Growth Maturation Research Articles

Integrating plant morphological traits with remote-sensed multispectral imageries for accurate corn grain yield prediction.

Sustainable crop production requires adequate and efficient management practices to reduce the negative environmental impacts of excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization. Remote sensing has gained traction as a low-cost and time-efficient tool for monitoring and managing cropping systems. In this study, vegetation indices (VIs) obtained from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) were used to detect corn (Zea mays L.) response to varying N rates (ranging from 0 to 208 kg N ha-1) and fertilizer application methods (liquid urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), urea side-dressing and slow-release fertilizer). Four VIs were evaluated at three different growth stages of corn (V6, R3, and physiological maturity) along with morphological traits including plant height and leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) to determine their predictive capability for corn yield. Our results show no differences in grain yield (average 13.2 Mg ha-1) between furrow-applied slow-release fertilizer at ≥156 kg N ha-1 and 208 kg N ha-1 side-dressed urea. Early season remote-sensed VIs and morphological data collected at V6 were least effective for grain yield prediction. Moreover, multivariate grain yield prediction was more accurate than univariate. Late-season measurements at the R3 and mature growth stages using a combination of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) in a multilinear regression model showed effective prediction for corn yield. Additionally, a combination of NDVI and normalized difference red edge index (NDRE) in a multi-exponential regression model also demonstrated good prediction capabilities.

Investigating the ¬career maturity prediction model based on social adaptation, shame and ¬communication skills in hearing impaired and normal people

The purpose of the research Present "Review Model Forecast­​ puberty job According to Social adjustment, Feeling shame And skills­​ communicational At Persons With damage hearing And It was normal. Career maturity plays a very important role in choosing and staying in a job in people. This research, in terms of its purpose, was among applied ­research ­and in terms of its method, it was descriptive-correlation type. The statistical population of the study included all ­normal and ­hearing-impaired people ( ­hearing-impaired and deaf people who are members of the Isfahan Center for the Deaf, numbering 213 people). sample size using the ­available sampling method; For ­the hearing impaired and normal people (paired ­with the deaf group in terms of ­demographic characteristics ­), a total number of 262 people were estimated (131 people each for healthy people and deaf people). The research data collection tool includes 4 types of job maturity questionnaire ­by Savix and Porfli (2011); Bell's social adjustment (1961); Queendam's communication ­skills ­(2004) and guilt and shame tendency scale were from Cohen et al. (2011 ) ­. The results of the investigation using ­spss and Smart pls-3 statistical software showed that in both groups, the components ­of social adaptation and ­communication skills are able to predict ­the component ­of professional maturity ­. In the healthy group, shame was not able to predict ­professional maturity ­. Social adjustment can fully predict ­career maturity ­. Among the components ­of shame; Withdrawal is ­able to predict ­career maturity, but the negative self-evaluation component ­does not have the power to predict career maturity. Among ­communication skills, listening skills ­and communication process; has been able to predict ­career maturity; However, the skills ­of receiving messages, emotional control and communication combined with determination; has not been able to predict ­career maturity. In general, the components of communication ­skills ­, social adaptation and feeling of shame ­have the power to predict professional maturity ­. You should try to increase the amount of these variables by creating workshops ­and educational and consulting centers ­and finally, the growth of career maturity in people.

Estrogen Receptor 1 Gene Polymorphism and its Association with Idiopathic Short Stature in a North Indian Population

In the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotrophin axis, estrogen plays a key role in the regulation of bone maturation and growth plate closure. This study was designed to explore the link between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene with idiopathic short stature (ISS) susceptibility in a North Indian population. Four SNPs of ESR1 (rs543650, rs6557177, rs2234693 and rs9340799) were genotyped by Sanger sequencing in ISS patients and controls. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotyping were done by SNPStat and SHEsisPlus software. The extent of LD was determined by calculating D’ and R2 values in SNP paired combinations. Fifty-two ISS patients were compared with 68 controls. A significant positive association was found between rs6557177 and rs543650 genotype and ISS susceptibility. The frequencies of the rs6557177 CC genotype [p=0.030; odds ratio (OR)=0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01-1.10] and rs543650 genotype TT (p=0.043; OR=0.29; 95% CI: 0.09-0.92) were increased in the ISS group compared with controls. However, no significant correlation was observed between clinical parameters of patients and these SNPs. rs543650 showed strong LD with rs2234693 and rs9340799, similarly rs2234693 and rs9340799. Our study showed that the CC genotype at rs6557177 and TT genotype at rs543650 of ESR1 constituted a risk factor for developing ISS in North Indian children. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the SNPs associated with ISS susceptibility.

