Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) micropropagation via somatic embryogenesis from female inflorescences explants

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a perennial woody oil crop in the Arecaceae family. Oil palm is well known for a long regeneration time, therefore, in vitro propagation received great enthusiasm from oil palm industries. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) has become one of the most promising clonal propagation techniques in recent times. This study was aimed to determine a protocol for micropropagation somatic embryogenesis from female inflorescences explants of oil palm. The explant used was obtained from the female inflorescences of the oil palm 2.5 years old Tenera variety. The basal media used was Y3 with the addition of the hormone 2,4-D with different concentrations (33,66,99 and 132 mg/L). Callus initiation was formed in 99 mg/L and 132 mg/L 2,4 – D concentration with the basal area and the percentage of callus formation is 31,25% and embryogenic callus was formed from primary callus development in the basal area of female florescence. Embryo somatic induction with cell suspension culture, because the liquid medium is more efficiently used in commercial-scale propagation. The embryogenic callus phase which is generally used in liquid medium is the nodular phase because it is still meristematic so that the potential for cell division is still high and can increase the percentage of embryogenic callus.

A Comparative Analysis of Gene and Protein Expression Throughout a Full 28-Day Retinal Regeneration Time-Course in Adult Zebrafish

Following photoreceptors ablation by intense light exposure, adult zebrafish are capable of complete regeneration due to the ability of their Müller glia (MG) to re-enter the cell cycle, creating progenitors that differentiate into new photoreceptors. The majority of previous reports on retinal regeneration focused on the first few days of the regenerative response, which include MG cell-cycle re-entry and progenitor cell proliferation. With this study, we analyzed the full 28-day time-course of regeneration by pairing a detailed morphological/immunological analysis with RNA-seq transcriptional profiling at 8 key time points during retinal regeneration. We observed several novel findings. First, we provide evidence for two separate peaks of MG gliosis, with the secondary gliotic peak occurring after MG cell-cycle re-entry. Second, we highlight a distinct transcriptional shift between 5- and 10-days post lesion that highlights the transition from progenitor proliferation to differentiation into new photoreceptors. Third, we show distinctly different patterns of transcriptional recovery of the photoreceptor opsins at 28 days post lesion. Finally, using differential gene expression analysis, we revealed that the established functional recovery of the retina at 28 days post lesion does not, in fact, return to an undamaged transcriptional state, potentially redefining what the field considers complete regeneration. Together, to our knowledge, this work represents the first histological and transcriptomic map of a 28-day time-course of retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish.

Assessing Burned Areas in Wildfires and Prescribed Fires with Spectral Indices and SAR Images in the Margalla Hills of Pakistan

The extent of wildfires cannot be easily mapped using field-based methods in areas with complex topography, and in those areas the use of remote sensing is an alternative. This study first obtained images from the Sentinel-2 satellites for the period 2015–2020 with the objective of applying multi-temporal spectral indices to assess areas burned in wildfires and prescribed fires in the Margalla Hills of Pakistan using the Google Earth Engine (GEE). Using those images, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR), which are often used to assess the severity of fires, were calculated for wildfires and prescribed fires. For each satellite image, spectral indices values were extracted for the 5th, 20th, 40th, 60th, 80th and 95th percentiles of pixels of each burned area. Then, boxplots representing the distribution of these values were plotted for each satellite image to identify whether the regeneration time subsequent to a fire, also known as the burn scar, and the severity of the fire differed between the autumn and summer wildfires, and with prescribed fires. A statistical test revealed no differences for the regeneration time amongst the three categories of fires, but that the severity of summer wildfires was significantly different from that of prescribed fire, and this, for both indices. Second, SAR images were obtained from the Sentinel-1 mission for the same period as that of the optical imagery. A comparison of the response of 34 SAR variables with official data on wildfires and prescribed fires from the Capital Development Authority revealed that the 95th percentile of the Normalized Signal Ratio (NSR p_95) was found to be the best variable to detect fire events, although only 50% of the fires were correctly detected. Nonetheless, when the occurrence of fire events according to the SAR variable NSR p_95 was compared to that from the two spectral indices, the SAR variable was found to correctly identify 95% of fire events. The SAR variable NSR p_95 is thus a suitable alternative to spectral indices to monitor the progress of wildfires and assess their severity when there are limitations to the use of optical images due to cloud coverage or smoke, for instance.

The Effect of Waste Plant Oil on the Composition and Micro-Morphological Properties of Old Asphalt Composition

At present, the regeneration agent with mineral oil as the main component is widely used. However, its strong volatility, nonrenewability, and other shortcomings restrict the development of regeneration technology. In this study, waste vegetable oil was used as the main component of the regeneration agent to prepare regenerated aging asphalt. The change in microstructure of aging asphalt was explored with the change in waste vegetable oil content and regeneration time. The results showed that the addition of waste vegetable oil could effectively supplement the contents of saturates and aromatics, and inhibit the oxidation of saturates and aromatics into asphaltene and resin. When the regeneration time was 60 min and the regeneration content was 7.0%, the effect was best. The correlation between the component composition of regenerated aging asphalt and the micro-morphological characteristics was in the order of saturates, asphaltene, resin, and aromatics.

