An integrated approach for increasing breeding efficiency in apple and peach in Europe

Despite the availability of whole genome sequences of apple and peach, there has been a considerable gap between genomics and breeding. To bridge the gap, the European Union funded the FruitBreedomics project (March 2011 to August 2015) involving 28 research institutes and private companies. Three complementary approaches were pursued: (i) tool and software development, (ii) deciphering genetic control of main horticultural traits taking into account allelic diversity and (iii) developing plant materials, tools and methodologies for breeders. Decisive breakthroughs were made including the making available of ready-to-go DNA diagnostic tests for Marker Assisted Breeding, development of new, dense SNP arrays in apple and peach, new phenotypic methods for some complex traits, software for gene/QTL discovery on breeding germplasm via Pedigree Based Analysis (PBA). This resulted in the discovery of highly predictive molecular markers for traits of horticultural interest via PBA and via Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) on several European genebank collections. FruitBreedomics also developed pre-breeding plant materials in which multiple sources of resistance were pyramided and software that can support breeders in their selection activities. Through FruitBreedomics, significant progresses were made in the field of apple and peach breeding, genetics, genomics and bioinformatics of which advantage will be made by breeders, germplasm curators and scientists. A major part of the data collected during the project has been stored in the FruitBreedomics database and has been made available to the public. This review covers the scientific discoveries made in this major endeavour, and perspective in the apple and peach breeding and genomics in Europe and beyond

Irrigation improves tree physiological performances and nut quality in sweet chestnut

Italy is one of the most important world chestnut producers. The majority of traditional sweet chestnut orchards are still non-irrigated since they are typically located in mountain-hill areas usually characterized by environmental conditions that are not limiting for the vegetative and reproductive growth of this fruit tree crop. Nowadays, the increase of summer temperatures and the decrease of rainfall are affecting negatively chestnut physiological performances and productivity. The adoption of scheduled irrigation practices, in light also of the limited water availability/possibility of storage (e.g., artificial lakes, reservoirs) of these areas, should become part of chestnut orchard management. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation on sweet chestnut physiology, nut quality and yield. The study was carried out in 2020 in a traditional chestnut orchard of the “Marron Buono di Marradi” ecotype, located in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines (Marradi, Italy). The experimental design compared trees irrigated between August and September with a non-irrigated control. Leaf gas exchange and plant water status were monitored during the growing season and, nut quality and yield were assessed at harvest. Results showed that irrigated trees exhibited, in middle September, higher photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and stem water potentials compared to the non-irrigated control trees. Nut size was significantly smaller in non-irrigated trees than in irrigated ones while the yield was not statistically affected by the irrigation treatment. Despite the favourable mild and rainy weather conditions occurred in 2020, the application of irrigation during the nut filling phase (e.g., late summer) was beneficial for enhancing sweet chestnut physiological performances and for improving nut quality

A computer vision system for apple fruit sizing by means of low-cost depth camera and neural network application

Fruit size is crucial for growers as it influences consumer willingness to buy and the price of the fruit. Fruit size and growth along the seasons are two parameters that can lead to more precise orchard management favoring production sustainability. In this study, a Python-based computer vision system (CVS) for sizing apples directly on the tree was de- veloped to ease fruit sizing tasks. The system is made of a consumer-grade depth camera and was tested at two distances among 17 timings throughout the season, in a Fuji apple orchard. The CVS exploited a specifically trained YOLOv5 detection algorithm, a circle detection algorithm, and a trigonometric approach based on depth information to size the fruits. Comparisons with standard-trained YOLOv5 models and with spherical objects were carried out. The algorithm showed good fruit detection and circle detection perfor- mance, with a sizing rate of 92%. Good correlations (r > 0.8) between estimated and actual fruit size were found. The sizing performance showed an overall mean error (mE) and RMSE of + 5.7 mm (9%) and 10 mm (15%). The best results of mE were always found at 1.0 m, compared to 1.5 m. Key factors for the presented methodology were: the fruit detectors customization; the HoughCircle parameters adaptability to object size, camera distance, and color; and the issue of field natural illumination. The study also highlighted the uncertainty of human operators in the reference data collection (5–6%) and the effect of random subsampling on the statistical analysis of fruit size estimation. Despite the high error values, the CVS shows potential for fruit sizing at the orchard scale. Future research will focus on improving and testing the CVS on a large scale, as well as investigating other image analysis methods and the ability to estimate fruit growt

