Project description:We report the expression profiles of putative genes involved in temperature-dependent sex determination across multiple developmental stages in turtles, and contrast this data with equivalent stages in turtles with sex chromosomes
Project description:The mechanisms underlying exercise-induced effects in the skeletal muscle during cancer cachexia progression have not been fully described. Here, we tested the hypothesis that different exercise training protocols could attenuate metabolic impairment in a severe model of cancer cachexia. Moderate-intensity training (MIT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improved running capacity and prolonged lifespan in tumor-bearing rats. HIIT also reduced oxidative stress and reestablished muscle contractile function. An unbiased proteomics screening revealed that COP9 signalosome complex subunit 2 (COPS2), also known as thyroid receptor interacting protein 15 (TRIP15) or ALIEN, is one of the most downregulated proteins at the early stage of cancer cachexia progression. HIIT restored COPS2/TRIP15/ALIEN protein expression to the control levels. Moreover, lung cancer patients with low endurance capacity had lower muscle COPS2/TRIP15/ALIEN protein content compared to age- and sex-matched control subjects. We further established an in vitro model of cancer-induced muscle wasting using tumor cells-conditioned media to explore the potential protective role of COPS2/TRIP15/ALIEN for myotubes homeostasis. This in vitro model indicate that tumor cells produce factors that directly affect myotube metabolism, but COPS2/TRIP15/ALIEN overexpression is not able to fully reestablish metabolic homeostasis and protein content in myotubes incubated with tumor cells-conditioned media. The current study provides new insight into the role of exercise training as a co-therapy for cancer cachexia and uncovers COPS2/TRIP15/ALIEN as a novel potential target for cancer cachexia.
Project description:In the present study, the eggs of Chinese pond turtles (Mauremys reevesii) were incubated at three temperatures (26℃, 29℃ and 32℃). During the thermosensitive period (TSP) of incubation, the adrenal-kidney-gonad (AKG) complexes were sampled, and a comprehensive investigation for miRNAs was performed using next-generation small RNA sequencing.
Project description:Biological invasions have the potential to alter ecosystem processes profoundly, but invaders are rarely found alone. Interactions between different invasive alien species, and their cumulative impact on ecosystem functioning, have led to hypotheses of invasion meltdown whereby effects become additive leading to further ecosystem stress. Invasive riparian plants (e.g., Rhododendron ponticum) deposit leaf litter in freshwaters, which may be unconsumed by indigenous species, potentially affecting habitat heterogeneity and flow of energy to the food web. However, invasive alien decapod crustaceans are effective consumers of leaf litter, and it was hypothesized that they would also consume inputs of invasive riparian leaf litter. This study shows that invasive alien signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) effectively break down different types of leaf litter, including invasive alien R. ponticum, at higher rates than indigenous white-clawed crayfish. Secondary products were more varied, with more fine particulate organic matter generated for the less palatable alien leaf litter species. Leaf species caused different changes in body mass of decapods but effects were heterogeneous by leaf and decapod: P. leniusculus showed lower mass loss when consuming R. ponticum while E. sinensis lost mass when consuming A. pseudoplatanus. Impacts of riparian invasions on detritus accumulation in freshwaters are thus potentially buffered by invasive alien decapods, illustrating a need for a more detailed consideration of both positive and negative interspecific feedbacks during biological invasions.
Project description:Animal source foods (ASF) such as dairy, eggs, fish and meat are an important source of high-quality nutrients. Lack of ASF in diets can result in developmental disorders including stunting, anemia, poor cognitive and motor development. ASF are more effective in preventing stunting than other foods and promoting ASF consumption in low- and middle-income countries could help improve health, particularly among pregnant women and young children. Production and consumption of ASF are, however, also associated with potential food safety risks. Strengthening of food control systems, informed by quantitative assessments of the disease burden associated with ASF is necessary to meet global nutrition goals. We present the human disease burden associated with 13 pathogens (bacteria and parasites) in ASF, based on an analysis of global burden of foodborne disease (FBD) estimates of the WHO Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG). The FBD burden of these pathogens was combined with estimates of the proportion of disease transmitted by eight main groups of ASF. Uncertainty in all estimates was accounted for by Monte Carlo simulation. In 2010, the global burden of ASF was 168 (95% uncertainty interval (UI 137-219) Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) per 100,000 population, which is approximately 35% of the estimated total burden of FBD. Main pathogens contributing to this burden included non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica, Taenia solium, and Campylobacter spp. The proportion of FBD burden associated with ASF varied considerably between subregions and between countries within subregions. Likewise, the contribution of different pathogens and ASF groups varied strongly between subregions. Pathogens with a localized distribution included T. solium and fishborne trematodes. Pathogens with a global distribution included non-typhoidal S. enterica, Campylobacter spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Mycobacterium bovis. Control methods exist for many hazards associated with ASF, and their implementation is linked to economic development and effective food safety systems.