An experimental study on changes in sound absorption capability of spruce (Picea sitchensis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and larch (Larix kaempferi) after microwave treatment

This study investigated changes in the sound absorption coefficients of three anatomical sections of cubed spruce (Picea sitchensis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and larch (Larix kaempferi) after microwave treatment. Microwave treatment at 1000 W and 2.4 GHz for 20 min increased the sound absorption coefficients (at 2000–5000 Hz) of spruce by 6.9% in the transverse section, 20.0% in the radial section, and 31.7% in the tangential section. The sound absorption coefficients of Douglas fir increased by 28.9% in the transverse section, 19.1% in the radial section, and 50.0% in the tangential section. Larch coefficients increased by 16.7% in the transverse section, 37.2% in the radial section, and 38.8% in the tangential section. The sound absorption coefficients of the softwoods differed according to species and anatomical plane after microwave treatment. It was concluded that changes in the measured sound absorption coefficient indicate alteration in the pore structure of wood, which can affect in turn wood permeability and impregnation. These data will be helpful for predicting the permeability and impregnation of wood after microwave treatment.

Histology of Muscle Development in Pigs, Epigenetics from Myotubes to Tapered Fibres

Pre-natal muscle development in pigs starts with myotubes (axial nuclei in a tube of myofibrils) and secondary fibres (peripheral nuclei on an axial strand of myofibrils). By the time of birth, the nuclei of myotubes move to a peripheral position like secondary fibres. As pre-natal secondary fibres grow in length, the number of fibres in a transverse section may appear to increase. This stereology may also occur in post-natal muscles that have tapered fibres anchored in endomysial connective tissue around adjacent fibres and with one or both ends not reaching the end of their fasciculus. Up to 100 days gestation, Peroneus longus (no tapered fibres) had larger (P < 0.001) diameter secondary fibres than Longissimus thoracis (with tapered fibres). Up to 100 days gestation, no radial growth of secondary fibres was detected, but myotubes decreased in diameter (P < 0.001). From a curve showing the relative numbers of myotubes and secondary fibres, it was deduced that approximately 80% of muscle fibres in pigs are derived from secondary fibres. In post-natal Sartorius muscle there was an increase (P < 0.005) in the apparent number of muscle fibres attributed to longitudinal growth of tapered fibres. Myotubes located centrally within their fasciculi had the same position as slow-contracting fibres with a high myoglobin content in adult muscle. Post-natal changes in muscle fibre histochemistry were achieved through transitional types, probably neurally regulated rather than by differential longitudinal growth of tapered endings. Secondary fibres are important – they give rise to both the majority of muscle fibres in adult pigs and affect subsurface optical pathways and pork colourimetry.

Regulation of 2D DNA Nanostructures by the Coupling of Intrinsic Tile Curvature and Arm Twist

The overwinding and underwinding of duplex segments between junctions have been used in designing both left-handed and right-handed DNA origami nanostructures. For a variety of DNA tubes obtained from self-assembled tiles, only a theoretical approach of the intrinsic curvature of the DNA tile (specified as the intrinsic tile curvature) has been previously used to explain their formation. Details regarding the quantitative and structural descriptions of the tile curvature and its evolution in DNA tubes by the coupling of the twist of the inter-tile arm (specified as the arm twist) have never been addressed. In this work, we designed three types of tile cores built around a circular 128 nucleotide scaffold by using longitudinal weaving (LW), bridged longitudinal weaving (bLW) and transverse weaving (TW). Joining the tiles with inter-tile arms having the length of an odd number of DNA half-turns (termed O-tiling) almost resulted into planar 2D lattices, whereas joining the tiles with the arms having the length of an even number of DNA half-turns (termed E-tiling) nearly generated tubes. Streptavidin bound to biotin was used as a labeling technique to characterize the inside and outside surfaces of the E-tiling tubes and thereby the conformations of their component tiles with addressable concave and convex curvatures. When the arms have the normal winding at the relaxed B-form of DNA, the intrinsic tile curvature deter-mines the chirality of the E-tiling tubes. By regulating the arm length and the sticky end length of the bLW-Ep/q (E-tiling of the bLW cores with the arm length of p-bp and the sticky end length of q-nt) assemblies, the arm can be overwound, resulting in a left-handed twist, and can also be underwound, resulting in a right-handed twist. Chiral bLW-Ep/q tubes with either a right-handed curvature or a left-handed curvature can also be formed by the coupling of the intrinsic tile curvature and the arm twist. We were able to assign the chiral indices (n,m) to each tube using high-resolution AFM images, and therefore were able to estimate the tile curvature using a regular polygon model that approximated the transverse section of the tube. A deeper understanding of the integrated actions of dif-ferent types of twisting forces on the DNA tubes will be extremely helpful in engineering more elaborate DNA nanostructures in the future.

