Cracking in Sweet Cherry Cultivars Early Bigi and Lapins: Correlation with Quality Attributes

Fruit cracking is one of the main concerns in sweet cherry production and is caused by a heavy rainfall before and during the harvest. This physiological disorder leads to severe economic losses, which can be more or less effective depending on the cracked region of the fruit: in the cheeks (side cracks), in the stylar scar region, or in the stem cavity region. Sweet cherry cracking can be affected by several factors such as cultivar, growing conditions, rootstock, fruit size, flesh osmotic potential, cuticular characteristics of the skin, and stage of fruit development. In this sense, the objective of this work was to evaluate the cracking incidence in two sweet cherry cultivars (Early Bigi and Lapins grafted on “Saint Lucie 64” rootstock) and correlate the cracking index with other quality parameters. Fruits were harvested on 2 May (cv. Early Bigi) and on 27 May (cv. Lapins) 2019 at their commercial ripening stage. In the field, the total yield and the trunk cross-sectional area were determined for each tree in order to calculate the yield efficiency. In the laboratory, the cracking index was determined in 150 fruits without visual defects. In addition, fruit size and weight, wax content, flesh firmness, epidermis rupture force, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and maturity index of 30 fruits were also evaluated. In general, all the analyzed quality parameters were influenced by the cultivar, being that cv. Lapins presented larger, heavier, firmer, and sweeter fruits, with more acidity and higher maturation index. However, cv. Lapins also presented higher cracking index, which was positively correlated with all the parameters above-mentioned and negatively correlated with the wax content. In fact, cv. Early Bigi presented a high wax content and simultaneously a low cracking index. The stylar scar region cracks were the most prevalent in both cultivars. These results allowed us to conclude that, in the North Portugal region, the Lapins cherries presented better quality attributes than the Early Bigi cherries. However, the latter are still very valuable to the region due to its early ripening. Additionally, it was also possible to conclude that bigger, firmer, more mature, and with lower wax content cherries were more sensitive to cracking than the smaller fruits, soft-fleshed, less mature, and with higher wax content.

Extensive scar modification for the treatment of intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia in patients after congenital heart surgery

Background:Catheter ablation is an important therapeutic option for atrial tachycardias in patients with CHD. As a result of extensive scarring and surgical repair, multiple intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia circuits develop and serve as a substrate for arrhythmias. The best ablation approach for patients with multiple intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardias has not been investigated. Here, we compared substrate-based ablation using extensive scar modification to conventional ablation.Methods:The present study included patients with surgically corrected CHD that underwent intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia ablation. Extensive scar modification was defined as substrate ablation based on a dense voltage map, aimed to eliminate all potentials in the scar region. The control group had activation mapping-based ablation. A clinical composite endpoint was assessed. Points were given for type, number, and treatment of intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia recurrence.Results:In 40 patients, 63 (extensive scar modification 13) procedures were performed. Acute procedural success was achieved in 78%. Procedural duration was similar in both groups. Forty-nine percent had a recurrence within 1 year. During a 5-year follow-up (2.5–7.5 years), 46% required repeat catheter ablation. Compared to baseline, clinical composite endpoint significantly decreased by 46% after 12 months (p = 0.001). Acute procedural success, procedural parameters, recurrence and repeat ablation were similar between extensive scar modification and activation mapping-based ablation.Conclusion:Catheter ablation using extensive scar modification for intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardias occurring after surgically corrected CHD illustrated similar short- and long-term outcomes and procedural efficiency compared to catheter ablation using activation mapping-based ablation. The choice of ablation approach for multiple intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia should remain at the discretion of the operator.

EFFECTS OF DRIED LEAF POWDER OF OCIMUM SANCTUM IN HEXAMITA-INFECTED FISH ANABAS TESTUDINEUS

Objective: The prophylactic and antioxidative role of the dried powdered of Ocimum sanctum (Tulasi) was measured in Hexamita-infected fish Anabas testudineus. Method: Four groups of infected fish were kept in four separate aquariums and the following doses of leaf powder applied (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg/L) for 10 days, and the first group is considered as control and no such treatment is given there. Results: Histopathology showed a remarkable alteration in the structure of liver tissue. Progressive changes observe along with the treatment schedule in hepatic histology and differential count of blood. Results showed that Hexamita infections significantly increased (p<0.05) the oxidative stress in the liver of infected fish. Whereas the treated fish exposed to different doses of powdered leaf of O. sanctum show significantly higher levels of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase, Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione peroxidase) and lower levels of stress marker (Malondialdehyde) than control fish. This treatment caused a rapid skin formation in the scar region. The highest recovery found in 100 mg/L doses of leaf powder, whereas the least recovery found in 25 mg/L group. Conclusion: The findings of the present study may play a key role in aquaculture industry for controlling the death of fish from Hexamita infection.

