Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. A. Goldbogen, P. T. Madsen
Summary: The blue whale is the largest animal ever and has evolved unique physiological features to support its massive size and extreme feeding behavior. Development of new biologging tags has provided valuable insights into the physiology and biomechanics of blue whales, allowing us to better understand how these ocean giants function in their environment.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Massimo Muratore, Cristiano Santos, Patrik Rorsman
Summary: The vascular network supporting the islets of Langerhans is crucial for the control of systemic metabolism through the rapid exchange of nutrients and hormones. Changes in islet blood flow may lead to impaired insulin secretion in type-2 diabetes, highlighting the importance of understanding pancreas/islet blood flow regulation. The pioneering work of August Krogh on blood flow and capillary anatomy remains relevant in current research efforts.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Baojian Chen, Lena Maas, Duarte Figueiredo, Yu Zhong, Ricardo Reis, Mengran Li, Anneke Horstman, Tjitske Riksen, Mieke Weemen, Hang Liu, Charlotte Siemons, Shaojiang Chen, Gerco C. Angenent, Kim Boutilier
Summary: The BBM transcription factor plays a major role in plant cell totipotency and seed development. This study reexamined the expression and function of BBM in Arabidopsis, and identified its crucial roles in the timing of embryo progression and the maintenance of zygotic embryo development. The study also demonstrated the engineering potential of BBM genes for asexual embryo development in dicot species.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Ron Eric Stein, Berit Helge Nauerth, Laura Binmoller, Luise Zuhl, Anna Loreth, Maximilian Reinert, David Ibberson, Anja Schmidt
Summary: Recent findings suggest that RNA helicases play a crucial role in plant reproductive development, with the RH17 gene identified as having previously unknown roles in repressing reproductive fate and seed development in the absence of fertilization. Mutations in RH17 can lead to the development of extra reproductive cell lineages and the occurrence of multiple embryos per seed, mimicking aspects of apomixis.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Allan Lyngs
Summary: This paper explores the formation and development of an international social network among physiologists from Denmark and the United States between 1907 and 1939. The Danish physiologist August Krogh and his Zoophysiological Laboratory at the University of Copenhagen played a central role in this network. Sixteen American researchers visited the Zoophysiological Laboratory until 1939, with many of them having connections to Harvard University. The paper highlights the benefits that both the American visitors and the Zoophysiological Laboratory gained from being part of this network, including intellectual stimulation, research collaboration, training, and access to resources.
JOURNAL OF THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE AND ALLIED SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hyun Ju Oh, Byeong Chun Lee, Min Kyu Kim
Summary: In this study, the use of 6-DMAP treatment on canine oocyte activation was found to be more effective for in vivo development of parthenogenetic embryos, but not significantly different in the in vivo development of canine reconstructed SCNT embryos. The initiation of DNA synthesis during the first cell cycle was effectively induced by DMAP-2h treatment in both parthenogenesis and SCNT of canine embryos.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mikaze Kawada, Masato Nakatsukasa, Takeshi Nishimura, Akihisa Kaneko, Naomichi Ogihara, Shigehito Yamada, Walter Coudyzer, Christoph P. E. Zollikofer, Marcia S. Ponce de Leon, Naoki Morimoto
Summary: Obstetrical difficulties in humans arise from the large head and broad shoulders of the neonate relative to the maternal birth canal. The developmental features of the shoulders in humans likely evolved to ease obstetrical difficulties such as shoulder dystocia.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Berenbrink
Summary: The study highlights the evolution of myoglobin with increased net positive surface charge in certain diving mammals, enhancing muscle oxygen storage capacity and maximum dive duration. By using myoglobin net surface charge as a marker, insights into the evolution of mammal diving capacity and adaptive protein evolution mechanisms are gained.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Mirae Kim, Joohyeong Lee, Lian Cai, Hyerin Choi, Dongjin Oh, Ali Jawad, Sang-Hwan Hyun
Summary: In this study, we found that neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) enhanced blastocyst quality by interacting with neurotrophin-, Hippo-YAP-, and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, and regulating the apoptosis- and TE lineage specification-related genes during porcine in vitro embryo development.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Andrea Guadalupe Reutemann, Sebastian Elias Muchut, Nora Graciela Uberti Manassero, Andre Luis Laforga Vanzela, Maria Gabriela Lopez, Abelardo Carlos Vegetti, Ana Maria Gonzalez
Summary: This study investigated the ovule, seed, and fruit development in six Bulbostylis species, revealing variations mainly in pericarp development within the genus. Contrary to previous studies, the results suggest conflicts in infrageneric groupings based on fruit micromorphology and molecular analysis of the Bulbostylis species. This work enhances understanding of reproductive anatomy and embryology in Bulbostylis and sheds light on the origin of multiple embryos in Cyperaceae.