Morphological and anatomical study of four Pyrrosia (Polypodiaeae) species from Rumbai forest, Riau Province, Indonesia

Sofiyanti N, Sari AK, Iriani D, Mutrofin R, Taufiq I, Juliantari E, Pranata S. 2021. Morphological and anatomical study of four Pyrrosia (Polypodiaeae) species from Rumbai forest, Riau Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4905-4914. Pyrrosia is one of genera in Polypodiaceae that is commonly distributed at Riau Forest, Indonesia. However, the detailed morphological characteristics and anatomical study of Pyrrosia in this region is scanty. This study was aimed to characterize the morphology and anatomy of four Pyrrosia species (P. angustata, P. lanceolata, P. nipoboloides and P. piloselloides) from Rumbai Forest, Riau Province. All of the specimens were collected in the field. Morphological characters were examined in detail. Anatomical preparation was conducted using the paraffin method. The specimens were then observed and photographed using a light microscope. Principal Component Analysis had been carried out using a total of 52 morphological and anatomical characters. The result showed the morphological variation among the species, especially on the shape of sterile lamina and sori characteristics. Anatomically, the examined species showed variations in outline shape in the transverse section of rhizomes and stipes, schelerenchymatous sheath and strand, as well as number of meristele. The PCA results showed that only three characters (shape of sterile laminae, base of sterile laminae, and upper surface color of sterile laminae) have eigenvalue over 1.00 and together these explain 100% of the total variability of the data. The anatomical data in this study is reported for the first time on Pyrrosia from Riau province.

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON LEAF OF COMBRETUM INDICUM (L.)

Combretum indicum (L.) is an extra-pharmacopeial drug with an abundance of medicinal properties. Throughout the world, different Parts of Combretum indicum (L.) is used in curing many ailments by folklore healers. In India, the drug Combretum indicum (L.) is commonly known by the name MadhuMalathi and used by the folklore healers of different areas. Especially the use of Combretum indicum (L.) is seen among the folklore Practitioners of Dakshina Kannada District in curing ailments including paediatric conditions. Thus, it is very important to explore the identity of this drug by the proper Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical analysis. Hence, the present study was aimed at Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical study on Leaf of Combretum indicum (L.). The transverse section of the midrib of the leaf shows the presence of the endodermal layer; which is single-layered, surrounds by a vascular bundle and packed with starch grains. Endodermis covers the vascular bundle and contains several starch grains. The powder microscopy shows the presence of glandular trichome, calcium oxalate crystals etc. The percentage of extractive value was maximum in methanol which was 7.18%, Preliminary phytochemical study showed the presence of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Tannins, Steroids, Alkaloids, Triterpenoids, Starch, Resin and Phenols. The total ash attained was 7.84% and the water-soluble ash was 3.4%.

Morphological changes in the ampula of the uterine tubes in different periods of life of giving women

The aim of the study is to determine the dynamics of morphological changes in the ampullae of the fallopian tubes at different age periods of life using autopsy material from women giving birth. Materials and research methods. The analysis of the results of a complex morphological study of the ampullae of the fallopian tubes of 150 corpses of giving birth women of adolescence, the first and second periods of adulthood, elderly and old age was carried out. Results. The histological picture revealed regular atrophic changes in all layers of the wall of the ampulla of the fallopian tube. When comparing the mean values in five age groups according to the Kruskell-Wallis test, statistically significant differences in the length of the epithelial lining in the transverse section of the ampulla of the right and left fallopian tubes (p < 0,001), as well as the wall thickness of the ampulla of the right and left fallopian tubes (p < 0,001) have been identified. Conclusion. The results of the study supplement the literature data on morphological changes in the fallopian tube and can be used as a standard reference.

