Anatomical characteristics and dimensions of edentulous sites in the posterior maxillae of patients referred for implant therapy

The purpose of this study was to analyze the width and height of edentulous sites in the posterior maxilla using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from patients referred for implant therapy. A total of 122 CBCT scans were included in the analysis, resulting in a sample size of 252 edentulous sites. The orofacial crest width was measured in coronal slices, perpendicular to the alveolar ridge. The bone height was analyzed in the respective sagittal slices. Additionally, the following secondary outcome parameters were evaluated: the morphology of the sinus floor, the presence of septa in the maxillary sinus, and the thickness of the sinus membrane. The mean crest width for all analyzed sites was 8.28 mm, and the mean bone height was 7.22 mm. The percentage of patients with a crest width of less than 6 mm was 27% in premolar sites and 7.8% in molar sites. The bone height decreased from premolar to molar areas, with a high percentage of first and second molar sites exhibiting a bone height of less than 5 mm (54.12% and 44.64%, respectively). Regarding the morphology of the sinus floor, 53% of the edentulous sites exhibited a flat configuration. A septum was present in 67 edentulous sites (26.59%). Analysis of the sinus membrane revealed 88 sites (34.9%) with increased mucosal thickness (> 2 mm). For the crest width, the location of the edentulous site and the morphology of the sinus floor were both statistically significant variables. For the crest width and mean bone height, the location of the edentulous site and the morphology of the sinus floor were both statistically significant variables. The study confirmed that a high percentage of edentulous sites in the posterior maxilla do require sinus floor elevation to allow the placement of dental implants. Therefore, a detailed three-dimensional radiograph using CBCT is indicated in most patients for proper treatment planning.

Anatomical study of the diaphragm of the opossum (Didelphis albiventris)

The anatomical characteristics of the South American opossum diaphragm were described. Five male and seven female adult opossums, weighing between 700 and 1110 g, were used. Animals were killed by ether inhalation saturation. The abdominal and thoracic walls were dissected and opened, the viscerae were removed and the diaphragm anatomy was described and photographed in situ . After diaphragm removal, some dimensional data were taken and tabled. Primary branches of the phrenic nerves were dissected under a surgical microscope. The secondary branches were studied and described by transillumination after clarification in acetic acid. The opossum diaphragm is domed and has a mean area of 54.33 +/- 3.8 cm(2) . Well-identified costal, sternal and lumbar parts form the peripheral muscular region. The central tendinous region presents with a V-like form. Three folioles comprise the phrenic centre and present different dimensions. The caudal vena cava passes through its foramen between the ventral and right dorsal folioles. Both right and left phrenic nerves present one ventral branch and one dorsolateral trunk in 50.0% and 66.67% of the cases, respectively.

On the taxonomic value of the anatomical structure of vegetative organs and inflorescence axis of Abolboda species (Xyridaceae - Poales)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Morpho-anatomical aspects of Paepalanthus hilairei Koern (Eriocaulaceae) from Serra do Cipo MG

The morphological characteristics of seedlings and the anatomical characteristics of vegetative organs and floral scape of P. hilairei (Eriocaulaceae) were analyzed to investigate the ecological and taxonomic implications for the species. P. hilairei is a perennial plant with an aerial stem and it grows in recently decomposed stony, sandy soils of the Serra do Cipo, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is found both on wet and dry soils, exposed to constant winds, high light intensities and extreme daily fluctuations of temperature. The results show that the seeds have operculum and the initial seedling development stages are the same for other Eriocaulaceae. During the germination period, the undifferentiated axis of the embryo becomes apparent. The observation of the development of this axis, shows first, the growth of the leaves and later that of the adventitious root. Attention is focused on the apical stem region which presents sterelis lateral branching with adventitious roots in its base which will develop into paraclades (system of florescences). Both of them rise out of the pericycle and characterize its vegetative growth. The occurrence of a special leaf substomatal chamber may be related to an efficient protection for the gaseous exchange and may be considered an important characteristic of the Eriocaulaceae.

Leaf anatomical and molecular studies in Bulbophyllum section Micranthae (Orchidaceae) and their implications for systematics

Bulbophyllum section Micranthae comprises 12 species of rupicolous or epiphytic orchids occurring in forests or in open rocky fields in Cerrado/Atlantic Forest ecotones throughout South America. We examined the leaf anatomy of 14 species and compared them with molecular data (nrITS) in phylogenetic analyses. The leaves of Bulbophyllum section Micranthae are characterised by uniseriate epidermis, with periclinal external cell wall thicker than the internal, presence of epicuticular wax, stomata present only on the abaxial surface with suprastomatic chambers, and collateral vascular bundles associated with sclerenchyma fibres. Some of these characters are shared with other rupicolous Orchidaceae species, demonstrating adaptive convergence in xeromorphic habitats. We found some anatomical characteristics with phylogenetic value. Bulbophyllum section Micranthae can be separated into two lineages: those with needle-like leaves, or flat leaves. The analyses show that anatomical characters as well as molecular data may contribute to the development of phylogenetic hypotheses. © 2013 Botanical Society of Sao Paulo.

