Cortical mechanisms in migraine

Migraine is the second most prevalent disorder in the world; yet, its underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Cumulative studies have revealed pivotal roles of cerebral cortex in the initiation, propagation, and termination of migraine attacks as well as the interictal phase. Investigation of basic mechanisms of the cortex in migraine not only brings insight into the underlying pathophysiology but also provides the basis for designing novel treatments. We aim to summarize the current research literatures and give a brief overview of the cortex and its role in migraine, including the basic structure and function; structural, functional, and biochemical neuroimaging; migraine-related genes; and theories related to cortex in migraine pathophysiology. We propose that long-term plasticity of synaptic transmission in the cortex encodes migraine.

Download Full-text

Structure and Function of an Alpine Ecosystem

10.1093/oso/9780195117288.001.0001 ◽

2001 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Keyword(s):

Environmental Change ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Biological Factors ◽

Alpine Ecology ◽

Niwot Ridge ◽

Alpine Ecosystem ◽

And Function ◽

Insight Into

This book will provide a complete overview of an alpine ecosystem, based on the long-term research conducted at the Niwot Ridge LTER. There is, at present, no general book on alpine ecology. The alpine ecosystem features conditions near the limits of biological existence, and is a useful laboratory for asking more general ecological questions, because it offers large environmental change over relatively short distances. Factors such as macroclimate, microclimate, soil conditions, biota, and various biological factors change on differing scales, allowing insight into the relative contributions of the different factors on ecological outcomes.

Download Full-text

Structure and function of neural networks in the retina

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100102213 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 26-27

Author(s):

Peter Sterling

Keyword(s):

Ganglion Cells ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Synaptic Connections ◽

Visual Axis ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Cat Retina ◽

Ultrathin Sections ◽

And Function ◽

Insight Into

The synaptic connections in cat retina that link photoreceptors to ganglion cells have been analyzed quantitatively. Our approach has been to prepare serial, ultrathin sections and photograph en montage at low magnification (˜2000X) in the electron microscope. Six series, 100-300 sections long, have been prepared over the last decade. They derive from different cats but always from the same region of retina, about one degree from the center of the visual axis. The material has been analyzed by reconstructing adjacent neurons in each array and then identifying systematically the synaptic connections between arrays. Most reconstructions were done manually by tracing the outlines of processes in successive sections onto acetate sheets aligned on a cartoonist's jig. The tracings were then digitized, stacked by computer, and printed with the hidden lines removed. The results have provided rather than the usual one-dimensional account of pathways, a three-dimensional account of circuits. From this has emerged insight into the functional architecture.

Download Full-text

Computational Approaches to Predict the Non-canonical DNAs

Current Bioinformatics ◽

10.2174/1574893614666190126143438 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 470-479 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nazia Parveen ◽

Amen Shamim ◽

Seunghee Cho ◽

Kyeong Kyu Kim

Keyword(s):

Computational Methods ◽

Genetic Instability ◽

Computational Prediction ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Sequence Motifs ◽

Computational Approaches ◽

Functional Roles ◽

And Function ◽

Genetic Events ◽

Insight Into

Background: Although most nucleotides in the genome form canonical double-stranded B-DNA, many repeated sequences transiently present as non-canonical conformations (non-B DNA) such as triplexes, quadruplexes, Z-DNA, cruciforms, and slipped/hairpins. Those noncanonical DNAs (ncDNAs) are not only associated with many genetic events such as replication, transcription, and recombination, but are also related to the genetic instability that results in the predisposition to disease. Due to the crucial roles of ncDNAs in cellular and genetic functions, various computational methods have been implemented to predict sequence motifs that generate ncDNA. Objective: Here, we review strategies for the identification of ncDNA motifs across the whole genome, which is necessary for further understanding and investigation of the structure and function of ncDNAs. Conclusion: There is a great demand for computational prediction of non-canonical DNAs that play key functional roles in gene expression and genome biology. In this study, we review the currently available computational methods for predicting the non-canonical DNAs in the genome. Current studies not only provide an insight into the computational methods for predicting the secondary structures of DNA but also increase our understanding of the roles of non-canonical DNA in the genome.

Download Full-text

Minimal art: Or why small viral K+ channels are good tools for understanding basic structure and function relations

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes ◽

10.1016/j.bbamem.2010.04.008 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1808 (2) ◽

pp. 580-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Gerhard Thiel ◽

Dirk Baumeister ◽

Indra Schroeder ◽

Stefan M. Kast ◽

James L. Van Etten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Basic Structure ◽

Structure And Function ◽

K Channels ◽

Minimal Art ◽

And Function

Download Full-text

Lung Structure And Function Relation In Elastase-Treated Rats: A Long-Term Follow Up Study

10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2012.185.1_meetingabstracts.a6405 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Margit V. Szabari ◽

Jozsef Tolnai ◽

Balazs Maar ◽

Harikrishnan Parameswaran ◽

Elizabeth Bartolak-Suki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structure And Function ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Lung Structure ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

And Function ◽

Function Relation

Download Full-text

Crystal structure and function of an unusual dimeric Hsp20.1 provide insight into the thermal protection mechanism of small heat shock proteins

