Phenological and molecular studies on the introduced seaweed Dictyota cyanoloma (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) along the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula

Dictyota cyanoloma, a distinctive brown algal species characterized by a blue-iridescent margin, was recently reported as an introduced species in the Mediterranean Sea but little is known about its distribution dynamics, morphological plasticity and genetic structure. In this integrative study, we evaluate its past and present occurrence along the Mediterranean Iberian coast, assess the species' phenology in Palamos (Girona, Spain) and analyze the haplotype diversity by sequencing 49 individuals from nine sampling sites for different chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA regions. Although D. cyanoloma currently occurs along all the Mediterranean Iberian coasts (in 19 of 36 localities sampled, mostly in marinas and harbour environments), we were not able to find any herbarium material of this species (at BCN-Phyc and MA) predating the year 1987. In Palamos, D. cyanoloma is present all through the year, with a maximum development in winter and a minimum in summer. Fertile specimens are absent during summer (July and August). Sporophytes are dominant from January to June and gametophytes were found only in February, March and June. Information about the antheridia, which has never been described before, is provided. Two chloroplast and three mitochondrial haplotypes were observed, indicating that multiple introductions of D. cyanoloma occurred in the study area. Additionally, the genetic structure suggests that spread did not occur through simple advancing wave fronts but by several longdistance dispersal events. Further studies employing microsatellite markers could potentially offer a better resolution to unravel expansion and colonisation dynamics of D. cyanoloma in the Mediterranean Sea

Phenological and molecular studies on the introduced seaweed <i>Dictyota cyanoloma</i> (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) along the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula

Dictyota cyanoloma, a distinctive brown algal species characterized by a blue-iridescent margin, was recently reported as an introduced species in the Mediterranean Sea (Steen et al., 2016) but little is known about its distribution dynamics, morphological plasticity and genetic structure. In the present integrative study, we evaluate its past and present occurrence along the Mediterranean Iberian coast, assess the species’ phenology in Palamós (Girona, Spain) and analyze the haplotype diversity by sequencing 49 individuals from nine sampling sites for different chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA regions. Although D. cyanoloma currently occurs along the Mediterranean Iberian coast (in 19 of 36 localities sampled between Algeciras and Llançà, mostly in marinas and harbour environments), we were not able to find any herbarium material of this species (at BCN-Phyc and MA) predating the year 1987. In Palamós, D. cyanoloma is present all through the year, with a maximum development in winter and a minimum in summer. Fertile specimens are absent during summer (July and August). Sporophytes are dominant from January to June and dioecious gametophytes were found only in February, March and June. Information about the antheridia, which has never been described before, is provided. Two chloroplast and three mitochondrial haplotypes were observed, indicating that multiple introductions of D. cyanoloma occurred in the study area. Additionally, the genetic structure suggests that spread did not occur through simple advancing wave fronts but by several long-distance dispersal events. Further studies employing microsatellite markers could potentially offer a better resolution to unravel expansion and colonisation dynamics of D. cyanoloma in the Mediterranean Sea

Palladium-Mediated Catalysis Leads to Intramolecular Narcissistic Self-Sorting on a Cavitand Platform

Palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation reactions have been used to directly convert a tetraiodocavitand intermediate into the corresponding carboxamides and 2-ketocarboxamides. When complex mixtures of the amine reactants are employed in competition experiments, no ‘mixed’ products possessing structurally different amide fragments are detected either by 1H or 13C NMR. Only highly symmetrical cavitands are sorted out of a large number of potentially feasible products, which represents a rare example of intramolecular, narcissistic self-sorting. The reactivity order of the amine reactants and the changes in the Gibbs energies calculated using the semiempirical PM6 model suggest that this self-sorting process is kinetically controlled

Growth differentiation factor 15 deficiency protects against atherosclerosis by attenuating CCR2-mediated macrophage chemotaxis

The TGF-β family member GDF-15 promotes lesion formation and plaque instability in atherosclerosis-prone LDLr-deficient mice

