scholarly journals Light microscopy of mammalian gametes and embryos: methods and applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (3-4-5) ◽  
pp. 235-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Ajduk ◽  
Maciej Szkulmowski
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Biology ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Reproductive Medicine ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
The Other ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Microscopy Techniques

In recent years, we have witnessed an unprecedented advancement of light microscopy techniques which has allowed us to better understand biological processes occurring during oogenesis and early embryonic development in mammals. In short, two modes of cellular imaging are now available: those involving fluorescent labels and those which are fluorophore-free. Fluorescence microscopy, in its various forms, is used predominantly in research, as it provides detailed information about cellular processes; however, it can involove an increased risk of photodamage. Fluorophore-free techniques provide, on the other hand, a smaller amount of biological data but they are safer for cells and therefore can be potentially used in a clinical setting. Here, we review various fluorescence and fluorophore-free visualisation approaches and discuss their applicability in developmental biology and reproductive medicine.

scholarly journals Deciphering tissue morphodynamics using bioimage informatics

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1720) ◽  
pp. 20150512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre C. Dufour ◽  
Anneliene H. Jonker ◽  
Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Biology ◽  
Image Analysis ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Automated Analysis ◽  
Tissue Level ◽  
Bioimage Informatics ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Introductory Overview ◽  
To Come ◽  
Microscopy Techniques

In recent years developmental biology has greatly benefited from the latest advances in fluorescence microscopy techniques. Consequently, quantitative and automated analysis of this data is becoming a vital first step in the quest for novel insights into the various aspects of development. Here we present an introductory overview of the various image analysis methods proposed for developmental biology images, with particular attention to openly available software packages. These tools, as well as others to come, are rapidly paving the way towards standardized and reproducible bioimaging studies at the whole-tissue level. Reflecting on these achievements, we discuss the remaining challenges and the future endeavours lying ahead in the post–image analysis era. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Systems morphodynamics: understanding the development of tissue hardware’.

scholarly journals Regression plane concept: analysing continuous cellular processes with machine learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Szkalisity ◽  
Filippo Piccinini ◽  
Attila Beleon ◽  
Tamas Balassa ◽  
Istvan Gergely Varga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Supervised Machine Learning ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Novel Concept ◽  
User Friendly

ABSTRACTBiological processes are inherently continuous, and the chance of phenotypic discovery is significantly restricted by discretising them. Using multi-parametric active regression we introduce a novel concept to describe and explore biological data in a continuous manner. We have implemented Regression Plane (RP), the first user-friendly discovery tool enabling class-free phenotypic supervised machine learning.

scholarly journals From the research laboratory to the database: the Caenorhabditis elegans kinome in UniProtKB

2017 ◽  
Vol 474 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossana Zaru ◽  
Michele Magrane ◽  
Claire O'Donovan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Protein Families ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Primary Literature ◽  
Data Collections

Protein kinases form one of the largest protein families and are found in all species, from viruses to humans. They catalyze the reversible phosphorylation of proteins, often modifying their activity and localization. They are implicated in virtually all cellular processes and are one of the most intensively studied protein families. In recent years, they have become key therapeutic targets in drug development as natural mutations affecting kinase genes are the cause of many diseases. The vast amount of data contained in the primary literature and across a variety of biological data collections highlights the need for a repository where this information is stored in a concise and easily accessible manner. The UniProt Knowledgebase meets this need by providing the scientific community with a comprehensive, high-quality and freely accessible resource of protein sequence and functional information. Here, we describe the expert curation process for kinases, focusing on the Caenorhabditis elegans kinome. The C. elegans kinome is composed of 438 kinases and almost half of them have been functionally characterized, highlighting that C. elegans is a valuable and versatile model organism to understand the role of kinases in biological processes.

scholarly journals Biophysical and Quantitative Principles of Centrosome Biogenesis and Structure

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sónia Gomes Pereira ◽  
Marco António Dias Louro ◽  
Mónica Bettencourt-Dias
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Biology ◽  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Online Publication ◽  
Quantitative Modeling ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
Electron And Light Microscopy ◽  
Biophysical Techniques ◽  
Microscopy Techniques

The centrosome is a main orchestrator of the animal cellular microtubule cytoskeleton. Dissecting its structure and assembly mechanisms has been a goal of cell biologists for over a century. In the last two decades, a good understanding of the molecular constituents of centrosomes has been achieved. Moreover, recent breakthroughs in electron and light microscopy techniques have enabled the inspection of the centrosome and the mapping of its components with unprecedented detail. However, we now need a profound and dynamic understanding of how these constituents interact in space and time. Here, we review the latest findings on the structural and molecular architecture of the centrosome and how its biogenesis is regulated, highlighting how biophysical techniques and principles as well as quantitative modeling are changing our understanding of this enigmatic cellular organelle. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Man the nanoscopes

2004 ◽  
Vol 164 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Intact Cells ◽  
Microscopy Techniques

New light microscopy techniques are pushing the limits of resolution to 50 nm and below. Fluorescence microscopy that rivals electron microscopy in resolution but operates on intact cells may be within reach.

