Population growth, trophic level, and some aspects of reproductive biology of two congeneric archer fish species, Toxotes chatareus and Toxotes jaculatrix, collected from Johor coastal waters, Malaysia, were studied. ...Population growth, trophic level, and some aspects of reproductive biology of two congeneric archer fish species, Toxotes chatareus and Toxotes jaculatrix, collected from Johor coastal waters, Malaysia, were studied. Growth pattern by length-weight relationship (W=aLb) for the sexes differed, and exhibited positive allometric growth (male, female and combined sexes of T. chatareus; female and combined sexes of T. jaculatrix) and isometric growth (male samples of T. jaculatrix only). Trophic levels of both species were analyzed based on 128 specimens. The results show that, in both species, crustaceans and insects were the most abundant prey items, and among crustaceans the red clawed crab Sesarma bidens and Formicidae family insects were the most represented taxa. The estimated mean trophic levels for T. chatareus and T. jaculatrix were 3.422±0.009 and 3.420±0.020, respectively, indicating that they are largely carnivores. Fecundity of T. chatareus ranged from 38 354 to 147 185 eggs for females with total length ranging from 14.5 to 22.5 cm and total body weight from 48.7 to 270.2 g, and T. jaculatrix 25 251 to 150 456 eggs for females with total length ranging from 12.2 to 23.0 cm and total body weight from 25.7 to 275.0 g. Differences in values of gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indexes calculated for both species in this study may have resulted from uneven sample size ranges.展开更多
Objective： The aim of this study was to formulate polymer-based artesunate nanoparticles for malaria treatment. Methods： Artesunate was loaded with poly（D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid） （PLGA） by solvent evaporation...Objective： The aim of this study was to formulate polymer-based artesunate nanoparticles for malaria treatment. Methods： Artesunate was loaded with poly（D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid） （PLGA） by solvent evaporation from an oil-in-water single emulsion. Nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calo- rimetry analyses. In vivo antimalarial studies at 4 mg/kg were performed on Swiss male albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Hematological and hepatic toxicity assays were performed. In vitro cytotoxicity of free and en- capsulated artesunate （Art-PLGA） to cell line RAW 264.7 was determined at concentrations of 7.8-1000 pg/ml. Re- sults： The particle size of the formulated drug was （329.3±21.7） nm and the entrapment efficiency was （38.4±10.1）%. Art-PLGA nanoparticles showed higher parasite suppression （62.6%） compared to free artesunate （58.2%, P〈0.05）. Platelet counts were significantly higher in controls （305 000.00±148 492.40） than in mice treated with free artesunate （139 500.00±20 506.10） or Art-PLGA （163 500.00±3535.53） （P〈0.05）. There was no sign of hepatic toxicity following use of the tested drugs. The half maximal inhibitory concentration （IC50） of Art-PLGA （468.0 pg/ml） was significantly higher （P〈0.05） than that of free artesunate （7.3 pg/ml） in the in vitro cytotoxicity assay. Conclusions： A simple treatment of PLGA-entrapped artesunate nanoparticles with dual advantages of low toxicity and better antiplasmodial efficacy has been developed.展开更多
The cultivated strawberry(Fragaria×ananassa)is an allo-octoploid species,originating nearly 300 years ago from wild progenitors from the Americas.Since that time the strawberry has become the most widely cultivat...The cultivated strawberry(Fragaria×ananassa)is an allo-octoploid species,originating nearly 300 years ago from wild progenitors from the Americas.Since that time the strawberry has become the most widely cultivated fruit crop in the world,universally appealing due to its sensory qualities and health benefits.The recent publication of the first highquality chromosome-scale octoploid strawberry genome(cv.Camarosa)is enabling rapid advances in genetics,stimulating scientific debate and provoking new research questions.In this forward-looking review we propose avenues of research toward new biological insights and applications to agriculture.Among these are the origins of the genome,characterization of genetic variants,and big data approaches to breeding.Key areas of research in molecular biology will include the control of flowering,fruit development,fruit quality,and plant–pathogen interactions.In order to realize this potential as a global community,investments in genome resources must be continually augmented.展开更多
