Geographic Variation in Agonistic Responses of Territorial Male Brook Sticklebacks, Culae Inconstans

Author Institution: Department of Biology, Wilmington College ; Department of Biology, Earlham CollegeTerritorial aggressive behavior was studied in male brook sticklebacks collected in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin, and Urbana, Ohio. In the 20 h of observation 1,167 individual encounters with 3,305 separate aggressive displays were observed. Aggressive behavior was observed to be complex with at least 12 distinct aggressive display postures observed

Beyond the Bile Duct: Advanced IR Endoscopic Interventions Involving the Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, and Musculoskeletal Systems

Endoscopy is a technique used by interventional radiology (IR) in only a few centers throughout the United States. When used by IR, endoscopy is most well-known for its role in the treatment of hepatobiliary disease. However, its use with relation to pathology involving the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems is gaining momentum among IR. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the potential benefits of IR endoscopy in nonbiliary intervention. A literature review, not requiring IRB approval, was performed via PubMed and Ovid Medline databases using the search terms “interventional radiology-operated endoscopy,” “interventional endoscopy,” “interventional radiology,” “genitourinary,” and “gastrointestinal.” Literature describing IR endoscopy involving the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems were identified and described. Nine peer-reviewed articles were identified. While few studies were identified, a general theme suggesting a synergistic relationship between IR and endoscopy was noted. More studies are needed to better understand the role of endoscopy as a technique in the IR suite

Utilization of emergent aquatic plants for biomass-energy-systems development

A review was conducted of the available literature pertaining to the following aspects of emergent aquatic biomass: identification of prospective emergent plant species for management; evaluation of prospects for genetic manipulation; evaluation of biological and environmental tolerances; examination of current production technologies; determination of availability of seeds and/or other propagules, and projections for probable end-uses and products. Species identified as potential candidates for production in biomass systems include Arundo donax, Cyperus papyrus, Phragmites communis, Saccharum spontaneum, Spartina alterniflora, and Typha latifolia. If these species are to be viable candidates in biomass systems, a number of research areas must be further investigated. Points such as development of baseline yield data for managed systems, harvesting conceptualization, genetic (crop) improvement, and identification of secondary plant products require refinement. However, the potential pay-off for developing emergent aquatic systems will be significant if development is successful

The adenosine salvage pathway as an alternative to mitochondrial production of ATP in maturing mammalian oocytes

Although the oocyte is the largest cell in the body and an unavoidable phase in life, its physiology is still poorly understood, and other cell types provide little insight into its unique nature. Even basic cellular functions in the oocyte such as energy metabolism are not yet fully understood. It is known that the mitochondria of the female gamete exhibit an immature form characterized by limited energy production from glucose and oxidative phosphorylation. We show that the bovine oocyte uses alternative means to maintain ATP production during maturation, namely, the adenosine salvage pathway. Meiosis resumption is triggered by destruction of cyclic AMP by phosphodiesterases producing adenosine monophosphate that is converted into ATP by adenylate kinases and creatine kinases. Inhibition of these enzymes decreased ATP production, and addition of their substrates restored ATP production in denuded oocytes. Addition of phosphocreatine to the oocyte maturation medium influenced the phenotype of the resulting blastocysts. We propose a model in which adenylate kinases and creatine kinases act as drivers of ATP production from added AMP during oocyte maturation

The adenosine salvage pathway as an alternative to mitochondrial production of ATP in maturing mammalian oocytes

Mitochondria in maturing oocytes and early embryos change shape from the usual mature form seen in other cells to an immature form that has very limited capacity for energy production from glucose and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). With the high demand for energy in these cells and limited capacity for OXPHOS, it is unclear how these cells meet their energy needs. This study provides evidence that a previously unexplored potential driver of ATP synthesis, the adenosine salvage pathway, can meet the energy needs of growing bovine oocytes. Considerable amounts of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) become available at the onset of maturation trough the destruction of cyclic AMP by phosphodiesterases which triggers resumption of meiosis. The conversion of AMP to ADP and then to ATP occurs through the action of 2 enzymes. The first of these, adenylate kinase, catalyzes the conversion of AMP to ADP; the second, creatine kinase, converts ADP to ATP. Adding inhibitors of these enzymes to the oocyte maturation medium decreased ATP production; adding their substrates to denuded oocytes restored ATP production. Adding phosphocreatine alone also restored ATP levels substantially and influenced the phenotype of the resulting blastocysts, improving embryo quality and yield. The use of the adenosine salvage pathway explains how growing oocytes with limited ability to generate ATP through traditional OXPHOS pathways can meet energy requirements