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The study combined the use of biometric, behavioral, physiological and external tissue damage scoring systems to better understand how high stocking densities drive schooling behavior and other adaptive features during the finishing growing phase of farmed gilthead sea bream in the Western Mediterranean. Fish were grown at three different final stocking densities (LD, 8.5 kg/m3; MD, 17 kg/m3; HD, 25 kg/m3). Water oxygen concentration varied between 5 and 6 ppm in LD fish to 3–4 ppm in HD fish with the summer rise of water temperature from 19°C to 26°C (May–July). HD fish showed a reduction of feed intake and growth rates, but they also showed a reinforced social cohesion with a well-defined endogenous swimming activity rhythm with feeding time as a main synchronization factor. The monitored decrease of the breathing/swimming activity ratio by means of the AEFishBIT data-logger also indicated a decreased energy partitioning for growth in the HD environment with a limited oxygen availability. Plasma glucose and cortisol levels increased with the rise of stocking density, and the close association of glycaemia with the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (mn-sod, gpx4, prdx5) in liver and molecular chaperones (grp170, grp75) in skeletal muscle highlighted the involvement of glucose in redox processes via rerouting in the pentose-phosphate-pathway. Other adaptive features included the depletion of oxidative metabolism that favored lipid storage rather than fatty acid oxidation to decrease the oxygen demand as last electron acceptor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This was coincident with the metabolic readjustment of the Gh/Igf endocrine-growth cascade that promoted the regulation of muscle growth at the local level rather than a systemic action via the liver Gh/Igf axis. Moreover, correlation analyses within HD fish displayed negative correlations of hepatic transcripts of igf1 and igf2 with the data-logger measurements of activity and respiration, whereas

The study combined the use of biometric, behavioral, physiological and external tissue damage scoring systems to better understand how high stocking densities drive schooling behavior and other adaptive features during the finishing growing phase of farmed gilthead sea bream in the Western Mediterranean. Fish were grown at three different final stocking densities (LD, 8.5 kg/m3; MD, 17 kg/m3; HD, 25 kg/m3). Water oxygen concentration varied between 5 and 6 ppm in LD fish to 3–4 ppm in HD fish with the summer rise of water temperature from 19°C to 26°C (May–July). HD fish showed a reduction of feed intake and growth rates, but they also showed a reinforced social cohesion with a well-defined endogenous swimming activity rhythm with feeding time as a main synchronization factor. The monitored decrease of the breathing/swimming activity ratio by means of the AEFishBIT data-logger also indicated a decreased energy partitioning for growth in the HD environment with a limited oxygen availability. Plasma glucose and cortisol levels increased with the rise of stocking density, and the close association of glycaemia with the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (mn-sod, gpx4, prdx5) in liver and molecular chaperones (grp170, grp75) in skeletal muscle highlighted the involvement of glucose in redox processes via rerouting in the pentose-phosphate-pathway. Other adaptive features included the depletion of oxidative metabolism that favored lipid storage rather than fatty acid oxidation to decrease the oxygen demand as last electron acceptor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This was coincident with the metabolic readjustment of the Gh/Igf endocrine-growth cascade that promoted the regulation of muscle growth at the local level rather than a systemic action via the liver Gh/Igf axis. Moreover, correlation analyses within HD fish displayed negative correlations of hepatic transcripts of igf1 and igf2 with the data-logger measurements of activity and respiration, whereas

The study combined the use of biometric, behavioral, physiological and external tissue damage scoring systems to better understand how high stocking densities drive schooling behavior and other adaptive features during the finishing growing phase of farmed gilthead sea bream in the Western Mediterranean. Fish were grown at three different final stocking densities (LD, 8.5 kg/m3; MD, 17 kg/m3; HD, 25 kg/m3). Water oxygen concentration varied between 5 and 6 ppm in LD fish to 3–4 ppm in HD fish with the summer rise of water temperature from 19°C to 26°C (May–July). HD fish showed a reduction of feed intake and growth rates, but they also showed a reinforced social cohesion with a well-defined endogenous swimming activity rhythm with feeding time as a main synchronization factor. The monitored decrease of the breathing/swimming activity ratio by means of the AEFishBIT data-logger also indicated a decreased energy partitioning for growth in the HD environment with a limited oxygen availability. Plasma glucose and cortisol levels increased with the rise of stocking density, and the close association of glycaemia with the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (mn-sod, gpx4, prdx5) in liver and molecular chaperones (grp170, grp75) in skeletal muscle highlighted the involvement of glucose in redox processes via rerouting in the pentose-phosphate-pathway. Other adaptive features included the depletion of oxidative metabolism that favored lipid storage rather than fatty acid oxidation to decrease the oxygen demand as last electron acceptor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This was coincident with the metabolic readjustment of the Gh/Igf endocrine-growth cascade that promoted the regulation of muscle growth at the local level rather than a systemic action via the liver Gh/Igf axis. Moreover, correlation analyses within HD fish displayed negative correlations of hepatic transcripts of igf1 and igf2 with the data-logger measurements of activity and respiration, whereas

The study combined the use of biometric, behavioral, physiological and external tissue damage scoring systems to better understand how high stocking densities drive schooling behavior and other adaptive features during the finishing growing phase of farmed gilthead sea bream in the Western Mediterranean. Fish were grown at three different final stocking densities (LD, 8.5 kg/m3; MD, 17 kg/m3; HD, 25 kg/m3). Water oxygen concentration varied between 5 and 6 ppm in LD fish to 3–4 ppm in HD fish with the summer rise of water temperature from 19°C to 26°C (May–July). HD fish showed a reduction of feed intake and growth rates, but they also showed a reinforced social cohesion with a well-defined endogenous swimming activity rhythm with feeding time as a main synchronization factor. The monitored decrease of the breathing/swimming activity ratio by means of the AEFishBIT data-logger also indicated a decreased energy partitioning for growth in the HD environment with a limited oxygen availability. Plasma glucose and cortisol levels increased with the rise of stocking density, and the close association of glycaemia with the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (mn-sod, gpx4, prdx5) in liver and molecular chaperones (grp170, grp75) in skeletal muscle highlighted the involvement of glucose in redox processes via rerouting in the pentose-phosphate-pathway. Other adaptive features included the depletion of oxidative metabolism that favored lipid storage rather than fatty acid oxidation to decrease the oxygen demand as last electron acceptor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This was coincident with the metabolic readjustment of the Gh/Igf endocrine-growth cascade that promoted the regulation of muscle growth at the local level rather than a systemic action via the liver Gh/Igf axis. Moreover, correlation analyses within HD fish displayed negative correlations of hepatic transcripts of igf1 and igf2 with the data-logger measurements of activity and respiration, whereas

