Timber identification of Autranella, Baillonella and Tieghemella in the taxonomically challenging Sapotaceae family

Background To enforce timber import laws and perform timber species identification, the identity of the botanical species must be well-defined. Since the Sapotaceae family is known as a taxonomically challenging family, we focus in this study on the four most valuable Sapotaceae timber species from tropical Africa: Autranella congolensis (De Wild.) A.Chev., Baillonella toxisperma Pierre, Tieghemella africana Pierre and Tieghemella heckelii (A.Chev.) Pierre ex Dubard. The wood anatomical characteristic fiber lumen fraction and Direct Analysis in Real Time—Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (DART-TOFMS) were used to differentiate the four species and to make inferences on species delineation and taxonomic identity. Results We observed differences in the fiber lumen fraction measurements and discerned two groups: (1) A. congolensis and B. toxisperma, and (2) T. africana and T. heckelii. In addition, all Mann–Whitney U comparisons and differences in distributions (Kolmogorov–Smirnov) for the fiber lumen fraction measurements were significant between all species. When permutating the data between species within those two groups, significant differences were still found between the species within those groups. This could indicate that the fiber lumen fraction is not diagnostic to discern the species. DART-TOFMS analysis showed that A. congolensis and B. toxisperma have distinct chemotypes, while T. heckelii and T. africana have remarkably similar chemotypes. Conclusions Based on our observations of similar chemotype and weakly differentiated fiber lumen ratio, we support an alternative taxonomic hypothesis that considers Tieghemella monotypic, because of the strong resemblance between T. heckelii and T. africana. Larger sample sizes and further research is required to develop methodology for the identification of these species. A taxonomic study utilizing molecular genetics would be beneficial to assess the status of the genus and the species limits. This could have implications towards their potential inclusion on CITES appendices if there is ever need for them to be listed. If Tieghemella africana and T. heckelii remain two distinct species, they should both be listed. Screening agents should be aware that the morphological and chemical differences between T. africana and T. heckelii are minimal.

The Anatomy, Features and Sex Correlations (Dimorphism) of Tubero–Palato–Pterygoid Region among Adult Population—Single Center Study Based on 3D Printed Models

This study evaluates the differences in the dimension, symmetry, and anatomical characteristic of the tubero–palato–pterygoid region in adults using 3D printed models. The objective of this study was also estimation of how many tubero–pterygoid implants can be placed safely with enough distance between threads of implants. The investigation draws on 57 models of upper jaws, including the adjacent pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone from randomly selected cases. The consecutive measurements (lateral, medial, rostral, caudal, area, line-1 longitudinal, and line-2 transverse) on both sides of the body—right (R) and left (L)—were used for the purpose of this study. Among the group of 57 cases were 30 females (F) and 27 males (M). A strong correlation was identified between lateral and line-1 longitudinal across the sample group of both male and female cases (p ≤ 0.05; r ≥ 0.9). Moreover, a strong correlation was noted between medial and line-1 longitudinal in the whole group of cases and in the male group (p ≤ 0.05; r ≥ 0.9). Lateral and line-1 longitudinal demonstrated a weak positive relationship with the age of the female cases (p ≤ 0.05; 0.03 < r < 0.05). Medial and line-1 longitudinal showed a weak negative relationship with the age of the male cases (p ≤ 0.05; −0.05 < r < −0.03). The results of this study suggest that, in most cases, two such tubero–pterygoid implants may be placed, which is a good advantage for support of implant-based bridges.

Timber Identification in the Taxonomically Challenging Sapotaceae Family

The illegal timber trade is still rampant so robust identification and tracking techniques are necessary to combat this wildlife crime. To follow and enforce timber import laws and adjoining timber species identification, the identity of the botanical species must be well defined. Since the Sapotaceae family is known as a taxonomically challenging family, we focus in this study on the four most valuable Sapotaceae timber species from tropical Africa: Autranella congolensis (De Wild.) A.Chev., Baillonella toxisperma Pierre, Tieghemella africana Pierre and Tieghemella heckelii (A.Chev.) Pierre ex Dubard. The wood anatomical characteristic fiber lumen fraction and Direct Analysis in Real Time – Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (DART-TOFMS) are used to differentiate between the four species and to make inferences on the species delineation and taxonomic identity. Based on visual assessment of the box-plots for the fiber lumen fraction measurements, two groups can be discerned: (1) A. congolensis and B. toxisperma, and (2) T. africana and T. heckelii. In addition, all Mann-Whitney U comparisons and the differences in underlying distributions (Kolmogorov-Smirnov) for the fiber lumen fraction measurements were significant between all species. However, when permutating the data within those two groups, significant differences were still found. This could indicate that the differences based on the fiber lumen fraction are more nuanced. The DART-TOFMS analysis shows that A. congolensis and B. toxisperma have distinct chemotypes, while T. heckelii and T. africana have remarkably similar chemotypes. Our results provide support for the possibility that T. africana and T. heckelii are more closely related than previously considered. A taxonomic study would be beneficial to assess the species limits of T. heckelii and T. africana, as our results suggest they could be conspecific. This would have important implications towards the timber trade and adjoining timber species identification, for the Tieghemella species, and their conservation.