From the factory to the field: considerations of product characteristics for insecticide-treated net (ITN) bioefficacy testing

Background Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) undergo a series of tests to obtain listing by World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalification. These tests characterize the bioefficacy, physical and chemical properties of the ITN. ITN procurers assume that product specifications relate to product performance. Here, ITN test methods and their underlying assumptions are discussed from the perspective of the ITN manufacturing process and product characteristics. Methods Data were extracted from WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) meeting reports from 2003 to 2017, supplemented with additional chemical analysis to critically evaluate ITNs bioassays with a focus on sampling, washing and wash resistance, and bioefficacy testing. Production methods for ITNs and their impact on testing outcomes are described. Results and recommendations ITNs are not homogenous products. They vary within panels and between the sides and the roof. Running tests of wash resistance using a before/after tests on the same sample or band within a net reduces test variability. As mosquitoes frequently interact with ITN roofs, additional sampling of the roof when evaluating ITNs is advisable because in nets where roof and sides are of the same material, the contribution of roof sample (20–25%) to the average is less than the tolerance for the specification (25%). Mosquito mortality data cannot be reliably used to evaluate net surface concentration to determine regeneration time (RT) and resistance to washing as nets may regenerate beyond the insecticide concentrations needed to kill 100% of susceptible mosquitoes. Chemical assays to quantify surface concentration are needed. The Wash Resistance Index (WRI) averaged over the first four washes is only informative if the product has a log linear loss rate of insecticide. Using a WRI that excludes the first wash off gives more reliable results. Storage conditions used for product specifications are lower than those encountered under product shipping and storage that may exceed 50 °C, and should be reconsidered. Operational monitoring of new ITNs and linking observed product performance, such as bioefficacy after 2 or 3 years of use, with product characteristics, such as WRI, will aid the development of more robust test methods and product specifications for new products coming to market.

Low energy consumption electrically regenerated ion-exchange for water desalination

A new regeneration method of ion exchange resin named Adjacent Bed Electrically Regenerated Ion-exchange (ABERI) was proposed to eliminate the environmental impact of traditional chemical regeneration and improve the economy of replacing chemical regeneration with electrical regeneration. The desalting operation of ABERI was the same as the conventional mixed bed. When the resins were exhausted, anion and cation resins were separated and then packed in a dedicated regenerator adjacently. The resins were regenerated by the H+ and OH− ions produced from a pair of electrodes installed on both sides of the resin bed. By optimizing the regeneration time, current, and feed water flow rate, the energy consumption of ABERI was 0.38 kWh/m3 water; that is, 54% of that of another electrical regeneration technology, membrane-free electrodeionization (MFEDI). Compared with MFEDI, the quality and quantity of purified water produced after regeneration were improved. In ABERI, the average conductivity and the volume (times of bed volumes) of the purified water are 0.9 μS/cm and 109; that is, 75 and 133% of that of MFEDI, respectively. The preliminary economic analysis showed that ABERI offers the potential to regenerate ion exchange resin in an eco-friendly and cost-effective manner.

Dinamics of skin wound healing with the use of injectable regeneration stimulators in rats