A computer vision approach to quantify leaf anatomical plasticity: A case study on gochnatia polymorpha (less.) cabrera

Inferences about leaf anatomical characteristics had largely been made by manually measuring diverse leaf regions, such as cuticle, epidermis and parenchyma to evaluate differences caused by environmental variables. Here we tested an approach for data acquisition and analysis in ecological quantitative leaf anatomy studies based on computer vision and pattern recognition methods. A case study was conducted on Gochnatia polymorpha (Less.) Cabrera (Asteraceae), a Neotropical savanna tree species that has high phenotypic plasticity. We obtained digital images of cross-sections of its leaves developed under different light conditions (sun vs. shade), different seasons (dry vs. wet) and in different soil types (oxysoil vs. hydromorphic soil), and analyzed several visual attributes, such as color, texture and tissues thickness in a perpendicular plane from microscopic images. The experimental results demonstrated that computational analysis is capable of distinguishing anatomical alterations in microscope images obtained from individuals growing in different environmental conditions. The methods presented here offer an alternative way to determine leaf anatomical differences. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Anatomical analysis of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) leaves cultivated in vitro, ex vitro and in vivo

(Anatomical analysis of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) leaves cultivated in vitro, ex vitro and in vivo). The present work characterized and compared the anatomical structures of the leaves of Bactris gasipaes (Arecaceae) plants grown under different cultivation conditions (in vitro, ex vitro and in vivo) with the goal of identifying the origins of the difficulties encountered in acclimatizing micro-plants. The Quant program was used to determine leaf tissue thicknesses and areas, and histochemical tests were performed on leaf sections and analyzed using light microscopy. Stomatal and trichome densities were determined using the epidermal impression method and by scanning electronic microscopy. Our results indicated that there were no discernible alterations of the anatomical characteristics of the leaves of micro-plants cultivated under differing conditions and that the thickening of the mesophyll and the vascular fibers indicated adaptive responses to ex vitro conditions. As such, the observed difficulties in acclimatizing peach palm micro-plants to ex vitro conditions cannot be attributed to plant anatomical characteristics acquired during in vitro cultivation.

A multidisciplinary examination of fast bowling talent development in cricket

Research on expertise, talent identification and development has tended to be mono-disciplinary, typically adopting geno-centric or environmentalist positions, with an overriding focus on operational issues. In this thesis, the validity of dualist positions on sport expertise is evaluated. It is argued that, to advance understanding of expertise and talent development, a shift towards a multidisciplinary and integrative science focus is necessary, along with the development of a comprehensive multidisciplinary theoretical rationale. Dynamical systems theory is utilised as a multidisciplinary theoretical rationale for the succession of studies, capturing how multiple interacting constraints can shape the development of expert performers. Phase I of the research examines experiential knowledge of coaches and players on the development of fast bowling talent utilising qualitative research methodology. It provides insights into the developmental histories of expert fast bowlers, as well as coaching philosophies on the constraints of fast bowling expertise. Results suggest talent development programmes should eschew the notion of common optimal performance models and emphasize the individual nature of pathways to expertise. Coaching and talent development programmes should identify the range of interacting constraints that impinge on the performance potential of individual athletes, rather than evaluating current performance on physical tests referenced to group norms. Phase II of this research comprises three further studies that investigate several of the key components identified as important for fast bowling expertise, talent identification and development extrapolated from Phase I of this research. This multidisciplinary programme of work involves a comprehensive analysis of fast bowling performance in a cross-section of the Cricket Australia high performance pathways, from the junior, emerging and national elite fast bowling squads. Briefly, differences were found in trunk kinematics associated with the generation of ball speed across the three groups. These differences in release mechanics indicated the functional adaptations in movement patterns as bowlers’ physical and anatomical characteristics changed during maturation. Second to the generation of ball speed, the ability to produce a range of delivery types was highlighted as a key component of expertise in the qualitative phase. The ability of athletes to produce consistent results on different surfaces and in different environments has drawn attention to the challenge of measuring consistency and flexibility in skill assessments. Examination of fast bowlers in Phase II demonstrated that national bowlers can make adjustments to the accuracy of subsequent deliveries during performance of a cricket bowling skills test, and perform a range of delivery types with increased accuracy and consistency. Finally, variability in selected delivery stride ground reaction force components in fast bowling revealed the degenerate nature of this complex multi-articular skill where the same performance outcome can be achieved with unique movement strategies. Utilising qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine fast bowling expertise, the importance of degeneracy and adaptability in fast bowling has been highlighted alongside learning design that promotes dynamic learning environments.

