Gender differentiations of cognitive-motor functioning in prepubertal and pubertal children

The aim of this study was to determine cognitive and motor status factors in female and male children aged 10-14, as well as developmental and/or integration functions according to gender. The study included 162 girls and 134 boys aged 10-14, divided into four groups: 84 girls aged 10-12 (mean age 11.26, SD 0.68), 84 boys aged 10-12 (mean age 11.41, SD 0.50), 78 girls aged 13-14 (mean age 13.52, SD 0.63) and 50 boys aged 13-14 (mean age 13.21, SD 0.53). The significance of quantitative differences between boys and girls in the overall system of variables was defined based on the results of canonic discriminant analysis of variance, and within each variable based on the results on univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the younger age group (10-12 years), girls were superior to boys in a test assessing flexibility (Seated straddle stretch), whereas, compared to girls, boys had greater strength of the trunk (Crossed-arm sit-ups), greater explosive strength ofjump and sprint type (Standing broad jump and 20 m dash), and coordination (Obstacle course backwards and Steps laterally). In the older age group (13-14 years) differences in flexibility were even more prominent in favor of girls, whereas the differences in explosive strength increased in favor of boys, especially of the throwing type with better agility (Steps laterally), balance (Board balance) and greater static strength of arms and shoulders (Bent-arm hang). In order to determine qualitative differences between pubertal and prepubertal girls and boys, the matrix of variable inter-correlations was factorized by the procedure of principal components procedure, that were then transformed to promax solution. The results showed that cognitive functioning had a significant role in the motor efficacy of girls and boys aged 10 to 14. In the age group of 10-12 years, in females, cognitive functioning is related to the motor system which integrates the regulation of muscle tone with agility/coordination, whereas in males there is a relation between cognitive abilities and the regulator of speed of upper extremities movement frequency. In the age group of 13-14 years, in females, cognitive functioning is involved in forming the factors for regulation of coordination and the intensity of energy mobilization in lower extremities, and to some degree, in the factor for regulation of intensity of energy mobilization in upper extremities and strength of the trunk, whereas in males the integration of synergetic regulation of movement in terms of balance and agility in terms of speed of direction change is carried out with significant involvement of cognitive abilities.     

Arsenic Trioxide (ATO) Influences the Gene Expression of Metallothioneins in Human Glioblastoma Cells

Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃; ATO, TRISENOX?) is used to treat patients with refractory or relapsed acute promyelocytic leukaemia while its application for treatment of solid cancers like glioblastoma is still under evaluation. In the present study, we investigated the interaction of arsenic trioxide with metallothionein (MT) isoforms as a possible (protective response) resistance of glioblastoma cells to arsenic-induced cytotoxicity. Special attention was focused on MT3, the isoform expressed mainly in the brain. MT3 has low metal inducibility, fast metal binding/releasing properties and outstanding neuronal inhibitory activity. The human astrocytoma (glioblastoma) cell line U87 MG was treated with 0.6, 2 and 6?C7???M arsenic (equivalent to 0.3, 1 and 3?C3.5???M As₂O₃) for 12, 24 or 48?h and gene expression for different MT isoforms, namely MT2A, MT1A, MT1F, MT1X, MT1E and MT3, was measured by real time qPCR using SYBR Green I and Taqman? gene expression assays. TfR, 18S rRNA, GAPDH and AB were tested as reference genes, and the last two evaluated to be appropriate in conditions of low (GAPDH) and high (AB) arsenic exposure. The gene expression of MT3 gene was additionally tested and confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis with PvuII. In the given conditions the mRNAs of six MT isoforms were identified in human glioblastoma cell line U87 MG. Depending on arsenic exposure conditions, an increase or decrease of MT gene expression was observed for each isoform, with the highest increase for isoforms MT1X, MT1F and MT2A mRNA (up to 13-fold) and more persistent decreases for MT1A, MT1E and MT3 mRNA. Despite the common assumption of the noninducibility of MT3, the evident MT3 mRNA increase was observed during high As exposure (up to 4-fold). In conclusion, our results clearly demonstrate the influence of As on MT isoform gene expression. The MT1X, MT1F and MT2A increase could represent brain tumour acquired resistance to As cytotoxicity while the MT3 increase is more enigmatic, with its possible involvement in arsenic-related induction of type II cell death.     