Цель исследования - выявление особенностей динамики заживления кожной раны у экспериментальных крыс зрелого возраста; сравнение эффективности зарегистрированных и применяющихся в клинической практике инъекционных стимуляторов регенерации тканей: депротеинизированного гемодеривата крови телят и коллагена. Методика. Экспериментальное слепое исследование проведено на 9-месячных крысах самцах Wistar массой 443,6±6,5 г. Квадратную рану стандартного размера (каждая сторона 11 мм, глубина раны до фасции, площадь в среднем 123,5±2,1 мм2) наносили на поверхность спины животных. В течение 14 сут изучали эффективность и возможные механизмы действия на заживление кожных ран двух инъекционных лекарственных средств: депротеинизированного гемодеривата крови телят (ДГК, актовегин) и коллагена (Коллост) в сравнении с контролем (физиологический раствор натрия хлорида). В динамике оценивали изменение площади ран, их объема, состояния микрогемоциркуляции. Результаты. Площадь ран группы Контроль сократились к концу 7-х сут в 1,1 раза, 14-х - в 5,0 раза, группы ДГК - в 1,4 и 8,3 раза, группы Коллаген - в 1,5 и 11,9 раза соответственно. В группах Контроль и ДГК заживление ран проходило в горизонтальном направлении, в группе Коллаген - вертикальном. Увеличение площади ран в фазу острого воспаления (в первые 3-5 сут) было только в группах Контроль и ДГК, при которых оно было перпендикулярно линиям напряжения кожи. Это свидетельствует о значимости направлений хирургических разрезов и наложения швов не только при создании, но и при последующем лечении ран. Уровень микроциркуляции в коже, непосредственно примыкающей к краю раны, на 3-и сут увеличивался только в группе ДГК, на 7-е сут - в группе Коллаген, на 14-е сут - во всех ранах всех групп, но наибольшие изменения микрогемоперфузии были в группе Коллаген. Заключение. Установлена эффективность обоих стимуляторов регенерации. Вместе с тем скорость и характер заживления ран при их применении существенно различались, что связано с разными механизмами действия препаратов. Это необходимо учитывать в клинической практике при подборе препаратов для ускорения сроков регенерации раны, уменьшения размеров послеоперационного рубца и повышения его эстетичности. Aim. To characterize the dynamics of skin wound healing in mature experimental rats and to compare the effectiveness of approved clinical injectable stimulants of regeneration (deproteinized hemoderivative of calf blood and collagen). Methods. This experimental blind study was conducted on 9-month-old Wistar male rats weighing 443.6±6.5 g. Square wounds of a standardized size (each side, 11 mm; wound depth, down to fascia; mean area, 123.5 ± 2.1 mm2) were inflicted on the rat back. Efficacy and mechanism of action of two injectable drugs were studied for 14 days. Effects of deproteinized hemoderivative of calf blood (DHB, Actovegin) and collagen (Collost) were compared with control wounds (saline treatment). The wound size and volume and the state of microcirculation were evaluated in dynamics. Results. The area of the wounds decreased by 9.1% at 7 days and 80% at 14 days in the control group; by 28.6% and 88%, respectively, in the DHB group; and by 33.3% and 91.6%, respectively, in the collagen group. In the control and DHA groups, the wound healing was predominantly horizontal while in the collagen group is was vertical. An increase in the wound area in the phase of acute inflammation during the first 3-5 days was observed only in the control and DHB groups; this increase was localized perpendicular to skin tension lines. This indicates the importance of preoperative planning not only for the lines and directions of surgical incisions and suturing but also for the subsequent treatment of wounds. Microcirculation in the skin immediately adjacent to the wound edge increased on day 3 only in the DHB group; in the collagen group, it increased on day 7; and on day 14, it was increased in all wounds of all groups with the greatest vascular effect being observed in the collagen group. Conclusion. Both regeneration stimulants were effective; however, the wound healing patterns and rates were different, which might be due to different mechanisms of action of the drugs. This fact should be taken into account in clinical practice in order to reduce the regeneration time as well as to reduce the size and aesthetics of postoperative scar.

Clinical and roentgenological evaluation of the status of periodontal tissues of laboratory animals in the application of mesenchymal stem cells

The article examines the clinical and roentgenological changes in the periodontal tissues of laboratory animals when mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are used.The aim of the study is to create a model of experimental periodontitis and identify the characteristics of clinical and radiological changes in periodontal tissues when applying a biomedical cell product based on allogeneic mesenchymal adipose stem cells (AT MSCs).During the examination of the clinical and radiological changes in the periodontal tissues ofexperimental animals with formed bone defects filled with AT MSCs, it was found that the mucous membrane regeneration time in the surgical area was comparable in all main groups of animals. Postoperative gum recession was observed in the control group animals. The significant differences between the clinical pictures in groups I–IV during all observation periods after surgery were not revealed. However, the restoration process signs in the post-resection area found during the roentgenological examination in the groups using osteoinduced MSCs, as well as a mixture of MSC cultures and osteo-induced MSCs, were most pronounced, which is confirmed by the bone mineral density.The experimental periodontitis model, which could be used for assessing the bone tissue restoration processes of a labioratory animal, was developed. Thus, the use of collagen membranes with a suspension of allogeneic osteo-induced AT MSCs cultures, as well as membranes with a suspension of a mixture of allogeneic and allogeneic osteo-induced AT MSCs in the ratio of 1:1 allows achieving higher bone tissue recovery rates.

SEROTONIN ACCELERATED PHARYNGEAL REGENERATION IN PLANARIAN SCHMIDTEA MEDITERRANEA TAIL FRAGMENTS

Serotonin has been identified in all classes of parasitic and free-living Platyhelminthes. Its function in the body of Platyhelminthes remains poorly studied. In present work, the serotonin effect on morphogenetic processes in planarian Schmidtea mediterranea was studied for the first time. Pharyngeal regeneration was studied in Schmidtea mediterranea planaria. Pharynx is a relatively autonomous organ with well differentiated morphological structure and specialized function. The dissected planarian body fragments were able to regenerate the new pharynx and restore its function – food uptake and feeding. It was observed that in group of animals, the pharynx regeneration occurred from day 5 to day 10 after amputation. The regeneration time varied in different experimental series and seems to depend on the season of the experiment. The maximum number of animals restored their feeding response for 6–8 days after the intervention. Under the serotonin treatments (10–0.001 µМ), the acceleration of the restoration of a new pharynx function has been observed as compared to the control animals. The preliminary results exhibit the stimulatory action of serotonin on pharyngeal regeneration in tail fragments of S. mediterranea, thus, indicating the morphogenetic properties of serotonin.