Multiscale assessment of the spatiotemporal coupling relationship between urbanization and ecosystem service value along an urban–rural gradient:A case study of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, China

Evolutions in land use in urban areas exert a growing influence on ecosystem service value (ESV). As a manifestation of spatial arrangement in mature urban growth, the ecological challenges within urban agglomerations and their surroundings deserve attention. Therefore, clarifying the interrelation within the ESV and urbanization is crucial to constructing sustainable progress-oriented cities. Previous researches on the coordination relationship between ESV and urbanization have been limited to the provincial and county levels, and insufficient consideration has been given to the differences across urban and rural areas at different scales. Utilizing the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, the present investigation assesses the interplay between urbanization and ESV across various scales within the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRDUA) region from 2000 to 2020, and explores the differences in their distributions throughout the urban–rural gradient, aiming to help the regional coordinated development. The findings indicate that from 2000 to 2010, with increasing intensity of land use, the ESV in YRDUA area decreased. But between 2010 and 2020, ESV increased. Moreover, the CCD in the YRDUA has a positive relationship across ESV and urbanization, and is in a status of primary coordination from 2000 to 2020, with a slow upward trajectory. Meanwhile, along the rural–urban gradient, ESV and CCD both are declining, and there is a significant plunge from suburban to urban. And the interactions between ESV and urbanization have obvious spatial heterogeneity, which tends to show the coordination at broader scales, such as provincial and county levels, while manifesting conflicts at finer scales, such as the grid scale. Our findings can help city planners and policy makers to minimize the adverse effects of urbanization sprawl on ecosystem services.

SULTR2;1 Adjusts the Bolting Timing by Transporting Sulfate from Rosette Leaves to the Primary Stem.

Sulfur (S) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and metabolism. SULTR2;1 is a low-affinity sulfate transporter facilitating the long-distance transport of sulfate in Arabidopsis. The physiological function of SULTR2;1 in the plant life cycle still needs to be determined. Therefore, we analyzed the sulfate transport, S-containing metabolite accumulation and plant growth using Arabidopsis SULTR2;1 disruption lines, sultr2;1-1 and sultr2;1-2, from seedling to mature growth stages to clarify the metabolic and physiological roles of SULTR2;1. We observed that sulfate distribution to the stems was affected in sultr2;1 mutants, resulting in decreased levels of sulfate, cysteine, glutathione (GSH) and total S in the stems, flowers and siliques; however, the GSH levels increased in the rosette leaves. This suggested the essential role of SULTR2;1 in sulfate transport from rosette leaves to the primary stem. In addition, sultr2;1 mutants unexpectedly bolted earlier than the wild-type without affecting the plant biomass. Correlation between GSH levels in rosette leaves and the bolting timing suggested that the rosette leaf GSH levels or limited sulfate transport to the early stem can trigger bolting. Overall, this study demonstrated the critical roles of SULTR2;1 in maintaining the S metabolite levels in the aerial part and transitioning from the vegetative to the reproductive growth phase.

Digital maturity of the Russian metallurgical industry: drivers and challenges of growth in new geopolitical conditions. Part II. Key directions of digital transformation

The article continues the research on the prospects of achieving digital maturity in Russian metallurgical industry as one of the digitalization drivers of the Russian economy. The analysis results showed that the metallurgical business has a high innovative potential for the digital maturity growth. The second part examines the application of Industry 4.0 technologies in domestic metallurgy by the example of industry leaders in digitalization. The purpose study is to determine the directions of digital transformation in metallurgy to achieve digital maturity in new geopolitical conditions based on the innovative activity assessment of industry leaders. The study object is Russian metallurgical companies (technological development of the industry) drivers. The study subject is the digital transformation process of metallurgical companies in the conditions of economic sanctions. The research methodology is based on the innovation activity assessment. The research methods include indicative, comparative, and statistical analyses. The impact of the economic sanctions imposed in 2022 on the digital transformation in the industry has been assessed, problems and approaches to their solution have been identified. The study results demonstrated the significant potential of the metallurgical industry to achieve digital maturity due to the high innovative activity of industry leaders, despite the sanctions. The key areas of digital transformation are digital twins, machine vision and artificial intelligence, the creation of metal products and secondary raw materials marketplaces, which corresponds to the global digitalization trend. This paper is a continuation of the article “The digital maturity of the Russian metallurgical industry: drivers and growth challenges in the new geopolitical environment. Part I. Assessment of the innovation potential of digital transformation”.

