Case Series of Irritated Giant Acrochordons Arising from Skin Folds

BACKGROUND: Acrochordons are pedunculated papules or nodules with a soft consistency and smooth contour, sometimes apparently growths often hang on thin stalk, with the most acrochordons size was 2–5 mm. Occasionally, due to frictions of the pedicle, acrochordon can become inflamed, tender, and even gangrenous. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case series of three giant acrochordons, first case, 19-year-old female come to my OPD clinic with a big mass on her left vagina, with pain and hot while being touched, and fever. On examination big nodule on the right labia mayor was found, with diameter 20 × 20 cm, short stalk, firm, warmed, and pain sensation while touched, with several excoriated skin surface. Second case, 23-year-old female presented in my OPD with a mass in her left vagina, associated with pain and several bleeding spots while being touched, with diameter of 5 × 5 cm. Third case, 31-year-old female consulted to OPD clinic with a year of history having a mass on her right buttock, which gradually increases in size and causing a light pain. On examination, short pedunculated nodule was found at the right buttock, diameter 10 × 6 cm, oval shape, firm, and several excoriated plaques. All cases were diagnosed as giant acrochordons and were performed excision. The previous studies state that the larger lesions of acrochordons in the groin or upper thighs maybe associated with diabetes mellitus and obese individuals. Due to the twisting or strangulated of the pedicle, all three cases of giant acrochordons become inflamed, tender, irritated, infarction, and even gangrenous. In general, it was advised to have the acrochordons removed, particularly in the skin fold of axillae, groin, or vagina, since they will gradually develop in size. CONCLUSION: Giant acrochordons usually relate to the growth hormone like activity. Hence, they may associate with endocrine disorder. It may occasionally become inflamed, tender, and even gangrenous due to frictions. General principle is to have the acrochordons removed, particularly in skin fold area.

Short-stalk isoforms of CADM1 and CADM2 trigger neuropathogenic measles virus-mediated membrane fusion by interacting with the viral hemagglutinin

Measles virus (MeV), an enveloped RNA virus in the family Paramyxoviridae , usually causes acute febrile illness with skin rash, but in rare cases persists in the brain, causing a progressive neurological disorder, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). MeV bears two envelope glycoproteins, the hemagglutinin (H) and fusion (F) proteins. The H protein possesses a head domain that initially mediates receptor binding and a stalk domain that subsequently transmits the fusion-triggering signal to the F protein. We have recently shown that cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1, also known as IGSF4A, Necl-2, SynCAM1) and CADM2 (also known as IGSF4D, Necl-3, SynCAM2) are host factors enabling cell-cell membrane fusion mediated by hyperfusogenic F proteins of neuropathogenic MeVs as well as MeV spread between neurons lacking the known receptors. CADM1 and CADM2 interact in cis with the H protein on the same cell membrane, triggering hyperfusogenic F protein-mediated membrane fusion. Multiple isoforms of CADM1 and CADM2 containing various lengths of their stalk regions are generated by alternative splicing. Here we show that only short-stalk isoforms of CADM1 and CADM2 predominantly expressed in the brain induce hyperfusogenic F protein-mediated membrane fusion. While the known receptors interact in trans with the H protein through its head domain, these isoforms can interact in cis even with the H protein lacking the head domain and trigger membrane fusion, presumably through its stalk domain. Thus, our results unveil a new mechanism of viral fusion triggering by host factors. Importance Measles, an acute febrile illness with skin rash, is still an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Measles virus (MeV), the causative agent of measles, may also cause a progressive neurological disorder, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), several years after acute infection. The disease is fatal, and no effective therapy is available. Recently, we have reported that cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) and CADM2 are host factors enabling MeV cell-to-cell spread in neurons. These molecules interact in cis with the MeV attachment protein on the same cell membrane, triggering the fusion protein and causing membrane fusion. CADM1 and CADM2 are known to exist in multiple splice isoforms. In this study, we report that their short-stalk isoforms can induce membrane fusion by interacting in cis with the viral attachment protein independently of its receptor-binding head domain. This finding may have important implications for cis -acting fusion triggering by host factors.

Seasonal variation in colleter exudates in Myrcia splendens (Myrtaceae)

Colleters are secretory structures that play a role in protecting meristems from dehydration. Little attention has been given to the effect of seasonal variation on colleter exudates. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise the main chemical groups found in colleter exudates as well as to correlate the chemical nature of the secretion with seasonal variation. We used Myrcia splendens as a model to understand seasonal variation in colleter exudates. For that, meristems and shoot apices of M. splendens were collected and subjected to standard anatomical techniques. In M. splendens, colleters arise from protodermal cells and are similar to trichomes. Mature colleters are conic and composed of a short stalk and a long secretory head. Histochemical analyses found that colleter exudates differed according to the seasonality. Composition of the secretions was more diverse in the dry season than in the wet season. During the dry season, colleters secreted five different compounds (i.e. total polysaccharides, mucilage–pectins, total proteins, total lipids and phenolic compounds), whereas in the wet season, only three compounds were found (i.e. total proteins, total lipids and phenolic compounds). Our study extends what was known in earlier works, demonstrating changes in colleter exudates due to environmental seasonality.

