Cell Height Research Articles

Linking chemical signaling to mechanical components to determine tissue shape in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc

During organogenesis in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc, the regulation of epithelial cell height and curvature is crucial in developing correct tissue shapes. This requires the interplay between mechanical forces and morphogen-mechanogen pathways, at both the cell and tissue levels. Morphogens, such as Decapentaplegic (Dpp), regulate cell growth and division, as well as mechanogen activity. Mechanogens, such as RhoGTPases, are small diffusible molecules that regulate mechanical components, such as actin and myosin, to coordinate cell shape and tissue geometry. Even though the effect of morphogens in regulating mechanogens is critical for proper tissue formation, insufficient work has been done to understand this in the context of epithelial organogenesis. In this study, a combination of experimental and mathematical modeling approaches are used to study the linkage between Dpp and Rho1, Cdc42 in the wing imaginal disc. By using experiments, a new regulation between Dpp/pMad and Cdc42 has been identified, as well as the interaction between Cdc42 and Rho1. A mathematical model has been developed by using a system of reaction-diffusion equations to model Dpp, Rho1, and Cdc42 dynamics, as well as the newly identified regulations. In particular, the signaling model uses a discrete node structure from a multi-scale subcellular element model. We apply this model to investigate the robustness of the proposed networks, in addition to the effect of tissue geometry on the concentration profiles of both the morphogens and mechanogens.

Altered Posttranslational Modification of Microtubules Contributes to Disturbed Enterocyte Morphology in Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease (CD) represents a frequent autoimmune disease triggered by the ingestion of gliadin in genetically predisposed individuals. The alteration of enterocytes and brush border membrane morphology have been repetitively demonstrated, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Microtubules represent a major element of the cytoskeleton and exert multiple functions depending on their tyrosination status. The aim of our study was to investigate whether posttranslational modification of microtubules was altered in the context of CD and whether this mechanism contributed to morphological changes of CD enterocytes. We examined the expression of tubulin tyrosine ligase (TTL) and vasohibin-2 (VASH2) and the level of detyrosinated and acetylated tubulin in duodenal biopsies and Caco-2 cells by immunoblot and immunofluorescence microcopy. Electron microscopy was performed to investigate the subcellular distribution of detyrosinated tubulin and brush border membrane architecture in CD biopsies and Madin-Darby Canine Kidney type II (MDCK) cells lacking TTL. CD enterocytes and Caco-2 cells stimulated with digested gliadin or IFN-y displayed a flattened cell morphology. This disturbed cellular architecture was accompanied by an increased amount of detyrosinated and acetylated tubulin and corresponding high expression of VASH2 and low expression of TTL. The altered posttranslational modification of tubulin was reversible after the introduction of the gluten-free diet. CD enterocytes and MDCK cells deficient in TTL displayed a reduced cell height along with an increased cell width and a reduced number of apical microvilli. Our results provide a functional explanation for the observed morphological alterations of the enterocytes observed in CD and provide diagnostic potential of the tyrosination status of microtubules as an early marker of villous atrophy and CD inflammation.

Prediction of pressure drop from multivariate polynomial regression for membrane-based air-to-air energy recovery ventilator cores

Ventilation is an active control method that can improve the indoor environment by removing indoor air pollution. The membrane-based air-to-air energy recovery ventilator is a ventilation device that utilizes the heat exchange between the discharged polluted air and fresh outdoor air during ventilation. This study analyzed the pressure drop characteristics of the ventilator core and aimed to develop an equation to predict the pressure drop using polynomial regression based on the size of the core, the airflow rate, and the opening ratio of the core. Within elements having the same opening ratio, the channel velocity (uc ) and equivalent pressure drop (Pe ) values showed a linear relationship, regardless of the element size. The opening ratio of the elements varied depending on the cell height. To analyze the correlation between the opening ratio of the element, substantial flow rate inside the element, and equivalent pressure drop, a multivariate polynomial regression analysis was conducted for the three variables. The difference between the values of the derived prediction formula and the experimental value was found to be within 5% across the entire range in which the experiment was conducted. Using the interaction formula of equivalent pressure drop, channel velocity, and opening ratio derived in this study, the pressure drop across the entire driving area could be predicted for an arbitrary cell height and width of the ventilator core, as well as the operating airflow rate.

