scholarly journals qCMA

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Zeisel ◽  
Assif Yitzhaky ◽  
Cindy Koerner ◽  
Mattia Lauriola ◽  
Hadas Cohen-Dvashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Graphical Interface ◽  
Collective Migration ◽  
Quantitative Measurements ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Scratch Wound ◽  
Segmented Images ◽  
Desktop Tool ◽  
Migration Assays ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Collective migration is an important cellular trait, which is intensely studied by both basic and translational researchers. Investigation of the underlying mechanisms necessitates high-throughput assays and computational algorithms capable of generating reproducible quantitative measurements of cell migration. We present a desktop tool that can be used easily by any researcher, to quantify both fluorescent and phase-contrast images produced in the course of commonly used gap closure (“scratch,” “wound healing”) collective migration assays. The software has a simple graphical interface that allows the user to tune the relevant parameters and process large numbers of images (or movies). The output contains segmented images and the numerical values inferred from them, allowing easy quantitative analysis of the results.

scholarly journals Lupeol Accumulation Correlates with Auxin in the Epidermis of Castor

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2978
Author(s):  
Donghai Li ◽  
Cheng Pan ◽  
Jianjun Lu ◽  
Wajid Zaman ◽  
Huayan Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Auxin Transport ◽  
Biosynthesis Pathway ◽  
Comparative Transcriptome ◽  
Hormone Activity ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Pentacyclic Triterpene ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Lupeol, a natural lupane-type pentacyclic triterpene, possesses various pharmacological properties, and its production attracts attention. Significant quantities of lupeol are deposited on the castor aerial organ surface and are easily extractable as a predominant wax constituent. Thus, castor might be considered as a potential bioreactor for the production of lupeol. The lupeol biosynthesis pathway is well known, but how it is regulated remains largely unknown. Among large numbers of castor cultivars, we targeted one accession line (337) with high levels of lupeol on its stem surface and low levels thereof on its hypocotyl surface, implicating that lupeol synthesis is differentially regulated in the two organs. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we did comparative transcriptome analysis of the first internode of 337 stem and the upper hypocotyl. Our results show that large amounts of auxin-related genes are differentially expressed in both parts, implying some possible interactions between auxin and lupeol production. We also found that several auxin-responsive cis-elements are present in promoter regions of HMGR and LUS genes encoding two key enzymes involved in lupeol production. Furthermore, auxin treatments apparently induced the expression levels of RcHMGR and RcLUS. Furthermore, we observed that auxin treatment significantly increased lupeol contents, whereas inhibiting auxin transport led to an opposite phenotype. Our study reveals some relationships between hormone activity and lupeol synthesis and might provide a promising way for improving lupeol yields in castor.

scholarly journals The Nexus of Leadership, Political Empowerment and Social Mobilization: The Case of July 15 Coup Attempt in Turkey

2020 ◽  
pp. 151-175
Author(s):  
Kasım Timur ◽  
Rasim Özgür Dönmez ◽  
Fatma Armağan Teke Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Charismatic Leadership ◽  
Social Mobilization ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
Theoretical Discussion ◽  
Political Empowerment ◽  
The Third ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Leaders And Followers ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Masses

This study analyzes the mutually empowering relations between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his followers, and how Erdoğan’s charismatic leadership and image functioned to galvanize his followers on the night of July 15, 2016, when large numbers of them mobilized against the attempted coup. The article has three sections. The first is a theoretical discussion which sheds light on the concept and the underlying mechanisms of political empowerment and its effects on the relationships between leaders and followers in order to understand how the two influence each other, especially in times of political crisis. The second section evaluates Erdoğan’s characteristics and ruling style, which was instrumental in motivating resistance to the abortive coup, in order to establish the relevance of the empowerment thesis to the specific case of Turkey. Finally, the third section analyzes the various means by which Erdoğan was able to inspire the masses to mobilize against the armed junta through interviews and observations.

Acupuncture Medical Therapy and its Underlying Mechanisms: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Jingyi Wen ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
Yong Yang ◽  
Jianxin Liu ◽  
Enyin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Alternative Health ◽  
Alternative Health Care ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Care Approach ◽  
Therapeutic Mechanisms ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Development Application ◽  
Circulatory Diseases

As a traditional Chinese alternative health care approach, acupuncture is gaining increasing attention and reputation in China and overseas. While becoming increasingly popular globally, some consumers and professionals still know little about the therapy and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture. Due to local superiority, there are large numbers of both clinical applications and mechanistic studies performed in China compared to countries overseas. Herein, this review attempts to give a comprehensive profile of the development, application, and mechanisms of acupuncture in treating major diseases. The number of clinical publications concerning acupuncture-treated neurological diseases, endocrine and metabolic diseases, circulatory diseases, respiratory diseases, etc. is first counted, and then, the application and therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture on the predominant diseases in each category, including obesity, facial paralysis, sciatica, depression, hypertension, asthma, etc., are specifically discussed in this paper. The evolution of acupuncture tools and the rationality of acupoints are also discussed. This review not only summarizes the mechanisms of acupuncture but also provides useful information, such as specific acupoints and acupuncture procedures, for treating common diseases. Therefore, the current study provides useful information for both investigators and acupuncturists.

