-
The Journal of Cell Biology May 2021Cytonemes are specialized filopodia that mediate paracrine signaling in Drosophila and other animals. Studies using fluorescence confocal microscopy (CM) established...
Cytonemes are specialized filopodia that mediate paracrine signaling in Drosophila and other animals. Studies using fluorescence confocal microscopy (CM) established their general paths, cell targets, and essential roles in signaling. To investigate details unresolvable by CM, we used high-pressure freezing and EM to visualize cytoneme structures, paths, contents, and contacts. We observed cytonemes previously seen by CM in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc system, including disc, tracheal air sac primordium (ASP), and myoblast cytonemes, and identified cytonemes extending into invaginations of target cells, and cytonemes connecting ASP cells and connecting myoblasts. Diameters of cytoneme shafts vary between repeating wide (206 ± 51.8 nm) and thin (55.9 ± 16.2 nm) segments. Actin, ribosomes, and membranous compartments are present throughout; rough ER and mitochondria are in wider proximal sections. These results reveal novel structural features of filopodia and provide a basis for understanding cytoneme cell biology and function.
Topics: Actins; Animals; Drosophila Proteins; Drosophila melanogaster; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Myoblasts; Pseudopodia; Signal Transduction; Wings, Animal
PubMed: 33734293
DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202101116 -
Heliyon Nov 2023This paper investigates the effectiveness of an indirect solar dryer (ISD) specifically designed for the geographical and climatic conditions of Meknes (Morocco). The...
This paper investigates the effectiveness of an indirect solar dryer (ISD) specifically designed for the geographical and climatic conditions of Meknes (Morocco). The constructed ISD system incorporates a solar air collector (SAC) inclined at 34° to the ground, reaching a maximum outlet temperature of 58 °C. During the drying process, banana slices experienced a substantial reduction in mass, decreasing from 549.76 g to 138.41 g. The calculated mean efficiency of both the SAC and the dryer stood at 23.37 % and 18.8 %, respectively. In terms of moisture removal, ISD outperformed open solar drying (OSD), achieving a substantial moisture reduction of 74.83 %, whereas OSD yielded a reduction of 39.08 %. The process of drying resulted in a decrease in the moisture content (MC) of banana slices from an initial value of 3.5771 kg/kg (db) to a final value of MC varied depending on the tray used for drying, with values of 0.0397, 0.1292, 0.1745, and 0.2597 kg/kg (db) recorded for trays 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. By focusing on the development and evaluation of an ISD system optimized for the local conditions, this research contributes valuable insights into efficient and sustainable food drying.
PubMed: 37954255
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21299 -
Current Biology : CB Feb 2022Larval phantom midges are remarkably adept at maintaining neutral buoyancy in water. A new study reveals that they do so using a previously unknown mechanism -...
Larval phantom midges are remarkably adept at maintaining neutral buoyancy in water. A new study reveals that they do so using a previously unknown mechanism - modifying the volumes of internal air sacs using pH-driven changes in a protein embedded in the air-sac walls.
Topics: Air Sacs; Animals; Insecta; Larva; Water
PubMed: 35231410
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.01.007 -
Journal of Morphology Apr 2022Among piranhas, different species are able to produce sounds but not all of them use the same mechanism. In all species, the sound-producing muscle originates on the...
Among piranhas, different species are able to produce sounds but not all of them use the same mechanism. In all species, the sound-producing muscle originates on the second vertebra, but the insertion differs. Pygopristis denticulata can produce two kinds of pulsed sounds emitted in trains. Its sound production mechanism is mainly based on a muscle bundle that inserts between the two first ribs. In Catoprion mento, the anterior part of the sonic muscle inserts directly on the swim bladder. The most derived species (Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus) make all harmonic tonal sounds. Their sonic muscles constitute a single functional unit transversally surrounding the swim bladder. This study aims to study the ultrastructure of sonic muscles in nine species from these four genera. Epaxial muscles were compared with sonic muscles, and the sonic muscles of the different species were compared between them. Results confirmed ultrastructure modifications in the sonic muscles in comparison to epaxial muscles. Fibers of the sonic muscle are thinner and possess a thicker subsarcolemmal ring housing mitochondria. In sonic muscles, myofibrils are also proportionally less abundant, and their sarcomeres are longer and thinner. Some of these differences allows to separate basal species (e.g., P. denticulata) from more derived species (genera Pygocentrus and Serrasalmus) and supposedly support the observed differences in the acoustic abilities.