不同放牧率对不同草原主要植物叶片解剖结构和化学成分的影响

本文选取不同放牧率下的优势植物为研究对象，主要从植物解剖结构和化学成分方面，对内蒙古典型草原和北美混合普列里草原的放牧演替机制进行探讨，这将有助于进一步揭示放牧演替过程及其主要植物对放牧的适应机理。具体研究结果如下： 1. 长期不同放牧率的放牧（内蒙古典型草原区放牧15年和混合普列里草原放牧19年）对所有物种（IMGERS的羊草（Leymus chinensis）、冰草（Agropyron cristatum）、糙隐子草（Cleistogenes squarrosa）、扁蓿豆（Melissitus rutenica）、小叶锦鸡儿（Caragana microphylla）、冷蒿（Artemisia frigida）和星毛委陵菜（Potentilla acaulis）和CGREC的Artemisia frgida ，Poa pratensis， Agropyron smithii，Solidago rigida， Helianthus rigidus和Symphoricarpos occidentalis）叶片的角质层厚度、表皮细胞面积、叶肉细胞面积、栅栏/海绵组织厚度、叶片厚度、中脉厚度均产生显著影响;放牧显著影响了两个研究区不同生活型功能群植物叶片的角质层厚度、表皮细胞面积、叶肉面积、栅栏/海绵组织和中脉厚度。内蒙古典型草原研究区草本植物功能群的叶片下角质层厚度、栅栏/海绵组织厚度显著大于灌木功能群，而美国混合普列里草原研究区，草本植物功能群的叶片下角质层厚度、表皮细胞面积、叶肉细胞面积、栅栏/海绵组织厚度、叶片厚度、中脉厚度均显著大于灌木功能群。 2. 内蒙古典型草原研究区放牧率显著影响了糙隐子草和小叶锦鸡儿的比叶面积（SLA）;在美国混合普列里草原研究区，放牧率显著影响了冷蒿SLA。但对生活型功能群的SLA影响不显著。 3. 内蒙古典型草原研究区放牧对物种叶片叶绿素含量、纤维素含量影响显著，放牧仅显著增加了扁蓿豆叶片的含氮量。美国混合普列里草原研究区物种叶片的全碳、干物质、酸性洗涤纤维、叶绿素a+b含量受放牧率的显著影响。两研究区放牧率对叶片叶绿素a+b含量影响显著。放牧率也显著影响了不同生活型功能群的全碳含量和叶绿素a+b含量。 4. 两研究区叶片表皮细胞面积和叶肉细胞面积无牧和重牧下显著正相关，表皮细胞面积和叶片厚度在轻牧下显著正相关，叶肉细胞面积和叶片厚度在无牧、中牧和重牧下显著正相关，比叶面积和叶绿素a+b含量在轻牧下显著正相关。扁蓿豆叶片的表皮细胞面积和叶肉细胞面积间存在显著的正相关，其全碳含量和叶绿素a+b含量间存在显著的正相关;Artemisia frgida叶片的角质层厚度和叶片厚度间显著正相关，Poa pratensis叶片的角质层厚度和表皮细胞面积间显著负相关，Solidago rigida叶片表皮细胞面积和光合速率显著正相关。Helianthus rigidus叶片叶肉细胞面积和叶片厚度显著负相关。

