The structure and transport properties of pit membranes at the interface between the metaxylem and xylem parenchyma cells and the possible role of these pit membranes in solute transfer to the phloem were investigated. Electron microscopy revealed a fibrillar, almost tubular matrix within the pit membrane structure between the xylem vessels and xylem parenchyma of leaf blade bundles in rice (Or...

Background: Hydrosalpinx is a common cause of female infertility1 and adversely affects the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although IVF is the main treatment, alternative treatments, such as salpingectomy and functional tubal surgery have been suggested.2 Previously, hydrosalpinx was diagnosed using tubal patency tests (transvaginal ultrasound, TVUS; hysterosalpingography, HSG; and l...

A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to exertional dyspnea. Chest radiography and CT revealed a large, thick-walled cavitary mass and a hydropneumothorax in the right lung in addition to a right hilar tumor and multiple small, thin-walled cavitary nodules (Picture 1). A transbronchial direct vision biopsy of the stenotic lesion of the right bronchus truncus intermedius revealed sq...

A novel dermatophyte species is described in the Microsporum cookei clade. It differs significantly from known taxa in the two molecular markers analyzed, i.e., ITS and partial β-tubulin (BT2). Morphologically the species was characterized by smooth- or only slightly rough-walled conidia, but isolates rapidly became pleomorphic with sparse, smooth- and thick-walled macroconidia in addition to m...