Adhesion of eukaryotic cell lines on the gold surface modified with extracellular matrix proteins monitored by the piezoelectric sensor

The piezoelectric sensor (quartz crystal microbalance, QCM) was used to monitor cell adhesion in real time. Two cell lines, rat epithelial cells (WB F344) and lung melanoma cells (B16F10) were used. The cells were adhered and grown on the gold surface of the sensor pre-coated with adsorbed layer of extracellular matrix proteins as vitronectin and laminin. The process of cell attachment and spreading on the gold surface was continuously monitored and displayed by changes of the resonant frequency Deltaf and resistance DeltaR values of the piezoelectric resonators. The initial phase of cell attachment and spreading induced a decrease of frequency and increase of resistance relating viscoelastic properties of the cell monolayer on the sensing surface. The steady-state of both shifts was achieved after a few hours. The presence and state of cells on the surface was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy. The obtained results demonstrate that the piezoelectric sensor is suitable for studies of the cell adhesion processes. Thus obtained cell-based biosensor has potential for identification and screening of biologically active drugs and other biomolecules affecting cellular shape and attachment.     

Postnatal ontogenesis of the circadian clock within the rat liver

In mammals, the circadian oscillator within the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) entrains circadian clocks in numerous peripheral tissues. Central and peripheral clocks share a molecular core clock mechanism governing daily time measurement. In the rat SCN, the molecular clockwork develops gradually during postnatal ontogenesis. The aim of the present work was to elucidate when during ontogenesis the expression of clock genes in the rat liver starts to be rhythmic. Daily profiles of mRNA expression of clock genes Per1, Per2, Cry1, Clock, Rev-Erbalpha, and Bmal1 were analyzed in the liver of fetuses at embryonic day 20 (E20) or pups at postnatal age 2 (P2), P10, P20, P30, and in adults by real-time RT-PCR. At E20, only a high-amplitude rhythm in Rev-Erbalpha and a low-amplitude variation in Cry1 but no clear circadian rhythms in expression of other clock genes were detectable. At P2, a high-amplitude rhythm in Rev-Erbalpha and a low-amplitude variation in Bmal1 but no rhythms in expression of other genes were detected. At P10, significant rhythms only in Per1 and Rev-Erbalpha expression were present. At P20, clear circadian rhythms in the expression of Per1, Per2, Rev-Erbalpha, and Bmal1, but not yet of Cry1 and Clock, were detected. At P30, all clock genes were expressed rhythmically. The phase of the rhythms shifted between all studied developmental periods until the adult stage was achieved. The data indicate that the development of the molecular clockwork in the rat liver proceeds gradually and is roughly completed by 30 days after birth.     

Genomic Characterisation of Small Cell Lung Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts Generated from Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration Specimens

Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models generated from surgical specimens are gaining popularity as preclinical models of cancer. However, establishment of PDX lines from small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients is difficult due to very limited amount of available biopsy material. We asked whether SCLC cells obtained from endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) could generate PDX lines that maintained the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of the primary tumor. Following successful EBUS-TBNA sampling for diagnostic purposes, we obtained an extra sample for cytologic analysis and implantation into the flanks of immunodeficient mice. Animals were monitored for engraftment for up to 6 months. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis, and targeted next-generation re-sequencing, were then performed in both the primary sample and the derivative PDX line. A total of 12 patients were enrolled in the study. EBUS-TBNA aspirates yielded large numbers of viable tumor cells sufficient to inject between 18,750 and 1,487,000 cells per flank, and to yield microgram quantities of high-quality DNA. Of these, samples from 10 patients generated xenografts (engraftment rate 83%) with a mean latency of 104 days (range 63–188). All but one maintained a typical SCLC phenotype that closely matched the original sample. Identical mutations that are characteristic of SCLC were identified in both the primary sample and xenograft line. EBUS-TBNA has the potential to be a powerful tool in the development of new targeting strategies for SCLC patients by providing large numbers of viable tumor cells suitable for both xenografting and complex genomic analysis.     