A simple yet useful criterion based on external markings and/or number of dorsal spines is currently used to differentiate two congeneric archer fish species Toxotes chatareus and Toxotes jaculatrix.Here we investigat...A simple yet useful criterion based on external markings and/or number of dorsal spines is currently used to differentiate two congeneric archer fish species Toxotes chatareus and Toxotes jaculatrix.Here we investigate other morphometric and meristic characters that can also be used to differentiate these two species.Principal component and/or discriminant functions revealed that meristic characters were highly correlated with pectoral fin ray count,number of lateral line scales,as well as number of anal fin rays.The results indicate that T.chatareus can be distinguished from T.jaculatrix by having a greater number of lateral line scales,a lower number of pectoral fin rays,and a higher number of anal fin rays.In contrast,morphometric discriminant analyses gave relatively low distinction:76.1% of fish were ascribed to the correct species cluster.The observed morphometric differences came from the dorsal and anal spines lengths,with T.chatareus having shorter dorsal and longer anal spines than T.jaculatrix.Overall,meristic traits were more useful than morphometrics in differentiating the two species;nevertheless,meristics and morphometrics together provide information about the morphological differentiation between these two closely related archer fishes.展开更多
Dear Editor,Previous studies had described the adaptation of enterovirus 71(EV-A71)strains that enabled entry and viral replication in Chinese Hamster Ovary(CHO)cell line(Zaini and McMinn 2012;Zaini et al.2012).These ...Dear Editor,Previous studies had described the adaptation of enterovirus 71(EV-A71)strains that enabled entry and viral replication in Chinese Hamster Ovary(CHO)cell line(Zaini and McMinn 2012;Zaini et al.2012).These adapted strains derived from serial passage of a clinical isolate in CHO cells exhibited an amino acid substitution at VP2149,which enhanced viral replication by 100*1000-fold compared to the clinical isolate.The VP2149 mutation was claimed responsible for adaptation to CHO-K1 cells without performing detailed molecular analyses to support these claims.In this study,we evaluate various VP1 and VP2 mutations in two CHO-adapted EV-A71 strains derived in our lab to assess their contribution to the phenotype of CHO cell adaptation.展开更多
Objective:To investigate some important aspects of the biology of Callinectes amnicola(C.amnicola)such as fecundity,carapace length-weight relationship,condition factor and carapace length frequency distribution from ...Objective:To investigate some important aspects of the biology of Callinectes amnicola(C.amnicola)such as fecundity,carapace length-weight relationship,condition factor and carapace length frequency distribution from the Cross River estuary,Nigeria.Methods:A total of one hundred and twenty ovigerous females of C.amnicola,freshly caught with basket traps,lift net trap,and gill net were collected from the catches of the artisanal fisheries in the study area between June 2012 and May 2013.Fecundity,carapace length-weight relationship,condition factor and carapace length frequency distribution were determined and analyzed following standard methods.Results:Fecundity(F)ranged between 73090 eggs for crab of carapace length 8.1 cm and total weight 34 g and 809450 eggs for crab of carapace length 16.1 cm and total weight 395 g with a mean of 311808.93±17693.94 eggs.There was a positive significant relationship between fecundity and carapace length,total weight and condition factor as follows:F=6839.7CL^(1.4403)(r^(2)=0.2145,P<0.05),F=15302TW^(0.5798)(r^(2)=0.4079,P<0.05),F=147255K^(0.2788)(r=0.2717,r^(2)=0.0738,P<0.05).A significant linear relationship between carapace length and weight of C.amnicola is given by the equation:Log W=2.0447LogL–0.1389(r^(2)=0.3357,P<0.05).The crab exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern(b=2.0447).Condition factor ranged between 21.48 to 104.95 with a mean value of 47.21±2.17.The carapace length frequency distribution showed a unimodal class size distribution.Conclusions:Findings of this study is crucial in assessing the population dynamics and development of management strategies of the the Blue crab,C.amnicola from the estuary such as mesh size regulation,fishing season and fishing ground regulation in the Cross River estuary.Also,findings of this study will be useful in evaluation of the aquaculture potential of the Blue crab C.amnicola,which is a valuable shell fish for the inhabitants estuary.展开更多