川西亚高山人工针叶林下11种植物对两种光生境的适应性研究

青藏高原东缘的亚高山针叶林是长江上游重要的生态屏障，经过近六十年的采伐后，取而代之的是大量人工种植的云杉纯林。目前，这些人工林已经表现出树种单一，结构层次简单等生态问题，其物种多样性及生态效益与同地带天然林相比差距较明显。如何丰富该地区物种多样性，完善人工林生态系统的生态功能是一个十分重要的课题。林下植物是人工林群落的重要组成部分，对维持群落的生物多样性及完善生态系统功能具有明显的作用。因此，研究该地区人工针叶林的林下植被对不同生境的适应性对于理解人工林生态系统物种多样性的形成和维持机制都具有重要的意义。 本文以青藏高原东部亚高山针叶林的主要森林类型----云杉人工林为研究对象，选择林下11种具有不同喜光特性的常见植物，分别设置人工林林冠下及成熟林窗为研究样地，通过对各种植物叶片形态与物质分配特征、叶片解剖学特征、叶片光合生理特性、植物自然分布特征等方面的比较分析，研究林下植物对不同光生境的适应策略及其适应能力，揭示不同物种对人工林生境的适应共性，为西南亚高山地区植被恢复及人工林的经营管理提供科学依据。具体研究结果如下： 在叶片形态和物质分配特征方面：在林窗光生境中，11种林下植物叶片比叶重(LMA)显著高于林下光生境的同种植物。同时，林窗下生长的植物叶片叶片厚度及栅栏细胞长度显著增加，这是影响叶片比叶重变化的直接原因。而多数植物叶重比在两种生境中无明显变化。说明在长期适应自然生境之后，植物可能更多地采取调节叶片组织细胞水平（即叶片功能细胞形态）及叶片器官水平（即单个叶片形态）特征的策略来适应各类生境，而非整株水平上的叶片总比重的增减。 在叶片解剖结构特征方面：多数阔叶物种栅栏组织厚度(PT)、栅栏组织厚度/海绵组织厚度(PT/ST)、栅栏细胞层数及近半数种的气孔密度(SD)在林窗生境中更大或更多，而叶片表皮细胞厚度(UET、LET)气孔长径(SL)及海绵组织厚度(ST)受两种生境影响不大。喜光特性相似的物种在生境适应策略上具有一定的趋同性。 在光合生理特征方面：在林窗生境中多数种植物的最大光合速率(Amax)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)及喜光植物光补偿点(LCP)显著或极显著高于林内生境同种植物。且在同一生境条件下，多数深度耐荫植物比喜光及轻度喜光植物有稍低的Rd和LCP。各植物在林内低光生境中具有更大的内禀光能转化效率，并在中午12:00～14:00之间光强最大的时刻发生了的最深程度的光抑制。多数种能通过调节自身某种光合素含量或色素之间的比例来适应不同的光生境，即通过增加叶绿素含量或降低Chla/b值来适应林内弱光生境，通过提高类胡萝卜素含量或单位叶绿素的类胡萝卜素含量降低强光带来的伤害。绝大多数物种并不采取调节叶片C、N含量的策略来适应不同的光生境。总之，植物部分光合参数(Amax、Rd、LCP)受生境的影响与其自身喜光特性有关，但另一些参数（Fv/Fm日变化、色素含量及比例、叶氮相对含量）受生境影响与其自身喜光特性无明显关联。 在表型可塑性方面：在叶片各表型参数中，器官水平及细胞水平的形态特征参数平均可塑性大于整株水平形态和物质分配特征参数可塑性；叶片光合组织的可塑性大于非光合组织可塑性；反映植物光合能力的参数可塑性大于叶片色素含量参数可塑性。植物叶片形态和物质分配、解剖学特征参数平均可塑性大小与其自身喜光特性基本吻合，即喜光种及轻度耐荫种各参数可塑性最高，深度耐荫种可塑性最小，而这种规律并未在光合生理参数的可塑性大小上体现出来。但是叶片形态和物质分配参数、光合生理参数的平均可塑性水平却大于叶片解剖学参数。 在植物自然分布特征方面：喜光物种云杉幼苗及歪头菜在林内生境中分布密度明显降低，深度耐荫种疏花槭却恰恰相反，更多数物种（7种植物）在两种生境中密度变化趋势不明显。从分布格局来看，7种植物在两种生境中均为聚集分布，但聚集强度为林窗>林内；少数物种桦叶荚迷、直穗小檗、冰川茶藨、黄背勾儿茶在林窗中为聚集型，在林内生境中的分布型发生改变而成为随机型，说明光生境的差异能影响到植物种群的分布特征。但这种影响程度与植物自身的喜光特性无关，同时与各物种叶片表型平均可塑性的大小也无明显关联。 The subalpine coniferous forest area in eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is important ecology-barrier of upriver Yangtze. In past sixty years, those forests had been cut down and replaced with a lot of spruce plantations. At now, there are many ecology problems presenting to us such as singleness species, simple configuration, lower species diversity and ecological benefit than natural forests at the same belt. How to restore the species diversity and enhance the eco-function of the plantations is a very important issue. The understory plants are important part of plantation community, which improved the bio-diversity and eco-function distinctly of forests. So, it is very significance to study the adaptation of understory plants to different environment in plantation, and this study would helping us to understand how plantations to develop and remain their biodiversity. This study was conducted in a 60a spruce plantation in Miyaluo located in western Sichuan, China, and spruce plantation is major types of subalpine coniferous forest in eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this paper, the leaf morphological and biomass-distributed characteristics, the anatomical characteristics, the photosynthetic characteristics and the distribution patterns characteristics of eleven different light-requirement understory species grown in two different environments (forest gaps and underneath close canopy) were studied and compared. The purpose of this study was to analyze the adaptation of this forest understory plants, to show up the commonness of these different light-requirement understory species in light acclimation, and to provide some scientific reference to manage and restore the vegetation of subalpine plantation of southwest China. The results were as follows: The leaf morphological and biomass-distributed characteristics: These eleven species in forest gaps had significantly higher dry weight per leaf area (LMA) than those under close canopy. The palisade parenchyma cells of the broad-leaved species in gaps were significantly longer than those grown under the canopy, which been a directed factor for the change of leaf mass per unit area (LMA) in different environment. But the leaf weight ratio (LWR) of most plants species were not evidently changed by the contrasted environments in our