SGK1 signaling promotes glucose metabolism and survival in extracellular matrix detached cells

1. Download : Download high-res image (171KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Effect of Drosophila melanogaster Female Size on Male Mating Success

In this study, we examined the influence of female size on mating success in Drosophila melanogaster. The results that were obtained from experiments performed in mating chambers allowed us to confirm the results of previous studies, demonstrating higher mating success of larger D. melanogaster males, and to conclude that female size also affects mating success, either when considering a single male or two competing males. We observed that the advantage for larger males depends on their size relative to that of the female, demonstrating a previously unknown role for female size in mating behavior studies. This effect of female size on mating success depends on various factors: males take longer to initiate courtship toward larger females, large females receive more wing vibrations from males prior to mating, and large females tend to keep moving for longer periods during male courtship. The importance of this finding is discussed in the context of recent reports on sexual conflict in D. melanogaster, in which males were observed to depress fitness in females as a result of intercourse.     

The importance of interactions between meteorological conditions when interpreting their effect on the dispersal of pollen from homogeneously distributed sources

The interaction between different meteorological conditions recorded in Badajoz (SW Spain) over a 13-year period has been studied. The results were used for analysis of the effect of these conditions on atmospheric concentrations of Plantago and Brassicaceae pollen grain. For both types of pollen there was a positive effect of NE winds and a negative effect of SW winds which could not be explained by the location of the sources, because these species are very abundant all around the sampling station. The two effects were interpreted on the basis of the action of these winds on temperatures and relative humidity, because these conditions physically and biologically directly determine the concentrations of these types of pollen. Wind from the west is associated with an increase of wind speed and a decline in calm periods; wind from the south is associated with increased rainfall and humidity; wind from the opposite directions is associated with a decrease in these meteorological conditions. These main associations can explain the variation in pollen concentration, although there are also variations in seasons and years. These types of pollen also behave differently, so wind speed reduces the concentration of pollen from Plantago but increases it from Brassicaceae. Beyond the immediate application of the analysis to this specific case, there is a clear interest in observing the interaction between meteorological factors to gain a broader perspective for interpretation of the results of aerobiological studies aimed at determining the effect of these factors on the release and transport of particles into the air.     

Overexpression, Purification, and Biochemical Characterization of the Esterase Est0796 from Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1

Lactobacillus plantarum is a lactic acid bacterium that is encountered in an extensive range of foods such as fermented dairy products, meat, vegetables, and bakery products. Given the little molecular information available on the lipolytic activity of L. plantarum, the aim of this study was to clone, purify, and biochemically characterize the esterase coded by gene lp_0796 (Est0796). The esterase was cloned in pET28a and purified in two steps, using solid ammonium sulfate and His tag affinity chromatography. The molecular mass of the purified Est0796 was 28.7 kDa (by SDS-PAGE) and 26.6 kDa (by gel filtration chromatography), pointing to a monomeric structure. Est0796 showed maximum activity at pH 8.0 and 35 °C and toward shorter acyl chain lengths (C₂–C₄). The activity was resistant to organic solvents and cations, suggesting that this esterase may play a role in the fermentation of food products.     

TGFB1 polymorphisms and TGF-β1 plasma levels identify gastric adenocarcinoma patients with lower survival rate and disseminated disease

TGF-β1 is involved in tumour growth. Four TGFB1 SNPs and TGF-β1 production by stimulated PBMC were determined in seventy-eight gastric adenocarcinoma patients. In addition, TGF-β1 levels were measured in the plasma of further thirty patients. rs1800471-G/C genotype was prevalent in patients (20.7%) compared to controls (8.4%), as it also was the rs1800468 SNP-G/A genotype in stage IV patients (20.7%) compared to stage I, II and III patients, combined (10.3%). Conversely, the T/T rs1800469 SNP-T/T genotype was absent in the former group and present in 19.0% in the latter. Furthermore, the rs1800469-C/rs1800470-T (CT) haplotype was found in 15.0% of stage IV patients as compared to 3.0% of the remaining patients (3.0%) and also identifies patients with worse five-year life expectancy (P = .03). TGF-β1 synthesis by stimulated PBMCs was significantly lower in patients with the risk SNPs or haplotype, compared to the alternative genotype. Finally, TGF-β1 plasma levels were lower in patients with worse life expectancy. Analysis of TGFB1 SNPs and measurement of plasma TGF-β1 levels serves to identify patients at risk of developing a more aggressive disease.     

The fruit of Corema album (L.) D. Don,a singular white berry with potential benefits in nutrition and health

Phytochemistry Reviews - Corema album (L.) D. Don (Ericaceae) is an endemic bush that grows along the Atlantic littoral of the Iberian Peninsula. Its edible white berries (known as camarinas,...     

Tumour microenvironment and heterotypic interactions in pancreatic cancer

Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a disease with a survival rate of 9%; this is due to its chemoresistance and the large tumour stroma that occupies...