Biomass HotSpot distribution model and spatial interaction of two exploited species of horse mackerel in the south-central Mediterranean Sea

Trachurus trachurus and Trachurus mediterraneus play an important role in the marine ecosystem and represent an important source of income for local economies related to fishery. This study aimed to improve the knowledge on the spatial distribution and habitat requirements of these two horse mackerels in the south-central Mediterranean Sea (Strait of Sicily) by applying specie distribution models. Species’ biomass HotSpots, areas where the highest abundances are concentrated, were modelled as a function of physical and oceanographic parameters. Predictive distribution maps were produced to identify species-specific spatial patterns and possible overlapping in the distribution areas of the two congeneric species. Depth, bottom salinity, bottom sea temperature, sea surface temperature variation and slope were the main drivers for horse mackerels habitat suitability. Predictive distribution maps revealed a clear spatial segregation between biomass HotSpots of the two species, which depends on complex abiotic and biotic relationships. Since horse mackerels are the main component of discards produced by deep rose shrimp fishery in the Strait of Sicily and due to the importance of discard reduction in the current fishery policies, the results can provide important information for setting up spatial-based management strategies for the Strait of Sicily fisheries aimed in particular at minimizing unwanted by-catches.     

Stimulation of carrot somatic embryogenesis by proline and serine

Serine and proline, when added in a wide range of concentrations to Daucus carota cultures during pre-growth in the presence of 2,4-D(2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), extended in time and quantity the mitotic divisions and stimulated significantly the number of embryos regenerated when the hormone subsequently was omitted from the medium. A specific effect of these amino acids on regeneration is suggested, since proline (as hydroxyproline) and serine are the two major constituents of the cell wall glycoprotein, extensin, which thus may have a morphoregulatory function. The significant role of the conditions during pregrowth of the cultures in the presence of hormone is underlined by the effect of hydroxyproline and D-proline which also stimulate embryogenesis, but alter markedly the development of the embryos.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 6-BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - Pro proline - Ser serine - Ala alanine - Glu glutamic acid - Leu leucine - Hyp Hydroxyproline - FC fusicoccin     

The synthetic melanocortin (CKPV)2 exerts broad anti-inflammatory effects in human neutrophils

Natural melanocortin peptides exert broad effects on the host and they have remarkable therapeutic potential. However, successful use of melanocortins as therapeutic agents depends on the design of molecules that have more stable pharmacological profiles. The synthetic peptide (CKPV)(2), based on the C-terminal sequence of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), has anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) effects in vitro and in vivo and is a promising candidate to treat inflammation. Because neutrophil activity is a major target for anti-inflammatory therapies, we determined whether (CKPV)(2) modulates human neutrophil functions in vitro. Incubation of freshly-separated human neutrophils with 10(-12)-10(-6)M (CKPV)(2) significantly inhibited activities relevant to the inflammatory reaction. Neutrophil migration toward the two chemoattractants interleukin 8 (IL-8) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) was significantly inhibited by (CKPV)(2). (CKPV)(2) also inhibited reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) production induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), but not that induced by fMLP. Because these effects of (CKPV)(2) were abolished by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (ddAdo), they appear to be cAMP-dependent. Finally, the peptide reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated expression of TNF-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), as well as TNF-alpha protein release in cell supernatants. The data indicate that (CKPV)(2) modulates broad cAMP-dependent, anti-inflammatory pathways in human neutrophils.     

Analysis and pharmacological modulation of senescence in human epithelial stem cells

Human epithelial stem cells (ESCs) are characterized by long‐term regenerative properties, much dependent on the tissue of origin and varying during their lifespan. We analysed such variables in cultures of ESCs isolated from the skin, conjunctiva, limbus and oral mucosa of healthy donors and patients affected by ectrodactyly‐ectodermal dysplasia‐clefting syndrome, a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the p63 gene. We cultured cells until exhaustion in the presence or in the absence of DAPT (γ‐secretase inhibitor; N‐[N‐(3, 5‐difluorophenacetyl)‐L‐alanyl]‐S‐phenylglycine T‐butyl ester). All cells were able to differentiate in vitro but exhibited variable self‐renewal potential. In particular, cells carrying p63 mutations stopped prematurely, compared with controls. Importantly, administration of DAPT significantly extended the replicative properties of all stem cells under examination. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that distinct sets of genes were up‐ or down‐regulated during their lifetime, thus allowing to identify druggable gene networks and off‐the‐shelf compounds potentially dealing with epithelial stem cell senescence. These data will expand our knowledge on the genetic bases of senescence and potentially pave the way to the pharmacological modulation of ageing in epithelial stem cells.     