Exploring the potential use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) from adult and umbilical cord blood in murine follicle culture

Ovarian follicle culture is a powerful tool to study follicular physiology and has potential applications in clinical and commercial settings. Despite remarkable progress, recreating folliculogenesis in vitro remains challenging for many mammalian species. This study investigates the impact of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from adult blood (human platelet lysate, hPL) and umbilical cord blood (Umbilical cord plasma, UCP) on murine pre-antral follicle culture and oocyte maturation. Pre-antral follicles were cultured individually for 10 days with fetal bovine serum (FBS) serving as the control and two PRP sources (hPL and UCP) and their activated forms (Ac-hPL and Ac-UCP). The results suggest that neither hPL nor UCP, regardless of activation status, improved follicle culture outcomes compared to FBS. Interestingly, activation did not significantly impact the main functional outcomes such as maturation rates, survival, and growth. Oestradiol secretion and oocyte diameter, often considered hallmarks of follicle quality, did not show significant differences between matured and non-matured oocytes across the treatment groups. However, gene expression analysis revealed a significant upregulation of Gdf-9 and Bmp-15 mRNA levels in oocytes from the Ac-UCP group, regardless of maturation stage, suggesting that the accumulation of the mRNA could be due to potential challenges in translation in the Ac-UCP group. In conclusion, this study challenges the hypothesis that PRP, as a serum source, could improve follicle culture outcomes compared to FBS, the gold standard in murine follicle culture. Further research is needed to understand the species-specific effects of PRP and explore other potential factors affecting follicle culture and oocyte quality.

When likes go rogue: advertising standards and the malpractice of unruly social media influencers

ABSTRACT Despite extensive examination of factors propelling influencer success, scant attention has been paid to influencer misconduct, especially from a regulatory standpoint. To address this gap, this article presents for the first time a systematic analysis of the UK advertising watchdog’s rulings involving social media influencers. Through qualitative examination, it introduces four new themes, i.e. ‘promo-masquerade’, ‘risk-fluence’, ‘mone-trapment’ and ‘stereo-scripting’, which expand the discourse on influencer transgressions and spotlight distinct areas of regulatory concern. Even though influencers are seen as trustworthy figures in online brand communities, findings expose long-standing issues of non-compliance with established marketing rules. Criticism is directed at the inadequacy of current regulatory emphasis on recognisability of marketing intent alone, advocating instead for a more holistic approach that addresses various dimensions of influencer misconduct. Proposals include the implementation of a robust best practice framework and certification schemes to foster the influencer industry’s maturity and sustainable growth.

Young Girl as Seen in Anne Frank’s The Diary of A Young Girl

This research is motivated by the existence of personality forms and cool rooms that are hiding places where Anne's maturity grows, which is realized by the mob in Anne Frank's novel The Diary of a Young Girl. The purpose of this study is to identify Anne's personality form, analyze the shape of the foreign space where Anne's maturity grows in Anne Frank's novel The Diary of a Young Girl. The method with the research is descriptive qualitative research and the approach used is literary psychology with psychology literature Sigmund Freud theory. The data in this novel are excerpts from words, sentences related to the personality of Anne's character and forms of foreign space that affect Anne's maturity growth. The data collection techniques in this study were reading, marking the data, recording and distinguishing the data collected based on Anne’s personality and foreign space that influenced Anne’s maturity in Anne Frank novel The Diary of a Young Girl. The result of this study indicate that in the novel The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, the personality experienced by Anne Frank by is more Id than the Ego and Superego, this is due to the difference in her Mother’s love between herself and older sister, and the form of foreign space that affects Anne Frank maturity is a room called the Secret Annex.

