Is there any relationship between decreased AgNOR protein synthesis and human hair loss?

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region associated proteins (AgNORs) play roles in cell proliferation and a variety of diseases. We attempted to determine whether decreased NOR protein synthesis causes human hair loss. We studied 21 healthy males who suffered hair loss on the frontal/vertex portion of the head. Hair root cells from normal and hair loss sites were stained for AgNOR. One hundred nuclei per site were evaluated and the AgNOR number and NORa/TNa proportions of individual cells were determined using a computer program. The cells from normal sites had significantly higher AgNOR counts than those from hair loss sites. Also, the cells from the normal sites had significantly higher NORa/TNa than cells from the hair loss sites. In the normal sites, the cells demonstrated more NOR protein synthesis than cells in hair loss sites. Therefore, decreased NOR protein synthesis appears to be related to hair loss in humans.     

Stain Solubilities Part III

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution is used to decalcify bone specimens for histological examination. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) has been used to dissolve EDTA and to bring EDTA solutions to neutral pH. This solution, however, requires several weeks to decalcify bone specimens. We investigated a new de-calcification fluid using concentrated ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) to dissolve EDTA and to adjust the pH to neutral. Decalcification was performed using a magnetic stirrer with and without vacuum, or with a sonic cleaner. Decalcification end point was confirmed using both the weight loss and X-ray methods. After decalcification, specimens were processed through paraffin and sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Decalcification employing NH₄OH required an average of six days. Light microscopy indicated good retention of cellular detail.     

Immunohistochemical expression of Bcl-2, p53 and caspase-9 in hypothalamus magnocellular centers of nNOS knockout mice following water deprivation

Abstract

We studied the interactions between apoptosis regulator proteins (Bcl-2, p53 and caspase-9) and neuronal nitric oxide in vasopressinergic magnocellular centers of the hypothalamus using neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene knockout mice. nNOS gene deletion resulted in accumulation of Bcl-2, p53 and caspase-9 in the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei in controls. Dehydration increased the levels of all three apoptosis regulator proteins studied in nuclei of wild type mice. In the hypothalamus magnocellular centers of nNOS knockout mice, however, expression of Bcl-2, p53 and caspase-9 was unchanged after dehydration. The number of magnocellular neurons did not change in the SON and PVN of nNOS deficient mice compared to wild type, and after dehydration, cell death was not observed in either nucleus of wild type or knockout mice despite activation of apoptosis regulator protein expression. Thus, we demonstrated that gene disruption of nNOS prevents activation of Bcl-2, p53 and caspase-9 expression during water deprivation, and that nNOS deficiency did not affect survival of magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamus.     

Short communication: Single tube allele specific (STAS) PCR for direct determination of the mutation in the porcine ryanodine receptor gene associated with malignant hyperthermia

The ability to add or delete specific genes in swine will likely provide considerable benefits not just to agriculture but also to medicine, where pigs have potential as models for human disease and as organ donors. Here we have transferred nuclei from a genetically modified fibroblast cell line to porcine oocytes, matured in vitro under defined culture conditions, to create piglets expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein. The nuclear transfer-derived piglets were of normal size, although some mild symptoms of “large offspring syndrome” were evident. These experiments represent a next step towards creating swine with more useful genetic modifications.     

Water availability and population origin affect the expression of the tradeoff between reproduction and growth in Plantago coronopus

Investment in reproduction and growth represent a classic tradeoff with implication for life history evolution. The local environment can play a major role in the magnitude and evolutionary consequences of such a tradeoff. Here, we examined the investment in reproductive and vegetative tissue in 40 maternal half‐sib families from four different populations of the herb Plantago coronopus growing in either a dry or wet greenhouse environment. Plants originated from populations with an annual or a perennial life form, with annuals prevailing in drier habitats with greater seasonal variation in both temperature and precipitation. We found that water availability affected the expression of the tradeoff (both phenotypic and genetic) between reproduction and growth, being most accentuated under dry condition. However, populations responded very differently to water treatments. Plants from annual populations showed a similar response to drought condition with little variation among maternal families, suggesting a history of selection favouring genotypes with high allocation to reproduction when water availability is low. Plants from annual populations also expressed the highest level of plasticity. For the perennial populations, one showed a large variation among maternal families in resource allocation and expressed significant negative genetic correlations between reproductive and vegetative biomass under drought. The other perennial population showed less variation in response to treatment and had trait values similar to those of the annuals, although it was significantly less plastic. We stress the importance of considering intraspecific variation in response to environmental change such as drought, as conspecific plants exhibited very different abilities and strategies to respond to high versus low water availability even among geographically close populations.     

