Onset of Maturity and Ontogenetic Tagmatization of the Pygidium in the Development of Lonchopygella megaspina (Trilobita, Later Furongian, Cambrian)

2013 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 472-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuejian Zhu ◽  
Nigel C. Hughes ◽  
Shanchi Peng
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Marked Change ◽  
Thoracic Segment ◽  
Intermediate Step ◽  
Evolutionary Transition ◽  
Terminal Spine ◽  
Trunk Segment ◽  
Body Development ◽  
Number Form

Onset of maturity in trilobites is generally considered to occur when the last trunk segment is released into the thorax, marking the start of the holaspid stage. Here we describe striking morphological changes that occur within the holaspid ontogeny of Lonchopygella megaspina Zhou in Zhou et al., 1977, which include the effacement of dorsal furrows, the rapid and complete degeneration of pygidial lateral spines, and the increasing prominence of a pygidial axial spine. These notable changes, which are not coincident with the onset of the holaspid phase, emphasize that the onset of maturity in trilobites should be viewed on a character-by-character basis before assessing whether the exoskeleton as a whole can be described as mature. The holaspid pygidial condition in L. megaspina may represent an intermediate step in an evolutionary transition in the number, form, and allocation of segments in the tsinaniid trunk. Pygidial transition from a dynamically changing complement of segments in the meraspid phase to a static complement in the holaspid phase was accompanied by a marked change in the extent to which segment boundaries defined pygidial structure. Attaining this static complement allowed subsequent pygidial development to emphasize its structure as an integrated unit in which internal segmental boundaries became diffuse, a continuous margin to become prominent, and an elongated terminal spine, first evident at onset of epimorphic growth, to develop allometrically. Trilobite body development suggests that while the segmented construction placed constraints on how morphology varied, the influence of these constraints diminished following completion of thoracic segment construction. Selective premium for a distinct posterior tagma might favor the early ontogenetic acquisition of such a structure, and could have been a driver of the repeated trend toward caudalization witnessed among derived trilobite clades.

scholarly journals Running and Swimming Differently Adapt the BDNF/TrkB Pathway to a Slow Molecular Pattern at the NMJ

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4577
Author(s):  
Laia Just-Borràs ◽  
Víctor Cilleros-Mañé ◽  
Erica Hurtado ◽  
Olivier Biondi ◽  
Frédéric Charbonnier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Intermediate Step ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Molecular Pattern ◽  
Functional Transition ◽  
Synapse Maintenance ◽  
Therapeutic Tools

Physical exercise improves motor control and related cognitive abilities and reinforces neuroprotective mechanisms in the nervous system. As peripheral nerves interact with skeletal muscles at the neuromuscular junction, modifications of this bidirectional communication by physical activity are positive to preserve this synapse as it increases quantal content and resistance to fatigue, acetylcholine receptors expansion, and myocytes’ fast-to-slow functional transition. Here, we provide the intermediate step between physical activity and functional and morphological changes by analyzing the molecular adaptations in the skeletal muscle of the full BDNF/TrkB downstream signaling pathway, directly involved in acetylcholine release and synapse maintenance. After 45 days of training at different intensities, the BDNF/TrkB molecular phenotype of trained muscles from male B6SJLF1/J mice undergo a fast-to-slow transition without affecting motor neuron size. We provide further knowledge to understand how exercise induces muscle molecular adaptations towards a slower phenotype, resistant to prolonged trains of stimulation or activity that can be useful as therapeutic tools.

The Birds from Las Hoyas

2002 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Luis Sanz ◽  
Francisco Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
General View ◽  
Evolutionary Transition ◽  
Avian Flight ◽  
Theropod Dinosaurs ◽  
Fossil Material ◽  
Life Habits ◽  
Wing Aspect Ratio

Information on the first steps of the avian evolutionary history has dramatically increased during the last few years. The fossil record provides a general view of the morphological changes of the avian flight apparatus from non-volant ancestors (non-avian theropod dinosaurs) to the first derived fliers of the Early Cretaceous. The Las Hoyas bird record includes three genera: Iberomesornis, Concornis and Eoalulavis. This fossil material has yielded information about the early avian evolutionary history. These Early Cretaceous birds (some 120 Myr old) had a wingbeat cycle and breathing devices similar to those of extant birds. The function of the rectricial fan was also similar. In the evolutionary transition from cursorial ancestors to derived fliers it is possible to verify a trend to increase lift. Primitive wing aspect ratio morphotypes were elliptical ones, other derived morphotypes appeared, for example, in the Neornithes (extant birds). Some primitive fliers, like the Las Hoyas genus Eoalulavis, had an alula (feathers attached to the first digit of the hand) similar to that of present day birds, indicating braking and manoeuvring skills similar to those of their extant relatives. Primitive avian life habits are poorly understood. Some evidence from the Las Hoyas bird record indicates that Early Cretaceous birds were present in the trophic chains.

