Promising Application of Automated Liquid Culture System and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Large-Scale Micropropagation of Red Dragon Fruit.

Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is an economic and promising fruit crop in arid and semi-arid regions with water shortage. An automated liquid culture system using bioreactors is a potential tool for micropropagation and large-scale production. In this study, axillary cladode multiplication of H. polyrhizus was assessed using cladode tips and cladode segments in gelled culture versus continuous immersion air-lift bioreactors (with or without a net). Axillary multiplication using cladode segments (6.4 cladodes per explant) was more effective than cladode tip explants (4.5 cladodes per explant) in gelled culture. Compared with gelled culture, continuous immersion bioreactors provided high axillary cladode multiplication (45.9 cladodes per explant) with a higher biomass and length of axillary cladodes. Inoculation of H. polyrhizus micropropagated plantlets with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Gigaspora margarita and Gigaspora albida) significantly increased the vegetative growth during acclimatization. These findings will improve the large-scale propagation of dragon fruit.

Effectiveness and Safety of Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems for the Management of Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS) and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) have been proposed and assessed for the management of cancer pain; however, such treatments remain underused. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of IDDS and SCS for cancer pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic databases MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and WikiStim were searched from 1988 to March 2021. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies of adults with pain related to cancer or its treatment who received an implantable IDDS or SCS were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome of the review was change in pain intensity from baseline to the last available follow-up, measured using a visual analog scale or numerical rating scale. The protocol for this review is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021240717). RESULTS: A total of 22 studies (24 reports) included a total of 3043 participants who received either IDDS or SCS for cancer pain. Eight studies reporting data for 405 participants with an IDDS could be included in the meta-analysis of pain intensity that showed a statistically significant reduction at the latest posttreatment follow-up time compared with baseline (mean difference [MD], -3.31; 95% CI, -4.18 to -2.45; p < 0.001). Six studies reporting data for 325 participants with an IDDS could be included in the meta-analysis of pain intensity that showed a statistically significant reduction up to one month after treatment compared with baseline (MD, -3.53; 95% CI, -4.06 to -3.00; p < 0.001). A meta-analysis including studies of participants with either an IDDS or an SCS device showed similar results. Improvements in other outcomes following implantation of IDDS also were observed. Postdural puncture headache was the most reported complication, whereas urinary retention, nausea, and vomiting were commonly reported side effects. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that IDDS is effective in reducing pain intensity for patients with cancer pain when compared with pretreatment.

Coronavirus Disease-19: Disease Severity and Outcomes of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Different Spectrums of Disease in Different Populations?

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is associated with significant mortality. The elderly, patients with comorbidities, and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are particularly at risk. We observed a low incidence of severe disease in our population and aimed to determine the outcomes of COVID-19 (disease severity/intensive care unit [ICU] admissions/mortality) in SOT recipients. METHODS: All SOT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 were included. Their demographic and clinical data were recorded from the hospital electronic system. Patients were assigned to 1 of 4 stages of disease severity: stage A = asymptomatic, stage B = mild, stage C = moderate, and stage D = severe. RESULTS: Of the 3052 SOT recipients, 67 were diagnosed with COVID-19. The mean age was 52 years, and 69% were male. There were approximately 25% patients in stage A, 28% in stage B, 34% in stage C, and 12% in stage D. Patients in stages C and D were older than those in stage A (P = 0.04) or stage B (P = 0.03). Lactic dehydrogenase (P < 0.01) and D-dimer (P < 0.01) levels were higher across the stages. Approximately 70% of patients were admitted for a median duration of 9 days and the median follow-up was 35 days. Acute kidney injury occurred in 19% of patients, and 45% required supplementary oxygen. The symptomatic patients were treated with Hydroxychloroquine (83%), Azithromycin (89%), and Tocilizumab (23%). Around 15% of patients were admitted to ICU and 2 patients have died. CONCLUSIONS: Most SOT recipients developed mild to moderate COVID-19 infection; few required ICU admission and 2 patients have died. Remaining patients have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.