The study combined the use of biometric, behavioral, physiological and external tissue damage scoring systems to better understand how high stocking densities drive schooling behavior and other adaptive features during the finishing growing phase of farmed gilthead sea bream in the Western Mediterranean. Fish were grown at three different final stocking densities (LD, 8.5 kg/m3; MD, 17 kg/m3; HD, 25 kg/m3). Water oxygen concentration varied between 5 and 6 ppm in LD fish to 3–4 ppm in HD fish with the summer rise of water temperature from 19°C to 26°C (May–July). HD fish showed a reduction of feed intake and growth rates, but they also showed a reinforced social cohesion with a well-defined endogenous swimming activity rhythm with feeding time as a main synchronization factor. The monitored decrease of the breathing/swimming activity ratio by means of the AEFishBIT data-logger also indicated a decreased energy partitioning for growth in the HD environment with a limited oxygen availability. Plasma glucose and cortisol levels increased with the rise of stocking density, and the close association of glycaemia with the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (mn-sod, gpx4, prdx5) in liver and molecular chaperones (grp170, grp75) in skeletal muscle highlighted the involvement of glucose in redox processes via rerouting in the pentose-phosphate-pathway. Other adaptive features included the depletion of oxidative metabolism that favored lipid storage rather than fatty acid oxidation to decrease the oxygen demand as last electron acceptor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This was coincident with the metabolic readjustment of the Gh/Igf endocrine-growth cascade that promoted the regulation of muscle growth at the local level rather than a systemic action via the liver Gh/Igf axis. Moreover, correlation analyses within HD fish displayed negative correlations of hepatic transcripts of igf1 and igf2 with the data-logger measurements of activity and respiration, whereas

The study combined the use of biometric, behavioral, physiological and external tissue damage scoring systems to better understand how high stocking densities drive schooling behavior and other adaptive features during the finishing growing phase of farmed gilthead sea bream in the Western Mediterranean. Fish were grown at three different final stocking densities (LD, 8.5 kg/m3; MD, 17 kg/m3; HD, 25 kg/m3). Water oxygen concentration varied between 5 and 6 ppm in LD fish to 3–4 ppm in HD fish with the summer rise of water temperature from 19°C to 26°C (May–July). HD fish showed a reduction of feed intake and growth rates, but they also showed a reinforced social cohesion with a well-defined endogenous swimming activity rhythm with feeding time as a main synchronization factor. The monitored decrease of the breathing/swimming activity ratio by means of the AEFishBIT data-logger also indicated a decreased energy partitioning for growth in the HD environment with a limited oxygen availability. Plasma glucose and cortisol levels increased with the rise of stocking density, and the close association of glycaemia with the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (mn-sod, gpx4, prdx5) in liver and molecular chaperones (grp170, grp75) in skeletal muscle highlighted the involvement of glucose in redox processes via rerouting in the pentose-phosphate-pathway. Other adaptive features included the depletion of oxidative metabolism that favored lipid storage rather than fatty acid oxidation to decrease the oxygen demand as last electron acceptor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This was coincident with the metabolic readjustment of the Gh/Igf endocrine-growth cascade that promoted the regulation of muscle growth at the local level rather than a systemic action via the liver Gh/Igf axis. Moreover, correlation analyses within HD fish displayed negative correlations of hepatic transcripts of igf1 and igf2 with the data-logger measurements of activity and respiration, whereas

Cotton yields in Ecuador are low, one of the causes is the lack of genetic material and production technology, for this reason the National Institute of Agriculture Research of Ecuador introduced from Brazil the variety BRS-336. In this field experiment it was tested the performance of this new variety under local agronomic management. Factors evaluated were seedling rate (62 500 and 50 000 plants ha-1), cotton varieties (DP-Acala 90 and BRS-336) and crop management programs (INIAP technology and conventional technology), deployed in a Split-Split Plot Design, with four blocks. Variables evaluated were: occurrence of pests and natural enemies, incidence of diseases, percentage of germination, plant height, length of internodes (cm), number of productive branches/plant, days to the opening of the first flower and the first cotton boll, number of bolls per plant and cotton yield in branch (kg ha-1). The variety BRS-336, behaved in a very similar way in agronomic and productivity aspects, to the local variety DP-Acala 90. Use of the INIAP technology crop management program was determinant for yield increasing., Los rendimientos del algodón en el Ecuador son bajos, una de las causas es la falta de material genético y de tecnologías de producción. Por esta razón, el Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias del Ecuador introdujo desde Brasil la variedad BRS-336. En este experimento de campo se probó el rendimiento de esta nueva variedad bajo manejo agronómico local. Los factores evaluados fueron la densidad de plantas (62 500 y 50 000 plantas ha-1), variedades de algodón (DP-Acala 90 y BRS-336) y programas de manejo de cultivos (tecnología INIAP y tecnología convencional), dispuestos en un Diseño de Parcela Subdividida, con cuatro repeticiones. Las variables evaluadas fueron: incidencia de artrópodos plaga y presencia de enemigos naturales, incidencia de enfermedades, porcentaje de germinación, altura de planta y longitud de los entrenudos (cm), número de ramas productivas por planta, días para la apertura de la primera flor y bellota, número de bellotas por planta, peso y rendimiento del algodón en rama (kg ha-1). La variedad introducida BRS-336, se comportó de manera similar en aspectos agronómicos y de productividad, a la variedad local DP-Acala 90. La utilización del programa de manejo de cultivos con la tecnología del INIAP fue determinante para aumentar el rendimiento.

