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Objectives: Presently, data on the vascularization of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system of the face (SMAS) are lacking. Thus, the present study aimed to provide new conclusive data about the topography, density, and relationship of the SMAS blood vessels with other components, namely, the fibrous connective tissue and muscles. Methods: The study included a control lot of 42 cases from the archive of the radiology department. In this group, nuclear magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed in order to identify the main sources of vascular supply. In the second group, tissue samples were collected from the midfacial region of 45 patients from the Oro-Maxillo-Facial and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery clinics of 'St. Spiridon' County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Iasi. These patients received surgery for excision of tumoral formations that did not involve SMAS components. These samples underwent micro-CT analysis, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, as well as immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for collagen type III, muscle tissue, and the vascular endothelium. Results: We discovered the particular way in which the SMAS components interrelate with vascularization and the regional differences between them. We have discovered a new vascular network specific to the SMAS, highlighted by both the micro-CT technique and microscopy on slides with special IHC staining. Significant differences were observed in the topographic arrangement, density, and relationships of the microscopic vasculature across midfacial regions. IHC staining provided morphological and functional information about the structure and vascularization of SMAS. Conclusions: The MRA technique could not detect the structural blood vessels of the SMAS and other methods for their in vivo visualization must be sought. The blood vessels of the SMAS mainly follow the topography of the muscle fibers. From the SMAS layer where they are found, the distribution branches reach the stroma of the region and the hypoderm. Our data can contribute to the development of surgical techniques tailored to each individual patient, as well as the enhancement of methods for stimulating cutaneous angiogenesis, improving scarring in this region, and advancing biotissue engineering techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A critical-sized bone defect (CsBD) is considered one that will not heal spontaneously and requires reconstruction. This study aims to compare the results of using different bone reconstructive techniques and to study the potential of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to enhance the healing properties of a bone substitute (BS). Methods: In this experimental study on rats, the treatment of critical-sized bone defects was carried out by analysing four groups: a control group in which the bone defect was left empty; a group treated with Bio-Gen®; another group in which the defect was treated with PRF in combination with Bio-Gen®; and the last that was treated with autologous bone graft (ABG). The defects were evaluated by microcomputed tomography (µCT) and then histomorphometrically. Results: From both the histological and imagistic point of view, the best results were registered in the ABG group, followed by the group treated with Bio-Gen® with PRF, Bio-Gen® group, and control group, with statistically significant differences. Conclusions: A 5 mm defect in the rat radius can be considered critical. ABG showed the best results in treating the bone defect. PRF significantly enhanced the efficacy of Bio-Gen®. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has proven to be a green method in the agricultural field for the stimulation of germination, growth, and production of nutraceutical compounds in some cases. However, the process is far from being fully understood and depends on the targeted plant species and the NTP used. In this work, we focus on the production of alfalfa sprouts from NTP-treated seeds under different voltage conditions. A flexible electrode configuration was used to produce the NTP, which can also be placed on packages for in-package treatments. The surface of the seeds was analyzed, indicating that the microstructure was strongly affected by NTP treatment. Biometric measurements evidenced the possibility of stimulating the sprout growth in some conditions by up to 50% compared to the sprouts obtained from untreated seeds. Biochemical traits for the sprouts obtained in different processing conditions were also studied, such as the concentrations of chlorophyll pigments, flavonoids and polyphenols, and antioxidant activity. Most NTP treatments led to inhibitory effects, proving the strong dependence between NTP treatment and targeted plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last decades, notillage has started to be used on more and more areas, being a conservative tillage system practiced in many farms in the country. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of the no-tillage system on the physical properties of the soil compared to the conventional system, in a plateau area with cambic chernozem soil under the current climatic conditions in the north-east of Romania, in order to implement it in agricultural practice of the studied area. The soil samples were taken in natural and undisturbed conditions for bulk density and moisture content, soil penetration resistance was determined using the Eijkelkamp penetrologger. The status of soil compaction, the various porosity categories, and the soil moisture content were all determined based on field and laboratory analysis. Measurements performed at a depth of 0-40 cm showed a lower bulk density in the conventional system, and in terms of variation in values from sowing to harvesting, there was a maximum increase of 18% in the 10-20 cm soil layer, an intermediate of 10% in the topsoil and 20-30 cm layers, and a minimum of 1% in the 30-40 cm layer. Total porosity, which reflects soil pore volume, is inversely correlated with bulk density, which means that under conventional tillage practices, soil macropore volume (>0.05 cm) was higher (47.79-60.82% v/v) than under no-tillage practices (45.90-50.79% v/v) for 0-40 cm depth at the sowing time. The results confirm that the no-tillage system conserves more water in the soil under current climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of aquatic and terrestrial environments by pesticides is highlighted by their possible toxic properties and poor biodegradability on the environment. The development of low cost by products from agricultural sectors as a suitable solution for contaminated areas remediation is of great environmental interest. Straw wastes can be considered as a promising alternative to remove different chemical compound that are environmentally toxic. In this study, some materials derived from agricultural (agri)-wastes (wheat and corn straw) in mixture with soil, were investigates as potential adsorbents for nicosulfuron removal. After mineralization (850°C) and KOH activation to obtain the biochars, the samples were structurally characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Interaction studies between nicosulfuron - biochars and soil were performed at various concentrations and pH of 7. The adsorbent capacity was evaluated using batch sorption test and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The characterization results showed different functional groups present in the structure of these biochars while surface analysis showed an increase of surface roughness. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo second order mechanism describes the kinetics of nicosulfuron herbicide. The results obtained highlight the importance of agri-waste as a natural adsorbent, being a solution for the removal of nicosulfuron from contaminated environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper monitors the effect of applying different doses of silver nanoparticles (10 ppm, 15 ppm, 20 ppm), and the effect of organic biostimulator Nitrozimes (2ml/l) on the germination, growing and development of the Triticum aestivum species. The changes suffered by the bioaccumulation horizon of the cambic chernozem at micro porous level is also investigated. The silver nanoparticle solution is obtained through electrolysis technique in miliQ water solvent using Nevoton IS-112 device with silver electrodes of 99.99% purity. The determination of the ppm quantity is realized by using TDS-1. The seed germination is tracked in a controlled environment (Petri dishes) in laboratory conditions for 10 days until germination. After, they are transferred in vegetation dishes in the grow house and tracked in a controlled environment of temperature, humidity and soil pH. Data on the micro porosity was taken and analyzed at I.C.A.M. Laboratories in the V. Adamachi resort using micro computed tomography (Brucker Skyscan 1172). The germination evolution, growth and development of the wheat plants was measured weekly throughout the growing season. The results show a reduction in the diameter of the micropores that is inversely proportional to the concentration of silver ions doses applied. From the germination phase until 2-3 leafs stage, the growth is approximately double than the development of the witness plants (untreated wheat grown in bioaccumulative horizon). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray computed tomography is one of the modern techniques used for soil structure visualization and quantification. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different tillage systems on soil porosity. Soil samples were collected from the field, on 0-30 cm depth, within the Experimental Farm of the Agricultural University of Iasi, North East of Romania, from a long term experiment with three tillage systems: V1 - chisel, V2 - no-till, V3 - plough at 30 cm. Aggregates were scanned using a SkyScan 1172 microCT and then the reconstructed 3D images were analyzed, in order to investigate pore volume and pore size class distribution. The results of the porosity analysis revealed significant differences between the variants taken into study. Regarding the solid surface area the tillage systems determined very different values of this parameter in soil. Pore size class distribution also showed clear differences between the variants. X-ray CT proved to be