Endometrial extracellular matrix components do not change over the course of embryonic diapause and reactivation in the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

The modification of the endometrial extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial step for embryo implantation in many mammalian species. The embryo of the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) displays a 4-5 months long temporary reduction of developmental pace termed embryonic diapause. A reduction of epithelial cell height during diapause has previously been described. Co-occurring ECM modifications may contribute to the changes of the intra-uterine milieu during reactivation at which the embryo regains developmental velocity. We assessed the localization of five ECM proteins (collagen I and IV, fibronectin, laminin, and extracellular matrix protein 1) using immunohistochemistry in animals with early, late, and post-diapause (elongating) embryos. While our results confirmed the reduction of epithelial height during diapause, we only detected marginal differences in localization and staining intensities of the selected ECM proteins. Major ECM remodelling events in the roe deer endometrium are thus likely to occur only at implantation.

Planar cell polarity proteins determine basal cell height in the later stage embryonic mouse epidermis'.

Background: Complex organ formation requires the coordinated morphogenesis of adjacent tissue layers. Here, we report a role for the planar cell polarity (PCP) proteins Fz6 and Celsr1 in generating squamous basal cells in the later stage embryonic epidermis of the mouse is reported, which may impact upon the shape of overlying suprabasal cells. Methods: The depth of the epidermis and basal layer as well as cell proliferation index was scored from immunostained wax sections taken from different mouse embryos mutant in planar cell polarity signalling and their wild-type littermates. Orientation of epidermal cell division in Celsr1 Crash/Crash mutants was determined from thick frozen immunostained sections. Immunostained wax sections of wild-type skin explants cultured using the Lumox method enabled any changes in epidermal and basal layer depth to be measured following the release of surface tension upon dissection of skin away from the whole embryo. Results: Increased numbers of columnar and cuboidal basal epidermal cells were observed in fz6-/- mutant and Celsr1 mouse mutant Crash/Crash which correlated with visibly more rounded suprabasal cells and a thicker epidermis. Conclusions: Altogether these data support tissue intrinsic roles for PCP proteins in 'outside-in' (radial) skin architecture.

Morphology of the epithelium of the fallopian tubes of rats under the influence of chronic low-intensity γ-radiation

The purpose of the study was to investigate the functional morphology of the ciliary transport system of the fallopian tubes of sexually mature rats under the influence of chronic low-intensity γ-radiation.Material and methods. Using a complex technique of intravital microscopic observation, the motor activity of the ciliary apparatus was studied. The frequency of the main types of epithelial cells in the layer was determined on histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. There was also determined morphometry of digitized images of cell structures (cell height, length of cilia) of the epithelial lining of the fallopian tubes of 16 female Wistar rats subjected to experimental chronic γ-irradiation for 55–70 days (total absorbed doses – 5 cGy and 50 cGy) and 8 control animals that were under natural background radiation.Results. The epithelium of the fallopian tubes in the control and experiment in rats contains three types of cells: ciliated, secretory and intercalary (cambial). Compared to the control of the irradiated rats the average height of ciliated cells and the length of cilia were decreased by 30% and 23%, respectively, at a total absorbed dose of 5 cGy and by 16% and 13% at 50 cGy (p 18% (p recorded, while the dimensional characteristics of secretory cells did not significantly differ from the control (p>0,05).Conclusions. The effects of chronic low-intensity γ-radiation on the epithelial lining of the fallopian tubes can be clearly manifested at the level of physiological reactions of cells; irradiation at a minimum dose of 5 cGy is already capable of causing atrophic rearrangements and dysfunction of the ciliated epithelium. The results obtained indicate a high radiosensitivity of the studied tissue elements and make it possible to consider chronic ionizing radiation as a potential risk factor disrupting the structure and function of the epithelial lining of the organ.

Multiscale Electrochemistry of Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4): From Single Particles to Ensembles and Degrees of Electrolyte Wetting.

Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) facilitates single particle measurements of battery materials using voltammetry at fast scan rates (1 V s-1), providing detailed insight into intrinsic particle kinetics, otherwise obscured by matrix effects. Here, we elucidate the electrochemistry of lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) particles, using a series of SECCM probes of graded size to determine the evolution of electrochemical characteristics from the single particle to ensemble level. Nanometer scale control over the SECCM meniscus cell position and height further allows the study of variable particle/substrate electrolyte wetting, including comparison of fully wetted particles (where contact is also made with the underlying glassy carbon substrate electrode) vs partly wetted particles. We find ensembles of LiMn2O4 particles show voltammograms with much larger peak separations than those of single particles. In addition, if the SECCM meniscus is brought into contact with the substrate electrode, such that the particle-support contact changes from dry to wet, a further dramatic increase in peak separation is observed. Finite element method modeling of the system reveals the importance of finite electronic conductivity of the particles, contact resistance, surface kinetics, particle size, and contact area with the electrode surface in determining the voltammetric waveshape at fast scan rates, while the responses are relatively insensitive to Li+ diffusion coefficients over a range of typical values. The simulation results explain the variability in voltammetric responses seen at the single particle level and reveal some of the key factors responsible for the evolution of the response, from ensemble, contact, and wetting perspectives. The variables and considerations explored herein are applicable to any single entity (nanoscale) electrochemical study involving low conductivity materials and should serve as a useful guide for further investigations of this type. Overall, this study highlights the potential of multiscale measurements, where wetting, electronic contact, and ionic contact can be varied independently, to inform the design of practical composite electrodes.

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА КЛИНИКО-МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ЖЕЛЕЗИСТО-КИСТОЗНОЙ ГИПЕРПЛАЗИИ ЭНДОМЕТРИЯ У КОРОВ

The article presents the material on the study of clinical and morphological indicators of endometrial glandular-cystic hyperplasia in cows. It has been established that the share of endometrial hyperplasia glandulocystica in cows accounts for 11.4% of the total number of chronic uterine diseases. Most often, this pathology is diagnosed in cows 120 or more days after calving with an annual milk production of 6000-7000 kg. Glandular-cystic hyperplasia of the endometrium is most typical of the animals of the Red-Motley and Simmental breeds with loose keeping. Endometrial hyperplasia glandulocystica is characterized by a thickening of the uterine wall up to 6.5±0.28 mm, the presence of a cavity in the uterine horns of 3.4±0.19 mm, follicular cysts in the ovaries with a diameter of 42.5±2.8 mm. Endometrial hyperplasia glandulocystica is characterized by an increase in the height of the cells of the covering epithelium up to the height of prismatic one, growth of the uterine glands with the expansion of their lumens, an increase in height and vacuolization of the glandular epithelium. In case of glandular-cystic hyperplasia, uterine glands account for 28.6%, blood vessels – 12.3%, covering epithelium – 5.7%, which is by 1.88-1.97 times more, compared to clinically healthy animals. The height of the cells of the covering epithelium in case of this pathology is higher by 13.1%, the height of the epithelial cells of the uterine glands – by 23.4%, the thickness of the endometrium – by 1.38 times, which indicates endometrial hypertrophy.

Воздействие светодиодных облучателей различного спектрального состава на рост и развитие Betula pubescens Ehrh. и Rubus idaeus L. в культуре in vitro

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have shown high efficiency in growing plants both in vivo in greenhouses and in vitro, including clonal micropropagation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the spectral composition of LED irradiators with different proportions of red (RL) and blue (BL) light on the morphogenesis of microplants of the remontant form of common raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) cv. Hercules and the selection valuable cultivar of downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.), which is the object of a unified genetic breeding complex (UGBC), previously selected on the basis of drought resistance. In the variant 1, the RL/BL ratio was 80/20%, in the variant 2 it was 70/30%, in the control it was 50/50%. The LED in variant 1 contributed to the greatest increase in morphometric and anatomical characteristics in raspberry microplants, increasing the height of shoots, the number of leaves, stomata density, the height of the leaf epidermis and mesophyll. At the same time, an increase in the proportion of RL/BL led to an increase in the leaf area, leaf surface, and stomatal density in birch microclones; however, the anatomical characteristics of the leaf indicate a decrease in the height of epidermal cells and the size of mesophyll cells. Thus, the LED of option 1 can be recommended for use in clonal micropropagation of raspberries in greenhouses, to optimize growth processes and obtain healthy, normally formed plants, while birch requires additional selection of optimal spectral illumination conditions.

QUANTITATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE STRUCTURAL REARRANGEMENT OF THE VENOUS BLOOD VESSELS OF THE PROSTATE GLAND IN POST-RESECTION PORTAL HYPERTENSION.

