Correction: Ou et al. Bone Healing and Regeneration Potential in Rabbit Cortical Defects Using an Innovative Bioceramic Bone Graft Substitute. Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6239

In the original publication, there was a mistake in Figure 2a as published [...]

Diversity of Morphological Traits and Glucosinolate Composition in Backcross Progenies of Brassica Rapa L. × Eruca Vesicaria (L.) Cav. Hybrids

Breeding at both interspecific and intergeneric levels is an effective method for expanding genetic variation of cruciferous crops; however, few commercially accepted varieties have been released because of difficulties in generating fertile progenies. We employed backcross strategy to introduce Eruca vesicaria-specific characteristics into Brassica rapa and successfully obtained four BC1F1 lines that showed a wide range of diversity of morphological traits and glucosinolate (GSL) composition. Thus, leaf shape, anthocyanin coloration, glucoraphanin content, and red petal veins were found to be inherited mainly from E. vesicaria, though most of the morphological characteristics and GSL composition were inherited from intergeneric F1 plants. Since all BC1F1 lines showed post-fertilization barriers, backcrossing with B. rapa was performed and BC2F1 progenies were successfully obtained, which showed diverse morphological characteristics and GSL composition as well as higher regeneration potential. These results suggest that widening of genetic diversity of B. rapa can be achieved through successive reciprocal backcrossing of B. rapa × E. vesicaria hybrids with B. rapa.

Regeneration potential of different explants during micropropagation of neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.)

Azadirachta indica A. Juss., (Neem), a prodigious multipurpose tree, has immense potential to benefit mankind and to protect the environment. In order to investigate the effects of three different explants for its regeneration potential, de embryonated cotyledon, immature zygotic embryo and nodal segments from a 30 year old neem plus tree were used. Half strength MS medium with benzyl amino purine (3 mg/L) and naphthalene acetic acid (0.5 mg/L) and casein hydrolysate (1 g/L) was effective in shoot bud sprouting from both nodes and cotyledons. Half strength MS medium fortified with TDZ (0.2 mg/L) was effective for induction of somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryos. Shoot buds initiated from the cotyledons produced a maximum number of shoots per explants (4.33) which on further sub culturing induced maximum multiple shoots (15) on half strength MS medium fortified with BAP (1.5 mg/L), NAA (0.5 mg/L) and CH (400 g /L) and the nodal explants induced only 4-5 axillary shoots on further sub culturing. Even though immature zygotic embryos produced more number of somatic embryos per explant (24.97) within a short time (30-45 days), the plantlet conversion was poor (25.52 %). In vitro rooting was observed in half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (2 mg/L). The regeneration potential of de embryonated cotyledons through a simple regeneration system may be beneficial for efficient mass propagation of selected plus trees of neem.

Presence of native trees in rural tribal homegardens doesn’t necessarily mean conservation: A case study from Mishmi belt of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Increasing human population and various developmental activities in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which lies in one of the most bio-diverse regions of the world, has caused large-scale deforestation, pushing a large number of native tree species to the serious verge of elimination from their native forest. In such tribal-dominated landscapes around the world, myriads of studies have emphasized the potential of homegardens as a site for local biodiversity conservation as they are known to have a huge Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) on the use of diverse native floras. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to investigate if the native communities of the Mishmi tribe conserved native indigenous tree species in their homegardens and if they are grown then what is the future of these tree species? It was hypothesized that harbouring greater indigenous knowledge implies greater domestication of tree species in their homegardens. Altogether, 103 species of trees were recorded from 243 homegardens in the present study. Although the native species constituted more than half of the species diversity, they, however, greatly lagged in all other aspects of the study such as population share, frequency distribution and regeneration potential. Native tree species constituted just 37% of the total tree population. Only two species, Bauhinia variegata L. and Alnus nepalensis D. Don, made up the major bulk of the native population. In terms of frequency distribution, only a handful of native species maintained a decent presence in the homegardens. Most of the native species grew naturally in unmanaged homegardens. The regeneration potential of all native species was very poor, including B. variegata. The study demonstrates that out of the 76 native species recorded from the region, only 7 species can rightfully be regarded as being domesticated by virtue of IKS of the Mishmi community. Our study concludes that the native species do exist in large number in homegardens of the rural tribal areas, but most of the native wild species exist in the rural homegardens not because they are planted/preferred but because they just happen to randomly grow there since most of the homegardens of tribal household are unmanaged or poorly managed, thereby giving way to wild species to germinate, at least until the owner decides to weed them out.

Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Polarization of M2 Macrophages and Accelerate Wound Healing by Secreting CCL2

Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in tissue engineering owing to their regenerative potential and immunomodulatory capacity. The crosstalk between MSCs and the host immune function plays a key role in the efficiency of tissue regeneration. However, the difference in immunological modulation and tissue regeneration function between MSCs from different sources remains unclear. Methods Human mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BMMSCs), periodontal ligament (PDLSCs), adipose (ADSCs), and dental pulp (DPSCs) were obtained and induced to form cell sheets under the condition of 20 ug/ml vitamin C. The MSC cell sheets carried by hydroxyapatite/tricalciumphosphate (HA/TCP) particles were transplanted subcutaneously into C57BL6 mice for 8 weeks. Histological analyses were performed to detect the tissue regeneration potential and macrophages polarization in vivo. Then, THP-1 macrophages were co-cultured with MSCs and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescent staining, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to investigate the function and mechanism of MSCs on macrophages in vitro. Finally, a wound healing model of the palatal mucosa was performed to confirm the effect of MSCs on macrophages and tissue healing efficiency. Results Compared to PDLSCs, BMMSCs, and ADSCs, DPSCs exhibited greater tissue regeneration potential, with greater tissue volume, higher Ki67 expression, and less apoptosis in the regenerated tissue of wild-type C57BL6 mice. In addition, DSPCs triggered more M2 macrophages in the regenerated tissue than other MSCs. Our data showed that DPSCs exhibited higher expression levels of C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2), and specific blocking of CCL2 by neutralising antibodies can significantly inhibit the DPSCs-induced polarization of M2 macrophages. Finally, DPSCs transplantation promoted wound healing of the palatal mucosa and M2 macrophages polarization in vivo, which could be significantly impaired by CCL2 neutralising antibody. Conclusions Our data indicate that DPSCs exert better tissue regeneration potential and immunoregulatory function by secreting CCL2. These results suggest that CCL2 application can enhance MSC-mediated tissue regeneration or wound healing.

Effects of Forest Fire on the Regeneration Potentials of Tree Species in Olokemeji Forest Reserve, Ogun State, Nigeria

Effects of forest fire on the regeneration potential of trees at Olokemeji Forest Reserve was established in this study. The Olokemeji fire experimental plot was selected at the reserve. The site was divided into three plots; late fire treatment was applied to Plot A, Early fire treatment was also applied to Plot B and no fire treatment at plot C (Control plot). The diameter at breast height (dbh) and tree height (m) of the tree species in the plots were assessed prior and post fire treatment. The regeneration potential of the selected plots after burning were assessed through the occurrence of saplings and seedlings obtained. The highest basal area (m2) were found in plot C followed by plot B and Plot C with mean value of 0.64, 0.55 and 0.30 m2 respectively. The number of stems per plot ranged from 25 to 67. The regeneration potentials of the three plots were found to be noteworthy. Early and late year fire regime adopted had both positive and negative effect on the regeneration potentials of tree species. This study has established the effect and relevance of fire on forest and wildlife management. It’s therefore recommended in this study that Prescribed or controlled burning should be encouraged as appropriate sivilcultural management tool for stimulating basal area growth, natural regeneration, production of tree species seedlings and saplings.