Validation of Four Thyroid Ultrasound Risk Stratification Systems in Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis; Impact of Changes in the Threshold for Nodule’s Shape Criterion

The aim of the study was to validate thyroid US malignancy features, especially the nodule’s shape, and selected Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (EU-TIRADS; K-TIRADS; ACR-TIRADS, ATA guidelines) in patients with or without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT and non-HT groups). The study included 1188 nodules (HT: 358, non-HT: 830) with known final diagnoses. We found that the strongest indications of nodule’s malignancy were microcalcifications (OR: 22.7) in HT group and irregular margins (OR:13.8) in non-HT group. Solid echostructure and macrocalcifications were ineffective in patients with HT. The highest accuracy of nodule’s shape criterion was noted on transverse section, with the cut-off value of anteroposterior to transverse dimension ratio (AP/T) close to 1.15 in both groups. When round nodules were regarded as suspicious in patients with HT (the cut-off value of AP/T set to ≥1), it led to a three-fold increase in sensitivity of this feature, with a disproportionally lower decrease in specificity and similar accuracy. Such a modification was effective also for cancers other than PTC. The diagnostic effectiveness of analyzed TIRADS in patients with HT and without HT was similar. Changes in the threshold for AP/T ratio influenced the number of nodules classified into the category of the highest risk, especially in the case of EU-TIRADS.

Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical Investigation of stem of Conocarpus lancifolius

Aims: To evaluate pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical analysis of stem of Conocarpus lancifolius including macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical parameters. Methods and Material: Macroscopic and microscopic properties of dried stem were investigated. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of various extracts and fluorescence analysis of dried stem powder was performed using various chemicals. Physicochemical parameters were evaluated as per WHO guidelines. Results: Organoleptic parameters of stem of C. lancifolius like colour, shape, size etc were noted. Transverse section of fresh stem revealed the presence of epidermis, cortex, sone cells, phloem, xylem and pith. Whereas, powder microscopy showed the presence of epidermis, xylem, stone cells, phloem fibre with crystals of calcium oxalate etc. Phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of stem showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycoside, steroids etc. Ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of alkaloids and steroids while aqueous extract showed presence of tannins. Physicochemical parameters viz. ash value, extractive value, moisture content, fluorescence analysis and foaming index of stem powder were determined. The total tannins were also determined in the stem of C. lancifolius. Conclusion: The present study revealed pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical parameters of stem of C. lancifolius which would be beneficial for its standardization and future scope of the work.

Multivariate Analysis of the Brinell Hardness of Silver Birch (Betula pendula Roth.) Wood in Poland

An analysis was undertaken of the Brinell hardness of silver birch wood and its dependence on stand location, tree age, tree thickness and forest habitat type, and the interactions between these factors. Wood was obtained from 12 forest districts throughout Poland, from trees aged approximately 30, 50, and 70 years. A total of 51 study plots was established, from which 306 trees were taken. Hardness was measured on three surfaces (transverse, radial, and tangential sections) for 4777 samples, giving a total of 14,331 measurements. It was shown that the hardness of silver birch wood in Poland is significantly influenced by location, tree age, tree thickness, and habitat type, and by interactions between those factors. Habitat type was not shown to affect radial hardness, except in the case of Giżycko forest district. For the whole of the analysed material, the mean hardness on a transverse section was calculated as 66.26 MPa, corresponding to a very hard wood on Mörath’s scale, whereas the values for the longitudinal sections (radial 44.06 MPa, tangential 44.02 MPa) correspond to a soft wood.

Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Evaluation on the Whole Plant of Pavonia odorata Willd.

Pavonia odorata Willd. belonging to the family Malvaceae is well known for curing a variety of diseases. This study deals with the Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of whole plant of Pavonia odorata Willd. The plant is widely used as a cooling, diaphoretic, diuretic, and demulcent. It is also prescribed as an astringent and tonic for fever, inflammation and hemorrhage. Pharmacognostical studies include macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical evaluation of the whole plant. The transverse section of root, stem and leaves were performed. Physicochemical constants showed the values of total ash (4.45%), acid insoluble ash (0.754%), water soluble ash (6%), sulphated ash (6. 5%), nitrated ash (1.65%), hot extraction(10.22%), water soluble extractive (9.2%), ethanol soluble extractive (4.8%), ether soluble extractive (1.2%), loss on drying (25%), swelling index(1) and mucilage content(0.25%) w/w. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the alcoholic extract showed presents of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, steroids, mucilage and flavonoids. The study helps in the development of standard parameters of the plant which help the identification and authentication of the plant. Keywords: Pavonia odorata Willd., Pharmacognostical, phytochemical evaluation, Medicinal plant drugs, ethnomedicine.