Topics: Air Sacs; Animals; Characiformes; Muscle, Skeletal; Sound
PubMed: 35060193
DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21450 -
Journal of Comparative Pathology Nov 2022A 10-year-old peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) was evaluated for an ulcerated and painful mass at the location of a fracture 2 years previously. Whole body...
A 10-year-old peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) was evaluated for an ulcerated and painful mass at the location of a fracture 2 years previously. Whole body radiographs showed a humeral fracture with a presumptive neoplastic proliferation in the distal diaphysis. Right wing amputation was elected but the animal died during recovery from surgery. Histopathological examination of the amputated wing revealed an infiltrative sarcomatous neoplastic proliferation. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was carried out to characterize the tumour using antibodies against vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), S-100, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (IBA-1), CD18, cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). The mesenchymal component of the mass was immunolabelled for vimentin and SMA and sparse epithelial cells were immunopositive for cytokeratin. Very few scattered cells were immunopositive for CD18 and IBA-1. The final diagnosis was consistent with an undifferentiated sarcoma with intralesional hyperplastic epithelium. According to the location, the history of a previous fracture and the histological pattern and IHC profile, the tumour was classified as an undifferentiated sarcoma with entrapped air sac epithelium.
Topics: Animals; Agapornis; Vimentin; Bird Diseases; Sarcoma; Soft Tissue Neoplasms; Keratins
PubMed: 36335863
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2022.09.006 -
Veterinary World Dec 2020is a ubiquitous pathogen causing aspergillosis in poultry. This research aimed to evaluate the clinical and pathological features of aspergillosis infection in broilers.
BACKGROUND AND AIM
is a ubiquitous pathogen causing aspergillosis in poultry. This research aimed to evaluate the clinical and pathological features of aspergillosis infection in broilers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
infection was induced experimentally by intra-air sac inoculation of a 1.7×10 spore suspension into broilers. Infected and non-infected birds were closely observed for the development of clinical signs of infection twice daily. Pathological samples were collected 5, 14, and 30 days post-infection (dpi) and examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining.
RESULTS
A total of 160 birds were included in this study. Clinical signs emerged at 3 dpi and became consistent at 5 dpi. A considerable decrease in severity and number of birds showing infection symptoms followed. The clinical signs of aspergillosis included anorexia (n=40; 50%), lethargy (n=32; 40%), dyspnea (n=38; 48%), and gasping (n=29; 36%). Macroscopic changes in the air sacs at 3 dpi included the development of minor lesions showing cloudiness, slight membrane thickening, and local exudates. Histopathological examination of the air sacs collected at 3 dpi indicated local inflammation surrounded by hyphae and spores. At 5 dpi, infected birds developed nodules, necrosis, and parenchymal consolidation of the lungs. Pulmonary changes, such as bronchopneumonia, spores, septate hyphae, and mild granulomatous inflammation, were also observed. At 14 dpi, multiple caseous nodules and plaques were found in the air sacs; plaque and necrosis in large areas of the lungs and severe multifocal granulomatous inflammation were noted.
CONCLUSION
The clinical symptoms of aspergillosis emerged at 3 dpi and gradually decreased beginning at 7 dpi. Similar pathological changes were observed in the air sacs and lungs. The results of this work provide additional information on the pathogenesis of aspergillosis.
PubMed: 33487999
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.2787-2792 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Apr 2020Natural and man-made robotic systems use the interfacial tension between two fluids to support dense objects on liquid surfaces. Here, we show that coacervate-encased...
Natural and man-made robotic systems use the interfacial tension between two fluids to support dense objects on liquid surfaces. Here, we show that coacervate-encased droplets of an aqueous polymer solution can be hung from the surface of a less dense aqueous polymer solution using surface tension. The forces acting on and the shapes of the hanging droplets can be controlled. Sacs with homogeneous and heterogeneous surfaces are hung from the surface and, by capillary forces, form well-ordered arrays. Locomotion and rotation can be achieved by embedding magnetic microparticles within the assemblies. Direct contact of the droplet with air enables in situ manipulation and compartmentalized cascading chemical reactions with selective transport. Applications including functional microreactors, motors, and biomimetic robots are evident.
