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Results for “Spatial pattern formation”

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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Induced modulation instability of partially spatially incoherent light with varying perturbation periods.

We demonstrate experimentally that a periodic perturbation on a partially spatially incoherent optical beam induces modulation instability that depends strongly on the perturbation periods as well as on the strength of the nonlinearity and the degree of spatial coherence. At a fixed value of the nonlinearity and coherence, the incoherent modulation instability has a maximum growth at a preferred perturbation period (or spatial frequency), leading to the formation of ordered patterns. While the nonlinearity in our photorefractive system is inherently anisotropic, pattern control and pattern switching with anisotropic coherence is readily realized. Our experimental observations are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Noise-induced instability: an approach based on higher-order moments.

Noise-induced transitions in the organization of systems far from equilibrium have been of vital interest. Although the effects of additive and multiplicative noise have been widely studied, it is only the multiplicative noise that can be dealt with within the scope of a linear analysis of first moments of the spatiotemporal perturbations, by the application of Novikov's theorem. For the case of additive noise, the corresponding straightforward linear analysis of the first moment throws no light on the effect of the noise on stability conditions. We propose here a simple approach based on higher-order moments to show how additive noise can give rise to noise-induced instability in spatially extended systems, at times leading to pattern formation. Our theoretical analysis is corroborated by numerical simulations on two simple one-component reaction-diffusion systems in two dimensions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Statistical extraction of Drosophila cis-regulatory modules using exhaustive assessment of local word frequency.

BACKGROUND: Transcription regulatory regions in higher eukaryotes are often represented by cis-regulatory modules (CRM) and are responsible for the formation of specific spatial and temporal gene expression patterns. These extended, approximately 1 KB, regions are found far from coding sequences and cannot be extracted from genome on the basis of their relative position to the coding regions. RESULTS: To explore the feasibility of CRM extraction from a genome, we generated an original training set, containing annotated sequence data for most of the known developmental CRMs from Drosophila. Based on this set of experimental data, we developed a strategy for statistical extraction of cis-regulatory modules from the genome, using exhaustive analysis of local word frequency (LWF). To assess the performance of our analysis, we measured the correlation between predictions generated by the LWF algorithm and the distribution of conserved non-coding regions in a number of Drosophila developmental genes. CONCLUSIONS: In most of the cases tested, we observed high correlation (up to 0.6-0.8, measured on the entire gene locus) between the two independent techniques. We discuss computational strategies available for extraction of Drosophila CRMs and possible extensions of these methods.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Tritiated thymidine-labeled bronchioloalveolar cells and radiation dose following inhalation of plutonium in rats.

The goal of this study is to show the relationship of inhaled Pu particle distribution and alveolar-bronchiolar target-cell response with respect to the formation of pulmonary carcinoma. The proliferation of type 2 alveolar epithelium and nonciliated bronchiolar epithelium appears critical in the induction of lung tumors associated from inhaled 239PuO2. Female, Wistar rats were either sham-exposed (40 rats) or given a single inhalation to 169Yb-239PuO2 (99 rats, ILB, 3.9 +/- 1.2 kBq) and examined at 20 time intervals from 1 day to 700 days postexposure for Pu particle distribution in airways by SEM quantitative autoradiography and for cell labeling with tritiated thymidine. Initially, deposited Pu particles were rapidly cleared from the surface of the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles within a few days. Thereafter, about 5 times more alpha track exposure to the bronchiolar epithelium was delivered from Pu particles found in peribronchiolar alveoli than from Pu particles being cleared from bronchiolar surfaces. Exposure of bronchiolar epithelium at later times was due mostly to the formation of peribronchiolar Pu particle aggregates. A maximal increase in labeled alveolar wall cells was seen at 60 days after exposure, decreasing gradually to control levels by 400 days. Cell labeling in focal alveolar regions of Pu aggregation was about 5 fold higher. Increased bronchiolar epithelium labeling appeared in two phases. The first phase was seen 15 days after exposure, associated with initial deposition and clearance of Pu particles. The second phase slowly reached a maximum at 250 days and was associated with peribronchiolar Pu aggregate formation. The temporal-spatial dose-distribution pattern for inhaled Pu particles is an important aspect of Pu-induced pulmonary carcinogenesis.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed2002

How to pattern an epithelium: lessons from achaete-scute regulation on the notum of Drosophila.

