scholarly journals Portable Raman leaf-clip sensor for rapid detection of plant stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpi Gupta ◽  
Chung Hao Huang ◽  
Gajendra Pratap Singh ◽  
Bong Soo Park ◽  
Nam-Hai Chua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Brassica Rapa ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Nitrogen Deficiency ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Raman Sensor ◽  
Portable Raman

AbstractPrecision agriculture requires new technologies for rapid diagnosis of plant stresses, such as nutrient deficiency and drought, before the onset of visible symptoms and subsequent yield loss. Here, we demonstrate a portable Raman probe that clips around a leaf for rapid, in vivo spectral analysis of plant metabolites including carotenoids and nitrates. We use the leaf-clip Raman sensor for early diagnosis of nitrogen deficiency of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana as well as two important vegetable crops, Pak Choi (Brassica rapa chinensis) and Choy Sum (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis). In vivo measurements using the portable leaf-clip Raman sensor under full-light growth conditions were consistent with those obtained with a benchtop Raman spectrometer measurements on leaf-sections under laboratory conditions. The portable leaf-clip Raman sensor offers farmers and plant scientists a new precision agriculture tool for early diagnosis and real-time monitoring of plant stresses in field conditions.

Meiotic CENP-C is a shepherd: bridging the space between the centromere and the kinetochore in time and space

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-261
Author(s):  
Jessica E. Fellmeth ◽  
Kim S. McKim
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Early Prophase ◽  
Unique Role ◽  
Kinetochore Assembly ◽  
M Phase ◽  
In Vivo Analysis ◽  
Meiosis I

Abstract While many of the proteins involved in the mitotic centromere and kinetochore are conserved in meiosis, they often gain a novel function due to the unique needs of homolog segregation during meiosis I (MI). CENP-C is a critical component of the centromere for kinetochore assembly in mitosis. Recent work, however, has highlighted the unique features of meiotic CENP-C. Centromere establishment and stability require CENP-C loading at the centromere for CENP-A function. Pre-meiotic loading of proteins necessary for homolog recombination as well as cohesion also rely on CENP-C, as do the main scaffolding components of the kinetochore. Much of this work relies on new technologies that enable in vivo analysis of meiosis like never before. Here, we strive to highlight the unique role of this highly conserved centromere protein that loads on to centromeres prior to M-phase onset, but continues to perform critical functions through chromosome segregation. CENP-C is not merely a structural link between the centromere and the kinetochore, but also a functional one joining the processes of early prophase homolog synapsis to late metaphase kinetochore assembly and signaling.

Environmental Benefits of Precision Agriculture Adoption

2020 ◽  
pp. 637-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Medici ◽  
Søren Marcus Pedersen ◽  
Giacomo Carli ◽  
Maria Rita Tagliaventi
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Pesticide Application ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Biodiversity Policy ◽  
Lime Application

The purpose of this study is to analyse the environmental benefits of precision agriculture technology adoption obtained from the mitigation of negative environmental impacts of agricultural inputs in modern farming. Our literature review of the environmental benefits related to the adoption of precision agriculture solutions is aimed at raising farmers' and other stakeholders' awareness of the actual environmental impacts from this set of new technologies. Existing studies were categorised according to the environmental impacts of different agricultural activities: nitrogen application, lime application, pesticide application, manure application and herbicide application. Our findings highlighted the effects of the reduction of input application rates and the consequent impacts on climate, soil, water and biodiversity. Policy makers can benefit from the outcomes of this study developing an understanding of the environmental impact of precision agriculture in order to promote and support initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable agriculture.

The Synergy between CRISPR and Chemical Engineering

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-171
Author(s):  
Cia-Hin Lau ◽  
Chung Tin
Keyword(s):  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Chemical Engineering ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Genetic Circuits ◽  
Viral Packaging ◽  
Conditional Control ◽  
Logic Operations