Mycotoxins are an increasing threat to all the related commodities from agriculture. Its occurrence is expected to increase due to climate change. Here, we examined the impacts of dietary toxicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) at levels of 1 or 2 mg AFB1 kg−1 fish feed. Inclusion of AFB1 in the diet resulted in 80% inhibition of the total weight gain during the 85-day trial. Carbohydrate and lipid energetic metabolites, both in plasma and liver, were depleted. Moreover, the histopathological analysis revealed several tissue anomalies in the liver, kidney, and spleen. Furthermore, the relative expression of gene transcripts for growth regulation was affected by AFB1. Adenohypophyseal gh and hepatic igf1 were inversely correlated due to AFB1 effects. Relative expression levels of gene transcripts as stress indicators were increased at AFB1 highest doses, such as hypothalamic trh, crh, and crhbp, as well as star in head kidney. Interestingly circulating levels of cortisol were unaffected. Overall, our results showed that aquafeeds with AFB1 impaired growth, alter metabolism, tissue integrity, and transcriptomic responses. However, we did find AFB1 residue neither in the liver nor muscle.

Posttranslational modifications play a critical and diverse role in regulating cellular activities. Despite their fundamentally important role in cellular function, there has been no report to date of an effective generalized approach to the targeting, extraction, and characterization of the critical c-terminal regions of natively prenylated proteins. Various chemical modification and metabolic labeling strategies in cell culture have been reported. However, their applicability is limited to cell culture systems and does not allow for analysis of tissue samples. The chemical characteristics (hydrophobicity, low abundance, highly basic charge) of many of the c-terminal regions of prenylated proteins have impaired the use of standard proteomic workflows. In this context, we sought a direct approach to the problem in order to examine these proteins in tissue without the use of labeling. Here we demonstrate that prenylated proteins can be captured on chromatographic resins functionalized with mixed disulfide functions. Protease treatment of resin-bound proteins using chymotryptic digestion revealed peptides from many known prenylated proteins. Exposure of the protease-treated resin to reducing agents and hydro organic mixtures released c-terminal peptides with intact prenyl groups along with other enzymatic modifications expected in this protein family. Database and search parameters were selected to allow for c-terminal modifications unique to these molecules such as CAAX box processing and c-terminal methylation. In summary, we present a direct approach to enrich and obtain information at a molecular level of detail about prenylation of proteins from tissue and cell extracts using high-performance LC-MS without the need for metabolic labeling and derivatization.

Posttranslational modifications play a critical and diverse role in regulating cellular activities. Despite their fundamentally important role in cellular function, there has been no report to date of an effective generalized approach to the targeting, extraction, and characterization of the critical c-terminal regions of natively prenylated proteins. Various chemical modification and metabolic labeling strategies in cell culture have been reported. However, their applicability is limited to cell culture systems and does not allow for analysis of tissue samples. The chemical characteristics (hydrophobicity, low abundance, highly basic charge) of many of the c-terminal regions of prenylated proteins have impaired the use of standard proteomic workflows. In this context, we sought a direct approach to the problem in order to examine these proteins in tissue without the use of labeling. Here we demonstrate that prenylated proteins can be captured on chromatographic resins functionalized with mixed disulfide functions. Protease treatment of resin-bound proteins using chymotryptic digestion revealed peptides from many known prenylated proteins. Exposure of the protease-treated resin to reducing agents and hydro organic mixtures released c-terminal peptides with intact prenyl groups along with other enzymatic modifications expected in this protein family. Database and search parameters were selected to allow for c-terminal modifications unique to these molecules such as CAAX box processing and c-terminal methylation. In summary, we present a direct approach to enrich and obtain information at a molecular level of detail about prenylation of proteins from tissue and cell extracts using high-performance LC-MS without the need for metabolic labeling and derivatization.

The growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) endocrine axis is the main growth-regulator system in vertebrates. Some authors have demonstrated the positive effects on growth of a sustained-release formulation of a recombinant bovine GH (rBGH) in different fish species. The aim of this work was to characterize the effects of a single injection of rBGH in fingerlings of gilthead sea bream on growth, GH-IGF axis, and both myogenic and osteogenic processes. Thus, body weight and specific growth rate were significantly increased in rBGH-treated fish respect to control fish at 6 weeks post-injection, whereas the hepatosomatic index was decreased and the condition factor and mesenteric fat index were unchanged, altogether indicating enhanced somatic growth. Moreover, rBGH injection increased the plasma IGF-I levels in parallel with a rise of hepatic mRNA from total IGF-I, IGF-Ic and IGF-II, the binding proteins IGFBP-1a and IGFBP-2b, and also the receptors IGF-IRb, GHR-I and GHR-II. In skeletal muscle, the expression of IGF-Ib and GHR-I was significantly increased but that of IGF-IRb was reduced; the mRNA levels of myogenic regulatory factors, proliferation and differentiation markers (PCNA and MHC, respectively), or that of different molecules of the signaling pathway (TOR/AKT) were unaltered. Besides, the growth inhibitor myostatin (MSTN1 and MSTN2) and the hypertrophic marker (MLC2B) expression resulted significantly enhanced, suggesting altogether that the muscle is in a non-proliferative stage of development. Contrarily in bone, although the expression of most molecules of the GH/IGF axis was decreased, the mRNA levels of several osteogenic genes were increased. The histology analysis showed a GH induced lipolytic effect with a clear decrease in the subcutaneous fat layer. Overall, these results reveal that a better growth potential can be achieved on this species and supports the possibility to improve growth and quality through the optimization of its

Genetic factors contribute to risk of many common diseases affecting reproduction and fertility. In recent years, methods for genome-wide association studies(GWAS) have revolutionized gene discovery forcommontraits and diseases. Results of GWAS are documented in the Catalog of Published Genome-Wide Association Studies at the National Human Genome Research Institute and report over 70 publications for 32 traits and diseases associated with reproduction. These include endometriosis, uterine fibroids, age at menarche and age at menopause. Results that pass appropriate stringent levels of significance are generally well replicated in independent studies. Examples of genetic variation affecting twinning rate, infertility, endometriosis and age at menarche demonstrate that the spectrum of disease-related variants for reproductive traits is similar to most other common diseases.GWAS 'hits' provide novel insights into biological pathways and the translational value of these studies lies in discovery of novel gene targets for biomarkers, drug development and greater understanding of environmental factors contributing to disease risk. Results also show that genetic data can help define sub-types of disease and co-morbidity with other traits and diseases. To date, many studies on reproductive traits have used relatively small samples. Future genetic marker studies in large samples with detailed phenotypic and clinical information will yield new insights into disease risk, disease classification and co-morbidity for many diseases associated with reproduction and infertility.