Comparative strengths and weaknesses of peroxidase and colloidal gold in pre- and post-embedding immunolabeling techniques

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 1002-1005
Author(s):  
D. R. Abrahamson ◽  
P. L. St.John ◽  
E. W. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Horseradish Peroxidase ◽  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Colloidal Gold ◽  
Light Microscope ◽  
Ultrastructural Localization ◽  
The Other ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Dense Suspension ◽  
Antigen Localization

Antibodies coupled to tracers for electron microscopy have been instrumental in the ultrastructural localization of antigens within cells and tissues. Among the most popular tracers are horseradish peroxidase (HRP), an enzyme that yields an osmiophilic reaction product, and colloidal gold, an electron dense suspension of particles. Some advantages of IgG-HRP conjugates are that they are readily synthesized, relatively small, and the immunolabeling obtained in a given experiment can be evaluated in the light microscope. In contrast, colloidal gold conjugates are available in different size ranges and multiple labeling as well as quantitative studies can therefore be undertaken through particle counting. On the other hand, gold conjugates are generally larger than those of HRP but usually can not be visualized with light microscopy. Concern has been raised, however, that HRP reaction product, which is exquisitely sensitive when generated properly, may in some cases distribute to sites distant from the original binding of the conjugate and therefore result in spurious antigen localization.

Study of Biochemical and Clinical Markers in Steatohepatitis Related to Obesity

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1501-1505
Author(s):  
Roxana Maria Livadariu ◽  
Radu Danila ◽  
Lidia Ionescu ◽  
Delia Ciobanu ◽  
Daniel Timofte
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Clinical Markers ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Increased Risk

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly associated to obesity and comprises several liver diseases, from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis (NASH) with increased risk of developing progressive liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver biopsy is the gold standard in diagnosing the disease, but it cannot be used in a large scale. The aim of the study was the assessment of some non-invasive clinical and biological markers in relation to the progressive forms of NAFLD. We performed a prospective study on 64 obese patients successively hospitalised for bariatric surgery in our Surgical Unit. Patients with history of alcohol consumption, chronic hepatitis B or C, other chronic liver disease or patients undergoing hepatotoxic drug use were excluded. All patients underwent liver biopsy during sleeve gastrectomy. NAFLD was present in 100% of the patients: hepatic steatosis (38%), NASH with the two forms: with fibrosis (31%) and without fibrosis (20%), cumulating 51%; 7 patients had NASH with vanished steatosis. NASH with fibrosis statistically correlated with metabolic syndrome (p = 0.036), DM II (p = 0.01) and obstructive sleep apnea (p = 0.02). Waist circumference was significantly higher in the steatohepatitis groups (both with and without fibrosis), each 10 cm increase increasing the risk of steatohepatitis (p = 0.007). The mean values of serum fibrinogen and CRP were significantly higher in patients having the progressive forms of NAFLD. Simple clinical and biological data available to the practitioner in medicine can be used to identify obese patients at high risk of NASH, aiming to direct them to specialized medical centers.

The Effects of Smoking Cessation on Diabetes Mellitus Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Ali Alshahrani
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Tailored Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Diabetes Progression

Background: Smoking is an established predictor of type 2 diabetes. However, the link between smoking cessation and diabetes progression remains a subject of scholarly investigation. Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to establish the link between smoking cessation and diabetes. Data Sources: The study utilized conference abstracts and peer-reviewed journals that reported randomized controlled trials smoking cessation interventions for diabetes patients. Results: Results from the review were inconclusive on the link between smoking cessation and diabetes. On one hand, several researchers have confirmed a positive correlation between smoking cessation and decreased risk of diabetes. On the other hand, some researchers have demonstrated that immediate withdrawal of nicotine resulted in increased risk of diabetes; however, this risk reduces with time. Conclusion: The result of this review did not estblish a clear relationship between smoking cessation and diabates. Limitations: Compared to other studies examining the implication of smoking on chronic diseases, this study identified a very small number of trials evaluating the effect of smoking cessation on diabetes. The small number of studies implies that the results may not be suitable for generalization. Implication: Results from the review can help in the development of a tailored intervention for effective management of diabetes in smoking patients.

Should all Hypertensive Patients be Screened for Primary Aldosteronism?

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-56
Author(s):  
Stelina Alkagiet ◽  
Konstantinos Tziomalos
Keyword(s):  
Resistant Hypertension ◽  
Primary Aldosteronism ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The Other ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is not only a leading cause of secondary and resistant hypertension, but is also quite frequent in unselected hypertensive patients. Moreover, PA is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, which is disproportionate to BP levels. In addition, timely diagnosis of PA and prompt initiation of treatment attenuate this increased risk. On the other hand, there are limited data regarding the usefulness of screening for PA in all asymptomatic or normokalemic hypertensive patients. More importantly, until now, no well-organized, large-scale, prospective, randomized controlled trial has proved the effectiveness of screening for PA for improving clinical outcome. Accordingly, until more relevant data are available, screening for PA should be considered in hypertensive patients with spontaneous or diuretic-induced hypokalemia as well as in those with resistant hypertension. However, screening for PA in all hypertensive patients cannot be currently recommended.

scholarly journals Intrinsically Disordered Proteins as Regulators of Transient Biological Processes and as Untapped Drug Targets

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2118
Author(s):  
Yusuke Hosoya ◽  
Junko Ohkanda
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins ◽  
Dynamic Control ◽  
Disordered Proteins ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Phase Separations ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
New Drug ◽  
Liquid Phase Separations

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are critical players in the dynamic control of diverse cellular processes, and provide potential new drug targets because their dysregulation is closely related to many diseases. This review focuses on several medicinal studies that have identified low-molecular-weight inhibitors of IDPs. In addition, clinically relevant liquid–liquid phase separations—which critically involve both intermolecular interactions between IDPs and their posttranslational modification—are analyzed to understand the potential of IDPs as new drug targets.

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