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Salicylic acid has been found to play an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development in response to environmental stresses. In the present study, the effect of salicylic acid (SA) (0 and 0.1 mM) on growth parameters and some physiological characteristics of two strawberry cultivars ("Kurdistan" and "Queen Elisa") was investigated under drought stress treatments (-0.1 and -1 MPa). Experimental design was factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications. Results showed that drought stress decreased leaf area, leaf dry matter, shoot dry matter, total dry matter, relative water content, stomatal conductance, yield, and fruit weight. Salicylic acid application increased total leaf area and leaf and shoot dry matter in both cultivars. Leaf number, root dry matter, total dry matter, yield and fruit weight were increased by SA application in "Kurdistan" under drought stress. "Kurdistan" cultivar had higher RWC than "Queen Elisa" and SA application increased RWC, proline and soluble carbohydrate in "Kurdistan" compared to "Queen Elisa" under drought stress conditions. RWC, proline and soluble carbohydrate of “Queen Elisa" did not change with SA spray. Total soluble protein was not affected in "Kurdistan" under drought stress, while "Queen Elisa" showed a reduction in total protein. SA application increased catalase and peroxidase activity in both cultivars under drought stress. In conclusion, “Kurdistan” was less susceptible to drought stress than “Queen Elisa” because “Kurdistan” showed less reduction in leaf number and area, crown, and total dry matter compared to “Queen Elisa”. SA application altered some physiological responses of both cultivars under drought stress. The effect of SA was more pronounced in "Kurdistan” than "Queen Elisa". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust pollution can negatively affect plant productivity in hot, dry areas with high insolation during summer. To understand the effect of water-deficit and its interaction with dust pollution on vegetative and physiological changes in grapevine ʻBidaneh Sefidʼ, two-year-old plants were subjected to drought stress (-0.1 and -1 MPa) and dust treatment in a greenhouse during 2013 and 2014. The results showed that dust had a significant negative effect on the number of leaves, shoot length, root and shoot dry weights, and total dry weight under both drought and well-irrigated conditions. Dust, when applied in combination with drought, caused severe growth reduction. Leaf relative water content (RWC) and membrane stability index (MSI) were reduced under dust and drought stress, while soluble carbohydrate, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 concentrations increased. Furthermore, dust application resulted in characteristics similar to those induced by water-deficit stress and intensified vegetative and physiological changes when applied together. Dust and drought treatments increased peroxidases and ascorbate peroxidase activities when compared to the control. The results indicate that dust has an adverse effect on the growth and physiology of grapevine and plays a negative role in the response of grapevine to drought stress.

In the present study, multiplication efficiency of Alstroemeria ligtu hybrid was investigated. Bases of the first seedling leaves grown in vitro were used as initial explants. The explants were cultured in the MS media containing 3% sucrose, 0.7% agar at pH 5.8, five N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg·1-1) and three indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations (0, 0.1 and 0.2 mg·1-1). The cultures were incubated at 21 ± 2 °C under photoperiod 16/8. After three subculturings (3 weeks-long each) the number of rhizome, shoots, buds, leaves, and roots, length of shoots and roots were recorded. Adventitious shoots formed directly on the leaf bases without callus intervention. Their number was affected by BAP concentrations. The highest shoots number, six per explants, was obtained at 1 mg·1-1 BAP and 0.1 mg·1-1 IBA. The shoot length decreased with the increasing concentration of BAP. The highest root number (2.7) was formed on shoots cultured on the MS medium containing 0.5 mg·1-1 α- naphthalene acetic acid, and the highest rhizome number (2.2) was formed on the medium with 0.5 mg·1-1 BAP. In vitro rooted plantlets were able to survive and acclimatize in the greenhouse.

