Secretory proteins and growth factors of the baboon (Papio anubis) uterus: potential roles in pregnancy.

The primate endometrium undergoes distinct morphological changes during the menstrual cycle. These alterations are regulated by the steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Several lines of evidence suggest that some of these hormonally induced changes may be modulated by growth factors. Our studies have focused on characterizing the secretory activity of the uterine endometrium associated with these hormonally regulated morphological changes during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy in the baboon. Additionally, we have also attempted to study the regulation of specific growth factors and their receptors. In this review we present evidence to indicate that growth factor receptors for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), and secretory proteins, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and retinol binding protein (RBP), which are present in the glandular epithelium during the menstrual cycle, undergo cell-specific changes in gene expression at the implantation site during pregnancy. We postulate that these alterations in growth factor receptor and secretory protein expression are conceptus modulated and may play important regulatory roles during trophoblast invasion and decidualization.     

Detection of T-DNA transfer to plant cells by A. tumefaciens virulence mutants using agroinfection

Summary To test whether virulence mutants of Agrobacterium tumefaciens are capable of promoting T-DNA transfer into plant cells, a tandem array of Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) DNA was cloned between T-region border sequences on a wide host range plasmid and introduced into various virulence mutants. The resulting strains were used to infect Brassica rapa cv. Just Right. This assay, recently referred to as agroinfection, is based on the appearance of viral symptoms following transfer of T-DNA to plant cells, and is shown to be at least 100 times more sensitive in detecting T-DNA transfer than tumour formation. Mutants in the loci vir A, B and G, which were avirulent on turnip, failed to induce virus symptoms. Of the two vir D mutants tested, neither induced tumours, but one was capable of inducing virus symptoms. Mutants in vir E, C and F, which induced respectively no, small and normal tumours on turnip, all induced virus symptoms.     

Eomyidae fauna turnover at the Early-Middle Miocene boundary in the Morteral section (Magro Basin,Valencia, Spain)

The material of Eomyidae from three localities (Morteral 1, Morteral 20A and Morteral 22) of the Morteral section in the Magro Basin, eastern Spain, is described. These localities contain remains of Ligerimys and Eomyops. Morteral 1 is situated in the lowest part of the section and contains Ligerimys ellipticus, whereas Morteral 20A and Morteral 22 are situated in the middle part of the section and contain, among other rodent species, Eomyops noeliae. The youngest localities in the Morteral section (Morteral 41 and 44) record Megacricetodon collongensis, first representative of Megacricetodon in the Middle Miocene (MN5). The locality Morteral 20A contains Megacricetodon primitivus; Morteral 1 and Morteral 22 contain a form of Megacricetodon different from both M. primitivus and M. collongensis, therefore, these three localities are of lower Aragonian age (MN4). In the Aragonian type area, L. ellipticus is rare in zone B (lower part of MN4) and frequent in zone C (upper part of MN4). The first record of Eomyops in the Aragonian type area occurs in MN7/8 and in MN5 in Central Europe. The turnover of eomyid faunas in MN4 localities of the Morteral section clearly confirms the hypothesis of Engesser (1999) that Eomyops may have appeared earlier than supposed so far (MN5).     

Diurnal Regulation of Peripheral Glucose Metabolism: Potential Effects of Exercise Timing

Diurnal oscillations in energy metabolism are linked to the activity of biological clocks and contribute to whole‐body glucose homeostasis. Postprandially, skeletal muscle takes up approximately 80% of circulatory glucose and hence is a key organ in maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Dysregulation of molecular clock components in skeletal muscle disrupts whole‐body glucose homeostasis. Next to light‐dark cycles, nonphotic cues such as nutrient intake and physical activity are also potent cues to (re)set (dys)regulated clocks. Physical exercise is one of the most potent ways to improve myocellular insulin sensitivity. Given the role of the biological clock in glucose homeostasis and the power of exercise to improve insulin sensitivity, one can hypothesize that there might be an optimal time for exercise to maximally improve insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. In this review, we aim to summarize the available information related to the interaction of diurnal rhythm, glucose homeostasis, and physical exercise as a nonphotic cue to correct dysregulation of human glucose metabolism.     

Exploring the low photosynthetic efficiency of cyanobacteria in blue light using a mutant lacking phycobilisomes

Photosynthesis Research - The ubiquitous chlorophyll a (Chl a) pigment absorbs both blue and red light. Yet, in contrast to green algae and higher plants, most cyanobacteria have much lower...     

When and how did the Mikrotia fauna reach Gargano (Apulia,Italy)?

The time and mode of colonization of Gargano have been a subject of debate. Taking into account the temporal distribution of the ancestors of the Mikrotia fauna, a Late Tortonian age represents the best fit for the time of migration. How these animals reached the island is even harder to decide. In the past some scholars embraced rafting as an important mechanism enabling small mammals to reach the islands, whereas others rejected this hypothesis, considering it an improbable mode of colonization. The recent record of oceanic rafts indicates that rafting is indeed a very plausible method for small-sized animals to reach islands, and the most probable method for the colonization of Gargano. A polyphasic model, as proposed by Masini and colleagues, is rejected in the case of Gargano, as it is based on a misinterpretation of the adaptive radiations within the Mikrotia fauna.