Tracing the color: quantitative trait loci analysis reveals new insights into red-flesh pigmentation in apple ().

Red-flesh color development in apple fruit is known to depend upon a particular allele of the MdMYB10 gene. While the anthocyanin metabolic pathway is well characterized, current genetic models do not explain the observed variations in red-flesh pigmentation intensity. Previous studies focused on total anthocyanin content as a phenotypic trait to characterize overall flesh color.

Image analysis and polyphenol profiling unveil red-flesh apple phenotype complexity.

Background: The genetic basis of colour development in red-flesh apples (Malus domestica Borkh) has been widely characterised; however, current models do not explain the observed variations in red pigmentation intensity and distribution. Available methods to evaluate the red-flesh trait rely on the estimation of an average overall colour using a discrete class notation index. However, colour variations among red-flesh cultivars are continuous while development of red colour is non-homogeneous and genotype-dependent.

Exploration of the potential utility of the luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assay for the detection of anti-leptospira antibodies in dogs.

Canine leptospirosis represents a diagnostic challenge to veterinarians, due to the variability in presenting clinical signs and interpretation of serology test results in dogs that have been vaccinated previously. None of the commercially available serological assays, including the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), have been verified to be capable of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). Recent work identified that half of primary practice attending dogs were up to date with their leptospirosis vaccination and would be expected to have circulating anti-leptospira antibodies (Taylor et al.

Emerging thermal imaging techniques for seed quality evaluation: Principles and applications.

Due to the massive progress occurred in the past few decades in imaging, electronics and computer science, infrared thermal imaging technique has witnessed numerous technological advancement and smart applications in non-destructive testing and quality monitoring of different agro-food produces. Thermal imaging offers a potential non-contact imaging modality for the determination of various quality traits based on the infrared radiation emitted from target foods. The technique has been moved from just an exploration method in engineering and astronomy into an effective tool in many fields for forming unambiguous images called thermograms eventuated from the temperature and thermal properties of the target objects.

A Computation Method Based on the Combination of Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters to Improve the Discrimination of Visually Similar Phenotypes Induced by Bacterial Virulence Factors.

Phenotyping biotic stresses in plant-pathogen interactions studies is often hindered by phenotypes that can hardly be discriminated by visual assessment. Particularly, single gene mutants in virulence factors could lack visible phenotypes. Chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) imaging is a valuable tool to monitor plant-pathogen interactions.

Utilization of computer vision and multispectral imaging techniques for classification of cowpea () seeds.

Background: The traditional methods for evaluating seeds are usually performed through destructive sampling followed by physical, physiological, biochemical and molecular determinations. Whilst proven to be effective, these approaches can be criticized as being destructive, time consuming, labor intensive and requiring experienced seed analysts. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the potential of computer vision and multispectral imaging systems supported with multivariate analysis for high-throughput classification of cowpea () seeds.

Recent Applications of Multispectral Imaging in Seed Phenotyping and Quality Monitoring-An Overview.

As a synergistic integration between spectroscopy and imaging technologies, spectral imaging modalities have been emerged to tackle quality evaluation dilemmas by proposing different designs with effective and practical applications in food and agriculture. With the advantage of acquiring spatio-spectral data across a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, the state-of-the-art multispectral imaging in tandem with different multivariate chemometric analysis scenarios has been successfully implemented not only for food quality and safety control purposes, but also in dealing with critical research challenges in seed science and technology. This paper will shed some light on the fundamental configuration of the systems and give a birds-eye view of all recent approaches in the acquisition, processing and reproduction of multispectral images for various applications in seed quality assessment and seed phenotyping issues.

Role of the acquisition of a type 3 secretion system in the emergence of novel pathogenic strains of Xanthomonas.

Cases of emergence of novel plant-pathogenic strains are regularly reported that reduce the yields of crops and trees. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying such emergence are still poorly understood. The acquisition by environmental non-pathogenic strains of novel virulence genes by horizontal gene transfer has been suggested as a driver for the emergence of novel pathogenic strains.

Low-Density Pedicle Screw Constructs for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Evaluation of Effectiveness and Cost.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine whether a low-density (LD) screw construct can achieve curve correction similar to a high-density (HD) construct in adolescent scoliosis.

