NDNF interneurons in layer 1 gain-modulate whole cortical columns according to an animal’s behavioral state

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Pathological factors underlying hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is the result of an imbalance between total heat (metabolic heat and environmental heat) accumulated in the body and heat loss from the body, and is defined as a condition when core temperature rises above its normal range. This article will present an overview of syndromes associated with hyperthermia, through discussion of the etiology and pathophysiologic mechanisms that underlie those disorders. Emphasis will also be placed on the therapeutic measures to be taken in order to avert the complications of these disorders.     

The Small Subunit of Snapdragon Geranyl Diphosphate Synthase Modifies the Chain Length Specificity of Tobacco Geranylgeranyl Diphosphate Synthase in Planta

Geranyl diphosphate (GPP), the precursor of many monoterpene end products, is synthesized in plastids by a condensation of dimethylallyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) in a reaction catalyzed by homodimeric or heterodimeric GPP synthase (GPPS). In the heterodimeric enzymes, a noncatalytic small subunit (GPPS.SSU) determines the product specificity of the catalytic large subunit, which may be either an active geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) or an inactive GGPPS-like protein. Here, we show that expression of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) GPPS.SSU in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants increased the total GPPS activity and monoterpene emission from leaves and flowers, indicating that the introduced catalytically inactive GPPS.SSU found endogenous large subunit partner(s) and formed an active snapdragon/tobacco GPPS in planta. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and in vitro enzyme analysis of individual and hybrid proteins revealed that two of four GGPPS-like candidates from tobacco EST databases encode bona fide GGPPS that can interact with snapdragon GPPS.SSU and form a functional GPPS enzyme in plastids. The formation of chimeric GPPS in transgenic plants also resulted in leaf chlorosis, increased light sensitivity, and dwarfism due to decreased levels of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and gibberellins. In addition, these transgenic plants had reduced levels of sesquiterpene emission, suggesting that the export of isoprenoid intermediates from the plastids into the cytosol was decreased. These results provide genetic evidence that GPPS.SSU modifies the chain length specificity of phylogenetically distant GGPPS and can modulate IPP flux distribution between GPP and GGPP synthesis in planta.     

The maternal foam plug constitutes a reservoir for the desert locust's bacterial symbionts

A hallmark of the desert locust's ancient and deserved reputation as a devastating agricultural pest is that of the long-distance, multi-generational migration of locust swarms to new habitats. The bacterial symbionts that reside within the locust gut comprise a key aspect of its biology, augmenting its immunity and having also been reported to be involved in the swarming phenomenon through the emission of attractant volatiles. However, it is still unclear whether and how these beneficial symbionts are transmitted vertically from parent to offspring. Using comparative 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and direct experiments with engineered bacteria, we provide evidence for vertical transmission of locust gut bacteria. The females may perform this activity by way of inoculation of the egg-pod's foam plug, through which the larvae pass upon hatching. Furthermore, analysis of the composition of the foam revealed chitin to be its major component, along with immunity-related proteins such as lysozyme, which could be responsible for the inhibition of some bacteria in the foam while allowing other, more beneficial, strains to proliferate. Our findings reveal a potential vector for the transgenerational transmission of symbionts in locusts, which contributes to the locust swarm's ability to invade and survive in new territories.     

Natural history,physiology and energetic strategies of Asellia tridens (Chiroptera)

We used radio-telemetry, observations and physiological measurements to study the basic biology and energetic strategies of Asellia tridens in northern Israel from 2009 to 2010. Between late May and early November, the bats occupied abandoned man-made structures in this area. Parturition occurred between late June and mid-July, and juveniles were independent by late August. A. tridens foraged near the roost in a vegetation-rich, cluttered background environment, catching insects flying close to vegetation. Its diet was diverse, with Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera being the main diet components. During summer, males and females differed in their foraging patterns and energetic strategies: Lactating females departed for more frequent foraging bouts than males, and maintained euthermy throughout the day, while males became torpid on a daily basis.