Micro-computed tomography (microCT) offers a three-dimensional (3D), high-resolution technique for the visualisation and analysis of bone microstructure. Using contrast-enhanced microCT, this ...capability has been expanded in recent studies to include cartilage morphometry and whole joint measures, known together as quantitative morphometric analysis (QMA). However, one of the main challenges in quantitative analysis of joint images is sensitivity to joint pose and alignment, which may influence measures related to both joint space and joint biomechanics. Thus, this study proposes a novel microCT imaging protocol for reproducible and efficient QMA of in situ mouse tibio-femoral joint. This work consists of two parts: an in situ diffusion kinetics study for a known cationic iodinated contrast agent (CA4+) for QMA of the cartilage, and a joint positioning and image processing workflow for whole joint QMA. In the diffusion kinetics study, 8 mice were injected at both of their tibio-femoral joints with distinct CA4+ concentrations and diffusion times. The mice were scanned at different time points after injection, and evaluated using attenuation and cartilage QMA measures. Results show that cartilage segmentation and QMA could be performed for CA4+ solution at a concentration of 48 mg/ml, and that reliable measurement and quantification of cartilage were achieved after 5 min of diffusion following contrast agent injection. We established the joint positioning and image processing workflow by developing a novel positioning device to control joint pose during scanning, and a spherical harmonics-based image processing workflow to ensure consistent alignment during image processing. Both legs of seven mice were scanned 10 times, 5 prior to receiving CA4+ and 5 after, and evaluated using whole joint QMA parameters. Joint QMA evaluation of the workflow showed excellent reproducibility; intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.794 to 0.930, confirming that the imaging protocol enables reproducible and efficient QMA of joint structures in preclinical models, and that contrast agent injection did not cause significant alteration to the measured parameters.
•A contrast-enhanced microCT imaging protocol for in situ mouse knee is introduced.•CA4+ allows visualisation and quantification of cartilage structure in intact knee.•Positioning device allows whole animal scanning with controlled knee pose.•Image processing framework allows efficient quantitative morphometric analysis.
The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to measure and compare six‐degree‐of‐freedom (6‐DOF) knee joint motion of three total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implant designs across a range of daily ...activities. Seventy‐five TKA patients were recruited to this study and randomly assigned a posterior‐stabilized (PS), cruciate‐retaining (CR), or medial‐stabilized (MS) implant. Six months after surgery, patients performed five activities of daily living: level walking, step‐up, step‐down, sit‐to‐stand, and stand‐to‐sit. Mobile biplane X‐ray imaging was used to measure 6‐DOF knee kinematics and the center of rotation of the knee in the transverse plane for each activity. Mean 6‐DOF knee kinematics were consistently similar for PS and CR, whereas MS was more externally rotated and abducted, and lateral shift was lower across all activities. Peak‐to‐peak anterior drawer for MS was also significantly lower during walking, step‐up, and step‐down (p < 0.017). The center of rotation of the knee in the transverse plane was located on the medial side for MS, whereas PS and CR rotated about the lateral compartment or close to the tibial origin. The kinematic function of MS was more similar to that of the healthy knee than PS and CR based on reduced paradoxical anterior translation at low flexion angles and a transverse center of rotation located in the medial compartment. Overall, 6‐DOF knee joint motion for PS and CR were similar across all daily activities, whereas that measured for MS was appreciably different. The kinematic patterns observed for MS reflects a highly conforming medial articulation in the MS design.
Non‐ionic, low‐osmolar contrast agents (CAs) used for computed tomography, such as Optiray (ioversol) and Iomeron (iomeprol), are associated with the reduced risk of adverse reactions and toxicity in ...comparison with ionic CAs, such as Hexabrix. Hexabrix has previously been used for imaging articular cartilage but has been commercially discontinued. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Optiray and Iomeron as alternatives for visualisation of articular cartilage in small animal joints using contrast‐enhanced micro‐computed tomography (CECT). For this purpose, mouse femora were immersed in different concentrations (20%–50%) of Optiray 350 or Iomeron 350 for periods of time starting at five minutes. The femoral condyles were scanned ex vivo using CECT, and regions of articular cartilage manually contoured to calculate mean attenuation at each time point and concentration. For both CAs, a 30% CA concentration produced a mean cartilage attenuation optimally distinct from both bone and background signal, whilst 5‐min immersion times were sufficient for equilibration of CA absorption. Additionally, plugs of bovine articular cartilage were digested by chondroitinase ABC to produce a spectrum of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. These samples were immersed in CA and assessed for any correlation between mean attenuation and GAG content. No significant correlation was found between attenuation and cartilage GAG content for either CAs. In conclusion, Optiray and Iomeron enable high‐resolution morphological assessment of articular cartilage in small animals using CECT; however, they are not indicative of GAG content.
Optiray and Iomeron enable high‐resolution morphological assessment of articular cartilage in small animals using contrast‐enhanced micro‐computed tomography; however, they are not indicative of GAG content.