study. It was shown the morphological characteristics changing been adopted as a strategy of light acclimation for plants wasn’t on whole plant level (leaf weight ratio) but cellular level (the function cells morphological characteristics) and organic level (the leaf morphological and biomass-distributed characteristics) mostly. The leaf anatomical characteristics: Most broad-leaved plants in gaps increased palisade parenchyma thickness (PT), the palisade parenchyma cell layers and the ratio of palisade to spongy parenchyma (PT/ST). So did as almost about half species in this study in stomatal density (SD). No significant differences in thickness of leaf epidermal cells (UET, LET), stomatal length (SL) and spongy parenchyma (ST) between two environments of most species were observed. The results suggested that species with light-requirement approximately had convergent evolution on adaptation to light condition. The leaf photosynthetic characteristics: The dark respiration rate (Rd) of most plants species, the light compensation point (LCP) of light-demanding plants species in gaps were significantly increased than under close canopy in this study. In a same habitat, most deep-shade-tolerant plants had lower Rd and LCP than those light-demanding plants and slight-shade-tolerant plants. Each species has bigger inherent electron transport rate under close canopy than in gaps, and the greatest photoinhibition happened during 12 to 14 in the daytime. Most species could adapt different light environment by the way of changing their photosynthetic pigments content or the ratio of pigments content. For example, some plants under close canopy increased chlorophyll (Chl) or reduced the values of the ratio Chla/b to adapted the low light condition, some plants in gaps increased carotenoid (Car) or reduced the weight ratio CarChl to avoid been hurt in high light. For most plants, changing the content of C and N in leaf wasn’t a strategy of light acclimation. In conclusion, the variation of some leaf photosynthetic parameters in different light environment such as Fv/Fm, pigments, C and N in leaf related with the light-requirmnet of species, but the others such as Amax, Rd, LCP did not. The leaf plasticity indexes: Among those leaf plasticity indexes, the leaf morphological and biomass-distributed parameters on cellular and organic level were greater than on whole plant level for same species, and the photosynthetic parenchyma parameters were greater than non-photosynthetic parenchyma parameters in same leaf, and photosynthetic capability parameters were greater than photosynthetic pigments content parameters for same species. The average plasticity indexes of leaf morphological and biomass-distributed and anatomical parameters were accordant with plants’ light-requirement approximately: those light-demanding plants and slight-shade-tolerant plants had bigger plasticity indexes than deep-shade-tolerant plants. But this regular wasn’t observed in physiological plasticity indexes for most plants, though the average leaf plasticity indexes of leaf morphological and biomass-distributed, photosynthetic characteristics parameters was greater than the anatomical characteristics parameters. The distribution patterns characteristics: Oppositely to the deep-shade-tolerant specie Acer laxiflorum Pax., the density of light-demanding species Picea asperata Mast. and Vicia unijuga A. Br. in gaps was bigger than under close canopy. Each of the other species has the approximately density in two different environment. The spatial patterns of seven species were aggregated distribution in two environments, but the trend of aggregation of population under close canopy was decrease from in gaps. A few species such as Viburnum betulifoium Batal., Berberis dasystachya Maxim., Ribes glaciale Wall. and Berchemia flavescens Brongn. were aggregated distribution in gaps while random distribution under close canopy. It was shown that the difference between two light environments could affect the distribution pattern of plant population, and the effect didn’t relate with the light-requirement or plasticity indexes of species.