Article
Physiology
Christopher J. Clark, John R. Hutchinson, Theodore Garland
Summary: Krogh's principle suggests that there are specific animals that are more suitable for studying a large number of problems. In contrast, the inverse Krogh principle highlights the importance of studying all organisms. Both principles are complementary and can be included in research programs. Other factors to consider when choosing a study species include extreme species, species informative for phylogenetic analyses, and the use of models.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Yupei Yao, Yujie Tang, Haoqiang Qin, Ru Meng, Chengtu Zhang, Yingbing Zhang, Ying Yang, Peipei Qiao, Jun Liu, Jianmin Su
Summary: Zinc plays a crucial role in the growth and reproductive functions of animals. This study investigated the effect of zinc on the in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes and subsequent embryonic development. The results showed that zinc addition improved the maturation of sheep oocytes and subsequent blastocyst formation. Additionally, it enhanced glutathione levels, mitochondrial activity, and reduced reactive oxygen species, indicating a positive effect on the quality of oocytes and embryos.
Article
Forestry
Stephen C. Sillett, Russell D. Kramer, Robert Van Pelt, Allyson L. Carroll, Jim Campbell-Spickler, Marie E. Antoine
Summary: The study found that Picea sitchensis, which invests the least in bark protection and heartwood defense, produces more aboveground biomass during its relatively brief lifespan, while Sequoiadendron giganteum, which invests the most in bark protection and heartwood defense, achieves the greatest longevity. The growth efficiency of all conifer species decreases with age.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Zheyi Liu, Hanlun Liu, Wei Lang, Suqin Fang, Chengjin Chu, Fangliang He
Summary: Urban scaling theory provides a quantitative framework to assess the balance or imbalance of urban development. By analyzing urban allometries for Chinese cities from 1984 to 2019, this study found that urban China had weaker scaling relationships compared to developed countries. The variation in scaling exponents indicated a strong unbalanced development, particularly between socio-economic and social service functions. The research suggests that excessive imbalance ultimately limits the development of Chinese cities, and the best urban development is achieved with an intermediate functional imbalance.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xin Li, Cheng Zou, Mengxun Li, Chengchi Fang, Kui Li, Zhiguo Liu, Changchun Li
Summary: Parthenogenesis activation (PA) is an important artificial breeding method that can stably preserve the dominant genotype of a species, but issues such as delayed development and pre-implantation failure in PA embryos in pigs still exist. Transcriptome analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and lincRNAs (DELs) related to apoptotic processes in PA embryos. Key genes for embryonic development showed disordered expression patterns, suggesting their roles in abnormal parthenogenesis embryonic development. The study highlights the impact of different production techniques on embryo development and gene expression levels.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sang Hyuck Lee, Mi Ae Kim, Young Chang Sohn
Summary: This study characterized the CCAP signaling system in Pacific abalone and revealed its relationship with the calcium/PKC and cAMP/PKA signal transduction pathways. It provides new insights into the evolutionary origins of the NPS and OT/VP signaling systems in protostomes.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hanna Scheuffele, Erica V. Todd, John A. Donald, Timothy D. Clark
Summary: Global warming is causing an increase in extreme weather events, affecting ecosystems and the behavior of ectotherms. More research is needed to understand the impact of diurnal thermal variability and improve climate change predictions.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jaakko Haverinen, Ahmed Badr, Markus Eskelinen, Matti Vornanen
Summary: The acclimatization of certain ectothermic vertebrates to winter conditions involves reduced energy consumption, achieved through decreased movement activity, depression of cellular functions, or switching to anaerobic energy production. This study on crucian carp showed that winter-acclimatized fish exhibited lower metabolic rates and a shift to anaerobic energy production during anoxia. Winter dormancy in crucian carp is achieved through active reduction of energy consumption, a slowed metabolic rate, and a direct response to oxygen absence.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Cruz Sueiro, Cynthia A. Awruch, Gustavo M. Somoza, Walter S. Svagelj, Maria G. Palacios
Summary: According to life-history theory, there might be different immunological strategies between reproductive and non-reproductive periods due to limited resources. Our study on two sympatric marine fish species, rockfish and sandperch, found that reproductive individuals showed lower immune function, but higher levels of natural antibodies in rockfish females, compared to their non-reproductive counterparts. On the other hand, reproductively active sandperch males showed lower levels of natural antibodies and higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and spleen index compared to non-reproductive males. The study highlights the species-specific patterns of immunity and the potential influence of resource limitation and abiotic factors on immune trade-offs in fish.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
James B. Cummins, Dane A. Crossley II
Summary: This study focuses on cardiovascular development in altricial bird species, which has been less studied compared to precocial species. The researchers investigated the cholinergic and adrenergic receptor mediated control of arterial blood pressure and heart rate in the neotropic cormorant. The findings suggest that both cholinergic and adrenergic tone play a role in cardiovascular regulation in embryonic birds.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ru Xia, Hong-Kang Liu, Xi-Feng Liu, Xin Deng, Chuan-Jie Qin, Yuan-Fa He, Shi-Mei Lin, Yong-Jun Chen
Summary: This study cloned the genes encoding glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit in largemouth bass, revealing their distribution and transcriptional regulation. The results showed that the functions of G6pc and Gck in LMB were highly conserved in evolution, and the interconversion of glucose and G6P in the liver was well regulated at the transcript level under high starch diet, but a futile cycle was induced after a glucose load.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2024)