In Arabidopsis roots,xylem-pole-pericycle(XPP)cells exhibit dual cellfates by contributing to both lateral root(LR)and cambium formation.Despite the significant progress in understanding these processes indi-vidually,...In Arabidopsis roots,xylem-pole-pericycle(XPP)cells exhibit dual cellfates by contributing to both lateral root(LR)and cambium formation.Despite the significant progress in understanding these processes indi-vidually,the mechanism deciding between these two fates and its contribution on root architecture and secondary growth remain unknown.In this study,we combined lineage tracing with molecular genetics to study the regulation of fate plasticity of Xpp cell lineage.We showed that developmentally arrested lateral root primordium(LRP)that fails to emerge as a lateral root gradually obtains cambium identity,thus contributing to secondary growth.Conversely,procambium identity within XPP cells can be reverted to LR identity when simulated by auxin,a key player in LR development.This competence for auxin-induced LR formation from XPP cells,termed LR potency,however,decreases as the root matures.We found that key cambium regulators play critical roles in shaping LR potency not only by promoting cambium identity and activation but also by inhibiting LR formation.Consistently,corresponding mutants with impaired cam-bium activity display broader LR potency.Moreover,cytokinins,essential players in cambium develop-ment,facilitate the identity transition of LRP to cambium and reduce LR potencythrough key cambium reg-ulators.Taken together,these findings highlight the inherent fate plasticity of XPP cell lineage and elucidate how planthormones influence root architecture and secondary growth through balancing the two cellfates of XPPcells.展开更多
Over the past two decades the view of reactive oxygen species(ROS)as merely cytotoxic compounds has changed considerably(Waszczak et al.,2018).While still being considered as reactive chemicals with potentially devast...Over the past two decades the view of reactive oxygen species(ROS)as merely cytotoxic compounds has changed considerably(Waszczak et al.,2018).While still being considered as reactive chemicals with potentially devastating detrimental effects,ROS have been shown to be used by plants and animals alike as messengers in numerous signaling networks,including responses to biotic and abiotic environmental cues as well as developmental processes(Waszczak et al.,2018;Zandalinas et al.,2020).展开更多
Dear Editor,Of all human tumors,pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas(PPGLs)have the highest heritability rate.Over 15%of PPGLs harbor mutations in genes encoding tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle-related enzymes that cause...Dear Editor,Of all human tumors,pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas(PPGLs)have the highest heritability rate.Over 15%of PPGLs harbor mutations in genes encoding tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle-related enzymes that cause oncometabolite accumulation and drive tumorigenesis via metabolic adaptation to hypoxia and global hypermethylation[1].The dihydrolipoamide S-succinyltransferase(DLST)gene was recently described as a new PPGL susceptibility gene[2].展开更多
Aggression has multiple benefits and is often coupled with other behaviors("behavioral syndromes").The level of aggressiveness is influenced by an adaptive benefit-cost ratio suggesting that benefits should ...Aggression has multiple benefits and is often coupled with other behaviors("behavioral syndromes").The level of aggressiveness is influenced by an adaptive benefit-cost ratio suggesting that benefits should outweigh the costs of aggression.Here,we assess if several behaviors are coupled in two behaviorally different populations(aggressive,peaceful)of the high-elevation ant Tetramorium alpestre.For three weeks,we collected colony fragments and analyzed boldness,exploring,foraging,and risk-taking behaviors.We hypothesized that the aggressive population is bolder,more explorative and risk-prone,and forages more food than the peaceful population.To test whether(a)the combination of experiments and parameters used yields a good setup,(b)populations differ behaviorally,and(c)populations display behavioral syndromes,we assessed(a)the frequency