Phenotypic plasticity of leaf anatomical traits helps to explain gas-exchange response to water shortage in grasses of different photosynthetic types
THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Authors: Arantes, Melina Karla; da Silva Filho, Mario Pereira; Pennacchi, Joao Paulo; das Chagas Mendonca, Ane Marcela; Barbosa, Joao Paulo Rodrigues Alves Delfino
Abstract
C3 and C4 plants, as their intermediates, respond differently to short-term changes in environmental conditions. This difference is linked to contrasting levels of phenotypic plasticity and photosynthetic apparatus specialization. Phenotypic plasticity is an underexplored topic although its understanding is crucial to predict plant behaviour in future climatic scenarios. In this research, the phenotypic plasticity of anatomical traits and its influence to carbon uptake efficiency was studied in plants with different photosynthetic types, under contrasting water regimes.Oryza sativacvs. Soberana (drought-sensitive) and Douradao (drought-tolerant) (C3),Homolepis isocalycia(C3 proto-Kranz) andAndropogon gayanus(C4), grown at three water treatments (100, 75 and 50% of substrate water holding capacity), were phenotyped for leaf anatomy and gas-exchange parameters. The results showed that plasticity trends indicated different strategies betweenO. sativacultivars to deal with water shortage, explaining their classification as drought-sensitive or tolerant. We also mapped typical characteristics of C3-C4 intermediate plant,H. isocalycia, mainly in the ratio mesophyll:bundle sheath cells and hypothesize how it may influence photosynthesis. Finally, we have confirmed previous claims that C4 carbon uptake advantages may be limited under severe drought conditions, asA. gayanushave drastically reduced its photosynthetic rates at lower water levels. By studying C3-C4 intermediates, this study may also be a starting point to unravel the trade-offs of anatomical changes during the evolutionary process from C3 to C4 photosynthesis, and also improve the understanding of their impact in carbon uptake in different water conditions.
Clinicopathological Profile and Outcome of Childhood Urticaria Vasculitis: An Observational Study
CUREUS
Authors: Satapathy, Amit; Biswal, Basudev; Priyadarshini, Lipsa; Sirka, Chandrasekhar; Das, Lipsa; Mishra, Pritinanda; Patodia, Sujata, Sr.; Kar, Subhashree, II; Mahapatro, Samarendra; Das, Rashmi R.
Abstract
Background Urticaria is a type III hypersensitivity reaction usually triggered by an infection, medication, or food item. It usually subsides within 24 hours without any residual lesion and does not have any systemic manifestation. Urticaria vasculitis (UV) is a clinicopathological condition defined by the presence of an urticarial lesion lasting for >24 hours or recurrent episodes of urticaria associated with histopathological features of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Methods This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching institute in Eastern India over a period of 2 and 1/2 years. Children presenting with urticaria lesions for a duration of > 24 hours that did not subside either spontaneously or with anti-histamines were admitted for further workup and management. Results During the study period (July 2015 to December 2017), a total of 20 children with urticaria needed admission for symptom control and further workup. There were 16 boys and 4 girls. The mean (SD) age of presentation was 6.5 years (+/- 2.4). Besides urticaria in all, pain abdomen was present in 13 (65%) and fever in 6 (30%) children. Only one had arthritis. Skin biopsy performed in these children was suggestive of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. One child was ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) positive with low C3. All except three children required systemic steroid for symptom control along with other medications (anti-histamines). None had suffered any complication or relapse. Conclusions Urticaria vasculitis (most common cause being idiopathic) remains underdiagnosed because of the need of confirmation by biopsy, which might not always be attempted in every case. Though anti-histamines remain the main stay of treatment, adding short course oral steroid shortens the course once infection is ruled out.