Corm, being a unit of reproduction and storage, plays an indispensable role in the life cycle of Crocus sativus (saffron). This study deals with the screening of bacteria isolated from cormosphere ...(area surrounding the corm sheath) of C. sativus during three growth stages for biofertilizer and biocontrol property. Out of 1000 protease producing bacteria isolated from the cormosphere (soil adhering corm sheath in analogy to rhizosphere), three plant growth promoting (PGP) Bacilli namely Bacillus thuringiensis DC1, B. megaterium VC3 and B. amyloliquefaciens DC8 were selected based on multiple and maximum PGP traits along with corm rot pathogen antagonism. To evaluate in vivo efficacy of the consortia, pot trials were conducted and a significant increase in number and length of both, shoot and root were observed. Further, the disease incidence in test corms was reduced by threefold as compared to control and the number of daughter corms produced in pot trials was also increased. Since corm is a unit of reproduction/propagation, increase in its number is of major significance. This is the first report on isolation and characterization of Plant growth promoting bacteria from any cormosphere.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Saffron is referred as ‘golden condiment’ as it is the most expensive crop in the world. However, the yield of the crop is declining due to corm rot disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum fungus in saffron corms. Corm of Crocus sativus is the unit of propagation and is also the site of root & shoot initiation. The corm rot disease is being controlled using chemical fungicides which in turn have adverse effect on the crop. Use of native bacteria having biocontrol and biofertilizer properties, isolated in this study, will help in reduction in disease and increase in the yield of saffron crop without any hazardous effect on the plant. Production of disease free cormlets will certainly give boost to the saffron cultivation.
Temperate climatic condition of Kashmir is well suited for bivoltine sericulture. The sericulture in Kashmir valley sustains on tree type of mulberry. These plants are available on roadside (Figure ...1), river bund and the borders of agricultural fields as they can grow under diverse climatic conditions super(1). The present trend is towards establishing intensive tree type of mulberry plantations, which will serve as a source of leaf for the rearers and will have positive effect on the environment. Soil is an important factor for successful adoption of mulberry cultivation, which determines the quality of leaf, thus in turn affecting the quality of silk produced. More so, continuous use and dependence on chemical inputs also adversely affect soil health. Therefore, refinement is needed to define greener ways to improve soil health and minimize the usage of chemical fertilizers super(2). Planting trees will have a positive impact on the ecosystem. Temperate fruit trees serve as effective carbon pools super(3). Mulberry presents alluring prospects in terms of soil carbon sequestration. The plant lives up to 45-50 years. It can be grown under any set of environment and soil. The plant can be vegetatively propagated, is hardy and biomass production is high. The leaves left after silkworm rearing are returned back to the soil in autumn, thereby returning the nutrients back into the soil. Improved soil management practices could offset a quarter of global emissions from fossil fuel use. In the present scenario, we need to urgently take steps to increase adaptive capability of plants through non-conventional approaches to mitigate climate change impact. This would require increased adaptation study, capacity building, development activities and changes in land-use management super(4). Policies and incentives should be evolved that would give confidence to the farmers for sequestering carbon in the soil and thus improving soil health. Making best use of the available tools like biotechnology, microbiology and remote sensing, a more meaningful database can be created. For soil scientists especially, this is in fact a challenge as well as a chance to exploit the potential of such agroforestry systems. A re-look at the existing systems, awareness, efficient land-use modelling and policies will govern the success of such system.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Sericulture is being practised in Kashmir for decades. Also, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) is the only exclusive bivoltine area and a leading prc ducer of bivoltine silk among the North Indian states of the ...country. The region indeed forms an important belt for sericulture. The oldest historical chronicle of Kashmir, Raj Tarangni also provides a reference to silk in Kashmir.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Multifocal osteoarticular tuberculosis is uncommon and accounts for approximately10% of all cases of osteoarticular tuberculosis. Concomitant vertebral and iliac bone tuberculosis has not been ...reported in the literature to date. We report one such case for its unusual clinical and radiological presentation, which had presentation more similar to a malignant bone tumour than an infection.
Skeletal tuberculosis, multifocal osteoarticular tuberculosis.
Haemoproteus
columbae
is the major protozoan infection reported in pigeon and appeared in the erythrocyte of the peripheral circulation. Incidence and parasitaemia of
H. columbae
in pigeon was ...studied in different localities of Jammu, India for a period from April to September 2010 using thin blood smear examination. Of the 150 pigeons (wild: 70, domestic: 80), 92 (61.33 %) were found to be infected with
H. columbae
. Domestic pigeon showed higher incidence rate (74.28 %) than the wild (50 %). Mature and immature gametocyte encircled the erythrocyte nucleus to form a halter shaped appearance were characteristic feature of the parasite.
Pseudolynchia canariensis
, the vector for
H. columbae
was also recovered from beneath the feathers of pigeons. No other haemoprotozoan parasite was observed in the blood smear of examined pigeon. Counting of infected erythrocyte revealed higher affection of 1–2 erythrocytes indicative of milder infection in the birds. A long term study within bird population is essential in order to disclose seasonal variation in parasite, vector density and age of infection such as nesting area.
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