of repeatable behaviors of each experiment,(b)the behavioral means among populations,and(c)the behavioral repeatability,respectively.We found that(a)boldness and exploring were most repeatable and represent a good experimental setup,(b)the aggressive population was bolder and more explorative and risk-prone than the peaceful population,(c)boldness and exploring behaviors were highly repeatable in both populations,thus corroborating our hypothesis.The results suggest that boldness,exploring,and risk-taking but not foraging are presumably coupled with aggression and indicate the presence of behavioral syndromes in this ant.Under specific ecological conditions,aggression may be coupled with other behaviors and important for finding food.Aggression is probably adaptive in T.alpestre,possibly indicating that selection favors aggression at least partially,which may counteract the complete loss of intraspecific aggression.展开更多
Integration of metabolic products such as reactive oxygen species(ROS)into vital processes play essential roles in plants.ROS refers to oxygen-derived free radicals,which exhibit a higher reactivity compared to the di...Integration of metabolic products such as reactive oxygen species(ROS)into vital processes play essential roles in plants.ROS refers to oxygen-derived free radicals,which exhibit a higher reactivity compared to the diatomic oxygen molecule(O2)(Waszczak et al.,2018).Numerous forms of ROS have been identified in plants with various degrees of stability:singlet oxygen(1O2),superoxide anion(O2·−),hydrogen peroxide(H2O2),and hydroxyl radical(HO·)are the major forms.ROS are generated during normal plant growth as products of aerobic metabolism in almost all cellular compartments,including chloroplasts,mitochondria,and peroxisomes as well as in apoplast.However,elevated ROS levels are detrimental to plant cells,posing a substantial risk of DNA damage and improper initiation of programmed cell death.Thus,the levels of ROS are meticulously balanced through intricate antioxidant systems,which tightly control their generation and breakdown(Waszczak et al.,2018;Huang et al.,2019).展开更多
Single-cell RNA sequencing technology provides unprecedented opportunities to capture the spatiotemporal aspects of genetic programs that drive cell differentiation.Phloem is a subtype of vascular tissue that is cruci...Single-cell RNA sequencing technology provides unprecedented opportunities to capture the spatiotemporal aspects of genetic programs that drive cell differentiation.Phloem is a subtype of vascular tissue that is crucial for transporting sugars,proteins,and other organic molecules.Its critical role in the redistribution of carbon between photosynthetically active“source”organs(leaves,shoots)and“sink”tissues/organs incapable of fixing carbon(wood,storage organs,root system,etc.)has made phloem development and its transcriptional regulation a prime research focus.展开更多
基金Project supported by the Malaysia government through UKM- Science Fund (No. 04-01-02-SF0124)the fellowship of Skim Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (No. UKM-OUP-FST-2008)
文摘Population growth, trophic level, and some aspects of reproductive biology of two congeneric archer fish species, Toxotes chatareus and Toxotes jaculatrix, collected from Johor coastal waters, Malaysia, were studied. Growth pattern by length-weight relationship (W=aLb) for the sexes differed, and exhibited positive allometric growth (male, female and combined sexes of T. chatareus; female and combined sexes of T. jaculatrix) and isometric growth (male samples of T. jaculatrix only). Trophic levels of both species were analyzed based on 128 specimens. The results show that, in both species, crustaceans and insects were the most abundant prey items, and among crustaceans the red clawed crab Sesarma bidens and Formicidae family insects were the most represented taxa. The estimated mean trophic levels for T. chatareus and T. jaculatrix were 3.422±0.009 and 3.420±0.020, respectively, indicating that they are largely carnivores. Fecundity of T. chatareus ranged from 38 354 to 147 185 eggs for females with total length ranging from 14.5 to 22.5 cm and total body weight from 48.7 to 270.2 g, and T. jaculatrix 25 251 to 150 456 eggs for females with total length ranging from 12.2 to 23.0 cm and total body weight from 25.7 to 275.0 g. Differences in values of gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indexes calculated for both species in this study may have resulted from uneven sample size ranges.
