Anatomical Parts Research Articles

The number and distribution of proliferating cells in the rat’s rostral migratory stream as identified by means of two different proliferation markers

ABSTRACT In the brains of adult rodents, the cells arising in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles maintain the ability to divide when migrating to the olfactory bulb along the rostral migratory stream (RMS). Dividing cells in the RMS are most frequently revealed through immunohistochemical detection of an exogenous marker of proliferation, 5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), which incorporates into DNA during the S-phase of mitosis. The more recently recognized antigen Ki-67 (also known as Kiel-67 and MKI67), an endogenous protein expressed in nuclei at all stages of mitosis, is also used for proliferation detection. BrdU and Ki-67 are often used as alternative methods, but they have not previously been compared in the RMS. We analyzed the numbers and distribution of cells labeled either with BrdU or Ki-67 within the RMS of adult rats. The first group of animals received a single i.p. dose of BrdU. In the second group, dividing cells were visualized by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Some sections from brains of BrdU-treated rats were also immunostained for Ki-67. Labeled cells were counted in the three anatomical parts of the RMS (vertical arm, elbow and horizontal arm) using a method for unbiased estimation of cell density. The distribution of proliferating cells was similar for both markers. Most BrdU and Ki-67 positive cells were located in the vertical arm and in the elbow, but a caudo-rostral reduction in cell divisions was more evident with Ki-67 labeling. The number of Ki-67 positive cells significantly exceeded the number of BrdU positive cells in all parts of the RMS. Our results indicate that BrdU and Ki-67 are not interchangeable markers for evaluation of proliferative activity in the RMS.

MedLSAM: Localize and segment anything model for 3D CT images

Recent advancements in foundation models have shown significant potential in medical image analysis. However, there is still a gap in models specifically designed for medical image localization. To address this, we introduce MedLAM, a 3D medical foundation localization model that accurately identifies any anatomical part within the body using only a few template scans. MedLAM employs two self-supervision tasks: unified anatomical mapping (UAM) and multi-scale similarity (MSS) across a comprehensive dataset of 14,012 CT scans. Furthermore, we developed MedLSAM by integrating MedLAM with the Segment Anything Model (SAM). This innovative framework requires extreme point annotations across three directions on several templates to enable MedLAM to locate the target anatomical structure in the image, with SAM performing the segmentation. It significantly reduces the amount of manual annotation required by SAM in 3D medical imaging scenarios. We conducted extensive experiments on two 3D datasets covering 38 distinct organs. Our findings are twofold: (1) MedLAM can directly localize anatomical structures using just a few template scans, achieving performance comparable to fully supervised models; (2) MedLSAM closely matches the performance of SAM and its specialized medical adaptations with manual prompts, while minimizing the need for extensive point annotations across the entire dataset. Moreover, MedLAM has the potential to be seamlessly integrated with future 3D SAM models, paving the way for enhanced segmentation performance. Our code is public at https://github.com/openmedlab/MedLSAM.

Analysis of the Structural Organization of the Human Finger Phalanges Using Anatomical Network Models

Despite the fact that the morphogenetic mechanisms of human finger transformation during ontogenesis are currently known, the issues of how they are organized into a complex integrated structure of the distal hand remains open. This question remains unanswered for several reasons, including the lack of consensus on conceptual definitions and approaches, as well as tools for assessing and comparing variations in several anatomical parts of the hand. The aim of the study was to investigate the structural organization of the human finger phalanges using anatomical network analysis (AnNA). Material and methods. In this study, the authors applied the IGRAPH package functions in the R data analysis programming environment for AnNA. Network modeling and layout were performed using the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm. Analysis of the structure, as well as modularity and integration in the networks, was performed using the spin-glass algorithm. X-ray osteometric indices of the I–V fingers phalanx length were used to assess AnNA in 100 men and 100 women of the middle age without traumatic changes, deformations, and developmental deviations. Results. AnNA demonstrates a two-level organization of the distal hand in the form of a proximal module including the proximal phalanges and a distal module combining the middle and distal phalanges. When comparing the features of the network models of the distal hand, it was found that in women, the organization of the finger phalanges is characterised by higher morphological integration and modularity (modularity 0.43) than in men (modularity 0.38). orphological modularity and integration are organizing factors in the structure of the finger phalanges of the human distal hand. Conclusion. The study results demonstrate that the structural organization of the finger phalanges of the human hand is a system of individual anatomical modules of the phalanges.

