miRNA mediated regulation of nitrogen response and nitrogen use efficiency of plants: the case of wheat.

Nitrogen (N) is needed for plant growth and development and is the major limiting nutrient due to its higher demand in agricultural production globally. The use of N fertilizers has increased considerably in recent years to achieve higher cereal yields. High N inputs coupled with declining N use efficiency (NUE) result in the degradation of the environment. Plants have developed multidimensional strategies in response to changes in N availability in soil. These strategies include N stress-induced responses such as changes in gene expression patterns. Several N stress-induced genes and other regulatory factors, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), have been identified in different plant species, opening a new avenue of research in plant biology. This review presents a general overview of miRNA-mediated regulation of N response and NUE. Further, the in-silico target predictions and the predicted miRNA-gene network for nutrient metabolism/homeostasis in wheat provide novel insights. The information on N-regulated miRNAs and the differentially expressed target transcripts are necessary resources for genetic improvement of NUE by genome editing.

Long term nitrogen deficiency alters expression of miRNAs and alters nitrogen metabolism and root architecture in Indian dwarf wheat (Triticum sphaerococcum Perc.) genotypes.

The important roles of plant microRNAs (miRNAs) in adaptation to nitrogen (N) deficiency in different crop species especially cereals (rice, wheat, maize) have been under discussion since last decade with little focus on potential wild relatives and landraces. Indian dwarf wheat (Triticum sphaerococcum Percival) is an important landrace native to the Indian subcontinent. Several unique features, especially high protein content and resistance to drought and yellow rust, make it a very potent landrace for breeding. Our aim in this study is to identify the contrasting Indian dwarf wheat genotypes based on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and nitrogen deficiency tolerance (NDT) traits and the associated miRNAs differentially expressed under N deficiency in selected genotypes. Eleven Indian dwarf wheat genotypes and a high NUE bread wheat genotype (for comparison) were evaluated for NUE under control and N deficit field conditions. Based on NUE, selected genotypes were further evaluated under hydroponics and miRNome was compared by miRNAseq under control and N deficit conditions. Among the identified, differentially expressed miRNAs in control and N starved seedlings, the target gene functions were associated with N metabolism, root development, secondary metabolism and cell-cycle associated pathways. The key findings on miRNA expression, changes in root architecture, root auxin abundance and changes in N metabolism reveal new information on the N deficiency response of Indian dwarf wheat and targets for genetic improvement of NUE.

A 13-Year-Old Girl With Unilateral Visual Changes.

Neuroretinitis is a condition typically characterized by unilateral optic neuropathy and is most commonly a sequelae of cat scratch disease (CSD) due to infection with Bartonella henselae. Ophthalmologic examination will reveal a swollen optic nerve and may eventually reveal a canonical macular star; optical coherence tomography (OCT) will reveal flattening of the fovea, a thickened neurosensory retina, and subretinal fluid accumulation. Although CSD rarely presents with isolated neuorretinitis, it should be considered in patients presenting with unilateral visual changes. The differential diagnosis for neuroretinitis includes optic neuritis, inflammatory optic neuropathies (sarcoid, para-infectious, autoimmune), compressive, toxic, and more. We describe a pediatric patient presenting with visual changes that were initially concerning for optic neuritis and the diagnostic workup that ultimately led to a diagnosis of CSD neuroretinitis.

Aristolochic acid-associated cancers: a public health risk in need of global action.

Aristolochic acids (AAs) are a group of naturally occurring compounds present in many plant species of the Aristolochiaceae family. Exposure to AA is a significant risk factor for severe nephropathy, and urological and hepatobiliary cancers (among others) that are often recurrent and characterized by the prominent mutational fingerprint of AA. However, herbal medicinal products that contain AA continue to be manufactured and marketed worldwide with inadequate regulation, and possible environmental exposure routes receive little attention. As the trade of food and dietary supplements becomes increasingly globalized, we propose that further inaction on curtailing AA exposure will have far-reaching negative effects on the disease trends of AA-associated cancers. Our Review aims to systematically present the historical and current evidence for the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of AA, and the effect of removing sources of AA exposure on cancer incidence trends. We discuss the persisting challenges of assessing the scale of AA-related carcinogenicity, and the obstacles that must be overcome in curbing AA exposure and preventing associated cancers. Overall, this Review aims to strengthen the case for the implementation of prevention measures against AA's multifaceted, detrimental and potentially fully preventable effects on human cancer development.

GCMS analysis of sadagura (smokeless tobacco), its enhanced genomic instability causing potential due to arsenic co-exposure, and vitamin-C supplementation as a possible remedial measure: a study involving multiple model test systems.