No effect of round goby <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neogobius melanostomus</Emphasis> colonisation on young-of-the-year fish density or microhabitat use

The round goby Neogobius melanostomus has recently invaded several major freshwater systems in Europe and North America. Despite numerous studies predicting an impact on native fish assemblages, few have attempted to demonstrate it. In this case study, we monitored the effect of N. melanostomus colonisation on abundance and habitat utilisation of both young-of-the-year (YOY) native fish and YOY western tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris in a typical, medium-sized European river. Colonisation by N. melanostomus had no apparent effect on either native fish abundance and species richness or P. semilunaris abundance. Moreover, after colonisation, both native fish and P. semilunaris occupied similar niches (i.e. microhabitats) to those occupied before colonisation. While niche use of YOY N. melanostomus and P. semilunaris overlapped significantly, YOY native fish utilised different habitats from the gobiids. We suggest that N. melanostomus did not compete for resources with YOY fish in our study area due to lack of niche overlap and/or surplus resources. As N. melanostomus rapidly dominated the fish assemblage at our site, we further suggest that utilisation of an empty niche, rather than competitive superiority, was the main factor facilitating its success.     

Suppression of translation during in vitro maturation of pig oocytes despite enhanced formation of cap-binding protein complex eIF4F and 4E-BP1 hyperphosphorylation

In this study, we document that the overall rate of protein synthesis decreases during in vitro maturation (IVM) of pig oocytes despite enhanced formation of the 5' cap structure eIF4F. Within somatic/interphase cells, formation of the eIF4F protein complex correlates very well with overall rates of protein translation, and the formation of this complex is controlled primarily by the availability of the 5' cap binding protein eIF4E. We show that the eIF4E inhibitory protein, 4E-BP1, becomes phosphorylated during IVM, which results in gradual release of eIF4E from 4E-BP1, as documented by immunoprecipitation analyses. Isoelectric focusing and Western blotting experiments show conclusively that eIF4E becomes gradually phosphorylated with a maximum at metaphase II (M II). The activity of eIF4E and its ability to bind mRNA also increases during oocyte maturation as documented in experiments with m7-methyl GTP-Sepharose, which mimics the cap structure of mRNA. Complementary analysis of flow-through fraction for 4E-BP1, and eIF4G proteins additionally provides evidence for enhanced formation of cap-binding protein complex eIF4F. Altogether, our results bring new insights to the regulation of translation initiation during meiotic division, and more specifically clarify that 4E-BP1 hyper-phosphorylation is not the cause of the observed suppression of overall translation rates.     

The genus Bolboschoenus in Iran: taxonomy and distribution

A revision of the Iranian Bolboschoenus was made based on studies of herbarium material and cultivated plants. Fruit features (fruit shape and pericarp anatomy) were used as the main distinguishing characters; style branching, inflorescence structure and the colour of floral scales were considered as accompanying distinguishing characters. The following taxa were recognized: Bolboschoenus glaucus (Lam.) S. G. Sm., B. affinis (Roth) Drobov, B. schmidii (Raymond) Holub, B. planiculmis (F. Schmidt) T. V. Egorova and B. maritimus (L.) Palla. Taxonomical difficulties, especially in the B. affinis group and B. maritimus are discussed. Bolboschoenus glaucus was found in all of the phytogeographical regions of Iran, and it is more frequent than any other Bolboschoenus species. Bolboschoenus planiculmis is very rare in the Irano–Turanian and Hyrcanian regions and grows only in human‐influenced habitats; it might be introduced as a weed in rice fields. Bolboschoenus maritimus, B. affinis and B. schmidii occur in the Irano–Turanian region only rarely. Bolboschoenus maritimus reaches the southeastern border of its distribution area in this region. All these species typically grow at higher altitudes. Great morphological variability in inflorescence structure was found in some species (especially in B. glaucus), which may be partly explained as a response to habitat conditions and partly by genotypic diversity.     

Distribution of Bacteria within the Tissue of Healthy Tomatoes

Bacteria have been shown to be present in fresh normal tomatoes. The frequency of their presence differed widely between different fields. Bacterial populations within the tomatoes showed a distinct gradient, being largest in the connective tissue at the stem end and decreasing through the central core towards the peripheral and distal tissue. Application of Serratia to the sepals of young tomato fruits often resulted in their recovery from within tissue of the mature fruit. These findings lend support to the theory that the bacteria enter the fruit through the connective tissue at the stem end.