In vitro acclimatization of Curcuma longa under controlled iso-osmotic conditions

In vitro acclimatization has been validated as the successful key to harden the plantlets before transplanting to ex vitro conditions. In the present study, we investigated the potential of different sugar types (glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose) in regulating morphological, physiological and biochemical strategies, survival percentage and growth performance, and rhizome traits of turmeric under iso-osmotic potential. Leaf greenness (SPAD value) in acclimatized plantlets (4% glucose; −1.355 MPa osmotic potential) of ‘ST018’ was retained and greater than in ‘PB009’ by 1.69-fold, leading to maintain high F_v/F_m (maximum quantum yield of PSII), Φ_PSII (photon yield of PSII) and P_n (net photosynthetic rate) levels, and retained shoot height, leaf length, leaf width, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight after one month upon transplanting to ex vitro conditions. In addition, P_n, C_i (intracellular CO₂), g_s (stomatal conductance) and E (transpiration rate) in acclimatized plantlets (6% sucrose; −1.355 MPa osmotic potential) of ‘PB009’ were stabilized as physiological adapted strategies, regulating the shoot and root growth and fresh and dry weights of mini-rhizome. Interestingly, the accumulation of total curcuminoids in mini-rhizome derived from 6% sucrose acclimatized plantlets of ‘ST018’ was greater than in ‘PB009’ by 3.76-fold. The study concludes that in vitro acclimation of turmeric ‘PB009’ and ‘ST018’ using 6% sucrose and 4% glucose, respectively, promoted percent survival, physiological adaptations, and overall growth performances under greenhouse conditions.     

Genetic diversity and pedigree for Sophora toromiro (Leguminosae): a tree extinct in the wild

Sophora toromiro was endemic to the Pacific island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and is extinct in the wild. The species has survived in private and botanic gardens. The species is the subject of an international study to support its conservation ex situ and eventual re-introduction. As a contribution to this study the genetic diversity of the surviving stocks and herbarium samples has been assessed by means of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (inter-SSR) analysis. The analysis indicated low levels of genetic diversity suggesting a very small number of founders. In addition, misidentified trees were identified allowing their removal from the conservation project.     

Effect of genetic European taurine ancestry on milk yield of Ankole‐Holstein crossbred dairy cattle in mixed smallholders system of Burundi highlands

Different breeding systems associated with specific bovine genetic resources have coexisted in Burundi. To prepare for the development of a national action plan for the improvement of bovine genetic resources in Burundi, we aimed at performing genetic characterization of Ankole and Ankole × European crossbred individuals and assessing the effect of European ancestry on milk productivity of cows kept under the mixed crops livestock system. To that end, we genotyped 37 Ankole and 138 crossbred individuals on 42 636 SNPs and combined these genotypes with those from 21 cattle breeds, representative of the bovine genetic diversity. We also measured milk yield not suckled and estimated suckled milk. Given the results, we confirmed the indicine × African taurine admixed origin of the Ankole in Burundi and showed that crossbred individuals present a high proportion of European ancestry (i.e. 57% on average). As the proportion of European ancestry increased, milk yield increased by 0.03 ± 0.01 l/day, at a lower extent than expected. We also observed that breeders were unable to correctly evaluate the European proportion in their livestock. Our results may provide useful information for objective dairy breeding in Burundi. As an example, an ex‐situ conservation program of Ankole within the framework of value chains is proposed as an accompanying strategy to improve the sustainability of the crossbreeding program.     

Ex vivo three-dimensional elemental imaging of mouse brain tissue block by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Measurement and reconstruction of an elemental image of large brain tissue will be beneficial to the diagnosis of neurological brain diseases. Herein, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is introduced for three dimensional (3D) elemental analysis of paraffin-embedded mouse brain tissue blocks. It is used for the first time towards the mapping of mouse brain block samples. A micro-LIBS prototype is developed for brain elemental imaging and a layer-by-layer approach is used to reconstruct the 3D distribution of Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, and P in the brain tissue. Images are captured with 50 μm lateral resolution and 300 μm depth resolution. The images show that the reclamation area of the cortex surface is enriched with Ca and Mg. In contrast, the Cu distribution is circular and is found primarily in the entirety of the cerebral cortex for the paraffin-embedded brain samples. Elemental imaging results suggest that the highest P intensity is found in the cerebellum nearby the middle sagittal plane in the left-brain paraffin block. These preliminary results indicate that LIBS is a potentially powerful tool for elemental bioimaging of the whole brain and may further improve the understanding of complex brain mechanisms.     

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Heart valve disease is a major burden in the Western world and no effective treatment is available. This is mainly due to a lack of knowledge of the molecular, cellular and mechanical mechanisms underlying the maintenance and/or loss of the valvular structure. Current models used to study valvular biology include in vitro cultures of valvular endothelial and interstitial cells. Although, in vitro culturing models provide both cellular and molecular mechanisms, the mechanisms involved in the 3D-organization of the valve remain unclear. While in vivo models have provided insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying valvular development, insight into adult valvular biology is still elusive. In order to be able to study the regulation of the valvular 3D-organization on tissue, cellular and molecular levels, we have developed the Miniature Tissue Culture System. In this ex vivo flow model the mitral or the aortic valve is cultured in its natural position in the heart. The natural configuration and composition of the leaflet are maintained allowing the most natural response of the valvular cells to stimuli. The valves remain viable and are responsive to changing environmental conditions. This MTCS may provide advantages on studying questions including but not limited to, how does the 3D organization affect valvular biology, what factors affect 3D organization of the valve, and which network of signaling pathways regulates the 3D organization of the valve.     

Genotyping on the ark: A synthesis of genetic resources available for species in zoos

Using molecular genetic information to guide population management can improve the sustainability of species in captivity. However, empirical population genetics has not been commonly applied to species management programs in zoos. One limitation may be the availability of genetic resources (e.g., markers, primers, etc.) for species held in zoos. To assess the extent to which species held in zoos have been studied using population genetics in the wild, we conducted a systematic literature review of close to 8,000 papers. We synthesized information on the availability and scale of population genetics studies across amphibian, bird, mammal, and reptile species held in zoos, and discussed their potential for informing ex situ management. We found that more than half of the species in zoos (52%) already have some genetic markers described in the literature specific for them, or a congeneric species, that could be further developed to aid the management of zoo populations, and the accumulation of these resources has been steady over the past decades. Furthermore, the proportion of species with genetic resources is even higher (62%) for species that are being managed through a formal breeding program in zoos. Our study provides encouraging results for captive program managers interested in integrating population genetics into ex situ management strategies.     

Determination of inclusion depth in ex vivo animal tissues using surface enhanced deep Raman spectroscopy

This work presents recent developments in spatially offset and transmission Raman spectroscopy for noninvasive detection and depth prediction of a single SERS inclusion located deep inside ex vivo biological tissues. The concept exploits the differential attenuation of Raman bands brought about by their different absorption due to tissue constituents enabling to predict the inclusion depth. Four different calibration models are tested and evaluated to predict the depth of surface enhanced Raman scattering labelled nanoparticles, within an up to 40 mm slab of porcine tissue. An external measurement carried out in transmission mode, with a noninvasively built model on the analysed sample, is shown to be insensitive to variations of the overall thickness of the tissue yielding an average root‐mean‐square error of prediction of 6.7%. The results pave the way for future noninvasive deep Raman spectroscopy in vivo enabling to localise cancer biomarkers for an early diagnosis of multiple diseases.