Surgical treatment of depressed scar: A simple technique

Scar formation is a process consequent to the healing of soft tissues after a trauma. However, abnormal or disturbed collagen production can cause anomalies of the cutaneous surface and textural irregularities. In the presence of a depressed scar in deep tissue, we began to use a new simple technique. In the presence of adherent scars, a small incision is performed so that an undermining scissor can enter inside. The entire cicatricial area is undermined on a subcutaneous plane which, by separating the deep scar from the superficial one, completely frees it from the present adhesions so that the existing depression is totally eliminated. In order to avoid the recreation of relapses, stitches formed in a U-shape are made in Nylon or Monocril 2-3/0 are made with a large needle and are placed close together so that a wide aversion is achieved at the margins of the scar and a deep wound closure is obtained by adhering to the undermined tissue. These stitches will then be removed about 2 weeks later. © Ivyspring International Publisher

Eyelid bags

Eyelid bags are considered a sign of ageing, but they often appear prematurely due to the variety of causes that favor them. This brief report describes the case of a patient who was referred to us for the correction of a second degree bilateral palpebral ptosis that the patient had suffered from for several years and that in recent months had worsened to the point of interfering with vision and who, aside from modest eyelid bags, presented a massive protrusion of "preocular" fatty tissue. Despite the indication of classic blepharoplasty through a lower lid incision and, therefore, the possibility of removing excess skin, the patient opted instead only for the removal of the bulging fat. The patient's postoperative results were normal and the patient was extremely satisfied with both the correction of the ptosis and the "rejuvenating" effect of removing the protruding orbital fat in the eyelid

Simple Technique for Augmentation of the Facial Soft Tissue

Due to the request of numerous patients to improve the aspect of the perioral area in combination with other types of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, we started to use autologous fillers. In fact, there are numerous potential fillers that can be utilized during various operations executed in many bodily areas, such as the breast, abdomen, and face. The muscular fascia as well as the dense connective tissue which the surgeon encounters in various bodily areas during some stages of the operation, in fact, can be removed and replaced both by themselves or superimposed in order to increase their thickness. The insertion of the grafts is carried out by using a needle, but other methods can also be used with the same success. The consistency of the area treated, after a few days of edema, is very similar to the host area, and the volume obtained remains uniform in time (our followup is after 24 months). The time utilized for the removal and the insertion in the chosen area was only a few minutes. The result was extremely satisfactory in all the 30 patients treated, and there was no complication or side effects

Upper eyelid reconstruction: a short report of an eyelid defect following a thermal burn

While the principles of eyelid reconstruction are well-established, achieving good functional and aesthetic reconstruction remains challenging

Clinical case-study describing the use of skin-perichondrium-cartilage graft from the auricular concha to cover large defects of the nose

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The composite graft from the conchal cartilage is a graft that is often used, especially in surgery on the nose, due to its capacity to resolve problems of cover and tissue deficit, arising from the removal of neoplasms or as the result of trauma, burns or following over-aggressive rhinoplasty. We have started to use skin-perichondrium-cartilage graft from the ear to cover large areas of the nose with very satisfying results as well as we describe in the reported clinical case.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The operation consisted of reconstruction of the cartilaginous nasal septum, which had previously been removed, using two vestibular labial mucosa flaps to reconstruct the mucosa, and cartilage from the ear conch for the cartilaginous septum. After this, the skin edges of the fistula were turned to recreate the inner lining of the nose and form a vascular base of wide area to accept the composite graft. The case concerns a female 74-year old patient who had undergone several oncological surgery for a relapsing basal cell carcinoma on the dorsum of the nose. The operation consisted of reconstruction of the cartilaginous nasal septum using two vestibular labial mucosa flaps to reconstruct the mucosa, and cartilage from the ear conch for the cartilaginous septum.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The perichondrial cutaneous graft has shown in this surgical case very favorable peculiarities that make it usable even in facial plastic surgery.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We believe that the positive experience that we achieved in the use of composite grafts for the reconstruction of large areas of the nose could be interesting for others surgeons.</p