Design of a Mars Ascent Vehicle Using HyImpulse’s Hybrid Propulsion

The recent growth in maturity of paraffin-based hybrid propulsion systems reassesses the possibility to design an alternative Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) propelled by a European hybrid motor. As part of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign, a Hybrid MAV would present potential advantages over the existent solid concept funded by NASA through offering increased performance, higher thermal resilience, and lower Gross Lift-Off Mass (GLOM). This study looks at the preliminary design of a two-stage European MAV equipped with HyImpulse’s hybrid engine called the Hyplox10. This Hybrid MAV utilizes the advantages inherent to this type of propulsion to propose an alternative MAV concept. After a careful analysis of previous MAV architectures from the literature, the vehicle is sized with all its components such as the propellant tanks and nozzle, and the configuration of the rocket is established. A detailed design of the primary structure is addressed. This is followed by a Finite Element Analysis (FEA), evaluating the structural integrity under the challenging conditions of Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) on Mars, considering both static and dynamic analyses. The outcome is a Hybrid MAV design that demonstrates feasibility and resilience in the harsh Martian environment, boasting a GLOM of less than 300 kg.

Ultraviolet A and Blue Light Transiently Regulate Total Phenolic and Anthocyanin Concentrations in Indoor-grown Red-leaf Lettuce

In controlled environments, supplementing a light spectrum with ultraviolet A (UVA; 315–399 nm) or blue (B; 400–499 nm) light increases the concentrations of phenolic compounds that can increase quality attributes, such as leaf pigmentation and nutritional quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa). However, B light and sometimes UVA light can inhibit leaf expansion and biomass accumulation when continuously applied, whereas applying it only at the end of the production cycle can increase lettuce quality with little to no effect on crop yield. Our objective was to quantify the persistency of periodic supplemental UVA or B light and compare end-of-production with continuously applied supplemental light during indoor lettuce production on quality attributes and biomass accumulation. We hypothesized that supplemental UVA or B light would be more effective later, rather than earlier, during production with increasing lettuce quality attributes. We grew ‘Rouxai’ red-leaf lettuce hydroponically at an air temperature of 23 °C under 75 μmol⋅m−2⋅s−1 of red (peak = 664 nm) plus 75 μmol⋅m−2⋅s−1 of warm-white light provided by light-emitting diodes. The supplemental lighting treatments consisted of adding 30 μmol⋅m−2⋅s−1 of UVA (peak= 386 nm) or B (peak = 449 nm) light during the seedling phase (P1; days 4–12), growth phase (P2; days 12–20), finishing phase (P3; days 20–28), or the entire time (ET; days 4–28). Supplemental UVA or B light applied at any individual phase did not inhibit biomass accumulation, whereas enriched B light during the entire production period inhibited fresh mass compared with no supplemental light. Additionally, supplemental UVA or B light during P3 or ET similarly increased total phenolic and anthocyanin concentrations. Finally, applying UVA or B light during P1 or P2 had no residual effect on mature plant growth or quality at harvest. We concluded that the end of the production cycle is the optimal time to apply supplemental UVA or B light to improve lettuce coloration and phenolic content, that earlier application elicits transient responses, and that continuous application improves lettuce quality but inhibits biomass accumulation. Finally, there are potential energy savings by using end-of-production supplemental light compared with continuous application of the same spectrum.

Composition of Species and Spatial Patterns of Phyllostachys edulis Mixed Forests in a Succession after Enclosure

This paper investigates the changes in species diversity and the spatial pattern of the population of a moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) forest community in the Wuyi Mountain Nature Reserve in Fujian Province, China. Using the method of space–time substitution, the composition of species and changes in the spatial patterns of different communities were analyzed by taking Phyllostachys edulis mixed forests after 0, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 40 years of enclosure as the survey object. The results showed that as the number of years of enclosure extended, the important values of the Japanese bay tree (Machilus thunbergii Sieb. & Zucc.), chinquapin (Castanopsis faberi Hance), and Masson’s pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) increased continuously. These trees became the dominant species of mature forest after 40 years of enclosure. The species diversity of mature and young trees in the community generally increased in parallel with the years of enclosure, and the species diversity of the shrubs generally increased first and then decreased as the number of years of enclosure increased. With the extension of enclosure years, the average diameter at breast height of the mature trees tended to increase, indicating that there were increasing advantages of mature growth as the time of enclosure increased. With the extension of enclosure years, the pattern of spatial distribution of the mature trees in the forest community was generally an aggregated distribution. The Phyllostachys edulis forest community under the prolonged enclosure conditions responded in a positive direction and ultimately formed a more stable Phyllostachys edulis mixed forest community.

