Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Nicola Franchi, Loriano Ballarin, Francesca Cima
Summary: By analyzing the transcriptome of Botryllus schlosseri, a colonial ascidian, we discovered a transcript for a new styelin-like antimicrobial peptide called botryllin. This gene is constantly transcribed by circulating cytotoxic morula cells (MCs) and the resulting pre-propeptide is cleaved to form a mature peptide. In silico translation of the transcript yielded a synthetic peptide that displayed strong bactericidal activity against bacteria and yeast cells, causing damage to both the plasma membrane and cell wall. Monoclonal antibodies were produced against the putative amino acid sequences of the propeptide and mature peptide, and they were found to label the granular content of MCs. Upon degranulation of MCs triggered by foreign substances, the antibodies detected extracellular nets containing trapped bacteria near the remains of MCs. These findings suggest that the botryllin gene encodes an antimicrobial peptide involved in protecting B. schlosseri from invasions by foreign cells.
Review
Horticulture
Shuai Ma, Jin Li, Jian-Ying Chen, Ren-Ming Mei, Kai Cui, Lan Lan
Summary: Bamboo is a promising renewable biomass resource with characteristics such as rapid growth, adaptability, high yield, and ease of processing. However, the long flowering cycle and difficulties in obtaining seeds hinder genetic improvement through classical breeding methods. Asexual propagation, tissue culture, and genetic transformation offer effective breeding methods to accelerate the breeding process and improve efficiency. This study reviews recent research on asexual propagation, cultivation methods, influencing factors, and transgenes, providing a reference for the rapid propagation and genetic breeding of bamboo plants.
Article
Fisheries
A. Peronato, G. Minervini, M. Tabarelli, L. Ballarin, N. Franchi
Summary: The study identified a novel protein member, BsC1qDC, in the innate immunity of the compound ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, which is actively transcribed by immunocytes. Injection of Bacillus clausii cells modulates its transcription, suggesting its involvement in immune responses such as phagocytosis and degranulation.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
James S. Evans, Patrick M. Erwin, Hendra F. Sihaloho, Susanna Lopez-Legentil
Summary: This study analyzed color morphs, genetic lineages, and symbiotic microbial communities of the colonial ascidian D. bermudensis, finding that two distinct genetic lineages corresponded to unique color morphs and microbial communities, indicating that two different species coexist under the same scientific name. The study highlights the utility of symbiont profiling in resolving the taxonomic status of phenotypically variable ascidian species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Oshrat Ben-Hamo, Ido Izhaki, Rachel Ben-Shlomo, Baruch Rinkevich
Summary: Through studying a population of Botryllus schlosseri, researchers discovered three co-existing novel life-history strategies that are achieved through colonial fission. These strategies originate from a stable environment and exhibit high within-strategy variation in traits. Six traits showed significant differences among the strategies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Francesca Cima
Summary: This study investigates the development and differentiation of blood cells in Botryllus schlosseri at various stages, providing insights into the origin and development of blood cells.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Haiquan Lu, Yajing Lyu, Linh Tran, Jie Lan, Yangyiran Xie, Yongkang Yang, Naveena L. Murugan, Yueyang J. Wang, Gregg L. Semenza
Summary: NANOG and HIF-1 cooperatively activate the TERT gene to mediate breast cancer stem cell self-renewal, with NANOG stimulating HIF-1 transcriptional activity by recruiting USP9X and stabilizing the interaction between HIF-1 alpha and p300.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taekjun Lee, Sook Shin
Summary: The Botrylloides species, specifically B. diegensis, found in Korean harbors shows genetic differences from other Botrylloides species, suggesting it may have been introduced to South Korea between 1999 and 2016.
Review
Agronomy
Stuart Alan Walters
Summary: Horseradish cultivars are highly heterozygous clones, propagated via asexual means due to low fertility and possible sterility issues. However, through cross breeding techniques and breeding programs, new cultivars have been developed to enhance the genetic diversity and sustainability of the horseradish industry in Illinois, USA.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Debao Chen, Yuanyuan Ge, Yujie Wan, Yu Deng, Yuan Chen, Feng Zou
Summary: This paper introduces a novel algorithm called Poplar Optimization Algorithm (POA) to solve continuous optimization problems by mimicking the sexual and asexual propagation mechanism of poplar. The algorithm shows competitive and superior performance in performance testing and successfully finds the optimal threshold for image segmentation.
