Complementary Phenotyping of Maize Root System Architecture by Root Pulling Force and X-Ray Imaging.

The root system is critical for the survival of nearly all land plants and a key target for improving abiotic stress tolerance, nutrient accumulation, and yield in crop species. Although many methods of root phenotyping exist, within field studies, one of the most popular methods is the extraction and measurement of the upper portion of the root system, known as the root crown, followed by trait quantification based on manual measurements or 2D imaging. However, 2D techniques are inherently limited by the information available from single points of view. Here, we used X-ray computed tomography to generate highly accurate 3D models of maize root crowns and created computational pipelines capable of measuring 71 features from each sample. This approach improves estimates of the genetic contribution to root system architecture and is refined enough to detect various changes in global root system architecture over developmental time as well as more subtle changes in root distributions as a result of environmental differences. We demonstrate that root pulling force, a high-throughput method of root extraction that provides an estimate of root mass, is associated with multiple 3D traits from our pipeline. Our combined methodology can therefore be used to calibrate and interpret root pulling force measurements across a range of experimental contexts or scaled up as a stand-alone approach in large genetic studies of root system architecture.

Maresin 1 Promotes Wound Healing and Socket Bone Regeneration for Alveolar Ridge Preservation.

Tooth extraction results in alveolar bone resorption and is accompanied by postoperative swelling and pain. Maresin 1 (MaR1) is a proresolving lipid mediator produced by macrophages during the resolution phase of inflammation, bridging healing and tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of MaR1 on tooth extraction socket wound healing in a preclinical rat model. The maxillary right first molars of Sprague-Dawley rats were extracted, and gelatin scaffolds were placed into the sockets with or without MaR1. Topical application was also given twice a week until complete socket wound closure up to 14 d. Immediate postoperative pain was assessed by 3 scores. Histology and microcomputed tomography were used to assess socket bone fill and alveolar ridge dimensional changes at selected dates. The assessments of coded specimens were performed by masked, calibrated examiners. Local application of MaR1 potently accelerated extraction socket healing. Macroscopic and histologic analysis revealed a reduced soft tissue wound opening and more rapid re-epithelialization with MaR1 delivery versus vehicle on socket healing. Under micro-computed tomography analysis, MaR1 (especially at 0.05 µg/µL) stimulated greater socket bone fill at day 10 as compared with the vehicle-treated animals, resulting in less buccal plate resorption and a wider alveolar ridge by day 21. Interestingly, an increased ratio of CD206+:CD68+ macrophages was identified in the sockets with MaR1 application under immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis. As compared with the vehicle therapy, local delivery of MaR1 reduced immediate postoperative surrogate pain score panels. In summary, MaR1 accelerated extraction wound healing, promoted socket bone fill, preserved alveolar ridge bone, and reduced postoperative pain in vivo with a rodent preclinical model. Local administration of MaR1 offers clinical potential to accelerate extraction socket wound healing for more predictable dental implant reconstruction.

The decrease of pigment concentration in red tattooed skin years after tattooing.

BACKGROUND: Tattooing entails the injection of high amounts of colourants into skin. Excepting black inks, red azo pigments are the most frequent colourant used. Part of the pigment is transported away via lymphatic system. Another part can be decomposed in skin, which might be responsible for many known adverse skin reactions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the extent of decomposition and transportation by measuring the decrease of pigment concentration in human skin under in vivo conditions. METHODS: Red pigments were extracted from nine tattooed skin specimen and attempted quantification by using HPLC technology. To optimize quantification, we synthesized five common red azo pigments with purity at 98% and used them as HPLC reference substances. RESULTS: In five of the nine skin specimens, we were able to identify and subsequently to quantify the red tattoo pigments such as Pigment Red 22 or Pigment Red 112. The mean pigment concentration in skin was 0.077 ± 0.046 mg/cm². As the pigment concentration in skin ranges from 0.60 to 9.42 mg/cm² (mean: 2.53) directly after tattooing, we estimate a decrease of 87 to 99% of pigment concentration in skin after tattooing. CONCLUSION: Millions of people have many and large tattoos, whereas a single tattoo frequently covers a skin area of more than 300 cm². Thus, the major part of more than 760 mg of azo pigments either decomposes in skin or migrates in the body. That may pose a health risk on tattooed individuals, in particular may cause severe skin reactions.

[Spiral CT angiography: computed improvement of the slice thickness profile]. / Spiral-CT-Angiographie: Rechnerische Verbesserung des Schichtdickenprofils.