Aim: Using quantitative morphological methods to study the peculiarities of the structural reconstruction of the venous bad of the prostate at the conditions of post-resection portal hypertension. Materials and Methods: Morphologically, the venous bed of the prostate of 15 intact white rats, 30 animals with post-resection portal hypertension, 17 rats with a combination of post-resection portal hypertension with hepatargia, enteral, cardiac, and renal insufficiency was studied. Rats were slaughtered one month after the start of the experiment by bloodletting under general thiopental anesthesia. Morphometry of the venous blood vessels of the prostate gland was performed on histological specimens, during which the diameter of the postcapillary venules, the diameter of the venules, the external diameter of the venous vessels, the internal diameter of the venous vessels, the thickness of the wall of the venous vessels was determined. Also it was studied the height of endothelial cells, diameter of their nuclei, nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio in these cells, relative volume of damaged endothelial cells, density of vessels of microcirculatory bed per 1 mm² of prostate tissue. Results: It was found that resection of the left and right lobes of the liver leads to the development of postresection portal hypertension and pronounced remodeling of the vessels of the venous bed of the prostate gland, which was characterized by the expansion of the capillary venules of the prostate by 36.5%, with the occurrence of multiple organ failure by 38.5% (р<0.001 ), an increase in the lumen of veins, thinning of their wall, atrophy, dystrophy, and necrobiosis of endothelial cells, disruption of structural cellular homeostasis, endothelial dysfunction, hypoxia, dystrophic-necrotic changes in cells, stromal structures, infiltration, and sclerosis. Morphological changes in the structures of the prostate dominated when post-resection portal hypertension was combined with multiple organ failure. Conclusions: Post-resection portal hypertension in laboratory sexually mature white male rats leads to pronounced remodeling of the venous bed of the prostate gland, which is characterized by the expansion of the lumen of the vessels, thinning of their walls, atrophic, dystrophic and necrobiotic changes in endothelial cells, a violation of structural cellular homeostasis in them, endothelial dysfunction, hypoxia, dystrophic-necrotic changes in cells, stromal structures, infiltration and sclerosis. Morphological changes in the structures of the prostate dominated when post-resection portal hypertension was combined with multiple organ failure.

Energy-Performance Optimization via P/N Ratio Sizing With Full Diffusion Layout Structure and Standard Cell Height Tuning in Near-Threshold Voltage Operation

In recent decades, near-threshold voltage (NTV) design has become a well-known technique for improving the energy efficiency of digital integrated circuits. However, scaling down the operating voltage to the NTV raises two major challenges for robust operation: process variability and performance degradation. In this study, we propose a joint optimization technique for standard cell design to address the challenge of performance degradation in NTV design. The standard cell P/N ratio (PMOS width to NMOS width ratio) is being sized to maximize the performance with the constraint of a full diffusion (FD) layout structure, and the standard cell height is jointly optimized to further improve the circuit’s performance or energy consumption. Increasing the standard cell height improves the circuit performance at the cost of higher energy consumption, whereas lowering the standard cell height sacrifices the circuit’s performance for better energy saving. The results showed that implementing the taller library (14-track) in an AMBA high-speed bus (AHB) controller circuit can improve performance by up to 4.5%. The shortest library (7-track) resulted in 55% energy savings in the same circuit implementation. The test chip fabricated in 110-nm CMOS technology demonstrated successful operation of 8051 microcontroller down to 0.6V with the custom-designed 7-track library. The measurement results showed 4.3X energy saving compared to the operation at a supply voltage of 1.2V.

Thermal runaway features of large-format power lithium-ion cells under various thermal abuse patterns and capacities.

Herein, a comprehensive investigation is performed to research the thermal runaway features of large-format power lithium-ion cells under various heating patterns (2 kW electric heating oven and 600 W electric heating plate) and capacities (60, 150, and 180 Ah). Although the electric heating plate induces the cell to encounter thermal runaway earlier in comparison with the electric heating oven, the combustion does not appear for the former case since the compact stacking of the electric heating plate restrains the heat release of the heater such that the surrounding temperature is too low to induce the ignition of the thermal runaway combustibles. Besides that, it is interesting to find that the color of the ejected products under the electric heating plate condition becomes shallower as the thermal runaway proceeds, which implies that the ejecta in the initial of thermal runaway is mixed with quantities of solid particles and the proportion would gradually decrease. With the increase of the cell capacity, thermal runaway emerges later as a result of the greater cell height which delays the cell temperature rise, when exposed to an electric heating oven. In addition, the cell with a larger capacity demonstrates a lower peak temperature, a lower maximum temperature rise rate, a shorter combustion, a lower flame temperature, and a weaker radiation heat strength during thermal runaway; that is, less heat is released due to its violent thermal runaway behaviour. Finally, the severe explosion risk for the larger-capacity cell should be especially noted considering the larger amount of explosive gases released.