文摘Objective： The aim of this study was to formulate polymer-based artesunate nanoparticles for malaria treatment. Methods： Artesunate was loaded with poly（D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid） （PLGA） by solvent evaporation from an oil-in-water single emulsion. Nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calo- rimetry analyses. In vivo antimalarial studies at 4 mg/kg were performed on Swiss male albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Hematological and hepatic toxicity assays were performed. In vitro cytotoxicity of free and en- capsulated artesunate （Art-PLGA） to cell line RAW 264.7 was determined at concentrations of 7.8-1000 pg/ml. Re- sults： The particle size of the formulated drug was （329.3±21.7） nm and the entrapment efficiency was （38.4±10.1）%. Art-PLGA nanoparticles showed higher parasite suppression （62.6%） compared to free artesunate （58.2%, P〈0.05）. Platelet counts were significantly higher in controls （305 000.00±148 492.40） than in mice treated with free artesunate （139 500.00±20 506.10） or Art-PLGA （163 500.00±3535.53） （P〈0.05）. There was no sign of hepatic toxicity following use of the tested drugs. The half maximal inhibitory concentration （IC50） of Art-PLGA （468.0 pg/ml） was significantly higher （P〈0.05） than that of free artesunate （7.3 pg/ml） in the in vitro cytotoxicity assay. Conclusions： A simple treatment of PLGA-entrapped artesunate nanoparticles with dual advantages of low toxicity and better antiplasmodial efficacy has been developed.
基金funding from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Research Initiative projects[2014-51181-22376,2014-51181-22378]USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture National Research Support Project 10+1 种基金NSF Plant Genome Research Program award#444573,NSF CIF21 Data infrastructure Building Blocks award#1443040USDA Hatch project 1014919,California Strawberry Commission,Florida Strawberry Growers Association,Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission,and Washington State University.
文摘The cultivated strawberry(Fragaria×ananassa)is an allo-octoploid species,originating nearly 300 years ago from wild progenitors from the Americas.Since that time the strawberry has become the most widely cultivated fruit crop in the world,universally appealing due to its sensory qualities and health benefits.The recent publication of the first highquality chromosome-scale octoploid strawberry genome(cv.Camarosa)is enabling rapid advances in genetics,stimulating scientific debate and provoking new research questions.In this forward-looking review we propose avenues of research toward new biological insights and applications to agriculture.Among these are the origins of the genome,characterization of genetic variants,and big data approaches to breeding.Key areas of research in molecular biology will include the control of flowering,fruit development,fruit quality,and plant–pathogen interactions.In order to realize this potential as a global community,investments in genome resources must be continually augmented.
基金Project supported by the Malaysian Government through Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Science Fund(No.04-01-02-SF0124)the fellowship Schemes of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia(Nos.UKM-OUP-FST-2009 and UKM-MI-OUP-2010)
文摘A simple yet useful criterion based on external markings and/or number of dorsal spines is currently used to differentiate two congeneric archer fish species Toxotes chatareus and Toxotes jaculatrix.Here we investigate other morphometric and meristic characters that can also be used to differentiate these two species.Principal component and/or discriminant functions revealed that meristic characters were highly correlated with pectoral fin ray count,number of lateral line scales,as well as number of anal fin rays.The results indicate that T.chatareus can be distinguished from T.jaculatrix by having a greater number of lateral line scales,a lower number of pectoral fin rays,and a higher number of anal fin rays.In contrast,morphometric discriminant analyses gave relatively low distinction:76.1% of fish were ascribed to the correct species cluster.The observed morphometric differences came from the dorsal and anal spines lengths,with T.chatareus having shorter dorsal and longer anal spines than T.jaculatrix.Overall,meristic traits were more useful than morphometrics in differentiating the two species;nevertheless,meristics and morphometrics together provide information about the morphological differentiation between these two closely related archer fishes.
基金fully funded by Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory Ltd.
文摘Dear Editor,Previous studies had described the adaptation of enterovirus 71(EV-A71)strains that enabled entry and viral replication in Chinese Hamster Ovary(CHO)cell line(Zaini and McMinn 2012;Zaini et al.2012).These adapted strains derived from serial passage of a clinical isolate in CHO cells exhibited an amino acid substitution at VP2149,which enhanced viral replication by 100*1000-fold compared to the clinical isolate.The VP2149 mutation was claimed responsible for adaptation to CHO-K1 cells without performing detailed molecular analyses to support these claims.In this study,we evaluate various VP1 and VP2 mutations in two CHO-adapted EV-A71 strains derived in our lab to assess their contribution to the phenotype of CHO cell adaptation.
