Evaluating the value of synchrotron radiation phase-contrast CT imaging in the study of knee joint microstructure

The knee joint is one of the tissues that often appear diseased, and the pathogenesis owing to its structure. Therefore, the micro-structure of the knee joint was studied by synchrotron radiation phasecontrast CT imaging (SRPCI-CT). The contrast and the sharpness of the reconstructed slice were calculated and analysed. From these results, the layer structure of the joint tissue can be seen. The cartilage layer (including the meniscus) is about 1.44 mm, and the epiphyseal layer is about 2.25 mm, which conforms to the actual situation of rat knees. From the 3D images, the structure of the meniscus and the epiphyseal bone can be observed. The epiphyseal bone line is also particularly obvious. Simultaneously, the epiphyseal bone also has a mesh structure, which has the characteristics of both cartilage and tibia. Further research on the tibia can determine that the trabecular bone line is about 130 microns. Finally, the bone volume fraction (BVF) of the joint, the data also reflect the existence of a layer structure, and its scale distribution is consistent with the results of sharpness and contrast analysis. The SRPCI-CT can play an important role in the study micro-structure of joints

Evaluating the value of synchrotron radiation phase-contrast CT imaging in the study of knee joint microstructure

The knee joint is one of the tissues that often appear diseased, and the pathogenesis owing to its structure. Therefore, the micro-structure of the knee joint was studied by synchrotron radiation phasecontrast CT imaging (SRPCI-CT). The contrast and the sharpness of the reconstructed slice were calculated and analysed. From these results, the layer structure of the joint tissue can be seen. The cartilage layer (including the meniscus) is about 1.44 mm, and the epiphyseal layer is about 2.25 mm, which conforms to the actual situation of rat knees. From the 3D images, the structure of the meniscus and the epiphyseal bone can be observed. The epiphyseal bone line is also particularly obvious. Simultaneously, the epiphyseal bone also has a mesh structure, which has the characteristics of both cartilage and tibia. Further research on the tibia can determine that the trabecular bone line is about 130 microns. Finally, the bone volume fraction (BVF) of the joint, the data also reflect the existence of a layer structure, and its scale distribution is consistent with the results of sharpness and contrast analysis. The SRPCI-CT can play an important role in the study micro-structure of joints

A combinatory ferroelectric compound bridging simple ABO3 and A-site-ordered quadruple perovskite

There are few reports of ferroelectricity due to symmetry breaking transition in A-site-ordered quadruple perovskites. Here, the authors find one with phase transition from a high-temperature centrosymmetric paraelectric phase to a low-temperature non-centrosymmetric ferroelectric phase in a high pressure synthesized compound

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field