Digital cranial endocast of Riograndia guaibensis (Late Triassic,Brazil) sheds light on the evolution of the brain in non-mammalian cynodonts

Abstract

A digital cranial endocast of the specimen UFRGS-PV-596-T of Riograndia guaibensis was obtained from μCT scan images. This is a small cynodont, closely related to mammaliaforms, from the Late Triassic of Brazil. Riograndia has large olfactory bulb casts and the cerebral hemispheres region is relatively wider than in other non-mammaliaform cynodonts. Impressions of vessels were observed and a conspicuous mark on the dorsal surface was interpreted as the transverse sinus. The calculated encephalization quotient is greater than the range seen in most other non-mammaliaform cynodonts. The ratios between linear and area measurements of the dorsal surface suggest four evolutionary changes from a basal eucynodont morphology to mammaliaforms, involving an evolutionary increase of the relative size of the olfactory bulbs and the width of the cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum. The data supports the hypothesis of the neurological evolution of the mammalian lineage starting with a trend for an increase of the olfactory bulbs, which is associated with adaptations in the nasal cavity. This trend is suggested to be linked to the selective pressures for small-sized faunivorous, and probably nocturnal, animals, and represents an initial improvement of the sensory receptor system, subsequently leading to further development of the ‘superior’ structures for sensorial processing and integration.     

Square-wave adsorptive voltammetry of dexamethasone: redox mechanism, kinetic properties, and electroanalytical determinations in multicomponent formulations

The electrochemical reduction behavior of dexamethasone at a hanging mercury drop electrode was investigated by cyclic and square-wave adsorptive voltammetries in a Britton–Robinson buffer at pH 2.0. The optimized experimental conditions consisted of a pulse potential frequency of 100 s⁻¹, a pulse amplitude of 15 mV, and a potential step height of 2 mV, with E_acc = −0.60 V and t_acc = 15 s. From these parameters, it was also possible to develop a detailed study about the kinetic and mechanistic events involved in the reduction process. Two well-defined peaks were observed in the cathodic scan, and peak 2 was used to obtain analytical curves. A linear range between 4.98 × 10⁻⁸ and 6.10 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 2.54 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ and a quantification limit of 8.47 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹, was observed. Moreover, it was possible to achieve a simple, selective, and versatile methodology adaptable to the quantification of dexamethasone because common excipients used in multicomponent commercial formulations caused no interference. The satisfactory recoveries and the low relative standard deviation data reflected the high accuracy and precision of the proposed method for the determination of dexamethasone in injectable eye drops and elixir samples.     

Short-term in vivo inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with L-NAME influences the contractile function of single left ventricular myocytes in rats

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short-term L-NAME treatment on the contractile function of left ventricle (LV) myocytes and the expression of proteins related to Ca(2+) homeostasis. Data from Wistar rats treated with L-NAME (L group, n = 20; 0.7?g/L in drinking water; 7?days) were compared with results from untreated controls (C group, n = 20). Cardiomyocytes from the L group showed increased (p?< 0.05) fractional shortening (23%) and maximum rate of shortening (20%) compared with the C group. LV from the L group also showed increased (p?< 0.05) expression of the ryanodine receptor 2 and Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger proteins (76% and 83%, respectively; p?< 0.05). However, the L and C groups showed similar in vivo hemodynamic parameters of cardiac function. In conclusion, short-term NOS inhibition determines an increased expression of Ca(2+) regulatory proteins, which contributes to improving cardiomyocyte contractile function, preserving left ventricular function.     

FGF4-dependent stem cells derived from rat blastocysts differentiate along the trophoblast lineage

Differentiated trophoblast cell lineages arise from trophoblast stem (TS) cells. To date such a stem cell population has only been established in the mouse. The objective of this investigation was to establish TS cell populations from rat blastocysts. Blastocysts were cultured individually on a feeder layer of rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs) in fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF4) and heparin supplemented culture medium. Once cell colonies were established REF feeder layers could be replaced with REF conditioned medium. The blastocyst-derived cell lines, in either proliferative or differentiated states, did not express genes indicative of ICM-derived tissues. In the proliferative state the cells expressed established stem cell-associated markers of TS cells. Cells ceased proliferation and differentiated when FGF4, heparin, and REF conditioned medium were removed. Differentiation was characterized by a decline of stem cell-associated marker gene expression, the appearance of large polyploid cells (trophoblast giant cells), and the expression of trophoblast differentiation-associated genes. Collectively, the data indicate that the rat blastocyst-derived cell lines not only possess many features characteristic of mouse TS cells but also possess some distinct properties. These rat TS cell lines represent valuable new in vitro models for analyses of mechanisms controlling TS cell renewal and differentiation.     

