Mice with mutations in the Hoxb8 gene exhibit compulsive grooming behavior. Chen et al. (2010) now report that this behavior stems from Hoxb8 deficiency in microglia, a type of immune cell in the brain derived from bone marrow. These findings provide intriguing connections between immune dysfunction and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Shoot apical meristems are self-renewing stem cell populations that generate all of the above-ground organs (i.e. stems, leaves and flowers) of higher plants. Recent studies have identified new molecular components required for proper shoot meristem activity, and they have revealed that complex, intercellular communication pathways play important roles in coordinating meristem function.

There are several reported disadvantages with conventional-length femoral stems in cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA). Therefore, various efforts have been made to develop a specific femoral short stem to improve physiologic bone remodeling at the femoral aspect of a cementless THA. However, there are potential disadvantages with specific femoral short stems, such as malalignment, inadvert...

In order to investigate the seasonal changes and the possible role of the free polyamines in the leaves and stems on the alternate bearing habit of the ‘Kinnow’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) trees, a comparative study was conducted to analyze the levels of free polyamines  (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) in the leaves and stems tissues of “on” and &ldquo...

We evaluated three possible functions of clonal growth related to genet persistence in the root-suckering understory tree pawpaw, Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal: (1) risk spreading through multiplication of stems, (2) enhanced establishment and survival of new stems, and (3) horizontal expansion growth of patches. The number, diameter growth, and spatial distribution of annual stem recruits were ex...

Cell walls are important for the growth and development of all plants. They are also valuable resources for feed and fiber, and more recently as a potential feedstock for bioenergy production. Cell wall proteins comprise only a fraction of the cell wall, but play important roles in establishing the walls and in the chemical interactions (e.g., crosslinking) of cell wall components. This crossli...

We conducted the Resist Tubule space experiment to clarify role of cell wall in resistance inflorescence stems Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) gravitational acceleration Cell Biology Experiment Facility on Kibo Module International Space Station. The rigidity was lower under microgravity conditions than at 1g, particularly basal region, which plays a central supporting entire plant presence ...

Lignin is a key structural component of plant cell walls that provides rigidity, strength, and resistance against microbial attacks. This hydrophobic polymer also serves a crucial role in water transport. Despite its abundance and essential functions, several aspects of lignin biosynthesis and deposition remain cryptic. Lignin precursors are known to be synthesized in the cytoplasm by complex b...

Abstract Cell crawling on flat substrates stems from intracellular flows of the actin cytoskeleton that are driven by both polymerization at front and myosin contractility back. Optogenetics makes it experimentally possible to spatially control contraction possibly cell migration too. Here we theoretically analyze this situation using a one-dimensional active gel model reflects property II asse...