Habitat variation and wing coloration affect wing shape evolution in dragonflies

Habitats are spatially and temporally variable, and organisms must be able to track these changes. One potential mechanism for this is dispersal by flight. Therefore, we would expect flying animals to show adaptations in wing shape related to habitat variation. In this work, we explored variation in wing shape in relation to preferred water body (flowing water or standing water with tolerance for temporary conditions) and landscape (forested to open) using 32 species of dragonflies of the genus Trithemis (80% of the known species). We included a potential source of variation linked to sexual selection: the extent of wing coloration on hindwings. We used geometric morphometric methods for studying wing shape. We also explored the phenotypic correlation of wing shape between the sexes. We found that wing shape showed a phylogenetic structure and therefore also ran phylogenetic independent contrasts. After correcting for the phylogenetic effects, we found (i) no significant effect of water body on wing shape; (ii) male forewings and female hindwings differed with regard to landscape, being progressively broader from forested to open habitats; (iii) hindwings showed a wider base in wings with more coloration, especially in males; and (iv) evidence for phenotypic correlation of wing shape between the sexes across species. Hence, our results suggest that natural and sexual selection are acting partially independently on fore‐ and hindwings and with differences between the sexes, despite evidence for phenotypic correlation of wing shape between males and females.     

Fish hypnosis: Induction of an atonic immobility reflex

An immobility reflex may be induced in fish by a vigorous flow of water through the branchial chamber. The reflex was observed in 22 species representing bony and cartilaginous fishes from diverse habitats, and was invariably characterised by loss of caudal muscle tone and limp posture. The immobilised state may be maintained for many hours, and revival is instantaneous. The critical flow rate for induction increases with increasing body size in the snapper, Pagrus auratus, and heart rate falls below the resting rate. In addition, haematological parameters, and plasma lactate after 6?h were typical of resting fish. Although the mechanism is unclear, and the selective advantage for the fish unknown, pressure-sensitive receptors in the branchial chamber are likely to be involved. Application in live fish transport, and recovery from handling and exercise stressors is suggested.     

Influence of steam and dry heat pretreatment on fibre properties and cellulase degradation of cellulosic fibres

Cellulosic fabric samples of cotton, viscose, lyocell and modal were pretreated with steam and dry heat in the range of 100–190°C. The samples were then treated with a Trichoderma reesei cellulase preparation (total culture filtrate – TC), with mechanical agitation, at a high enzyme dosage of 75% by weight of fabric, for 8 hours. Generally, viscose proved to be easily degradable, followed by cotton and modal. The degree of hydrolysis was the least for Lyocell. Dry heat pretreatments exerted a lower influence on degradation rate than steam pretreatments which showed a distinct maximum at a steam temperature of 130°C. The hydrolysis rate varied strongly depending on treatment conditions and fibre type. Water retention values in treated substrates were changed by up to 20% of initial values.     

Finite element analysis of peri-implant bone volume affected by stresses around Morse taper implants: effects of implant positioning to the bone crest

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the distribution and magnitude of stresses through the bone tissue surrounding Morse taper dental implants at different positioning relative to the bone crest. Materials and Methods: A mandibular bone model was obtained from a computed tomography scan. A three-dimensional (3D) model of Morse taper implant-abutment systems placed at the bone crest (equicrestal) and 2?mm bellow the bone crest (subcrestal) were assessed by finite element analysis (FEA). FEA was carried out on axial and oblique (45°) loading at 150 N relatively to the central axis of the implant. The von Mises stresses were analysed considering magnitude and volume of affected peri-implant bone. Results: On vertical loading, maximum von Mises stresses were recorded at 6-7?MPa for trabecular bone while values ranging from 73 up to 118?MPa were recorded for cortical bone. On oblique loading at the equiquestral or subcrestal positioning, the maximum von Mises stresses ranged from 15 to 21?MPa for trabecular bone while values at 150?MPa were recorded for the cortical bone. On vertical loading, >99.9vol.% cortical bone volume was subjected to a maximum of 2?MPa while von Mises stress values at 15?MPa were recorded for trabecular bone. On oblique loading, >99.9vol.% trabecular bone volume was subjected to maximum stress values at 5?MPa, while von Mises stress values at 35?MPa were recorded for >99.4vol.% cortical bone. Conclusions: Bone volume-based stress analysis revealed that most of the bone volume (>99% by vol) was subjected to significantly lower stress values around Morse taper implants placed at equicrestal or subcrestal positioning. Such analysis is commentary to the ordinary biomechanical assessment of dental implants concerning the stress distribution through peri-implant sites.