The present review aims to illustrate the strategies that are being implemented to regenerate or bioengineer livers for clinical purposes.There are two general pathways to liver bioengineering and regeneration.The fir...The present review aims to illustrate the strategies that are being implemented to regenerate or bioengineer livers for clinical purposes.There are two general pathways to liver bioengineering and regeneration.The first consists of creating a supporting scaffold,either synthetically or by decellularization of human or animal organs,and seeding cells on the scaffold,where they will mature either in bioreactors or in vivo.This strategy seems to offer the quickest route to clinical translation,as demonstrated by the development of liver organoids from rodent livers which were repopulated with organ specific cells of animal and/or human origin.Liver bioengineering has potential for transplantation and for toxicity testing during preclinical drug development.The second possibility is to induce liver regeneration of dead or resected tissue by manipulating cell pathways.In fact,it is well known that the liver has peculiar regenerative potential which allows hepatocyte hyperplasia after amputation of liver volume.Infusion of autologous bone marrow cells,which aids in liver regeneration,into patients was shown to be safe and to improve their clinical condition,but the specific cells responsible for liver regeneration have not yet been determined and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.A complete understanding of the cell pathways and dynamics and of the functioning of liver stem cell niche is necessary for the clinical translation of regenerative medicine strategies.As well,it will be crucial to elucidate the mechanisms through which cells interact with the extracellular matrix,and how this latter supports and drives cell fate.展开更多
In this review, I explore the effects of both social organization and the physical environment, specifically habitat complexity, on the brains and behavior of highly visual African cichlid fishes, drawing on examples ...In this review, I explore the effects of both social organization and the physical environment, specifically habitat complexity, on the brains and behavior of highly visual African cichlid fishes, drawing on examples from primates and birds where appropriate. In closely related fishes from the monophyletic Ectodinii clade of Lake Tanganyika, both forces influence cichlid brains and behavior. Considering social influences first, visual acuity differs with respect to social organization （monogamy versus polygyny）. Both the telencephalon and amygdalar homologue, area Dm, are larger in monogamous species. Monogamous species are found to have more vasotocin-immunoreactive cells in the preoptic area of the brain. Habitat complexity also influences brain and behavior in these fishes. Total brain size, telencephalic and cerebellar size are positively correlated with habitat complexity. Visual acuity and spatial memory are enhanced in cichlids living in more complex environments. However habitat complexity and social forces affect cichlid brains differently. Taken together, our field data and plasticity data suggest that some of the species-specific neural effects of habitat complexity could be the consequence of the corresponding social correlates. Environmental forces, however, exert a broader effect on brain structures than social ones do, suggesting allometric expansion of the brain structures in concert with brain size and/or co-evolntion of these structures [Current Zoology 56 （1）： 144-156, 2010].展开更多
Growing literature has demonstrated that exercise may be an effective prevention and treatment option for drug addiction. In the past few years, many studies have suggested that there were sex differences in all phase...Growing literature has demonstrated that exercise may be an effective prevention and treatment option for drug addiction. In the past few years, many studies have suggested that there were sex differences in all phases of drug addiction. However, very limited research has investigated sex differences in the effectiveness of exercise intervention in drug addiction and rehabilitation. In this mini review, we summarize the effect of sex on the results of using exercise to prevent and treat drug addiction. The studies we consider span various animal models and use multiple types of exercise to examine the effectiveness of exercise on the neurobiological mechanism of exercise rehabilitation. We believe that exercise as an adjuvant intervention strategy can be applied better in drug addiction prevention and recovery. Copyright 2014, Shanghai University of Sport. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.展开更多
Why do two sexes of the same species differ in body size holds a long-standing question of evolutionary biology. While many across-species comparisons have focused on ultimate causes behind sexual size dimorphism （SS...Why do two sexes of the same species differ in body size holds a long-standing question of evolutionary biology. While many across-species comparisons have focused on ultimate causes behind sexual size dimorphism （SSD）, only have a few been directed toward elucidating its ontogenetic basis. Urodeles are an amphibian group in which the direction and degree of SSD vary greatly among species. Using demographic data yielded by skeletochronology for 33 urodele species, the current study re- veals a positive across-species correlation between SSD and the sex difference in mean age of adult animals, and the latter in- creases with the corresponding difference in age at maturity; annual growth rate does not differ between the sexes. We conclude that extended longevities in one sex, which is mediated by delayed maturation, would allow it to grow for longer and get larger, with growth rate making a weak contribution to body size. The sex-specific divergence in ontogenetic trajectory might be ex- plained by potentially high growth costs of reproduction to females in association with stronger fecundity selection, and to males that are expected to experience stronger sexual selection [Current Zoology 59 （1）： 142-150, 2013].展开更多