North-eastern states of India, including Assam, have a high prevalence of head and neck cancer cases. In these regions, Sadagura is a unique form of smokeless tobacco (SLT). There are fewer reports regarding the effects of simultaneous sadagura and arsenic co-exposure. Analysis of chemical compounds present in sadagura aqueous extract was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Estimation of arsenic contamination in groundwater and bioaccumulation in human tissues was performed by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay and analysis of various peripheral blood parameters were performed among study volunteers. Chronic exposure (90 days) experiments were performed in mice test system in vivo to determine any possible protective potential of vitamin C (Vit-C) supplementation against sadagura and arsenic co-exposure. BMCyt assay results revealed a higher incidence of micronucleated cells (p < 0.001), and cell death biomarker among sadagura consumers residing in arsenic affected areas. Comet assay of mice femur bone marrow cells following chronic exposure of the test substances revealed a reduction in DNA damage due to Vit-C supplementation. Histological examination of the hepatic and renal tissues revealed marked improvement due to Vit-C supplementation in mice against sadagura and arsenic chronic co-exposure. Indiscriminate consumption, presence of various harmful compounds in sadagura along with arsenic co-exposure might be a vital link for the higher incidence of oral cancer in the region. Chronic Vit-C supplementation study results in mice show its effective remedial potential against combined sadagura and arsenic co-mediated genotoxicity and ultrastructural changes in major organs.

Consumption pattern and genotoxic potential of various smokeless tobacco products in Assam, India: A public health concern.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption is presumed to be one of the major causes of high incidence of oral cancer in India. The present study aimed to document various types of SLT products consumed and their potential impact on the genome instability on the population from Assam state in Northeast India. A cross-sectional study (n = 5000) showed that 60.56 % of the study population consumed at least one of the three forms (sadagura, zarda and khaini) of SLT of which 52.0 % were only sadagura users. Genotoxicity assessment using buccal cytome assay in 240 age and sex matched volunteers revealed that except for zarda, other forms of SLT induced significantly higher incidence micronuclei in the buccal epithelial cells compared to the control individuals. Similar effects were also observed in other cytome parameters related to cell proliferation, cytokinesis defects and cell death. Significantly higher incidence of micronucleus was observed among sadagura and khaini users in lymphocyte cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay. The addition of lime in sadagura increased the pH and anion levels which possibly result in higher absorption and may lead to the development of cellular anomalies.

Miliary tuberculosis in a paediatric patient with psoriasis.

We present a 16-year-old girl with a history of well-controlled psoriasis, on immunosuppression, who sought evaluation in the emergency department for 4 months of fever, cough and unintentional weight loss. The patient had seen multiple providers who had diagnosed her with community-acquired pneumonia, but she was unimproved after oral antibiotic therapy. On presentation, she was noted to be febrile, tachycardic and chronically ill-appearing. Her chest X-ray showed diffuse opacities and a right upper lobe cavitary lesion concerning for tuberculosis. A subsequent chest CT revealed miliary pulmonary nodules in addition to the cavitary lesion. The patient underwent subsequent brain MRI, which revealed multifocal ring-enhancing nodules consistent with parenchymal involvement. The patient was diagnosed with miliary tuberculosis and improved on quadruple therapy. Though rates of tuberculosis are increasing, rates remain low in children, though special consideration should be given to children who are immunosuppressed.

A 17-Year-Old Girl With Unilateral Headache and Double Vision.

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is characterized by a painful ophthalmoplegia secondary to a granulomatous inflammation in or adjacent to the cavernous sinus. Magnetic resonance imaging will show enhancement of the cavernous sinus and/or the orbital apex. Although this syndrome is extremely rare in children, it should be a diagnostic consideration in patients presenting with painful ophthalmoplegia with variable involvement of cranial nerves II to VI. The differential diagnosis for unilateral cavernous sinus lesion is broad, including vascular lesions (cavernous sinus thrombosis), inflammatory processes (sarcoidosis, autoimmune), neoplastic processes (schwannoma, lymphoma), as well as infectious etiologies. We describe a pediatric patient presenting with neurological symptoms from a unilateral cavernous sinus magnetic resonance imaging abnormality and the thorough diagnostic approach to arrive at the diagnosis of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome.

Association between socioeconomic status and risk of hospitalization due to child maltreatment in the USA.

Child maltreatment remains a significant problem in the USA. There is a dearth of literature examining the association of socioeconomic status (SES) and incidence of child maltreatment among hospitalized children across the entire USA. Our aim was to study the association between SES and incidence and mortality from child maltreatment among hospitalized children in the USA. We used 2013-2014 data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a discharge database representative of all hospitals in the USA. International Classification of Diseases-9 codes for general child maltreatment were used to identify patients discharged with a primary diagnosis of child maltreatment. Trends in the incidence and outcomes of child maltreatment were compared with SES based on quartiles (Qx) of median household income. In 2013-2014, there were a total of about 2.3 million pediatric discharges. Out of these, a total of 8985 had a primary diagnosis of child maltreatment. Approximately 40 per cent of the cases were from families with the lowest SES (Q1). In-hospital mortality was 2.4 per cent in Q1 (lowest SES) compared with 0.4 per cent in Q4 (highest SES). We conclude that children from lower SES households have a higher incidence of child maltreatment and have worse outcomes, including significantly higher in-hospital mortality among hospitalized children. This trend was generally consistent across all age groups and ethnicities. To our knowledge, this is the first report studying the association between SES and children with child maltreatment among hospitalized children across the entire USA.