a useful tool for soil analysis, in order to have a detailed view of the pore network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed crop has a very important role in world economy, being the third largest source of vegetable oil after palm and soybeans. It is very sensitive to soil compaction, because root growth, water and nutrient absorption are achieved with difficulty. The seedbed preparation ensures the lumps shredding, weed control, land leveling, introduction of fertilizers in soil and, essentially, creating a layer of loose soil, favorable for seed germination. The last tillage done before sowing has direct effects on the quality and quantity of the yield. The tillage activities by their nature must modify soil properties towards biological plant requirements without damaging its physical condition. The qualitative indices determined for the seedbed preparation are average depth of soil mobilization (Da), soil crumbling degree (Dsc), soil loosening degree (Dsl), soil leveling degree (Dls) and weed control degree (Dwc). The paper present the effect of soil tillage on seedbed qualitative indices for the rapeseed crop. The experiments were carried out at the Research and Development Agricultural Station, Secuieni, Neamt County, between 2012 and 2014. The results show that different tillage systems influenced the quality of the seedbed, with higher values for the conventional Plough+Combigerm variant and lower for the minimum tillage one, Disc+Vibromix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic evolution from Romania, with trend toward heating and aridity, requires the application of new tillage variants, which ensure both soil fertility conservation and high yields. Winter wheat is a very important crop, but the more frequent droughts from August-September, determine great difficulties for seedbed preparation and good sowing. One of the most used indices for physical state characterization, with direct influence on soil air and water permeability, plant root development and microbiological processes is bulk density (BD). In order to emphasize the effect of conventional and conservative tillage on soil compaction degree, expressed by BD values, undisturbed samples were collected on 0-30 cm depth, from 10 to 10 cm, at sowing, during vegetation and at harvest of the winter wheat crop. The highest values were recorded for HDH 3.85+Vibromix and HDH 3.85+VRH and the lowest for the Plow+Combigerm variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No-tillage farming is a way of cultivating crops every year without disturbing the soil through tillage. It has great benefits, not only on short term, reducing the amount of mechanical work and fossil fuels needed, but also on long term, increasing the water quantity that infiltrates into the soil, the fertility, the organic matter retention and reducing the soil erosion. The idea of Edward Faulkner in the 1940s was developed after the WWII, around the world, in 2009 being used on 111 million hectares. No-tillage is now being practiced from the sea level up to 3000 m, from extremely rainy to very dry areas. The countries from South America have the fastest adoption rates, in some of them no-tillage being used on more than 70% of the cultivated area (Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay). It is also used in the U.S.A and Canada, Europe (Germany, Spain, and Finland), Asia (China, Kazakhstan, and India), Australia and Africa (Morocco, Tunisia). All crops can be produced adequately using this system. The wide range of conditions where it can be applied and its economic, social and environmental advantages should ensure the expansion of this technology in the next years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is one of the most important pathogens of the rapeseed crop worldwide. Depending of the environmental conditions, the yield losses can get up to 100%. Until now, no oilseed rape cultivars are marked as having resistance to this pathogen. Genetic resistance is considered to be the most efficient way of protecting the plants from this patthogen. The aim of this study was to identify SSR markers for white rot resistance in a collection of 130 rapeseed cultivars, from the Centre for Genetic Resource of Netherlands. There were made correlations between the genotypic and the phenotypic data obtained for the artificial infection with the pathogen and there were revealed 5 SSRs significantly associated with rapeseed resistance to white rot. The artificial infection was made on detached leaves, in controlled environmental conditions. The fungus was grown on solid medium PDA. There were put 2 plug discs of PDA medium with mycelia near the main vein of the leaves. On the control leaf there were put 2 discs of PDA medium, without mycelia. The diameter of the lesions was measured 72 h after inoculation, with a linear ruler. For the genetic analysis, there were used 51 SSR markers, that amplified 139 polymorphic fragments. The fragments ranged between 80 and 340 bp. In order to correlate the data, we used the ANOVA method, in the SPSS v.13 software. The identification of these SSRs will enhance the breeding for white mold resistance in Brassica napus L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]