8 research outputs found
Corrigendum to “Effects of gallotannin on osteoclastogenesis and the p38 MAP kinase pathway” [Orthod. Waves 75 (2016) 105–113]
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Cricket tympanal organ revisited: morphology, development and possible functions of the adult-specific chitin core beneath the anterior tympanal membrane
No full textVertebrates and insects are phylogenetically separated by millions of years but have commonly developed tympanal membranes for efficiently converting airborne sound to mechanical oscillation in hearing. The tympanal organ of the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, spanning 200 mu m, is one of the smallest auditory organs among animals. It indirectly links to two tympana in the prothoracic tibia via tracheal vesicles. The anterior tympanal membrane is smaller and thicker than the posterior tympanal membrane and it is thought to have minor function as a sound receiver. Using differential labeling of sensory neurons/surrounding structures and three-dimensional reconstructions, we revealed that a shell-shaped chitin mass and associated tissues are hidden behind the anterior tympanal membrane. The mass, termed the epithelial core, is progressively enlarged by discharge of cylindrical chitin from epithelial cells that start to aggregate immediately after the final molt and it reaches a plateau in size after 6 days. The core, bridging between the anterior tracheal vesicle and the fluid-filled chamber containing sensory neurons, is supported by a taut membrane, suggesting the possibility that anterior displacements of the anterior tracheal vesicle are converted into fluid motion via a lever action of the core. The epithelial core did not exist in tympanal organ homologs of meso- and metathoracic legs or of nymphal legs. Taken together, the findings suggest that the epithelial core, a potential functional homolog to mammalian ossicles, underlies fine sound frequency discrimination required for adult-specific sound communications
High frequency Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and plant regeneration via direct shoot formation from leaf explants in Beta vulgaris and Beta maritima
No full textCommunicated by H. Uchimiya Abstract We have developed a new procedure for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants in the genus Beta using shoot-base as the material for Agrobacterium infection. The frequency of regeneration from shoot bases was analyzed in seven accessions of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) and two accessions of B. maritima to select materials suitable for obtaining transformed plants. The frequency of transformation of the chosen accessions using Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 and selection on 150-mg/l kanamycin was found to be higher than that in previously published methods. Genomic DNA analysis and -glucuronidase reporter assays showed that the transgene was inherited and expressed in subsequent generations. In our method, shoot bases are prepared by a simple procedure, and transformation does not involve the callus phase, thus minimizing the occurrence of somaclonal variations
The essential neutral sphingomyelinase is involved in the trafficking of the variant surface glycoprotein in the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei
No full textSphingomyelin is the main sphingolipid in Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness. In vitro and in vivo characterization of the T. brucei neutral sphingomyelinase demonstrates that it is directly involved in sphingomyelin catabolism. Gene knockout studies in the bloodstream form of the parasite indicate that the neutral sphingomyelinase is essential for growth and survival, thus highlighting that the de novo biosynthesis of ceramide is unable to compensate for the loss of sphingomyelin catabolism. The phenotype of the conditional knockout has given new insights into the highly active endocytic and exocytic pathways in the bloodstream form of T. brucei. Hence, the formation of ceramide in the endoplasmic reticulum affects post-Golgi sorting and rate of deposition of newly synthesized GPI-anchored variant surface glycoprotein on the cell surface. This directly influences the corresponding rate of endocytosis, via the recycling endosomes, of pre-existing cell surface variant surface glycoprotein. The trypanosomes use this coupled endocytic and exocytic mechanism to maintain the cell density of its crucial variant surface glycoprotein protective coat. TbnSMase is therefore genetically validated as a drug target against African trypanosomes, and suggests that interfering with the endocytic transport of variant surface glycoprotein is a highly desirable strategy for drug development against African trypanosomasis.Peer reviewe
What are the important technologies for bin picking? Technology analysis of robots in competitions based on a set of performance metrics
No full text© 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Bin picking is still a challenge in robotics, as patent in recent robot competitions. These competitions are an excellent platform for technology comparisons since some participants may use state-of-the-art technologies, while others may use conventional ones. Nevertheless, even though points are awarded or subtracted based on the performance in the frame of the competition rules, the final score does not directly reflect the suitability of the technology. Therefore, it is difficult to understand which technologies and their combination are optimal for various real-world problems. In this paper, we propose a set of performance metrics selected in terms of actual field use as a solution to clarify the important technologies in bin picking. Moreover, we use the selected metrics to compare our four original robot systems, which achieved the best performance in the Stow task of the Amazon Robotics Challenge 2017. Based on this comparison, we discuss which technologies are ideal for practical use in bin picking robots in the fields of factory and warehouse automation
