Characterization of ZAT12 protein from Prunus persica: role in fruit chilling injury tolerance and identification of gene targets.

PpZAT12, a transcription factor differentially expressed in peach varieties with distinct susceptibility tochilling injury (CI), is a potential candidate gene for CI tolerance by regulating several identified gene targets. ZAT (zinc finger of Arabidopsis thaliana) proteins play roles in multiple abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis and other species; however, there are few reports on these transcription factors (TFs) in fruit crops. This study aimed to evaluate PpZAT12, a C2H2 TF up-regulated in peach fruit by a heat treatment applied before postharvest cold storage for reducing chilling injury (CI) symptoms.

In vitro developmental competence of bovine demi-embryos generated by blastomere separation and blastocyst bisection.

The efficiency of bovine in vitro embryo production can be significantly improved by splitting embryos at different stages. However, the blastocyst quality of in vitro-produced demi-embryos remains unexplored. The objective of this research was to compare embryo developmental rates and quality of bovine demi-embryos produced by two different strategies: (a) embryo bisection (BSEC) and (b) 2-cell blastomere separation (BSEP).

Impact of tertiary lymphoid structures on prognosis and therapeutic response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is known to have a heterogeneous desmoplastic tumour microenvironment (TME) with a large number of immunosuppressive cells. Recently, high B-cell infiltration in PDAC has received growing interest as a potential therapeutic target.

Methods: Our literature review summarises the characteristics of tumour-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) and highlight the key studies exploring the clinical outcomes of TLSs in PDAC patients and the direct effect on the TME.

Jejunal Diverticulosis Presenting With Small Bowel Obstruction: A Diagnostic Challenge.

We report the case of a woman presenting with small bowel obstruction secondary to an enterolith that formed within a jejunal diverticulum. Prior to this acute presentation, the patient had experienced regular abdominal pain albeit not as severe as the current episode. The CT scan on admission required review by two consultant radiologists before the cause of the small bowel obstruction was diagnosed.