COMADRE: A global data base of animal demography

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordData accessibility: The data associated with this manuscript can be accessed at www.comadre-db.orgThe open-data scientific philosophy is being widely adopted and proving to promote considerable progress in ecology and evolution. Open-data global data bases now exist on animal migration, species distribution, conservation status, etc. However, a gap exists for data on population dynamics spanning the rich diversity of the animal kingdom world-wide. This information is fundamental to our understanding of the conditions that have shaped variation in animal life histories and their relationships with the environment, as well as the determinants of invasion and extinction. Matrix population models (MPMs) are among the most widely used demographic tools by animal ecologists. MPMs project population dynamics based on the reproduction, survival and development of individuals in a population over their life cycle. The outputs from MPMs have direct biological interpretations, facilitating comparisons among animal species as different as Caenorhabditis elegans, Loxodonta africana and Homo sapiens. Thousands of animal demographic records exist in the form of MPMs, but they are dispersed throughout the literature, rendering comparative analyses difficult. Here, we introduce the COMADRE Animal Matrix Database, an open-data online repository, which in its version 1.0.0 contains data on 345 species world-wide, from 402 studies with a total of 1625 population projection matrices. COMADRE also contains ancillary information (e.g. ecoregion, taxonomy, biogeography, etc.) that facilitates interpretation of the numerous demographic metrics that can be derived from its MPMs. We provide R code to some of these examples. Synthesis: We introduce the COMADRE Animal Matrix Database, a resource for animal demography. Its open-data nature, together with its ancillary information, will facilitate comparative analysis, as will the growing availability of databases focusing on other aspects of the rich animal diversity, and tools to query and combine them. Through future frequent updates of COMADRE, and its integration with other online resources, we encourage animal ecologists to tackle global ecological and evolutionary questions with unprecedented sample size.Australian Research Council (ARC)Evolutionary Demography Laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR)Natural Environment Research Council (NERC

High Throughput FISH Screening Identifies Small Molecules That Modulate Oncogenic lncRNA MALAT1 via GSK3B and hnRNPs

Traditionally, small molecule-based drug discovery has mainly focused on proteins as the drug target. Opening RNA as an additional target space for small molecules offers the possibility to therapeutically modulate disease-driving non-coding RNA targets as well as mRNA of otherwise undruggable protein targets. MALAT1 is a highly conserved long-noncoding RNA whose overexpression correlates with poor overall patient survival in some cancers. We report here a fluorescence in-situ hybridization-based high-content imaging screen to identify small molecules that modulate the oncogenic lncRNA MALAT1 in a cellular setting. From a library of FDA approved drugs and known bioactive molecules, we identified two compounds, including Niclosamide, an FDA-approved drug, that lead to a rapid decrease of MALAT1 nuclear levels with good potency. Mode-of-action studies suggest a novel cellular regulatory pathway that impacts MALAT1 lncRNA nuclear levels by GSK3B activation and the involvement of the RNA modulating family of heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs). This study is the basis for the identification of novel targets that lead to a reduction of the oncogenic lncRNA MALAT1 in a cancer setting

Supportive development of functional tissues for biomedical research using the MINUSHEET(R) perfusion system

Functional tissues generated under in vitro conditions are urgently needed in biomedical research. However, the engineering of tissues is rather difficult, since their development is influenced by numerous parameters. In consequence, a versatile culture system was developed to respond the unmet needs.Optimal adhesion for cells in this system is reached by the selection of individual biomaterials. To protect cells during handling and culture, the biomaterial is mounted onto a MINUSHEET(R) tissue carrier. While adherence of cells takes place in the static environment of a 24 well culture plate, generation of tissues is accomplished in one of several available perfusion culture containers. In the basic version a continuous flow of always fresh culture medium is provided to the developing tissue. In a gradient perfusion culture container epithelia are exposed to different fluids at the luminal and basal sides. Another special container with a transparent lid and base enables microscopic visualization of ongoing tissue development. A further container exhibits a flexible silicone lid to apply force onto the developing tissue thereby mimicking mechanical load that is required for developing connective and muscular tissue. Finally, stem/progenitor cells are kept at the interface of an artificial polyester interstitium within a perfusion culture container offering for example an optimal environment for the spatial development of renal tubules.The system presented here was evaluated by various research groups. As a result a variety of publications including most interesting applications were published. In the present paper these data were reviewed and analyzed. All of the results point out that the cell biological profile of engineered tissues can be strongly improved, when the introduced perfusion culture technique is applied in combination with specific biomaterials supporting primary adhesion of cells

Highly specific multiplexed RNA imaging in tissues with split-FISH

10.1038/s41592-020-0858-0NATURE METHODS17

Innovativer Regionaler Wachstumskern "Molecular designed biological coating (MBC)": Verbundprojekt 3: Biofunktionalisierte Metallschäume als Knochenimplantate - POROMES. Schlussbericht. Förderkennzeichen BMBF 03WKBH3 A-C

Almost all currently available implants for bone defect reconstruction in load bearing applications are made of metals, polymeric materials, and sintered ceramics. Though these materials are considered sufficiently biocompatible, they generally do not form stable interfaces with surrounding bone tissue so that after individually different periods implant failures may occur and revisions may become necessary. A further important reason for implant failure is mechanical mismatch between implant and bone structure. This is especially true for large implants designed for bone reconstruction. An ideal material for substitution and regeneration of extended bone defects should combine high initial mechanical stability and degradability. The aim was to utilise biocompatible metal foams for their structural and mechanical similarity with cancellous bone (structural biocompatibility) and combine these with appropriate modifications of the metal surface to confer bioactivity (surface biocompatibility). In the authors' approach to create bioactive metal structures, metal foam surfaces were coated with nanostructured calcium phosphates or by filling the pores of metal foams with biomimetic bone like calcium phosphates (mineral bone cement). The authors developed cellular metal foams based on different metals (stainless steel 316L, steel alloys) with appropriate properties (mechanics, open cellularity, homogeneity). Subsequently, bioactivation processes result in suitable implant materials: open cellular bioactive coated metal foams composite materials existing of i) cellular (and bioactivated) metal foam and ii) mineral bone cement, entailing a material with outstanding statical and dynamical mechanics. In cell culture experiments with human mesenchymal stem cells bioactivated metal foams showed high biocompatibility and bioactivity. A substantial stop towards a fully resorbable and degradable implant was achieved by a new bioactive coating which initially protects iron metal foams from corrosion. Degradation of these metal foams will not start before active resorption of this coating has occurred. Hence the implant may be integrated first and then fully degrade over time and finally become substituted completely by own bone tissue. The authors conclude that development of bioactivated metal foams and metal foam/mineral bone cement composites for application as bone implant materials deserves further efforts. Based on the achieved results implantation studies are justified and should be predictive for performance in clinical application

Lackier- und Pruefkosten senken Qualitaet verbessern

SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 9084(32) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

The COMPADRE Plant Matrix Database: an open online repository for plant demography

1. Schedules of survival, growth and reproduction are key life-history traits. Data on how these traits vary among species and populations are fundamental to our understanding of the ecological conditions that have shaped plant evolution. Because these demographic schedules determine population growth or decline, such data help us understand how different biomes shape plant ecology, how plant populations and communities respond to global change and how to develop successful management tools for endangered or invasive species