Genetic Investigation of Regulatory Regions of MKRN3 and DLK1 Genes in Children with Central Precocious Puberty.

Context: Most of the loss-of-function mutations described in children with central precocious puberty (CPP) is located into the coding regions of MKRN3 or DLK1 genes. Notably, potential abnormalities in the regulatory regions of these CPP-genes are rarely explored.

Objective: To search for pathogenic variants in the regulatory regions of MKRN3 and DLK1 genes in patients with familial or idiopathic CPP.

Panstrongylus guentheri Berg, 1879 (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae): first record in Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Background: This paper reports the occurrence of Panstrongylus guentheri Berg, 1879 in the State of Mato Grosso (MT).

Methods: Triatomines were captured in rural environments in municipalities of MT. Specimens were identified, and Trypanosoma cruzi infection was investigated.

MicroRNA-181a/b-1 enhances chondroprogenitor anabolism and downregulates aquaporin-9.

Objective: Effective osteoarthritis treatments that enhance the anabolic/regenerative capacity of chondrocytes are needed. Studying cartilage development processes may inform us of approaches to control chondrocyte differentiation and anabolism and, ultimately, how to effectively treat OA. MicroRNAs are broad-acting epigenetic regulators known to affect many skeletal processes.

Buzz pollination: A theoretical analysis via scaling invariance.

Nearly half of the bee species can perform a fascinating stereotyped behavior to collect pollen grains by vibrating flowers, known as buzz pollination. During the floral visit, these bees mechanically transfer the vibrations produced by their thoracic indirect flight muscles to the flower anther, inducing the movement of the pollen grains and leading them to be released through a small pore or slit placed at the tip of the anther in poricidal flowers. In such flowers, pollen release is affected by the vibrational behavior of buzzing bees, primarily their duration and velocity amplitude.

A modified petal and stamen dimorphism interact to enhance pollen placement by a buzz-pollinated flower.

Background: Floral adaptations supposedly favour pollen grains to cross the numerous barriers faced during their journey to stigmas. Stamen dimorphism and specialized petals, like the cucculus in the Cassieae tribe (Fabaceae), are commonly observed in flowers that offer only pollen as a resource for bee pollinators. Here, we experimentally investigated whether the stamen dimorphism and cucculus enhance pollen placement on the bee's body.