Investigating structural disparities and catalytic depolymerization of larch lignin for high-value biomass conversion

Understanding the structural diversity of lignin is crucial for its efficient conversion into high-value aromatic compounds. However, the impact of lignin's structural characteristics from artificial forests on catalytic depolymerization is not well understood. This study investigates the structural differences in lignin from larch trees of varying ages (10, 20, and 40 years) and anatomical parts (heartwood, sapwood, canopy, bark) to understand how these variations influence catalytic depolymerization. Polyoxometalates (POMs) were selected as catalysts due to their high efficiency in facilitating the conversion of lignin into valuable chemical products. By utilizing POMs for catalytic oxidation, we explore the relationship between lignin structure and depolymerized products, providing insights into the structural features of larch lignin. Our findings reveal that the β-O-4 content of heartwood lignin is as high as 78.7 %, while that of the canopy is lower at 67.1 %. Additionally, the unique lignin structure significantly impacted the yield and selectivity of aromatic monomers, with the highest monomer yield from heartwood lignin reaching 15.64 %, compared to the lowest yield of 7.46 % from canopy lignin. These results lay a theoretical foundation for developing efficient biomass conversion technologies and offer novel strategies for sustainable biomass utilization and environmentally friendly production.

Ethics on academic procurement of cadavers.

Anatomy is a vital discipline in the realm of Medicine, and its primary means of study is through the use of cadavers. Experts in the medical, legal, and ethical domains have discussed the use of cadavers or their anatomical parts for educational purposes, which are considered a severe drawback. The advantages of using cadavers include their contribution to medical education, research, the investigation of innovative surgical procedures or techniques, the detection of anatomical differences at an individual or population level, the enhancement of surgical skills, and the support of other anatomical investigations. This review highlights the issues like consent, respect for the deceased and cultural beliefs on cadaver procurement practices and also it emphasizes the need for better body donation initiatives and public awareness campaigns to ensure sustainable cadaver procurement practices, ensuring consent, respect for the deceased and cultural beliefs.

A comparative study on the impact of wet and dry aging on the quality of Romanian Spotted and Black Angus beef

The escalating demand for meat driven by the increase of the global population requires substantial advancements in the beef sector. Among the various cattle breeds bred for meat, Black Angus (BA) is renowned for its adaptability and commendable performance in meat production. In contrast with BA, the Romanian Spotted (RS) is a local study breed which constitutes a significant proportion of Romania's livestock and it could become an alternative to BA in a localized market. This study aims to assess the suitability of RS beef to dry-ageing in comparison to BA by investigating the impact of dry-aging (DA) and wet-aging (WA) techniques on two distinct anatomical parts, specifically Longissimus thoracis (LT) and Longissimus lumborum (LL), of each breed. The quality of the aged products was assessed in terms of microbiological characteristics, fatty acid composition and the changes in their values at the end of the ageing process compared with the initially quality of the raw meat. The study showed significant changes in the fatty acid composition profile after ageing, for both types of ageing, and for both breeds. Furthermore, this study highlights the possibility of valorizing local breeds in the production of aged beef.

Sex estimation using long bones in the largest burial site of the Copper Age: Linear discriminant analysis and random forest