Gene therapy and transgenic research have advanced quickly in recent years due to the development of CRISPR technology. The rapid development of CRISPR technology has been largely benefited by chemical engineering. Firstly, chemical or synthetic substance enables spatiotemporal and conditional control of Cas9 or dCas9 activities. It prevents the leaky expression of CRISPR components, as well as minimizes toxicity and off-target effects. Multi-input logic operations and complex genetic circuits can also be implemented via multiplexed and orthogonal regulation of target genes. Secondly, rational chemical modifications to the sgRNA enhance gene editing efficiency and specificity by improving sgRNA stability and binding affinity to on-target genomic loci, and hence reducing off-target mismatches and systemic immunogenicity. Chemically-modified Cas9 mRNA is also more active and less immunogenic than the native mRNA. Thirdly, nonviral vehicles can circumvent the challenges associated with viral packaging and production through the delivery of Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complex or large Cas9 expression plasmids. Multi-functional nanovectors enhance genome editing in vivo by overcoming multiple physiological barriers, enabling ligand-targeted cellular uptake, and blood-brain barrier crossing. Chemical engineering can also facilitate viral-based delivery by improving vector internalization, allowing tissue-specific transgene expression, and preventing inactivation of the viral vectors in vivo. This review aims to discuss how chemical engineering has helped improve existing CRISPR applications and enable new technologies for biomedical research. The usefulness, advantages, and molecular action for each chemical engineering approach are also highlighted.

scholarly journals Towards In Vivo Monitoring of Ions Accumulation in Trees: Response of an in Planta Organic Electrochemical Transistor Based Sensor to Water Flux Density, Light and Vapor Pressure Deficit Variation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4729
Author(s):  
Davide Amato ◽  
Giuseppe Montanaro ◽  
Filippo Vurro ◽  
Nicola Coppedé ◽  
Nunzio Briglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vapor Pressure ◽  
Flux Density ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Vapor Pressure Deficit ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Xylem Sap ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Electrochemical Transistor ◽  
Olive Trees

Research on organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) based sensors to monitor in vivo plant traits such as xylem sap concentration is attracting attention for their potential application in precision agriculture. Fabrication and electronic aspects of OECT have been the subject of extensive research while its characterization within the plant water relation context deserves further efforts. This study tested the hypothesis that the response (R) of an OECT (bioristor) implanted in the trunk of olive trees is inversely proportional to the water flux density flowing through the plant (Jw). This study also examined the influence on R of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) as coupled/uncoupled with light. R was hourly recorded in potted olive trees for a 10-day period concomitantly with Jw (weight loss method). A subgroup of trees was bagged in order to reduce VPD and in turn Jw, and other trees were located in a walk-in chamber where VPD and light were independently managed. R was tightly sensitive to diurnal oscillation of Jw and at negligible values of Jw (late afternoon and night) R increased. The bioristor was not sensitive to the VPD per se unless a light source was coupled to trigger Jw. This study preliminarily examined the suitability of bioristor to estimate the mean daily nutrients accumulation rate (Ca, K) in leaves comparing chemical and sensor-based procedures showing a good agreement between them opening new perspective towards the application of OECT sensor in precision agricultural cropping systems.

scholarly journals Travel beyond Clinical Uses of Fiber Reinforced Composites (FRCs) in Dentistry: A Review of Past Employments, Present Applications, and Future Perspectives

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Scribante ◽  
Pekka K. Vallittu ◽  
Mutlu Özcan ◽  
Lippo V. J. Lassila ◽  
Paola Gandini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Composites ◽  
Reinforced Composites ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Direct Construction ◽  
Fixed Dental Prostheses ◽  
Long Fibers

The reinforcement of resins with short or long fibers has multiple applications in various engineering and biomedical fields. The use of fiber reinforced composites (FRCs) in dentistry has been described in the literature from more than 40 years. In vitro studies evaluated mechanical properties such as flexural strength, fatigue resistance, fracture strength, layer thickness, bacterial adhesion, bonding characteristics with long fibers, woven fibers, and FRC posts. Also, multiple clinical applications such as replacement of missing teeth by resin-bonded adhesive fixed dental prostheses of various kinds, reinforcement elements of dentures or pontics, and direct construction of posts and cores have been investigated. In orthodontics, FRCs have been used also for active and passive orthodontic applications, such as anchorage units, en-masse movement units, and postorthodontic tooth retention. FRCs have been extensively tested in the literature, but today the advances in new technologies involving the introduction of nanofillers or new fibers along with understanding the design principles of FRC devices open new fields of research for these materials both in vitro and in vivo. The present review describes past and present applications of FRCs and introduces some future perspectives on the use of these materials.

