Thinning wood properties of Nothofagus alpina under three different silvicultural conditions

The main objective of this study was to assess the properties of Nothofagus alpina wood from thinning that originates from two sites with intensive silviculture and one similar to a secondary growth forest, with different soil, climatic conditions and age. To achieve this, some mechanical, physical and chemical-crystalline properties were characterized; studying the differences from pith to bark and between the selected trees that were taken from the thinning of the three plantations. Among the studied plantation sites, there were statistical differences in equilibrium moisture content, density and modulus of elasticity. Furthermore, FT-IR was able to differentiate the chemical-crystalline compositions from pith to bark and between plantations, while the X-Ray Diffraction showed differences in the crystallinity index. It was possible to differentiate between the sites with a more intense silvicultural intervention and the one with more variable growth conditions

Surface and microstructural failures of PET-Coated ECCS plates by salmon-polymer interaction

Producción CientíficaThe new types of knowledge-intensive, multilayer containers consist of steel plates protected against corrosion by nanometric electrolytic chromium (Cr0) and chromium oxide (Cr2O3) layers chemically bonded to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer coating to preserve food. It was observed that after emptying the cans, the salmon adhered to the polymer coating, changing its color, and that this adhesion increased with longer storage times. This work was aimed at determining the product-container interactions and their characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), confocal Raman and micro-Raman imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The zones of adhesion showed surface changes, variations in crystallinity and microstructural degradation of the PET coating. In addition, localized damages altering the functional properties of the multilayer system were observed as microcracking in the chromium layers that protect the steel. The degradation undergone was evaluated and characterized at a surface and microstructural level to establish the failure mechanisms, which were mainly associated with the activity of the adhered muscle and its biochemical components. Finally, a recommendation is done to preserve the useful life and functionality of cans for the preservation and efficient use of resources with an impact on recycling and environmental conservancy.The authors gratefully acknowledge the Fondecyt Program of Conicyt Chile for the financial support through Grant No. 1130634 and the special contribution of University Austral of Chile

Re-Ingeniería de apatita natural para soporte de tejidos óseos

Actualmente los grandes progresos en la medicina ortopédica, traumatológica y odontológica, han originado una gran necesidad por biomateriales, especialmente por aquellos productos que tienen una composición en base de ortofosfato de calcio, el cual es similar a la estructura inorgánica de los huesos. Ante este escenario, se ha generado una intensa búsqueda de nuevos orígenes y recursos, siendo los materiales naturales un foco de importantes estudios, debido a que estos pueden abastecer plenamente la gran demanda por biomateriales. Los estudios de estos materiales naturales han reportado interesantes avances, especialmente en lo que respecta a la regeneración de tejidos biológicos en medicina reparativa. De manera de seguir contribuyendo con este desafío, se analizaron muestras de minerales provenientes de un extenso depósito geológico hidrotermal, para proponer estos materiales como posible fuente de recursos. Los minerales extraídos fueron disgregados, para posteriormente fabricar probetas cilíndricas mediante Sinterización por Arco de Plasma, para luego ser biológicamente testeadas. La caracterización mineralógica del material extraído, reveló altos contenidos de fosfatos en forma de apatita, seguidas de pequeñas cantidades de otras especies mineralógicas asociadas, como el cuarzo y yeso. Dadas estas características, el polvo de mineral presentó una buena disposición a la sinterización, siendo capaz de densificar completamente a temperatura sobre los 1000ºC. Los resultados de la sinterización fueron correlacionados con las fases obtenidas con las diferentes temperaturas de proceso, presentando la apatita muy buena estabilidad termoquímica. Pruebas preliminares in vitro de proliferación y adhesión celular de osteoblastos humanos, MG63, en las muestras preparadas, parecen ser bastantes prometedoras, siendo la probeta sinterizada a 1200ºC la que presentó la mejor activación celular, semejante al comportamiento biológico de las hidroxiapatitas comerciales reportadas

Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured porous silicon-silver composite layers by cyclic deposition: Dip-coating vs spin-coating