Sex estimation of the individuals in a sample is fundamental for any bioarchaeological study to define a particular demographic assemblage or to classify isolated remains. Long bones are an excellent alternative for sex estimation when the most dimorphic anatomical parts are not preserved or are highly altered. Here we propose a set of discriminant functions and classification models to estimate the sex of prehistoric individuals using linear discriminant analysis and machine learning approaches. Different osteometric variables were taken from the humeri, ulnae, radii, femurs and tibias of a sample of 109 articulated skeletons buried in the collective tomb of Camino del Molino (Region of Murcia, SE-Spain), dated to the 3rd millennium BC. Sex was estimated based on standard anthropological methods and ancient DNA analysis of a control sample. Fifty-two discriminant functions with prediction thresholds higher than 0.8 on the ROC curve were obtained using independent (22) and combined variables (30). The best LDA models for sex prediction were those based on proximal epiphyseal widths or their combination with other variables, reaching values close to 0.98 on the ROC curve. The random forest-based model obtained an accuracy of 0.94 and confirmed the importance of epiphyseal widths in sex classification. This analysis is more comprehensive than univariate LDA, as it allows for ranking the importance of bones in sex discrimination and considers correlations between long bones rather than treating them as independent observations. In contrast, applying LDA to each bone makes it easier to predict the sex of other coeval collections that do not have such a complete sample. This work aims to overcome the scarcity of methods that can be applied to sex estimation of the large volume of isolated remains from Camino del Molino and for other Mediterranean skeletal series from the Late Prehistory with high biological affinity and that share similar environmental conditions.

The Thickness Changes of Anatomical Ornamental Monocotyledon Plant Leaves Affected by the Interactions between Plant Types and Light Intensity

The different levels of light intensity affect the anatomical thickness of monocotyledon ornamental plant leaves. The aim of this research was to determine the anatomical thickness of several monocotyledon ornamental plant leaves under different light intensities. The research used a factorial complete randomized design with two main factors, namely plant type and different light intensity, repeated three times. The first factor was the plant type, which consisted of six plant species of monocotyledon ornamental plants which were Chlorophytum laxum, Dracaena reflexa, Rhoeo discolor, Aglaonema commutatum, Cordyline fruticosa and Hymenocallis littoralis. The second factor was light intensity, which consisted of high light intensity (open areas) and low light intensity (shaded areas). The observation was carried out on preserved leaf anatomy made using the paraffin method with modification. The observation variables were the total thickness of the leaf, upper and lower epidermis, mesophyll (for undifferentiated mesophyll), and palisade and sponge (for differentiated mesophyll). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by the LSD test if the treatment was significant. Correlation tests were carried out between total leaf thickness and each leaf anatomical part under conditions of high and low light intensity. The results showed that the interaction between plant types and light intensity influenced the total thickness of the leaves, upper and lower epidermis, and palisade. The plant types independently influenced the mesophyll and sponges, while the light intensity independently influenced only the mesophyll but not the sponge thickness. Hymenocallis littoralis was the only plant that showed thicker under low light intensity, with an increase in the thickness of the upper and lower epidermis. The palisade mainly influenced leaf thickness changes in the differentiated mesophyll.

La dissection en kinésithérapie : le lien entre l’anatomie iconographique et le mouvement

Dissection is at the origin of knowledge of the organs of the human body. It requires specific places and conditions, which are incompatible with the pedagogical principles essential to initial discovery. Anatomy makes up for this by dematerializing the analytical presentation of organs through text and drawing. These standardized presentations have become the sole source of knowledge for most professionals. Their pedagogical objective is to focus on the characteristics deemed necessary and sufficient to gain knowledge of the isolated organ. They are readily available, and feature caricatures or diagrams to reinforce the illusion of concrete reality. The graphic assembly of bone parts is the basis of the proposed reconstruction. It reverses the order of appearance of anatomical parts during dissection. Physiological knowledge studies the functioning of the organs revealed by dissection, according to analytical principles. These conditions of acquisition of anatomical and physiological knowledge are satisfactory for illustrating, in functional anatomy or biomechanics, the caricatured principles of the functioning of this intellectually reconstructed anatomy. The physiotherapist's view, focused on putting anatomical elements into motion, differs from that of the surgeon, for whom structural norms take precedence. Real knowledge of human movement, which forms the basis of rehabilitation practice, requires the inclusion in the reconstruction of gliding planes that can only be perceived through dissection. Knowledge of the actual course of movement requires mechanical knowledge of these interstitial tissues, which is currently inaccessible.

