RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Larval mannitol diets increase mortality, prolong development and decrease adult body sizes in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster)
Summary: Mannitol, a sugar polyol, decreases body size and survival and prolongs development in larval Drosophila melanogaster. The timing of introduction during development affects the magnitude of mannitol's impact on larvae.
- The interconnection between cytokeratin and cell membrane-bound β-catenin in Sertoli cells derived from juvenile Xenopus tropicalis testes
Summary: Cytokeratin (CK) and β-catenin are expressed in juvenile testicles and cultivated Xenopus tropicalis immature Sertoli cells (SC). Acrylamide and CHIR99021 disrupted the CK network, immature SC connections and testes development.
- Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cellular dysfunction and cell death in insulin-producing cells results in diabetes-like phenotypes in Drosophila
Summary: A new Drosophila diabetes model, where ER stress accumulation and apoptosis is induced in IPCs, showed diabetes-like phenotypes including reduced dilp mRNA, increased glucose concentration in hemolymph and growth inhibition.
- Pre-activation affects the effect of stretch-shortening cycle by modulating fascicle behavior
Summary: Due to the larger fascicle elongation induced by a pre-activation, the effect of the stretch-shortening cycle is enhanced.
- Assessment of fighting ability in the vocal cichlid Metriaclima zebra in face of incongruent audiovisual information
Summary: Cichlid fish rely on the sensory channel indicating higher risk when facing incongruent visual and acoustic information during opponent assessment.
- Chemical composition of food induces plasticity in digestive morphology in larvae of Rana temporaria
Summary: Tadpoles of the common frog (Rana temporaria) exhibit phenotypic plasticity of the intestinal morphology but not of the oral apparatus when raised on diets of different chemical compositions.
- High levels of floridoside at high salinity link osmoadaptation with bleaching susceptibility in the cnidarian-algal endosymbiosis
Summary: Using the coral model Aiptasia, we show increased thermotolerance at high salinities, concomitant with a reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) release by algal endosymbionts. This suggests a mechanistic link between osmoadaptation and thermotolerance, mediated by ROS-scavenging osmolytes.
- Muscle structure governs joint function: linking natural variation in medial gastrocnemius structure with isokinetic plantar flexor function
Summary: Using ultrasound measurements of muscle structure and dynamometer measurements of ankle function, we found that longer muscle fascicles positively correlated with increased ankle kinetics.
- Genomic analysis of lncRNA and mRNA profiles in circulating exosomes of patients with rheumatic heart disease
Summary: Differentially expressed lncRNA and mRNA profiles in circulating exosomes of patients with rheumatic heart disease compared to healthy control.
- The therapeutic effect of controlled reoxygenation on chronic hypoxia-associated brain injury
Summary: Controlled reoxygenation may provide an effective therapeutic strategy for hypoxia-induced tissue injury via regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. It will help make better informed clinical treatment decisions for cyanotic infants.
- Combinatorial genetic replenishments in myocardial and outflow tract tissues restore heart function in tnnt2 mutant zebrafish
Summary: Tnnt2 expression in the outflow tract is essential for cardiac function, and zebrafish is a powerful in vivo model for investigating cardiomyopathy genetics.
- Does the use of nest materials in a ground-nesting bird result from a compromise between the risk of egg overheating and camouflage?
Summary: Our study shows that when the thermal environment is not too stressful, plovers choose nest materials to improve egg camouflage, rather than to buffer the risk of egg overheating.
- Fine scale geographic residence and annual primary production drive body condition of wild immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Martinique Island (Lesser Antilles)
Summary: This study validates the use of different body measurements to estimate body mass. We show a yearly and north-south pattern between them, strongly correlated with net primary production.
- NANOG and LIN28 dramatically improve human cell reprogramming by modulating LIN41 and canonical WNT activities
Summary: Robust human iPSC reprogramming through the synergy of NANOG, LIN28, and inhibition of DOT1L in modulation of LIN41 expression and the canonical WNT pathway.
- Autophagy-related Djatg8 is required for remodeling in planarian Dugesia japonica
Summary: The autophagy-related Djatg8 homologues Djatg8-2 and Djatg8-3 are required for planarian remodeling; we provide an emergent in vivo model organism to study autophagy and the molecular mechanism for planarian remodeling.
METHODS & TECHNIQUES
- Visualisation of ribosomes in Drosophila axons using Ribo-BiFC
Summary: We described a novel straightforward technique termed Ribo-BiFC to visualise assembled ribosomes in Drosophila cells. This technique revealed ribosomes in axons of both developing and mature neurons.
- Characterization of spinal cord damage based on automatic video analysis of froglet swimming
Summary: Automatic video tracking system to measure froglet swimming and characterize the degree of spinal cord damage after spinal cord injury. It can potentially be used to compare the recovery of spinal cord function after different treatments.
This issue
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
Biology Open and COVID-19
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on researchers worldwide. The Editors of all The Company of Biologists’ journals have been considering ways in which we can alleviate concerns that members of our community may have around publishing activities during this time. Read about the actions we are taking at this time.
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Virtual events at The Company of Biologists
In September, our sister journal Development held its bi-yearly Journal Meeting. Known for its excellent social opportunities, the Meeting this year was recreated for a virtual format. Participants say it was the most ‘lifelike’ virtual meeting they’ve attended – find out more about how we’re reimagining our events virtually.
Interviews – Tiyasha Sarkar and Komal Panchal
We champion the next generation of biologists and are pleased to give first authors the chance to discuss their research in interviews alongisde their papers. In our latest issue, Tiyasha talks about her work on neurological disorders and Komal discusses her research on Alzheimer’s disease.
Cover article - Cell-to-cell communication mediates glioblastoma progression in Drosophila
Issue 9’s cover is a glioblastoma single brain hemisphere section from Drosophila third-instar larvae, from a study by Portela and colleagues.