The notum of Drosophila is a good model system for the study of two-dimensional pattern formation. Attention has mainly focused on the regulation of the spatial expression of the genes of the achaete-scute complex (AS-C) that results in a stereotyped bristle pattern. Expression of AS-C genes has traditionally been viewed as a consequence of the activity of a group of factors that constitute a prepattern [Stern, 1954. Am. Sci. 42, 213]. The prepattern is thought to be composed of a mosaic of transcription factors that act in combination, through discrete cis-regulatory sequences, to activate expression of genes of the AS-C in small clusters of cells at the sites of each future bristle. Recent results challenge this view and suggest a hierarchy of activity amongst prepattern genes. It is suggested that in the medial notum, the selector-like gene pannier regulates the entire pattern, and is the only factor to directly activate AS-C genes. Other factors may play subsidiary roles. On the lateral notum genes of the iroquois complex appear to regulate the lateral pattern. Regulation of pannier and iroquois depends upon the signalling molecule Decapentaplegic. The majority of genes are expressed in either longitudinal or transverse domains on the notum and we discuss the possibility that pattern formation may rely on these two axial coordinates. We also discuss preliminary results suggesting that prepattern factors also regulate genes required for other, little studied, aspects of notal morphology, such as the muscle attachment sites and pigment distribution. Thus there may be a common prepattern for the entire structure.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Shoot apical meristem and cotyledon formation during Arabidopsis embryogenesis: interaction among the CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS genes.

The shoot apical meristem and cotyledons of higher plants are established during embryogenesis in the apex. Redundant CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 1 (CUC1) and CUC2 as well as SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) of Arabidopsis are required for shoot apical meristem formation and cotyledon separation. To elucidate how the apical region of the embryo is established, we investigated genetic interactions among CUC1, CUC2 and STM, as well as the expression patterns of CUC2 and STM mRNA. Expression of these genes marked the incipient shoot apical meristem as well as the boundaries of cotyledon primordia, consistent with their roles for shoot apical meristem formation and cotyledon separation. Genetic and expression analyses indicate that CUC1 and CUC2 are redundantly required for expression of STM to form the shoot apical meristem, and that STM is required for proper spatial expression of CUC2 to separate cotyledons. A model for pattern formation in the apical region of the Arabidopsis embryo is presented.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed1992

Polysialic acid influences specific pathfinding by avian motoneurons.

The influence of polysialic acid (PSA) on the neural cell adhesion molecule on motoneuron outgrowth and pathway formation was investigated by determining its temporal and spatial pattern of expression and by the effect that its removal had on motoneuron projection patterns. Motoneurons first expressed PSA as their growth cones began to segregate into motoneuron pool-specific groups in the plexus region; furthermore, PSA levels differed between motoneurons projecting to different targets. When PSA was removed during the period of axonal segregation in the plexus region projection errors were common. However, later removal during the process of muscle nerve formation did not result in projection errors. These results suggest that PSA modulates interactions between motoneuron axons and guidance molecules in the plexus region during axonal pathfinding.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Neural pattern formation via a competitive Hebbian mechanism.

In this contribution we investigate a simple pattern formation process [9,10] based on Hebbian learning and competitive interactions within cortex. This process generates spatial representations of afferent (sensory) information which strongly resemble patterns of response properties of neurons commonly called brain maps. For one of the most thoroughly studied phenomena in cortical development, the formation of topographic maps, orientation and ocular dominance columns in macaque striate cortex, the process, for example, generates the observed patterns of receptive field properties including the recently described correlations between orientation preference and ocular dominance. Competitive Hebbian learning has not only proven to be a useful concept in the understanding of development and plasticity in several brain areas, but the underlying principles have have been successfully applied to problems in machine learning [22]. The model's universality, simplicity, predictive power, and usefulness warrants a closer investigation.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Tooth morphogenesis and pattern of odontoblast differentiation.

