Sperm competition in mated first generation hermaphrodite females of the HP 88 strain of Heterorhabditis (Nematoda : Heterorhabditidae) and progeny sex ratios in mated and unmated females

Nous avons utilisé un mutant "obèse" pour étudier le processus de la fécondation chez #Heterorhabditis. Nous avons observé que, chez les femelles hermaphrodites de première génération inséminées, les spermatozoïdes provenant du mâle possèdent un avantage dans leur compétition avec les spermatozoïdes provenant de la femelle hermaphrodite elle-même. Les observations en microscopie optique ont montré qu'il n'y a pas de spermathèque chez les femelles hermaphrodites de première génération et que les spermatozoïdes introduits sont stockés dans la partie proximale de l'ovotestis où ils se mélangent avec les spermatozoïdes d'origine hermaphrodite. Les spermatozoïdes introduits ont des pseudopodes bien développés et paraissent plus actifs que les spermatozoïdes d'origine hermaphrodite. Les femelles amphimictiques de deuxième génération possèdent une spermathèque où sont stockés les spermatozoïdes introduits, et non dans la partie proximale de l'ovaire ou de l'utérus. La proportion des sexes dans la descendance croisée de femelles tant hermaphrodites qu'amphimictiques varie de 2,2 à 6,6 mâles pour mille descendants, chiffres très différents du rapport 1/1 qui aurait pu être attendu dans la descendance croisée de mâles hétérogamiques. Des mâles, en proportion 20 à 30 fois supérieure, ont été observés dans la descendance d'hermaphrodites autofécondés. Ainsi, l'origine des spermatozoïdes, suivant qu'ils proviennent de mâles ou d'individus hermaphrodites, influencent nettement la proportion des sexes de la descendance chez la souche HP 88 d'#Heterorhabditis. (Résumé d'auteur

Fine-tuning the functional properties of carbon nanotubes via the interconversion of encapsulated molecules

Tweaking the properties of carbon nanotubes is a prerequisite for their practical applications. Here we demonstrate fine-tuning the electronic properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes via filling with ferrocene molecules. The evolution of the bonding and charge transfer within the tube is demonstrated via chemical reaction of the ferrocene filler ending up as secondary inner tube. The charge transfer nature is interpreted well within density functional theory. This work gives the first direct observation of a fine-tuned continuous amphoteric doping of single-wall carbon nanotubes

SPORTS, EXERCISE ONLINE? THE OPINION OF SPORT MAJORS ON THE NON-ATTENDANCE TUITION

Aim of the study: The aim of our research is to map out the new aspect of life, in one section of higher education, created by the epidemiological situation, to get to know the methodics used by the teachers of the two sport science institutes (ESI, STI) in our faculty, and get to know our student's opinion on the topic. Methods: We worked with our own questionnaire, which includes the following groups of questions: demographic data, questions about the students' availability of tools, students' opinions about the requirements, communication with the instructor, the completion of the courses, changes in their own learning habits and their physical and practical preparation capabilities. The members of sample was studied at the Eötvös Loránd University PPK in Szombathely and Budapest by students majoring in sport field. Results: No difficulties were reported by our students, 90% had adequate tools. Their workload was much higher than in previous periods, which was reflected in a strong increase in time spent with studying (p <0.01). The lessons, tasks and dissertations carried out in the online learning space were a bigger challenge for the lecturers, based on the opinion of our students, the education did not seem more exciting or creative (2.8 on a 6-point scale). Opinions about the educational platforms used were evenly distributed, they did not find it difficult to navigate between the different surfaces (3.66 on a scale of 6.).Conclusion: The virtue of problem solving could be practiced in recent times. It is advisable to incorporate the experience of the recent period into the solutions of the important tasks aheadAim of the study: The aim of our research is to map out the new aspect of life, in one section of higher education, created by the epidemiological situation, to get to know the methodics used by the teachers of the two sport science institutes (ESI, STI) in our faculty, and get to know our student's opinion on the topic. Methods: We worked with our own questionnaire, which includes the following groups of questions: demographic data, questions about the students' availability of tools, students' opinions about the requirements, communication with the instructor, the completion of the courses, changes in their own learning habits and their physical and practical preparation capabilities. The members of sample was studied at the Eötvös Loránd University PPK in Szombathely and Budapest by students majoring in sport field. Results: No difficulties were reported by our students, 90% had adequate tools. Their workload was much higher than in previous periods, which was reflected in a strong increase in time spent with studying (p <0.01). The lessons, tasks and dissertations carried out in the online learning space were a bigger challenge for the lecturers, based on the opinion of our students, the education did not seem more exciting or creative (2.8 on a 6-point scale). Opinions about the educational platforms used were evenly distributed, they did not find it difficult to navigate between the different surfaces (3.66 on a scale of 6.).Conclusion: The virtue of problem solving could be practiced in recent times. It is advisable to incorporate the experience of the recent period into the solutions of the important tasks ahea

Strigolactones: a novel class of phytohormones that inhibit the growth and survival of breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem-like enriched mammosphere cells.

Several naturally occurring phytohormones have shown enormous potential in the prevention and treatment of several cancers. Strigolactones (SLs) are a novel class of plant hormones produced in roots and regulate new above ground shoot branching, by inhibiting self-renewal of undifferentiated meristem cells. Here we study the effects of six synthetic strigolactone analogues on breast cancer cell lines growth and survival. We show that Strigolactone analogues are able to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells but to a much lesser extent ‘non-cancer’ lines. Given the therapeutic problem of cancer recurrence which is hypothesized to be due to drug resistant cancer stem cells, we also tested the ability of Strigolactone analogues to inhibit the growth of mammosphere cultures that are typically enriched with cancer stem-like cells. We show that Strigolactones are potent inhibitors of self-renewal and survival of breast cancer cell lines grown as mammospheres and even a short exposure leads to irreversible effects on mammosphere dissociation and cell death. Immunoblot analysis revealed that SLs analogues induce activation of the stress response mediated by both P38 and JNK1/2 MAPK modules and inhibits PI3K/AKT activation. Taken together this study indicates that Strigolactones may be promising anticancer agents whose activities may be achieved through modulation of stress and survival signaling pathways