Information theory to tachycardia therapy: electrogram entropy predicts diastolic microstructure of reentrant ventricular tachycardia

There is no known strategy to differentiate which multicomponent electrograms in sinus rhythm maintain reentrant ventricular tachycardia (VT). Low entropy in the voltage breakdown of a multicomponent electrogram can localize conditions suitable for reentry but has not been validated against the classic VT activation mapping. We examined whether low entropy in a late and diversely activated ventricular scar region characterizes and differentiates the diastolic path of VT and represents protected tissue channels devoid of side branches. Intraoperative bipolar electrogram (BiEGM) activation and entropy maps were obtained during sinus rhythm in 17 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and compared with diastolic activation paths of VT (total of 39 VTs). Mathematical modeling of a zigzag main channel with side branches was also used to further validate structural representation of low entropy in the ventricular scar. A median of one region per patient (range: 1–2 regions) was identified in sinus rhythm, in which BiEGMwith the latest mean activation time and adjacent minimum entropy were assembled together in a high-activation dispersion region. These regions accurately recognized diastolic paths of 34 VTs, often to multiple inducible VTs within a single individual arrhythmogenic region. In mathematical modeling, side branching from the main channel had a strong influence on the BiEGMcomposition along the main channel. The BiEGMobtained from a long unbranched channel had the lowest entropy compared with those with multiple side branches. In conclusion, among a population of multicomponent sinus electrograms, those that demonstrate low entropy and are delayed colocalize to critical long-protected channels of VT. This information is pertinent for planning VT ablation in sinus rhythm.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Entropy is a measure to quantify breakdown in information. Electrograms from a protected tissue channel can only possess a few states in their voltage and thus less information. In contrast, current-load interactions from side branches in unprotected channels introduce a number of dissimilar voltage deflections and thus high information. We compare here a mapping approach based on entropy against a rigorous reference standard of activation mapping during VT and entropy was assessed in sinus rhythm.

Scleraxis Lineage Cells Contribute to Organized Bridging Tissue During Tendon Healing, and Identifies Subpopulations of Resident Tendon Cells

During tendon healing, it is postulated that intrinsic tendon cells drive tissue regeneration while extrinsic cells drive pathological scar formation. Intrinsic tendon cells are frequently described as a homogenous, fibroblast population that is positive for the marker Scleraxis. It is controversial whether intrinsic Scleraxis localize within the forming scar tissue during adult tendon healing. We have previously demonstrated that calcium binding protein S100a4 is a driver of tendon scar formation and marks a subset of intrinsic tendon cells. However, the relationship between Scleraxis and S100a4 has not been explored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the localization of Scleraxis lineage cells following adult murine flexor tendon repair and to establish the relationship between Scleraxis and S100a4 throughout both homeostasis and healing. We have shown that adult Scleraxis lineage cells localize within the scar tissue and organize into a highly aligned cellular bridge during tendon healing. Additionally, we demonstrate that markers Scleraxis and S100a4 label distinct populations in tendon during homeostasis and localize differently within tendon scar tissue, with Scleraxis found specifically in the organized bridging tissue and S100a4 localized throughout the entire scar region. These studies define a heterogeneous tendon cell environment and demonstrate discreet contributions of subpopulations during healing. Taken together, these data enhance our understanding and ability to target the complex cellular environment of the tendon during homeostasis and healing.

Evolution Properties of Tribological Parameters for Steel Wire Rope under Sliding Contact Conditions

Friction and wear seriously affect the safety use of winding hoist wire rope and the damage is a gradual process in practical application. In this paper, the tribological properties of a wire rope under different sliding distances were investigated. The evolutions of the coefficient of friction (COF), temperature rise, and wear characteristics under different contact loads and strokes were analyzed by a series of experiments. The results show that fluctuation of the friction is large in the early stages (before 10 min) and the major peaks depend on the stroke. When the contact load is 150 N, the COF increases most rapidly. It grows from approximately 0.48 to approximately 0.61 with the sliding distance. Additionally, the temperature rise in the wear region is higher under the large stroke (30 mm) and contact load (150 N). The maximum temperature rises are approximately 7.5 °C and 7.1 °C, respectively. Furthermore, it is approximately after 7200 mm that the temperature rise reaches a relatively stable stage. The wear scar region increases with the sliding distance and the maximum wear loss is approximately 65.5 mg at a load of 150 N. The major wear mechanisms of the wire rope are fatigue and adhesion wear.

Cerebrolysin and Aquaporin 4 Inhibition Improve Pathological and Motor Recovery after Ischemic Stroke

Background: Edema represents one of the earliest negative markers of survival and consecutive neurological deficit following stroke. The mixture of cellular and vasogenic edema makes treating this condition complicated, and to date, there is no pathogenically oriented drug treatment for edema, which leaves parenteral administration of a hypertonic solution as the only non-surgical alternative. Objective: New insights into water metabolism in the brain have opened the way for molecular targeted treatment, with aquaporin 4 channels (AQP4) taking center stage. We aimed here to assess the effect of inhibiting AQP4 together with the administration of a neurotropic factor (Cerebrolysin) in ischemic stroke. Methods: Using a permanent medial cerebral artery occlusion rat model, we administrated a single dose of the AQP4 inhibitor TGN-020 (100 mg/kg) at 15 minutes after ischemia followed by daily Cerebrolysin dosing (5ml/kg) for seven days. Rotarod motor testing and neuropathology examinations were next performed. Results: We showed first that the combination treatment animals have a better motor function preservation at seven days after permanent ischemia. We have also identified distinct cellular contributions that represent the bases of behavior testing, such as less astrocyte scarring and a larger neuronalsurvival phenotype rate in animals treated with both compounds than in animals treated with Cerebrolysin alone or untreated animals. Conclusion: Our data show that water diffusion inhibition and Cerebrolysin administration after focal ischemic stroke reduces infarct size, leading to a higher neuronal survival in the peri-core glial scar region.

Application of qualitative biospeckle methods for the identification of scar region in a green orange

This study demonstrates the feasibility of a view-based method, the motion history image (MHI) to map biospeckle activity around the scar region in a green orange fruit. The comparison of MHI with the routine intensity-based methods validated the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that MHI can be implementated as an alternative online image processing tool in the biospeckle analysis.