Aims Intraspecific variation in plant traits has important consequences for individual fitness and herbivore foraging.For plants,trait variability across spatial dimensions is well documented.However,temporal dimensio...Aims Intraspecific variation in plant traits has important consequences for individual fitness and herbivore foraging.For plants,trait variability across spatial dimensions is well documented.However,temporal dimensions of trait variability are less well known,and may be influenced by seasonal differences in growing degree days(GDD),temperature and precipitation.Here,we aim to quantify intraspecific temporal variation in traits and the underlying drivers for four commonly occurring boreal plant species.Methods We sampled the elemental and stoichiometric traits(%C,%N,%P,C:N,C:P,N:P)of four common browse species'foliage across 2 years.Using a two-step approach,we first fitted generalized linear models(GzLM,n=24)to the species'elemental and stoichiometric traits,and tested if they varied across years.When we observed evidence for temporal variability,we fitted a second set of GzLMs(n=8)with temperature,productivity and moisture as explanatory variables.Important Findings We found no evidence of temporal variation for most of the elemental and stoichiometric traits of our four boreal plants,with two exceptions.Year was an important predictor for percent carbon across all four species(R^(2)=0.47-0.67)and for multiple elemental and stoichiometric traits in balsam fir(5/8,R2=0.29-0.67).Thus,variation in percent carbon was related to interannual differences,more so than nitrogen and phosphorus,which are limiting nutrients in the boreal forest.These results also indicate that year may explain more variation in conifers'stoichiometry than for deciduous plants due to life history differences.GDD was the most frequently occurring variable in the second round of models(8/8 times,R^(2)=0.21-0.41),suggesting that temperature is an important driver of temporal variation in these traits.展开更多
文摘The present review aims to illustrate the strategies that are being implemented to regenerate or bioengineer livers for clinical purposes.There are two general pathways to liver bioengineering and regeneration.The first consists of creating a supporting scaffold,either synthetically or by decellularization of human or animal organs,and seeding cells on the scaffold,where they will mature either in bioreactors or in vivo.This strategy seems to offer the quickest route to clinical translation,as demonstrated by the development of liver organoids from rodent livers which were repopulated with organ specific cells of animal and/or human origin.Liver bioengineering has potential for transplantation and for toxicity testing during preclinical drug development.The second possibility is to induce liver regeneration of dead or resected tissue by manipulating cell pathways.In fact,it is well known that the liver has peculiar regenerative potential which allows hepatocyte hyperplasia after amputation of liver volume.Infusion of autologous bone marrow cells,which aids in liver regeneration,into patients was shown to be safe and to improve their clinical condition,but the specific cells responsible for liver regeneration have not yet been determined and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.A complete understanding of the cell pathways and dynamics and of the functioning of liver stem cell niche is necessary for the clinical translation of regenerative medicine strategies.As well,it will be crucial to elucidate the mechanisms through which cells interact with the extracellular matrix,and how this latter supports and drives cell fate.
基金supported by NSF grants IBN-02180005 to Caroly Shumway (CAS) and IBN-021795 to Hans Hofmann (HAH)a German-American Research Networking Program grant to CAS and HAH+1 种基金the New England Aquarium to CASthe Bauer Center for Genomics Research to HAH
文摘In this review, I explore the effects of both social organization and the physical environment, specifically habitat complexity, on the brains and behavior of highly visual African cichlid fishes, drawing on examples from primates and birds where appropriate. In closely related fishes from the monophyletic Ectodinii clade of Lake Tanganyika, both forces influence cichlid brains and behavior. Considering social influences first, visual acuity differs with respect to social organization （monogamy versus polygyny）. Both the telencephalon and amygdalar homologue, area Dm, are larger in monogamous species. Monogamous species are found to have more vasotocin-immunoreactive cells in the preoptic area of the brain. Habitat complexity also influences brain and behavior in these fishes. Total brain size, telencephalic and cerebellar size are positively correlated with habitat complexity. Visual acuity and spatial memory are enhanced in cichlids living in more complex environments. However habitat complexity and social forces affect cichlid brains differently. Taken together, our field data and plasticity data suggest that some of the species-specific neural effects of habitat complexity could be the consequence of the corresponding social correlates. Environmental forces, however, exert a broader effect on brain structures than social ones do, suggesting allometric expansion of the brain structures in concert with brain size and/or co-evolntion of these structures [Current Zoology 56 （1）： 144-156, 2010].
