Preferential accumulation of [3H] corticosterone in chick brain during embryonic development

In the present study, we examined the distribution of [³H]corticosterone ([³H]B) in chick embryonic brain during development using two different routes of administration: intracerebral and intraocular. After injection of 1 Ci into the brain of 8-day embryos, [³H]B was preferentially accumulated in the retinas, whereas regions such as cerebral hemispheres, optic tecta, and midbrain showed lower amounts of [³H]B. In 14-day embryos, a slightly higher amount of [³H]B was found in retinas and midbrain in comparison with other regions of the brain. After injection into the eye, [³H]B seemed to easily diffuse to brain regions and to preferentially accumulate in the opposite eye and very slowly diffused to other brain areas. The accumulation of the hormone in the retina parallels the presence of hormone receptors reported by others. A correlation between the preferential accumulation of hormone and its action is proposed.     

Genetic variation in eggplant for Nitrogen Use Efficiency under contrasting NO3‐ supply

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) yield is highly sensitive to N fertilization, the excessive use of which is responsible for environmental and human health damage. Lowering N input together with the selection of improved Nitrogen‐Use‐Efficiency (NUE) genotypes, more able to uptake, utilize, and remobilize N available in soils, can be challenging to maintain high crop yields in a sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to explore the natural variation among eggplant accessions from different origins, in response to Low (LN) and High (HN) Nitrate (NO₃^‐) supply, to identify NUE‐contrasting genotypes and their NUE‐related traits, in hydroponic and greenhouse pot experiments. Two eggplants, AM222 and AM22, were identified as N‐use efficient and inefficient, respectively, in hydroponic, and these results were confirmed in a pot experiment, when crop yield was also evaluated. Overall, our results indicated the key role of N‐utilization component (NUtE) to confer high NUE. The remobilization of N from leaves to fruits may be a strategy to enhance NUtE, suggesting glutamate synthase as a key enzyme. Further, omics technologies will be used for focusing on C‐N metabolism interacting networks. The availability of RILs from two other selected NUE‐contrasting genotypes will allow us to detect major genes/quantitative trait loci related to NUE.     

Respiratory changes induced by kainic acid lesions in rostral ventral respiratory group of rabbits

The role played by the B?tzinger complex (B?tC), the pre-B?tzinger complex (pre-B?tC), and the more rostral extent of the inspiratory portion of the ventral respiratory group (iVRG) in the genesis of the eupneic pattern of breathing was investigated in anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated rabbits by means of kainic acid (KA, 4.7 mM) microinjections (20-30 nl). Unilateral KA microinjections into all of the investigated VRG subregions caused increases in respiratory frequency associated with moderate decreases in peak phrenic amplitude in the B?tC and pre-B?tC regions. Bilateral KA microinjections into either the B?tC or pre-B?tC transiently eliminated respiratory rhythmicity and caused the appearance of tonic phrenic activity ("tonic apnea"), whereas injections into the rostral iVRG completely suppressed inspiratory activity. Rhythmic activity resumed as low-amplitude, high-frequency oscillations and displayed a progressive, although incomplete, recovery. Combined bilateral KA microinjections (B?tC and pre-B?tC) caused persistent (>3 h) tonic apnea. Results show that all of the investigated VRG subregions exert a potent control on both the intensity and frequency of inspiratory activity, thus suggesting that these areas play a major role in the genesis of the eupneic pattern of breathing.     

Effects of hypoxic preconditioning on the hypoxicreoxygenated atria from fed and fasted rats

Hypoxic preconditioning (PC) was studied using rat atria set up isometrically in 10 mM dextrose medium and paced at 1 Hz, applying three different protocols wherein fed and 24-h fasted rats were used in protocols 1 and 2 and only the fed in protocol 3. In protocol 1, PC was achieved applying a 5 min hypoxia followed by 10 min of reoxygenation before the onset of a 60 min hypoxia and 60 min reoxygenation. In protocol 2 the 5 min and a posterior 45 min hypoxia were applied in the absence of dextrose whereas in the 10 min and 60 min reoxygenation periods dextrose was present. In protocol 3, two cycles of 5 min dextrose-free hypoxic periods were applied before the sustained hypoxia (dextrose-free) and reoxygenation periods (10 min and final 45 min, both in the presence of dextrose). In the control groups of all protocols, the equilibration periods were prolonged to compensate the duration of PC. In the control groups of protocols 1 and 2, the sustained hypoxia evoked greater disturbances of contractility and a smaller post-hypoxic recovery in the fasted than in the fed rat atria. In protocol 1, PC markedly reduced the rise in resting tension and improved the post-hypoxic recovery in the fasted rat atria whereas in the fed rat atria protective effects were small and brief. In protocol 2, PC evoked a small reduction of contracture only in the atria from fasted rats and in protocol 3, PC exacerbated the hypoxic disturbances. These data suggest that PC effects depend both on the severity of the PC stress and the sustained hypoxia; and that PC does not require coronary flow.     

Hospital Admission of Cancer Patients: Avoidable Practice or Necessary Care?

Background

Cancer patients are frequently admitted to hospital due to acute conditions or refractory symptoms. This occurs through the emergency departments and requires medical oncologists to take an active role. The use of acute-care hospital increases in the last months of life.

Patients and methods

We aimed to describe the admissions to a medical oncology inpatient service within a 16-month period with respect to patients and tumor characteristics, and the outcome of the hospital stay.

Results

672 admissions of 454 patients were analysed. The majority of admissions were urgent (74.1%), and were due to uncontrolled symptoms (79.6%). Among the chief complaints, dyspnoea occurred in 15.7%, pain in 15.2%, and neurological symptoms in 14.5%. The majority of the hospitalizations resulted in discharge to home (60.6%); in 26.5% the patient died and in 11.0% was transferred to a hospice. Admissions due to symptoms correlated with a longer hospital stay and a higher incidence of in-hospital death.

Conclusion

We suggest that hospital use is not necessarily a sign of inappropriately aggressive care: inpatient care is probably an unavoidable step in the cancer trajectory. Optimization of inpatient supportive procedures should be a specific task of modern medical oncology.     

Fission yeast MO25 protein is localized at SPB and septum and is essential for cell morphogenesis

Cell morphogenesis is of fundamental significance in all eukaryotes for development, differentiation, and cell proliferation. In fission yeast, Drosophila Furry-like Mor2 plays an essential role in cell morphogenesis in concert with the NDR/Tricornered kinase Orb6. Mutations of these genes result in the loss of cell polarity. Here we show that the conserved proteins, MO25-like Pmo25, GC kinase Nak1, Mor2, and Orb6, constitute a morphogenesis network that is important for polarity control and cell separation. Intriguingly, Pmo25 was localized at the mitotic spindle pole bodies (SPBs) and then underwent translocation to the dividing medial region upon cytokinesis. Pmo25 formed a complex with Nak1 and was required for both the localization and kinase activity of Nak1. Pmo25 and Nak1 in turn were essential for Orb6 kinase activity. Further, the Pmo25 localization at the SPBs and the Nak1-Orb6 kinase activities during interphase were under the control of the Cdc7 and Sid1 kinases in the septation initiation network (SIN), suggesting a functional linkage between SIN and the network for cell morphogenesis/separation following cytokinesis.