The effect of live chlorella suspension on the growth and development of grafted seedlings of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes

One of the ways to grow high-quality grafted grape seedlings is to use modern, environmentally friendly biologically active preparations. Today, such preparations include live chlorella suspension. Its use in grape nursery is a new and relevant technological method of growing planting material. The aim of the study was to show the effect of live chlorella suspension on the realization of the biological potential of grapevines, with the subsequent production of high-quality grafted grape seedlings. Field (recording of plant growth and development), laboratory (determination of quantitative and qualitative parameters of plants) and statistical (confirmation of the reliability of the results) research methods were used. The obtained results showed that for soaking rootstock and scion components it is advisable to use the strain Chlorella vulgaris Beijer, dilution 1:5, soaking should be carried out for 72 hours – rootstock components, 18 hours – scion components; for irrigation of grape garden plot it is advisable to use the strain Chlorella vulgaris Beijer. + Ge, dilution 1:5, it was carried out immediately after planting scions and three times during the growing season – in June, July, and August. The use of these strains of live chlorella suspension allowed obtaining a higher yield of standard seedlings from the garden plot, the plants had a well-developed root system and annual growth. Compared to the control, which was water, the total number of roots increased. Plants in these variants were also characterized by increased growth of the aboveground part. Indicators of total and mature growth, which characterize the overall development of grafted grape seedlings, were in the range of 687.1-773.2 cm3 (total growth volume), 337.9-386.6 cm3 (mature growth volume), while 730.1 and 362.6 cm3 , respectively, in the control. The records of the output of standard seedlings from the garden plot also showed the advantage of using a suspension of live chlorella (an increase of 19.0-21.0%) compared to water. The above technological methods allow obtaining high-quality grape seedling products and can be a promising alternative for more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural methods

Growth curve analysis in different generations of Boer x Central Highland goats using alternative estimation models.

Growth curve analysis can help to optimize the management, determine nutritional requirements, predict the weight of animals at a specific age, and to select highly productive animals. Therefore, this study aimed to find the best-fitted nonlinear functions to provide a specific shape of the growth curve from birth to yearling age in different generations of Boer x Central Highland goats. Gompertz, Logistic, Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Monomolecular, Negative exponential, and Richards models were evaluated to quantify their ability to describe the biological growth curve. Root mean square error (RMSE), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), adjusted coefficient of determination (AdjR2), and Akaike's information criterion (AIC) were used to evaluate the goodness of fit and flexibility of the models. Data were analyzed using the nonlinear regression procedure of SAS. High AdjR2 and lower AIC, BIC, and RMSE values are indicators of best-fitted model. The best-fitting model for the first filial generation (F1), second filial generation (F2), and male goats' growth data was Brody function, whereas the Richards model, followed by Brody, best described the growth of third filial generation (F3) and female goats. The values of parameter A (asymptotic weight) for F1, F2, F3, female, and male goats based on the Brody model were 30.5±1.32, 28.2±1.38, 24.4±1.04, 27.8±0.94, and 29.8±1.32 kg for F1, F2, F3, female, and male goats, respectively. As per the best-fitted growth function, the asymptotic weight tended to reduce when the filial generation increased. The asymptotic weight for male goats was higher than for female goats. F1 had a slightly small value of parameter K, followed by F2 and F3. Both males and females had similar maturity rates. Based on the Brody function, the correlation between maturation rate and mature weight was high (-0.98, P<0.001). The correlation estimates for A-B and B-K were 0.27 and -0.15, respectively. Brody was best fitted for most goat categories, although Richards, followed by Brody, was best fitted for female and F3 goats. Besides, Brody could be better than Richards due to the ease of interpretation, convergence, and applicability for a small sample size. Therefore, the Brody function can predict the mature body weight, maturation rate, and growth rate of Boer x Central Highland goats and be used to formulate breeding and management strategies for profitable goat farming.

