Search Results (6)

Although rice is highly sensitive to salinity, it is considered one of the best crops to grow in salt-affected mudflat soils to alleviate the salinity problem. Applying chemical compounds for an increase in leaf CO₂ and nutrient levels can help mitigate the negative impact of salinity on plants in a cost-effective manner. To identify the benefits of using lithovit (Liv), ethanol (Eth), and potassium carbonate (KC) as a source of CO₂ and K to enhance rice production in salt-affected soils, a field study was conducted to assess the effects of these compounds on the agro-physiological parameters of two rice genotypes (Giza178 and Giza179) in saline soils. The compounds were applied as a foliar spray at a concentration of 30 mM each before and after the heading growth stage. The results indicated that the genotype, application time, compounds, and their potential two-way interactions significantly influenced all agro-physiological parameters, with only a few exceptions. The genotype Giza 179 exhibited higher pigment contents, photosynthetic capacity, relative water content (RWC), grain yield, and most yield components compared to Giza 178, with increases ranging from 2.1% to 37.9%. Foliar application of different compounds resulted in a 9.7–37.9% increase in various parameters and a 34.6–43.2% decrease in the number of unfilled grains (NUFG) per panicle compared to untreated treatment. Foliar application of different compounds before heading resulted in an increase in various parameters by 4.8–16.1% and a decrease in the NUFG per panicle by 22.9% compared to those applied after heading. Heatmap clustering analysis revealed that foliar application of Liv before heading was the most effective treatment in enhancing various parameters for both genotypes and mitigating the negative effects of salinity stress on the NUFG. This was followed by Eth and KC before heading for Giza 179. Applying Eth and KC to the leaves after heading had a moderate positive impact on most parameters for Giza 179, outperforming the application after heading for Giza 178. Overall, our findings indicate that spraying readily available compounds that elevate CO₂ and K levels in rice leaves can help alleviate the negative impacts of salt stress and improve rice production in salt-affected soils in a cost-effective manner. Full article

Transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) is expressed in a subset of resident macrophage cells of the brain and was proposed as a marker for native brain microglia. The presence of cells expressing TMEM119 in the cochlea has not yet been described. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize the TMEM119-expressing cells of the postnatal and adult cochlea, the latter also after noise exposure. Immunofluorescent staining of cochlear cryosections detected TMEM119 protein in the spiral limbus fibrocytes and the developing stria vascularis at postnatal Day 3. Applying the macrophage marker Iba1 revealed that TMEM119 is not a marker of cochlear macrophages or a subset of them. In the adult murine cochlea, TMEM119 expression was detected in the basal cells of the stria vascularis and the dark mesenchymal cells of the supralimbal zone. Exposure to noise trauma was not associated with a qualitative change in the types or distributions of the TMEM119-expressing cells of the adult cochlea. Western blot analysis indicated a similar TMEM119 protein expression level in the postnatal cochlea and brain tissues. The findings do not support using TMEM119 as a specific microglial or macrophage marker in the cochlea. The precise role of TMEM119 in the cochlea remains to be investigated through functional experiments. TMEM119 expression in the basal cells of the stria vascularis implies a possible role in the gap junction system of the blood–labyrinth barrier and merits further research. Full article

Objectives: Several studies reported low detection rates of otosclerosis in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), especially when the scans were reviewed by non-specialized general radiologists. In the present study, we conducted a retrospective review of the detection of otosclerosis in HRCT by general radiologists and the impact of inadequately filled radiological request forms on the detection rate. Methods: Retrospective analysis of hospital records, HRCT reports, and radiological referral notes of 40 patients who underwent stapedotomy surgery for otosclerosis. HRCT imaging data sets were retrospectively reviewed by a blinded experienced neuroradiologist, whose reading served as the gold standard. Results: General radiologists reading HRCT scans had an overall detection rate of otosclerosis of 36.1% in this cohort (13 of 36 available HRCT reports). The neuroradiologist had a much higher detection rate of 82.5% (33 of 40 cases). Interobserver agreement between the general radiologists and the subspecialist neuroradiologist was poor (Cohen’s kappa κ = 0.26). General radiologists missed the diagnosis in 15 of the 33 CT-positive scans, corresponding to a missed diagnosis rate of 45.4%. There was a highly significant association between a missed diagnosis and the lack of an explicitly mentioned clinical suspicion of otosclerosis in the request forms (Pearson’s chi-squared test, p < 0.005). Conclusion: The diagnosis of otosclerosis is frequently missed by radiologists on HRCT scans of the temporal bone in a clinical setting. Possible reasons include a relative lack of experience of general radiologists with temporal bone imaging as well as the failure of clinicians to unambiguously communicate their suspicion of otosclerosis. Full article

