Astrocytic β-catenin signaling via TCF7L2 regulates synapse development and social behavior.

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway contains multiple high-confidence risk genes that are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. However, its ubiquitous roles across brain cell types and developmental stages have made it challenging to define its impact on neural circuit development and behavior. Here, we show that TCF7L2, which is a key transcriptional effector of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, plays a cell-autonomous role in postnatal astrocyte maturation and impacts adult social behavior.

Brain size, gut size and cognitive abilities: the energy trade-offs tested in artificial selection experiment.

The enlarged brains of homeotherms bring behavioural advantages, but also incur high energy expenditures. The 'expensive brain' (EB) hypothesis posits that the energetic costs of the enlarged brain and the resulting increased cognitive abilities (CA) were met by either increased energy turnover or reduced allocation to other expensive organs, such as the gut. We tested the EB hypothesis by analysing correlated responses to selection in an experimental evolution model system, which comprises line types of laboratory mice selected for high or low basal metabolic rate (BMR), maximum (VO) metabolic rates and random-bred (unselected) lines.

Expression of GPD1 and SIP18 genes during rehydration in active dry industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae cider-making yeast strains (ADY).

In this study we determined the influence of different sugar concentration in media, time of rehydration and type of strain on relative expression level of GPD1 and SIP18 genes of active dry cider-making yeast strains, followed by the assessment of the impact of rehydration on the fermentation process. High expression of SIP18 at the beginning of rehydration was shown to be due to high transcription of the gene during the drying process. High sugar concentrations of media initiated transcription of the GPD1 gene and triggered the cellular glycerol biosynthesis pathway in examined strains.

The Effect of a Newly Developed Oat-Banana Fermented Beverage with a Beta-glucan Additive on ldhL Gene Expression in Streptococcus thermophilus TM KKP 2030p.

The number of people who cannot consume dairy products due to intolerance or allergies to food components is increasing. Consumers are increasingly searching for alternative, nondairy beverages which have an advantageous effect on the body and which stimulate gut microflora. Previous studies have shown that Streptococcus thermophilus TM KKP 2030p can be an efficient starter culture for the fermentation of plant material and can also ensure an acceptable sensory profile and a high number of lactic acid bacteria during 4 week cold storage.

The sequence diversity and expression among genes of the folic acid biosynthesis pathway in industrial Saccharomyces strains.

Folic acid is an important vitamin in human nutrition and its deficiency in pregnant women's diets results in neural tube defects and other neurological damage to the fetus. Additionally, DNA synthesis, cell division and intestinal absorption are inhibited in case of adults. Since this discovery, governments and health organizations worldwide have made recommendations concerning folic acid supplementation of food for women planning to become pregnant.

Intra-strains diversity of expression of polymorphic PKS4 gene in comparison in zearalenone production by Fusarium graminearum during in vitro cultivation.

Filamentous fungi belonging to the Fusarium genus are responsible for large economic losses due to their high pathogenicity and toxigenicity. Fusarium sp. may produce variety of mycotoxins, one of them is zearalenone (ZEA).