Major Cellular and Physiological Impacts of Ocean Acidification on a Reef Building Coral

As atmospheric levels of CO2 increase, reef-building corals are under greater stress from both increased sea surface temperatures and declining sea water pH. To date, most studies have focused on either coral bleaching due to warming oceans or declining calcification due to decreasing oceanic carbonate ion concentrations. Here, through the use of physiology measurements and cDNA microarrays, we show that changes in pH and ocean chemistry consistent with two scenarios put forward by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) drive major changes in gene expression, respiration, photosynthesis and symbiosis of the coral, Acropora millepora, before affects on biomineralisation are apparent at the phenotype level. Under high CO2 conditions corals at the phenotype level lost over half their Symbiodinium populations, and had a decrease in both photosynthesis and respiration. Changes in gene expression were consistent with metabolic suppression, an increase in oxidative stress, apoptosis and symbiont loss. Other expression patterns demonstrate upregulation of membrane transporters, as well as the regulation of genes involved in membrane cytoskeletal interactions and cytoskeletal remodeling. These widespread changes in gene expression emphasize the need to expand future studies of ocean acidification to include a wider spectrum of cellular processes, many of which may occur before impacts on calcification

The mechanisms by which polyamines accelerate tumor spread

Increased polyamine concentrations in the blood and urine of cancer patients reflect the enhanced levels of polyamine synthesis in cancer tissues arising from increased activity of enzymes responsible for polyamine synthesis. In addition to their de novo polyamine synthesis, cells can take up polyamines from extracellular sources, such as cancer tissues, food, and intestinal microbiota. Because polyamines are indispensable for cell growth, increased polyamine availability enhances cell growth. However, the malignant potential of cancer is determined by its capability to invade to surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant organs. The mechanisms by which increased polyamine levels enhance the malignant potential of cancer cells and decrease anti-tumor immunity are reviewed. Cancer cells with a greater capability to synthesize polyamines are associated with increased production of proteinases, such as serine proteinase, matrix metalloproteinases, cathepsins, and plasminogen activator, which can degrade surrounding tissues. Although cancer tissues produce vascular growth factors, their deregulated growth induces hypoxia, which in turn enhances polyamine uptake by cancer cells to further augment cell migration and suppress CD44 expression. Increased polyamine uptake by immune cells also results in reduced cytokine production needed for anti-tumor activities and decreases expression of adhesion molecules involved in anti-tumor immunity, such as CD11a and CD56. Immune cells in an environment with increased polyamine levels lose anti-tumor immune functions, such as lymphokine activated killer activities. Recent investigations revealed that increased polyamine availability enhances the capability of cancer cells to invade and metastasize to new tissues while diminishing immune cells' anti-tumor immune functions

The global context: sustainable development goals and gender equality

The 2030 Development Agenda, adopted unanimously by the 193 United Nations (UN) member countries on September 25, 2015, is a universal call to action for transforming the world to one that is free from poverty, inequality, violence, manmade natural disasters, and resource depletion for the current and future generations. The 2030 Agenda sets 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated Targets that represent a broad intergovernmental consensus on the world’s development priorities. The Goals were set through a participative process led by the UN, which included states, companies, civil society organizations, scientists, and experts over a period of 3 years. “Commitment to universal human rights” is depicted as the overarching normative and ethical framework for the SDGs

An investigation of assumptions made in estimating genetic parameters and predicting genetic gain in a Eucalyptus nitens breeding programme in South Africa

It is important to have an understanding of the population genetics and validity of the pertinent underlying assumptions of a species in order to design an effective breeding strategy. In a South African breeding population of Eucalyptus nitens, various scenarios investigating a range of assumptions were developed and used to predict genetic gain in the F2. These were compared with realised gains achieved in a series of genetic gain trials. In the two scenarios using firstly, actual flowering for family (provenance) and, secondly, estimated flowering after 30 % roguing of poor families, a coefficient of relationship of 0.33 resulted in predictions closest to realised gain, on average. The statistical information suggested that outcrossing in the seed orchards was[80 %. Indications were that the effects were additive, and that very little or no heterosis had occurred, due to the still significant provenance effects and the lack of provenance rank changes in the F2. The custom of assuming a degree of inbreeding (and using a coefficient of relationship of 0.33) and of including provenance effects in the models, on average resulted in genetic gain predictions which were very similar to the realised genetic gains in this population of E. nitens.Masonite Ltd., Mondi Ltd, NCT Forestry Co-Operative Ltd., PG Bison, TWK Ltd. and York Timbers Ltd.http://link.springer.com/journal/110562016-01-31hb201