Anatomical, physical, and mechanical parameters of clone plantation tree, Cunninghamia lanceolata

Anatomical characteristics of the plantation tree, Cunninghamia lanceolata were studied. Clonal variability and intra-tree variation, as well as its possibilities of application to the wood industry were analyzed for four clones. Tracheid length from the first to 17th annual ring within clones increased rapidly at first, and then plateaued. The maximum value appeared at the 14th annual ring of clone IV (3795 μm), and the minimum value appeared at the 1st annual ring of clone I (849 μm). Tracheid width and tracheid double wall thickness increased first and then tended to be flat or slightly decreased; tracheid length to width ratio showed an overall increasing trend; the variation of tracheid double wall thickness was not significant. Between clones, the variation coefficient of tracheid width, double wall thickness, and wall to cavity ratio were large. The tissue proportion within clones from large to small was the following: tracheid proportion > wood ray proportion > parenchyma proportion, and there was no significant difference between clones. The basic density within clones showed a gradual increase but a certain fluctuation; the difference between clones was not significant. The maximum crystallinity appeared in clone II (sapwood 55.1%, heartwood 51.2%), and the difference between clones was not significant.

Tissue Proportion, Fibre, and Vessel Characteristics of Young Eucalyptus Hybrid Grown as Exotic Hardwood for Wood Utilization

This study sought to determine selected anatomical properties of young Eucalyptus hybrid species (E. grandis x E. urophylla) grown in Ghana. Images of fibres from macerated wood, and micro–sections produced with microtome were analysed using a compound digital microscope associated with Motic Image Plus Software (MIPS), version 2.0, installed on a computer. Images were initially processed using ImageJ software. Study data were analysed using an R statistical package. The overall mean value for fibre length was 907.67 µm, whereas double fibre wall thickness was 7.76 µm. Both variables had higher mean values in sapwood than in heartwood. Nevertheless, the found values decreased from the butt to the top portion. Statistically, axial and radial positions had no influence on fibre characteristics. In a 1 mm2 of the cross-section, the proportion of fibres was 38%, vessels were 19%, axial parenchyma were 22%, and radial parenchyma were 21% on average. Again, the radial and axial positions had no statistical influence on tissue proportion traits for the young eucalyptus wood. Mean value for vessel area was 9462.04 µm2 , whereas vessel frequency per mm2 was about 14. Vessels were significantly larger in area (range 9982.50 – 13544.41 µm2 ), yet reduced in frequency (range 6 – 17 per mm2 ) for sapwood. In heartwood, vessel area was comparatively smaller (range 6321.15 – 7816.69 µm2 ), whereas their frequency was high (range 15 – 18 vessels per mm2 ). Axial and radial position had statistical influence on vessel frequency and area for the young Eucalyptus grown in a plantation in Ghana.

Integrative analysis of histopathological images and chromatin accessibility data for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Background Existing studies have demonstrated that the integrative analysis of histopathological images and genomic data can be used to better understand the onset and progression of many diseases, as well as identify new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. However, since the development of pathological phenotypes are influenced by a variety of complex biological processes, complete understanding of the underlying gene regulatory mechanisms for the cell and tissue morphology is still a challenge. In this study, we explored the relationship between the chromatin accessibility changes and the epithelial tissue proportion in histopathological images of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. Methods An established whole slide image processing pipeline based on deep learning was used to perform global segmentation of epithelial and stromal tissues. We then used canonical correlation analysis to detect the epithelial tissue proportion-associated regulatory regions. By integrating ATAC-seq data with matched RNA-seq data, we found the potential target genes that associated with these regulatory regions. Then we used these genes to perform the following pathway and survival analysis. Results Using canonical correlation analysis, we detected 436 potential regulatory regions that exhibited significant correlation between quantitative chromatin accessibility changes and the epithelial tissue proportion in tumors from 54 patients (FDR < 0.05). We then found that these 436 regulatory regions were associated with 74 potential target genes. After functional enrichment analysis, we observed that these potential target genes were enriched in cancer-associated pathways. We further demonstrated that using the gene expression signals and the epithelial tissue proportion extracted from this integration framework could stratify patient prognoses more accurately, outperforming predictions based on only omics or image features. Conclusion This integrative analysis is a useful strategy for identifying potential regulatory regions in the human genome that are associated with tumor tissue quantification. This study will enable efficient prioritization of genomic regulatory regions identified by ATAC-seq data for further studies to validate their causal regulatory function. Ultimately, identifying epithelial tissue proportion-associated regulatory regions will further our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of disease and inform the development of potential therapeutic targets.