The Thyroid Hormone and Immunoglobulin Concentrations in Blood Serum and Thyroid Gland Morphology in Young Hens Fed with Different Diets, Sources, and Levels of Iodine Supply

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the level (1, 3, and 5 mg I/kg) and source of iodine (KI, Ca(IO3)2, and KIO3) on thyroid hormone and immunoglobulin concentrations in the blood serum of laying hens alongside a histological picture of the thyroid. In the first, birds were fed grain-soybean meal mixtures, and in the second, two kinds of diets based on corn-soybean or corn-soybean-rapeseed meal were applied. In the experiments, we determined the levels of the blood serum thyroid hormones fT3 and fT4, as well as the morphological structure of the thyroid gland. In the second experiment, the concentration of immunoglobulins in blood serum was assayed. In both experiments, no influence of iodine source on thyroid hormone concentration was observed. However, increasing the iodine level in the full mixture and adding rapeseed meal in both experiments caused an increase in fT3 concentration. Increasing I-addition in both experiments led to a decrease in thyroid gland follicle diameter. Rapeseed meal inclusion (at a level of 10%) to the complete hen mixture led to an increase in thyroid gland follicle diameter. Applying KIO3 as an iodine source in both experiments caused a decrease in the thyroid gland height of follicle epithelial cells. Immunoglobulin concentrations in the serum were not affected by experimental factors. The results suggest that the methodologies of studies on the bioavailability of minerals and the corresponding analytical methods require unification. The lack of such standardization makes it impossible to engage in a satisfactory discussion of the results and exchange experiences.

Short-term consumption of the mycotoxin zearalenone by pubertal gilts causes persistent changes in the histoarchitecture of reproductive tissues.

Consumption of zearalenone (ZEN) detrimentally affects tissues and systems throughout the body, and these deleterious effects are especially pronounced in swine. The objectives of this project were to determine the effects of short-term consumption of ZEN (at concentrations that could be found on-farm) on growth, carcass weight, liver weight, and reproductive tissues of pubertal gilts, and to determine if the effects are transient or persistent. Cross-bred gilts (107.25 ± 2.69 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three feed treatments: 1) solvent only for 21 d (CON; n = 10), 2) ZEN for 7 d followed by 14 d of solvent (ZEN-7; 6 mg/d; n = 10), and 3) ZEN for 21 d (ZEN-21; 6 mg/d; n = 10). Body weights were collected at the beginning and end of the experiment (189.1 ± 0.8 and 211.1 ± 0.8 d of age, respectively). Carcass weights and tissues were collected at harvest. There were no treatment-based differences in growth, carcass, liver, or reproductive tissue weights. Histological analyses revealed differences based on treatment and the interaction between treatment and luteal status. The thickness of the ampullary muscularis declined with ZEN exposure (P < 0.05), while the isthmic epithelial cell height (P < 0.01) and uterine endometrial thickness (P < 0.02) increased. Interestingly, the thickness of the isthmic muscularis, uterine myometrium, and epithelial cell height only differed in the presence of a corpus luteum. Uterine epithelial cell height in the luteal phase was lowest in ZEN-7 pigs (P < 0.01). The isthmic muscularis in the luteal phase was thinner in pigs from both ZEN treatments (P < 0.01). Conversely, the luteal-stage myometrium was thicker in pigs from both ZEN treatments (P < 0.01). The discovery of these tissue-based differences during the luteal phase is particularly concerning since this corresponds with the time when embryos would be affected by the functional competency of the oviduct and uterus. The results of this work demonstrate that short-term consumption of ZEN produces microscopic, but not macroscopic alterations in reproductive organs which are likely to have negative effects on their subsequent function and that these differences persist even after ZEN consumption ceases. Taken together, these results indicate that it is insufficient to rely solely on outwardly visible symptoms as indicators of zearalenone exposure, as detrimental effects on reproductive tissues were found in the absence of phenotypic and morphologic changes.