It is possible to improve on the low skirt selectivity of the slice sensitivity profile (SSP) in spiral CT by interpolation of the raw data or suitable image after-processing. We determined the SSP function of spiral CT by means of a plexiglas phantom which we subsequently modified empirically-mathematically by a correction function until we obtained maximum possible skirt selectivity and smallest possible FWHM (= full width at half maximum) of the corrected image data set. The corrected image data set was obtained by bilateral convolution of a real image data set with a correction function. This resulted in most cases in a more realistic imaging of the angiographic morphology when applied to SSD and MIP (3D) reconstructions of a. mesenterica sup. and tr. coeliacus from spiral CT data sets, compared with the original data sets.

Interferon induction in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes of man and farm animals by poxvirus vector candidates and some poxvirus constructs.

Prototypes of three poxvirus genera--orthopoxvirus (OPV), parapoxvirus (PPV), avipoxvirus (APV)--and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as a control, as well as three recombinant OPV strains and one recombinant APV strain, were incubated in vitro with peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBML) of man, sheep and swine. Antiviral activity was determined in PBML culture supernatants at different time intervals after virus cell interaction using a cytopathic effect inhibition bioassay. Additionally, supernatants derived from human PBML were screened for interferons (IFN) alpha and gamma as well as for tumor necrosis factor by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IFN titers reached a maximum 24 h after PBML stimulation at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) greater than 1. IFN alpha/beta was found to be responsible for the antiviral effect. Using a MOI > or = 1 the highly attenuated strain MVA was the only representant of vaccinia virus (VV) that induced significant amounts of IFN also as a lacZ recombinant. Replicable virus from five well-known VV strains as well as the Chinese VV strain Tien Tan (VVTT) as a recombinant vaccine failed to induce leukocyte IFN. Inactivated VV strain Elstree and the recombinant TT strain induced high titers of leukocyte IFN. Supernatants derived from human, porcine and ovine PBML stimulated with replicable PPV, native VV MVA and MVA lacZ recombinant or native APV and APV lacZ recombinant virus regularly contained IFN alpha. In contrast to NDV, neither specific antisera nor monoclonal antibodies were able to block the INF induction by VV and PPV.

[MRI of the knee joint: first results of a comparison of 0,2-T specialized system and 1,5-T high field strength magnet]. / MRT des Kniegelenks: Erste Ergebnisse eines Vergleichs von 0,2-T-Spezialsystem mit 1,5-T-Hochfeldmagnet.

PURPOSE: Diagnostic accuracy and image quality of a specialised system for MR examinations of peripheral joints were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 patients with acute or chronic injuries of the knee were examined using a low-field MR system (0.2 T). For comparison, all patients were also studied with a 1.5 T high field strength magnet and all diagnoses were correlated with arthroscopic findings. RESULTS: We found compatible diagnostic accuracies (cruciate ligaments 90%, menisci 75-90%) and good image quality ratings for the low field system ("good" and "excellent" image quality in 83% of cases). CONCLUSION: The low-field MR-system offers low-cost MR examinations of peripheral joints with good image quality and reliable diagnostic information.

The identification of severe hearing loss in west Essex.

The records were studied of all children identified in the last 16 years as having severe sensorineural hearing loss (bilateral 60 dB or more, across all frequencies) in west Essex (a typical health district with a child population, 0-16 years, of 54,000). The person to first suspect the child's hearing loss and the results of their 8-month distraction test are discussed. The reasons for delay in diagnosis and acquisition of aids are examined.

Intravascular ultrasound in tumor staging.

Our preliminary results show that intravascular ultrasound scanning yielded the correct diagnosis in each patient who underwent surgery. We therefore conclude that this method is a potent adjunct to diagnostic procedures in pretherapeutic tumor staging when applied directly to the questionable region of the vessels. In contrast, evaluation of suspected tumor infiltration of the portal vein by positioning the catheter in the inferior vena cava or aorta was generally impossible due to technical problems. We hope that these problems will be solved as technology progresses.

Detection of fat in a renal cell carcinoma mimicking angiomyolipoma.

The authors report a case of renal cell carcinoma in which computed tomography (CT) revealed fatty tissue and calcification within a solid renal mass. The detection of a mass with negative CT numbers at CT and increased echogenicity at ultrasound led to the incorrect diagnosis of angiomyolipoma (renal hamartoma). The presence of intratumoral calcification should have prompted further evaluation because angiomyolipomas usually do not calcify. The authors do not believe that the nonsurgical approach to angiomyolipomas should be abandoned.

