Phosphorus distribution in perichromatin granules and surrounding nucleoplasm as visualized by electron spectroscopic imaging

Summary— The in situ distribution of phosphorus in perichromatin granules (PCGs), and in the surrounding nucleoplasm was investigated in rat liver cells by means of electron spectroscopic imaging of unstained preparations. A 2–3 nm fibril containing high concentration of phosphorus was found to be the main substructural feature of the PCGs revealed in the maps of phosphorus. This fibril is folded within the PCG with no apparent order. Fibrils of similar diameter and phosphorus content were also found in both the halo surrounding the PCG and dispersed in the nucleoplasm. Some of such fibrils are in continuity with those occurring within PCGs. Sometimes these fibrils are grouped forming a stalk connecting the PCG to chromatin. Some stalked PCGs are U-shaped or kidneyshaped, resembling Balbiani ring granules in the process of formation as observed in Chironomus salivary gland cell nuclei. The external fibrils are interpreted as perichromatin fibrils considered to be precursors of PCGs.     

Tumor-derived exosomes: Potential biomarkers and therapeutic target in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death in men and women in many countries. Early detection of CRC helps to prevent the advanced stages of the disease, and may thereby improve the survival of these patients. A noninvasive test with high specificity and sensitivity is required for this. Exosomes are lipid bilayer membrane nanovesicles that are released into most body fluids and especially in the microenvironment of cancer. They carry various proteins, lipids, and nucleic materials such as DNA, RNA, messenger RNA (mRNA), and microRNA (miRNA), and may also alter the function of target cells. In this review, we aimed to describe the biogenesis, composition, function, and the role of tumor-derived exosomes in cancer progression. Moreover, their applications in tumor diagnosis and treatment are described, with a particular focus on CRC.     

Effect of incubation temperature and androgens on dopaminergic activity in the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius

Male leopard geckos that hatch from eggs incubated at a female‐biased temperature (T_f) behave differently when compared with males hatching at a temperature which produces a male‐biased sex ratio (T_m). We investigated the effect of incubation temperature and androgen implantation on aspects of the dopaminergic system of T_f and T_m males. Our data suggest that more dopamine (DA) is stored in the nucleus accumbens of naive T_f males compared with naïve T_m males when they encounter a receptive female conspecific across a barrier. No difference was measured in the preoptic area and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). This difference in intracellular DA levels in a motivation‐related brain nucleus might be correlated with differences in sociosexual behavior observed between the two morphs. There were no differences in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expressing cell numbers in the VTA of cholesterol (CH)‐implanted naive castrated T_f and T_m males. Only T_f males implanted with testosterone had significantly higher TH immunopositive cell numbers in the VTA compared with CH‐ and dihydrotestosterone‐implanted T_f males. These data indicate that both the embryonic environment as well as the circulating hormonal milieu can modulate neurochemistry, which might in turn be a basis for individual variation in behavior. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007     

Morphological,anatomical, physiological,and cytological studies in diploid and tetraploid plants of Plantago psyllium

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Plantago psylliumis is under development as the source of mucilage, but has not been entirely domesticated. Since mucilage content is low and variable...