亚精胺诱导自噬的作用机制

亚精胺(spermidine)是含有3个胺基的低分子量脂肪族碳化物,是存在于所有生物体中的天然多胺之一。自噬(autophagy)对于降解细胞内受损蛋白质和细胞器是必需的。外源性亚精胺可作为自噬的天然诱导剂,并且是安全和无毒的。新近研究表明,亚精胺可通过AKT/AMPK-FoxO3-Atg途径诱导自噬,还能促进组蛋白脱乙酰基酶4(histone deacetylase 4,HDAC4)向细胞核转运,降低细胞质HDAC4含量,进而增强微管相关蛋白1S(microtubule-associated protein 1S,MAP1S)乙酰化和稳定性以激活自噬。此外,亚精胺可作为乙酰转移酶抑制剂调节EP300活性,进而改变Atg5、Atg7、LC3和Atg12的乙酰化状态。同时,还可通过诱导哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mammalian target of rapamycin,mTOR)去磷酸化,激活ULK1/2-Atg13-FIP200复合物参与调控动物机体内的自噬过程。本文就自噬概念和亚精胺诱导自噬作用途径的最新研究进展作一综述。     

Mechanisms of programmed cell death in the midgut and salivary glands from Bradysia hygida (Diptera: Sciaridae) during pupal–adult metamorphosis

Programmed cell death is involved with the degeneration/remodeling of larval tissues and organs during holometabolous development. The midgut is a model to study the types of programmed cell death associated with metamorphosis because its structure while degenerating is a substrate for the formation of the adult organ. Another model is the salivary glands from dipteran because their elimination involves different cell death modes. This study aimed to investigate the models of programmed cell death operating during midgut replacement and salivary gland histolysis in Bradysia hygida. We carried out experiments of real‐time observations, morphological analysis, glycogen detection, filamentous‐actin localization, and nuclear acridine orange staining. Our findings allow us to establish that an intact actin cytoskeleton is required for midgut replacement in B. hygida and nuclear condensation and acridine orange staining precede the death of the larval cells. Salivary glands in histolysis present cytoplasmic blebbing, nuclear retraction, and acridine orange staining. This process can be partially reproduced in vitro. We propose that the larval midgut death involves autophagic and apoptotic features and apoptosis is a mechanism involved with salivary gland histolysis.     

Assessment of yield gaps on global grazed‐only permanent pasture using climate binning

To meet rising demands for agricultural products, existing agricultural lands must either produce more or expand in area. Yield gaps (YGs)—the difference between current and potential yield of agricultural systems—indicate the ability to increase output while holding land area constant. Here, we assess YGs in global grazed‐only permanent pasture lands using a climate binning approach. We create a snapshot of circa 2000 empirical yields for meat and milk production from cattle, sheep, and goats by sorting pastures into climate bins defined by total annual precipitation and growing degree‐days. We then estimate YGs from intra‐bin yield comparisons. We evaluate YG patterns across three FAO definitions of grazed livestock agroecosystems (arid, humid, and temperate), and groups of animal production systems that vary in animal types and animal products. For all subcategories of grazed‐only permanent pasture assessed, we find potential to increase productivity several‐fold over current levels. However, because productivity of grazed pasture systems is generally low, even large relative increases in yield translated to small absolute gains in global protein production. In our dataset, milk‐focused production systems were found to be seven times as productive as meat‐focused production systems regardless of animal type, while cattle were four times as productive as sheep and goats regardless of animal output type. Sustainable intensification of pasture is most promising for local development, where large relative increases in production can substantially increase incomes or “spare” large amounts of land for other uses. Our results motivate the need for further studies to target agroecological and economic limitations on productivity to improve YG estimates and identify sustainable pathways toward intensification.     

Biosynthesis and metabolic actions of simple phenolic acids in plants

Phytochemistry Reviews - The diversity of secondary compounds in the plant kingdom is huge. About 200,000 compounds are known, which are grouped into amines, non-protein amino acids, peptides,...     

Bioherbicide Potential of Eucalyptus saligna Leaf Litter Essential Oil

We aimed to evaluate the bioherbicide potential of Eucalyptus saligna leaf litter essential oil, its fractions and major compounds. Six essential oil fractions were obtained by preparative thin‐layer chromatography and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Effects of the oil, its fractions and major compounds (1,8‐cineole and/or α‐pinene) diluted in aqueous solution were assessed on germination and seedling growth. Recipient species were Lactuca sativa (model), Amaranthus viridis (weed), Eragrostis plana (weed), and Paspalum notatum (forage). The essential oil was more phytotoxic on A. viridis and L. sativa, followed by E. plana, and caused no effects on P. notatum. Amaranthus viridis was inhibited by all treatments, mainly the essential oil, α‐pinene and fraction 6, whereas E. plana was more affected by the oil fractions. Results revealed the species‐specific phytotoxic effects of E. saligna essential oil, indicating its potential use for controlling A. viridis and E. plana. Phytotoxic effects of essential oils or their components should not be generalized, as effects may change according to recipient species.     

Tips and tricks for the assembly of a Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis genome using a semiconductor sequencer

New sequencing platforms have enabled rapid decoding of complete prokaryotic genomes at relatively low cost. The Ion Torrent platform is an example of these technologies, characterized by lower coverage, generating challenges for the genome assembly. One particular problem is the lack of genomes that enable reference-based assembly, such as the one used in the present study, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis biovar equi, which causes high economic losses in the US equine industry. The quality treatment strategy incorporated into the assembly pipeline enabled a 16-fold greater use of the sequencing data obtained compared with traditional quality filter approaches. Data preprocessing prior to the de novo assembly enabled the use of known methodologies in the next-generation sequencing data assembly. Moreover, manual curation was proved to be essential for ensuring a quality assembly, which was validated by comparative genomics with other species of the genus Corynebacterium. The present study presents a modus operandi that enables a greater and better use of data obtained from semiconductor sequencing for obtaining the complete genome from a prokaryotic microorganism, C. pseudotuberculosis, which is not a traditional biological model such as Escherichia coli.