scholarly journals The Blue-Light PhotoreceptorSfwc-1Gene Regulates the Phototropic Response and Fruiting-Body Development in the Homothallic AscomyceteSordaria fimicola

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kulsumpun Krobanan ◽  
Syun-Wun Liang ◽  
Ho-Chen Chiu ◽  
Wei-Chiang Shen
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Blue Light ◽  
Fruiting Body ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Tissue Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blue Light Photoreceptor ◽  
Body Development ◽  
Fruiting Body Development ◽  
Sordaria Fimicola

ABSTRACTSordaria fimicola, a coprophilous ascomycete, is a homothallic fungus that can undergo sexual differentiation with cellular and morphological changes followed by multicellular tissue development to complete its sexual cycle. In this study, we identified and characterized the blue-light photoreceptor gene inS. fimicola. TheS. fimicolawhite collar-1 photoreceptor (SfWC-1) contains light-oxygen-voltage-sensing (LOV), Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS), and other conserved domains and is homologous to the WC-1 blue-light photoreceptor ofNeurospora crassa. The LOV domain ofSfwc-1was deleted by homologous recombination usingAgrobacterium-mediated protoplast transformation. TheSfwc-1(Δlov)mutant showed normal vegetative growth but produced less carotenoid pigment under illumination. The mutant showed delayed and less-pronounced fruiting-body formation, was defective in phototropism of the perithecial beaks, and lacked the fruiting-body zonation pattern compared with the wild type under the illumination condition. Gene expression analyses supported the light-induced functions of theSfwc-1gene in the physiology and developmental process of perithecial formation inS. fimicola. Moreover, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged SfWC-1 fluorescence signals were transiently strong upon light induction and prominently located inside the nuclei of living hyphae. Our studies focused on the putative blue-light photoreceptor in a model ascomycete and contribute to a better understanding of the photoregulatory functions and networks mediated by the evolutionarily conserved blue-light photoreceptors across diverse fungal phyla.IMPORTANCESordariasp. has been a model for study of fruiting-body differentiation in fungi. Several environmental factors, including light, affect cellular and morphological changes during multicellular tissue development. Here, we created a light-oxygen-voltage-sensing (LOV) domain-deletedSfwc-1mutant to study blue-light photoresponses inSordaria fimicola. Phototropism and rhythmic zonation of perithecia were defective in theSfwc-1(Δlov)mutant. Moreover, fruiting-body development in the mutant was reduced and also significantly delayed. Gene expression analysis and subcellular localization study further revealed the light-induced differential gene expression and cellular responses upon light stimulation inS. fimicola.

Morphological Changes in the Rat Granulosa Cell Surface During Differentiation Induced by Estradiol and Gonadotropins

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 484-485
Author(s):  
P. Bagavandoss ◽  
JoAnne S. Richards ◽  
A. Rees Midgley
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Granulosa Cell ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 5 ◽  
Group 2

During follicular development in the mammalian ovary, several functional changes occur in the granulosa cells in response to steroid hormones and gonadotropins (1,2). In particular, marked changes in the content of membrane-associated receptors for the gonadotropins have been observed (1).We report here scanning electron microscope observations of morphological changes that occur on the granulosa cell surface in response to the administration of estradiol, human follicle stimulating hormone (hFSH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).Immature female rats that were hypophysectcmized on day 24 of age were treated in the following manner. Group 1: control groups were injected once a day with 0.1 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 3 days; group 2: estradiol (1.5 mg/0.2 ml propylene glycol) once a day for 3 days; group 3: estradiol for 3 days followed by 2 days of hFSH (1 μg/0.1 ml) twice daily, group 4: same as in group 3; group 5: same as in group 3 with a final injection of hCG (5 IU/0.1 ml) on the fifth day.

Effect of verapamil on cytoplasmic distribution of granules and microfilaments in amphibian urinary bladder

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 324-325
Author(s):  
A.J. Mia ◽  
L.X. Oakford ◽  
T. Yorio
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Bladder ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Granular Cell ◽  
Cytosolic Calcium ◽  
Calcium Storage ◽  
Amphibian Urinary Bladder ◽  
Vesicular Membrane ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Cytoskeletal System

The amphibian urinary bladder has been used as a ‘model’ system for studies of the mechanism of action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in stimulating transepithelial water flow. The increase in water permeability is accompanied by morphological changes that include the stimulation of apical microvilli, mobilization of microtubules and microfilaments and vesicular membrane fusion events . It has been shown that alterations in the cytosolic calcium concentrations can inhibit ADH transmembrane water flow and induce alterations in the epithelial cell cytomorphology, including the cytoskeletal system . Recently, the subapical granules of the granular cell in the amphibian urinary bladder have been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium, and it was suggested that these cytoplasmic constituents may act as calcium storage sites for intracellular calcium homeostasis. The present study utilizes the calcium antagonist, verapamil, to examine the effect of calcium deprivation on the cytomorphological features of epithelial cells from amphibian urinary bladder, with particular emphasis on subapical granule and microfilament distribution.