文摘Objective:To investigate some important aspects of the biology of Callinectes amnicola(C.amnicola)such as fecundity,carapace length-weight relationship,condition factor and carapace length frequency distribution from the Cross River estuary,Nigeria.Methods:A total of one hundred and twenty ovigerous females of C.amnicola,freshly caught with basket traps,lift net trap,and gill net were collected from the catches of the artisanal fisheries in the study area between June 2012 and May 2013.Fecundity,carapace length-weight relationship,condition factor and carapace length frequency distribution were determined and analyzed following standard methods.Results:Fecundity(F)ranged between 73090 eggs for crab of carapace length 8.1 cm and total weight 34 g and 809450 eggs for crab of carapace length 16.1 cm and total weight 395 g with a mean of 311808.93±17693.94 eggs.There was a positive significant relationship between fecundity and carapace length,total weight and condition factor as follows:F=6839.7CL^(1.4403)(r^(2)=0.2145,P<0.05),F=15302TW^(0.5798)(r^(2)=0.4079,P<0.05),F=147255K^(0.2788)(r=0.2717,r^(2)=0.0738,P<0.05).A significant linear relationship between carapace length and weight of C.amnicola is given by the equation:Log W=2.0447LogL–0.1389(r^(2)=0.3357,P<0.05).The crab exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern(b=2.0447).Condition factor ranged between 21.48 to 104.95 with a mean value of 47.21±2.17.The carapace length frequency distribution showed a unimodal class size distribution.Conclusions:Findings of this study is crucial in assessing the population dynamics and development of management strategies of the the Blue crab,C.amnicola from the estuary such as mesh size regulation,fishing season and fishing ground regulation in the Cross River estuary.Also,findings of this study will be useful in evaluation of the aquaculture potential of the Blue crab C.amnicola,which is a valuable shell fish for the inhabitants estuary.
基金supported by the Academy of Finland(grant numbers 316544 and 346141 to A.P.M.)European Research Council(ERC-CoG CORKtheCAMBIA,agreement 819422 to X.W.,L.Y.,J.Z.,and A.P.M.)+1 种基金the Wallenberg Academy Fellowship from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation(to C.W.M.)supported by a grant from the Chinese Scholarship Council(CSC).
文摘In Arabidopsis roots,xylem-pole-pericycle(XPP)cells exhibit dual cellfates by contributing to both lateral root(LR)and cambium formation.Despite the significant progress in understanding these processes indi-vidually,the mechanism deciding between these two fates and its contribution on root architecture and secondary growth remain unknown.In this study,we combined lineage tracing with molecular genetics to study the regulation of fate plasticity of Xpp cell lineage.We showed that developmentally arrested lateral root primordium(LRP)that fails to emerge as a lateral root gradually obtains cambium identity,thus contributing to secondary growth.Conversely,procambium identity within XPP cells can be reverted to LR identity when simulated by auxin,a key player in LR development.This competence for auxin-induced LR formation from XPP cells,termed LR potency,however,decreases as the root matures.We found that key cambium regulators play critical roles in shaping LR potency not only by promoting cambium identity and activation but also by inhibiting LR formation.Consistently,corresponding mutants with impaired cam-bium activity display broader LR potency.Moreover,cytokinins,essential players in cambium develop-ment,facilitate the identity transition of LRP to cambium and reduce LR potencythrough key cambium reg-ulators.Taken together,these findings highlight the inherent fate plasticity of XPP cell lineage and elucidate how planthormones influence root architecture and secondary growth through balancing the two cellfates of XPPcells.
文摘Over the past two decades the view of reactive oxygen species(ROS)as merely cytotoxic compounds has changed considerably(Waszczak et al.,2018).While still being considered as reactive chemicals with potentially devastating detrimental effects,ROS have been shown to be used by plants and animals alike as messengers in numerous signaling networks,including responses to biotic and abiotic environmental cues as well as developmental processes(Waszczak et al.,2018;Zandalinas et al.,2020).
基金supported by the Instituto de Salud CarlosⅢ(ISCⅢ)through the“Acción Estratégica en Salud”(AES)(projects PI18/00454 and PI22/01490 to A.C.and PI20/01169 to M.R.)cofounded by the European Regional Development Fund(ERDF)+1 种基金supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science,Innovation and Universities“Formación del Profesorado Universitario-FPU”fellowship with ID number FPU19/04940supported by‘la Caixa’Foundation(ID 100010434)under agreement LCF/BQ/PI20/11760011.