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications ◽

10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.01.134 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 458 (2) ◽

pp. 429-434 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Liang Liu ◽

Jiyun Chen ◽

Bo Yang ◽

Yonghua Wang

Keyword(s):

Crystal Structure ◽

Heat Shock ◽

Heat Shock Proteins ◽

Thermal Protection ◽

Small Heat Shock Proteins ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Protection Mechanism ◽

Shock Proteins ◽

And Function ◽

Insight Into

Download Full-text

Abstract P138: Long-term Effects Of Severe Caloric Restriction To The Heart Function

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.78.suppl_1.p138 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Aline M De Souza ◽

Jonathas Almeida ◽

Nataliia Shults ◽

Hong Ji ◽

Kathryn Sandberg

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Caloric Restriction ◽

Heart Function ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Isolated Hearts ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

And Function

Severe caloric restriction (sCR) increases the risk for acute cardiovascular disease. Less understood are the long-term effects on cardiovascular disease risk after the sCR period has ended. We investigated the effects of sCR on heart structure and function months after refeeding (sCR-Refed). Female Fischer rats (3-months-old) were maintained on (CT) ad libitum or a 60% caloric restricted diet for 2 weeks. Thereafter, all rats received ad libitum chow for 3 months and they were analyzed by precision ultrasound to assess their heart function. After imaging, the animals were sacrificed and the hearts were subjected to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) using a Langendorff preparation. After 2 weeks of sCR, rats lost 15% of their initial body weight (BW) [% (100*(Final-Initial/Initial)): CT, 1.5±0.8 vs sCR, -15.4±1.1; p<0.001;n=8]. After 3 months of refeeding, there was no detectable difference in BW between CT and sFR-Refed groups. Isolated hearts from the sCR-Refed rats exhibited worse myocardial pathology after I/R compared to CT rats. The parallel orientation of myofibers and striations normally present in cardiomyocytes was lost in sCR-Refed rats. Further analysis revealed uneven blood-filling of the microcirculatory vessels and prominent interstitial edema of the myocardium. Hearts from sCR-Refed rats had more atrophied cardiomyocytes than CT [Atrophied/Total (%): CT, 0.2±0.1 vs sCR-Refed, 50.6±1.1; p<0.001; n=5]. The number of arrhythmic events during a 30 min ischemic interval in isolated hearts doubled after 2 weeks on the sCR diet ( data not shown ) and remained doubled 3 months later [Arrhythmias (% of time): CT, 34±8 vs sCR-Refed, 68±9; p=0.02; n=8]. Ultrasound imaging showed no difference in stroke volume, coronary perfusion pressure and left ventricular mass. However, the thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall was significantly reduced in sCR-Refed rats [(mm): CT, 2.55 ±0.03 vs sCR-Refed, 2.10±0.04; p=0.002; n=4]. These findings indicate heart structure and function remained damaged months after the sCR period ended and BW was restored. These studies have adverse cardiovascular risk implications for who are subjected either voluntarily (crash diets) or involuntarily (very low food security) to periods of inadequate caloric intake.

Download Full-text

Sensing Extracellular Calcium – An Insight into the Structure and Function of the Calcium-Sensing Receptor (CaSR)

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Calcium Signaling ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-12457-1_41 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1031-1063 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sergei Chavez-Abiega ◽

Iris Mos ◽

Patricia P. Centeno ◽

Taha Elajnaf ◽

Wolfgang Schlattl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structure And Function ◽

Extracellular Calcium ◽

Calcium Sensing Receptor ◽

Calcium Sensing ◽

And Function ◽

Insight Into

Download Full-text

Regulation of sperm motility at the axonemal level

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd9950847 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 847 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

C Gagnon

Keyword(s):

Direct Action ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Basic Structure ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Structural Components ◽

Long Period ◽

Different Types ◽

Radial Spokes ◽

Dynein Arms ◽

And Function

With very few exceptions, the basic structure of the 9+2 axoneme has been well preserved over a very long period of evolution from protozoa to mammais. This stability indicates that the basic structural components of the axoneme visible by electron microscopy, as well as most of the other unidentified components, have withstood the passage of time. It also means that components of the 9+2 axoneme have sufficient diversity in function to accommodate the various types of motility patterns encountered in different species of flagella. Several of the 200 polypeptides that constitute the axoneme have been identified as components of the dynein arms, radial spokes etc. but many more remain to be identified and their function(s) remain to be determined. Because this review deals with the regulation of flagellar movement at the axonemal level, it does not include regulation of flagella by extracellular factors unless these factors have a direct action on axonemal components. In this context, it is very important firstly to understand the structural components of the axoneme and how they influence and regulate axonemal movement. Different primitive organisms are mentioned in this review since major breakthroughs in our understanding of how an axoneme generates different types of movement have been made through their study. Despite some variations in structure and function of axonemal components, the basic mechanisms involved in the regulation of flagella from Chlamydomonas or sea urchin spermatozoa should also apply to the more evolved mammalian species, including human spermatozoa.

Download Full-text