Anatomy of the Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and Its Application Potential

The windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl.) is widely distributed and is an important potential source of lignocellulosic materials. The lack of knowledge on the anatomy of the windmill palm has led to its inefficient use. In this paper, the diversity in vascular bundle types, shape, surface, and tissue proportions in the leaf sheaths and stems were studied with digital microscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Simultaneously, fiber dimensions, fiber surfaces, cell wall ultrastructure, and micromechanics were studied with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and a nanoindenter. There is diversity among vascular bundles in stems and leaf sheaths. All vascular bundles in the stems are type B (circular vascular tissue (VT) at the edge of the fibrous sheath (FS)) while the leaf sheath vascular bundles mostly belong to type C (aliform (VT) at the center of the (FS), with the wings of the (VT) extending to the edge of the vascular bundles). In addition, variation among the vascular bundle area and tissue proportion in the radial direction of the stems and different layers of the leaf sheaths is also significant. Microscopically, the fibers in the stem are much wider and longer than that in the leaf sheath. The secondary walls of stem fibers are triple layered while those in the leaf sheath are double layered. The indentation modulus and hardness of the cell wall of leaf sheath fibers are higher than that of the stem. An independent sample t-test also showed a significant difference between stems and leaf sheaths. All this indicates that windmill palm stems and leaf sheaths are two different materials and have different application prospects.

Comparison of the effect of hemihydrate calcium sulfate granules and Cerabone on dental socket preservation: An animal experiment

Background. Early bone loss due to tooth extraction can be significantly reduced by socket preservation. The aim of this study was to compare the in vivo effects of hemihydrate calcium sulfate granules (an alloplastic material) and Cerabone (a bovine-derived xenograft) on socket preservation in dogs. Methods. Six male Mongrel dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=3) for sacrificing and histological evaluation 4 and 8 weeks after a surgery. The second and third premolars on both sides of the lower jaw were extracted surgically. The sockets on one side were filled with Cerabone, and with calcium sulfate on the opposite side. In the slides, the ratio of the area of newly formed bone to the area of the entire cavity, and the ratio of the area of fibrous connective tissue to the area of the entire cavity were measured. The presence of inflammation was also examined. Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Sign test and McNemar test were used for statistical analyses (ɑ=0.05). Results. The means of new bone proportion were 11% and 8% for Cerabone and calcium sulfate, respectively (P=0.58). The means of connective tissue proportion were 29% and 33% for Cerabone and calcium sulfate, respectively (P=0.72). No inflammatory cells were observed in the Cerabone group, although 50% of the samples in the calcium sulfate group showed inflammation (P=0.50). Conclusion. The effects of calcium sulfate and Cerabone on socket preservation in dogs on bone formation, fibrous connective tissue and inflammation levels were not significantly different at 4- and 8-week postoperative intervals.

Intramuscular connective tissue properties in longissimus thoracis muscle of Simmental Cattle

Intramuscular connective tissue plays an important role in meat tenderness. Our objective was to compare the collagen/hydroxyproline content and X-ray computed tomographic (CT) connective tissue proportion of longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle in Hungarian Simmental bulls and cows. Cows had lower carcass weight (247 kg v. 295 kg), EU conformation score (3.5 v. 5.5) and fatness score (4.2 v. 5.9) than bulls (P<0.01). Bulls had higher LT area, but intramuscular fat content was similar for bulls and cows. On the other hand, bulls had lower CT intramuscular connective tissue proportion in LT compared with cows (0.41±0.21% v. 0.66±0.28%, P<0.01). The same tendency could be observed for the collagen content (0.50±0.21% v. 0.67±0.11%, P<0.01). Correlation between the CT connective tissue proportion of LT and collagen content was r=0.8. There was a weak positive correlation between slaughter age and CT connective tissue as well as collagen content of LT (r=0.3 to 0.4). In conclusion, intramuscular connective tissue proportion in LT increased with slaughter age and older cows had higher collagen and connective tissue proportion than bulls. Mixed CT scans can be used for the analysis of intramuscular connective tissue content.

