Development of sexual organs and fecundity in Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 from the Sardinian waters (Mediterranean Sea)

In this paper we report information about the sexual maturity process of 245 Octopus vulgaris specimens (75 females and 170 males) from the Mediterranean Sea. For both sexes, six stages of sexual maturity (immature, developing, maturing, mature, spawning, and spent) are identified on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic observations of the reproductive system and linked with some reproductive indices. A good correspondence between gonad appearance and its histological structure is observed, highlighting, in females, how oviducal gland morphology plays a crucial role in the macroscopic evaluation of maturity. The Gonadosomatic and Hayashi indices, in the two genders, and the Oviducal Gland index in females alone do not allow distinguishing all the stages in an irrefutable way. Data on the potential fecundity, oocyte and spermatophore size are reported and compared with literature. In addition, spermatophore components are also computed. The results reported in this paper lead to easy identification of the different phases of sexual maturation of O. vulgaris and could constitute an important tool for defining assessment models in view of sound management of this species

Development of sexual organs and fecundity in Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 from the Sardinian waters (Mediterranean Sea)

In this paper we report information about the sexual maturity process of 245 Octopus vulgaris specimens (75 females and 170 males) from the Mediterranean Sea. For both sexes, six stages of sexual maturity (immature, developing, maturing, mature, spawning, and spent) are identified on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic observations of the reproductive system and linked with some reproductive indices. A good correspondence between gonad appearance and its histological structure is observed, highlighting, in females, how oviducal gland morphology plays a crucial role in the macroscopic evaluation of maturity. The Gonadosomatic and Hayashi indices, in the two genders, and the Oviducal Gland index in females alone do not allow distinguishing all the stages in an irrefutable way. Data on the potential fecundity, oocyte and spermatophore size are reported and compared with literature. In addition, spermatophore components are also computed. The results reported in this paper lead to easy identification of the different phases of sexual maturation of O. vulgaris and could constitute an important tool for defining assessment models in view of sound management of this species

Mutations in three genes encoding proteins involved in hair shaft formation cause uncombable hair syndrome

Uncombable hair syndrome (UHS), also known as "spun glass hair syndrome," "pili trianguli et canaliculi," or "cheveux incoiffables" is a rare anomaly of the hair shaft that occurs in children and improves with age. UHS is characterized by dry, frizzy, spangly, and often fair hair that is resistant to being combed flat. Until now, both simplex and familial UHS-affected case subjects with autosomal-dominant as well as -recessive inheritance have been reported. However, none of these case subjects were linked to a molecular genetic cause. Here, we report the identification of UHS-causative mutations located in the three genes PADI3 (peptidylarginine deiminase 3), TGM3 (transglutaminase 3), and TCHH (trichohyalin) in a total of 11 children. All of these individuals carry homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in one of these three genes, indicating an autosomal-recessive inheritance pattern in the majority of UHS case subjects. The two enzymes PADI3 and TGM3, responsible for posttranslational protein modifications, and their target structural protein TCHH are all involved in hair shaft formation. Elucidation of the molecular outcomes of the disease-causing mutations by cell culture experiments and tridimensional protein models demonstrated clear differences in the structural organization and activity of mutant and wild-type proteins. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed morphological alterations in hair coat of Padi3 knockout mice. All together, these findings elucidate the molecular genetic causes of UHS and shed light on its pathophysiology and hair physiology in general

P38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Inhibitor, FR167653, Inhibits Parathyroid Hormone Related Protein-Induced Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Resorption

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) acts downstream in the signaling pathway that includes receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), a powerful inducer of osteoclast formation and activation. We investigated the role of p38 MAPK in parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP)-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and PTHrP-induced bone resorption in vivo. The ability of FR167653 to inhibit osteoclast formation was evaluated by counting the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive multinucleated cells (TRAP-positive MNCs) in in vitro osteoclastgenesis assays. Its mechanisms were evaluated by detecting the expression level of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) in bone marrow macrophages(BMMs) stimulated with sRANKL and M-CSF, and by detecting the expression level of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL in bone marrow stromal cells stimulated with PTHrP in the presence of FR167653. The function of FR167653 on bone resorption was assessed by measuring the bone resorption area radiographically and by counting osteoclast number per unit bone tissue area in calvaria in a mouse model of bone resorption by injecting PTHrP subcutaneously onto calvaria. Whole blood ionized calcium levels were also recorded. FR167653 inhibited PTHrP-induced osteoclast formation and PTHrP-induced c-Fos and NFATc1 expression in bone marrow macrophages, but not the expression levels of RANKL and OPG in primary bone marrow stromal cells treated by PTHrP. Furthermore, bone resorption area and osteoclast number in vivo were significantly decreased by the treatment of FR167653. Systemic hypercalcemia was also partially inhibited. Inhibition of p38 MAPK by FR167653 blocks PTHrP-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and PTHrP-induced bone resorption in vivo, suggesting that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway plays a fundamental role in PTHrP-induced osteoclastic bone resorption

