Zebrafish: a vertebrate tool for studying basal body biogenesis, structure, and function.

Understanding the role of basal bodies (BBs) during development and disease has been largely overshadowed by research into the function of the cilium. Although these two organelles are closely associated, they have specific roles to complete for successful cellular development. Appropriate development and function of the BB are fundamental for cilia function. Indeed, there are a growing number of human genetic diseases affecting ciliary development, known collectively as the ciliopathies. Accumulating evidence suggests that BBs establish cell polarity, direct ciliogenesis, and provide docking sites for proteins required within the ciliary axoneme. Major contributions to our knowledge of BB structure and function have been provided by studies in flagellated or ciliated unicellular eukaryotic organisms, specifically Tetrahymena and Chlamydomonas. Reproducing these and other findings in vertebrates has required animal in vivo models. Zebrafish have fast become one of the primary organisms of choice for modeling vertebrate functional genetics. Rapid ex-utero development, proficient egg laying, ease of genetic manipulation, and affordability make zebrafish an attractive vertebrate research tool. Furthermore, zebrafish share over 80 % of disease causing genes with humans. In this article, we discuss the merits of using zebrafish to study BB functional genetics, review current knowledge of zebrafish BB ultrastructure and mechanisms of function, and consider the outlook for future zebrafish-based BB studies

Signal transduction underlying the control of urinary bladder smooth muscle tone by muscarinic receptors and β-adrenoceptors

The normal physiological contraction of the urinary bladder, which is required for voiding, is predominantly mediated by muscarinic receptors, primarily the M3 subtype, with the M2 subtype providing a secondary backup role. Bladder relaxation, which is required for urine storage, is mediated by β-adrenoceptors, in most species involving a strong β3-component. An excessive stimulation of contraction or a reduced relaxation of the detrusor smooth muscle during the storage phase of the micturition cycle may contribute to bladder dysfunction known as the overactive bladder. Therefore, interference with the signal transduction of these receptors may be a viable approach to develop drugs for the treatment of overactive bladder. The prototypical signaling pathway of M3 receptors is activation of phospholipase C (PLC), and this pathway is also activated in the bladder. Nevertheless, PLC apparently contributes only in a very minor way to bladder contraction. Rather, muscarinic-receptor-mediated bladder contraction involves voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and Rho kinase. The prototypical signaling pathway of β-adrenoceptors is an activation of adenylyl cyclase with the subsequent formation of cAMP. Nevertheless, cAMP apparently contributes in a minor way only to β-adrenoceptor-mediated bladder relaxation. BKCa channels may play a greater role in β-adrenoceptor-mediated bladder relaxation. We conclude that apart from muscarinic receptor antagonists and β-adrenoceptor agonists, inhibitors of Rho kinase and activators of BKCa channels may have potential to treat an overactive bladder

Post-mortem volatiles of vertebrate tissue

Volatile emission during vertebrate decay is a complex process that is understood incompletely. It depends on many factors. The main factor is the metabolism of the microbial species present inside and on the vertebrate. In this review, we combine the results from studies on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected during this decay process and those on the biochemical formation of VOCs in order to improve our understanding of the decay process. Micro-organisms are the main producers of VOCs, which are by- or end-products of microbial metabolism. Many microbes are already present inside and on a vertebrate, and these can initiate microbial decay. In addition, micro-organisms from the environment colonize the cadaver. The composition of microbial communities is complex, and communities of different species interact with each other in succession. In comparison to the complexity of the decay process, the resulting volatile pattern does show some consistency. Therefore, the possibility of an existence of a time-dependent core volatile pattern, which could be used for applications in areas such as forensics or food science, is discussed. Possible microbial interactions that might alter the process of decay are highlighted

Subterranean Vetch Seed Enhances Persistence Under Grazing and Severe Climates

Subterranean vetch (Vicia sativa subsp. amphicarpa) grows widely in the central Anatolia region of Turkey. This variety was grown to determine biological characteristics and adaptation for persistence under heavy grazing. Both aerial and subterranean stems were produced and subterranean seed were larger than aerial seed. Delayed germination enables survival of the species where the climatic conditions are severe.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202

Formation and magnetic properties of butterfly-shaped martensite in an Fe-Ni-Cr alloy