Spatial dynamics and mixing of bluefin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea revealed using next‐generation sequencing

The Atlantic bluefin tuna is a highly migratory species emblematic of the challenges associated with shared fisheries management. In an effort to resolve the species’ stock dynamics, a genomewide search for spatially informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was undertaken, by way of sequencing reduced representation libraries. An allele frequency approach to SNP discovery was used, combining the data of 555 larvae and young‐of‐the‐year (LYOY) into pools representing major geographical areas and mapping against a newly assembled genomic reference. From a set of 184,895 candidate loci, 384 were selected for validation using 167 LYOY. A highly discriminatory genotyping panel of 95 SNPs was ultimately developed by selecting loci with the most pronounced differences between western Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea LYOY. The panel was evaluated by genotyping a different set of LYOY (n = 326), and from these, 77.8% and 82.1% were correctly assigned to western Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea origins, respectively. The panel revealed temporally persistent differentiation among LYOY from the western Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea (F_ST = 0.008, p = .034). The composition of six mixed feeding aggregations in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea was characterized using genotypes from medium (n = 184) and large (n = 48) adults, applying population assignment and mixture analyses. The results provide evidence of persistent population structuring across broad geographic areas and extensive mixing in the Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the mid‐Atlantic Bight and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The genomic reference and genotyping tools presented here constitute novel resources useful for future research and conservation efforts.     

Different chemokines are expressed in human arthritic bone biopsies: IFN-gamma and IL-6 differently modulate IL-8, MCP-1 and rantes production by arthritic osteoblasts

In the present study we analyse chemokine expression in the remodelling of subchondral bone in arthritis patients. Trabecular bone biopsies were tested by immunohistochemistry to identify interleukin (IL)-8, GRO-alpha, MCP-1, RANTES, MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta expression. Subsequently, we evaluated by immunoassay the effect of interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-6 on chemokine production by osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and post-traumatic (PT) patients' isolated osteoblasts (OB). OB constitutively produced in situ IL-8, GRO-alpha, MCP-1, RANTES and MIP-1alpha. MIP-1beta was positive only in mononuclear cells. In RA many of these chemokines were also produced by mononuclear cells. IFN-gamma significantly down-regulated IL-8 and up-regulated MCP-1 produced by OB from all patients tested, whereas it did not affect the other chemokines analysed. Moreover, IFN-gamma reduced IL-1beta-stimulated IL-8 production but significantly increased both MCP-1 and RANTES. Interestingly, IL-6 significantly downregulated IFN-gamma-induced MCP-1 production, that was significantly lower in OA compared to RA patients. OB expressed chemokines both in vivo and in vitro suggesting that these cells are primary effectors in the bone capable of regulating autocrine/paracrine circuits that affect bone remodelling in these diseases.     

Information processing,computation, and cognition

Computation and information processing are among the most fundamental notions in cognitive science. They are also among the most imprecisely discussed. Many cognitive scientists take it for granted that cognition involves computation, information processing, or both – although others disagree vehemently. Yet different cognitive scientists use ‘computation’ and ‘information processing’ to mean different things, sometimes without realizing that they do. In addition, computation and information processing are surrounded by several myths; first and foremost, that they are the same thing. In this paper, we address this unsatisfactory state of affairs by presenting a general and theory-neutral account of computation and information processing. We also apply our framework by analyzing the relations between computation and information processing on one hand and classicism, connectionism, and computational neuroscience on the other. We defend the relevance to cognitive science of both computation, at least in a generic sense, and information processing, in three important senses of the term. Our account advances several foundational debates in cognitive science by untangling some of their conceptual knots in a theory-neutral way. By leveling the playing field, we pave the way for the future resolution of the debates’ empirical aspects.