Correspondences between parameters in a reaction-diffusion model and connexin functions during zebrafish stripe formation

Different diffusivities among interacting substances actualize the potential instability of a system. When these elicited instabilities manifested as forms of spatial periodicity, they are called Turing patterns. Simulations using general reaction-diffusion (RD) models have demonstrated that pigment patterns on the body trunk of growing fish follow a Turing pattern. Laser ablation experiments performed on zebrafish revealed apparent interactions among pigment cells, which allowed for a three-components RD model to be derived. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for Turing pattern formation in this system had been remained unknown. A zebrafish mutant with a spotted pattern was found to have a defect in Connexin41.8 (Cx41.8) which, together with Cx39.4, exists in pigment cells and controls pattern formations. Here, molecular-level evidence derived from connexin analyses was linked to the interactions among pigment cells described in previous RD modeling. Channels on pigment cells were generalized as “gates,” and the effects of respective gates were deduced. The model used partial differential equations (PDEs) to enable numerical and mathematical analyses of characteristics observed in the experiments. Furthermore, the improved PDE model included nonlinear reaction terms, enabled the consideration of the behavior of components.

Modulation of Temoporfin Distribution in Blood by β-Cyclodextrin Nanoshuttles

Photodynamic therapy represents a more targeted and less invasive alternative cancer treatment to traditional modalities. Temoporfin, as with many photosensitizers, is given by injection into a vein, and its subsequent fate is largely determined by the binding to plasma proteins and interaction with endothelial and blood cells. Thus, it is essential to be able to control and to alter the biodistribution of temoporfin in blood. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of co-administration of temoporfin with randomly methylated β-CD (Me-β-CD) on the distribution of temoporfin in the main subpopulations of blood cells of healthy donors using absorbance spectrophotometry and flow cytometry. We showed that cell-bound temoporfin fraction in blood strongly depends on the concentration of Me-β-CD. In fact, the accumulation of temoporfin in white blood cells was more sensitive than that in red blood cells, due to the higher volume of membranous organelles in white blood cells. Finally, we demonstrated that Me-β-CD significantly increases cellular uptake of temoporfin cancer human Burkitt′s lymphoma Raji cells. The presence of Me-β-CD resulted in a spotted pattern of temoporfin distribution in the plasma membrane compartment. Our results clearly demonstrated that β-CDs derivatives provide new options to modulate temoporfin biodistribution in blood.

Correspondences between parameters in a reaction-diffusion model and connexin functions during zebrafish stripe formation

Different diffusivities among interacting substances actualize the potential instability of a system. When these elicited instabilities manifested as forms of spatial periodicity, they are called Turing patterns. Simulations using general reaction-diffusion (RD) models have demonstrated that pigment patterns on the body trunk of growing fish follow a Turing pattern. Laser ablation experiments performed on zebrafish revealed apparent interactions among pigment cells, which allowed for a three-components RD model to be derived. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for Turing pattern formation in this system had been remained unknown. A zebrafish mutant with a spotted pattern was found to have a defect in Connexin41.8 (Cx41.8) which, together with Cx39.4, exists in pigment cells and controls pattern formations. Here, molecular-level evidence derived from connexin analyses was linked to the interactions among pigment cells described in previous RD modeling. Channels on pigment cells were generalized as “gates,” and the effects of respective gates were deduced. The model used partial differential equations (PDEs) to enable numerical and mathematical analyses of characteristics observed in the experiments. Furthermore, the improved PDE model included nonlinear reaction terms, enabled the consideration of the behavior of components.

Endosphere Microbiome and Metabolic Differences Between the Spots and Green Parts of Tricyrtis macropoda Leaves

BackgroundPlant leaves are important organs for photosynthesis and biological energy production. The leaves of Tricyrtis macropoda have an unusual spotted pattern. However, whether the spots of T. macropoda affect the plant microbiome and metabolites is unclear. In this study, we compared differences in the endosphere microbiome and plant metabolites in green parts and spots and the effects of spots on the photosynthesis of leaves.Methods16S/ITS sequences and metabolite spectra were obtained by high-throughput amplicon sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry, respectively. Changes in the diversity of the endophytic microbial community and metabolites were studied, and the effect of T. macropoda leaf spots on photosynthesis was examined by chlorophyll fluorescence.ResultsThe results showed that the relative abundance of Cercospora fungi in the leaf spots of T. macropoda was significantly higher than that in the green parts (P < 0.05) while Colletotrichum fungi showed low abundance in the spots. Alkaloid and ketone metabolites were decreased in the green parts compared with the spots, and amino acids, organic acids, lipids, and other compounds were increased in the green parts compared with the spots. A combined analysis of microbial communities and metabolites showed a significant correlation between the endophytic fungal communities and metabolite production. The changes in these metabolites may cause changes in local leaf color. In addition, we found that the spot areas of T. macropoda can be photosynthetically normal.ConclusionThis research showed the relationship between endophytic microorganisms and metabolites, and the findings advance our understanding of endophyte–plant interactions and provide a new direction for investigating the relationship between endophytes and phenotypes.