Methods: Patients treated operatively for idiopathic scoliosis between 2007 and 2011 were identified through a database review.

Does Lumbopelvic Fixation Add Stability? A Cadaveric Biomechanical Analysis of an Unstable Pelvic Fracture Model.

Objective: We sought to determine the role of lumbopelvic fixation (LPF) in the treatment of zone II sacral fractures with varying levels of sacral comminution combined with anterior pelvic ring (PR) instability. We also sought to determine the proximal extent of LPF necessary for adequate stabilization and the role of LPF in complex sacral fractures when only 1 transiliac-transsacral (TI-TS) screw is feasible.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen L4 to pelvis fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were tested intact in flexion-extension (FE) and axial rotation (AR) in a bilateral stance gliding hip model.

Major perioperative complications after spine surgery in patients with cerebral palsy: assessment of risk factors.

Purpose: A prospective, longitudinal cohort was studied to determine the incidence, consequences, and risk factors of major perioperative complications in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) treated with spinal fusion. There is a wide variety of data available on the complications of spine surgery; however, little exists on the perioperative complications in patients with CP.

Methods: A prospective multicenter dataset of consecutive patients with CP treated with spinal fusion was evaluated.

Phenoplant: a web resource for the exploration of large chlorophyll fluorescence image datasets.

Background: Image analysis is increasingly used in plant phenotyping. Among the various imaging techniques that can be used in plant phenotyping, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging allows imaging of the impact of biotic or abiotic stresses on leaves. Numerous chlorophyll fluorescence parameters may be measured or calculated, but only a few can produce a contrast in a given condition.

Multiscale imaging of plants: current approaches and challenges.

We review a set of recent multiscale imaging techniques, producing high-resolution images of interest for plant sciences. These techniques are promising because they match the multiscale structure of plants. However, the use of such high-resolution images is challenging in the perspective of their application to high-throughput phenotyping on large populations of plants, because of the memory cost for their data storage and the computational cost for their processing to extract information.

Vulvar pyoderma gangrenosum originating from a healed obstetric laceration.

Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare dermatologic disorder that can occur on the vulva.

Case: A 25-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 1 abortus 1, had development of pain and subsequent ulceration at the location of her previously healed vulvar obstetric laceration. The ulceration and pain continued to worsen despite wound management.

Unplanned return to the operating room in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: are we doing better with pedicle screws?

Study Design: Prospective, longitudinal cohort.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence, timing, and risk factors for reoperation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) treated with pedicle screws (PSs) compared with hybrid (Hb) constructs.

Summary Of Background Data: Rates of return to the operating room (OR) after definitive fusion for AIS vary, with a paucity of data on PS constructs.

High throughput quantitative phenotyping of plant resistance using chlorophyll fluorescence image analysis.

Background: In order to select for quantitative plant resistance to pathogens, high throughput approaches that can precisely quantify disease severity are needed. Automation and use of calibrated image analysis should provide more accurate, objective and faster analyses than visual assessments. In contrast to conventional visible imaging, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging is not sensitive to environmental light variations and provides single-channel images prone to a segmentation analysis by simple thresholding approaches.

Interest of high-dose pulse corticosteroid therapy combined with methotrexate for severe alopecia areata: a retrospective case series.

Background: The combination of systemic pulse corticosteroids and methotrexate in the treatment of severe alopecia areata has never been reported.

Objective: The objective of this work was to give arguments for the efficacy and safety of this combined treatment.

Methods: This was a retrospective case series of patients treated with intravenous 500 mg methylprednisolone per day for 3 consecutive days monthly during 3 months plus methotrexate initiated at the end of the second pulse regimen.

Factors in the surgical management of primary eccrine porocarcinoma: prognostic histological factors can guide the surgical procedure.

Background: Primary eccrine porocarcinoma is a rare cutaneous neoplasm and there is no consensus concerning its surgical management.

Objectives: To conduct a retrospective analysis of all the cases of eccrine porocarcinoma seen in our hospital in order to identify prognostic factors.

Methods: Clinical data were retrieved from the patients' files.