Role of thrombin receptor in breast cancer invasiveness

Invasion, the ability of an epithelial cancer cell to detach from and move through a basement membrane, is a central process in tumour metastasis. Two components of invasion are proteolysis of extracellular matrix and cellular movement through it. A potential promoter of these two processes is thrombin, the serine proteinase derived from the ubiquitous plasma protein prothrombin. Thrombin promotes the invasion of MDA-MB231 breast tumour cells (a highly aggressive cell line) in an in vitro assay. Invasion by MDA-MB436 and MCF-7 cells, less aggressive cell lines, is not promoted by thrombin. Thrombin, added to the cells, is a stimulator of cellular movement; fibroblast-conditioned medium is the chemotaxin. Thrombin-promoted invasion is inhibited by hirudin. Stimulation of invasion is a receptor-mediated process that is mimicked by a thrombin receptor-activating peptide. Thrombin has no effect on chemotaxis in vitro. Thrombin receptor is detectable on the surface of MDA-MB231 cells, but not on the other two cell lines. Introduction of oestrogen receptors into MDA-MB231 cells by transfection with pHEO had no effect on thrombin receptor expression, in the presence or absence of oestradiol. This paper demonstrates that thrombin increases invasion by the aggressive breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231 by a thrombin receptor-dependent mechanism. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

An Antimicrobial Peptide Regulates Tumor-Associated Macrophage Trafficking via the Chemokine Receptor CCR2, a Model for Tumorigenesis

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute a significant part of infiltrating inflammatory cells that are frequently correlated with progression and poor prognosis of a variety of cancers. Tumor cell-produced human β-defensin-3 (hBD-3) has been associated with TAM trafficking in oral cancer; however, its involvement in tumor-related inflammatory processes remains largely unknown., applying a cross-desensitization strategy of CCR2 and its pharmacological inhibitor (RS102895), respectively, was also carried out. outcome and demonstrates the importance of the innate immune system in the development of tumors

Impacts of fire and prospects for recovery in a tropical peat forest ecosystem.

This is the final version. Available from the National Academy of Sciences via the DOI in this record. Data, Materials, and Software Availability: Relevant data files have been deposited in the Environmental Information Data CentreUncontrolled fires place considerable burdens on forest ecosystems, compromising our ability to meet conservation and restoration goals. A poor understanding of the impacts of fire on ecosystems and their biodiversity exacerbates this challenge, particularly in tropical regions where few studies have applied consistent analytical techniques to examine a broad range of ecological impacts over multiyear time frames. We compiled 16 y of data on ecosystem properties (17 variables) and biodiversity (21 variables) from a tropical peatland in Indonesia to assess fire impacts and infer the potential for recovery. Burned forest experienced altered structural and microclimatic conditions, resulting in a proliferation of nonforest vegetation and erosion of forest ecosystem properties and biodiversity. Compared to unburned forest, habitat structure, tree density, and canopy cover deteriorated by 58 to 98%, while declines in species diversity and abundance were most pronounced for trees, damselflies, and butterflies, particularly for forest specialist species. Tracking ecosystem property and biodiversity datasets over time revealed most to be sensitive to recurrent high-intensity fires within the wider landscape. These megafires immediately compromised water quality and tree reproductive phenology, crashing commercially valuable fish populations within 3 mo and driving a gradual decline in threatened vertebrates over 9 mo. Burned forest remained structurally compromised long after a burn event, but vegetation showed some signs of recovery over a 12-y period. Our findings demonstrate that, if left uncontrolled, fire may be a pervasive threat to the ecological functioning of tropical forests, underscoring the importance of fire prevention and long-term restoration efforts, as exemplified in Indonesia.UK Research and InnovationUniversitas Gadjah MadaLeverhulme TrustThe Orangutan ProjectArcus FoundationDarwin InitiativeSave the OrangutanOrangutan Land TrustUS Fish and Wildlife Service Great Apes Conservation FundOcean Park Conservation Foundation Hong KongPanthera, The Clouded Leopard Project/Point Defiance Zoo and AquariumOrangutan OutreachOrangutan Appeal UKChester Zo