The differential involvement of the macrophage activation phenotypes (M1 vs. M2) has been linked to disease severity in various chronic inflammatory disorders. Pharmacologic manipulation of the M1/M2 macrophage polarization has shown therapeutic potential. Cholesteatoma is a destructive chronic middle ear disease with potentially life-threatening complications. The distribution of macrophage polarization phenotypes in middle ear cholesteatoma has not been described. In the present study, human cholesteatoma specimens acquired during tympanomastoidectomy were retrospectively retrieved and immunohistochemically characterized using a combination of antibodies labeling M1 macrophages (CD80), M2 macrophages (CD163), and total macrophages (CD68). The correlations between the immunohistochemical findings and clinical presentation were assessed. The findings revealed that cholesteatomas with more extensive ossicular erosion demonstrated a significantly higher number of M1 (CD80+) cells and a higher M1/M2 ratio than less invasive cholesteatomas (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.05). The extent of ossicular erosion correlated significantly with the M1/M2 ratio (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = 0.4, p < 0.05). Thus, the degree of ossicular erosion in human acquired cholesteatoma appears to be related to the M1/M2 macrophage polarization. The investigation of macrophage polarization and functions in various clinical presentations of middle ear cholesteatoma is of great interest since it may contribute to the development of pharmaceutical treatment approaches. Full article

The Weber tuning fork test is a standard otologic examination tool in patients with unilateral hearing loss. Sound should typically lateralize to the contralateral side in unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The observation that the Weber test does not lateralize in some patients with longstanding unilateral deafness has been previously described but remains poorly understood. In the present study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients with unilateral profound hearing loss (single-sided deafness or asymmetric hearing loss) for at least ten years. In this patient cohort, childhood-onset unilateral profound hearing loss was significantly associated with the lack of lateralization of the Weber tuning fork test (Fisher’s exact test, p < 0.05) and the absence of tinnitus in the affected ear (Fisher’s exact test, p < 0.001). The findings may imply a central adaptation process due to chronic unilateral auditory deprivation starting before the critical period of auditory maturation. This notion may partially explain the poor outcome of adult cochlear implantation in longstanding single-sided deafness. The findings may suggest a role for the Weber test as a simple, quick, and economical tool for screening poor cochlear implant candidates, thus potentially supporting the decision-making and counseling of patients with longstanding single-sided deafness. Full article

Background: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) has been adapted to 28 different cultures and there has been considerable interest in examining its structure through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. This study investigates item and scale properties of the Egyptian WAIS-IV using item response theory (IRT) models. Methods: The sample consisted of 250 adults from Egypt. The item-level and subtest statistical properties of the Egyptian WAIS-IV were established using a combination of four dichotomous IRT models and four polytomous IRT models. In addition, factor analysis was performed to investigate the dimensionality of each subtest. Results: Factor analysis indicated the unidimensionality of each subtest. Among IRT models, the two-parameter logistic model provided a good fit for dichotomous subtests, while the graded response model fitted the polytomous data. Most items of the Egyptian WAIS-IV showed high discrimination, and the scale was adequately informative across the levels of latent traits (i.e., cognitive variables). However, each subtest included at least some items with limited ability to distinguish between individuals with differing levels of the cognitive variable being measured. Furthermore, most subtests have items that do not follow the difficulty rank they are ascribed in the WAIS-IV manual. Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that the Egyptian WAIS-IV offers a highly valid assessment of intellectual abilities, despite the need for some improvements. Full article