scholarly journals Physiological dormancy broken by endozoochory: Austral parakeets (Enicognathus ferrugineus) as legitimate dispersers of calafate (Berberis microphylla) in the Patagonian Andes

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 538-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Bravo ◽  
Daniel Chamorro ◽  
Fernando Hiraldo ◽  
Karina Speziale ◽  
Sergio A Lambertucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Gut Passage ◽  
Faecal Matter ◽  
Mutualistic Interaction ◽  
Physiological Dormancy ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Germination Success ◽  
Patagonian Andes ◽  
Faecal Extract

Abstract Aims Seed dispersal by endozoochory is an important process in plant regeneration and the establishment of new populations. Seeds with dormancy may especially benefit after disperser gut passage. However, the ways in which gut passage affect the germination of plant species with physiological dormancy remain unclear. Here, we experimentally assessed the mutualistic interaction between the Austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus) as a disperser of calafate (Berberis microphylla), a thorny bush inhabiting the understory of the Austral temperate forests of South America with seeds that are characterized by deep physiological dormancy. Methods Germination success and viability of calafate seeds obtained from faeces and from intact fruits were tested under four treatments: (i) digested seeds, (ii) digested seeds with faecal extract, (iii) intact seeds from fruit and (iv) intact seeds from fruit with pulp. Important Findings About 65% of the Austral parakeet droppings contained calafate seeds. Viability of seeds did not differ between treatments. However, germination was significantly higher in digested seeds than in intact seeds from fruits, while no difference was found between faecal and pulp extracts. Neither faecal matter nor fruit pulp provided seeds with any ecological advantages derived from enhancing germinability, but did confer some disadvantage in germination time. Faecal matter is expected to be completely lacking around seeds after several months under snow before germinating in the following spring, given intense washing due to persistent rain and the spring thaw in the Patagonian Andes. The higher germinability along with faster germination of digested seeds supports the hypothesis of a legitimate mutualistic interaction between Austral parakeets and calafate. We hypothesized that the passage through the disperser digestive tract might break physiological dormancy as differences in germinability between ingested and non-ingested seeds. Our results highlight the relevant role of endozoochory in plant species with physiological dormancy living in highly seasonal environments.

Effects of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) on seeds dispersed by howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in the French Guianan rain forest

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Feer
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Alouatta Seniculus ◽  
Seed Fate ◽  
Howler Monkeys ◽  
Germination Success

The dispersal of seeds by howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) and the role of dung beetles in determining the fate of the dispersed seeds were studied at Nouragues Station, French Guiana, during three 2-mo periods (April–May, 1995–97). Howler monkeys were observed to disperse seeds of 47 plant species. Monkey dung attracted 57 species of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae), including tunnellers (maximum size 37 mm) and ball rollers (12.6 mm). The rate of seed burial was negatively correlated with seed size (10 plant species) and positively correlated with dung beetle size (six species of tunnellers). More than 80% of small seeds (< 5 mm) and 30% of large seeds (22 mm), were buried by the largest tunnellers. Dung beetles buried 13 to 23% of seeds ranging 8–13 mm in width. The maximum average depth of burial was 28 cm and varied according to the species of dung beetle. The rate of disappearance of large dung clumps varied during the day and was completed by nocturnal dung beetles. Seeds of Chrysophyllum lucentifolium (Sapotaceae) buried at 5 and 10 cm depths did not suffer predation, but showed low germination success compared to seeds left at the soil surface. Dung beetles affected the survival and distribution of a portion of the seeds dispersed by monkeys, and their relative importance in shaping seed fate depended on seed and beetle size.