基金supported by grants from the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission(NO.13490503600)National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO.31171004)
文摘Growing literature has demonstrated that exercise may be an effective prevention and treatment option for drug addiction. In the past few years, many studies have suggested that there were sex differences in all phases of drug addiction. However, very limited research has investigated sex differences in the effectiveness of exercise intervention in drug addiction and rehabilitation. In this mini review, we summarize the effect of sex on the results of using exercise to prevent and treat drug addiction. The studies we consider span various animal models and use multiple types of exercise to examine the effectiveness of exercise on the neurobiological mechanism of exercise rehabilitation. We believe that exercise as an adjuvant intervention strategy can be applied better in drug addiction prevention and recovery. Copyright 2014, Shanghai University of Sport. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
文摘Why do two sexes of the same species differ in body size holds a long-standing question of evolutionary biology. While many across-species comparisons have focused on ultimate causes behind sexual size dimorphism （SSD）, only have a few been directed toward elucidating its ontogenetic basis. Urodeles are an amphibian group in which the direction and degree of SSD vary greatly among species. Using demographic data yielded by skeletochronology for 33 urodele species, the current study re- veals a positive across-species correlation between SSD and the sex difference in mean age of adult animals, and the latter in- creases with the corresponding difference in age at maturity; annual growth rate does not differ between the sexes. We conclude that extended longevities in one sex, which is mediated by delayed maturation, would allow it to grow for longer and get larger, with growth rate making a weak contribution to body size. The sex-specific divergence in ontogenetic trajectory might be ex- plained by potentially high growth costs of reproduction to females in association with stronger fecundity selection, and to males that are expected to experience stronger sexual selection [Current Zoology 59 （1）： 142-150, 2013].
基金This research was funded by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Forest Science Innovation(CFSI)Memorial University of Newfoundland SEEDS funding to S.J.L.,E.V.W.and Y.F.W.+3 种基金Mitacs Accelerate Grant to Y.F.W.,S.J.L.and E.V.W.Canada Foundation for Innovation funding to Y.F.W.(13025)the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(Discovery Grant RGPIN-2015-05799 to Y.F.W.)In-kind support was provided by Parks Canada-Terra Nova National Park and the CFSI,with thanks to Janet Feltham and Blair Adams.
文摘Aims Intraspecific variation in plant traits has important consequences for individual fitness and herbivore foraging.For plants,trait variability across spatial dimensions is well documented.However,temporal dimensions of trait variability are less well known,and may be influenced by seasonal differences in growing degree days(GDD),temperature and precipitation.Here,we aim to quantify intraspecific temporal variation in traits and the underlying drivers for four commonly occurring boreal plant species.Methods We sampled the elemental and stoichiometric traits(%C,%N,%P,C:N,C:P,N:P)of four common browse species'foliage across 2 years.Using a two-step approach,we first fitted generalized linear models(GzLM,n=24)to the species'elemental and stoichiometric traits,and tested if they varied across years.When we observed evidence for temporal variability,we fitted a second set of GzLMs(n=8)with temperature,productivity and moisture as explanatory variables.Important Findings We found no evidence of temporal variation for most of the elemental and stoichiometric traits of our four boreal plants,with two exceptions.Year was an important predictor for percent carbon across all four species(R^(2)=0.47-0.67)and for multiple elemental and stoichiometric traits in balsam fir(5/8,R2=0.29-0.67).Thus,variation in percent carbon was related to interannual differences,more so than nitrogen and phosphorus,which are limiting nutrients in the boreal forest.These results also indicate that year may explain more variation in conifers'stoichiometry than for deciduous plants due to life history differences.GDD was the most frequently occurring variable in the second round of models(8/8 times,R^(2)=0.21-0.41),suggesting that temperature is an important driver of temporal variation in these traits.