“This is the Accepted Manuscript version of an article accepted for publication in Nanotechnology. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/ab96e5”Composites of nanostructured porous silicon and silver (nPSi-Ag) have attracted great attention due to the wide spectrum of applications in fields such as microelectronics, photonics, photocatalysis and bioengineering, Among the different methods for the fabrication of nanostructured composite materials, dip and spin-coating are simple, versatile, and cost-effective bottom-up technologies to provide functional coatings. In that sense, we aimed at fabricating nPSi-Ag composite layers. Using nPSi layers with pore diameter of 30 nm, two types of thin-film techniques were systematically compared: cyclic dip-coating (CDC) and cyclic spin-coating (CSC). CDC technique formed a mix of granular and flake-like structures of metallic Ag, and CSC method favored the synthesis of flake-like structures with Ag and Ag2O phases. Flakes obtained by CDC and CSC presented a width of 110 nm and 70 nm, respectively. Particles also showed a nanostructure surface with features around 25 nm. According to the results of EDX and RBS, integration of Ag into nPSi was better achieved using the CDC technique. SERS peaks related to chitosan adsorbed on Ag nanostructures were enhanced, especially in the nPSi-Ag composite layers fabricated by CSC compared to CDC, which was confirmed by FTDT simulations. These results show that CDC and CSC produce different nPSi-Ag composite layers for potential applications in bioengineering and photonicsThis work was financially supported by Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico FONDECYT–Chile (grant number 11180395), FONDEQUIP–Chile (project 160152

Integrative approach for precise genotyping and transcriptomics of a salt tolerant introgression line in rice

Rice is the most salt sensitive cereal crop and its cultivation is particularly threatened by salt stress. This study reports the development of salt tolerant introgressed lines (ILs) derived from crosses between the salt tolerant indica rice variety FL478, which harbors the Saltol QTL, and the salt-sensitive japonica elite cultivar PL12. Although the introgression of the Saltol QTL has been widely used to improve salinity tolerance, the molecular basis underlying the salinity tolerance conferred by Saltol remains poorly understood. Equally, the impact of introgressions from a Saltol donor parent on the global transcriptome of ILs is largely unknown. Here, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) genotyping, in combination with step-wise phenotypic selection in hydroponic culture, were used for the identification of salt-tolerant ILs. Transcriptome-based genotyping allowed the fine mapping of indica genetic introgressions in the best performing IL line (IL22). A total of 1,595 genes were identified in indica regions in IL22, which mainly located in large introgressions at Chromosomes 1 and 3. In addition to OsHKT1;5, an important number of genes potentially contributing to salt stress tolerance were identified in indica segments of IL22. Comparative transcript profiling also revealed important transcriptional reprograming in IL22 plants both under non-stress and salt-stress conditions, indicating an impact on the transcriptome of the japonica background by the indica introgressed genes and vice versa. Interactions among indica and japonica genes would provide novel regulatory networks contributing to salt stress tolerance in introgression rice lines

Integrative approach for precise genotyping and transcriptomics of a salt tolerant introgression line in rice

Trabajo presentado al 18th International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics (ISRFG), celebrado en Barcelona del 3 al 5 de noviembre de 2021.Peer reviewe

Data_Sheet_2_Integrative Approach for Precise Genotyping and Transcriptomics of Salt Tolerant Introgression Rice Lines.docx

3 pages. -- Supplementary Methods: Transcriptome analysis by RNA-Seq and identification of introgressed indica regionsRice is the most salt sensitive cereal crop and its cultivation is particularly threatened by salt stress, which is currently worsened due to climate change. This study reports the development of salt tolerant introgression lines (ILs) derived from crosses between the salt tolerant indica rice variety FL478, which harbors the Saltol quantitative trait loci (QTL), and the salt-sensitive japonica elite cultivar OLESA. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASPar) genotyping, in combination with step-wise phenotypic selection in hydroponic culture, were used for the identification of salt-tolerant ILs. Transcriptome-based genotyping allowed the fine mapping of indica genetic introgressions in the best performing IL (IL22). A total of 1,595 genes were identified in indica regions of IL22, which mainly located in large introgressions at Chromosomes 1 and 3. In addition to OsHKT1;5, an important number of genes were identified in the introgressed indica segments of IL22 whose expression was confirmed [e.g., genes involved in ion transport, callose synthesis, transcriptional regulation of gene expression, hormone signaling and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation]. These genes might well contribute to salt stress tolerance in IL22 plants. Furthermore, comparative transcript profiling revealed that indica introgressions caused important alterations in the background gene expression of IL22 plants (japonica cultivar) compared with its salt-sensitive parent, both under non-stress and salt-stress conditions. In response to salt treatment, only 8.6% of the salt-responsive genes were found to be commonly up- or down-regulated in IL22 and OLESA plants, supporting massive transcriptional reprogramming of gene expression caused by indica introgressions into the recipient genome. Interactions among indica and japonica genes might provide novel regulatory networks contributing to salt stress tolerance in introgression rice lines. Collectively, this study illustrates the usefulness of transcriptomics in the characterization of new rice lines obtained in breeding programs in rice.Peer reviewe

