Dynein light chain 1 functions in somatic cyst cells regulate spermatogonial divisions in Drosophila

Stem cell progeny often undergo transit amplifying divisions before differentiation. In Drosophila, a spermatogonial precursor divides four times within an enclosure formed by two somatic-origin cyst cells, before differentiating into spermatocytes. Although germline and cyst cell-intrinsic factors are known to regulate these divisions, the mechanistic details are unclear. Here, we show that loss of dynein-light-chain-1 (DDLC1/LC8) in the cyst cells eliminates bag-of-marbles (bam) expression in spermatogonia, causing gonial cell hyperplasia in Drosophila testis. The phenotype is dominantly enhanced by Dhc64C (cytoplasmic Dynein) and didum (Myosin V) loss-of-function alleles. Loss of DDLC1 or Myosin V in the cyst cells also affects their differentiation. Furthermore, cyst cell-specific loss of ddlc1 disrupts Armadillo, DE-cadherin and Integrin-βPS localizations in the cyst. Together, these results suggest that Dynein and Myosin V activities, and independent DDLC1 functions in the cyst cells organize the somatic microenvironment that regulates spermatogonial proliferation and differentiation

Search for the rare decay B-0 ->tau(+)tau(-) at BABAR

We present the results of a search for the decay B-0 ->tau(+)tau(-) in a data sample of (232 +/- 3)x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-> BB decays using the BABAR detector. Certain extensions of the standard model predict measurable levels of this otherwise rare decay. We reconstruct fully one neutral B meson and seek evidence for the signal decay in the rest of the event. We find no evidence for signal events and obtain B(B-0 ->tau(+)tau(-))< 4.1x10(-3) at the 90% confidence level

Prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness in Brazilian community-dwelling older adults with very low levels of schooling, and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle: the Bambuí Health and Ageing Study (BHAS) Prevalência de sonolência diurna excessiva em uma comunidade brasileira de idosos com baixa escolaridade e sua associação com características sociodemográficos e estilos de vida: Projeto Saúde e Envelhecimento Bambuí

OBJECTIVE: Population-based studies on excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in older adults living in less developed countries are scarce. The purpose of this paper was to estimate the prevalence of EDS and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors in Brazilian community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: The study was carried out in Bambuí, a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. EDS was defined as the presence of sleepiness in the last month occurring three or more times per week, with any interference in usual activities. The exploratory variables were: gender, age, skin color, marital status, schooling level, current employment status, religion, recent migration, smoking, binge drinking and physical activities during leisure time. RESULTS: Of 1,742 residents aged > 60 years, 1,514 (86.9%) participated. The prevalence of EDS was 13%. After adjustment for confounders, female gender and low schooling level remained positively and independently associated with EDS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EDS in the study population was within the range observed in studies carried out in developed countries. The most impressive finding was the association of EDS with schooling, indicating that even in a population with low levels of schooling, this was an important factor to explain the distribution of EDS.<br>OBJETIVO: Estudos populacionais sobre sonolência diurna excessiva (SDE) em idosos conduzidos em países em desenvolvimento são escassos. A proposta do presente trabalho é estimar a prevalência de SDE e sua associação com características sociodemográficas e estilo de vida em idosos residentes em uma cidade brasileira. MÉTODOS: Este estudo foi conduzido na cidade de Bambuí, localizada no Estado de Minas Gerais. SDE foi definida como presença de sonolência no último mês ocorrendo pelo menos três vezes por semana, com prejuízo das atividades. As variáveis exploratórias foram sexo, idade, cor da pele, estado civil, escolaridade, ocupação, religião, migração recente, tabagismo, uso excessivo de álcool e prática de atividade física. RESULTADOS: Entre os 1.742 residentes com 60 anos ou mais, 1.514 (86,9%) participaram. A prevalência de SDE foi 13%. Após ajustamento por fatores de confusão, sexo feminino e menor escolaridade permaneceram positivamente associadas à SDE. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de SDE na população do estudo encontra-se dentro da faixa observada em estudos conduzidos em países desenvolvidos. Um achado relevante foi a associação de SDE com escolaridade, indicando que mesmo em uma população de menor nível de escolaridade, este é um fator importante na distribuição de SDE

Detrimental cross-talk between sepsis and acute kidney injury: new pathogenic mechanisms, early biomarkers and targeted therapies

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency medicine 2016. Other selected articles can be found online at http://www.biomedcentral.com/collections/annualupdate2016. Further information about the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine is available from http://www.springer.com/series/8901

Search for the rare decay B0--&gt;tau+tau- at BABAR.

We present the results of a search for the decay B0--&gt;tau+tau- in a data sample of (232+/-3)x10(6) Upsilon(4S)--&gt;BB decays using the BABAR detector. Certain extensions of the standard model predict measurable levels of this otherwise rare decay. We reconstruct fully one neutral B meson and seek evidence for the signal decay in the rest of the event. We find no evidence for signal events and obtain Beta(B0-&gt;tau+tau-)&lt;4.1x10(-3) at the 90% confidence level