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Structural Measurements (structural + measurement)
Selected AbstractsCombined Confocal Microscopy and Stereology: a Highly Efficient and Unbiased Approach to Quantitative Structural Measurement in TissuesEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Katherine Howell Understanding the relationship of the structure of organs to their function is a key component of integrative physiological research. The structure of the organs of the body is not constant but changes, both during growth and development and under conditions of sustained stress (e.g. high altitude exposure and disease). Recently, powerful new techniques have become available in molecular biology, which promise to provide novel insights into the mechanisms and consequences of these altered structure-function relationships. Conventionally structure-function relationships are studied by microscopic examination of tissue sections. However, drawing conclusions about the three-dimensional structure of an organ based on this two-dimensional information frequently leads to serious errors. The techniques of stereology allow precise and accurate quantification of structural features within three-dimensional organs that relate in a meaningful way to integrated function. For example, knowledge of changes in the total surface area of the capillary endothelium in an organ can be related directly to changes in fluid filtration and permeability, or knowledge of total vessel length and mean radius allows deductions about vascular resistance. Confocal microscopy adds enormously to the power of stereological approaches. It reduces the difficulties and labour involved in obtaining suitable images. Moreover, when used in conjunction with new analytical software, it allows convenient application of stereology to small samples and those in which it is essential to maintain a specific orientation for interpretation. The information obtained will allow us to examine in a quantitative manner the altered structure-function relationships produced by manipulation of single genes and regulatory pathways in whole organisms. [source] IGF-I Receptor Is Required for the Anabolic Actions of Parathyroid Hormone on Bone,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2007Yongmei Wang Abstract We showed that the IGF-IR,null mutation in mature osteoblasts leads to less bone and decreased periosteal bone formation and impaired the stimulatory effects of PTH on osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. Introduction: This study was carried out to examine the role of IGF-I signaling in mediating the actions of PTH on bone. Materials and Methods: Three-month-old mice with an osteoblast-specific IGF-I receptor null mutation (IGF-IR OBKO) and their normal littermates were treated with vehicle or PTH (80 ,g/kg body weight/d for 2 wk). Structural measurements of the proximal and midshaft of the tibia were made by ,CT. Trabecular and cortical bone formation was measured by bone histomorphometry. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were obtained to assess the effects of PTH on osteoprogenitor number and differentiation. Results: The fat-free weight of bone normalized to body weight (FFW/BW), bone volume (BV/TV), and cortical thickness (C.Th) in both proximal tibia and shaft were all less in the IGF-IR OBKO mice compared with controls. PTH decreased FFW/BW of the proximal tibia more substantially in controls than in IGF-IR OBKO mice. The increase in C.Th after PTH in the proximal tibia was comparable in both control and IGF-IR OBKO mice. Although trabecular and periosteal bone formation was markedly lower in the IGF-IR OBKO mice than in the control mice, endosteal bone formation was comparable in control and IGF-IR OBKO mice. PTH stimulated endosteal bone formation only in the control animals. Compared with BMSCs from control mice, BMSCs from IGF-IR OBKO mice showed equal alkaline phosphatase (ALP)+ colonies on day 14, but fewer mineralized nodules on day 28. Administration of PTH increased the number of ALP+ colonies and mineralized nodules on days 14 and 28 in BMSCs from control mice, but not in BMSCs from IGF-IR OBKO mice. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the IGF-IR null mutation in mature osteoblasts leads to less bone and decreased bone formation, in part because of the requirement for the IGF-IR in mature osteoblasts to enable PTH to stimulate osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. [source] Interactions of multiple disturbances in shaping boreal forest dynamics: a spatially explicit analysis using multi-temporal lidar data and high-resolution imageryJOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Udayalakshmi Vepakomma Summary 1.,Mixed-wood boreal forests are often considered to undergo directional succession from shade-intolerant to shade-tolerant species. It is thus expected that overstorey gaps should lead to the recruitment of shade-tolerant conifers into the canopy in all stand development stages and that the recruitment of shade-intolerant hardwoods would be minimal except in the largest gaps. 2.,We analysed short-term gap dynamics over a large 6-km2 spatial area of mixed-wood boreal forest across a gradient of stands in different developmental stages with different times of origin since fire (expressed as stand ,age') that were affected differentially by the last spruce budworm (SBW) outbreak. Structural measurements of the canopy from lidar data were combined with spectral classification of broad species groups to characterize the gap disturbance regime and to evaluate the effect of gap openings on forest dynamics. 3.,Estimated annual gap opening rates increased from 0.16% for 84-year-old stands to 0.88% for 248-year-old stands. Trees on gap peripheries in all stands were more vulnerable to mortality than interior canopy trees. 4.,Due to recovery from the last SBW outbreak 16 years previously, gap closure rates were higher than opening rates, ranging from 0.44% to 2.05% annually, but did not show any relationship with stand age. There was, however, a continuing legacy of the last SBW outbreak in old-conifer stands in terms of a continued high mortality of conifers. In all stands, the majority of the openings were filled from below, although a smaller but significant proportion filled from lateral growth of gap edge trees. 5.,Synthesis. The forest response to moderate- to small-scale disturbances in old-growth boreal forest counters the earlier assumption that the transition from one forest state to the next is slow and directional with time since the last fire. Overall, a small 6% increase in hardwoods was observed over 5 years, largely due to regeneration in-filling of hardwoods in gaps instead of successional transition to more shade-tolerant conifers. Gaps are vital for hardwood maintenance while transition to softwoods can occur without perceived gap-formation as overstorey trees die, releasing understorey trees. [source] Applications of model ,-hairpin peptidesJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 12 2004Carol E. Stotz Abstract In recent years, ,-hairpin peptides have been studied in great detail. Much of the focus has been on the thermodynamic stability of ,-hairpin structure. Structural measurements have been conducted with nuclear magnetic resonance, with additional information obtained from circular dichroism, Fourier transform infrared, and molecular dynamic simulation studies. Point mutations, both in the ,-strands and in the turn region, have systematically explored the role of turn sequence, side-chain,side-chain interactions, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and ,-strand length on ,-hairpin peptide conformational stability. In addition to studying the elements of structural stability independently, the cooperative nature of the individual components to combine to form the overall structure has also been investigated. Because the ,-hairpin peptides often spontaneously form their conformation, they have begun to serve as models for studying peptide binding and therapeutic agents. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93:2881,2894, 2004 [source] Application of Histomorphometric Methods to the Study of Bone Repair,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 10 2005Louis C Gerstenfeld Abstract ABSTRACT: Standardized methods for the histomorphometric assessment of bone are essential features of most studies of metabolic bone diseases and their treatments. These methodologies were developed to assess coupled remodeling, focusing primarily on osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the anabolic and catabolic rates of these cells, and structural features of mature bone. Research studies on bone healing and the development of new therapeutic approaches for the enhancement of bone repair also require a comprehensive understanding of the basic cellular and tissue level mechanisms that underlie these processes. However, the histological methods developed for metabolic bone disease studies are not completely suitable for studies of bone repair because they are based on assumptions that there is little variation in tissue composition within a sample of bone and not generally designed to quantify other types of tissues, such as cartilage, that contribute to bone healing. These techniques also do not provide tissue-based structural measurements that are relatable to the specific types of biomechanical and radiographic structural assessments that are used to determine rates of bone healing. These deficiencies in current histological approaches therefore point to the need to establish standardized criteria for the histomorphometric assessments that are specifically adapted for the study of bone repair in models of fracture healing and bone regeneration. In this Perspective, we outline what we believe to be the specific structural, tissue. and cellular aspects that need to be addressed to establish these standardized criteria for the histomorphometric assessment of bone repair. We present the specific technical considerations that need to be addressed to appropriately sample repair tissues to obtain statistically meaningful results and suggest specific procedures and definitions of nomenclatures for the application of this technology to bone repair. Finally, we present how aspects of histomorphometric measurements of bone repair can be related to biomechanical and radiographic imaging properties that functionally define rates of bone healing, and thus, how these tools can be used to provide corroborating data. [source] Using net sacks to examine the relationship between egg size and young size in Common PochardsJOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY, Issue 3 2007David Ho ABSTRACT Investigators studying the relationship between egg size and young size often face difficulties in assigning particular young to particular eggs. We present a new method based on the use of separate net sacks for each egg that allowed us to study this phenomenon in Common Pochards (Aythya ferina) without excessive disturbance of breeding birds. We found a positive isometric relationship between duckling body mass and estimated fresh egg mass (P < 0.001). However, we found no relationship between estimated fresh egg mass and structural measurements of ducklings (tarsus and bill length, both P > 0.29). In addition, we found a weak positive relationship between estimated egg mass and the size of ducklings (P= 0.049). Greater hatchling mass typically means a larger yolk supply, and more yolk may provide energy crucial for survival during the first few days after hatching. In addition, ducklings with longer tarsi may be better swimmers and better at finding food and escaping from predators. Although our method has certain limitations and investigators should consider risks when applying it in over-water nests or in nests with large clutches, we believe it is a reliable way to assign young to particular eggs in waterfowl and possibly other bird species. SINOPSIS Los investigadores que estudian la relación entre el tamaño del huevo y el tamaño de los pichones se han encontrado con la dificultad de asignar un pichón a un huevo en particular. Presentamos un nuevo método basado en el uso individual de sacos de redes (para cada huevo), que nos ha permitido estudiar el fenómeno en Aythya ferina, sin causar gran disturbio a la reproducción de las aves. Encontramos una relación isométrica positiva entre la masa del patito y el estimado de la masa del huevo fresco (P < 0.001). Sin embargo, no encontramos una relación apropiada, entre la masa fresca del huevo y medidas estructurales en los patitos (ej. longitud del tarso y el pico, ambos con P > 0.29). Además, encontramos una relación positiva, pero débil, entre el estimado de la masa del huevo y el tamaño del patito (P= 0.049). Al eclosionar, una mayor masa del patito, significa una mayor cantidad de yema. Una mayor cantidad de esta pudiera proveer de mayor cantidad de energía la que a su vez pudiera ser crucial para la sobrevicencia durante los primeros dias. En adición, patitos con tarsos de mayor tamaño pudieran ser mejores nadadores, y más capaces de encontrar alimento y escapar de depredadores. Aunque nuestro método tiene limitaciones (y los investigadores debieran considerar el riesgo de aplicar el método en nidos sobre agua o en nidos con grandes camadas), creemos que es una forma confiable de asignar un neonato a un huevo particular, tanto a aves acuática como posiblemente a otras especies. [source] Effect of growth interruption on In-rich InGaN/GaN single quantum well structuresPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 7 2003Soon-Yong Kwon Abstract We successfully grew In-rich InGaN/GaN single quantum well structures by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition and confirmed their formation by optical and structural measurements. Relatively high growth temperature (730 °C) for InGaN layer facilitated the formation of 2-dimensional quantum well structures, presumably due to high adatom mobility. As the growth interruption time increased, the PL emission efficiency from InGaN layer improved with peak position blue-shifted and the dislocation density decreased by one order of magnitude. The high resolution cross-sectional TEM images clearly showed that the In-rich InGaN layer thickness reduced from 2.5 nm (without GI) to about 1 nm (with 10 s GI) and the InGaN/GaN interface became very flat with 10 s GI. We suggest that decomposition and mass transport processes on InGaN during GI is responsible for these phenomena. (© 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] | ||||||||||