EXPERT-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF NON-LETHAL MOTORCYCLE-RELATED TRAUMA

The forensic examination of victims of motorcycle trauma is a current issue in forensic practice. However, the forensic characteristics of contemporary nonfatal motorcycle injuries have not been adequately investigated. Aim of the work. To investigate the epidemiology of nonfatal motorcycle injuries and to determine the forensic characteristics of injuries typical of victims of motorcycle traffic accidents. Materials and methods. The study material consisted of 40 forensic medical reports on individuals affected by motorcycle injuries, performed at the Ternopil Regional Forensic Medical Bureau between 2016 and 2023. The data extraction was performed in a formalised card for each case, containing details about the injured person, circumstances, location and conditions of the injury. The types of injuries, their location and distribution by body part (head, trunk, limbs) were meticulously recorded. The data obtained were processed using variational statistical methods. Results. Research shows that the majority of nonfatal injuries to motorcyclists occur on the roads during the summer and early autumn, with peaks in June and September, typically as a result of collisions with other vehicles (usually cars). The victims are predominantly male (35 (87.5%)), young (19 (47.5%)) and mature (13 (32.5%)). Of these, 31 (77.5%) were motorcyclists, 6 (15.0%) were passengers and only 3 (7.5%) were pedestrians (p≤0.01). Different lower limb injuries were identified in 35 victims (87.5%, p≤0.01), upper limb injuries in 22 (55%) of the injured and head injuries in 20 (50%). Combined injuries involving two or more different anatomical parts of the body (head, torso and limbs) were found in 35 (87.5%) victims. Head injuries presented as abrasions, bruises or contusions, mainly to the face, often to several facial areas at the same time, typically accompanied by concussion or cerebral contusion. All victims with torso trauma were diagnosed with various soft tissue injuries, of which 18 (90%) were located on the anterior surface of the chest, in the pelvic or abdominal area (often in combination), with spinal injuries occurring in only 2 (10%) victims. Upper limb trauma was associated with various soft tissue injuries, as well as fractures and ligamentous damage in more than half of the victims with upper limb injuries. Victims with lower limb trauma had both superficial soft tissue injuries (abrasions, bruises, haematomas, contusions) and deeper injuries (lacerations or crush injuries), together with open or closed fractures of the femur, tibia and fibula, or multiple fractures. Isolated injuries involving only the trunk or upper extremities, or only the head and trunk, or only the trunk and lower extremities in nonfatal motorcycle trauma were found only in isolated cases. Conclusions. Non-fatal motorcycle trauma usually occurs on the road, in warm weather conditions, as a result of the motorcycle colliding with another vehicle. The majority of victims are motorcyclists, young and middle-aged males. Characteristic features of non-lethal motorcycle trauma are: a significant number of superficial soft tissue injuries and their predominance over fractures or internal organ injuries; the combination of head, trunk and limb injuries with a predominance of lower limb injuries; the predominant location of injuries on the frontal surface of the victims' bodies.

Ferroptosis contributes to diabetes-induced visual pathway neuronal damage via iron accumulation and GPX4 inactivation

The damage of the diabetic visual pathway is one of the main causes of blindness in diabetic patients. Visual pathways include anatomic parts from the retina to the occipital lobe. This study investigated the involvement of ferroptosis, a planned cell death brought on by the buildup of free iron in cells, in the impairment of visual pathways in diabetes mellitus. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to construct a diabetic rat model. Pathological and ultrastructural changes of the occipital lobe, retina, and optic nerve were observed by Hematoxylin–Eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expressions of Neuronal nuclei (NeuN), Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in the occipital lobe and retina were detected by immunofluorescence, and Western Blotting was used to identify the NeuN GFAP and GPX4 expressions in the occipital lobe. Iron content in the occipital lobe and retina was detected by Iron Assay Kit. The success rate of the diabetic rat model was 93.3%. In the diabetic group, the cells of the occipital lobe and retina were arranged disorderly, and the boundaries were unclear. The membrane of the occipital lobe, retina, and optic nerve was broken, some vacuoles were observed, mitochondrial morphology was changed, swelling was observed, and the mitochondrial ridge disappeared. There was a large increase in GFAP expression and iron concentration and a significant decrease in the expression of NeuN, and GPX4 in the retina and occipital lobe. Ferroptosis plays an important role in visual pathway damage in diabetes, and GPX4 regulates this process.