文摘Dear Editor,Of all human tumors,pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas(PPGLs)have the highest heritability rate.Over 15%of PPGLs harbor mutations in genes encoding tricarboxylic acid(TCA)cycle-related enzymes that cause oncometabolite accumulation and drive tumorigenesis via metabolic adaptation to hypoxia and global hypermethylation[1].The dihydrolipoamide S-succinyltransferase(DLST)gene was recently described as a new PPGL susceptibility gene[2].
基金supported by the Austrian Science Fund(FWF,grant number P 30861)awarded to F.M.S.
文摘Aggression has multiple benefits and is often coupled with other behaviors("behavioral syndromes").The level of aggressiveness is influenced by an adaptive benefit-cost ratio suggesting that benefits should outweigh the costs of aggression.Here,we assess if several behaviors are coupled in two behaviorally different populations(aggressive,peaceful)of the high-elevation ant Tetramorium alpestre.For three weeks,we collected colony fragments and analyzed boldness,exploring,foraging,and risk-taking behaviors.We hypothesized that the aggressive population is bolder,more explorative and risk-prone,and forages more food than the peaceful population.To test whether(a)the combination of experiments and parameters used yields a good setup,(b)populations differ behaviorally,and(c)populations display behavioral syndromes,we assessed(a)the frequency of repeatable behaviors of each experiment,(b)the behavioral means among populations,and(c)the behavioral repeatability,respectively.We found that(a)boldness and exploring were most repeatable and represent a good experimental setup,(b)the aggressive population was bolder and more explorative and risk-prone than the peaceful population,(c)boldness and exploring behaviors were highly repeatable in both populations,thus corroborating our hypothesis.The results suggest that boldness,exploring,and risk-taking but not foraging are presumably coupled with aggression and indicate the presence of behavioral syndromes in this ant.Under specific ecological conditions,aggression may be coupled with other behaviors and important for finding food.Aggression is probably adaptive in T.alpestre,possibly indicating that selection favors aggression at least partially,which may counteract the complete loss of intraspecific aggression.
基金supported by grants from the Research Council of Finland(Academy Research Fellow,decisions#347130 and#353537 and Centre of Excellence in Tree Biology decision#346141).R.P.B.is supported by grants from HFSP(RGP0002/2020)and the Swedish Natural Research Foundation(2020-03522).
文摘Integration of metabolic products such as reactive oxygen species(ROS)into vital processes play essential roles in plants.ROS refers to oxygen-derived free radicals,which exhibit a higher reactivity compared to the diatomic oxygen molecule(O2)(Waszczak et al.,2018).Numerous forms of ROS have been identified in plants with various degrees of stability:singlet oxygen(1O2),superoxide anion(O2·−),hydrogen peroxide(H2O2),and hydroxyl radical(HO·)are the major forms.ROS are generated during normal plant growth as products of aerobic metabolism in almost all cellular compartments,including chloroplasts,mitochondria,and peroxisomes as well as in apoplast.However,elevated ROS levels are detrimental to plant cells,posing a substantial risk of DNA damage and improper initiation of programmed cell death.Thus,the levels of ROS are meticulously balanced through intricate antioxidant systems,which tightly control their generation and breakdown(Waszczak et al.,2018;Huang et al.,2019).
基金supported by the Finnish CoE in Tree Biology(Academy of Finland CoE program 2022-2029)the Gatsby Foundation(GAT3395/PR3)the University of Helsinki(award 799992091).
文摘Single-cell RNA sequencing technology provides unprecedented opportunities to capture the spatiotemporal aspects of genetic programs that drive cell differentiation.Phloem is a subtype of vascular tissue that is crucial for transporting sugars,proteins,and other organic molecules.Its critical role in the redistribution of carbon between photosynthetically active“source”organs(leaves,shoots)and“sink”tissues/organs incapable of fixing carbon(wood,storage organs,root system,etc.)has made phloem development and its transcriptional regulation a prime research focus.
