Sulfated glycosaminoglycans and non-classically secreted proteins, basic FGF and epimorphin, coordinately regulate TGF-β-induced cell behaviors of human scar dermal fibroblasts.

Background: Upon skin injuries, dermal fibroblasts actively produce transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which leads to the formation of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive granulation tissues. The hyperplasia or incomplete regression of these tissues subsequently causes scar formation in the skin, where sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), side chains of unique proteoglycans, are supposed to play important roles.

Objective: The aim of this study is to clarify the effects of sulfated GAGs on dermal cell behaviors triggered by the TGF-β signaling, along with its possible regulators basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and cell surface epimorphin.

River temperature drives salmon survivorship: is it determined prior to ocean entry?

Early life is believed to be a critical stage for determining survivorship in all fish. Many studies have suggested that environmental conditions in the ocean determine the fry-to-adult survival rate of Pacific salmon but few investigations have been conducted on the importance of the brief freshwater period during the seaward migration on overall survivorship. Here, we found that most of the variation in survivorship of hatchery-reared chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) was explained by river temperature during the fry stage, despite spending most of their life (approx.