In vitro and in vivo A. ligtu hybrid seed germination tests were conducted at different treatments: soaking in gibberellic acid (GA3) or salicylic acid (SA) (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg.l-1) and Potassium nitrate (KNO3) (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8%) with and without stratification in 5±1 °C. Stratification had a significant effect on seed germination (p < 0.05). Maximum germination (86.67%, 96.50% after 16.44, 15.05 days under in vivo and in vitro conditions, respectively) was found in 100 mg.l-1 GA3 + 21 days of stratification and was followed by 0.8% KNO3 and 100 mg.l-1 SA along with 21 days of stratification. Mean germination time (MGT) decreased with duration of stratification and GA3, SA and KNO3 application, respectively. The present results indicated that, GA3, SA and KNO3 stimulated various growth aspects of Alstroemeria seedlings growth in both under in vitro and in vivo, but seeds treated in 100 mg.l-1 GA3 soulation was more effective. Seeds treated with SA and KNO3 without stratification and control had no germination. A.ligtu hybrid species probably exhibits a combination of physiological dormancy. Stratification at 5±1 °C for 21 days or GA3 + 21 days of stratification overcame seed dormancy and increased the germination percentage of A.ligtu hybrid seeds. Seedlings growth in vivo conditions was higher as compared with in vitro conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an uncommon B-cell lymphoma associated with human herpesvirus 8 and comprises 3-4% of all HIV-related lymphomas. It traditionally presents as a pleural, pericardial, and/or peritoneal effusion, though it can occasionally manifest as an extracavitary or solid mass in the absence of an effusion. The extracavitary or solid variant of primary effusion lymphoma has been reported in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, lung, and lymph nodes. However, very few cases have been reported in the central nervous system. We describe a case of extracavitary or solid variant of primary effusion lymphoma presenting as a brain mass in an HIV-positive man, highlighting the clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic findings of a rare entity.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a neoplastic disorder derived from LCH precursor cells that can manifest as a single-system disease or a multisystem disorder. While extensively studied in children, LCH has received less attention in adult patients. We aimed to investigate the pathology and clinical course of LCH in adults presenting with a bone lesion. Cases of osseous LCH diagnosed in patients ≥18 in our center were analyzed. Histologic slides were reviewed, and clinical data were collated. Molecular analysis for BRAF mutation was performed in a subset. Twelve osseous LCH cases with classic morphology and CD1a+/S100+ immunophenotype were identified. Tumors occurred in six females and five males with a median age of 34 years (range: 18-77 years) and involved the craniofacial bones (4), pelvis (3), spine (2), appendicular skeleton (2), and rib (1). Radiographically, tumors appeared as ill-defined lytic lesions, often accompanied by cortical erosion and soft tissue extension, with pain being the most common presentation. On staging work-up with available data, two patients had multifocal bone lesions, two had multi-system disease, and four had solitary lesions. Two patients had prior or concurrent neoplasms, and 63 % of patients (5 out of 8) had a history of smoking. BRAF mutational analysis performed in six cases revealed a BRAF V600E mutation in one, negative result in one, and failed in four archived specimens. Our study highlights the importance of performing staging in patients with adult-onset LCH presenting as a bone lesion, as the clinical extent of the disease can vary widely among individuals., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Verruciform xanthoma (VX) is an uncommon, benign epithelial lesion of the oral mucosa. While this entity can also present extraorally, including on the skin and in anogenital areas, the variation in its histologic features in extraoral sites is not yet well defined. Differences in the demographics and morphologic features of oral versus extraoral VX were assessed to help facilitate the accurate diagnosis and management of this lesion., Methods: After obtaining IRB approval, 110 cases of diagnosed VX were retrospectively collected from our institutional archives spanning from 2000 to 2022. Patient age, gender, available medical history, lesion appearance, and duration were obtained for each case., Results: The median age was 55 years (range 13-86) with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1. The most common oral sites, in descending order, were the palate (n = 24, 22%), buccal mucosa (n = 18, 16%), gingiva (n = 16, 15%), and tongue (n = 13, 12%). Extraoral sites comprised 9% of all lesions, including the scrotum (9), vulva (2), cheek (1), wrist (1), gluteal region (1), and abdominal wall (1). The median size for all lesions was 6.0 mm, and extraoral lesions were associated with a 6.7 mm larger size compared to oral lesions (B ± SE: 6.7 ± 2.5 cm, p = 0.01). The lesions were most frequently pink or white in color and often described as papillary, pedunculated, verrucous, and/or exophytic. Microscopically, the presence of wedge-shaped parakeratosis, keratin projections above the epithelium/epidermis, and associated inflammation significantly differed between oral and extraoral lesions. Prominent wedge-shaped parakeratosis (p = 0.04) and keratin projections above the epithelium/epidermis (p < 0.001) were more prevalent in extraoral lesions. There was no significant link between keratin projections and epithelial atypia (p = 0.44)., Conclusions: Familiarity with the broad morphological spectrum of VX, including the presence and degree of wedge-shaped parakeratosis, keratin projections above the epithelium/epidermis, and associated underlying inflammation, will be helpful in diagnosing it in unusual locations., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Lipofibromatosis-like neural tumor (LPF-NT) is a rare variant of lipofibromatosis. Standard lipofibromatosis tumors show a predilection for the distal extremities of male children or young adults and are typically painless, slow-growing, subcutaneous or deep soft tissue masses. We present a case of a 50-year-old male with a slowly expanding, right foot mass. Physical examination revealed a painful, non-tender firm mass on the right medial foot. Magnetic imaging studies revealed a poorly defined soft tissue mass extending through subcutaneous tissue up to the dermis. Histologic examination revealed a spindle cell neoplasm. Immunohistochemistry showed co-expression of S100 protein, CD34 and TRK. In addition, the lesion was found to be positive for the LMNA-NTRK1 fusion by next-generation sequencing. These findings were supportive of a diagnosis of LPF-NT. At 3-month post-excision, the patient had no pain and repeat imaging indicated no evidence of tumor. The authors recommended including LPF-NT in the differential diagnosis of masses or lesions that are fibro-fatty tumors., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences.)