PubMed: 32220955
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922045117 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2019The profound changes in global SO emissions over the last decades have affected atmospheric composition on a regional and global scale with large impact on air quality,...
The profound changes in global SO emissions over the last decades have affected atmospheric composition on a regional and global scale with large impact on air quality, atmospheric deposition and the radiative forcing of sulfate aerosols. Reproduction of historical atmospheric pollution levels based on global aerosol models and emission changes is crucial to prove that such models are able to predict future scenarios. Here, we analyze consistency of trends in observations of sulfur components in air and precipitation from major regional networks and estimates from six different global aerosol models from 1990 until 2015. There are large interregional differences in the sulfur trends consistently captured by the models and observations, especially for North America and Europe. Europe had the largest reductions in sulfur emissions in the first part of the period while the highest reduction came later in North America and East Asia. The uncertainties in both the emissions and the representativity of the observations are larger in Asia. However, emissions from East Asia clearly increased from 2000 to 2005 followed by a decrease, while in India a steady increase over the whole period has been observed and modelled. The agreement between a bottom-up approach, which uses emissions and process-based chemical transport models, with independent observations gives an improved confidence in the understanding of the atmospheric sulfur budget.
PubMed: 30700755
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37304-0 -
Ecology and Evolution Oct 2019Color-based visual signals are important aspects of communication throughout the animal kingdom. Individuals evaluate color to obtain information about age and condition...
Color-based visual signals are important aspects of communication throughout the animal kingdom. Individuals evaluate color to obtain information about age and condition and to behave accordingly. Birds display a variety of striking, conspicuous colors and make ideal subjects for the study of color signaling. While most studies of avian color focus on plumage, bare unfeathered body parts also display a wide range of color signals. Mate choice and intrasexual competitive interactions are easily observed in lekking grouse, which also signal with prominent unfeathered color patches. Most male grouse have one pair of colorful bare part ornaments (combs), and males of several species also have inflatable air sacs in their throat. Previous studies have mostly focused on comb color and size, but little is known about the signaling role of air sac color. We measured comb size and the color properties of combs and air sacs in the Lesser and Greater Prairie-Chickens ( and , respectively), and investigated whether these properties varied with age and mass. We found that mass predicted color properties of air sacs and that age predicted comb size in the Greater Prairie-Chicken, suggesting that these ornaments indicate condition dependence. No conclusive relationships between color and age or size were detected in the Lesser Prairie-Chicken. Color properties of both ornaments differed between the two species. Further research is needed to determine mechanisms that link condition to color and whether the information advertised by color signals from these ornaments is intended for males, females, or both.
PubMed: 31695891
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5687 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2021Early growth and development of the gastrointestinal tract are of critical importance to enhance nutrients' utilization and optimize the growth of poultry. In the... (Review)
Review
Early growth and development of the gastrointestinal tract are of critical importance to enhance nutrients' utilization and optimize the growth of poultry. In the current production system, chicks do not have access to feed for about 48-72 h during transportation between hatchery and production farms. This lag time affects early nutrient intake, natural exposure to the microbiome, and the initiation of beneficial stimulation of the immune system of chicks. feeding can provide early nutrients and additives to embryos, stimulate gut microflora, and mitigate the adverse effects of starvation during pre-and post-hatch periods. Depending on the interests, the compounds are delivered to the embryo either around day 12 or 17 to 18 of incubation and via air sac or amnion. applications of bioactive compounds like vaccines, nutrients, antibiotics, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, creatine, follistatin, L-carnitine, CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, growth hormone, polyclonal antimyostatin antibody, peptide YY, and insulin-like growth factor-1 have been studied. These compounds affect hatchability, body weight at hatch, physiological functions, immune responses, gut morphology, gut microbiome, production performance, and overall health of birds. However, the route, dose, method, and time of injection and host factors can cause variation, and thereby inconsistencies in results. Studies using this method have manifested the benefits of injection of different single bioactive compounds. But for excelling in poultry production, researchers should precisely know the proper route and time of injection, optimum dose, and effective combination of different compounds. This review paper will provide an insight into current practices and available findings related to feeding on performance and health parameters of poultry, along with challenges and future perspectives of this technique.
PubMed: 34859087
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.754246