The final phyllosoma, nisto, and first juvenile stages of the slipper lobster Petrarctus brevicornis (Holthuis, 1946) (Decapoda: Achelata: Scyllaridae)

An unidentified final-stage scyllarine phyllosoma larva possessing a unique red-spotted pattern of chromatophores was found in sublittoral waters off Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The phyllosoma was reared in the laboratory, metamorphosed into a nisto, and then first juvenile stage. DNA barcoding analysis using 16S rRNA gene identified these stages as the scyllarid (slipper) lobster Petrarctus brevicornis (Holthuis, 1946). As these stages were previously unknown, the morphology of the final-stage phyllosoma, nisto, and first stage juvenile are described and illustrated.

Spatiotemporal Model of a Predator–Prey System with Herd Behavior and Quadratic Mortality

In this paper, we have investigated a diffusive predator–prey model with herd behavior. Also, we considered that the mortality of predators is linear as well as quadratic. Using linear stability analysis, we obtain the condition for diffusive instability and identify the corresponding domain in the space of control parameters. Using extensive numerical simulations, we obtain non-Turing spatiotemporal patterns in the model with linear mortality of predators, and Turing pattern formation, namely, spotted pattern and mixed pattern (spots-stripes) in model with quadratic mortality of predators. The results focus on the effect of the changing mortality rates of predator in pattern dynamics of a diffusive predator–prey model and help us in the better understanding of the dynamics of the predator–prey interaction in real environment.

SPATIAL ASPECT OF HUNTING COOPERATION IN PREDATORS WITH HOLLING TYPE II FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE

In this paper, we have investigated a spatial predator–prey model with hunting cooperation in predators. Using linear stability analysis, we obtain the condition for diffusive instability and identify the corresponding domain in the space of controlling parameters. Using extensive numerical simulations, we obtain complex patterns, namely, spotted pattern, stripe pattern and mixed pattern in the Turing domain, by varying the hunting cooperation parameter in predators and carrying capacity of preys. The results focus on the effect of hunting cooperation in pattern dynamics of a diffusive predator–prey model and help us in better understanding of the dynamics of the predator–prey interaction in real environments.

A new species of Scinax (Anura, Hylidae) of the S. ruber clade from Minas Gerais, Brazil

We describe a new species of treefrog from the ruber clade of the genus Scinax, from Serra do Cabral, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Scinax cabralensis is characterized by a small size, slightly arched and faintly distinct canthus rostralis, spotted pattern of coloration on dorsum, thighs with transversal bars, granular skin on dorsum and venter, rounded snout in dorsal view, and distinct advertisement call. Additionally, data on advertisement and territorial calls and notes on natural history and habitat are provided.

Two Modes of Nanoleakage Expression in Single-step Adhesives

Self-etch adhesives that etch, prime, and bond simultaneously should not exhibit incomplete resin infiltration within hybrid layers. We hypothesized that nanoleakage patterns in these systems are artifacts caused by mineral dissolution in mildly acidic silver nitrate. Resin-dentin interfaces bonded with four single-step, self-etch adhesives were examined for nanoleakage by conventional (pH 4.2) and basic ammoniacal (pH 9.5) silver nitrate and prepared for transmission electron microscopy. All adhesives exhibited a reticular mode of nanoleakage within hybrid layers when conventional silver nitrate was used. With ammoniacal silver nitrate, an additional spotted pattern of nanoleakage was observed within adhesive and hybrid layers. The reticular mode of nanoleakage in self-etch adhesives probably represents sites of incomplete water removal that leads to regional suboptimal polymerization. The spotted pattern identified with the use of ammoniacal silver nitrate probably represents potentially permeable regions in the adhesive and hybrid layers that result from the interaction of the basic diamine silver ions with acidic/hydrophilic resin components.