The terminal differentiation of odontoblasts is controlled by the inner dental epithelium (IDE) and occurs according to a tooth-specific pattern. It requires temporospatially regulated epigenetic signaling and the expression of specific competence. The patterning of cusp formation was compared with that of odontoblast differentiation in the first lower molar in mice. Histology, immunostaining, and three dimensional reconstructions were completed by experimental approaches in vitro. The mesenchyme controls the pattern of cusp formation. During the cap-bell transition in the molar, a subpopulation of nondividing IDE cells from the enamel knot (EK) undergo a tooth-specific segregation in as many subpopulations as cusps will form. Epithelial cell-basement membrane interactions seem to be involved in the segregation of EK cells. The timing and spatial pattern of the segregation of EK cells correlate with cusps formation. However, the temporal pattern of odontoblast terminal differentiation is different. This discrepancy might result from cusp-specific differences either in the timing of the initiation of odontoblast terminal differentiation and/or in cell proliferation kinetics.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Gradient model describes the spatial-temporal expression pattern of Hoxa genes in the developing vertebrate limb.

Pattern formation of the developing vertebrate limb is mainly controlled by the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) and the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) which may act as sources of diffusing morphogens. These sources are tightly interconnected and maintained by positive feedback and, together with the established role of Wnt7 a on the dorsal side of the bud, they constitute a cartesian reference frame for the processes of patterning and growth of the limb bud. As an input to our model we have used the local extent and temporal activity of the AER source as it is reflected by Fgf-4 expression in the ridge. We have assumed that this source produces a morphogen which diffuses in the three-dimensional limb field and degradates by first-order kinetics. When in a cell the morphogen concentration exceeds a particular threshold value, a gene is switched on. To every threshold corresponds a specific gene. In the following we introduce an order of increasing concentration thresholds corresponding to the sequence of Hoxa-10, 11, and 13 genes (threshold collinearity). With this simple rule of correspondence we can reproduce both spatial and temporal collinearities of Hoxa gene expression. This outcome may be the first direct observable effect of a putative morphogen in the developing limb. The expression patterns are essentially transient, and they are followed by sequential refinements which lead to the final limb structures. Furthermore, the continuous flow of the morphogen through the progress zone guarantees the coherent course of patterning and limb growth. Several experiments are proposed for additional tests of the validity of the model and the eventual reversibility of Hoxa gene expression.

Aging↗

PubMed2004

Zebrafish and fly Nkx6 proteins have similar CNS expression patterns and regulate motoneuron formation.

Genes belonging to the Nkx, Gsh and Msx families are expressed in similar dorsovental spatial domains of the insect and vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), suggesting the bilaterian ancestor used this genetic program during CNS development. We have investigated the significance of these similar expression patterns by testing whether Nkx6 proteins expressed in ventral CNS of zebrafish and flies have similar functions. In zebrafish, Nkx6.1 is expressed in early-born primary and later-born secondary motoneurons. In the absence of Nkx6.1, there are fewer secondary motoneurons and supernumerary ventral interneurons, suggesting Nkx6.1 promotes motoneuron and suppresses interneuron formation. Overexpression of fish or fly Nkx6 is sufficient to generate supernumerary motoneurons in both zebrafish and flies. These results suggest that one ancestral function of Nkx6 proteins was to promote motoneuron development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Spatial and temporal changes in chondroitin sulfate distribution in the sclerotome play an essential role in the formation of migration patterns of mouse neural crest cells.

