Background: Water stress is one of the most adverse conditions that may affect growth, and synthesis of essential oils in aromatic and medicinal plants. To overcome these climatic conditions, mycorrhiza is an adaptation strategy developed by plants to help them cope with these adverse conditions. For this purpose, we studied the influence of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices) and water stress on the growth of basil plants (Ocimum gratissimum L), the yield of essential oils, and the abundance of glandular hairs. Results: The analyses show that AMF increases the yield of oils with a maximum recorded in stressed mycorrhizal plants (0.33%) and the lowest in non-stressed non-mycorrhizal plants (0.22%). The contents of total phenolic compounds increase in non-mycorrhizal plants under stress (104% in leaves and 97% in the roots) unlike the mycorrhiza which did not stimulate the synthesis of these compounds, Moreover, the contents of chlorophyll pigments decrease with the application of stress in non-mycorrhizal plants (53%) and increase in mycorrhizal plants. The proline contents increased significantly with the application of water stress; this increase is more pronounced in non-mycorrhizal plants than mycorrhizal plants. Conclusions: Water stress limits the growth and leads to a decrease in morphological parameters, this reduction is accompanied by a synthesis of several molecules in particular proline and phenolic compounds, However, the AMF stimulates growth, and drives the water status in plants at an optimal level, thus confirming the role of mycorrhizal symbiosis in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stress.

BackgroundBreast carcinoma is known as a heterogeneous disease because gene expression analyses identify several subtypes and the molecular profiles are prognostic and predictive for patients. Our aim, in this study, is to estimate the prevalence of breast cancer subtypes and to determine the relationship between clinico-pathological characteristics, overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) for patients coming from north-east of Morocco.MethodsWe reviewed 366 cases of breast cancer diagnosed between January 2007 to June 2010 at the Department of pathology. Age, size tumor, metastatic profile, node involvement profile, OS and DFS were analyzed on 181 patients. These last parameters were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test to estimate outcome differences among subgroups.ResultsThe average age was 45 years, our patients were diagnosed late (57% stage III, 17.5% stage IV) with a high average tumor size. Luminal A subtype was more prevalent (53.6%) associated with favorable clinic-pathological characteristics, followed by luminal B (16.4%), Her2-overexpressing (12.6%), basal-like (12.6%) and unclassified subtype (4.9%).Survival analysis showed a significant difference between subtypes. The triple negative tumors were associated with poor prognosis (49% OS, 39% DFS), whereas the luminal A were associated with a better prognosis (88% OS, 59% DFS). The luminal B and the Her2-overexpressing subtypes were associated with an intermediate prognosis (77% and 75% OS, and 41% and 38% DFS respectively).ConclusionThis study showed that molecular classification by immunohistochemistry was necessary for therapeutic decision and prognosis of breast carcinoma. The luminal A subtype was associated with favorable biological characteristics and a better prognosis than triple negative tumors that were associated with a poor prognosis and unfavorable clinic-pathological characteristics.

Background Higher absorption and translocation of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) ions in plant tissue can lead to serious physiological and biochemical changes. However, salicylic acid (SA) is a natural signaling molecule responsible for the induction of environmental stress tolerance in plants. Spraying SA could provide protection against several types of stress such as salinity. This study aimed to show the influence of SA spraying (0.5 and 1 mM) on the damaging effects of NaCl toxicity (150 mM) in Salvia officinalis L. plants. Results The results showed that salinity strongly inhibited the growth of aerial and root parts and this inhibition was accompanied by a significant decrease in the production of chlorophyll pigments (by 63%). There was also a significant accumulation of Na, mainly in the roots. This accumulation of Na+ ions was accompanied by a decrease of calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) concentrations. However, SA mainly at 0.5 mM, greatly improved plant growth, essential oils and chlorophyll pigments synthesis. Besides, SA led to a decrease in Na content and an improvement in Ca, K and P content in the leaves and roots. Salt stress decreased the essential oil yield from 1.2% (control) to 0.4% (NaCl). Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of essential oils exhibited that the 1,8-cineol, α-thujone, and camphor were identified as the main components of essential oils under all treatments. However, we noted in stressed plant treated or not with SA the appearance of the new majority compound thujanone. Salt stress decreased the major compounds content. SA spray under stress condition increased the content of major compounds compared to stressed plants untreated with SA. The histological study in scanning electron microscopy showed the peltate glands density decreased strongly under NaCl toxicity. However, SA application on stressed plants increased peltate glands density. On the other hand, the glands of stressed plants often show certain anomalies in the morphology: the first anomaly observed was the presence of glandular structures characterized by deformations in the form of small protuberances located on the head of the gland. The second, a less common abnormality is the morphological change in certain glands that change from a spherical to an ovoid shape. On another hand, all these anomalies were not detected in stressed plants sprayed with SA. Therefore, the absence of these anomalies under the effect of SA showed the repairing effect of this growth regulator. Conclusion The findings of the present work suggest that spraying of SA may be useful for improving the plant growth in NaCl-contaminated areas.