Production of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), the major macrophage growth factor, is increased in tissues during inflammation. Therefore, we determined whether M-CSF, acting through its receptor c-fms, contributes to macrophage accumulation at a site of tissue injury. Daily treatment with anti-c-fms or control antibody was given to mice with renal inflammation resulting from unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO). Following UUO, kidney M-CSF mRNA increased in association with macrophage accumulation (days 1, 5, and 10) and local macrophage proliferation (days 5 and 10). Anti-c-fms treatment caused a minor inhibition of monocyte recruitment at day 1, reduced macrophage accumulation by 75% at day 10, but did not affect blood monocyte counts or the CD4 and CD8 lymphocytic infiltrate. Prevention of macrophage accumulation by anti-c-fins treatment was associated with a 90% reduction in local macrophage proliferation at days 5 and 10 without evidence of increased macrophage apoptosis. Therefore, M-CSF/c-fms signaling plays a key role in macrophage accumulation during tissue injury.

We examined the functional role of interleukin (IL)-1 in mesangial cell proliferation during rat anti-Thy-1 nephritis by blocking its action with IL- 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Anti-Thy-1 nephritis was induced by intravenous injection of 5 mg/kg OX-7 IgG (day 0) into inbred Wistar rats. Groups of animals (n = 9) were implanted with a micro-osmotic pump on day - 1, which delivered 25 mug hour human recombinant IL-1ra or saline continuously until the rats were killed at day 6, the peak of mesangial cell proliferation. Immunostaining showed that IL-1 was expressed by mesangial cells during disease. IL-1ra treatment did not affect the mild, but significant, proteinuria seen after OX-7 injection. Compared with saline treatment, IL-1ra treatment reduced mesangial cell proliferation ( 249%; P < 0.05), glomerular hypercellularity ( 29%; P < 0.05), and glomerular macrophage accumulation ( 20%; P < 0.05). However, IL-1ra treatment had no effect on glomerular IL-1 beta mRNA expression and caused only a small reduction in the high levels of glomerular expression of platelet-derived growth factor-beta protein ( 6%; P < 0.05). IL-1ra caused a modest reduction in the marked up-regulation of glomerular transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA expression on day 6 ( 26%; P < 0.05), although urinary, excretion of this factor was unaffected. Interestingly, IL-1ra treatment had relatively little effect upon glomerular deposition of laminin, fibronectin, and collagen type IV seen in this acute disease. In conclusion, this study has 1) demonstrated that IL-1 is expressed by mesangial cells in vivo, 2) demonstrated that IL-1 is a mesangial cell growth factor in experimental mesangioproliferative nephritis, and 3) suggests that IL-1 has little or no fibrogenic activity in mesangial matrix deposition.

The Hba(th-j) deletion is found proximally on mouse chromosome 11 in a region of the genome that contains imprinted sequences important for neonatal growth regulation. This study has examined the effect of genomic imprinting on neonatal growth of offspring heterozygous for the Hba(th-j) deletion. Transmission of the deletion through both the male and female germ lines has shown that offspring heterozygous for the deletion are growth retarded when compared to wild type litter mates. This growth retardation is associated with the heterozygous genotype regardless from which parent the deletion is inherited. Growth of both wild type and Hba(th-j)/+ neonates born from Hba(th-j)/+ mothers is compromised when compared to offspring from wild type mothers indicating a maternal effect of the deletion on neonatal growth. These data demonstrate that sequences present in the Hba(th-j) deletion are important for growth regulation but that the expression of these sequences is not regulated by genomic imprinting.

Retinoic acid (RA) is a natural derivative of vitamin A which regulates the growth and differentiation of epithelia. We have previously proposed that RA participates in compensatory kidney growth and reported that RA inhibits rat mesangial cell growth. This paper describes the effects of RA on a human renal adenocarcinoma cell line (PAD) under different growth conditions, and its interactions with epidermal growth factor (EGF). PAD cells were shown to express RA receptors alpha and beta by Northern blot analysis. In serum free cultures, addition of RA (10-7 M) markedly increased thymidine incorporation by PAD cells (155 +/- 7% mean +/- SE vs. control in 6 separate experiments; P < 0.0001). RA also caused a significant increase in thymidine incorporation by PAD cells under conditions of rapid growth in serum supplemented medium (115 +/- 2% vs. control; P < 0.001). RA by itself was unable to reverse contact inhibition of PAD cell growth (NS vs. control), but it synergistically enhanced the mitogenic effect of EGF on confluent monolayers (110 +/- 0.6% vs. EGF alone; P < 0.05). Northern blot analysis demonstrated that PAD cells express EGF receptor mRNA, and this was not significantly modified by the addition of RA. Growth arrested (serum starved) PAD cells expressed RAR-alpha mRNA which was upregulated eightfold at three hours following the addition of 10% FCS. Thus, our data show that RA is directly mitogenic for serum starved human renal adenocarcinoma cells and that it exerts complex modulation of cell growth in the presence of EGF and serum components.

Mixed Lineage Kinase 2 is a mammalian protein kinase that activates stress-activated protein kinases/c-jun N-terminal kinases (SAPK/JNKs) through direct phosphorylation of their upstream activator, SEK1/JNKK. We have examined expression of both MLK2 and SEK1/JNKK RNAs in the rat testis at various times during postnatal development and in isolated testicular cell populations. We also have used immunohistochemistry to examine MLK2 protein expression and localization in adult rat and mouse testis. In these analyses, we found rat MLK2 mRNA expression was first evident at a very low level on day 25 after birth and present from day 35 at much higher levels that continue into adulthood. In RNA from isolated cell types, a MLK2 transcript was detected in primary spermatocytes and round spermatids, but not in Leydig or Sertoli cells, MLK2 RNA was also absent from the testis of rats after induced cryptorchidism. SEK1/JNKK transcripts, on the other hand, were present at all stages of testicular development and in all cell types tested. In tissue sections from both adult rat and mouse testis, MLK2 immunoreactivity was present in the nucleus of primary and secondary spermatocytes and round spermatids within seminiferous tubules, but was absent from spermatogonia. These findings indicate the JNK pathway is most likely ubiquitous in rodent testicular cells, while the cell-specific pattern of MLK2 expression suggests that it may be involved in the regulation of processes specific to post-mitotic germ cells. Furthermore, the finding of MLK2 protein in the nucleus of spermatocytes and round spermatids indicates a role for MLK2 in regulation of nuclear events specific to germ cell development.

