Current topics in organogenesis and gametogenesis

At the 49(th) Annual Drosophila Research Conference from April 3-8, 2008 in San Diego there were eight talks and over ninety posters in the section on Organogenesis and Gametogenesis. These covered a wide range of topics within the two broad categories of organ-specific stem cells (including germ cells) and organ-specific developmental programs. Here we discuss eleven of these presentations describing current research into the formation of the gonad, intestine, trachea, muscle and leg joint. The new insights presented advance our understanding of the molecular events that underlie interactions between stem cells and their niches as well as mechanisms underlying tissue-specific differentiation programs.     

Current topics in signal transduction in bacteria

Among the signal transfer systems in bacteria two types predominate: two-component regulatory systems and quorum sensing systems. Both types of system can mediate signal transfer across the bacterial cell envelope; however, the signalling molecule typically is not taken up into the cells in the former type of system, whereas it usually is in the latter. The Two-component systems include the recently described (eukaryotic) phosphorelay systems; quorum sensing systems can be based upon autoinducers of the N-acylated homoserine lactones, and on autoinducers of a peptidic nature. A single bacterial cell contains many signalling modules that primarily operate in parallel. This may give rise to neural-network behaviour. Recently, however, for both types of basic signal transfer modules, it has been demonstrated that they also can be organised in series (i.e. in a hierarchical order). Besides their hierarchical position in the signal transduction network of the cell, the spatial distribution of individual signalling modules may also be an important factor in their efficiency in signal transfer. Many challenges lie hidden in future work to understand these signal transfer processes in more detail. These are discussed here, with emphasis on the mutual interactions between different signal transfer processes. Successful contributions to this work will require rigorous mathematical modelling of the performance of signal transduction components, and -networks, as well as studies on light-sensing signal transduction systems, because of the unsurpassed time resolution obtainable in those latter systems, the opportunity to apply repeated reproducible stimuli, etc. The increased understanding of bacterial behaviour that already has resulted – and may further result – from these studies, can be used to fine-tune the beneficial activities of bacteria and/or more efficiently inhibit their deleterious ones.     

Current topics on SARS coronavirus

The serious respiratory disease, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), outbreaking in winter of 2003 to 2004 remained in a sporadic patient's generating at this winter. However, there is also a possibility that wild animals as the source of infection may not be specified and that it may be much in fashion again. The paper regarding SARS and SARS-CoV is published at one per day now which has passed since fashion of SARS in one or so year. There are many papers which the researchers of other viruses enter into the research field of SARS-CoV using their own technology in addition to the researchers of coronavirus. Topics of the research on the present SARS-research field are development of vaccine, inspecting of medicine and establishment of diagnostic method. Here, the newest information is offered about these researches.     

Current topics in artificial insemination of sheep

There have been developments in several aspects of artificial insemination (AI) in recent years, some of which have been directly responsible for proliferation of AI in the sheep-breeding industries of several countries. The most notable advances have probably been associated with the development of intrauterine insemination by laparoscopy. There is potential for refinement of some of the related techniques, particularly in the area of control of ovulation and definition of appropriate times and optimum doses of spermatozoa for insemination. It is unlikely that laparoscopic AI will be developed sufficiently that it will become readily affordable, and therefore widely practised, by commercial producers. Unfortunately, there has been little progress in the past few years in improvement of the methods of cryopreservation of ram semen. There is considerable potential for AI to have a significant impact on the genetic improvement of sheep, though this has yet to be evaluated in practice. However, if the full potential of AI in sheep is to be realized, it will likely only happen when methods of freezing semen are improved sufficiently that cervical or even vaginal insemination can be widely used with frozen-thawed semen, or when practicable methods of deep cervical or intrauterine insemination through the cervix are developed.     

Current topics for teaching skeletal muscle physiology

Contractions of skeletal muscles provide the stability and power for all body movements. Consequently, any impairment in skeletal muscle function results in some degree of instability or immobility. Factors that influence skeletal muscle structure and function are therefore of great interest both scientifically and clinically. Injury, disease, and old age are among the factors that commonly contribute to impairment in skeletal muscle function. The goal of this article is to update current concepts of skeletal muscle physiology. Particular emphasis is placed on mechanisms of injury, repair, and adaptation in skeletal muscle as well as mechanisms underlying the declining skeletal muscle structure and function associated with aging. For additional materials please refer to the "Skeletal Muscle Physiology" presentation located on the American Physiological Society Archive of Teaching Resources Web site (http://www.apsarchive.org).     

Current topics: brain penetrating neurotensin analog

Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide found in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. It is closely associated with dopaminergic and other neurotransmitter systems, and evidence supports a role for NT in various neuropsychiatric disorders. Because NT is readily degraded by peptidases, our group has developed various NT agonists that can be injected systemically, cross the blood brain barrier (BBB), yet retain the characteristics of native NT. The most widely studied and successful of these compounds, called NT69L, holds promise as a therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, psychostimulant abuse and nicotine dependence, and serves as a tool to study the cellular and molecular effects of NT.