三种豆科灌木对干旱胁迫的响应与适应

干旱胁迫是全球范围内影响植物生存、生长和分布的重要环境因子。岷江上游干旱河谷区，由于生态环境的脆弱性和长期人类活动的干扰和过度利用，导致植被严重退化，水土流失加剧，山地灾害频繁，干旱化和荒漠化趋势明显。这种趋势若不能遏制，将严重阻碍区域社会经济的快速协调发展，并且威胁成都平原地区的发展和长江中下游地区的生态安全。因而开展干旱河谷生态恢复研究成为解决这些问题的关键。水分匮乏是限制干旱河谷生态恢复的关键因子，在全球气候变化的背景下，干旱胁迫在区域尺度上可能会更加严重，并使干旱河谷的生态环境更加恶化。因此，深入研究干旱河谷乡土植物对干旱胁迫的响应和适应机理，具有非常重要的理论和实践意义。 本论文以岷江上游干旱河谷的三种乡土豆科灌木，白刺花（Sophora davidii）、小马鞍羊蹄甲（Bauhinia faberi var. microphylla）和小雀花（Campylotropics polyantha）理论和实践意义。为研究对象，在人工控制条件下设计了4-5个连续性干旱胁迫处理，系统地研究了灌木幼苗的生长、生物量积累和水分利用效率（WUE）、形态结构和生理过程等对干旱胁迫的反应，揭示了幼苗的干旱适应能力及种间差异。主要研究结论如下： 1) 灌木生长和繁殖对干旱胁迫的反应 在干旱胁迫下，幼苗生长速率显著减小，叶片衰老和脱落比率增大，这些变化随着胁迫强度的增加具有累积效应。叶片比茎对干旱胁迫的反应更敏感。在严重干旱胁迫下，幼苗的有性繁殖被限制，但在中等程度干旱胁迫下，幼苗的有性繁殖能力被提高。 2) 灌木生物量积累及其分配和WUE对干旱胁迫的反应 在干旱胁迫下，灌木各器官的生物量都显著减小，但是生物量的分配侧重于地下部分，使得根茎比在干旱条件下增大。幼苗的耗水量（WU）随着干旱胁迫的增加而显著减少。白刺花和小马鞍羊蹄甲WUE在干旱胁迫下降低；小雀花的WUE在中等干旱胁迫下升高。 3) 灌木叶片结构特征对干旱胁迫反应 白刺花叶片具有较为典型的旱生型结构，而小马鞍羊蹄甲和小雀花则为中生型结构。在1至2年的干旱胁迫下，灌木叶片结构组成未发生本质性的改变，主要是细胞大小的变化。在中等和严重干旱胁迫下，叶肉组织厚度明显减小；并且气孔和表皮细胞面积也显著减小，气孔和表皮细胞密度显著增大；叶肉细胞层数、P/S值、表皮厚度等无显著变化。 4) 灌木对干旱胁迫的生理响应 气体交换参数和叶片相对含水量（RWC）在中等干旱胁迫下发生了明显的改变，而叶绿素荧光参数和光合色素含量在严重干旱胁迫下才发生显著变化。在干旱胁迫下，净光合作用速率（Pn）、气孔导度（gs）和RWC呈下降趋势，而叶片温度（Tl）呈增加趋势，蒸腾速率（Tr）的变化不明显。除了日最大Pn减小以外，干旱胁迫对气体交换参数的日变化无显著影响，但是对光合-光响应曲线有显著的影响，使有效光合时间缩短。在严重干旱胁迫下光系统受到损害而代谢减弱，PSⅡ中心的内禀光能转换效率（Fv/Fm）、量子产量（Yield）、光化学淬灭参数（qP）显著降低，而非光化学淬灭参数（NPQ）明显增加。气孔限制和非气孔限制对Pn的影响与干旱胁迫强度有关。在中度胁迫下，气孔限制起主导作用，在严重胁迫下非气孔限制起主导作用，40% FC水分条件可能是灌木由气孔限制向非气孔限制的转折点。 5) 灌木对干旱胁迫的适应能力及其种间差异 三种灌木对干旱胁迫具有较好的适应能力，即使在20% FC，幼苗未因干旱胁迫III而死亡；80% FC适宜于幼苗生长。白刺花生长速率慢，耗水量较少，具有较强的耐旱和耐贫瘠能力，并具有干旱忍受机制，能够在较干旱的环境中定居和生长。小马鞍羊蹄甲和小雀花，生长快，水分消耗量较大，尤其是小雀花，对干旱胁迫的忍受能力较弱，具有干旱回避机制，因而适宜于在较为湿润的生境中生长。综合分析表明，生长速率较慢的物种抗旱能力较强，其更适宜于作为干旱地区植被恢复物种。 Drought is often a key factor limiting plant establishment, growth and distribution inmany regions of the world. The harsh environmental conditions and long-termanthropogenic disturbance had resulted in habitat destruction in the dry valley ofMinjiang river, southwest China. Recently, it tended to be more severe on the vegetationdegradation, soil erosion and water loss, natural disaster, as well as desertification, whichimpact on regional booming economy and harmonious development, and would be verydangerous to the environmental security in the middle and lower reaches of Yangzi River.Therefore, ecological restoration in the dry valley is one of the vital tasks in China. Waterdeficit is known to affect adversely vegetation restoration in this place. Moreover, in thecontext of climate change, an increased frequency of drought stress might occur at aregional scale in the dry valleys of Minjiang River. The selection of appropriate plantingspecies for vegetation restoration in regard to regional conditions is an important issue atpresent and in further. The research on responses of indigenous species to drought stresscould provide insights into the improvement of the vegetation restoration in the dry valleys of Minjiang River. In this paper, the responses of three indigenous leguminous shrubs, Sophora davidii,Bauhinia faberi var. microphylla and Campylotropics polyantha, to various soil watersupplies were studied in order to assess drought tolerance of seedlings, and to compare interspecific differences in seedlings’ responses to drought stress. The results were as follows: 1 Growth and reproduction of shrubs in response to drought stress Seedling growth reduced significantly while leaf senescence accelerated underdrought stress, the cumulative responses to prolonged drought were found. The capacityfor reproduction was limited by severe drought stress, and improved by moderate droughtstress. Leaf responses were more sensitive than shoot to various water supplies. 