Effects of Stem Cutting in Rice Harvesting by Combine Harvester Front Header Vibration

In order to reveal the reason of stem cutting in rice harvesting by combine harvester front header, stem cutting principle of the front header was developed. Based on the structural models and the parameters of each part of header, the first eight-order constrained modal simulation analysis was carried out to obtain the vibration response frequency. The front header was produced and used to be tested for restraint experimental modal in the rice field. The rice stem cutting state of the header cutter was analyzed by carrying out the vibration test of the no-load rotation state and rice harvesting state in the field. According to the cutting diagram of the stalk in the header, the angle of the cutting surface and length distribution of the short stalk were analyzed with compound state of forward and vertical vibration. The results showed the mean and variance amplitude of front header were similar to length distribution of the short stalk. The mean length 23.60 mm of the repeatedly cut stems was inextricably linked to the up and down vibration amplitude 25.36 mm of the header. The stem cutting surface angles 38°, 44°, and 62° were for different forward speed and cutting areas on the cutting diagram. The above studies reveal the intrinsic nature between header vibration and length distribution of the cutting stem.

Organs and tissues of Rhynie chert plants

The Early Devonian Rhynie chert and the nearby Windyfield chert contain the oldest in situ preserved terrestrial ecosystem. Two of the seven species of anatomically preserved land plants had naked axes, one an axis with a more or less regular pattern of short-longitudinal ribs, two species had spiny axes and one species had small leaf-like appendages. All plants mainly consist of parenchymatous tissues. In some species, conducting elements comprise uniformly thickened thick-walled cells resembling hydroids of larger bryophytes, whereas others have real tracheids with annular and/or spiral secondary wall thickenings. True phloem has never been demonstrated but in all species the thick-walled water-conducting cells are encircled by a zone of thin-walled cells without intercellular spaces. The cortex is differentiated into two or three zones and forms the major part of the axes; in one species the cells of the middle cortex are sclerified. Some species have a hypodermis. In all species the epidermis is covered by a well-developed cuticle. Sporangia are known from all species. Sporangia are spindle-shaped, lobed or kidney-shaped and attached terminally or laterally with a short stalk. Gametophytes of four species have been described. Gametophytes are unisexual, isomorphic but much smaller than the sporophytes. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The Rhynie cherts: our earliest terrestrial ecosystem revisited’.

Micromorphology and ultrastructure of trichomes of Libyan Salvia fruticosa Mill.

Micromorphological and ultrastructural analyses of the leaf trichomes of Salvia fruticosa Mill. were performed by light and electron microscopy. The leaves bear numerous non-glandular unbranched trichomes, and peltate, capitate and digitiform glandular trichomes. Very elongated flagelliform non-glandular trichomes densely covered the leaf surfaces, with especially abundance on the leaf margins. Peltate trichomes consist of a basal epidermal cell, a very short stalk cell and a large round head of eight secretory cells arranged in a circle. Capitate trichomes can be divided into two main types, short-stalked and long-stalked, and further into five subtypes according to the number of stalk cells, morphology and number of glandular head cells. Digitiform trichomes consist of one basal cell, one or two stalk cells and one apical secretory cell, which are of similar diameter and approximately equal length.

New species and new records of Miroculis Edmunds (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from Southeastern Brazil

In the present work, based mainly on material from environmental protection areas in the State of Espírito Santo, we describe a new species of Miroculis (Miroculis). The male imago of M. (M.) caparaoensis, sp. nov. can be distinguished from other members of the subgenus by the following combination of characteristics: 1) dorsal portion of eyes on a short stalk, dorsal upper portion circular with 12–18 large-sized facets in longest row; 2) forewings with membrane translucid, longitudinal and crossveins brown; 3) abdominal color pattern; 4) posteromedian margin of styliger plate with small concavity; 5) penes length approximately 0.70 length of forceps segment 1. Miroculis (Ommaethus) mourei and M. (M.) fittkaui are reported for the first time from the region.

Calycinal trichomes in Ipomoea cairica (Convolvulaceae): ontogenesis, structure and functional aspects

The presence of calycinal trichomes in Ipomoea has been neglected, which renders the interpretation of their functions difficult. The present work aims to characterise the structure, as well as the composition of the secretion of calycinal trichomes in Ipomoea cairica, in order to establish a relationship between their structure and function. Samples of floral buds at different developmental stages and sepals from fruits were collected and fixed for study under light as well as under scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The calyx of I. cairica is persistent and presents glandular trichomes which produce acidic polysaccharides. The trichomes are peltate and consist of a short stalk and a pluricellular secretory portion. The cells from the secretory portion contain a dense and organelle-rich cytoplasm. The fresh secretion is hyaline and fluid, but solidifies when exposed to low humidity, taking on a crystalline and fragile aspect, and they return to a gel state when in the presence of water. The calycinal trichomes in I. cairica show great structural and ultrastructural similarities to colleters and can be considered functionally analogous. The secretion, which is highly hygroscopic, spreads along the surface of the corolla and of the fruit, apparently protecting these structures against desiccation.