Plant species surplus in recent peri-urban forests: the role of forest connectivity, species’ habitat requirements and dispersal types

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-384
Author(s):  
Elena Tello-García ◽  
Nancy Gamboa-Badilla ◽  
Enrique Álvarez ◽  
Laura Fuentes ◽  
Corina Basnou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Forest Connectivity ◽  
Dispersal Types

scholarly journals The Role of Extracellular Vesicles as Shuttles of RNA and Their Clinical Significance as Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 902
Author(s):  
Eva Costanzi ◽  
Carolina Simioni ◽  
Gabriele Varano ◽  
Cinzia Brenna ◽  
Ilaria Conti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Tumor Metastasis ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Donor Cells ◽  
Relevant Role

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have attracted interest as mediators of intercellular communication following the discovery that EVs contain RNA molecules, including non-coding RNA (ncRNA). Growing evidence for the enrichment of peculiar RNA species in specific EV subtypes has been demonstrated. ncRNAs, transferred from donor cells to recipient cells, confer to EVs the feature to regulate the expression of genes involved in differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and other biological processes. These multiple actions require accuracy in the isolation of RNA content from EVs and the methodologies used play a relevant role. In liver, EVs play a crucial role in regulating cell–cell communications and several pathophysiological events in the heterogeneous liver class of cells via horizontal transfer of their cargo. This review aims to discuss the rising role of EVs and their ncRNAs content in regulating specific aspects of hepatocellular carcinoma development, including tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. We analyze the progress in EV-ncRNAs’ potential clinical applications as important diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for liver conditions.

scholarly journals Invasion landscapes as social‐ecological systems: Role of social factors in invasive plant species control

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Yletyinen ◽  
George L. W. Perry ◽  
Olivia R. Burge ◽  
Norman W. H. Mason ◽  
Philip Stahlmann‐Brown
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Invasive Plant Species ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological

scholarly journals The Relevance of the SH2 Domain for c-Src Functionality in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Víctor Mayoral-Varo ◽  
María Pilar Sánchez-Bailón ◽  
Annarica Calcabrini ◽  
Marta García-Hernández ◽  
Valerio Frezza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Sh2 Domain ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
System A ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Target ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Inactivating Mutation

The role of Src family kinases (SFKs) in human tumors has been always associated with tyrosine kinase activity and much less attention has been given to the SH2 and SH3 adapter domains. Here, we studied the role of the c-Src-SH2 domain in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To this end, SUM159PT and MDA-MB-231 human cell lines were employed as model systems. These cells conditionally expressed, under tetracycline control (Tet-On system), a c-Src variant with point-inactivating mutation of the SH2 adapter domain (R175L). The expression of this mutant reduced the self-renewal capability of the enriched population of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), demonstrating the importance of the SH2 adapter domain of c-Src in the mammary gland carcinogenesis. In addition, the analysis of anchorage-independent growth, proliferation, migration, and invasiveness, all processes associated with tumorigenesis, showed that the SH2 domain of c-Src plays a very relevant role in their regulation. Furthermore, the transfection of two different aptamers directed to SH2-c-Src in both SUM159PT and MDA-MB-231 cells induced inhibition of their proliferation, migration, and invasiveness, strengthening the hypothesis that this domain is highly involved in TNBC tumorigenesis. Therefore, the SH2 domain of c-Src could be a promising therapeutic target and combined treatments with inhibitors of c-Src kinase enzymatic activity may represent a new therapeutic strategy for patients with TNBC, whose prognosis is currently very negative.

scholarly journals Lights and Shadows in the Genetics of Syndromic and Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss in the Italian Population

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1237
Author(s):  
Anna Morgan ◽  
Stefania Lenarduzzi ◽  
Beatrice Spedicati ◽  
Elisabetta Cattaruzzi ◽  
Flora Maria Murru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Disease Genes ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Whole Exome ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Multiplex Ligation Probe Amplification ◽  
Syndromic Hearing Loss

