecae, and male palpal morphology were observed in O. philippinus and the Romblon specimen which are distinct from other Orphnaecus species. In addition, lyrate morphology, setae structure on the patella of palp dorsal, and the male palpal organ morphology of O. dichromatus differ from other Orphnaecus species. Cladistic separation observed in molecular phylogenetic analyses supports morphological observations. Our findings suggest that the genus Selenobrachys is distinct from Orphnaecus; hence, the genus Selenobrachys Schmidt, 1999, stat. rev. and its type species Selenobrachys philippinus Schmidt, 1999, comb. rest., are restored and the new species from Romblon Island, Selenobrachys ustromsupasius sp. nov., be identified as the second Selenobrachys species. Furthermore, the genus Chilocosmia Schmidt & von Wirth, 1992, stat. rev. and the original combination of its type species, Chilocosmia dichromata Schmidt & von Wirth, 1992, comb. rest. are restored. Male specimens of S. philippinus and C. dichromata were described for the first time. Insights on the biogeography of Philippine tarantulas are discussed
Ionizing radiation resilience: how metabolically active lichens endure exposure to the simulated Mars atmosphere
No full textTo deepen our understanding of lichen adaptation and their potential to colonize extraterrestrial environments, we aimed to identify physiological/biochemical responses of selected lichen species in a metabolically active state to simulated Mars-like conditions in the dark including exposure to X-rays. Our study is the first to demonstrate that the metabolism of the fungal partner in lichen symbiosis was active while being in a Mars-like environment. Diploschistes muscorum was able to activate defense mechanisms effectively. In contrast, increased oxidative stress and associated damage were not effectively balanced in C. aculeata, which does not support the melanin’s radioprotective function in this species. The heavy crystalline deposit on D. muscorum thallus might offer protection enhancing lichen resistance to extreme conditions. We concluded that metabolically active D. muscorum can withstand the X-ray dose expected on the Mars surface over one year of strong solar activity. Consequently, X-rays associated with solar flares and SEPs reaching Mars should not affect the potential habitability of lichens on this planet