International Conference on Martensitic Transformations (ICOMAT05) -- JUN 13-17, 2005 -- Shanghai, PEOPLES R CHINAWOS: 000242900900061The butterfly-shaped martensitic transformation has been examined by means of transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the magnetic properties of the alloy have been studied by using Mossbauer spectroscopy in an Fe-16.24%Ni-0.46%Cr (at.%) alloy. Mossbauer spectroscopy examinations showed that the austenite state is paramagnetic and butterfly martensite is ferromagnetic. The volume fraction changes, the effective hyperfine field of the ferromagnetic martensite phase and isomery shift values have also been determined by Mossbauer spectroscopy. In situ TEM studies were carried out in order to elucidate the nucleation and growth mechanisms of the martensite. The nucleation and growth of martensite is related to the motion of dislocations in austenite and this fact plays an important role in the kinetics of the martensitic transformation. Based on these experimental results, the nucleation and growth mechanisms of martensite crystals are discussed in detail. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V

A Sodium Supported Borate Ester: Synthesis, Spectral Characterization and Crystal Structure of dimeric Sodium Organoborate Complex [Na(py)][B(hyncaH(-2))(2)](2)

WOS: 000265020200010A dimeric sodium supported borate complex, [Na(py)][B(hyncaH(-2))(2)](2) (1) (py = pyridine, hynca = 1-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid), has been synthesised by the reaction of NaBH4 with two equivalents of hynca in anhydrous THF and following crystallization from py/H2O solution afforded borate ester derivative. The complex has been fully characterized by FT-IR in the solid state and by NMR (H-1 and C-13) spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in solution. The molecular structure of the title compound was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Structure analysis of complex 1 confirmed the presence of an anionic complex [B(hyncaH(-2))(2)](-) in which boron atom is coordinated simultaneously by two hynca ligands utilising both alkoxide and carboxylate groups for bonding. The Na atom is six- coordinate to five O atoms of hydroxy carboxylic acid and one pyridine N atom. Crystal data: crystal system, monoclinic, a = 10.971(3) angstrom, b = 6.839(3) angstrom, c = 30.545(5) angstrom, beta = 92.20(2)degrees, space group P2(1)/c (#14), V = 2,290( 1) angstrom(3), Z = 4.Kirikkale UniversityKirikkale UniversityThe authors gratefully acknowledge Kirikkale University for the financial support of this research

The effect of austenitizing time on martensite morphologies and magnetic properties of martensite in Fe-24.5%Ni-4.5%Si alloy

WOS: 000247934600029The effect of austenitizing time on the formation of martensite in Fe-24.5%Ni-4.5%Si alloy has been studied by means of transmission electronmicroscope (TEM), scanning electronmicroscope (SEM) and Mossbauer spectroscopy technique. TEM and SEM observations revealed that the martensite morphology was found to be closely dependent on the austenitizing time. The orientation relationship between austenite and thermally induced martensite was found as the Kurdjumov-Sachs type. The volume fraction changes of martensite and austenite phases, the hyperfine magnetic field of martensite phase and isomery shift values have been determined by Mossbauer spectroscopy. The Mossbauer study also revealed that the martensite volume fractions increased with increasing austenite grain size

Effect of swaging on microstructure and tensile properties of W-Ni-Fe alloys

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of swaging on the microstructure and tensile properties of high density two phase alloys 90W-7Ni-3Fe and 93W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe. Samples were liquid phase sintered under hydrogen and argon at 1480 degrees C for 30 min and then 15% cold rotary swaged. Measurement of microstructural parameters in the sintered and swaged samples showed that swaging slightly increased tungsten grain size in the longitudinal direction and slightly decreased tungsten grain size in the transverse direction. Swaging increased the contiguity values in both longitudinal and transverse directions. Swaging led to more severe deformations at the edges than at the center of the specimens. Solidus and liquidus temperatures of the nickel-based binder phase in the sintered and swaged samples were determined by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. An increase in tensile strength with a reduction in ductility was observed due to strain hardening by swaging. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This study was supported by TOBB University of Economics and Technology, TUBITAK-SAGE, and Middle East Technical University. The authors acknowledge Mr. Cengiz Tan and Mr. Serkan Yilmaz from Middle East Technical University for their assistance in the scanning electron microscopy work