Fast Two-Dimensional Bubble Analysis of Biopolymer Filamentous Networks Pore Size from Confocal Microscopy Thin Data Stacks

The average pore size ξ₀ of filamentous networks assembled from biological macromolecules is one of the most important physical parameters affecting their biological functions. Modern optical methods, such as confocal microscopy, can noninvasively image such networks, but extracting a quantitative estimate of ξ₀ is a nontrivial task. We present here a fast and simple method based on a two-dimensional bubble approach, which works by analyzing one by one the (thresholded) images of a series of three-dimensional thin data stacks. No skeletonization or reconstruction of the full geometry of the entire network is required. The method was validated by using many isotropic in silico generated networks of different structures, morphologies, and concentrations. For each type of network, the method provides accurate estimates (a few percent) of the average and the standard deviation of the three-dimensional distribution of the pore sizes, defined as the diameters of the largest spheres that can be fit into the pore zones of the entire gel volume. When applied to the analysis of real confocal microscopy images taken on fibrin gels, the method provides an estimate of ξ₀ consistent with results from elastic light scattering data.     

紫花和桂香芒果采后色泽转化的研究

紫花和桂香芒果品种随着果实后熟的进程,叶绿素含量逐渐下降,类胡萝卜素含量逐渐增加。与桂香相比,紫花芒果含有较低的叶绿素和较高的H₂O₂,与其果实转黄相一致。乙烯利和H₂O₂处理明显促进了紫花芒果的叶绿素分解和色泽转化,而对桂香芒果的叶绿素分解虽有一定的促进作用,但对外观色泽转化的影响不明显。     

Radiation Response of Connexin43-Transfected Cells in Relation to the “Contact Effect”

Some cell lines grown for only two cell doublings as multicell spheroids develop a form of resistance to killing by ionizing radiation that has been called the “contact” effect. While our previous results have implicated a role for higher order chromatin structure in the contact effect, another possible explanation is the presence of intercellular gap junctions that might facilitate communication between cells grown as spheroids and thereby enhance the ability of cells to resist or recover from radiation damage. To examine the role of gap junctions in the contact effect, rat glioma C6 and mouse EMT6 cell lines were transfected with a gene encoding the gap junctional protein connexin43. While C6 glioma cells are deficient in gap junctional communication, cells from spheroids were nonetheless more resistant than monolayers to killing by ionizing radiation, and the contact effect was present to a similar extent in the three transfected clones. For mouse EMT6 cells, radiosensitivity was similar whether cells were grown as monolayers or spheroids. Transfection of EMT6 cells with connexin43 increased gap junctional communication but did not promote development of a contact effect. Tumor volume doubling time in SCID mice increased significantly for one transfected clone; however, doubling timein vitrowas also increased relative to the EMT6 parent. We conclude that extensive gap junctional communication is not a requirement for the increased radiation resistance observed when some cell lines are grown as spheroids.     

Estimating the 3D Pore Size Distribution of Biopolymer Networks from Directionally Biased Data

The pore size of biopolymer networks governs their mechanical properties and strongly impacts the behavior of embedded cells. Confocal reflection microscopy and second harmonic generation microscopy are widely used to image biopolymer networks; however, both techniques fail to resolve vertically oriented fibers. Here, we describe how such directionally biased data can be used to estimate the network pore size. We first determine the distribution of distances from random points in the fluid phase to the nearest fiber. This distribution follows a Rayleigh distribution, regardless of isotropy and data bias, and is fully described by a single parameter—the characteristic pore size of the network. The bias of the pore size estimate due to the missing fibers can be corrected by multiplication with the square root of the visible network fraction. We experimentally verify the validity of this approach by comparing our estimates with data obtained using confocal fluorescence microscopy, which represents the full structure of the network. As an important application, we investigate the pore size dependence of collagen and fibrin networks on protein concentration. We find that the pore size decreases with the square root of the concentration, consistent with a total fiber length that scales linearly with concentration.     

