Multi-ancestry study of blood lipid levels identifies four loci interacting with physical activity

Loss of 4E-BP1 expression has been linked to cancer progression and resistance to mTOR inhibitors, but the mechanism underlying 4E-BP1 downregulation in tumors remains unclear. Here we identify Snail as a strong transcriptional repressor of 4E-BP1. We find that 4E-BP1 expression inversely correlates with Snail level in cancer cell lines and clinical specimens. Snail binds to three E-boxes present in the human 4E-BP1 promoter to repress transcription of 4E-BP1. Ectopic expression of Snail in cancer cell lines lacking Snail profoundly represses 4E-BP1 expression, promotes cap-dependent translation in polysomes, and reduces the anti-proliferative effect of mTOR kinase inhibitors. Conversely, genetic and pharmacological inhibition of Snail function restores 4E-BP1 expression and sensitizes cancer cells to mTOR kinase inhibitors by enhancing 4E-BP1-mediated translation-repressive effect on cell proliferation and tumor growth. Our study reveals a critical Snail-4E-BP1 signaling axis in tumorigenesis, and provides a rationale for targeting Snail to improve mTOR-targeted therapies

The Commercial Trap Fishery in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: an Economic, Social, and Technological Profile

In this paper, we describe the socioeconomic conditions of the small‐scale trap fishery in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and examine the determinants affecting the technical performance of the fleet. The socioeconomic data used in the analysis were derived from random, in‐person interviews with 50 trap fishers, which accounted for about one‐third of the active trap fishers. The study found that the fishery is composed of middle‐aged, small‐scale commodity producers who use traditional, capital‐intensive technologies to target Caribbean spiny lobsters Panulirus argus and various reef fishes. Fishers reported that fishing made up 74% of their household income. We also explored the factors influencing the technical efficiency of the fleet by using a stochastic production frontier model. The analysis suggested that trap operations could increase their gross revenues per trip by 36%, on average, by using current input levels and technology more efficiently. The fleet exhibited decreasing returns to scale. The study also found that a 10% increase in the number of traps tended would raise gross revenues by 0.9% and that baiting traps would raise gross revenues by 1.4%. The analysis suggested that fishing experience and kinship ties were the key determinants of technical efficiency. We also explored the policy implications stemming from these results.Received September 22, 2016; accepted April 6, 2017 Published online June 23, 201