Actin Filaments That Form Networks in Living Cells Fluctuate Rapidly and Independently of Each Other
Tomoteru Oka,
Kouki Furukawa,
Yasuyuki Oguma,
Buntara Sthenly Gan,
Noriyuki Kataoka
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
33-43
Received:
28 August 2023
Accepted:
15 September 2023
Published:
27 September 2023
Abstract: Actin filaments play a significant role in multiple essential cellular processes, including cell motility, vesicle and organelle movement, cell signaling, and cellular mechanosensing mechanisms. However, an important cellular processes, mechanosensing, remains debatable. This is because intracellular proteins such as actin filaments, focal adhesion complexes, and cell-nuclear junctions are dynamic structures that fluctuate minutely, although their binding is closely related to the mechanosensing mechanism. We established an original quasi-super-resolution image analysis method and revealed the existence of 3 Hz fluctuations in actin filaments in living cells at approximately 0.2 to 0.5 μm. We speculated that cells sense mechanical stresses such as fluid shear stress through the network structure of actin filaments and their connections to the substrate and cell nucleus. This study analyzed the fluctuations in actin filaments in the network structure of living cells using our quasi-super-resolution image analysis method under static culture conditions. In particular, we focused on the correlations between each actin fluctuation in the network structure. Fluorescence images showed that actin networks were well developed in the NIH3T3 cells. The maximum amplitude of actin filament fluctuations near the central region of the cell was 0.99 μm. Correlation coefficients of actin filament fluctuations in the network remained unchanged between the central and peripheral regions, with a maximum value of 0.23. These results suggested that actin filaments fluctuated independently within the network structure. Moreover, the distance between two actin filaments changed over time at the connecting point of the three actin filaments. These results suggest that strain occurs at the actin filament connecting points even when cells are under static culture conditions and that more complex mechanical states arise upon mechanical stimulation.
Abstract: Actin filaments play a significant role in multiple essential cellular processes, including cell motility, vesicle and organelle movement, cell signaling, and cellular mechanosensing mechanisms. However, an important cellular processes, mechanosensing, remains debatable. This is because intracellular proteins such as actin filaments, focal adhesion...
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Prevalence and Factors Associated with Malaria Among Adults Living in Bosaso-Somalia
Elmi Omar Haji Elmi,
Mohamed Bashir Askar,
Abdiaziz Jama Ali,
Abdikarim Ali Ibrahim,
Mohamed Ahmed Moalim
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2023
Pages:
44-49
Received:
9 March 2023
Accepted:
5 July 2023
Published:
14 October 2023
Abstract: According to WHO-EMRO report in 2016, Confirmed malaria cases in Somalia from 2013 to 2015 were gradually increased from 7407, 11001 and 20953 respectively, indicating that malaria is a serious health concern in Somalia and specifically Bosaso become one of the most endemic areas of malaria in Somalia. Bosaso is one of the most populous towns in Somalia's Puntland state, with a population of over 700,000 people. Bosaso district is a malaria endemic area with malaria control measures in place, yet the prevalence of malaria in this town remains high, with around 11522 cases reported in the first nine months of 2017. Malaria threatens the entire Somali population, with 51 percent at high risk, therefore this study aims to determine the prevalence and factors related to occurrence of malaria in Bosaso. Between December 2017 and January 2018, a community-based analytical cross-sectional research was done in eight selected villages in Bosaso, Somalia. 384 adults living in Bosaso were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. In January 2018, 75 (19.7 percent) of the study population had malaria. Age and family income were found to have a statistically significant association with malaria occurrence (OR = 2.2, 0.013 and 2.3, 0.033, respectively). Regarding prevention measures, people who did not use mosquito nets had an increased risk of malaria (OR = 2.18, P-value = 0.004), and people who did not use protective clothing had an increased risk of malaria (OR = 1.75, P-value = 0.035), Furthermore, open or half-covered water tanks in the home were linked to the prevalence of malaria (OR = 1.6, P-value = 0.029). Finally, to reduce malaria occurrence in Bosaso these measures should be taken; Malaria prevention and control education should be provided to the community via the use of mass media and any other appropriate method, and individuals should follow malaria preventative measures like as sleeping under mosquito net, using IRS in home and taking on protective cloths in exposed areas.
Abstract: According to WHO-EMRO report in 2016, Confirmed malaria cases in Somalia from 2013 to 2015 were gradually increased from 7407, 11001 and 20953 respectively, indicating that malaria is a serious health concern in Somalia and specifically Bosaso become one of the most endemic areas of malaria in Somalia. Bosaso is one of the most populous towns in So...
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