To study the effect of fetal hypoxemia on perinatal norepinephrine and epinephrine total body kinetics, 13 near-term fetal lambs were instrumented with vascular catheters under general anesthesia. One week later, norepinephrine and epinephrine kinetics were measured in normoxemic (n = 7) or spontaneously hypoxemic fetuses (n = 6) with isotope dilution methodology. Hypoxemic fetuses had lower body (P < 0.02) and placental (P = 0.01) weights and a threefold elevation in plasma norepinephrine (P < 0.005) and epinephrine (P < 0.025) associated with correspondingly higher total body norepinephrine (P < 0.005) and epinephrine (P < 0.05) spillovers. After birth, total body norepinephrine and epinephrine spillover increased 45% and 3.2-fold, respectively, in normoxemic animals (both P < 0.001). However, in the hypoxemic group, norepinephrine total body spillover was unchanged between fetal and 1-h lambs and then fell in 4-h lambs (P < 0.005). In addition, total body epinephrine release rose postnatally (P < 0.05) but less than in the normoxemic group (P < 0.02). No differences in norepinephrine or epinephrine total body clearance occurred between normoxemic and hypoxemic groups in either fetal or newborn lambs. These findings indicate that in hypoxemic and growth-restricted fetuses 1) elevated circulating norepinephrine and epinephrine levels are related to increased sympathoadrenal activity and 2) birth is associated with an initial maintenance and subsequent decline in global sympathetic activity but a blunting of adrenal medullary activation.

The effects on plasma follistatin concentrations of an inflammatory episode, induced by the intrathoracic injection of yeast, were examined in growing lambs; this model results in acute loss of appetite, food intake and liveweight and the activation of the acute-phase pathway for several weeks as adjudged by the production of haptoglobin and other acute-phase proteins. In these animals (n=8) there was a biphasic response in follistatin concentrations, with an initial 200% increase (P<0.001) in follistatin within 24 h of injection of yeast. Thereafter, follistatin concentrations were depressed to 70% of pretreatment levels 48 h after injection (P<0.01), followed by a gradual recovery of concentrations to pretreatment values. In another group of lambs (n=16) that were feed-restricted to mimic the reduced food intakes and liveweight changes in the yeast-injected group, plasma follistatin was also reduced to around 70% of pretreatment levels (P<0.01) within 1 day of the dietary regimen being implemented, followed by a gradual return to pretreatment values as food intakes were increased. Plasma follistatin correlated significantly (r=0.57, P<0.0001) with food intake, but not with live-weight changes. Plasma follistatin concentrations were unchanged in a third group fed ad libitum (n=8), except during two periods when food intakes were significantly (P<0.05) reduced, when follistatin concentrations also decreased (P<0.01). Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations in the three groups of lambs were not significantly affected by the treatment regimes or changes in follistatin concentrations. These findings indicate that peripheral follistatin concentrations are modulated by both inflammatory and nutritional mechanisms, and that significant fluctuations in follistatin levels can occur without detectable perturbations in FSH secretion.

Although the endometrial epithelial and stromal cell response to oestrogen and progesterone is well characterized, relatively little is known about the endothelial cell response. The aim of this study was to investigate the time course of endometrial endothelial cell proliferation in response to a specific regimen of oestrogen and progesterone, and to compare it with the stromal and epithelial cell response in mouse endometrium. Adult female mice were ovariectomized to induce endometrial regression. After 7 days, hormonal treatments were given according to the following regimen: days 1-3: 100 ng oestradiol; days 4-6: 10 ng oestradiol and 500 mug progesterone; and day 7: 100 ng oestradiol and 500 mug progesterone. On each day of hormonal treatment, mice (n = 5) were injected with bromodeoxyuridine and perfusion fixed 4 h later with buffered formalin. Proliferating endometrial cells were detected by monoclonal antibody against bromodeoxyuridine, and endothelial cells were detected by antibody to CD31. At day 7 after ovariectomy few proliferating cells were found in the endometrium. After 1 day of oestrogen treatment, significant proliferation was detected in the endothelial cells (0.0% versus 16.1 +/- 1.2%, P < 0.001). In contrast to the rapid response of the vasculature, glandular epithelial proliferation increased only after 2 days of oestrogen treatment (7.6 +/- 1.3% versus 18.8 +/- 2.4%, P < 0.05). Progesterone with low dose oestrogen treatment tended to reduce epithelial and endothelial cell proliferation compared with the effect of high dose oestradiol alone. A combination of progesterone with high dose oestrogen induced higher rates of endothelial cell proliferation than did any other treatment (20.8 +/- 3.2%). These results demonstrate that oestrogen induces rapid proliferation of endometrial endothelial cells, indicating that vascular growth apparently precedes endometrial tissue remodelling. These data also demonstrate that the proliferative response of endo