Utilization of Imaging to Identify a Benign Condition Mimicking Acute Appendicitis in a Child.

One of the most concerning causes of abdominal pain affecting children is acute appendicitis. However, there are benign conditions that can closely mimic appendicitis in children. In this article, we present a case of a child admitted for possible acute appendicitis and determined to have a condition known as omental infarction. The patient was managed medically and made a full recovery without surgical intervention. The aim of this case report is to review omental infarction and present a way of differentiating this disease from appendicitis, utilizing imaging, with the goal of avoiding surgical intervention. We also discuss the presentation and imaging findings of and another closely related condition-epiploic appendagitis. It is important to differentiate appendicitis from these 2 conditions as they can be often managed medically without surgical intervention.

Effect of nutritional status on arsenic and smokeless tobacco induced genotoxicity, sperm abnormality and oxidative stress in mice in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Recently, high concentrations of arsenic have been documented in ground waters of Southern Assam, India. Indiscriminate smokeless tobacco consumption is a common practice in this region. Correlation between nutritional status and arsenic and smokeless tobacco-induced health effects has not been taken up in humans or other test systems. METHODS: Mice were divided into groups based on protein (casein) content in the diet: High protein (40%), optimum protein (20%), and low protein (5%). Simultaneous chronic exposure (90 days) to arsenic and smokeless tobacco (sadagura) orally was given to evaluate the extent of the cytological and genotoxicological damage. Micronucleus assay and Comet assay of the femur bone marrow cells were conducted. Germ cell toxicity was evaluated by recording the sperm head abnormalities and total sperm count. Cell cycle analysis was performed in femur bone marrow cells using flow cytometer. Hepatic, renal, and intestinal tissues were analyzed for various oxidative stress evaluations. Histological examination of liver and kidney was performed. RESULTS: Notably, high protein diet groups had lower arsenic and sadagura induced genotoxicity, germ cell abnormalities and oxidative stress as compared to optimum protein and low protein diet counterparts. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that sufficient levels of dietary protein appear to reduce the long-term arsenic and smokeless tobacco-induced toxicity in mice test system, as compared to lower or deficient amount of protein in the diet. This observation has implications and invites further studies especially epidemiological studies in the human population exposed to arsenic in South East Asian countries. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:386-400, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bullous Skin Manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection: A Case Series.

Bullous skin lesions are uncommon in children. While it is well known that Mycoplasma infections are associated with papular skin manifestations, bullous skin lesions are not commonly reported. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a very common bacterial pathogen causing respiratory tract infection in children and adults. We report 2 children with serology-confirmed Mycoplasma infection who were hospitalized for blistering skin lesions. Both of our patients responded well to corticosteroids and one of them required intravenous immunoglobulin. The aim of this case report is to raise awareness that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can present with bullous skin lesions, and to briefly review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of the skin manifestation of Mycoplasma infection.

Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz)-induced DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in testicular germ cells in swiss albino mice.

Even though there are contradictory reports regarding the cellular and molecular changes induced by mobile phone emitted radiofrequency radiation (RFR), the possibility of any biological effect cannot be ruled out. In view of a widespread and extensive use of mobile phones, this study evaluates alterations in male germ cell transformation kinetics following RFR exposure and after recovery. Swiss albino mice were exposed to RFR (900 MHz) for 4 h and 8 h duration per day for 35 days. One group of animals was terminated after the exposure period, while others were kept for an additional 35 days post-exposure. RFR exposure caused depolarization of mitochondrial membranes resulting in destabilized cellular redox homeostasis. Statistically significant increases in the damage index in germ cells and sperm head defects were noted in RFR-exposed animals. Flow cytometric estimation of germ cell subtypes in mice testis revealed 2.5-fold increases in spermatogonial populations with significant decreases in spermatids. Almost fourfold reduction in spermatogonia to spermatid turnover (1C:2C) and three times reduction in primary spermatocyte to spermatid turnover (1C:4C) was found indicating arrest in the premeiotic stage of spermatogenesis, which resulted in loss of post-meiotic germ cells apparent from testis histology and low sperm count in RFR-exposed animals. Histological alterations such as sloughing of immature germ cells into the seminiferous tubule lumen, epithelium depletion and maturation arrest were also observed. However, all these changes showed recovery to varied degrees following the post-exposure period indicating that the adverse effects of RFR on mice germ cells are detrimental but reversible. To conclude, RFR exposure-induced oxidative stress causes DNA damage in germ cells, which alters cell cycle progression leading to low sperm count in mice.