2 WUE, biomass production and its partitioning of shrubs in response to drought stress Drought stress reduced significantly the total dry mass and their components ofseedlings, and altered more biomass allocation to root system, showing higher R/S ratiounder drought. Water use (WU) and water-use efficiency (WUE) of both S. davidii and B.faberi var. microphylla declined strongly with drought stress. The WU C. polyantha ofalso declined with drought stress, but WUE improved under moderate drought stress. 3 Anatomical characteristics and ultrastructures of leaves in response to drought stress There were xeromorphic for S. davidii leaves and mesomorphic for B. faberi var.microphylla and C. polyantha at the all water supplies. The foundational changes in leafstructures were not found with drought stress. However, mesophyll thickness, the areas ofstomatal and epidermis reduced slightly while the densities of stomatal and epidermisincreased under severe drought stress. Variations in these parameters could mainly be duoto cell size. Other structures did not displayed significant changes with drought stress. 4 Physiological responses of shrubs to drought stress The gas exchange parameters and leaf relative water content (RWC) were affectedby moderate stress, while chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content were onlyaffected by severe stress. Drought stress decreased net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatalconductance, light-use efficiency and RWC, and increased leaf temperature. Therespiration rates (Tr) were kept within a narrower range than Pn, resulting in aprogressively increased instantaneous water use effiecency (WUEi) under drought stress.Moreover, drought stress also affected the response curve of Pn to RAR, there was adepression light saturation point (Lsat) and maximum Pn (Pnmax) for moderate andsevere stressed seedling. However, diurnal changes of gas exchange parameters did notdiffer among water supplies although maximum daily Pn declined under severe stress.VISevere stress reduced Fv/Fm, Yield and qP while increased NPQ and chlorophyll content.Photosynthetic activity decreased during drought stress period due to stomatal andnon-stomatal limitations. The relative contribution of these limitations was associatedwith the severity of stress. The limitation to Pn was caused mainly by stomatal limitationunder moderate drought stress, and by the predominance of non-stomatal limitation undersevere stress. In this case, 40% FC water supply may be a non-stomatal limitation 5 Interspecific differences in drought tolerance of shrubs Three shrubs exhibited good performance throughout the experiment process, evenif at 20% FC treatment there were no any seedlings died, 80% FC water supply wassuitable for their establishment and growth. S. davidii minimized their water loss byreducing total leaf area and growth rate, as well as maintained higher RWC and Pncompared to the other two species under drought stress, thus they might be more tolerantto the drought stress than the other two species. On the contrary, it was found that C.polyantha and B. faberi var. microphylla had higher water loss because of their stomatalconductance and higher leaf area ratios. They reduced water loss with shedding theirleaves and changing leaf orientation under drought stress. Based on their responses, thestudied species could be categorized into two: (1) S. davidii with a tolerance mechanismin response to drought stress; (2) C. polyantha and B. faberi var. microphylla withdrought avoidance mechanism. These results indicated that slow-growing shrub speciesare better adapted to drought stress than intermediate or fast-growing species in present orpredicted drought conditions. Therefore, selecting rapid-growing species might leavethese seedlings relatively at a risk of extreme drought.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy in deep sclerectomy