Skin locations inference and body fluid identification from skin microbial patterns for forensic applications

Given that microbiological analysis can be an alternative method that overcomes the shortcomings of traditional forensic technology, and skin samples may be the most common source of cases, the analysis of skin microbiome was investigated in this study. High-throughput sequencing targeting the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was performed to reveal the skin microbiome of healthy individuals in Guangdong Han. The bacterial diversity of the palm, navel, groin and plantar of the same individual was analyzed. The overall classification based on 16S rRNA gene amplicons revealed that the microbial composition of skin samples from different anatomical parts was different, and the dominant bacterial genus of the navel, plantar, groin and palm skin were dominated by Cutibacterium, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus, respectively. PCoA analysis showed that the skin at these four anatomical locations could only be grouped into three clusters. A predictive model based on random forest algorithm showed the potential to accurately distinguish these four anatomical locations, which indicated that specific bacteria with low abundance were the key taxa. In addition, the skin microbiome in this study is significantly different from the dominant microbiome in saliva and vaginal secretions identified in our previous study, and can be distinguished from these two tissue fluids. In conclusion, the present findings on the community and microbial structure details of the human skin may reveal its potential application value in assessing the location of skin samples and the type of body fluids in forensic medicine.

A comparative lipid profile of four fish species: From muscle to industrial by-products based on RPLC−Q-TOF-MS/MS

Fish are crucial for the fishing industry and essential nutrient provision, including lipids. This study employed a high-throughput lipidomic approach to evaluate and contrast the lipid profiles of three marine fish species (P. crocea, S. fuscens, and C. saira) and one freshwater species (H. molitrix) across head, muscle, and viscera. Over 1000 molecular lipid species across 17 subclasses were identified. Notably, acylated monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (acMGDG) was detected for the first time in these species, with a high prevalence of saturated fatty acids (44.7 %−87.7 %). Glycerolipids (67.7 − 86.3 %) and PLs (10.7 − 31.8 %) were identified as the dominant lipid classes. Marine fish muscles displayed higher PL content than freshwater species, and P. crocea viscera contained over 30 % PLs of total lipids. In particular, ether phosphatidyl ethanolamine incorporated more DHA than ether phosphatidylcholine. The viscera of four fish species also exhibited a significant abundance of diacylglycerol (DG), indicating their potential as functional lipid sources. Multivariate analysis identified triglyceride (TG) (59:13), DG (16:1/22:5), and MGDG (16:0/18:2) as potential biomarkers for differentiating among fish anatomical parts. This study deepens the understanding of the nutritional values of these fish, providing guidance for consumer dietary choices and paving the way for transforming previously underutilized by-products into resources with high-value potential.

Proton CT on biological phantoms for x-ray CT calibration in proton treatment planning

Objective. To present and characterize a novel method for x-ray computed tomography (xCT) calibration in proton treatment planning, based on proton CT (pCT) measurements on biological phantoms. Approach. A pCT apparatus was used to perform direct measurements of 3D stopping power relative to water (SPR) maps on stabilized, biological phantoms. Two single-energy xCT calibration curves—i.e. tissue substitutes and stoichiometric—were compared to pCT data. Moreover, a new calibration method based on these data was proposed, and verified against intra- and inter-species variability, dependence on stabilization, beam-hardening conditions, and analysis procedures. Main results. Biological phantoms were verified to be stable in time, with a dependence on temperature conditions, especially in the fat region: (−2.5 土 0.5) HU °C−1. The pCT measurements were compared with standard xCT calibrations, revealing an average SPR discrepancy within ±1.60% for both fat and muscle regions. In the bone region the xCT calibrations overestimated the pCT-measured SPR of the phantom, with a maximum discrepancy of about +3%. As a result, a new cross-calibration curve was directly extracted from the pCT data. Overall, the SPR uncertainty margin associated with this curve was below 3%; fluctuations in the uncertainty values were observed across the HU range. Cross-calibration curves obtained with phantoms made of different animal species and anatomical parts were reproducible with SPR discrepancies within 3%. Moreover, the stabilization procedure did not affect the resulting curve within a 2.2% SPR deviation. Finally, the cross-calibration curve was affected by the beam-hardening conditions on xCTs, especially in the bone region, while dependencies below 2% resulted from the image registration procedure. Significance. Our results showed that pCT measurements on biological phantoms may provide an accurate method for the verification of current xCT calibrations and may represent a tool for the implementation of a new calibration method for proton treatment planning.

Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography of the normal epididymis.

To evaluate the feasibility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fiber tractography (FT) of the normal epididymis and to determine normative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) values. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers underwent MRI of the scrotum, including DTI on a 3.0T system. For each anatomic part of the epididymis (head, body and tail) free-hand regions of interest were drawn and the mean ADC and FA were measured by two radiologists in consensus. Parametric statistical tests were used to determine intersubject differences in ADC and FA between the anatomic parts of each normal epididymis and between bilateral epididymides. Fiber tracts of the epididymis were reconstructed using the MR Diffusion tool. The mean ADC and FA of the normal epididymis was 1.31 × 10-3 mm2/s and 0.20, respectively. No differences in ADC (p = 0.736) and FA (p = 0.628) between the anatomic parts of each normal epididymis were found. Differences (p = 0.020) were observed in FA of the body between the right and the left epididymis. FT showed the fiber tracts of the normal epididymis. Main study's limitations include the following: small number of participants with narrow age range, absence of histologic confirmation and lack of quantitative assessment of the FT reconstructions. DTI and FT of the normal epididymis is feasible and allow the noninvasive assessment of the structural and geometric organization of the organ.

Clinical and technical challenges associated with CT dose optimization in practice

Radiation burden represents a particular issue in realizing the greater benefits of computed tomography (CT), conceptual dose levels, real-time and offline dose monitoring software being among major efforts towards optimizing the benefit. Here we share technical and clinical challenges faced on a regional scale in implementing such tools in clinical practice. Conceptual dose baselines, although not limited to the diagnostic reference level (DRL), have for CT been based on anatomical body parts such as the head, chest, abdomen etc. The methodology and calculations used in establishing DRLs have nevertheless resulted in wide variability across CT dose indices. Example, DLP based head trauma DRLs have been reported as 556 mGy cm, 753 mGy cm, and 1820 mGy cm. The suggestion is of a need to establish DRLs based on examinations sharing similar objectives, in particular focusing on clinical indications, seeking to reduce the wide dose variations associated with anatomical based DRLs. Implementing this clinically is a challenge, particularly since CT scan acquisition series are not directly linked nor labeled according to clinical indications. Alternatively, clinical indications are more applicable when linked with CT protocols which are saved on the CT console and easily retrieved. Dose variation is also seen with use of the same protocol, scan coverage and number of scan acquisition series being contributing factors. DRLs based on scan acquisition series for every protocol allows better control and elimination of confounding factors.

Evaluation of iliac morphology and innominate bone rotation in unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Three-dimensional assessments of unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) have not been performed yet. Using computed tomography scanning, this study aimed to determine the morphological and rotational abnormalities of the innominate bone in female patients with unilateral DDH. Patients with unilateral and bilateral DDH were compared with healthy patients. The distances between two points along each anatomical part of the pelvis and femur in the coronal plane were measured. The angles of each measurement line for the anterior pelvic plane (APP) and its perpendicular axis were investigated in the sagittal and horizontal planes. The distance between the acetabular centre and anterior inferior iliac spine was longer on both sides in the unilateral DDH group than in the bilateral DDH group. Values of several angles measured on the APP in the horizontal or sagittal plane differed between the unilateral DDH and bilateral healthy groups. The distance between the centres of the femoral head was longer in the unilateral DDH group than in the bilateral healthy group. The distance between the femoral head and middle of the pelvis was longer on the affected side than on the unaffected side in the unilateral DDH group. The iliac bone morphology was similar in both unilateral DDH and bilateral healthy groups; the rotation of the innominate bone was comparable to that in bilateral DDH. The femoral head on the affected side was shifted more laterally than that on the unaffected side in unilateral DDH.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Potential and Antibacterial Activities of Different Anatomical Parts of Hypericum cordifolium Choisy.