Towards an accurate CFD prediction of airflow and dispersion through face mask

Given the difficulty of experimental measurement of respiratory airflow and dispersion through a face mask, accurate numerical simulation is an important method to increase the understanding of the health effect of face masks and to develop high-performance ones. The objective of this study is to develop such an accurate modeling framework based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) theory and method. For model validation, the flow characteristics through the face mask were tested experimentally, and the air speed and exhaled pollutant concentration in the breathing zone were measured with human subjects. The influence of gird division, time step size, and turbulence model on simulation accuracy were investigated. The result shows that the viscous resistance coefficient and inertial resistance coefficient of face masks (surgical masks) were 3.65 × 109 and 1.69 × 106, respectively. The cell size on the surface of face masks should not be larger than 1.0 mm; the height of the first layer cells near the face masks should not be larger than 0.1 mm; and the time step sizes discretizing the breathing and coughing periods should not be more than 0.01 s and 0.001 s, respectively. The results given by LES model show closer agreement with the experimental data than RANS models, with approximately 10% relative deviation for the air speed near the face mask. Overall, the SST k-ω model performs the best among the RANS models, especially for the air speed. The findings obtained form a CFD modeling framework for an accurate prediction of airflow and dispersion problems involving face masks.

Thermal cooling of li-ion cylindrical cells battery module with baffles arrangement for airflow cooling numerical analysis

The demand for electric cars continues to grow every day due to their benefits, such as zero emissions, and the downsides of traditional internal combustion engines, such as toxic pollutants. There are some complications in the practical use of batteries, like thermal runaway and decreased battery life cycles and usage. Hence, this research introduced an innovative method to achieve uniform temperature distribution in the battery module and decrease the maximum temperature obtained in the battery cells. The new battery module has been designed by considering the cell holders at different cell heights. These cell holders are like a tray to hold the battery cells and act as fins, enhancing the uniform temperature distribution within the battery module. Base and new battery modules are analyzed at different discharge conditions with the same boundary conditions and physical parameters. The significance of cell holders acting as fins has been evaluated by analyzing the temperature contours and profiles for every cell of the battery module. The analysis of numerical results found that at 1, 2 and 3C rate, the maximum temperatures of 301.5, 303.9 and 308.8 K for base model and whereas for new model these are 300.6, 302.1, and 304 K, respectively. At 1C rate discharge, the temperature gradient among the cells (Tcell4-Tcell6) in the flow directions has been observed as 0.26 °C and 0.04 °C for the base and novel battery model, respectively.

Dietary Use of Methionine Sources and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 Influences Growth Performance, Hepatopancreatic Histology, Digestion, Immunity, and Digestive Microbiota of Litopenaeus vannamei Fed Reduced Fishmeal Diets.

An 8-week feeding trial investigated the effect of Fishmeal (FM) replacement by soybean meal (SBM) and poultry by-product meal (PBM) in diets supplemented with DL-Met, MET-MET (AQUAVI®), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 (ECOBIOL®) and their combinations on growth performance and health of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. A total of six experimental diets were formulated according to L. vannamei nutritional requirements. A total of 480 shrimp (0.30 ± 0.04 g) were randomly distributed into 24 tanks (4 repetitions/each diet, 20 shrimp/tank). Shrimp were fed with control diet (CD; 200 g/Kg fishmeal) and five diets with 50% FM replacement supplemented with different methionine sources, probiotic (B. amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940) and their combinations: D1 (0.13% DL-MET), D2 (0.06% MET-MET), D3 (0.19% MET-MET), D4 (0.13% DL-MET plus 0.10% B. amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 and D5 (0.06% MET-MET plus 0.10% B. amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940). Shrimp fed D3 and D5 had significantly higher final, weekly weight gain, and final biomass compared to shrimp fed CD (p < 0.05). Shrimp fed D2 to D5 increased the hepatopancreas epithelial cell height (p < 0.05). Digestive enzymatic activities were significantly increased in shrimp hepatopancreas’ fed D3 (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, shrimp fed D1 had significant downregulation of immune-related genes (p < 0.05). Moreover, shrimp fed D3 and D5 increased the abundance of beneficial prokaryotic microorganisms such as Pseudoalteromonas and Demequina related to carbohydrate metabolism and immune stimulation. Also, shrimp fed D3 and D5 increased the abundance of beneficial eukaryotic microorganism as Aurantiochytrium and Aplanochytrium were related to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) production which plays a role in growth promoting or boosting the immunity of aquatic organisms. Therefore, fishmeal could be partially substituted up to 50% by SBM and PBM in diets supplemented with 0.19% MET-MET (AQUAVI®) or 0.06% MET-MET (AQUAVI®) plus 0.10% B. amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 (ECOBIOL®) and improve the productive performance, health, and immunity of white shrimp. Further research is necessary to investigate synergistic effects of amino acids and probiotics in farmed shrimp diets, as well as to evaluate how SBM and PBM influence the fatty acid composition of reduced fishmeal diets and shrimp muscle quality. Nevertheless, this information could be interesting to develop low fishmeal feeds for aquaculture without affecting the growth and welfare of aquatic organisms.