Background:The objective of this work is to study the influence of arbuscal mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices) and water stress on the ultrastructural change of basil glandular hair and also on the essential oil synthesis, especially on the isomerization of the two main compounds methyl chavicol and trans-anethole. Results:The results of this study show that mycorrhization increases the yield of essential oils, with a maximum recorded in mycorrhizal stressed plants (0.33%) and a minimum among non-mycorrhizal unstressed plants (0.22%). Oxygenated monoterpenes represent the main family of essential oils. Furthermore, the chemical composition of these essential oils changed under the condition in which the plant is. However, the main compound methyl chavicol was found to be at maximum concentration (93%) in mycorrhizal stressed plants and minimum in non-mycorrhizal stressed plants (84%). Contrariwise, its isomer trans-anethole reached the maximum (8%) among non-mycorrhizal non-stressed plants and minimum (2%) in non-mycorrhizal stressed plants. Conclusion:Ocimum gratissimum L. leaves showed the presence of two types of peltate glands: the first one with 4 secreting cells and the second with 8 secreting cells. The diameter of these glands changed with the hydric state of plants; in the absence of mycorrhization, stress causes a decrease in the extracellular cavity diameter of glandular trichomes and their deflation which would cause a concentration of essential oil in the glands.

IntroductionTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined as a group of breast carcinomas that are negative for expression of hormone receptors (ER, PR) and Her2, we can distinguish between two groups: basal-like (ER-, PR-, Her2-, cytokeratin (CK) 5/6+ and/or Her1+) and unclassified subtype (ER-, PR-, Her2-, Her1- and CK5/6-).The aim of this study is to determine the clinicopathological, histological, therapeutic and prognostic features associated with this type of breast cancer.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of 366 female breast cancer patients, diagnosed between January 2007 and June 2010 at the Department of Pathology. Epidemiological, clinical, histological, therapeutic and evolutive data were analyzed. OS and DFS rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and a log-rank test to estimate outcome.ResultsA total of 64 women were identified as having TNBC (17.5% of all female breast cancer patients), 12.6% were basal-like, 4.9% were unclassified subtype, with a median age of 45 years. The median histological tumor diameter was 4.3 cm. TNBC were most often associated with a high grade, 49.2% grade III (53% for unclassified subtype, 47.6% for basal-like). Vascular invasion was found in 26.6% of cases (22% for unclassified subtype and 28.3% for basal-like). For the lymph node involvement: 51% had positive lymph nodes, and 22.4% had distant metastases. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 18% patients with 26% of complete pathologic response; therefore adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 82%. 98% received anthracycline based regimen and only 30% received taxanes.The Kaplan-Meier curves based showed the lowest survival probability at 3-years (49% of OS, and 39% of DFS).ConclusionTNBC is associated with young age, high grade tumors, advanced stage at diagnosis, difference chemo response compared to other subtypes, and shortest survival. Critical to optimal future management is accurate identification of truly triple negative disease, and adequately powered prospective TNBC trials to establish treatment efficacy and define predictive biomarkers.