Application of Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Plants.

Somatic embryogenesis is a developmental process where a plant somatic cell can dedifferentiate to a totipotent embryonic stem cell that has the ability to give rise to an embryo under appropriate conditions. This new embryo can further develop into a whole plant. In woody plants, somatic embryogenesis plays a critical role in clonal propagation and is a powerful tool for synthetic seed production, germplasm conservation, and cryopreservation. A key step in somatic embryogenesis is the transition of cell fate from a somatic cell to embryo cell. Although somatic embryogenesis has already been widely used in a number of woody species, propagating adult woody plants remains difficult. In this review, we focus on molecular mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis and its practical applications in economic woody plants. Furthermore, we propose a strategy to improve the process of somatic embryogenesis using molecular means.

Stage-specific regulation of four HD-ZIP III transcription factors during polar pattern formation in Larix leptolepis somatic embryos.

Polar auxin transport provides a developmental signal for cell fate specification during somatic embryogenesis. Some members of the HD-ZIP III transcription factors participate in regulation of auxin transport, but little is known about this regulation in somatic embryogenesis. Here, four HD-ZIP III homologues from Larix leptolepis were identified and designated LaHDZ31, 32, 33 and 34. The occurrence of a miR165/166 target sequence in all four cDNA sequences indicated that they might be targets of miR165/166. Identification of the cleavage products of LaHDZ31 and LaHDZ32 in vivo confirmed that they were regulated by miRNA. Their mRNA accumulation patterns during somatic embryogenesis and the effects of 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) on their transcript levels and somatic embryo maturation were investigated. The results showed that the four genes had higher transcript levels at mature stages than at the proliferation stage, and that NPA treatment down-regulated the mRNA abundance of LaHDZ31, 32 and 33 at cotyledonary embryo stages, but had no effect on the mRNA abundance of LaHDZ34. We concluded that these four members of Larix HD-ZIP III family might participate in polar auxin transport and the development of somatic embryos, providing new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis.

[Evaluation of three transmission parameters of dental opal porcelains and the correlations among parameters].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the translucency parameter (TP), masking effect (ME), and contrast ratio (CR) of opal porcelain of Ceramco, Shofu, Noritake, and Vita, and to compare the correlations among the three transmission parameters, in order to provide reference for selecting opal porcelain correctly. METHODS: The color of specimens was measured according to CIE L*a*b* under different background and reflectance mode with a Color-Eye 7000A spectrophotometer. The color difference, TP, and ME value were calculated. Within 400-750 nm spectra, the ratio of light reflectance was measured, and CR was also calculated. The data was compared by ANOVA and SNK-q test (alpha=0.05). The correlation and multiple linear regression between TP, CR, and ME were analyzed (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: There were statistical difference with different shade of the same brands (P<0.05). The correlations between ME and TP, TP and CR, ME and CR were existed (P<0.05). TP was correlated not only with ME but also with CR based on multiple regression analysis (P<0.05). The partial correlation coefficients were statistically significant (P<0.05). CR was the main devotion to translucency parameter on multiple regressions. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to select opal porcelains based on transmission parameters. CR value has an inner significance of opaque property of opal porcelain and can express opacity property of opal porcelain more appropriately than ME.

[Study on the matching of the shade between beverage and modifying porcelain shade guide].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the matching of the shade between beverage and modifying porcelain shade guide according to Munsell color order system, thus to provide the reference basis for selecting modifying porcelain to mimic the stain of natural tooth by technician. METHODS: The shade of Vita Akzent, Vita Interno, Shofu Vintage & Unibond and Noritake Super Porcelain EX-3 shade tabs as well as 15 kinds of beverage were measured according to Munsell color order system on Color-Eye 7000A spectrophotometer. The difference of the frequency of approximate hue, value, and chroma between shade tabs and beverage were compared by calculating the Fisher exact probabilities. RESULTS: The frequency of approximate hue between 4 kinds of shade tabs and 15 kinds of bev-erage was significant different (P<0.05), while the frequency of approximate value, and chroma was not significant different (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Except the hue, the color distribution of 4 kinds of shade tabs was similar to that of 15 kinds of beverage. But the color of beverage also can be approximately matched by any kind of modifying porcelain by mixing porcelain powder of appropriate hue, value, and chroma.