Data_Sheet_1_Integrative Approach for Precise Genotyping and Transcriptomics of Salt Tolerant Introgression Rice Lines.PDF

13 pages. -- Supplementary Figure 1. Breeding scheme used in the marked-assisted backcross introgression of the Saltol QTL from FL478 (indica) into the background of the rice variety OLESA (temperate japonica rice). -- Supplementary Figure 2. Polymorphism obtained with the SKC10 SSR marker visualized by agarose gel analysis. (A) Saltol QTL region showing the SKC10 SSR marker and relevant salt-related genes positions. (B) PCR products obtained from the Saltol donor (FL478), the recurrent (OLESA) parent and 4 representative introgression lines derived from FL478 x OLESA crosses (BC2F1). C-, negative control, He, heterozygous, Ho, homozygous. Primers are indicated in Supplementary Table 2. -- Supplementary Figure 3. Graphical representation of the genotypes of the Saltol-introgressed rice lines (BC3F3). Genotyping was carried out by KASPar analysis. SNPs are indicated in columns according to their chromosomal location (in mega base-pairs, Mb). Introgression lines (IL1 to IL31) are clustered in four groups (I to IV) depending on the BC3F1 parent from which they derive. The Saltol QTL location (and length) is indicated in the upper part. Homozygous donor (FL478) and recurrent (OLESA) alleles are depicted in blue and white, respectively. The KASPar markers used in this study are listed in Supplementary Tables 1 and 2. -- Supplementary Figure 4. SES score of parental lines (FL478, OLESA) hydroponically grown in modified Yoshida solution containing different NaCl concentrations (60 mM, 80 mM and 100 mM) for 14 days. Box plots show the distribution of SES scores in each line and condition (15 plants/genotype each experiment; T-test, * P < 0.05). Values above each box indicate the mean SES score . -- Supplementary Figure 5. Characterization of salt tolerant introgression lines. (A) Standard evaluation system (SES) scores of visual salt injury of the 30 ILs. Evaluation was performed after 14 days of salt treatment (80 mM NaCl). SES scores are shown as the percentage of plants at each score value. 1, highly tolerant; 3, tolerant; 5, moderately tolerant; 7, sensitive; 9, highly sensitive. ILs are clustered in four groups (I to IV) depending on the BC3F1 parent used. ILs were evaluated in successive rounds, with 5 plants and 10 plants in control and salt conditions respectively in each experiment, and most salt-sensitive ILs were discarded in the following assays. A total of six independent experiments were carried out with the most salt-tolerant ILs. (B) Representative images of IL22 and IL13 plants and parental lines in control and salt conditions after 14 days of treatment. -- Supplementary Figure 6. Plant growth of parental lines (FL478, OLESA) and IL22 plants hydroponically grown in modified Yoshida solution containing 80 mM NaCl. Control plants were not supplemented with NaCl. The leaf number of each genotype at different times of salt treatment is indicated. At least 6 plants per genotype and condition were assayed. -- Supplementary Figure 7. Samples analysed by RNASeq, and comparisons of data sets from each genotype (IL22, OLESA) and condition (control, salt-treated). -- Supplementary Figure 8. Singular enrichment analysis of introgressed indica genes (chromosome 1, blocks 1 and 2, and chromosome 3) using AgriGO (Tian et al., 2017). For a full list of gene IDs, see Supplementary Table 5. -- Supplementary Figure 9. Singular enrichment analysis of japonica genes up-regulated in IL22 plants at 24 h of salt treatment (80 mM NaCl) using AgriGO (Tian et al., 2017). For a full list of gene IDs, see Supplementary Table 8. -- Supplementary Figure 10. Singular enrichment analysis of japonica genes up-regulated in OLESA plants at 24 h of salt treatment (80 mM NaCl) using AgriGO (Tian et al., 2017). For a full list of gene IDs, see Supplementary Table 8. -- Supplementary Figure 11. Singular enrichment analysis of japonica genes down-regulated in IL22 plants at 24 h of salt treatment (80 mM NaCl) using AgriGO (Tian et al., 2017). For a full list of gene IDs, see Supplementary Table 8. -- Supplementary Figure 12. Singular enrichment analysis of japonica genes down-regulated in OLESA plants at 24 h of salt treatment (80 mM NaCl) using AgriGO (Tian et al., 2017). For a full list of gene IDs, see Supplementary Table 8. -- Supplementary Figure 13. Mapman analysis of japonica genes up- and down-regulated in IL22 and OLESA plants at 24 h of salt treatment (80 mM NaCl). Regulation overview, stress and transport schemes are shown. Color scale (yellow to blue) represents the log2 fold change of salt vs. control conditions.Rice is the most salt sensitive cereal crop and its cultivation is particularly threatened by salt stress, which is currently worsened due to climate change. This study reports the development of salt tolerant introgression lines (ILs) derived from crosses between the salt tolerant indica rice variety FL478, which harbors the Saltol quantitative trait loci (QTL), and the salt-sensitive japonica elite cultivar OLESA. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASPar) genotyping, in combination with step-wise phenotypic selection in hydroponic culture, were used for the identification of salt-tolerant ILs. Transcriptome-based genotyping allowed the fine mapping of indica genetic introgressions in the best performing IL (IL22). A total of 1,595 genes were identified in indica regions of IL22, which mainly located in large introgressions at Chromosomes 1 and 3. In addition to OsHKT1;5, an important number of genes were identified in the introgressed indica segments of IL22 whose expression was confirmed [e.g., genes involved in ion transport, callose synthesis, transcriptional regulation of gene expression, hormone signaling and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation]. These genes might well contribute to salt stress tolerance in IL22 plants. Furthermore, comparative transcript profiling revealed that indica introgressions caused important alterations in the background gene expression of IL22 plants (japonica cultivar) compared with its salt-sensitive parent, both under non-stress and salt-stress conditions. In response to salt treatment, only 8.6% of the salt-responsive genes were found to be commonly up- or down-regulated in IL22 and OLESA plants, supporting massive transcriptional reprogramming of gene expression caused by indica introgressions into the recipient genome. Interactions among indica and japonica genes might provide novel regulatory networks contributing to salt stress tolerance in introgression rice lines. Collectively, this study illustrates the usefulness of transcriptomics in the characterization of new rice lines obtained in breeding programs in rice.Peer reviewe