Genome-wide Analyses Identify KIF5A as a Novel ALS Gene

To identify novel genes associated with ALS, we undertook two lines of investigation. We carried out a genome-wide association study comparing 20,806 ALS cases and 59,804 controls. Independently, we performed a rare variant burden analysis comparing 1,138 index familial ALS cases and 19,494 controls. Through both approaches, we identified kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A) as a novel gene associated with ALS. Interestingly, mutations predominantly in the N-terminal motor domain of KIF5A are causative for two neurodegenerative diseases: hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG10) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 (CMT2). In contrast, ALS-associated mutations are primarily located at the C-terminal cargo-binding tail domain and patients harboring loss-of-function mutations displayed an extended survival relative to typical ALS cases. Taken together, these results broaden the phenotype spectrum resulting from mutations in KIF5A and strengthen the role of cytoskeletal defects in the pathogenesis of ALS.Peer reviewe

Negative Regulation of Endogenous Stem Cells in Sensory Neuroepithelia: Implications for Neurotherapeutics

Stem cell therapies to treat central nervous system (CNS) injuries and diseases face many obstacles, one of which is the fact that the adult CNS often presents an environment hostile to the development and differentiation of neural stem and progenitor cells. Close examination of two regions of the nervous system – the olfactory epithelium (OE), which regenerates, and the neural retina, which does not – have helped identify endogenous signals, made by differentiated neurons, which act to inhibit neurogenesis by stem/progenitor cells within these tissues. In this chapter, we provide background information on these systems and their neurogenic signaling systems, with the goal of providing insight into how manipulation of endogenous signaling molecules may enhance the efficacy of stem cell neurotherapeutics

An experimental management of the octopus fishery in Sardinia

In Sardinia, the largest segment (about 80%) within the fleet is represented by small-scale fisheries, whose productivity for the year 2011 was 5056 tons equal to an induced €35,290 m (Irepa , 2012). These are almost all family business small boats that operate primarily with passive gear such as nets, lines, pots and/or traps. The specificity in the use of gears is closely related to the time of year and the depth in which they operate. In particular, the fishery by traps with bait (Carchinus aestuarii) is usually carried out in spring - summer within a depth of 50 metres and brings to catch the common octopus Octopus vulgaris Cuvier , 1797 with a very low by-catch (Cuccu et al., 1999). Among the Italian regions Sardinia is the largest producer of Octopus with 1672 tonnes and € 9,3 m of profitability in 2011 (Irepa, 2012). However, FAO statistics show continuous temporal fluctuations of the octopus landed on the island, particularly in the last decade; in fact the production has gone from 3400 t in 2001 to 1586 in 2010. This negative trend reflects the more general decline that has been registered worldwide for this species ( FAO, 2006 , 2013). Despite the lack of Italian measures to regulate the fishery of O.vulgaris, the Autonomous Region of Sardinia has put in place some regulations fixing the minimum landing size (300 g) and limiting the number of traps (i.e. Decree n° 22 of 17/07/2002). Regional annual fishing bans, were decreed with differences in the timetable according to the different maritime districts to protect the recruitment (Decrees n° A/68 2067 of 29/08/2008 and n° A/87 2067 of 08/09/2009). In the absence of fishing bans, despite the regulation of the minimum size, starting at the end of the summer in conjunction with the bulk of recruitment (Cuccu et al., 1999) the capture and illegal marketing of undersized octopuses (<300 g) can represent a problem. Only a few fishermen under their own decision, stop the trap fishery and divert towards other artisanal activities. In the belief that the problem of octopus fishery should be addressed at national level taking into account the socio-economic and bio-ecological aspects, we report an experimental management that fishermen and researchers have carried out in a maritime district of central western Sardinia. This experience is based on the annual monitoring of the commercial octopus fishery by traps. Small specimens are, tagged and realised in a restricted sea area where the fishery has been temporary banned. Moreover on the ground of this area some artificial dens have been laid as shelter and for the spawning. The recapture of tagged specimens inside the area of release and near it suggest that saving the youngest octopuses from the trade could be a guarantee for the fishery in the following year, in agreement with the validity of a regulation on the minimum commercial size. At the same time the observation of spawning females inside the artificial dens confirms the effectiveness of this experiment to create spawning area. However other results like the different sizes at maturity in the two genders (Cuccu et al., 2013) and also the possible temporal skidding of the recruitment among the years, show the need of flexible regulations to be determined on the base of an annual monitoring at local level in close cooperation with the fisherme

Behavioural API based Virus Analysis and Detection

The growing number of computer viruses and the detection of zero day malware have been the concern for security researchers for a large period of time. Existing antivirus products (AVs) rely on detecting virus signatures which do not provide a full solution to the problems associated with these viruses. The use of logic formulae to model the behaviour of viruses is one of the most encouraging recent developments in virus research, which provides alternatives to classic virus detection methods. To address the limitation of traditional AVs, we proposed a virus detection system based on extracting Application Program Interface (API) calls from virus behaviours. The proposed research uses a temporal logic and behaviour-based detection mechanism to detect viruses at both user and kernel level. Interval Temporal Logic (ITL) will be used for virus specifications, properties and formulae based on the analysis of API calls representing the behaviour of computer viruses