Mammal dung-dung beetle trophic networks: an improved method based on gut-content DNA.

Background: Dung beetles provide many important ecosystem services, including dung decomposition, pathogen control, soil aeration, and secondary seed dispersal. Yet, the biology of most dung beetles remains unknown. Natural diets are poorly studied, partly because previous research has focused on choice or attraction experiments using few, easily accessible dung types from zoo animals, farm animals, or humans.

Morphometric changes on dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) related to conversion of forest into grassland: A case of study in the Ecuadorian Amazonia.

The conversion of forest into grassland can induce differentiation in the functional morphology of resilient species. To assess this effect, we have chosen a dung beetle as a model species. We established 20 sampling points distributed along a transect for a forest and grassland located in the Podocarpus National Park in Ecuador.

Sort1, encoded by the cardiovascular risk locus 1p13.3, is a regulator of hepatic lipoprotein export.

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed strong association of hypercholesterolemia and myocardial infarction with SNPs on human chromosome 1p13.3. This locus covers three genes: SORT1, CELSR2, and PSRC1.

Different motifs regulate trafficking of SorCS1 isoforms.

The type I transmembrane protein SorCS1 is a member of the Vps10p-domain receptor family comprised of Sortilin, SorLA and SorCS1, -2 and -3. Current information indicates that Sortilin and SorLA mediate intracellular protein trafficking and sorting, but little is known about the cellular functions of the SorCS subgroup. SorCS1 binds platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and is expressed in isoforms differing only in their cytoplasmic domains.

Fkbp8: novel isoforms, genomic organization, and characterization of a forebrain promoter in transgenic mice.

The immunophilin homolog FKBP8 has been implicated in the regulation of apoptosis. Here we show that the 38-kDa form of FKBP8 (FKBP38) derives from a truncated ORF. The extended FKBP8 ORFs are 46 and 44 kDa in mouse and 45 kDa in human.

Increased mean arterial pressure and aldosterone-to-renin ratio in Persian cats with polycystic kidney disease.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in Persian cats has been increasingly reported and compared to human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in the last decade. In cats, however, few studies have dealt with the occurrence and hormonal determinants of hypertension, one of the most common extrarenal manifestations of ADPKD in humans. The purpose of this study was to compare Persian cats >4 years old with PKD to unaffected control cats with regard to blood pressure (BP), plasma renin activity (PRA), serum aldosterone concentration, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration, and aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR).

Astroglial c-Myc overexpression predisposes mice to primary malignant gliomas.

Malignant astrocytomas are common human primary brain tumors that result from neoplastic transformation of astroglia or their progenitors. Here we show that deregulation of the c-Myc pathway in developing astroglia predisposes mice to malignant astrocytomas within 2-3 weeks of age. The genetically engineered murine (GEM) gliomas harbor a molecular signature resembling that of human primary glioblastoma multiforme, including up-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor and Mdm2.

Evaluation of an oscillometric blood pressure monitor for use in anesthetized cats.

Objective: To determine accuracy of an oscillometric blood pressure monitor used over a wide range of pressures in anesthetized cats.

Design: Prospective study.

Animals: 6 healthy cats.

Mouse Atf5: molecular cloning of two novel mRNAs, genomic organization, and odorant sensory neuron localization.

The activating transcription factor (ATF) family comprises a group of basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins, which have roles in the development of species as diverse as insects and mammals. Here we describe two novel mRNAs encoding a single, 30-kDa mouse polypeptide, designated mouse ATF5, which is 58% identical to mouse ATF4 in the carboxy-terminal bZIP region. Both transcripts harbor highly complex 5' untranslated regions that impede translation of the ATF5 open reading frame.

Characterization of two novel nuclear BTB/POZ domain zinc finger isoforms. Association with differentiation of hippocampal neurons, cerebellar granule cells, and macroglia.

BTB/POZ (broad complex tramtrack bric-a-brac/poxvirus and zinc finger) zinc finger factors are a class of nuclear DNA-binding proteins involved in development, chromatin remodeling, and cancer. However, BTB/POZ domain zinc finger factors linked to development of the mammalian cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and macroglia have not been described previously. We report here the isolation and characterization of two novel nuclear BTB/POZ domain zinc finger isoforms, designated HOF(L) and HOF(S), that are specifically expressed in early hippocampal neurons, cerebellar granule cells, and gliogenic progenitors as well as in differentiated glia.