Den förste juli 2011 beslutade Kemikalieinspektioen att godkänna användandet av det tillväxtreglerande preparatet Moddus 250 EC från Syngenta Crop Protecktion A/S i samtliga stråsädesgrödor. Detta var ett beslut som framkommit efter en dom i regeringsrätten den 22 september 2010 (KemI, 2011). Samtidigt är inte den svenska kvarnarindustrin beredd på att ta emot spannmål som är tillväxtreglerad. Jag blev intresserad hur detta skulle påverka svenska lantbrukare och hur de skulle hantera denna lagändring som inte går att utnyttja vid odling av spannmål till humankonsumtion då svenska kvarnindustrin inte tar emot spannmålen. För att undersöka detta gjordes en litteraturstudie i ämnet samt kompletterande intervjuer med öppna frågor till fem företag/organisationer. Litteraturstudien visade på att frågan länge varit aktuell och debatterats sedan 1987 då den första restriktionen om stråförkortning kom. Denna gällde alla sädesslag utom råg som var undantaget p.g.a. dess långa och stråsvaga växtsätt. Frågan har sedan malt sakta i olika instanser och för att sedan 1998 bli mål för en omfattande utredning av behov och miljökonsekvenser för svenskt lantbruk. Man fann att flera hinder fanns, däribland att svensk lagstiftning stred mot växtskyddsförordningen inom EU. År 2001 kom en ansökan in till Kemikalieinspektionen om preparatet Moddus 250 EC. Detta avslogs av KemI 2005, men revs sedan upp av regeringsrätten 2010, för att innan dess ha varit ett fall för regeringen som biföll KemI:s avslag. KemI biföll ansökan för Moddus i juli 2011 och därmed var Moddus 250 EC godkänt att använda i all stråsäd i Sverige. Det tillfrågade företagen/organisationerna hade olika åsikter om beslutet att godkänna tillväxtreglering i samtliga stråsädesgrödor. Men generellt för LRF, Svenska Foder och Svenska Lantmännen är att de ser till den fria marknaden och den fria konkurrensen utan handelshinder. KemI och Svensk kvarnförening inte är intresserad av tillväxtreglering av spannmål och ser inte nyttan, In 1 June, 2011, the Swedish Chemical Agency (KemI) decided to approve the use of the growth regulating product Moddus 250 EC from Syngenta Crop Protection A/S in all cereal crops. This decision was reached after a ruling of the Supreme Administrative Court in 22 September, 2010 (KemI, 2011). Simultaneously, the Swedish mill industry weren’t prepared to buy cereals that was growth regulated. I became interested in how this would affect Swedish farmers and how they would manage this change in the law that was not applicable on cultivation of cereals for human consumption, since the Swedish mill industry didn’t accept growth regulated cereals. A literature study was done on the subject to examine this issue and the study was supplemented with interviews with open questions to five different companies/organizations. The literature study showed that this issue has been discussed and debated since 1987 when the first restriction regarding shortening of straw came. This was applied to all kinds of cereal except for rye due to its long and weak straw. It has then been a matter for different authorities until 1998 when it became a target of an extensive investigation of need and environmental impact for Swedish farming. Several obstacles were found, and one of those was that the Swedish legislation was contrary to the plant protection regulation in the European Union. In 2001 an application regarding Moddus 250 EC was received by the KemI. This was rejected by KemI in 2005 but was then later brought up by the Supreme Administrative Court in 2010. Before that it was a case for the government which approved the rejection made by KemI. In July, 2011, KemI approved Moddus and consequently Moddus 250 EC was approved to be used in all cereal crops in Sweden. The five different companies/organisations had different opinions regarding the decision to approve growth regulation in all cereal crops. The Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF), Svenska Foder and Svenska Lantmännen all have

The evolution of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) gene family has been difficult to resolve. The early discovery of IGFBP gene synteny with the HOX (homeobox) gene clusters suggested that IGFBP was quadrupled along with HOX in the ancestral vertebrate chromosome duplications. However, some recent articles have favored independent serial duplications of the IGFBP genes. By combining sequence-based phylogenies and chromosome information from multiple vertebrate species, we conclude that chromosome duplications did indeed expand the IGFBP repertoire. After the ancestral chordate IGFBP gene had undergone a local gene duplication, resulting in a gene pair adjacent to a HOX cluster, chromosome quadruplication of this pair took place in the two basal vertebrate tetraploidizations (2R). Subsequently one gene was lost from two of the four pairs, leading to six IGFBP genes in the fish-tetrapod ancestor. These six genes are presently found in placental mammals. In teleost fishes the situation is more complex: their third tetraploidization (3R) doubled the IGFBP repertoire from six to twelve members whereupon differential losses have occurred. The five sequenced teleost fish genomes retain 9-11 of IGFBP genes. This scenario is supported by the phylogenies of three adjacent gene families, namely the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) and the Ikaros and distal-less (Dlx) transcription factors, in addition to the HOX clusters. The great ages for the IGFBP genes strongly suggest that they evolved distinct functions early in vertebrate evolution.

Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland is assumed to originate from the proliferation of epithelial inclusions within parotid lymph nodes. In that case, these cells are supposed to retain characteristics similar to common salivary gland ductal cells. Using immunohistochemical fingerprinting with four members of the family of adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins and comparison to intra- and interlobular ducts, marked similarities were noted for presence of galectins-3, -7 and -8. Notably, profiles of lectin binding, determined by applying human lectins as probes, were also similar when testing biotinylated galectins-3 and -8. Besides defining the galectin histochemical parameters in Warthin's tumors this study adds support to the hypothesis of heterotopia., Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

In many high complexity systems (cells, organisms, institutions, societies, economies, etc.), it is unclear which components should be regulated to affect overall performance. To identify and prioritize molecular targets which impact cellular phenotypes, we have developed a selection procedure ("SPI"-single promoting/inhibiting target identification) which monitors the abundance of ectopic cDNAs. We have used this approach to identify growth regulators. For this purpose, complex pools of S. cerevisiae cDNA transformants were established and we quantitated the evolution of the spectrum of cDNAs which was initially present. These data emphasized the importance of translation initiation and ER-Golgi traffic for growth. SPI provides functional insight into the stability of cellular phenotypes under circumstances in which established genetic approaches cannot be implemented. It provides a functional "synthetic genetic signature" for each state of the cell (i.e. genotype and environment) by surveying complex genetic libraries, and does not require specialized arrays of cDNAS/shRNAs, deletion strains, direct assessment of clonal growth or even a conditional phenotype. Moreover, it establishes a hierarchy of importance of those targets which can contribute, either positively or negatively, to modify the prevailing phenotype. Extensions of these proof-of-principle experiments to other cell types should provide a novel and powerful approach to analyze multiple aspects of the basic biology of yeast and animal cells as well as clinically-relevant issues. © 2007 Wu et al.

type:text, Regulation mechanism of lung fibroblast proliferation remains unknown. To elucidate the key molecules in it, we here established mortal and immortal non-transformed lung fibroblast cell line/strains with elongated lifespan by telomerase reversetranscriptase gene transfection. Comparing the expression profiles of them, 51 genes were explored to be the candidates responsible for regulation of cellular proliferation of lung fibroblasts. This set of fibrobrast strains of same origin with different proliferative capacities may become useful model cells for research on lung fibroblast growth regulation and the candidate genes explored in this study may provide biomarkers or therapeutic targets of pulmonary fibrosis.

