Rethinking synchronization of mammalian cells for cell cycle analysis

An analysis of different classes of forced or batch synchronization methods reveals why these methods, in theory, do not produce synchronized cultures. Cells may be aligned for a particular property after specific treatments, but these aligned cells do not correspond to any particular cell age during the normal cell cycle. The experimental methods analyzed are those that arrest cells with a G1 phase amount of DNA, those that inhibit DNA synthesis, and those that arrest cells at mitosis. Release of arrested cells from inhibition does not produce cells reflecting cells during the normal division cycle. Thus, cells produced by batch or forcing methods are not experimental models for analysis of the normal cell cycle.     

Improved generalized cell mapping for global analysis of dynamical systems

Three main parts of generalized cell mapping are improved for global analysis.A simple method,which is not based on the theory of digraphs,is presented to locate complete self-cycling sets that correspond to attractors and unstable invariant sets involving saddle,unstable periodic orbit and chaotic saddle.Refinement for complete self-cycling sets is developed to locate attractors and unstable invariant sets with high degree of accuracy,which can start with a coarse cell structure.A nonuniformly interior-and...     

The multiple roles of monocyte subsets in steady state and inflammation

Monocytes participate importantly in immunity. Produced in the bone marrow and released into the blood, they circulate in blood or reside in a spleen reservoir before entering tissue and giving rise to macrophages or dendritic cells. Monocytes are more than transitional cells that adapt to a particular tissue environment indiscriminately. Accumulating evidence now indicates that monocytes are heterogeneous in several species and are themselves predetermined for particular function in the steady state and inflammation. Future therapeutics may harness this heterogeneity to target harmful functions while sparing those that are beneficial. Here, we review recent advances on the ontogeny and function of monocytes and their subsets in humans and mice.     

Ras proteins in the control of the cell cycle and cell differentiation

The Ras family of small GTPases includes three closely related proteins: H-, K-, and N-Ras. Ras proteins are involved in the transduction of signals elicited by activated surface receptors, acting as key components by relaying signals downstream through diverse pathways. Mutant, constitutively activated forms of Ras proteins are frequently found in cancer. While constitutive Ras activation induces oncogenic-like transformation in immortalized fibroblasts, it causes growth arrest in primary vertebrate cells. Induction of p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors such as p15^INK4b, p16^INK4a, p19^ARF, and p21^WAF1 accounts for this response. Interestingly, while ras has usually been regarded as a transforming oncogene, the analysis of Ras function in most of the cellular systems studied so far indicates that the promotion of differentiation is the most prominent effect of Ras. While in some cell types, particularly muscle, Ras inhibits differentiation, in others such as neuronal, adipocytic, or myeloid cells, Ras induces differentiation, in some cases accompanied by growth arrest. Several possible mechanisms for the pleiotropic effects of Ras in animal cells are discussed. Received 8 March 2000; received after revision 24 May 2000; accepted 24 May 2000     

On reversible changes in the steady state ion-conductance of the Ranvier node membrane under low frequency sound fields

Summary The influence of sound waves on the stationary membrane conductivity of the axon membrane in myelinated nerve was investigated. Sound fields with frequencies within the auditory limit shift the transition voltage V_tr and correspondingly the threshold voltage of the action potential in polarisation direction. The results indicate that these changes of the electrical membrane behavior are due to a direct mechanical interaction between low frequency sound fields and membrane structure.     

Super-high sensitivity systems for detection and spectral analysis of ultraweak photon emission from biological cell cells and tissues

Summary In this paper we summarize and discuss the modern technology and systems, studied and established by our research group, for performing the detection and special analysis incorporated with the super-high senstivity photon counting method for the study of ultraweak photon emission; for example, extra-weak bioluminescence and chemiluminescence from living cells and tissues, closely related to biochemical and biophysical processes and activities. An excellent sensitivity of the basic photon counting system, making it possible to achieve count rates in the very low range of one photoelectron per second to one per minute, allowed us to carry out in vivo as well as in vitro measurements, and analyses of ultraweak bioluminescence and chemiluminescence. Recent results concerning ultraweak photon emission from blood samples and organ homogenates of rats are presented and reviewed as one of the interesting and valuable applications of our modern technology for studying ultraweak cell and tissue radiation.     

On reversible changes in the steady state ion-conductance of the Ranvier node membrane under low frequency sound fields.

The influence of sound waves on the stationary membrane conductivity of the axon membrane in myelinated nerve was investigated. Sound fields with frequencies within the auditory limit shift the transition voltage Vtr and correspondingly the threshold voltage of the action potential in polarisation direction. The results indicate that these changes of the electrical membrane behavior are due to a direct mechanical interaction between low frequency sound fields and membrane structure.     

Comparison of the cell cycle and cell migration in the intestinal epithelium of suckling and adult mice

Zusammenfassung Die Zellwanderung sowie die Zellvermehrung in den Krypten und auf den Zotten der Dünndarmwandung werden bei säugenden Mäusen mit dem Adulttier verglichen. Die scheinbar herabgesetzte Zellmigration ist auf das bei jungen Mäusen stattfindende Wachstum der Krypten und Zotten zurückzuführen, ist also nicht geringer als bei adulten Tieren.     

Ultrastructural autoradiographic study of blast cells in the mouse thymus Interest for radioleukemia research

Summary Ultrastructural autoradiographic studies of mouse thymic blast cells after H3 Tdr injection show that their fine nuclear structure is related to their position in the cell cycle. The variations in the composition of the subcapsular blast cell population during radiation-induced leukemogenesis indicate kinetic changes in thymic lymphopoiesis, which are probably due to the oncogenic process.