Estimating the 3D Pore Size Distribution of Biopolymer Networks from Directionally Biased Data

The pore size of biopolymer networks governs their mechanical properties and strongly impacts the behavior of embedded cells. Confocal reflection microscopy and second harmonic generation microscopy are widely used to image biopolymer networks; however, both techniques fail to resolve vertically oriented fibers. Here, we describe how such directionally biased data can be used to estimate the network pore size. We first determine the distribution of distances from random points in the fluid phase to the nearest fiber. This distribution follows a Rayleigh distribution, regardless of isotropy and data bias, and is fully described by a single parameter—the characteristic pore size of the network. The bias of the pore size estimate due to the missing fibers can be corrected by multiplication with the square root of the visible network fraction. We experimentally verify the validity of this approach by comparing our estimates with data obtained using confocal fluorescence microscopy, which represents the full structure of the network. As an important application, we investigate the pore size dependence of collagen and fibrin networks on protein concentration. We find that the pore size decreases with the square root of the concentration, consistent with a total fiber length that scales linearly with concentration.     

Malonyldialdehyde- and Methylglyoxal-Induced Suppression of Endothelium-Mediated Dilation of Rat Iliac Artery in Response to Elevation of Blood Flow

Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology - Arterial vessels dilate in response to an increase in blood flow rate (BFR). This control is based on ability of endotheliocytes to relax...     

一种简易SNP检测方法的建立

目的：建立一种快速、简单的SNP（Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms）检测方法。方法：设计带生物素标记的扩增引物对检测用具有单碱基差异的野生型和突变型靶序列分别进行扩增,然后通过紫外交联的方式将相应检测靶序列的探针固定在硝酸纤维素膜上,借助Taq酶完成膜上单引物延伸,从而对探针捕获的靶序列进行延伸固定在膜上,最后使用生物素．亲和素酶联显色（ABs-ELISA）反应肉眼观察结果。结果：阳性和阴性对照探针显示正常。野生型探针和突变型探针能够分别特异性结合靶序列,并通过生物素和亲和索显色系统放大为一种肉眼可判断结果的检测形式。结论：建立了一种基于硝酸纤维素膜载体上进行核酸扩增的SNP检测方法。     

一种简易SNP 检测方法的建立

目的:建立一种快速、简单的SNP(Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms)检测方法。方法:设计带生物素标记的扩增引物对检测用具有单碱基差异的野生型和突变型靶序列分别进行扩增,然后通过紫外交联的方式将相应检测靶序列的探针固定在硝酸纤维素膜上,借助Taq酶完成膜上单引物延伸,从而对探针捕获的靶序列进行延伸固定在膜上,最后使用生物素-亲和素酶联显色(ABS-ELISA)反应肉眼观察结果。结果:阳性和阴性对照探针显示正常。野生型探针和突变型探针能够分别特异性结合靶序列,并通过生物素和亲和素显色系统放大为一种肉眼可判断结果的检测形式。结论:建立了一种基于硝酸纤维素膜载体上进行核酸扩增的SNP检测方法。     

Dynamical phase coexistence: A simple solution to the “savanna problem”

We introduce the concept of dynamical phase coexistence to provide a simple solution for a long-standing problem in theoretical ecology, the so-called “savanna problem”. The challenge is to understand why in savanna ecosystems trees and grasses coexist in a robust way with large spatiotemporal variability. We propose a simple model, a variant of the contact process (CP), which includes two key extra features: varying external (environmental/rainfall) conditions and tree age. The system fluctuates locally between a woodland and a grassland phase, corresponding to the active and absorbing phases of the underlying pure contact process. This leads to a highly variable stable phase characterized by patches of the woodland and grassland phases coexisting dynamically. We show that the mean time to tree extinction under this model increases as a power-law of system size and can be of the order of 10,000,000 years in even moderately sized savannas. Finally, we demonstrate that while local interactions among trees may influence tree spatial distribution and the order of the transition between woodland and grassland phases, they do not affect dynamical coexistence. We expect dynamical coexistence to be relevant in other contexts in physics, biology or the social sciences.