Inhibitory CD161 receptor identified in glioma-infiltrating T cells by single-cell analysis

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The composition and timing of flower odour emission by wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Petunia axillaris</Emphasis> coincide with the antennal perception and nocturnal activity of the pollinator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Manduca sexta</Emphasis>

In the genus Petunia, distinct pollination syndromes may have evolved in association with bee-visitation (P. integrifolia spp.) or hawk moth-visitation (P. axillaris spp). We investigated the extent of congruence between floral fragrance and olfactory perception of the hawk moth Manduca sexta. Hawk moth pollinated P. axillaris releases high levels of several compounds compared to the bee-pollinated P. integrifolia that releases benzaldehyde almost exclusively. The three dominating compounds in P. axillaris were benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol and methyl benzoate. In P. axillaris, benzenoids showed a circadian rhythm with an emission peak at night, which was absent from P. integrifolia. These characters were highly conserved among different P. axillaris subspecies and P. axillaris accessions, with some differences in fragrance composition. Electroantennogram (EAG) recordings using flower-blends of different wild Petunia species on female M. sexta antennae showed that P. axillaris odours elicited stronger responses than P. integrifolia odours. EAG responses were highest to the three dominating compounds in the P. axillaris flower odours. Further, EAG responses to odour-samples collected from P. axillaris flowers confirmed that odours collected at night evoked stronger responses from M. sexta than odours collected during the day. These results show that timing of odour emissions by P. axillaris is in tune with nocturnal hawk moth activity and that flower-volatile composition is adapted to the antennal perception of these pollinators.     

Proteomics and transcriptomics investigation on longissimus muscles in Large White and Casertana pig breeds

Consumer complaints against the blandness of modern lean meat and the frequent reference to the more strongly flavored meat that was available years ago have prompted reconsideration of high fat-depositing typical pig breeds. Casertana and Large White pig breeds are characterized by a different tendency toward fat accumulation as they exhibit opposite genetic and physiological traits with respect to the energy metabolism. These physiological differences were investigated in longissimus lumborum muscles through proteomics (2-DE, MS/MS) and microarray approaches. Data were analyzed for pathway and network analyses, as well as GO term enrichment of biological functions. As a result, Casertana showed a greater amount of proteins involved in glycolitic metabolism and mainly rely on fast-mobilizable energy sources. Large White overexpressed cell cycle and skeletal muscle growth related genes. Metabolic behavior and other implications are discussed.     

NADH binding to porcine mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase.

The binding of NADH to porcine mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase in phosphate buffer at pH 7.5 has been studied by equilibrium and kinetic methods. Hyperbolic binding was obtained by fluorimetric titration of enzyme with NADH, in the presence or absence of hydroxymalonate. Identical results were obtained for titrations of NADH with enzyme in the presence or absence of hydroxymalonate, measured either by fluorescence emission intensity or by the product of intensity and anisotropy. The equilibrium constant for NADH dissociation was 3.8 +/- 0.2 micrometers, over a 23-fold range of enzyme concentration, and the value in the presence of saturating hydroxymalonate was 0.33 +/- 0.02 micrometer over a 10-fold range of enzyme concentration. The rate constant for NADH binding to the enzyme in the presence of hydroxymalonate was 3.6 X 10(7) M-1 s-1, while the value for dissociation from the ternary complex was 30 +/- 1 s-1. No limiting binding rate was obtained at pseudo-first order rate constants as high as 200 s-1, and the rate curve for dissociation was a single exponential for at least 98% of the amplitude. In addition to demonstrating that the binding sites are independent and indistinguishable, the absence of effects of enzyme concentration on the KD value indicates that NADH binds with equal affinity to monomeric and dimeric enzyme forms.     

Moving as a reason for pet relinquishment: a closer look

One of the most frequently given reasons for relinquishing a companion animal to an animal shelter is that the person or family is moving. Telephone interviews conducted with 57 caregivers who relinquished animal companions to a shelter in the midwestern United States covered details of the move, characteristics both of the caregivers and the animals, and efforts to avoid relinquishment. A human-nonhuman animal bonding scale also was administered. Although some participants had additional reasons for relinquishment, the majority had given up their pets solely because they were moving. Most had relatively low income, were moving for employment reasons, and were renting their homes. Landlord restrictions were an important factor in relinquishment. High scores on the bonding scale and spontaneous expressions of discomfort and sorrow suggest that external pressures overrode attachment to the animal and the pain of relinquishment.