Population variability of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Turkey according to the needle morphology

In the present study, needle variation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L., Pinaceae) populations in Turkey was investigated. From selected eight populations, a total of 1314 needles belonging to 206 trees were examined. Four morphological needle traits were measured and analyzed to describe the population diversity and differentiation. Analyzed morphological traits showed significant variability. The trees within populations differ significantly in all analyzed needle characteristics, while the differences between populations were significant for the three of four studied characteristics. Present findings revealed that needle length, needle width and the ratio of needle length to needle width showed clinal variation in response to altitudinal gradients. Populations from higher altitudes were characterized with the smaller and wider needles as compared to the populations from lower altitudes. The results of this study could be valuable baseline data for the development of more efficient management plans for this forest tree species.

Latest Developments in the Management of Nut Allergies

Purpose of review In this review, we sought to describe the most recent advances in the dietary and medical management of peanut and tree nut allergy, including selective introduction and immunotherapy. Recent findings Dietary updates include changes to labeling laws, improved information sources, and new apps for buying foods in shops and overseas to better protect individuals with nut allergies. There are still issues in the management of nut allergies in schools, such as parents having to resort to packed lunches instead of school meals and patients experiencing bullying. Air travel also poses concern, but additional resources are now available to travelers, and recent evidence suggest limited airborne exposure to nuts. The medical management of anaphylaxis is use of epinephrine; however, this remains underutilized. Needle length and administration devices have been recently debated considering the risk of bone penetration vs subcutaneous administration, and autoinjectors seem to deliver higher peak concentrations than syringes. Selective nut introduction has gained momentum in the last 5 years, demonstrating improved quality of life but with the need for motivated parents for continued consumption and available resources for challenges. Immunotherapy to nuts is also a rapidly developing field, with the balance of efficacy and safety being important considerations in the differing modes of administration. Summary The management of nut allergies is a rapidly developing field, and dietary and medical management have progressed significantly in the last 5 years. Future research directions include improving safety and efficacy of food immunotherapy and examining patients’ goals for therapy and treatment outcomes.

CT Guided Needle Biopsy of Peripheral Lesions–Lesion Characteristics That May Increase the Diagnostic Yield and Reduce the Complication Rate

Computed tomography-guided needle biopsy (CT-GNB) has a high diagnostic yield for lung cancer but higher complication rates compared to those of other biopsy modalities. We sought to clarify in which thoracic lesions we could achieve a quick pathological diagnosis using CT-GNB, considering the risks and benefits. We retrospectively enrolled 110 patients who underwent CT-GNB and 547 patients who underwent transbronchial biopsy (TBB) for parenchymal lung lesions in clinical practice. The diagnostic rates of CT-GNB and TBB were 87.3% and 75.3%. After failed diagnosis with other biopsy modalities, 92.3% of patients were finally diagnosed using CT-GNB and 65.8% using TBB. In cases with a negative bronchial sign, there was a statistically higher diagnostic rate with CT-GNB than with TBB (p < 0.001: 89.4% vs. 0%). Complication rates were higher with CT-GNB (50.9%) than with TBB (16.3%). However, there were lower rates of complications in cases with inhomogeneous tumors, subpleural lesions, and when more than 15 mm of the punctured needle length was within the target. We conclude that CT-GNB is an effective biopsy modality with a high diagnostic rate that is especially recommended when the bronchus sign is negative. It can be safely performed if risk factors for complications are taken into account.

Morphological and anatomical characteristics of needles in seedlings and vegetative progeny of different ages from mutational witches’ brooms of Pinus sibirica Du Tour

The study was carried out using three objects: 1) clones of the mutational witches’ brooms and the normal crown grafted together on the same rootstock; 2) mutant seedlings of the witches’ brooms; 3) clones of the witches’ brooms mutant seedlings. It was shown that the morphological and anatomical needle characteristics are affected as by the presence and the expression of the mutation, as well as the age of the maternal tree and the presence of a rootstock. Each factor and the interaction of some factors makes a significant contribution to the differences between the groups in the main needle characteristics. The mutant seedlings and their clones formed the shortest needles; they also had smaller areas of the central cylinder, resin ducts, mesophyll and vascular cylinder. Morphological and anatomical needle traits varied between the families, the needle length was a rather conservative trait in the families. Some differences between the groups from different families of witches’ brooms were due to the natural diversity of the maternal witches’ brooms.

A Literature Review of the Microneedle Therapy System for Hair Loss

This literature review was designed to investigate the effects of the microneedle therapy system (MTS) on alopecia in experimental, and clinical studies. The MTS is acupuncture needling therapy delivered by a roller. A literature review of studies published before May 2020 was conducted using 9 online databases, and a total of 13 studies (4 in vivo studies and 9 clinical trials) were included. Most studies showed that the MTS was effective when used in combination with other treatments. In vivo studies reported an increased level of hair growth factors following treatment. Typically, 1.5 mm needles were used in the MTS treatment and photographic evaluation (by either camera or microscope) was reported in most studies. Oriental medicine research included 2 in vivo studies, which reported positive effects when combined with the MTS. There were no reported severe side effects. the MTS might be safe and has a drug delivery effect. Further studies need to be conducted regarding the frequency and needle length depending on the type of alopecia using Oriental and Western medicine.

Prediction model of rhomboid major and pleura depth based on anthropometric features to decrease the risk of pneumothorax during dry needling

Background: Although mostly common adverse events associated to dry needling can be considered minor, serious adverse events including induced pneumothorax cannot be excluded, and safety instructions for reducing the risk of pleura puncture are needed. Objective: To investigate if anthropometric features can predict the rhomboid major muscle and pleura depth in a sample of healthy subjects to avoid the risk of pneumothorax during dry needling. Methods: A diagnostic study was conducted on 59 healthy subjects (52.5 % male) involving a total of 236 measurements (both sides in maximum inspiration and expiration), to calculate the accuracy of a prediction model for both pleura and rhomboid depth, as assessed with ultrasound imaging, based on sex, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), breathing and chest circumference. A correlation matrix and a multiple linear regression analyses were used to detect those variables contributing significantly to the variance in both locations. Results: Men showed greater height, weight, BMI, thorax circumference and skin-to-rhomboid, rhomboid-to-pleura y skin-to-pleura distances (p<0.001). Sex, BMI, and thorax circumference explained 51.5% of the variance of the rhomboid (p<0.001) and 69.7% of pleura (p<0.001) depth limit. In general, inserting a maximum length of 19 mm is recommended to reach the deep limit of rhomboid major decreasing the risk of passing through the pleura. Conclusion: This study identified that gender, BMI and thorax circumference can predict both rhomboid and pleura depth, as assessed with ultrasonography, in healthy subjects. Our findings could assist clinicians in the needle length election for avoiding the risk of induced pneumothorax during dry needling.