EVALUATION AND CONTROL MANAGEMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITALIZATION AT THE ENTERPRISE

The article examines the features of the fourth industrial revolution (G4). It is noted that the component of this revolution is Industry 4.0 with many technologies to create a single space for information exchange and virtual visualization of processes and objects. It also provides for the formation and implementation of robotic systems and Internet technologies in the format of "smart" enterprises. It is noted that there is an incorrect understanding of the very essence of the digital economy, which significantly hinders the successful implementation of digital transformation. Digital transformation (digitalization) is presented as a process of transition to such a digital business that uses digital technologies to change business processes in the company and provide new opportunities in the direction of obtaining additional income and prospects for its further development. A comparative analysis of individual approaches to the construction of models to identify the most general and priority directions for assessing the digital maturity of an enterprise is given. A conceptual scheme for managing the digital maturity of an enterprise is proposed. It is noted that the strategy serves as the basis of the entire digital transformation and it determines the focus of transformations and the target level of digital maturity of the enterprise. and also makes it possible to estimate resource, labor and financial costs in time and space. The tools for detailing and implementing the strategy are a business model, a road map and a corresponding portfolio of projects, balanced from the standpoint of the implementation of technological and non-technological innovations aimed at the permanent growth of the digital maturity of the enterprise. Updating the business model is one of the most important components of the growth of the digital maturity of the enterprise, which is carried out in the direction of expanding cooperative interactions, using multilateral platforms and creating a business ecosystem. Recommendations on digital transformation of the enterprise and increasing its digital maturity are given, and the stages of this work are substantiated.

The Criteria of Inbound Marketing to Segment and Explain the Domain Authority of the Cellars’ E-Commerce in the Canary Islands

This study uses an inbound measuring instrument to segment the cellar’s e-commerce in the Canary Islands. One of the central claims of this paper is that inbound marketing comprises several dimensions such as content resources, SEO, social media, digital maturity, and e-commerce growth, such that it implies superior levels of personalisation, flexibility, service, security, and privacy, product and shop transparency, advanced technology, and data mining. After raising three research questions, this study performed fieldwork based on web analytics procedures, extracting metrics from 59 cellars’ websites thanks to employing a broad range of software. The sampling procedure was non-probabilistic and judgmental, took place in the spring of 2023, and gathered relevant metrics to build an inbound scale. The data prove that the inbound measuring instrument can rank and segment the Canary Islands’ marketplace. Although this study has put forward a tentative explanation and application of the inbound marketing notion and tools, findings suggest a need for a more significant effort to explore how generalizable the created measuring instrument is.

Cranial Neural Crest Specific Deletion of Alpl (TNAP) via P0-Cre Causes Abnormal Chondrocyte Maturation and Deficient Cranial Base Growth.

Bone growth plate abnormalities and skull shape defects are seen in hypophosphatasia, a heritable disorder in humans that occurs due to the deficiency of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP, Alpl) enzyme activity. The abnormal development of the cranial base growth plates (synchondroses) and abnormal skull shapes have also been demonstrated in global Alpl-/- mice. To distinguish local vs. systemic effects of TNAP on skull development, we utilized P0-Cre to knockout Alpl only in cranial neural crest-derived tissues using Alpl flox mice. Here, we show that Alpl deficiency using P0-Cre in cranial neural crest leads to skull shape defects and the deficient growth of the intersphenoid synchondrosis (ISS). ISS chondrocyte abnormalities included increased proliferation in resting and proliferative zones with decreased apoptosis in hypertrophic zones. ColX expression was increased, which is indicative of premature differentiation in the absence of Alpl. Sox9 expression was increased in both the resting and prehypertrophic zones of mutant mice. The expression of Parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) and Indian hedgehog homolog (IHH) were also increased. Finally, cranial base organ culture revealed that inorganic phosphate (Pi) and pyrophosphate (PPi) have specific effects on cell signaling and phenotype changes in the ISS. Together, these results demonstrate that the TNAP expression downstream of Alpl in growth plate chondrocytes is essential for normal development, and that the mechanism likely involves Sox9, PTHrP, IHH and PPi.

Three-Dimensional Bioprinting of Human iPSC-Derived Neuron-Astrocyte Cocultures for Screening Applications.