scholarly journals Stroke: The past, present and future

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 239821281881068 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Mhairi Macrae ◽  
Stuart M. Allan
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Damage Identification ◽  
Clinical Trial Design ◽  
Haemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Current Therapy ◽  
Stroke Treatment ◽  
Stroke Research ◽  
Mechanistic Basis

Since the inception of the British Neuroscience Association, there have been major advances in our knowledge of the mechanistic basis for stroke-induced brain damage. Identification of the ischaemic cascade led to the development of hundreds of new drugs, many showing efficacy in preclinical (animal-based) studies. None of these drugs has yet translated to a successful stroke treatment, current therapy being limited to thrombolysis/thrombectomy. However, this translational failure has led to significant improvements in the quality of animal-based stroke research, with the refinement of rodent models, introduction of new technologies (e.g. transgenics, in vivo brain imaging) and improvements in study design (e.g. STAIR, ARRIVE and IMPROVE guidelines). This has run in parallel with advances in clinical diagnostic imaging for detection of ischaemic versus haemorrhagic stroke, differentiating penumbra from ischaemic core, and improved clinical trial design. These preclinical and clinical advances represent the foundation for successful translation from the bench to the bedside in the near future.

Fluorescent gold nanoclusters for in vivo target imaging of Alzheimer's disease

RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (36) ◽  
pp. 30081-30088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanmei Lai ◽  
Chunqiu Zhao ◽  
Xiaoqi Li ◽  
Xiaoli Liu ◽  
Hui Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Gold Nanoclusters ◽  
Target Imaging

Fluorescent gold nanoclusters forin vivotarget imaging provides a new way for rapid and early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

scholarly journals Optimization of Protoplast Isolation and Transformation for a Pilot Study of Genome Editing in Peanut by Targeting the Allergen Gene Ara h 2

2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 837
Author(s):  
Sudip Biswas ◽  
Nancy J. Wahl ◽  
Michael J. Thomson ◽  
John M. Cason ◽  
Bill F. McCutchen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Editing ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Peanut Butter ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Protoplast Isolation ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Ara H 2

The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a legume consumed worldwide in the form of oil, nuts, peanut butter, and candy. Improving peanut production and nutrition will require new technologies to enable novel trait development. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR–Cas9) is a powerful and versatile genome-editing tool for introducing genetic changes for studying gene expression and improving crops, including peanuts. An efficient in vivo transient CRISPR–Cas9- editing system using protoplasts as a testbed could be a versatile platform to optimize this technology. In this study, multiplex CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing was performed in peanut protoplasts to disrupt a major allergen gene with the help of an endogenous tRNA-processing system. In this process, we successfully optimized protoplast isolation and transformation with green fluorescent protein (GFP) plasmid, designed two sgRNAs for an allergen gene, Ara h 2, and tested their efficiency by in vitro digestion with Cas9. Finally, through deep-sequencing analysis, several edits were identified in our target gene after PEG-mediated transformation in protoplasts with a Cas9 and sgRNA-containing vector. These findings demonstrated that a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated protoplast transformation system can serve as a rapid and effective tool for transient expression assays and sgRNA validation in peanut.

scholarly journals Advances of Zebrafish in Neurodegenerative Disease: From Models to Drug Discovery

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaobo Wang ◽  
Jin-Bao Zhang ◽  
Kai-Jie He ◽  
Fen Wang ◽  
Chun-Feng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Danio Rerio ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Disease Modifying Therapies ◽  
Progressive Loss ◽  
Pharmacological Targets ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Neurodegenerative disease (NDD), including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons which leads to the decline of motor and/or cognitive function. Currently, the prevalence of NDD is rapidly increasing in the aging population. However, valid drugs or treatment for NDD are still lacking. The clinical heterogeneity and complex pathogenesis of NDD pose a great challenge for the development of disease-modifying therapies. Numerous animal models have been generated to mimic the pathological conditions of these diseases for drug discovery. Among them, zebrafish (Danio rerio) models are progressively emerging and becoming a powerful tool for in vivo study of NDD. Extensive use of zebrafish in pharmacology research or drug screening is due to the high conserved evolution and 87% homology to humans. In this review, we summarize the zebrafish models used in NDD studies, and highlight the recent findings on pharmacological targets for NDD treatment. As high-throughput platforms in zebrafish research have rapidly developed in recent years, we also discuss the application prospects of these new technologies in future NDD research.

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