In this work, we present a quantitative comparison of the cell division dynamics between populations of intact and regenerating root tips in the plant model system Arabidopsis thaliana. To achieve the required temporal resolution and to sustain it for the duration of the regeneration process, we adopted a live imaging system based on light-sheet fluorescence microscopy, previously developed in the laboratory. We offer a straightforward quantitative analysis of the temporal and spatial patterns of cell division events showing a statistically significant difference in the frequency of mitotic events and spatial separation of mitotic event clusters between intact and regenerating roots.

Boswellia papyrifera (Del.) Hochst is a flagship species of semi-arid areas of the East African region with substantial economic, ecological and cultural values. However, its persistence is currently threatened by both anthropogenic and natural pressures. This calls for an immediate conservation action. Planting seedlings of B. papyrifera in natural habitats using nursery-grown seedlings from seed and cuttings has been little successful. Fencing of naturally regenerated seedlings (wildlings) established under the parent trees could be used as an alternative option. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of fencing on the seedling establishment and growth of B. papyrifera wildlings. The experiment was conducted using 36 plots in fenced and open conditions. The results showed that fencing significantly enhances the establishment and growth of B. papyrifera wildlings compared to the open areas. Fenced wildlings exhibited higher survival rates, increased height, greater leaf numbers, larger root collar diameters, larger leaf areas and higher leaf biomass compared to non-fenced wildlings. Therefore, the protection of B. papyrifera seedlings using a fencing intervention can improve the overall establishment and development of B. papyrifera seedlings, thereby contributing to the sustainable conservation and restoration of this valuable species.

In 1957, Skoog and Miller published their seminal work on the effects of hormones upon plant growth. By varying the concentrations of auxin and cytokinin, they observed dramatic differences in shoot and root growth from tobacco stem cultures. Their finding that quantitative differences in hormone concentrations could dramatically alter the fate of developing organs provided a foundation for understanding organ formation and tissue regeneration. Their in vitro assays established plant propagation techniques that were critical for regenerating transgenic plants. Here, I discuss their original paper, what led to their findings and its impact on our understanding of hormone interactions, how plants regenerate and in vitro tissue culture techniques.

Fire plays a crucial role in shaping plant communities in South American savannas. However, the impact of biotic interactions on tree communities still needs to be better explored. In this study, we evaluated the influence of tree-on-tree interactions and abiotic conditions on the structure and diversity of woody communities in savannas of Central Brazil. We used plots of 10 × 10 m in three preservation areas of savanna to assess the abundance and composition of juveniles and adults in woody communities associated with two Apocynaceae tree species: Hancornia speciosa, postulated to show negative interactions with the associated tree community, and Himatanthus obovatus, postulated to show positive interactions. Our results revealed that while abiotic factors, represented by the altitude, are more critical in shaping the community of juvenile trees, tree-on-tree interactions have a stronger influence on adult tree populations, driving community dynamics during plant recruitment. Specifically, Hancornia speciosa reduces the abundance of adults, whereas Himatanthus obovatus enhances their relative abundance; both shape the composition of tree communities. Consequently, tree-on-tree interactions create distinct mosaics at various stages of regeneration, contributing to savanna dynamics and conservation.

Many traditional regions are being transformed as industries restructure. Paradoxically, the global economic downturn offers opportunities to innovate on policies to regenerate areas experiencing deindustrialisation, with one emerging focus being the development of ‘green skills’ to facilitate the transition of these places to ‘green economies’. In this article, we explore similar policy objectives (i.e. regeneration activity based (in part) on green economy transitions) across three deindustrialising/deindustrialised regions – Appalachia (United States), Ruhr (Germany) and the Valleys (South Wales) – to provide an account of the ways in which different regions with similar industrial pasts diverge in their approach to moving towards greener futures. Our argument is that the emphasis in such transitions should be the creation of ‘decent’ jobs, with new economic activity and employment initiatives embracing a ‘high road’ (i.e. high skill/high pay/high quality) trajectory. Utilising a ‘varieties of capitalism’ analysis, we contend that an effective, socially inclusive and ‘high road’ transition is more likely to emerge within co-ordinated market economy contexts, for example, Germany, than within the liberal market economy contexts of, for example, the United States and United Kingdom. In identifying the critical success factors leading to ‘high road’ green economy, the implications for any such transition within the liberal market economy context of Australia are highlighted.

Reformed accounts of infant baptism are usually covenantal and promissory in nature. They are about bringing the child into the ambit of the visible church in the hope the infant will own the faith upon reaching the age of reason. This paper sets out an alternative Reformed account of baptism, drawing on the Scottish confessional tradition. On this account, infants have a disposition to faith conveyed to them in baptism that will in due course become dispositional faith exercised in saving faith. Thus, baptism involves regeneration – or something close to it.