Indirect Somatic Embryogenesis from Mature Inflorescence Explants of Date Palm.

Due to the limitations associated with shoot tip explants in the micropropagation of date palm, inflorescence explants are an ideal alternative. This chapter focuses on the protocol for the induction of callus from inflorescence tissue, establishment for proliferation of somatic embryos, germination, elongation, rooting, and acclimatization. Female inflorescences, 30-40 cm in length, cv. Shaishee, were used for culture initiation. After disinfection, the outer inflorescence cover (spathe) is cut open, and the spikelet explants, 1 cm long, are cultured on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 100 mg/L 2,4-D, 3 mg/L kinetin, and 3 mg/L 2ip and incubated at 25 ± 2 °C in the dark. Callus obtained after 6-8 months of culturing is transferred to the culture medium to induce somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration. Well-developed regenerated shoots are cultured on MS medium containing 0.2 mg/L NAA for root induction and plantlets acclimatized in the greenhouse before transfer to the field.

Association of MBL2 Gene Polymorphism with Dental Caries in Saudi Children.

The high prevalence of dental caries in children worldwide is a major oral health problem which requires early intervention. Dental caries is mainly caused by the action of acids produced by bacteria in addition to many other factors. Recent genetic studies have reported that a number of genes are associated with the susceptibility to dental caries. The majority of these genes are associated with inflammation, increased susceptibility to infection, and dentine matrix formation. Using the TaqMan assay and direct DNA sequencing, the prevalence of 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMP9, MBL2, MMP2, and TIMP2 genes was determined in 102 children with caries and in 100 age-matched caries-free controls. Out of the 6 SNPs tested in the 4 selected genes, only rs11003125 in the MBL2 gene was shown to be associated with a high prevalence of caries in our cohort. In addition, haplotype analysis of the 6 SNPs tested revealed that certain haplotypes, namely GT of rs11003125G and rs7501477T and GT of rs7096206G and rs7501477T, were found to be associated with a high prevalence of dental caries in our cohort, while haplotype AG of rs17576A and rs7501477G was found to have a protective effect against dental caries. In conclusion, the data indicate that rs11003125 in the MBL2 gene was shown to be associated with a high prevalence of caries in our cohort, and 2 haplotypes are also involved in the increased susceptibility to dental caries.

The association between dental and periodontal diseases and sickle cell disease. A pilot case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: This is a pilot case-control study conducted to investigate the prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease and examine the possible association between oral health deterioration and SCD severity in a sample of Saudi SCD patients residing in the city of Al-Qatif, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental examination to determine the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth index (DMFT), Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and plaque index system were recorded for 33 SCD patients and 33 age and sex-matched controls in the Al-Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia. Self-administered surveys used to assess socio-economic status; oral health behaviors for both SCD patients and controls were recorded. In addition, the disease severity index was established for all patients with SCD. SPSS data analysis software package version 18.0 was used for statistical analysis. Numerical variables were described as mean with a standard deviation. RESULTS: Decayed teeth were significantly more in individuals with ages ranging from 18 to 38 years with SCD compared to the control group (p = 0.036) due to oral hygiene negligence. The mean number of filled teeth was significantly lower in individuals with SCD when compared to the control group (p = 0.015) due to the lack of appropriate and timely treatment reflected in the survey responses of SCD patients as 15.2% only taking oral care during hospitalization. There were differences between the cases and controls in the known caries risk factors such as income level, flossing, and brushing habit. The DMFT, CPI, and plaque index systems did not differ significantly between the SCD patients and the control group. CONCLUSION: Data suggest that patients with SCD have increased susceptibility to dental caries, with a higher prevalence of tooth decay and lower prevalence of filled teeth. Known caries risk factors influenced oral health more markedly than did factors related to SCD.