CONDICIÓN ACTUAL DE LAS FORMACIONES CORALINAS DE ACROPORA PALMATA Y A. CERVICORNIS EN EL PARQUE NACIONAL NATURAL TAYRONA (COLOMBIA)

To assess the status of coral formations dominated by A c ro p o r a palmata (APF) and A. cervicornis (ACF) in the Tayrona National Natural Park (TNNP), Colombian Caribbean, a study was conducted at the bays of Chengue, Gayraca, Nenguange and Cinto between May- December 2001. The distribution and extension of the formations in the study area were evaluated by swimming along the coast and using draft maps, a GPS and a calibrated flow-meter, and their living cover were estimated in quadrat-belt transects (1x10 m). Atotal of 29 APF (119320 m2) and 12 ACF (21760 m2) were assessed. Almost all the APF exhibited living colonies of A. palmata, but the mean cover by this species reached only about 10%, representing about 14000 m2 of living area and a live: dead tissue proportion of 1: 8. Only four ACF had living colonies of A. cerv i c o r n i s, and the mean live cover by this species was near 5%, corresponding to only 1200 m2 and a live: dead tissue proportion of 1: 15. Algae was the dominant category at both types of formation, covering about 80% of the substrate, followed by stony corals (17% in APF and 12% in ACF) and in less proportion by sand, zoanthids, octocorals and sponges. The hard coral assemblage was composed by 21 species in both formations, but, despite the extensive mortality of acroporids, it continued dominated by A. palmata (60%) in the APF and by A. cer v i c o r n i s (40%) in the A C F. M i l l e p o r a c o m p l a n a t a was the only other stony coral species that reached important cover values (19% in APF and 24% in ACF); this is an opportunist coral that may have been gaining dominance following the decline of acroporid species. The results of our study indicate that acroporid populations of the PNNT have not recovered after 15 years of their mass mortality, and on the contrary, suggest that their status is now more dramatic. This is coincident with the general scenario that was diagnosed recently for the status of these corals in the Wider Caribbean. However, the current condition of acroporids in the PNNT seems better than in other reef areas of the Colombian Caribbean, so that, its remnant surviving populations can represent important reserves for conservation of both species and for future restoration programs.

Morphoquantitative description of bovine digital cushion

The digital cushion is characterized as a modified subcutaneous tissue that absorbs the shock during gait, assists venous return of the hoof and supports a considerable part of body weight. Digital cushions have particular importance in the pathogenesis of the hoof, since they need to properly work in order to prevent compression and traumas in soft tissues. This study aimed to measure and determine how is the arrangement of these structures, and for this it was established the proportions of connective, adipose, vascular tissues and collagen fibers and collagen types found in palmar and plantar digital cushion of bovine using fore and hindlimbs of twelve adult zebu cattle of both sexes, 11 male and one female, with 269kg average carcass weight and without limb disorders. Fragments of cushions were subjected to conventional histology, cut to a thickness of 4µm and stained with Red Picrosirius. With digital optical microscope, the quantification of the connective tissue and differentiation of types of collagen used the Image Pro Plus® software, and of adipose and vascular tissue, the test point system. The mean and standard error were estimated with the GraphPad Prism 5.0 software, and then data were subjected to Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test and Student's t-test with significance level set at 5% for determining the amount of different tissues between fore and hindlimbs of studied animals. In forelimbs the mean and standard error of the connective tissue proportion was 50.10%+1.54, of the adipose tissue was 21.34%+1.44, and of vascular tissue was 3.43%+0.28. Hindlimbs presented a proportion of connective tissue of 61.61%+1.47, 20.66%+1.53 of adipose tissue, and 3.06%+0.20 of vascular tissue. A significant difference (p<0.001) was detected in the connective tissue proportion between fore and hindlimbs. Types I and II collagen fibers have presented, respectively, a proportion of 31.89% and 3.9% in forelimbs and 34.05% and 1.78% in hindlimbs. According to the used methodology, digital cushions had a clear differentiation relative to adipose tissue between fore and hindlimbs.