Litter production plays an important role in the functioning of the ecosystem, providing several ecosystem services, such as nutrients cycling and carbon storage. We studied litter production patterns and its relationship with forest structure over a chronosequence of secondary forests in southern Bahia, Brazil. In the study area, 15 pairs of mature and secondary forest were used, in a chronological sequence, being 10, 25 and 40-year-old secondary forests and mature forests. Plots were created for the collection of aboveground biomass data, and within these plots, litter collectors were installed and monitored for 1 year. The results showed that litter production was lower in 10-year-old secondary forests when compared with older forests. On the other hand, in the 10-year-old forests, annual litter production represents 47.8% of the stored biomass, while in mature forests annual litter production represents only 4%. We found that structural variables (basal area, number of stems and canopy opening) influence significantly litter production, as well as litter as percentage of forest biomass. The study emphasizes the importance of biomass production through litterfall in regenerating tropical forests, and its importance for carbon storage and for the maintenance of ecosystem services.

Articular cartilage consists of hyaline cartilage, is a major constituent of the human musculoskeletal system and has critical functions in frictionless joint movement and articular homoeostasis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory disease of articular cartilage, which promotes joint degeneration. Although it affects millions of people, there are no satisfying therapies that address this disease at the molecular level. Therefore, tissue regeneration approaches aim at modifying chondrocyte biology to mitigate the consequences of OA. This requires appropriate biochemical and biophysical stimulation of cells. Regarding the latter, mechanotransduction of chondrocytes and their precursor cells has become increasingly important over the last few decades. Mechanotransduction is the transformation of external biophysical stimuli into intracellular biochemical signals, involving sensor molecules at the cell surface and intracellular signalling molecules, so-called mechano-sensors and -transducers. These signalling events determine cell behaviour. Mechanotransducing ion channels and gap junctions additionally govern chondrocyte physiology. It is of great scientific and medical interest to induce a specific cell behaviour by controlling these mechanotransduction pathways and to translate this knowledge into regenerative clinical therapies. This review therefore focuses on the mechanotransduction properties of integrins, cadherins and ion channels in cartilaginous tissues to provide perspectives for cartilage regeneration.

Cerberiopsis candelabra Vieill. is a long-lived, monocarpic (= semelparous) and mass-flowering rain-forest tree, endemic to New Caledonia. Population size structures suggest establishment has been episodic, followed by a recruitment gap that might signal population decline. Here, we use age structures based on tree rings to better assess population dynamics and persistence, and investigate influences of tree size, age and growth rate on flowering. Age structures of populations surveyed in 2007–2008 were unimodal, with establishment over c. 15–81 y, followed by a recruitment gap of c. 23–79 y. Seedling mortality was generally high. High densities of flowering trees or large-scale exogenous disturbances may be necessary for in-situ regeneration. There was no evidence of a simple flowering threshold: flowering in 2017 occurred across a wide range of tree size, age and growth rate. Instead, evidence suggested that size and age at flowering may vary among plants depending on their growth trajectory. Environmental triggers of flowering were not identified by dating tree establishment, but the last three mass-flowering events occurred in years of tropical cyclones. Regeneration and persistence might be facilitated if large-scale disturbances trigger flowering, improving reproductive efficiency by synchronising flowering and linking reproduction with environmental conditions that enhance seedling recruitment.

Threats of forest degradation of the Tano Offin Globally Significant Biodiversity Area present the need to generate eco-information pertinent for its conservational purposes. Ten 50 m × 50 m plots (tree layer) were assessed for plant life forms with diameter ≥ 10 cm. A 10 m × 10 m plot (shrub layer) was located within each of the 50 m × 50 m plots where plant life forms with diameter < 10 cm were assessed. 1 m × 1 m quadrats (herb layer) were laid at the corners of the 50 m × 50 m plots and its centre for canopy closure and natural regeneration assessments. Plant species (240) belonging to 59 families were identified: 171 trees, 41 lianas, 11 shrubs, 7 herbs, 7 herbaceous climbers, 1 epiphyte, 1 grass and 1 fern. Species diversity (H´) of the tree, shrub and herb layers was 2.55, 2.54 and 2.48 respectively. The average maximum tree height was 46.19 m and the basal area was 28.36 m2/ha, which is below the 35 m²/ha conventional basal area value of tropical forests. Celtis mildbraedii and Rinorea welwitschii were the most structurally significant species at the tree and shrub layers, respectively, and a total of 75 tree species were regenerating.