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that adversely affects turfgrass growth. Clinoptilolite zeolite, a silicon (Si)-rich mineral, may allow these plants to cope with salinity. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of ordinary clinoptilolite zeolite (OZ) and potassium-enriched clinoptilolite zeolite (K-EZ) on the growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were assessed under salinity stress. Perennial ryegrass seeds were cultured in soil mixtures amended, or not, with OZ or K-EZ, then exposed to three salinity levels (0, 50 or 100 mM NaCl) for three months. Control plants were grown in the same soil mixture without zeolites, but not exposed to salinity. In salinity, the application of both types of zeolite significantly decreased Na content by 44.36% and 21.31%, but increased K content by 272.34% and 81.59%, as well as the K/Na ratio by 590.47% and 129.43%, in shoots and roots, respectively, compared to the no-zeolite treatment. Similarly, Si content in shoots increased by 28.33%. Amending the soil mixture with zeolite, especially K-EZ, enhanced relative water content, membrane stability index, total chlorophyll content, total soluble proteins, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities but reduced the contents of total soluble carbohydrates, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde in saline conditions. Shoot and root dry weight, root volume and root/shoot ratio also improved. Soil amendment with both forms of zeolite, as a Si-rich mineral, partially offset the negative impacts of salinity on perennial ryegrass, although K-EZ had more noticeable positive and beneficial effects. The amendment of growth media with zeolite may be an effective sustainable management practice for turfgrass used in landscaping and sports fields exposed to saline water., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this research, dispersive liquid-phase microextraction has been used for the extraction of some phenols including phenol, 3-methylphenol, 4-nitrophenol, 2-chlorophenol, tert-buthylphenol from aqueous samples, and then the analysis was done by the gas chromatography-flame ionization detector technique. For the first time, a laboratory homogenizer has been applied for dispersing of extracting organic solvent. To improve the chromatographic behavior, acetic anhydride was used as a derivatization reagent of the analytes. The effective parameters on the extraction and derivation process such as extraction solvent type and volume, amount and time of derivatization, sample pH and ionic strength, homogenization time and speed were investigated and optimized. The analytical performances of the method, such as linear dynamic range, repeatability, and detection limit were evaluated under the optimum condition. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the calibration plots were linear the range of 1-500 μg L -1 with the detection limits between 0.1-0.9 μg L -1 , and the repeatability in the range of 2.6 to 10.0%. These values vary depend on the compounds. The proposed method was evaluated for the determination of the studied phenolic compounds in different real samples such as river water, tap water and industrial wastewater. The relative recoveries were between 90 and 111%., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The physiological and metabolic processes involved with grapevine growth and production are influenced by key macro- and micronutrients. Potassium is an essential plant nutrient that affects growth and fruit quality. In this study, the impact of foliar spraying of potassium sulfate (K 2 SO 4 ) on qualitative characteristics of grape berries was evaluated in the cultivar 'Rasha', a commonly cultivated cultivar in Kurdistan province of Iran. Leaves of the fully grown vines were sprayed with each of the 1.5 and 3 g L -1 K 2 SO 4 solutions once (1 month after petal senescence) and twice (15 days after first spraying). The control plants were sprayed with distilled water. Various biochemical contents and enzyme activities on the ripe berries were analyzed., Results: Significant increases in anthocyanin, total protein content, and antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in the berries treated twice with 3 g L -1 K 2 SO 4 . Concentrations of total carbohydrate, phenol, and antioxidant activity in berries sprayed with K 2 SO 4 were higher than in the controls. We observed a strong correlation between antioxidant activity and different phenolic compounds., Conclusion: These findings suggest that K 2 SO 4 treatment influences biosynthesis of phenolic compounds and antioxidant enzymes. Thus, treatment by K 2 SO 4 could improve nutritional and qualitative attributes of grape. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

In this study, antifungal activity of essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus and Ocimum basilicum and two fungicides Mancozeb and Metalaxyl-Mancozeb in six different concentrations were investigated for controlling three species of Phytophthora, including P. capsici, P. drechsleri and P. melonis on pepper, cucumber and melon under in vitro and greenhouse conditions, respectively. Under the in vitro condition, the median effective concen- tration (EC50) values (ppm) of plant essential oils and fungicides were measured. In greenhouse, soil infested with Phytophthora species was treated by adding 50 ml of essential oils and fungicides (100 ppm). Disease severity was determined after 28 days. Among two tested plant essential oils, C. citratus had the lowest EC50 values for inhibition of the mycelial growth of P. capsici (31.473), P. melonis (33.097) and P. drechsleri (69.112), respectively. The mean EC50 values for Metalaxyl-Mancozeb on these pathogens were 20.87, 20.06 and 17.70, respectively. Chemical analysis of plant essential oils by GC-MS showed that, among 42 compounds identified from C. citratus, two compounds β-geranial (α-citral) (39.16%) and z-citral (30.95%) were the most abundant. Under the greenhouse condition, Metalaxyl-Mancozeb caused the greatest reduction in disease severity, 84.2%, 86.8% and 92.1% on melon, cucumber, and pepper, respectively. The C. citratus essential oil reduced disease severity from 47.4% to 60.5% compared to the untreated control (p≤0.05). Essential oils of O. basilicum had the lowest effects on the pathogens under in vitro and greenhouse conditions. These results show that essential oils may contribute to the development of new antifungal agents to protect the crops from Phytophthora diseases.