Hydrated form of some clay minerals observed using a film sealed environmental cell

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-73
Author(s):  
N. Kohyama ◽  
K. Fukushima ◽  
A. Fukami
Keyword(s):  
Clay Minerals ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Carbon Film ◽  
Electron Microscopic Observation ◽  
Adsorbed Water ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Hydrated Form ◽  
Thin Carbon ◽  
Environmental Cell ◽  
Thin Carbon Film

Since the interlayer or adsorbed water of some clay minerals are quite easily dehydrated in dried air, in vacuum, or at moderate temperatures even in the atmosphere, the hydrated forms have not been observed by a conventional electron microscope(TEM). Recently, specific specimen chambers, “environmental cells(E.C.),” have been developed and confirmed to be effective for electron microscopic observation of wet specimen without dehydration. we observed hydrated forms of some clay minerals and their morphological changes by dehydration using a TEM equipped with an E.C..The E.C., equipped with a single hole copper-microgrid sealed by thin carbon-film, attaches to a TEM(JEM 7A) with an accelerating voltage 100KV and both gas pressure (from 760 Torr to vacuum) and relative humidity can be controlled. The samples collected from various localities in Japan were; tubular halloysite (l0Å) from Gumma Prefecture, sperical halloysite (l0Å) from Tochigi Pref., and intermediate halloysite containing both tubular and spherical types from Fukushima Pref..

Ultrastructural Study of Rat Colon Following Psyllium Ingestion

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 580-581
Author(s):  
F.G. Lightfoot ◽  
L.E. Grau ◽  
M.M. Cassidy ◽  
G.R. Tadvalkar ◽  
G.V. Vahouny
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Rat Colon ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Luminal Surface ◽  
Fecal Material ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Morphologic Analysis ◽  
Irritable Bowel

Psyllium hydrophillic mucilloid is a natural gelling fiber consumed by a large population of our society. It is used as a bulk-producing laxative and in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”. The literature pertaining to the ultrastructural effects of this agent is sparse.This study documents morphological changes induced by psyllium. Animals fed a diet containing 2% psyllium for four weeks were subsequently sacrificed and processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The colon contained fecal material combined with psyllium which conformed to the contour of the luminal surface. This mixture formed surface replicas of the intestinal mucosa. These replicas and their related colonic sites were processed for morphologic analysis.

Correlation Between Cellular Functions and Morphological Changes of Human Trophoblast in Vitro

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 600-601
Author(s):  
John C. Garancis ◽  
Robert O. Hussa ◽  
Michael T. Story ◽  
Donald Yorde ◽  
Roland A. Pattillo
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Culture Fluid ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Marked Activity ◽  
Malignant Trophoblast

Human malignant trophoblast cells in continuous culture were incubated for 3 days in medium containing 1 mM N6-O2'-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) and 1 mM theophylline. The culture fluid was replenished daily. Stimulated cultures secreted many times more chorionic gonadotropin and estrogens than did control cultures in the absence of increased cellular proliferation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed remarkable surface changes of stimulated cells. Control cells (not stimulated) were smooth or provided with varying numbers of microvilli (Fig. 1). The latter, usually, were short and thin. The surface features of stimulated cells were considerably different. There was marked increase of microvilli which appeared elongated and thick. Many cells were covered with confluent polypoid projections (Fig. 2). Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated marked activity of cytoplasmic organelles. Mitochondria were increased in number and size; some giant forms with numerous cristae were observed.

Membrane-associated microtubular areays induced in proximal myelinated processes of dorsal root ganglia by large doses of vitamin B6

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 368-369
Author(s):  
V.J. Montpetit ◽  
S. Dancea ◽  
L. Tryphonas ◽  
D.F. Clapin
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Dorsal Root Ganglia ◽  
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Model System ◽  
Sensory Nerves ◽  
Peripheral Sensory

Very large doses of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) are neurotoxic in humans, selectively affecting the peripheral sensory nerves. We have undertaken a study of the morphological and biochemical aspects of pyridoxine neurotoxicity in an animal model system. Early morphological changes in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) associated with pyridoxine megadoses include proliferation of neurofilaments, ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi complexes. We present in this report evidence of the formation of unique aggregates of microtubules and membranes in the proximal processes of DRG which are induced by high levels of pyridoxine.

Effects of cisplatin treatment on the rat neurohypophysis

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 122-123
Author(s):  
J.M. Fadool ◽  
P.J. Boyer ◽  
S.K. Aggarwal
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Urine Output ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Antineoplastic Drugs

Cisplatin (CDDP) is currently one of the most valuable antineoplastic drugs available. However, it has severe toxic side effects of which nephrotoxicity is the major dose limiting factor in its use. It induces morphological changes in the kidney with hampered urine output. The present study is an effort to determine the influence of the drug on the neurohypophysis for any antidiuretic effects on the kidney.

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