Yeast conduct a fresh frontier within behavioral ecology

e., ionic, covalent, or light entanglement, to enhance the mechanical properties of the construct and facilitate layer-by-layer deposition. Skin constructs manufactured using the biomimetic approach have reached a higher level of complexity in biological terms, including up to five different cell phenotypes and mirroring the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. The confluence of the two perspectives, representing interdisciplinary inputs, is required for further advancement toward the future translation of extrusion bioprinting and to meet the urgent clinical demand for skin equivalents.The association between indirect environmental cues that modulate insect diapause and the actual stressors is by no means granted when a species encounters new environments. The box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis, is an Asian pest whose rapid invasion in Europe causes considerable economic and ecological impacts. Larvae enter a winter diapause induced by the photoperiod in both native and invaded ranges, but factors that trigger the return to an active phase are still unknown. Yet, identifying them is crucial to understand how diapause end synchronizes with the end of the winter stress encountered in Europe. To test whether activity resumption is regulated by thermal and/or photoperiodic thresholds, or additive effects between these factors often involved in diapause termination, diapausing caterpillars from an invaded area were exposed to crossed treatments at the laboratory. The evolution of diapause rate was monitored over time and compared to that of nearby field sites invaded. A strong positive effect of increasing temperature was found on the rate and dynamics of diapause termination, whereas no compelling effect of photoperiod appeared. Resuming development directly when main stressors fade, not in response to indirect photoperiodic cues that could be mismatched outside native areas, likely contributes to the good match observed between diapause and the new climates that this pest encountered in the invaded range.Metabolic syndrome is characterized by the coexistence of different metabolic disorders which increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, metabolic syndrome leads to a reduction in patients' quality of life as well as to an increase in morbidity and mortality. In the last few decades, it has been demonstrated that seaweeds exert multiple beneficial effects by virtue of their micro- and macronutrient content, which could help in the management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This review aims to provide an updated overview on the potential of brown seaweeds for the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome and its associated diseases, based on the most recent evidence obtained from in vitro and in vivo preclinical and clinical studies. SBFI-26 chemical structure Owing to their great potential for health benefits, brown seaweeds are successfully used in some nutraceuticals and functional foods for treating metabolic syndrome comorbidities. However, some issues still need to be tackled and deepened to improve the knowledge of their ADME/Tox profile in humans, in particular by finding validated indexes of their absorption and obtaining reliable information on their efficacy and long-term safety.Caulerpa is an unusual algal genus from Caulerpaceae (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales). Species from this family produce a wide range of metabolites suitable for biotechnology applications. Among these, sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) are often highly desirable for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Here, we provide a classification of sulfotransferases from Caulerpa; these important enzymes catalyze the nodal step for the biosynthesis of SPs. For this, we performed phylogenetic, genomic, expression analyses and prediction of the protein structure on sulfotransferases from Caulerpa. Sequences, domains and structures of sulfotransferases generally shared common characteristics with other plants and algae. However, we found an extensive duplication of sulfotransferase gene family, which is unique among the green algae. Expression analysis revealed specific transcript abundance in the pinnae and rachis of the alga. The unique genomic features could be utilized for the production of complex SPs, which require multiple and specific sulfation reactions. The expansion of this gene family in Caulerpaceae would have resulted in a number of proteins characterizing the unique SPs found in these algae. We provide a putative biosynthetic pathway of SPs, indicating the unique characteristics of this pathway in Caulerpa species. These data may help in the future selection of Caulerpa species for both commercial applications and genetic studies to improve the synthesis of valuable products from Caulerpa.Kuding tea (KT) is a bitter-tasting herbal tea that has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The large-leaved Ku-Ding-Cha (Aquifoliaceae) is composed of its representative species Ilex latifolia Thunb and Ilex kudingcha C.J. Tseng. Because of its potential lipid-lowering, body weight-reducing and blood-glucose-lowering properties, KT has increasingly been recognised for its importance over the past several decades. KT is no longer used only as a beverage, and various extraction methods have been applied to obtain aqueous and ethanolic KT extracts (KTE) or their fractions, which could potentially be used as dietary supplements. The major bioactive components of KT are triterpene saponins and polyphenols, but the composition of KT differs substantially between and among the different KT species. This in turn might affect the physiological effects of KT. KT exhibits antiobesity properties, possibly partly by affecting the intestinal microbiota. In addition, KT may mediate putative antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. However, there is evidence that high KTE supplementation can adversely affect liver metabolism. The physiological relevance of KT in humans remains rather unclear since the potential health benefits of KT and its constituents reviewed here are mainly derived on the basis of in vitro and animal studies.