Purpose: To evaluate by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) the anatomical characteristics and the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering mechanisms of deep sclerectomy after long-term follow-up. Methods: In all, 22 eyes of 21 consecutive patients who had deep sclerectomy were examined by UBM. Several UBM variables were prospectively evaluated, including the presence and maximum length and height of the intrascleral space, the minimum thickness of residual trabeculo-Descemet membrane (TDM), the presence and type of subconjunctival filtering bleb, and the presence of other possible drainage sites, for example suprachoroidal. Surgical success was considered to be achieved when the IOP was

Genetic and genomic analyses of musculoskeletal differences between BEH and BEL strains

Berlin high (BEH) and Berlin low (BEL) strains selected for divergent growth differ 3-fold in body weight. We aimed at examining muscle mass, which is a major contributor to body weight, by exploring anatomical characteristics of the soleus muscle, its fiber numbers and their cross sectional area (CSA), by analysing transcriptome of the gastrocnemius and by initiating quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. BEH muscles were 4-to-8 times larger compared to BEL strain. In sub-strain BEH+/+, mutant myostatin was replaced with a wild type allele, however, BEH+/+muscles still were 2-to-4 times larger compared to the BEL strain. BEH soleus contained 2-times more (P<0.0001) and 2-times larger in CSA (P<0.0001) fibers compared to BEL strain. In addition, soleus femoral attachment anomaly (SFAA) was observed in all BEL mice. One significant (chromosome 1) and four suggestive (chromosomes 3, 4, 6 and 9) muscle weight QTLs were mapped in 21-day old F2 intercross (n=296) between BEH and BEL strains. The frequency of SFAA incidence in the F2 and in the backcross to BEL strain (BCL) suggested the presence of more than one causative gene. Two suggestive SFAA QTLs were mapped in BCL, however, their peak markers were not associated with the phenotype in F2. RNA-Seq analysis revealed 2,148 differentially expressed (P<0.1) genes and 45,673 SNPs and >2,000 indels between BEH+/+ and BEL males. In conclusion, contrasting muscle traits, genomic and gene expression differences between BEH and BEL strains provide a promising model for the search of genes involved in muscle growth and musculoskeletal morphogenesis.

Angiogenesis in Wounds Treated by Microdeformational Wound Therapy.

BACKGROUND:: Mechanical forces play an important role in tissue neovascularization and are a constituent part of modern wound therapies. The mechanisms by which vacuum assisted closure (VAC) modulates wound angiogenesis are still largely unknown. OBJECTIVE:: To investigate how VAC treatment affects wound hypoxia and related profiles of angiogenic factors as well as to identify the anatomical characteristics of the resultant, newly formed vessels. METHODS:: Wound neovascularization was evaluated by morphometric analysis of CD31-stained wound cross-sections as well as by corrosion casting analysis. Wound hypoxia and mRNA expression of HIF-1α and associated angiogenic factors were evaluated by pimonidazole hydrochloride staining and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels were determined by western blot analysis. RESULTS:: VAC-treated wounds were characterized by the formation of elongated vessels aligned in parallel and consistent with physiologically function, compared to occlusive dressing control wounds that showed formation of tortuous, disoriented vessels. Moreover, VAC-treated wounds displayed a well-oxygenated wound bed, with hypoxia limited to the direct proximity of the VAC-foam interface, where higher VEGF levels were found. By contrast, occlusive dressing control wounds showed generalized hypoxia, with associated accumulation of HIF-1α and related angiogenic factors. CONCLUSIONS:: The combination of established gradients of hypoxia and VEGF expression along with mechanical forces exerted by VAC therapy was associated with the formation of more physiological blood vessels compared to occlusive dressing control wounds. These morphological changes are likely a necessary condition for better wound healing.

Juvenile-mature wood transition in pine: correlation between wood properties and candidate gene expression profiles

There is a strong desire to exploit transcriptomics data from model species for the genetic improvement of non-model crops. Here, we use gene expression profiles from the commercial model Pinus taeda to identify candidate genes implicated in juvenile-mature wood transition in the non-model relative, P. sylvestris. Re-analysis of 'public domain' SAGE data from xylem tissues of P. taeda revealed 283 mature-abundant and 396 juvenile-abundant tags (P < 0.01), of which 70 and 137, respectively matched to genes with known function. Based on sequence similarity, we then isolated 16 putative homologues of genes that in P. taeda exhibited widest divergence in expression between juvenile and mature samples. Candidate expression levels in P. sylvestris were almost invariably differential between juvenile and mature woody tissue samples among two cohorts of five trees collected from the same seed source and selected for genetic uniformity by genetic distance analysis. However, the direction of differential expression was not always consistent with that described in the original P. taeda SAGE data. Correlation was observed between gene expression and juvenile-mature wood anatomical characteristics by OPLS analysis. Four candidates (alpha-tubulin, porin MIP1, lipid transfer protein and aquaporin like protein) apparently had greatest influence on the wood traits measured. Speculative function of these genes in relation to juvenile-mature wood transition is briefly explored. Thus, we demonstrate the feasibility of exploiting SAGE data from a model species to identify consistently differentially expressed candidates in a related non-model species.