Fire blight disease is one of the most destructive diseases of pome fruits. Due to the lack of effective, non-phytotoxic and publicly acceptable materials for controlling fire blight in pome fruit trees, new strategies to manage Erwinia amylovora fire blight are being sought. The resistance-inducing compounds prohexadione-Ca, harpin protein and benzothiadiazole (acibenzolar-S-methyl), the fertilizer humic acid, the bactericides streptomycin and copper salts, and combinations of copper with chemicals were evaluated for their ability to control fire blight on quince and loquat cultivars. Prohexadione-Ca was applied at a rate of 125 mg L-1 at two shoot lengths (6-12 cm and 15-20 cm), while benzothiadiazole + metalaxyl (135 mg L-1) and harpin (50 mg L-1) were applied when the shoots measured between 15-20 cm, and again at 30-35 cm. On loquat cv. Cukurgobek, benzothiadiazole + metalaxyl showed about 60% effectiveness. The addition of copper salts reduced the effectiveness of benzothiadiazole + metalaxyl. On quince cultivars, streptomycin (P ≤ 0.05) was the most effective treatment during both years, followed by the harpin protein alone and in combination with copper salts. Prohexadione-Ca, benzothiadiazole + metalaxyl, and harpin protein applications reduced disease severity on inoculated shoots compared with copper and untreated controls. Prohexadione-Ca reduced both shoot length and shoot blight on the two hosts. Humic acid applications were ineffective in controlling fire blight on loquat and quince cultivars. Quince cv. Eşme showed lower disease severity than cv. Ekmek (P ≤ 0.05). The use of resistance-inducing substances during the early phase of shoot growth may offer a means of managing the shoot blight phase of fire blight disease on quince and loquat., La brûlure bactérienne est l'une des maladies les plus néfastes chez les fruits à pépins. En l'absence de produits efficaces, non phytotoxiques et socialement acceptables pour lutter contre cette maladie causée par Erwinia amylovora chez les pomoïdées, de nouvelles stratégies sont recherchées. La capacité de certains composés pouvant induire de la résistance (prohéxadione-Ca, protéine harpine et benzothiadiazole (acibenzolar-S-méthyle)), de l'acide humique utilisé en tant que fertilisant, de bactéricides (streptomycine et sel de cuivre), ainsi que des combinaisons de cuivre et de produits chimiques à lutter contre la brûlure bactérienne chez des cultivars de néflier du Japon et de cognassier a été évaluée. La prohéxadione-Ca a été appliquée à un taux de 125 mg L-1 sur deux longueurs de pousses (6-12 cm et 15-20 cm), tandis que le benzothiadiazole + métalaxyl (135 mg L-1) et l'harpine (50 mg L-1) ont été appliqués sur des pousses alors qu'elles mesuraient entre 15 et 20 cm, puis à nouveau alors qu'elles mesuraient entre 30 et 35 cm. Chez le néflier du Japon cv. Cukurgobek, un taux d'efficacité d'environ 60 % a été obtenu avec le benzothia- diazole + métalaxyl; cependant, l'ajout de sel de cuivre en a réduit l'efficacité. Sur les cultivars de cognassier, la protéine harpine, utilisée seule et en combinaison avec le sel de cuivre, s'est avérée le traitement le plus efficace durant les deux années de l'étude, après la streptomycine (P ≤ 0.05). La prohéxadione-Ca, le benzothiadiazole + métalaxyl et les protéines harpines ont réussi à réduire la gravité de la maladie chez des pousses inoculées comparativement aux témoins traités au cuivre et aux témoins non traités. La prohéxadione-Ca a réduit à la fois la longueur et la brûlure des pousses chez les deux hôtes. Les applications d'acide humique n'ont pas réussi à réduire l'incidence de la brûlure bactérienne chez les cultivars de néflier du Japon et de cognassier. Le cognassier cv. Eşme a été moins gravement affecté par la

Recent biochemical data on the rate of peptidyl-transfer and missense error levels associated with the E. coli ribosome in conjunction with direct measurements of diffusion constants for proteins in the E. coli cell have been used to discuss protein synthesis in the living E. coli cell in the perspective of a previously developed maximal fitness theory. With these improved experimental parameters, i.e. k(cat) similar to 50 s(-1) for protein elongation and k(cat)/K-M similar to 4 mu M-1 s(-1) for cognate ternary complex binding to the ribosomal A site, theory predicts the experimentally observed variations in protein elongation rate, ribosome and ternary complex concentrations with varying quality of the growth medium. The theoretically predicted average missense error level is close the error levels estimated in vitro for special isoacceptor combinations, i.e. error levels about I per million. The future prospect of extensive integration of biochemistry, cell physiology and population genetics is discussed in the light of the maximal fitness theory and other, similar, theoretical approaches.

Cork oak (Quercus suber) tends to develop higher aboveground biomass than belowground biomass during nursery cultivation. In this work, we evaluated the effects of watering regime and fertilization on the morphological and development characteristics in seedlings of Quercus suber during the nursery growing period. Two watering conditions were applied: minimum watering (Rmin) and moderate watering (Rmod) which were combined in a factorial design with two types of fertilization: enriched in phosphorous and potassium (+PK) and no enriched (-PK). All treatments were applied during seven months in the nursery cultivation period. Results showed that minimum watering produced lower seedling development but higher root to shoot ratio in relation to moderate watering. Fertilization did not produce any effect on the morphological characteristics of seedlings, except increased root neck diameter., En este trabajo se analiza el efecto de la reducción en la frecuencia de riego y la fertilización sobre el desarrollo y características morfológicas de brinzales de alcornoque (Quercus suber). Se aplicaron dos regímenes de riego: un riego moderado (Rmod) y un riego mínimo (Rmin), combinados factorialmente con una fertilización adicional (N-P-K, 0-52-34) con fósforo y potasio (+PK) y sin fertilización adicional (-PK). Estos tratamientos se aplicaron durante 7 meses. El riego mínimo redujo significativamente el crecimiento de los brinzales a partir de los 4 meses de tratamiento respecto al riego moderado. Rmod produjo mayores biomasas en todas las fracciones, pero especialmente en biomasa aérea. Como consecuencia, la relación biomasa subterránea / biomasa aérea fue más desfavorable en este tratamiento. La fertilización produjo menores efectos sobre las diversas variables analizadas que el tratamiento de riego. Al contrario de lo esperado, ninguno de los tratamientos indujo modificaciones en las características foliares ni en las características morfológicas de las raíces finas. Los resultados señalan que periodos de endurecimiento más largos, que abarquen las fases de crecimiento y endurecimiento, permiten mayor manipulación de las características morfológicas del cultivo, obteniéndose brinzales de Q. suber, con una relación BS/BA más adecuada para ambientes con fuertes limitaciones hídricas.