Chemical analysis and cellulose crystallinity of thermally modified Eucalyptus nitens wood from open and closed reactor systems using FTIR and X-ray crystallography

Currently there is a growing market for high quality solid wood products in Chile made from Eucalyptus nitens. Thermal modifications have been used to obtain such products out of fast growing species. The chemical and crystallinity changes in the modified wood were investigated using diffuse reflectance FTIR spectroscopy and crystalline analysis by X-ray diffraction to analyze the difference between thermal modifications processes using pressure under wet conditions (closed system) and processes without pressure under drier conditions (open system). In general, the FTIR spectra showed differences in the degradation of the hemicelluloses in the peaks of the C=O linkages, but almost no differences in the peaks that identify the lignin structure of the wood, as it was difficult to separate the different chemical reactions due to the depolymerization of lignin only observing the bands. The degree of crystallinity showed a tendency to increase at high pressure in the closed system modifications and at temperatures above 200 degrees C in the open system modifications, but no significant differences at low modification pressure and temperatures. Nonetheless, there were differences in FTIR spectra and cellulose crystallinity when directly comparing modifications with the same corrected mass loss under different conditions

Characterizing Cellulosic Fibers from Ulex europaeus

Information on the morphological and physical properties of biofibers is necessary to support the mechanical understanding of the biological design of plants, as well as for the development of new technology that adds value to non-traditional bioresources, such as those based on Ulex europaeus fibers. Ulex europaeus fibers were extracted through a chemical pulping process at 170 °C and with 40 g/L NaOH. The dimensions of the fibers produced were 0.97 ± 0.1 mm in length and 13 ± 2 μm in diameter. Pressed fiber paper sheets were made to evaluate their mechanical properties. Burst and tear indices of 1.2 mN/kg and 8.6 Nm2/kg, respectively, were recorded. The values obtained did not compare well to fiber paper sheets from Pinus radiata, presumably due to the significant amount of non-structural elements of wood present in the samples and the lower length of Ulex europaeus fibers, which resulted in lower tensile strength. Additionally, nanoindentation tests were conducted to assess the hardness and elastic modulus of the fibers, obtaining average values of 0.84 GPa and 9.23 GPa for the stem, respectively. These values were significantly lower than those of industrial biofiber, perhaps due to the lower morphogenic maturity of Ulex europaeus fibers compared to other traditional sources of fiber