The genus Hypericum comprises a large number of species. The flower, leaf, stem, and root of the Hypericum species are widely used in traditional medicine in different cultures. Many Hypericum species have been well investigated phytochemically and pharmacologically. However, only a few reports are available on the H. cordifolium native to Nepal. The present study aims to evaluate the phytochemical composition of different extracts, qualitative analysis of methanol extract of the flower and leaf using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and the antioxidant properties of components by the TLC-DPPH. assay. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated in different extracts of the leaf and stem, and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities were evaluated. In the phytochemical screening, phenolics and flavonoids were present in ethyl acetate, methanol, and 50% aq methanol extracts of both the leaf and stem. In TLC analysis, the methanol extract of flowers showed the presence of 11 compounds and the leaf extract showed the presence of 8 compounds. Both extracts contained chlorogenic acid and mangiferin. Hyperoside and quercetin were present only in the flower extract. In the TLC-DPPH. assay, almost all of the flower extracts and 5 compounds of the leaf extract showed radical scavenging potential. Estimation of phenolics and flavonoids showed that all the leaf extracts showed higher amounts of phenolics and flavonoids than stem extracts. Among leaf extracts, greater amounts of phenolics were detected in 50% aqueous methanol extract (261.25 ± 1.66 GAE/g extract) and greater amounts of flavonoids were detected in methanol extract (232.60 ± 10.52 CE/g extract). Among stem extracts, greater amounts of flavonoids were detected in the methanol extract (155.12 ± 4.30 CE/g extract). In the DPPH radical scavenging assay, the methanol extract of the leaf showed IC50 60.85 ± 2.67 µg/ml and 50% aq. methanol extract of the leaf showed IC50 63.09 ± 2.98 µg/ml. The methanol extract of the stem showed IC50 89.39 ± 3.23 µg/ml, whereas ethyl acetate and 50% aq. methanol extract showed IC50 > 100 µg/ml. In the antibacterial assay, the methanol extract of the leaf showed the inhibition zone of 12-13 mm and the stem extract showed the inhibition zone of 7-11 mm against S. aureus, E. coli, and S. sonnei, whereas both extracts were inactive against S. typhi. The findings of this study support the traditional use of this plant in Nepal for the treatment of diseases associated with bacterial infections. The present study revealed that the underutilized anatomical parts of H. cordifolium could be the source of various bioactive phytochemicals like other Hypericum species.

Selenium inorganic sources applied to soil: Effects on gas exchange and anatomical changes of radishes

Selenium (Se), in low doses, provides several beneficial effects, such as plant resistance to various abiotic stresses (e.g. drought stress and low/high temperatures). However, Se excess causes toxicity, with harmful impacts such as a decline in yield. Here, we studied the effects of fertilization with different Se sources and doses applied via soil on Se accumulation, toxicity, as well as on gas exchange, and anatomy of leaves and roots of radish plants. A randomized experimental design was adopted with three replications in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement: two Se sources (sodium selenate – Na2SeO4 and sodium selenite – Na2SeO3·5H2O), three Se doses applied on soil (0.6, 1.2, and 1.8 mg dm−3), and one control treatment (without Se application). Each experimental unit consisted of one pot containing six radish plants. Selenate at 1.8 mg Se dm−3 increased the Se accumulation and radish dry matter. Selenite generally caused significant changes in the anatomical part, mainly in the conductive tissues of the leaves. In leaves with selenite fertilization, it was estimated that the maximum Se accumulation would be 5.9 µg plant−1 with a rate of 2.0 mg Se dm−3. However, it was impossible to estimate the maximum Se accumulation with selenate fertilization because as the dose increased, there were also increases in accumulation, thus presenting a linear regression. The maximum Se accumulation in radishes would be 10.7 µg Se plant −1 with 1.2 mg Se dm−3 by selenite and 45.8 µg Se plant−1 with 5.0 mg Se dm−3 by selenate. Although the highest dry mass production occurred with the 1.8 mg Se dm−3 through selenite, it is recommended to use smaller doses to provide adequate Se consumption selenate. The gas exchange and the anatomy of the plants changed due to Se fertilization through selenate and selenite.

Yoga Pose Detection and Correction Using OpenPose

Abstract: OpenPose serves as a powerful tool for Human Pose Estimation, specializing in localizing anatomical key points or parts with a primary focus on identifying various body parts. Leveraging part affinity fields and a multi-convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture, OpenPose excels in extracting human parts and establishing associations with exceptional performance. The integrated design aims at jointly learning parts detection and their associations, with the part affinity score guiding the connections between different body parts.