We have examined the roles of pertinent extracellular matrix molecules in the formation of the neural crest cell migration patterns in the sclerotome of the mouse embryo. The present data indicate that permissiveness for migration is inversely correlated with chondroitin sulfate content. Experimental removal of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the embryo causes neural crest cells to migrate even within the posterior half of the somite, which they do not invade ordinarily. Moreover, three different sclerotomal regions defined by the presence or absence of the ventromedial and/or ventrolateral pathways are present along the anteroposterior axis and undergo systematic temporal changes that affect migration patterns. The most anterior portion of the sclerotome is conducive to both ventromedial and ventrolateral migration (Anterior Region). The intermediate portion is conducive to ventromedial migration only (Intermediate Region). No neural crest cells are seen within the posterior portion of the sclerotome (Posterior Region). At this level, they are observed exclusively in the dorsolateral space adjacent to the roof of the neural tube. With advancing embryonic development, the rostrocaudal length of the Anterior Region decreases and is accompanied by a corresponding enlargement of the Intermediate Region. These results suggest that temporal and regional differences in the sclerotome contribute to the neural crest cell migration patterns in the mouse. To refine our understanding of the underlying mechanisms, regional differences and temporal changes in the distribution of extracellular matrix molecules have been examined during migration. In the sclerotome, chondroitin sulfate displays distinct distribution patterns that are closely correlated with the migration patterns of mouse neural crest cells. Furthermore, their migration patterns are altered in embryos treated with the inhibitors of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan biosynthesis, sodium chlorate, and beta-D-xyloside. In inhibitor-treated embryos, neural crest cell migration occurs even in the posterior portion of the sclerotome. The metameric organization of dorsal root ganglia is disturbed in these embryos. Our observations provide novel evidence for the importance of sclerotomal chondroitin sulfate distribution patterns in mouse crest cell migration patterns. We conclude that systematic spatiotemporal changes in the distribution of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans are a key requisite for the formation of migration patterns of mouse neural crest cells in the sclerotome.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Virulence genes of the phytopathogen Rhodococcus fascians show specific spatial and temporal expression patterns during plant infection.

The phytopathogenic bacterium Rhodococcus fascians provokes shoot meristem formation and malformations on aerial plant parts, mainly at the axils. The interaction is accompanied by bacterial colonization of the plant surface and tissues. Upon infection, the two bacterial loci required for full virulence, fas and att, were expressed only at the sites of symptom development, although their expression profiles differed both spatially and temporally. The att locus was expressed principally in bacteria located on the plant surface at early stages of infection. Expression of the fas locus occurred throughout infection, mainly in bacteria that were penetrating, or had penetrated, the plant tissues and coincided with sites of meristem initiation and proliferation. The implications for the regulation of virulence genes of R. fascians during plant infection are discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Timing of blastocyst expansion affects spatial messenger RNA expression patterns of genes in bovine blastocysts produced in vitro.

Blastocyst formation and expansion are dependent on the differentiation and function of a proper transport of nutrients through the trophectoderm (TE) enclosing the inner cell mass (ICM). Coincident with compaction and cavitation, glucose becomes the preferred energy substrate of the early embryo. These hallmarks in early development require well-orchestrated gene expression patterns specifically with regard to timing and localization. The present study investigated the relative abundance (RA) of gene transcripts in the two lineages of in vitro-produced expanded bovine blastocysts in relation to timing of development, i.e., blastocyst expansion and localization of specific mRNAs. Expanded blastocysts from either Day 7 or Day 8 or isolated ICMs derived thereof were analyzed with the aid of a semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay for gene transcripts, which are thought to play a pivotal role in blastocyst expansion, i.e., Na/K-ATPase alpha1 subunit (Na/K), E-cadherin (E-cad), zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1), desmocollin II (Dc II), plakophilin (Plako), trophoblastic function (interferon tau [IFtau]), and glucose transport (glucose transporter-1, -3, -4 [Glut-1, -3, -4]). Total cell number, ICM cell number, or ICM/total cells ratio were similar in Day 7 and Day 8 expanded blastocysts. Significant differences were determined in the RA for Na/K, E-cad, Dc II, Plako, and ZO-1 transcripts between TE cells of expanded blastocysts derived from either Day 7 or Day 8. The RA of Dc II, Glut-1, and Glut-4 was significantly decreased in the ICM compared with the TE at Day 7. Similarly, the RA of Na/K, Dc II, Glut-1, and Glut-4 at Day 8 of development was significantly decreased in the ICM compared with the TE. Interestingly, no differences were observed when comparing ICMs originating from blastocysts expanded at either Day 7 or Day 8. Plako and IFtau transcripts were not detected in isolated ICMs, indicating that expression of these mRNAs is restricted to the TE. In contrast, similar expression patterns within the ICM and TE were determined for Na/K, E-cad, ZO-1, and Glut-3 mRNA. Dc II, Glut-1, and Glut-4 were more abundant in the TE than in ICM. Results show that expression of developmentally important genes is related to the two cell lineages in the early embryo and emphasize the critical role of a well controlled spatial gene expression pattern for regular preimplantation development.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The influence of local commuting patterns on urban settlement systems.