EXPERT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Meryl F. Larkin, Tom R. Davis, David Harasti, Stephen D. A. Smith, Tracy D. Ainsworth, Kirsten Benkendorff
Summary: This study documents the sexual reproduction and asexual clonal replication of the endangered 'cauliflower' soft coral Dendronephthya australis. The species is found to be gonochoric and is capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction. Observations suggest that spawning activity coincides with the seasonal increase in water temperature and occurs for a continuous period of five months.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Irene Breton, Maria D. Ballesteros-Pomar, Alfonso Calle-Pascual, Luis Antonio Alvarez-Sala, Miguel Angel Rubio-Herrera
Summary: Bariatric surgery is increasingly used in women of childbearing age due to the rising prevalence of obesity and the effectiveness and availability of this treatment. Pregnancy in women who have undergone bariatric surgery requires special attention due to the potential impact on nutritional status and maternal-fetal health.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Eitan Reem, Jacob Douek, Baruch Rinkevich
Summary: This study aimed to determine the taxonomic identity of the invasive ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, which is widely distributed worldwide. The results showed the presence of five different clades, with clade A being the most abundant and widely distributed. Other clades had more limited distributions. The genetic differences between and within clades were similar, and there were no clear barcoding gaps between the clades, indicating the presence of no more than two putative operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Additional genetic markers supported the integration of clade A with other clades and clades D and E. Allorecognition assays revealed indifference and rejection outcomes, indicating within-species allorecognition. The discussion suggests that while Botryllus schlosseri is a highly variable species, there is not enough evidence to designate it as a species complex.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert M. Suryan, Mayumi L. Arimitsu, Heather A. Coletti, Russell R. Hopcroft, Mandy R. Lindeberg, Steven J. Barbeaux, Sonia D. Batten, William J. Burt, Mary A. Bishop, James L. Bodkin, Richard Brenner, Robert W. Campbell, Daniel A. Cushing, Seth L. Danielson, Martin W. Dorn, Brie Drummond, Daniel Esler, Thomas Gelatt, Dana H. Hanselman, Scott A. Hatch, Stormy Haught, Kris Holderied, Katrin Iken, David B. Irons, Arthur B. Kettle, David G. Kimmel, Brenda Konar, Kathy J. Kuletz, Benjamin J. Laurel, John M. Maniscalco, Craig Matkin, Caitlin A. E. McKinstry, Daniel H. Monson, John R. Moran, Dan Olsen, Wayne A. Palsson, W. Scott Pegau, John F. Piatt, Lauren A. Rogers, Nora A. Rojek, Anne Schaefer, Ingrid B. Spies, Janice M. Straley, Suzanne L. Strom, Kathryn L. Sweeney, Marysia Szymkowiak, Benjamin P. Weitzman, Ellen M. Yasumiishi, Stephani G. Zador
Summary: Established monitoring programs in the Gulf of Alaska following the Exxon Valdez oil spill over 30 years ago have been successful in assessing recovery from oil spill impacts and now provide valuable insights into ecosystem responses to marine heatwaves. The 2014-2016 northeast Pacific marine heatwave in the Gulf of Alaska led to abrupt changes across trophic levels, with responses persisting for at least 5 years. Anticipated increases in marine heatwaves under current climate projections suggest uncertainty about the Gulf of Alaska ecosystem returning to a pre-PMH state.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Anzil Shereef, David Raftery, Fraser Sneddon, Katy Emslie, Lyn Mair, Craig Mackay, George Ramsay, Patrice Forget
Summary: This systematic review and network meta-analysis identify a knowledge gap in the study of prolonged ileus following digestive surgery. The current evidence suffers from heterogeneity and incoherence, and there is a lack of data on ileus occurrence in interventional trials for digestive surgery. These findings have important implications for clinicians and trialists in evaluating the current literature and planning future trials.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)