Nested information processing in the living world.

Living organisms create, copy, and make use of information, the content depending on the level of organization. In cells, a network of signal chain proteins regulates gene expression and other cell functions. Incoming information is encoded through signal reception, processed by the network, and decoded by the synthesis of new gene products and other biological functions.

Disrupted Iron Storage in Dental Fluorosis.

Enamel formation and quality are dependent on environmental conditions, including exposure to fluoride, which is a widespread natural element. Fluoride is routinely used to prevent caries. However, when absorbed in excess, fluoride may also lead to altered enamel structural properties associated with enamel gene expression modulations.

Asporin and the mineralization process in fluoride-treated rats.

Microarray analysis of odontoblastic cells treated with sodium fluoride has identified the asporin gene as a fluoride target. Asporin is a member of the small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan/protein (SLRP) family that is believed to be important in the mineralization process. In this study, asporin expression and distribution were investigated by systematic analysis of dentin and enamel, with and without fluoride treatment.

Morchella tomentosa: a unique belowground structure and a new clade of morels.

Mechanisms involved in post-fire morel fructification remain unclear. A new undescribed belowground vegetative structure of Morchella tomentosa in a burned boreal forest was investigated north of Fairbanks, Alaska. The name "radiscisclerotium" is proposed to define this peculiar and elaborate below-ground vegetative structure of M.

Sodium fluoride influences the expression of keratins in cultured keratinocytes.

Epithelia in lung, skin, and kidney are often exposed to fluoride, and tissue damage in lung and kidney due to fluoride is well documented. Nevertheless, the biological effects of fluoride on epithelia are poorly investigated. In the present study, we report effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the differentiation of a human epithelial cell line, HaCaT.