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Are the alterations observed in the endometriotic cells, such as progesterone resistance, already present in the eutopic endometrium or acquired in the ectopic location? The response to decidualization with progesterone and cyclic AMP for up to 28 days was compared in different endometrial stromal cell (EnSC) lines established from samples of endometriomas (eEnSC), eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis (eBEnSC), endometrial tissue from healthy women (BEnSC) and menstrual blood from healthy donors (mEnSC). Usual features of decidualized cells, such as changes in cell morphology and expression of prolactin, were similarly observed in the three types of eutopic EnSC studied, but not in the ectopic cells upon decidualization. Among the phenotypic markers analysed, CD105 was down-regulated under decidualization in all cell types (mEnSC, P = 0.005; BEnSC, P = 0.029; eBEnSC, P = 0.022) except eEnSC. mEnSC and BEnSC underwent apoptosis during decidualization, whereas eBEnSC and eEnSC were resistant to the induction of cell death. Lastly, migration studies revealed that mEnSC secreted undetermined factors during decidualization that inhibited cell motility, whereas eEnSC showed a significantly lower ability to produce those migration-regulating factors (P < 0.0001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.0013 for the migration of mEnSC at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively; P < 0.0001 for the migration of eEnSC at all times studied). This study provides novel insights into the differences between endometriotic and eutopic endometrial cells and reinforces the idea that the microenvironment in the ectopic location plays additional roles in the acquisition of the alterations that characterize the cells of the endometriotic foci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Abiotic stress produces changes in the metabolome of purslane. • Adverse salinity conditions lead to a higher concentration of functional metabolites. • Low fertilization levels in field or hydroponics stimulate the production of nutraceutical compounds in purslane. • Metabolomics techniques based on 1H NMR have helped to elucidate the metabolome of purslane under stress growth conditions. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an herbaceous plant consumed in Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, the Philippines, China, North Africa, Australia, the United States, Brazil, and Mexico. Purslane contains nutraceutical compounds that can be potentiated based on biotic and abiotic stress practices. It provides substantial contributions of minerals, polysaccharides, fatty acids, proteins, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phenols, flavonoids, and vitamins, which together or individually provide neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, anticancer, and anticholinesterase properties. The preference for foods with high nutraceutical value, which provide benefits to human health and contribute to the prevention of diseases, mainly chronic-degenerative diseases, is increasing. In this review, the information regarding the effects of crop management on the chemical composition, medicinal effects, and new functional compounds with techniques based on metabolomics is updated. Under adverse edaphoclimatic conditions, an increase in nutraceutical compounds has been observed, which represents a production alternative given its nutritional and commercial value. Metabolomics techniques based on 1H NMR have helped elucidate the metabolome of purslane under specific growth conditions (stress, hydroponics, open field, and controlled), with reports of new compounds from the groups of lignans, flavonoids, homoisoflavonoids, homoisoflavones, amide glycosides, alkaloids, amide and isoindole alkaloids, and phenolic alkaloids such as oleraceins; this has broadened the potential food and medicinal panorama of this plant. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our knowledge of the conservation status of reptiles, the most diverse class of terrestrial vertebrates, has improved dramatically over the past decade, but still lags behind that of the other tetrapod groups. Here, we conduct the first comprehensive evaluation (~92% of the world's ~1714 described species) of the conservation status of skinks (Scincidae), a speciose reptile family with a worldwide distribution. Using International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria, we report that ~20% of species are threatened with extinction, and nine species are Extinct or Extinct in the Wild. The highest levels of threat are evident in Madagascar and the Neotropics, and in the subfamilies Mabuyinae, Eugongylinae and Scincinae. The vast majority of threatened skink species were listed based primarily on their small geographic ranges (Criterion B, 83%; Criterion D2, 13%). Although the population trend of 42% of species was stable, 14% have declining populations. The key threats to skinks are habitat loss due to agriculture, invasive species, and biological resource use (e.g., hunting, timber harvesting). The distributions of 61% of species do not overlap with protected areas. Despite our improved knowledge of the conservation status of the world's skinks, 8% of species remain to be assessed, and 14% are listed as Data Deficient. The conservation status of almost a quarter of the world's skink species thus remains unknown. We use our updated knowledge of the conservation status of the group to develop and outline the priorities for the conservation assessment and management of the world's skink species. • 20% of skink species are threatened with extinction, and nine species are extinct. • Key threats to skinks are agriculture, invasive species and biological resource use. • Most species listed under IUCN Red List Criterion B • Taxonomic and geographic biases in extinction risk are evident in skinks. • 8% of skink species remain unassessed, and 14% are listed as Data Deficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]