Rheological comparison between control and Dupuytren fibroblasts when plated in circular micropatterns using atomic force microscopy

In tissue, cells are obliged to confine and adapt to a specific geometric shape due to the surrounding environmental constraints. Under healthy conditions, fibroblasts present an elongated shape; however, changes in biochemical and physical properties of the extracellular matrix could distort the cell shape, inducing a pathological state. We have studied fibroblasts’ mechanical behavior under circular geometrical constraints. Circular micropatterns force fibroblasts to acquire a different shape from that of a healthy tissue, inducing a possible pathological condition. In total, three different fibroblast types from Dupuytren’s disorder, all obtained from the same patient, were confined in circular-shaped micropatterns of three different diameters (25, 35, and 45 µm), and mechanical properties were evaluated using an atomic force microscope (AFM). We found that control fibroblast mechanics (apparent Young’s modulus) increases with the increasing pattern diameter and comes together with a decrease in cell height and in loss tangent, translated into a more solid-like behavior. We hypothesize that these results resemble the transition toward the myofibroblast phenotype, ameliorating cytoskeleton formation and organization and enhancing cell contraction. Scar and Dupuytren fibroblasts did not display major changes in cell mechanics and cell height when changing the pattern diameter, suggesting that they are less affected by physical changes in the environment as they can adapt their shape to the geometrical dimensions. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that combining micropatterning and AFM measurements provides a powerful tool to study cell mechanics inducing constraints onto the cell, thus mimicking certain aspects of the tissue environment in both healthy and pathological states.

Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Causes Cellular Alterations to Gut Epithelium of the Neotropical Stingless Bee Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Meliponini).

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are the best-selling pesticides in Brazil, with hundreds of thousands of tons sold per year. There is no study investigating morphological alterations caused by GBH on the epithelium of the gut in bees. Here, we aimed to demonstrate effects of chronic ingestion of GBH in the midgut digestive cells of the Brazilian stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata Lepeletier 1836. We kept forager workers of M. quadrifasciata in laboratory conditions and fed on food contaminated with three different concentrations of GBH for 10days, after which the midgut digestive cell structure and ultrastructure were analyzed. The presence of GBH in food did not affect food consumption, indicating that M. quadrifasciata bees do not reject food contaminated with GBH. As digestive cells of the midgut release apocrine secretion as a detoxication mechanism, we expected that the ingestion of food contaminated with GBH in the present study affect the height of midgut digestive cells. However, such reduction did not occur, probably because of the low-test concentrations. Although there were differences in digestive cell ultrastructure, ingestion of GBH impaired midgut digestive cell cohesion by disorganizing the smooth septate junctions between cells, which may probably be caused by the adjuvant "polyethoxylated tallow amine" present in the GBH. Previous studies demonstrated that GBH increase bees' sensibility to intestine infections, based on the present results we hypothesized that the loss of cell cohesion in the midgut epithelium favors pathogenic microbial infections and harms food absorption, increasing bees' mortality.

Ptp61F integrates Hippo, TOR, and actomyosin pathways to control three-dimensional organ size.

Precise organ size control is fundamental for all metazoans, but how organ size is controlled in a three-dimensional (3D) way remains largely unexplored at the molecular level. Here, we screen and identify Drosophila Ptp61F as a pivotal regulator of organ size that integrates the Hippo pathway, TOR pathway, and actomyosin machinery. Pathologically, Ptp61F loss synergizes with RasV12 to induce tumorigenesis. Physiologically, Ptp61F depletion increases body size and drives neoplastic intestinal tumor formation and stem cell proliferation. Ptp61F also regulates cell contractility and myosin activation and controls 3D cell shape by reducing cell height and horizontal cell size. Mechanistically, Ptp61F forms a complex with Expanded (Ex) and increases endosomal localization of Ex and Yki. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PTPN2, the conserved human ortholog of Ptp61F, can functionally substitute for Ptp61F in Drosophila. Our work defines Ptp61F as an essential determinant that controls 3D organ size under both physiological and pathological conditions.