Impacts of fire and prospects for recovery in a tropical peat forest ecosystem

Uncontrolled fires place considerable burdens on forest ecosystems, compromising our ability to meet conservation and restoration goals. A poor understanding of the impacts of fire on ecosystems and their biodiversity exacerbates this challenge, particularly in tropical regions where few studies have applied consistent analytical techniques to examine a broad range of ecological impacts over multiyear time frames. We compiled 16 y of data on ecosystem properties (17 variables) and biodiversity (21 variables) from a tropical peatland in Indonesia to assess fire impacts and infer the potential for recovery. Burned forest experienced altered structural and microclimatic conditions, resulting in a proliferation of nonforest vegetation and erosion of forest ecosystem properties and biodiversity. Compared to unburned forest, habitat structure, tree density, and canopy cover deteriorated by 58 to 98%, while declines in species diversity and abundance were most pronounced for trees, damselflies, and butterflies, particularly for forest specialist species. Tracking ecosystem property and biodiversity datasets over time revealed most to be sensitive to recurrent high-intensity fires within the wider landscape. These megafires immediately compromised water quality and tree reproductive phenology, crashing commercially valuable fish populations within 3 mo and driving a gradual decline in threatened vertebrates over 9 mo. Burned forest remained structurally compromised long after a burn event, but vegetation showed some signs of recovery over a 12-y period. Our findings demonstrate that, if left uncontrolled, fire may be a pervasive threat to the ecological functioning of tropical forests, underscoring the importance of fire prevention and long-term restoration efforts, as exemplified in Indonesia

PRODUCCIÓN Y VALOR NUTRITIVO DE UNA POBLACIÓN LOCAL Y DE VARIEDADES COMERCIALES DE SORGO FORRAJERO (SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENSCH), EN EL NORDESTE DE CATALUÑA

Durante los años 1999, 2001 y 2002 se han realizado cinco ensayos comparativos de variedades de sorgo forrajero, en las zonas productoras de Girona. Tres de estos ensayos, uno cada año, se han realizado en secano y los dos restantes en regadío, uno el 2001 y otro el 2002. Se han incluido tres variedades de sorgo forrajero: la población local 'Melcó Ros' y la variedad 'Néctar', ambas multiplicadas por polinización libre; y el híbrido de sorgo por sorgo 'Beefbuilder'. Las experiencias se han realizado en un diseño en bloques al azar con tres repeticiones. El tamaño de la parcela elemental ha sido de seis metros cuadrados. El aprovechamiento forrajero se ha efectuado en el momento de aparición de la panícula, lo que ha permitido efectuar dos cortes cada año. Se ha determinado la producción de forraje verde y de materia seca y el valor nutritivo de todas las variedades ensayadas. Las producciones más bajas han correspondido, en todos los cortes, en la mayoría de los ensayos, tanto en secano como en regadío, a 'Melcó Ros'. Sin embargo, las diferencias en producción de materia seca entre variedades no han sido significativas, si bien se ha observado un comportamiento distinto de éstas en función del ensayo. No se han observado diferencias significativas en la composición bromatológica de las variedades estudiada

ADAPTACIÓN Y VALOR NUTRITIVO DE VARIEDADES DE SORGO FORRAJERO (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moensch) ‘BROWN MIDRIB’ CON DIFERENTE SENSIBILIDAD AL FOTOPERIODO, EN EL NORDESTE DE CATALUÑA.

En las campañas 2007 y 2008 se han realizado dos ensayos comparativos de variedades de sorgo forrajero convencionales y ‘brown midrib’, con distinta sensibilidad al fotoperiodo. Se han evaluado variedades de sorgo forrajero no híbrido (‘Néctar’), dehíbridos de sorgo por pasto del Sudán convencionales (‘Hay-day’, ‘PR855F’, ‘PR877FNicol’ y ‘Supergrazer’) y ‘brown midrib’ (‘Digestivo’) y de híbridos de sorgo ‘brown midrib’ sensibles al fotoperiodo (‘Teide’). La fecha de siembra ha sido la primera mitad de mayo y se han efectuado uno o dos cortes, dependiendo de la variedad y la estrategia de aprovechamiento. Se ha determinado la producción de materia seca y el valor nutritivo de todos los genotipos. El aprovechamiento forrajero se ha realizado mayoritariamente en el estadio de emisión de la panícula, que ha permitido la realización de dos cortes en todas las variedades; excepto en ‘Teide’, en la que hubo un solo. No se han observado diferencias signifcativas en producción de materia seca; sin embargo, los resultados han sugerido un rendimiento inferior de ‘Digestivo’. Las variedades ‘brown midrib’ ‘Digestivo’ y ‘Teide’ han presentado un menor contenido en lignina y una mayordigestibilidad