Lung cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death in the western world. Recent evidence suggests that angiogenesis is related to poor prognosis in many solid tumours including non-small cell lung cancer. Angiogenesis is controlled by a complex interaction between growth and apoptotic factors, proteases and adhesion molecules. The angiogenic process may prove a target for novel therapies such as matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, growth factor antisense RNA, growth factor receptor antagonists and naturally occurring antiangiogenic peptides. These agents may be used alone or in combination with traditional chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

A straightforward and efficient method was developed for the determination of intact daminozide in apples and apple leaves. After extraction with methanol and a clean-up step using a graphitized carbon cartridge, the extract was analysed by ion-trap liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation in the positive ion mode. Recoveries for apple were 98-102% with a R.S.D.≤11% (n=6) and for leaves were 112-116% with a R.S.D.≤18% (n=6). The limits of detection were 0.008 and 0.02 mg/kg for apples and leaves, respectively. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.

This article is free to read on the publishers website A thermophilic anaerobic bacterium designated strain RWcit2T (T = type strain) was isolated from the production water of a petroleum reservoir. The cells of this organism are straight to slightly curved rods that are gram negative and nonmotile. Spore formation has not been demonstrated. Growth occurs at temperatures ranging from 28 to 60°C, with optimum growth occurring at 55°C, and at pH values ranging from 5.5 to 8.6, with optimum growth occurring between pH 7 and 7.6. Growth occurs in media containing 0 to 20 g of NaCl per liter, and optimum growth occurs in the presence of 10 g of NaCl per liter. Strain RWcit2T grows on a range of organic acids, including citrate, pyruvate, malate, fumarate, and tartrate; on protein extracts; and on a limited number of carbohydrates. Sulfur, thiosulfate, and cystine are reduced to hydrogen sulfide. Sulfate, sulfite, and nitrate are not reduced. The DNA base composition is 44 mol% G+C. The 16S ribosomal DNA sequence revealed that strain RWcit2T is a member of the domain Bacteria and forms a branch that is approximately equidistant from Dictyoglomus thermophilum and Thermoanaerobacter spp. (level of similarity, 82%). Strain RWcit2T cannot be placed in any previously described taxon based on its phylogenetic and physiological traits and is named Anaerobaculum thermoterrenum gen. nov., sp. nov.

Fish Farming enriches the water column in dissolved organic and inorganic material. These materials excreed by the fish, elutriate from uneaten food and derive from other polluting substances. Ratios of the organic/inorganic forms of substances (for example N and P) are thus modified. Such perturbations in turn affect phytoplankton development. From in vitro analyses and tests of water taken from a turbot rearing tank, we show the changes in seawater chemical composition produced as well as the way growth was modified in three phytoplankton species: the diatom, Chaetoceros gracile, and the dinoflagellates, Gymnodinium cf. nagasakiense and Alexandrium minutum. Elutriates from the granules used for feed (0.1 to 100 mg.l(-1)) were found to be stimulating, particularly for Gymnodinium. Alexandrium was strongly inhibited both by turbot-rank water diluted 10-fold with coastal seawater and by diluted faeces elutriates. Urea added at low concentrations (1 to 2.5 mu mol.l(-1)) inhibited growth in Alexandrium and Chaetoceros, but at 1 mu mol.l(-1) it stimulated growth in Gymnodinium. The antibiotic, Oxytetracycline was complex in its effects, with growth inhibition being observed in Chaetoceros and Gymnodinium, but stimulation in Alexandrium (at 0.2 mg.l(-1)). In general, we found fish farming to allow phytoplankton growth, except for Alexandrium in a few cases. Additions to the water from fish farming may regulate growth in some species. As such additions act differently on growth in different species, fish farming is likely to markedly modify species composition in its vicinity., L'aquaculture enrichit la colonne d'eau en substances dissoutes organiques et inorganiques. Ces substances proviennent des excrétions de poissons, des lessivages d'aliments non consommés, et d'autres substances polluantes. Le rapport des substances organiques/inorganiques (par exemple N et P) est ainsi modifié. En retour, ces perturbations affectent le développement du phytoplancton. A partir d'analyses et de tests in vitro sur l'eau prélevée dans un bassin d'élevage de turbot, nous avons montré les modifications produites dans la composition chimique de l'eau de mer, et la croissance de trois espèces phytoplanctoniques : la diatomée Chaetoceros gracile, et les dinoflagellés Gymnodinium cf. nagasackiense et Alexandrium minutum. Les lessivages de granulés utilisés comme aliments (0,l à 100 mg.l−1) se sont montrés stimulants en particulier pour Gymnodinium, Alexandrium était fortement inhibé à la fois par l'eau du bassin d'élevage diluée 10 fois avec une eau côtière, et par des lessivages de fécès dilués. L'urée ajoutée à faibles concentrations (1 à 2,5 µmol.l−1) inhibe la croissance d'Alexandrium et de Chaetoceros, mais elle stimule la croissance de Gymnodinium. L'oxytétracycline utilisée comme antibiotique produit des effets complexes, avec une inhibition de croissance de Chaetoceros et Gymnodinium, mais une stimulation d'Alexandrium (à 0,2 mg.l−1). D'une façon générale, nous avons trouvé que l'aquaculture permet la croissance du phytoplancton à l'exception d'Alexandrium dans quelques cas. Les rejets de fermes aquacoles peuvent agir comme régulateur de croissance du phytoplancton. En agissant différemment selon les espèces, les apports provenant d'aquaculture sont susceptibles de modifier la composition floristique des populations phytoplanctoniques dans le voisinage des sites aquacoles.

Human alpha-fetoprotein (hAFP) upon incubation with sex steroid hormones is chemically converted into an inhibitor of estrogen-dependent breast cancer growth. This document describes the progress which was made during the first year of a research grant which was designed to develop the active form of hAFP as a treatment for breast cancer and establish markers which both predict and monitor breast cancer responsiveness to this form of AFP.

Regulation mechanism of lung fibroblast proliferation remains unknown. To elucidate the key molecules in it, we here established mortal and immortal non-transformed lung fibroblast cell line/strains with elongated lifespan by telomerase reversetranscriptase gene transfection. Comparing the expression profiles of them, 51 genes were explored to be the candidates responsible for regulation of cellular proliferation of lung fibroblasts. This set of fibrobrast strains of same origin with different proliferative capacities may become useful model cells for research on lung fibroblast growth regulation and the candidate genes explored in this study may provide biomarkers or therapeutic targets of pulmonary fibrosis.