[A comparison of plain film, axial CT, 2D and 3D reconstructions in unstable spinal injuries following surgery]. / Vergleich von Ubersichtsbild, axialer CT, 2D- und 3D-Rekonstruktion bei instabilen operierten Wirbelsäulenverletzungen.

During a period of 18 months about 70 patients suffering from an unstable spinal injury were operated in the surgical department of our clinic. In 50 of these patients it was possible to correlate the results of preoperative radiography and CT with the operative findings. Several cases of distraction instability in the dorsal column had not been recognised in the preoperative radiologic evaluation. Therefore the rationale of this study was the question as to whether modern CT technology can help to avoid such wrong diagnoses. For that purpose radiographs, axial CT-scans of 2 mm thickness or less, sagittal and coronal 2D and (in 35 cases) 3D reconstructions were re-evaluated step by step by a specifically trained radiologist without knowing the operative findings. 15 additional lesions out of 28 were demonstrated and specifically classified as distraction instabilities of the dorsal column using the improved CT technology.

[The MRT criteria for the differentiation of "pseudotumorous" lesions from bone sarcomas of the extremities]. / MRT-Kriterien zur Differenzierung "pseudotumoröser" Läsionen von Knochensarkomen der Extremitäten.

The MRT scans of 57 patients with Ewing or osteosarcomas and 34 patients with haematogenous osteomyelitis or periostitis/stress fractures were examined in order to determine whether a distinction between benign or malignant lesions is possible. Four criteria were evaluated: the margin of the bone marrow component; intensity and homogeneity of the T1 weighted signal in the bone marrow; presence of an extraosseous structured soft tissue mass and/or soft tissue edema. It was found that central osteosarcomas and Ewing's sarcomas reduced signal intensity of the marrow to become muscle-isointense with a well-defined margin. In acute haematogenous osteomyelitis and periostitis/stress fracture the marrow lesion was not sharply demarcated. In contrast to patients with bone sarcomas, only one case of osteomyelitis showed an extraosseous structured soft tissue mass. On the basis of these findings we believe that acute haematogenous osteomyelitis can be distinguished with high degree of accuracy from Ewing's sarcoma and central osteosarcomas.

[Importance of ultrasound in postoperative follow-up after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament]. / Die Bedeutung der Sonographie zur postoperativen Verlaufskontrolle nach Rekonstruktion des vorderen Kreuzbands.

Eighty-eight male patients following reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL; mean 24 months since operation) had a thorough clinical examination including instrumented measurement of laxity using the KT 1000. These results were correlated with an ultrasound (US) grading that evaluates the reconstruction itself as well as its functional behaviour during the anterior drawer test. Thirty-four magnetic resonance (MR) studies of 33 patients were available. Undoubtedly postoperative visualization of the reconstructed ACL is superior to that of both normal control ACL and acute trauma cases. Especially operative procedures which use the patellar or semitendinosus tendon lend themselves to accurate evaluation of the intraarticular reconstruction. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and overall accuracy of US/MR versus the clinical laxity measurement are calculated to be 66.7%/96.0%, 71.2%%/23.8%, 59.5%/60.0%, 77.1%/83.3% and 69.4%/63.0% respectively. US has a satisfactory diagnostic value and performs similarly well on all these parameters. MR, on the other hand, correctly diagnoses nearly all unstable knees but is associated with a high number of false positives. There is no statistically significant, linear correlation between MR and US; r = -0.0769, P = 0.6706. Only three times did the reconstructed ACL appear normal on MR, whereas 48.5% of the reconstructions were graded type I (normal) on US. Clinical Consequences: Ultrasound and MRT should not be considered rival but rather complementary methods: ultrasound is a good method for documenting changes within the knee joint on an outpatient basis, while the indications for MR in the postoperative course are any occurrences of pain, instability or reinjury.

[Computed tomographic assessment of breathing-induced "pseudo" pneumoperitoneum]. / Computertomographische Beurteilung des beatmungsinduzierten "Pseudo"-Pneumoperitoneums.

The differentiation between a "pseudo" pneumoperitoneum and a pneumoperitoneum due to a perforation may be difficult in unconscious or ventilated patients. The use of CT for differentiating between extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal air is demonstrated by three examples in whom air below the diaphragm was shown by conventional radiographs. CT can prove the extraperitoneal position of an air crescent below the diaphragm in cases of "pseudo" pneumoperitoneum. CT will also show that extraperitoneal air does not rise in the way that true peritoneal air will do when the patient is supine. In this position the viscera therefore do not fall backwards in the presence of a "pseudo" pneumoperitoneum.