Investigation on the Relationship between Morphological and Anatomical Characteristic of Savoy Cabbage and Kale Leaves and Infestation by Cabbage Whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella L.)

The cabbage whitefly (CW), Aleyrodes proletella (L.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an important pest in Brassica oleracea L. crops. Little is known about the mechanisms of resistance to CW of savoy cabbage and kale cultivars. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were used to determine the relationship between the morphological and anatomical features of savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. convar. capitata (L.) Alef. var. sabauda L.) and kale (Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala (DC.) Alef. var. sabellica L.) leaves and host suitability to colonization by CW. Two kale cultivars, “Redbor” and “Starbor”, and two savoy cabbage cultivars, “Gloriosa” and “Alcosa”, that differed in the degree of infestation by A. proletella were taken for histological analysis. The lowest infestation by all forms of A. proletella was observed on savoy cabbage cultivar “Alcosa” and kale cultivar “Starbor”. The reduced colonization by cabbage whitefly may be related to the structure of the epidermis and the anatomical features of the leaf. The leaves of “Starbor” and “Alcosa” had more folds in the epidermis, less numerous but larger stomata, and a more compact mesophyll structure compared to “Redbor” and “Gloriosa”. In both analysed species, there was no clear relationship between the thickness of the abaxial epidermal layer, thickness of the lamina, number of vascular bundles, and degree of infestation by the cabbage whitefly. This study identified promising sources of resistance to A. proletella among cultivars of savoy cabbage and kale. Varying infestation by CW was associated with morphological and anatomical characteristics of leaves. Further study is needed to confirm the relationship between insect resistance and leaf surface and morphological characteristics of leaves in a broader range of Brassica spp.

Abu Ali Hussein Ibn Abdullah Ibn Sina on the classification of physical exercises and their application

The article is devoted to the contribution of the famous philosopher, thinker, doctor and natural scientist Abu Ali Hussein Ibn Abdullah Ibn Sina (the Europeanized name Avicenna) in the theory of physical education. The article, based on the analysis of the fundamental work “Canon of Medical Science”, shows the approach of Ibn Sina to the classification of physical exercises. In his theoretical heritage, physical exercises are a means of diagnosing a person’s physical condition, a means of developing his physical strength, maintaining and improving health, and also a means of self-regulation while satisfying a person’s vital needs. The authors of the article proposed a system of criteria for the classification of physical exercises identified by Ibn Sina. According to the criterion “magnitude of physical exertion”, a block is allocated that includes “small and large”, “strong and weak”, and “sluggish” physical exercises. According to the criterion “development of certain physical qualities”, “fast”, “smooth” and “light” physical exercises are distinguished. They correspond to the modern group of speed-strength exercises. According to the anatomical characteristic, "breast exercises". “Exercises for the digestive organs”, “exercises of vision” and “exercises of hearing”, “exercises for teeth and ears” are distinguished. The characteristic of types of physical activity is given, which is the essence of each typological group of physical exercises. The article presents the requirements that Ibn Sina puts forward for the organization of physical exercises, their intensity, time, age and physical condition of a person. It is concluded that the classification of the system of physical exercises of Ibn Sina is internally interfaced with modern classifications of physical exercises. The classification is associated with his own classification and nomenclature of diseases. The description of each disease is accompanied by a recommendation on the use of physical exercises or refusal from the manifestation of physical activity.

Anatomical parameters of the coracoclavicular ligament: A study of 480 cases

Background: Although the optimal surgical technique for treatment of acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation still remains controversial, reconstruction of the coracoclavicular (CC) ligament has become the current tendency, particularly the transclavicular-transcoracoid drilling technique. The study investigated the anatomical characteristic of CC ligament by obtained anatomical parameters based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for guiding surgeons to create transosseous tunnels precisely in reconstructing CC ligament. Material/Methods : Four hundred and eighty MRI scans of left shoulders from patients (ages from 11 years to 80 years, mean age of 51 years) were analyzed for the study. Some anatomical parameters were defined and measured in images of the coronal and sagittal plane, including four angles and seven distances. All measurement results were analyzed by SPSS 20.0. Results : In the coronal plane, the distance form the midpoint of AC joint to the insertion at the clavicle of male patients was greater than the average value of female patients. In the sagittal plane, in addition to the diameter of insertion at the coracoid process, other average distance values of male patients were greater than the average values of female patients, which were significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusion : These anatomical parameters obtained from MRI could completely describe the anatomical characteristic of CC ligament, which are beneficial for the reconstruction of CC ligament to create transosseous tunnels accurately, contributing to reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and promote the operative treatment of AC joint dislocation.