Passages in Lecithin-Water Systems

1978 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 1013-1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Harbich ◽  
R. M. Servuss ◽  
W. Helfrich
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Gaussian Curvature ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Phase Contrast Microscopy ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Egg Lecithin ◽  
Contrast Microscopy ◽  
Fluid Bilayers

Large numbers of tunnel-like structures apparently connecting neighbouring bilayers were found in phase-contrast microscopy of certain preparations of egg lecithin in water. These passages either cause a pairing of the bilayers or form threedimensional lattices. They appear to originate while the lecithin swells in water. Some theoretical aspects of passage formation in fluid bilayers is shown to be 4πx̅, x̅ being the elastic modulus of Gaussian curvature.

Three-dimensional visualization of fibrous tissues in cirrhotic rats via X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography with iodine staining

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1354-1360
Author(s):  
Jianbo Jian ◽  
Xinyan Zhao ◽  
Lili Qin ◽  
Yuqing Zhao ◽  
Mengyu Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Iodine Staining ◽  
Quantitative Measurements ◽  
Structural Details ◽  
3D Presentation ◽  
Histopathologic Findings

To accurately characterize cirrhosis, knowledge of the 3D fibrous structures is essential. Histology is the gold standard in cirrhosis screening, but it mainly provides structural information in 2D planes and destroys the 3D samples in the process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) with iodine staining for the 3D nondestructive visualization of internal structural details in entire cirrhotic livers with histopathologic correlation. In this study, cirrhotic livers induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats were imaged via PCCT and then histopathologically processed. Characteristics of the cirrhosis, i.e. abnormal nodules surrounded by annular fibrosis, were established and a 3D reconstruction of these structures was also performed via PCCT. Fibrosis area, septal width and nodular size were measured and the correlation for these quantitative measurements between PCCT and histopathologic findings was analyzed. The results showed that fibrous bands, small nodules and angio-architecture in cirrhosis were clearly presented in the PCCT images, with histopathologic findings as standard reference. In comparison with histopathology, PCCT was associated with a very close value for fibrosis area, septal width and nodular size. The quantitative measurements showed a strong correlation between PCCT and histopathology. Additionally, the 3D structures of fibrous bands and microvasculature were presented simultaneously. PCCT provides excellent results in the assessment of cirrhosis characteristics and 3D presentation of these feature structures compared with histopathology. Thus, the technique may serve as an adjunct nondestructive 3D modality for cirrhosis characterization.

scholarly journals Topological analysis reveals state transitions in human gut and marine bacterial communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William K. Chang ◽  
David VanInsberghe ◽  
Libusha Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Topological Analysis ◽  
Topological Data Analysis ◽  
State Transitions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Topological Features ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract Microbiome dynamics influence the health and functioning of human physiology and the environment and are driven in part by interactions between large numbers of microbial taxa, making large-scale prediction and modeling a challenge. Here, using topological data analysis, we identify states and dynamical features relevant to macroscopic processes. We show that gut disease processes and marine geochemical events are associated with transitions between community states, defined as topological features of the data density. We find a reproducible two-state succession during recovery from cholera in the gut microbiomes of multiple patients, evidence of dynamic stability in the gut microbiome of a healthy human after experiencing diarrhea during travel, and periodic state transitions in a marine Prochlorococcus community driven by water column cycling. Our approach bridges small-scale fluctuations in microbiome composition and large-scale changes in phenotype without details of underlying mechanisms, and provides an assessment of microbiome stability and its relation to human and environmental health.

scholarly journals REQUIREMENTS FOR PROLONGED SUPPRESSION OF AN IDIOTYPIC SPECIFICITY IN ADULT MICE

1973 ◽  
Vol 137 (6) ◽  
pp. 1442-1458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. Pawlak ◽  
David A. Hart ◽  
Alfred Nisonoff
Keyword(s):  
Total Concentration ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Precursor Cells ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Quantitative Measurements ◽  
Effective Suppression ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Antiidiotypic Antibody ◽  
Partial Suppression ◽  
Prior Administration

The appearance of an idiotypic specificity, present in anti-p-azophenylarsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies of all immunized A/J mice, ran be suppressed in adult mice by prior administration of an IgG fraction of rabbit antiidiotypic (anti-D) antiserum; anti-Ar antibodies arise but are of different idiotype. Prolonged suppression was observed in earlier experiments, but antigen was first administered to adult mice only 2 wk or 9 wk after anti-D antibodies; subsequent escape from idiotypic suppression could have been masked by the capture of antigen by large numbers of memory cells having receptors of a different idiotype. In the present experiments antigen was first administered at intervals up to 22 wk after the antiidiotypic antibody. Suppression was maintained for 6 wk in all mice and for 5 mo in about half the mice tested. It thus appears that suppression of idiotype is less reversible if antigen is administered soon after the antiidiotypic antibody. The data suggest that escape from suppression is attributable to the generation of new precursor cells rather than to reactivation of suppressed cells. The minimum dosage of antiidiotypic IgG required for effective suppression was about 2 mg. The subcutaneous or intraperitoneal routes of inoculation of antiidiotypic IgG were equally effective. When antiidiotypic antibody was administered 3 days after antigen no suppressive effects were observed. There was partial suppression when antiidiotypic antibody was injected on the same day as the antigen. Fab' and F(ab')2 fragments of antiidiotypic IgG had no suppressive effect. Quantitative measurements revealed no significant differences among control and suppressed mice with respect to total concentration of precipitable anti-Ar antibodies produced.

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