Identification of neural progenitor cells and their progeny reveals long distance migration in the developing octopus brain

Cephalopods have evolved nervous systems that parallel the complexity of mammalian brains in terms of neuronal numbers and richness in behavioral output. How the cephalopod brain develops has only been described at the morphological level, and it remains unclear where the progenitor cells are located and what molecular factors drive neurogenesis. Using histological techniques, we located dividing cells, neural progenitors and postmitotic neurons in Octopus vulgaris embryos. Our results indicate that an important pool of progenitors, expressing the conserved bHLH transcription factors achaete-scute or neurogenin, is located outside the central brain cords in the lateral lips adjacent to the eyes, suggesting that newly formed neurons migrate into the cords. Lineage-tracing experiments then showed that progenitors, depending on their location in the lateral lips, generate neurons for the different lobes, similar to the squid Doryteuthis pealeii. The finding that octopus newborn neurons migrate over long distances is reminiscent of vertebrate neurogenesis and suggests it might be a fundamental strategy for large brain development

Determination of tetrodotoxin (TTX) levels in various tissues of the silver cheeked puffer fish (Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789)) in Northern Cyprus Sea (Eastern Mediterranean)

Lagocephalus sceleratus from the family Tetraodontidae, which is originated from the Red Sea, started to migrate to Mediterranean waters after the opening of the Suez Channel in 1869. Since they do not have any predators in the Mediterranean Sea, their population increased in number very fast. Different tissues of L. sceleratus have tetrodotoxin (TTX). TTX is a non-protein, heat resistant molecule which binds to voltage-gated sodium channels of musculatory and nervous system. Ingestion of the fish can cause a wide variety of effects from mild toxications to death. This study is the first toxicity report of L. sceleratus for Cyprus. Due to the lack of data on toxicity levels of L. sceleratus, and some cases of poising after the ingestion of the fish were the reasons for the start of this work. 24 L. sceleratus were sampled from 3 different areas to represent Northern Cyprus, during one year period. 16 fish samples selected and grouped into 4 fishes per season for toxicity assay. TTX levels from liver, gonad, intestine, muscle and skin tissue homogenate were analyzed with TTX ELISA. Totally 80 tissues were analyzed, 40% of them were above the toxic limit (2.2 μg/g). Most toxic tissue, according to the seasonal average, was found in the summer season and was determined as; Liver = 13.48 μg/g. Most toxic three fishes were found to be female with a length of 45-60 cm. TTX distribution among tissues have similarities with previously published studies from different regions.status: publishe

GROWTH TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON SURFACE MORPHOLOGY OF EPITAXIAL GAAS LAYERS GROWN BY MOCVD

Heteroepitaxial growths of GaAs layers on Ge substrates have received a significant attentiondue to their closely matched lattice constants and thermal expansion coefficients. This study isfirst part of InxGa1-xP/InyGa1-yAs/Ge high efficiency tandem solar cell project which issupported by TÜBİTAK. In this study epitaxial GaAs thin films grown by MetalorganicChemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) on Ge [100] substrates with a 60 off orientationtowards the nearest [111] direction. Root mean square roughness (rms) and surfacemorphology of epitaxial GaAs layers were investigated by contact-mode Park System XE-100Atomic force microscopy (AFM). Also growth temperature effect on surface morphology ofGaAs layers was investigated.</p

Effects of a Red Orange and Lemon Extract in Obese Diabetic Zucker Rats: Role of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the primary cause of end-stage renal disease, worldwide, and oxidative stress has been recognized as a key factor in the pathogenesis and progression of DN. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase has the most important contribution to reactive oxygen species generation during the development of DN. Bioactive compound use has emerged as a potential approach to reduce chronic renal failure. Therefore, a red orange and lemon extract (RLE) rich in anthocyanins was chosen in our study, to reduce the toxic renal effects during the development of DN in Zucker diabetic fatty rat (ZDF). RLE effects were examined daily for 24 weeks, through gavage, in ZDF rats treated with RLE (90 mg/kg). At the end of the experiment, ZDF rats treated with RLE showed a reduction of the diabetes-associated up-regulation of both NOX4 and the p47-phox and p22-phox subunits, and restored the BAX/BCL-2 ratio respect to ZDF rats. Furthermore, RLE was able to reduce the oxidative DNA damage measured in urine samples in ZDF rats. This study showed that RLE could prevent the renal damage induced by DN through its capacity to inhibit NOX4 and apoptosis mechanisms

Effects of a Red Orange and Lemon Extract in Obese Diabetic Zucker Rats: Role of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the primary cause of end-stage renal disease, worldwide, and oxidative stress has been recognized as a key factor in the pathogenesis and progression of DN. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase has the most important contribution to reactive oxygen species generation during the development of DN. Bioactive compound use has emerged as a potential approach to reduce chronic renal failure. Therefore, a red orange and lemon extract (RLE) rich in anthocyanins was chosen in our study, to reduce the toxic renal effects during the development of DN in Zucker diabetic fatty rat (ZDF). RLE effects were examined daily for 24 weeks, through gavage, in ZDF rats treated with RLE (90 mg/kg). At the end of the experiment, ZDF rats treated with RLE showed a reduction of the diabetes-associated up-regulation of both NOX4 and the p47-phox and p22-phox subunits, and restored the BAX/BCL-2 ratio respect to ZDF rats. Furthermore, RLE was able to reduce the oxidative DNA damage measured in urine samples in ZDF rats. This study showed that RLE could prevent the renal damage induced by DN through its capacity to inhibit NOX4 and apoptosis mechanisms.status: publishe