Implication of High Variance in Germplasm Characteristics

The beauty of conserving germplasm is the securement of genetic resources with numerous important traits, which could be utilized whenever they need to be incorporated into current cultivars. However, it would not be as useful as expected if proper information was not given to breeders and researchers. In this study, we demonstrated that there is a large variation, both among and within germplasm, using a low-cost image-based phenotyping method; this could be valuable for improving gene bank screening systems and for crop breeding. Using the image analyses of 507 accessions of buckwheat, we identified a wide range of variations per trait between germplasm accessions and within an accession. Since this implies a similarity with other important agronomic traits, we suggest that the variance of the presented traits should be checked and provided for better germplasm enhancement.

A Study on the Blue Coloration of Ao-ike Pond, Aomori Prefecture, Japan: Formulation of a Physical Model in Terms of Radiance and Image Analyses

The blue coloration model of a closed pond, Ao-ike Pond, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, was formulated in terms of radiance by applying a theory of observation devices proposed by Szirmay-Kalos (2008) and Hanaishi’s reverse ray tracing method. In this model, three potential contributions to the coloration were considered; irregular reflection at the Lambertian pond bottom, density fluctuation scattering by water, and Mie scattering by suspended solids. By utilizing model formulas for these mechanisms, some parameters were determined in order to duplicate the images of the pond surface without solar shading by tree leaves above the pond surface, in addition to the images with sunbeam trajectories by solar radiations passing through tree leaves, which are emitted from the water and visible on the surface. Simulating the pictures of the pond surface and the sun-beam-image analyses revealed that the blue colorations of Ao-ike Pond are mainly produced (1) by the density fluctuation scattering of water itself and the white Mie scattering by suspended solids and (2) by the red-light absorption by water in the optical paths before and after the two scatterings. Then, the density fluctuation scattering of water and the Mie scattering by suspended solids exhibited contributions of almost equal magnitude. The contribution of irregular reflections at the pond bottom was judged to be relatively small.

Computer – Aided RGB analyses of images

Computers have long been applied to physics and education. Considering that computer technologies are affecting science in many ways, special attention is payed to images and image analyses. RGB processing is used to analyse several computer images and presented with this papper. Furthermore, numerical data from images are used to tables and graphs, to motivate students devoted to science and research.

Cell Stress Induces Mislocalization of Transcription Factors with Mitochondrial Enrichment

Previous evidence links the formation of extranuclear inclusions of transcription factors, such as ERK, Jun, TDP-43, and REST, with oxidative, endoplasmic-reticulum, proteasomal, and osmotic stress. To further characterize its extranuclear location, we performed a high-content screening based on confocal microscopy and automatized image analyses of an epithelial cell culture treated with hydrogen peroxide, thapsigargin, epoxomicin, or sorbitol at different concentrations and times to recreate the stresses mentioned above. We also performed a subcellular fractionation of the brain from transgenic mice overexpressing the Q331K-mutated TARDBP, and we analyzed the REST-regulated mRNAs. The results show that these nuclear proteins exhibit a mitochondrial location, together with significant nuclear/extranuclear ratio changes, in a protein and stress-specific manner. The presence of these proteins in enriched mitochondrial fractions in vivo confirmed the results of the image analyses. TDP-43 aggregation was associated with alterations in the mRNA levels of the REST target genes involved in calcium homeostasis, apoptosis, and metabolism. In conclusion, cell stress increased the mitochondrial translocation of nuclear proteins, increasing the chance of proteostasis alterations. Furthermore, TDP-43 aggregation impacts REST target genes, disclosing an exciting interaction between these two transcription factors in neurodegenerative processes.

Cell Stress Induces Mislocalization of Transcription Factors with Mitochondrial Enrichment

Previous evidence links the formation of extranuclear inclusions of transcription factors, such as ERK, Jun, TDP-43, and REST with oxidative, endoplasmic-reticulum, proteasomal, and osmotic stress. To further characterize its extranuclear location, we performed a high-content screening based on confocal microscopy and automatized image analyses of an epithelial cell culture treated with hydrogen peroxide, thapsigargin, epoxomicin, or sorbitol at different concentrations and times to recreate the stresses mentioned above. We also performed subcellular fractionation of the brain from transgenic mice overexpressing the Q331K mutated TARDBP, and we analyzed REST-regulated mRNAs. The results show that these nuclear proteins exhibit a mitochondrial location, together with significant nuclear/extranuclear ratio changes, in a protein and stress-specific manner. The presence of these proteins in enriched mitochondrial fractions in vivo confirmed the results of image analyses. TDP-43 aggregation was associated with alteration in mRNA levels of REST target genes involved in calcium homeostasis, apoptosis, and metabolism. In conclusion, cell stress increased mitochondrial translocation of nuclear proteins, increasing the chance of proteostasis alterations. Further, TDP-43 aggregation impacts REST target genes, disclosing an exciting interaction between these two transcription factors in neurodegenerative processes.