"A large body of empirical data on the dynamics of local travel in the USSR is surveyed to illustrate the influence of commuter movement on the formation and spatial interaction of settlement systems. Correlations are established between commuting patterns and the population levels of cities of different size categories."

Behavior↗

PubMed1995

Expression of collagens and decorin during aortic arch artery development: implications for matrix pattern formation.

The elastic matrix of the large arteries shows a high level of spatial order. However, the mechanisms by which such order is established and maintained are largely unknown. The embryonic development of the avian heart and great vessels provides an appropriate model to investigate these mechanisms. In control embryos, an elastic matrix with a high level of spatial order develops in the nascent great vessels. But after the normal vascular smooth muscle (VSM) progenitor cells in the great vessels are experimentally replaced by other VSM progenitor cells, the elastic extracellular matrix is congenitally disordered. The present study used this model to test the hypothesis that the proteoglycan decorin was involved in the establishment and maintenance of the normal three-dimensional spatial order of the vascular elastic matrix. The temporospatial expression of decorin was analysed during development of normal vessels and in experimental vessels with surrogate VSM. The results showed the following: (1) the expression of decorin was related in time and space to the establishment of large helical collagen type III fibers that are characteristic of the normal elastic extracellular matrix; (2) in the experimental extracellular matrix there were few helical fibers of collagen type III, but those that were present remained positive for decorin; and (3) in both control and experimental vessels, decorin associated with neither fibers of collagen type I nor fibers of collagen type III in any conformation other than the large helical fibers. These data indicate a previously unrecognized relationship between decorin and the spatial order of the physiologically significant helical fibers of collagen type III.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Neuropsychological impairment in 42 adolescents with sex chromosome abnormalities.

Sixty-seven adolescents participated in this protocol, including 42 with sex chromosome abnormalities and 25 controls. Results from a battery of neuropsychological tests indicated karyotype specific patterns of neuropsychological impairment: (1) 47,XXY boys had unimpaired intelligence but reduced abilities in verbal fluency and reading; (2) 47,XXX girls experienced reduced general intelligence accompanied by impaired scores on individual tests of attention, concept formation, spatial thinking, verbal fluency, and academic skills, while retention of memorized information was a relative strength; (3) among the 45,X girls average intelligence level was also reduced along with scores on tests of attention, concept formation, verbal fluency, spatial thinking, and academic skills, and an atypical pattern of hand dominance was identified; (4) test scores in the group of mosaic females did not differ from those of controls. Test scores and patterns of personal adaptation were quite variable in all groups; while eight nonmosaic propositi required intensive special education assistance in their public schooling, eight others have attended college.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2004

Surface mechanics mediate pattern formation in the developing retina.

Pattern formation of biological structures involves organizing different types of cells into a spatial configuration. In this study, we investigate the physical basis of biological patterning of the Drosophila retina in vivo. We demonstrate that E- and N-cadherins mediate apical adhesion between retina epithelial cells. Differential expression of N-cadherin within a sub-group of retinal cells (cone cells) causes them to form an overall shape that minimizes their surface contact with surrounding cells. The cells within this group, in both normal and experimentally manipulated conditions, pack together in the same way as soap bubbles do. The shaping of the cone cell group and packing of its components precisely imitate the physical tendency for surfaces to be minimized. Thus, simple patterned expression of N-cadherin results in a complex spatial pattern of cells owing to cellular surface mechanics.

Animals↗