Contrasting levels of genotype by environment interaction for life history and morphological traits in invasive populations of Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

It has been demonstrated that phenotypic plasticity and genotype by environment interaction are important for coping with new and heterogeneous environments during invasions. Zaprionus indianus Gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an Afrotropical invasive fly species introduced to the South American continent in 1999. This species is generalist and polyphagous, since it develops and feeds in several different fruit species. These characteristics of Z. indianus suggest that phenotypic plasticity and genotype by environment interaction may be important in this species invasion process. In this sense, our aim was to investigate the role of genetic variation for phenotypic plasticity (genotype by environment interaction) in Z. indianus invasion of the South American continent. Specifically, we quantified quantitative genetic variation and genotype by environment interactions of morphological and life history traits in different developmental environments, that is, host fruits. This was done in different populations in the invasive range of Z. indianus in Argentina. Results showed that Z. indianus populations have considerable amounts of quantitative genetic variation. Also, genotype by environment interactions was detected for the different traits analyzed in response to the different developmental environments. Interestingly, the amounts and patterns of these parameters differed between populations. We interpreted these results as the existence of differences in evolutionary potential between populations that have an important role in the short‐ and long‐term success of the Z. indianus invasion process.     

The role of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in cardiac remodelling induced by cigarette smoke exposure

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the alterations in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance are mechanisms presented in cardiac remodelling induced by the toxicity of cigarette smoke. Male Wistar rats were assigned to the control group (C; n = 12) and the cigarette smoke-exposed group (exposed to cigarette smoke over 2 months) (CS; n = 12). Transthoracic echocardiography, blood pressure assessment, serum biochemical analyses for catecholamines and cotinine, energy metabolism enzymes activities assay; HOMA index (homeostatic model assessment); immunohistochemistry; and Western blot for proteins involved in energy metabolism were performed. The CS group presented concentric hypertrophy, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and higher oxidative stress. It was observed changes in energy metabolism, characterized by a higher HOMA index, lower concentration of GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4) and lower 3-hydroxyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity, suggesting the presence of insulin resistance. Yet, the cardiac glycogen was depleted, phosphofructokinase (PFK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased, with normal pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity. The activity of citrate synthase, mitochondrial complexes and ATP synthase (adenosine triphosphate synthase) decreased and the expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) increased. In conclusion, exposure to cigarette smoke induces cardiac remodelling and dysfunction. The mitochondrial dysfunction and heart damage induced by cigarette smoke exposure are associated with insulin resistance and glucose metabolism changes.     

Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from soil and nitrogen uptake by eucalyptus fertilized with enhanced efficiency fertilizers

Plant and Soil - Evaluate which nitrogen fertilizer alone or in combination with additives for enhanced efficiency can reduce N2O and CH4 emissions of soil cultivated with eucalyptus and also...     

Global 5-methylcytosine and physiological changes are triggers of indirect somatic embryogenesis in Coffea canephora

Protoplasma - Indirect somatic embryogenesis (ISE) establishment for Coffea species started in the 1970s. Since then, intraspecific variations in the morphogenic pathway have been reported, even in...     

USP7 limits CDK1 activity throughout the cell cycle

Chemical inhibitors of the deubiquitinase USP7 are currently being developed as anticancer agents based on their capacity to stabilize P53. Regardless of this activity, USP7 inhibitors also generate DNA damage in a p53‐independent manner. However, the mechanism of this genotoxicity and its contribution to the anticancer effects of USP7 inhibitors are still under debate. Here we show that, surprisingly, even if USP7 inhibitors stop DNA replication, they also induce a widespread activation of CDK1 throughout the cell cycle, which leads to DNA damage and is toxic for mammalian cells. In addition, USP7 interacts with the phosphatase PP2A and supports its active localization in the cytoplasm. Accordingly, inhibition of USP7 or PP2A triggers very similar changes of the phosphoproteome, including a widespread increase in the phosphorylation of CDK1 targets. Importantly, the toxicity of USP7 inhibitors is alleviated by lowering CDK1 activity or by chemical activation of PP2A. Our work reveals that USP7 limits CDK1 activity at all cell cycle stages, providing a novel mechanism that explains the toxicity of USP7 inhibitors through untimely activation of CDK1.     

Age and body mass are more important than horns to determine the social position of dairy cows

Journal of Ethology - The aims of this observational study were to (1) define which animal’s phenotypic characteristics determine social position in the context of a commercial organic farm...     

Leptospira spp., rotavirus,norovirus, and hepatitis E virus surveillance in a wild invasive golden‐headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas; Kuhl, 1820) population from an urban park in Niterói,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

The world currently faces severe biodiversity losses caused by anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, pollution, the introduction of exotic species, habitat fragmentation, and climate changes. Disease ecology in altered environments is still poorly understood. The golden‐headed lion tamarin (GHLT, Leontopithecus chrysomelas) is an endangered species that became invasive in an urban park in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The initially few invasive GHLT individuals became hundreds, adapted to living in proximity to humans and domestic animals. These GHLTs were captured as part of a conservation project; some animals were translocated to Bahia and some were kept in captivity. This study tested 593 GHLT for Leptospira serology; 100 and 95 GHLT for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) toLeptospira and hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV‐3), respectively, and 101 familiar groups for PCR to viruses (rotavirus A, norovirus GI and GII, and HEV‐3). One animal had antibodies for Leptospira serovar Shermani and another for serovar Hebdomadis. One saprophyticLeptospira was found by the 16S PCR and sequencing. Viruses were not detected in samples tested. Findings suggest that the epidemiological importance of such pathogens in this GHLT population is either low or nonexistent. These data are important to understand the local disease ecology, as well as monitoring a translocation project, and to contribute data for species conservation.