A genetic screen based on in vivo RNA imaging reveals centrosome-independent mechanisms for localizing gurken transcripts in Drosophila

We have screened chromosome arm 3L for ethyl methanesulfonate-induced mutations that disrupt localization of fluorescently labeled gurken (grk) messenger (m)RNA, whose transport along microtubules establishes both major body axes of the developing Drosophila oocyte. Rapid identification of causative mutations by single-nucleotide polymorphism recombinational mapping and whole-genomic sequencing allowed us to define nine complementation groups affecting grk mRNA localization and other aspects of oogenesis, including alleles of elg1, scaf6, quemao, nudE, Tsc2/gigas, rasp, and Chd5/Wrb, and several null alleles of the armitage Piwi-pathway gene. Analysis of a newly induced kinesin light chain allele shows that kinesin motor activity is required for both efficient grk mRNA localization and oocyte centrosome integrity. We also show that initiation of the dorsoanterior localization of grk mRNA precedes centrosome localization, suggesting that microtubule self-organization contributes to breaking axial symmetry to generate a unique dorsoventral axis

Acute effects of static stretching on hip flexor and quadriceps flexibility, range of motion and foot speed in kicking a football

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of static stretching in a warm-up on hip flexor and quadriceps flexibility as measured by a modified Thomas test and on range of motion (ROM) of the leg and foot speed at impact in kicking a football with maximum effort. Sixteen Australian Rules (AR) footballers performed two different warm-ups on different days. One warm-up involved five minutes of sub-maximum running followed by seven practice kicks, while the other also included 4.5 minutes static stretching of the hip flexors and quadriceps after the running. A modified Thomas test was conduced before and after each warm-up. Players performed maximum effort drop punt kicks into a net while being videotaped to determine the ROM of the kicking leg and foot speed at impact with the ball. There were no significant changes in flexibility (p > 0.05) as a result of either warm-up and there were no significant differences between the warm-ups in the kicking variables (p > 0.05). It was concluded that the Thomas test may not have been sensitive to possible acute changes in flexibility from the warm-ups, and that stretching had no influence on kicking ROM or foot speed, possibly because of the complexity of the kicking skill

Relationship between a modified Thomas test and leg range of motion in Australian-rules football kicking

Context: Flexibility tests are sometimes thought to be related to range of motion in dynamic activities, but such a relationship remains to be determined. Objective: To determine the correlation between flexibility and hip and knee angles in Australian football kicking. Design: Correlation. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Participants: 16 Australian Rules football players. Main Outcome Measures: Hip and knee angles of the preferred kicking leg in a relaxed position were determined with a modified Thomas test. Maximum hip extension, the knee-flexion angle in this position, the maximum knee-flexion angle, and the hip angle at this position during the swing phase of maximum-effort drop-punt kicks were determined. Results: Significant correlations were found between hip flexibility and maximum hip extension (r =.65, P < .01) and hip angle at the maximum knee-flexion angle (r = .70, P < .01). Conclusions: The data indicate a moderate association between hip flexibility and hip angles during kicking

Ultrasound morphology of carotid plaque and its link with lipid: protein content and 3d microstructure of the plaque.

the 22nd Meeting of the European Society of Neurosonology and Cerebral Hemodynamics (ESNCH), 19-21 May 2017. Berlin, Germany, and published in the International Journal of Stroke 12(1S): 57 (Poster 101), May 2017. ISSN: 1747-4930, eISSN: 1747-4949

Molecular determinants of a competent bovine corpus luteum: first vs final wave dominant follicles

Reproductive management in cattle requires the synchrony of follicle development and oestrus before insemination. However, ovulation of follicles that have not undergone normal physiological maturation can lead to suboptimal luteal function. Here, we investigated the expression of a targeted set of 47 genes in (a) a first-wave vs final-wave dominant follicle (DF; the latter destined to ovulate spontaneously) and (b) 6-day-old corpora lutea (CLs) following either spontaneous ovulation or induced ovulation of a first-wave DF to ascertain their functional significance for competent CL development. Both the mass and progesterone-synthesising capacity of a CL formed following induced ovulation of a first-wave DF were impaired. These impaired CLs had reduced expression of steroidogenic enzymes (e.g. STAR and HSD3B1), luteotrophic receptors (LHCGR) and angiogenic regulators (e.g. VEGFA) and increased expression of BMP2 (linked to luteolysis). Relative to final-wave DFs, characteristic features of first-wave DFs included reduced oestradiol concentrations and a reduced oestradiol:progesterone ratio in the face of increased expression of key steroidogenic enzymes (i.e. CYP11A1, HSD3B1 and CYP19A1) in granulosa cells and reduced expression of the HDL receptor SCARB1 in thecal cells. Transcripts for further components of the TGF and IGF systems (e.g. INHA, INHBA, IGF2R and IGFBP2) varied between the first- and final-wave DFs. These results highlight the importance of hormones such as progesterone interacting with local components of both the TGF and IGF systems to affect the maturation of the ovulatory follicle and functional competency of the subsequent CL

Bace1-dependent amyloid processing regulates hypothalamic leptin sensitivity in obese mice

We thank AstraZeneca for providing AZ-4217, Mark Smith (Imperial College, London) and Yuchio Yanagawa (Gunma University, Maebashi) for VGlut2-GFP and GAD67-GFP tissue, respectively. This work was funded by Medical Research Council (MR/K003291/1), Diabetes UK (12/0004458), British Heart Foundation (PG/15/44/31574) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council CASE (with AstraZeneca) award (BB/I015663/1) to MLJA and by a grant to LKH from the Wellcome Trust (WT098012).Peer reviewe