Hearing loss (HL), both syndromic (SHL) and non-syndromic (NSHL), is the most common sensory disorder, affecting ~460 million people worldwide. More than 50% of the congenital/childhood cases are attributable to genetic causes, highlighting the importance of genetic testing in this class of disorders. Here we applied a multi-step strategy for the molecular diagnosis of HL in 125 patients, which included: (1) an accurate clinical evaluation, (2) the analysis of GJB2, GJB6, and MT-RNR1 genes, (3) the evaluation STRC-CATSPER2 and OTOA deletions via Multiplex Ligation Probe Amplification (MLPA), (4) Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) in patients negative to steps 2 and 3. Our approach led to the characterization of 50% of the NSHL cases, confirming both the relevant role of the GJB2 (20% of cases) and STRC deletions (6% of cases), and the high genetic heterogeneity of NSHL. Moreover, due to the genetic findings, 4% of apparent NSHL patients have been re-diagnosed as SHL. Finally, WES characterized 86% of SHL patients, supporting the role of already know disease-genes. Overall, our approach proved to be efficient in identifying the molecular cause of HL, providing essential information for the patients’ future management.

scholarly journals Novel Insights on the Role of Nitric Oxide in the Ovary: A Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 980
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Budani ◽  
Gian Mario Tiboni
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Peripheral Neurons ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Oocyte Meiotic Maturation

Nitric oxide (NO) is formed during the oxidation of L-arginine to L-citrulline by the action of multiple isoenzymes of NO synthase (NOS): neuronal NOS (nNOS), endotelial NOS (eNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS). NO plays a relevant role in the vascular endothelium, in central and peripheral neurons, and in immunity and inflammatory systems. In addition, several authors showed a consistent contribution of NO to different aspects of the reproductive physiology. The aim of the present review is to analyse the published data on the role of NO within the ovary. It has been demonstrated that the multiple isoenzymes of NOS are expressed and localized in the ovary of different species. More to the point, a consistent role was ascribed to NO in the processes of steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis, and oocyte meiotic maturation in in vitro and in vivo studies using animal models. Unfortunately, there are few nitric oxide data for humans; there are preliminary data on the implication of nitric oxide for oocyte/embryo quality and in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET) parameters. NO plays a remarkable role in the ovary, but more investigation is needed, in particular in the context of human ovarian physiology.

scholarly journals Big hitting collectors make massive and disproportionate contribution to the discovery of plant species

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1736) ◽  
pp. 2269-2274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Bebber ◽  
Mark A. Carine ◽  
Gerrit Davidse ◽  
David J. Harris ◽  
Elspeth M. Haston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Fundamental Goal ◽  
The World ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
The Right ◽  
Geographical Locations

Discovering biological diversity is a fundamental goal—made urgent by the alarmingly high rate of extinction. We have compiled information from more than 100 000 type specimens to quantify the role of collectors in the discovery of plant diversity. Our results show that more than half of all type specimens were collected by less than 2 per cent of collectors. This highly skewed pattern has persisted through time. We demonstrate that a number of attributes are associated with prolific plant collectors: a long career with increasing productivity and experience in several countries and plant families. These results imply that funding a small number of expert plant collectors in the right geographical locations should be an important element in any effective strategy to find undiscovered plant species and complete the inventory of the world flora.

scholarly journals Cellular Senescence in Liver Disease and Regeneration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Ferreira-Gonzalez ◽  
Daniel Rodrigo-Torres ◽  
Victoria L. Gadd ◽  
Stuart J. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Cell Cycle Arrest ◽  
Genomic Instability ◽  
Cellular Senescence ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Extent Of Damage

AbstractCellular senescence is an irreversible cell cycle arrest implemented by the cell as a result of stressful insults. Characterized by phenotypic alterations, including secretome changes and genomic instability, senescence is capable of exerting both detrimental and beneficial processes. Accumulating evidence has shown that cellular senescence plays a relevant role in the occurrence and development of liver disease, as a mechanism to contain damage and promote regeneration, but also characterizing the onset and correlating with the extent of damage. The evidence of senescent mechanisms acting on the cell populations of the liver will be described including the role of markers to detect cellular senescence. Overall, this review intends to summarize the role of senescence in liver homeostasis, injury, disease, and regeneration.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document