For a cell model to be viable for drug screening, the system must meet throughput and homogeneity requirements alongside having an efficient development time. However, many published 3D modelsdo not satisfy these criteria. This therefore, limits their usefulness in early drug discovery applications. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a novel technology that can be applied to the development of 3D models to expedite development time, increase standardization, and increase throughput. Here, we present a protocol to develop 3D bioprinted coculture models of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived glutamatergic neurons and astrocytes. These cocultures are embedded within a hydrogel matrix of bioactive peptides, full-length extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and with a physiological stiffness of 1.1 kPa. The model can be rapidly established in 96-well and 384-well formats and produces an average post-print viability of 72%. The astrocyte-to-neuron ratio in this model is shown to be 1:1.5, which is within the physiological range for the human brain. These 3D bioprinted cell populations also show expression of mature neural cell type markers and growth of neurite and astrocyte projections within 7 days of culture. As a result, this model is suitable for analysis using cell dyes and immunostaining techniques alongside neurite outgrowth assays. The ability to produce these physiologically representative models at scale makes them ideal for use in medium-to-high throughput screening assays for neuroscience targets.

Grain Yield, Biomass Accumulation, and Leaf Photosynthetic Characteristics of Rice under Combined Salinity-Drought Stress

Simultaneous stresses of salinity and drought often coincide during rice-growing seasons in saline lands, primarily due to insufficient water resources and inadequate irrigation facilities. Consequently, combined salinity-drought stress poses a major threat to rice production. In this study, two salinity levels (NS, non-salinity; HS, high salinity) along with three drought treatments (CC, control condition; DJ, drought stress imposed at jointing; DH, drought stress imposed at heading) were performed to investigate their combined influences on leaf photosynthetic characteristics, biomass accumulation, and rice yield formation. Salinity, drought, and their combination led to a shortened growth period from heading to maturity, resulting in a reduced overall growth duration. Grain yield was reduced under both salinity and drought stress, with a more substantial reduction under the combined salinity-drought stress. The combined stress imposed at heading caused greater yield losses in rice compared with the stress imposed at jointing. Additionally, the combined salinity-drought stress induced greater decreases in shoot biomass accumulation from heading to maturity, as well as in shoot biomass and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) content in the stem at heading and maturity. However, it increased the harvest index and NSC remobilization reserve. Salinity and drought reduced the leaf area index and SPAD value of flag leaves and weakened the leaf photosynthetic characteristics as indicated by lower photosynthetic rates, transpiration rates, and stomatal conductance. These reductions were more pronounced under the combined stress. Salinity, drought, and especially their combination, decreased the activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, while increasing the contents of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide radical. Our results indicated a more significant yield loss in rice when subjected to combined salinity-drought stress. The individual and combined stresses of salinity and drought diminished antioxidant enzyme activities, inhibited leaf photosynthetic functions, accelerated leaf senescence, and subsequently lowered assimilate accumulation and grain yield.

Salivary Total Protein and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity as Biomarkers for Skeletal Maturity and Growth Prediction in Healthy Children: An In Vivo Study.

Skeletal maturity assessment involves radiographic analysis and visual inspection of developing bone and their initial appearance or sequential ossification and related changes in size and shape along with the expression of various biomarkers in body fluids. To investigate the correlation of biomarkers such as salivary alkaline phosphatase (S-ALP) and salivary total protein (STP) with skeletal maturity assessment and growth prediction in growing children. A total of 8-15-year-old 150 healthy children were divided into five groups depending upon radiographic stage maturity of the middle phalanx of the left hand's third finger according to the Hagg and Taranger method. Radiographs were taken using intraoral periapical (IOPA) radiographic films. Salivary alkaline phosphatase (S-ALP) activity in the MP3 G group was significantly higher than MP3 F group and MP3 I group. Total protein levels in MP3 F were significantly lower than in MP3 G. The mean value of S-ALP (33541.45 IU/L) and that of STP (2.77 mg/mL) was observed to be highest in the MP3 G group (G3) group. Salivary total protein (STP) and S-ALP may be used as an additional diagnostic tool to assess skeletal maturation and optimize growth prediction during myofunctional orthodontic treatment. Skeletal maturity assessment plays a significant role in orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and stability of orthodontic treatment. Radiographic parameters involve radiographic exposure; hence in this study noninvasive biomarkers such as S-ALP and STP have been evaluated for skeletal maturity assessment and growth prediction. Abhangi KK, Choudhari SR, Butala PB, et al. Salivary Total Protein and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity as Biomarkers for Skeletal Maturity and Growth Prediction in Healthy Children: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(4):603-607.