Influence of corn, Zea mays, phenological stages in Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lep. Crambidae) oviposition

Diatraea saccharalis F. is a major pest to maize, sorghum and sugarcane crops in Latin America and the most damaging insect pest of maize in Argentina. Female moths lay their eggs on lower and upper sides of leaves and sheaths of corn plants. Oviposition behaviour of different species of corn stem borers is influenced by host plant phenology in different ways. Host pubescence affects oviposition behaviour in different species of caterpillars. Oviposition preferences for phenological stages, leaf surface and vertical distribution in corn plants were investigated. Corn plots of 120 m2 were sown with a Pioneer pubescent cultivar in six planting dates, each one replicated three times according to a completely randomized design. Throughout the season 14 samplings were carried out, during which plants were randomly chosen within each of the six treatments and exhaustively examined in order to count the number of egg masses and their location in the leaf surface and in the vertical structure of the plant. Diatraea saccharalis preferred laying their eggs on the lower sides of leaves located in the middle stratum of corn plants whose phenological stages were older than V10. Our study suggests that attention should be paid to the influence of crop phenological stage in the location of egg masses in futures studies, as oviposition preference can change through plant maturation.Fil: More, Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Trumper, E. V.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Córdoba. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Manfredi; ArgentinaFil: Prola, M. J.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Córdoba. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Manfredi; Argentin

Pazopanib and trametinib as a synergistic strategy against osteosarcoma: Preclinical activity and molecular insights

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) inhibitors’ activity in advanced osteosarcoma is significant but short-lived. To prevent or at least delay drug resistance, we explored a vertical inhibition by combining drugs acting at different levels of the RTK pathways (pazopanib + trametinib). We studied pazopanib + trametinib antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo (MNNG-HOS and KHOS xenografts in NOD/SCID mice) investigating the molecular mechanisms and potential escapes. The involvement of MAPK-PI3K pathways was validated by Nanostring technology, western blot and by silencing/overexpression experiments. Pazopanib targets were expressed on seven osteosarcoma cell lines and their pathways were activated. Pazopanib + trametinib exhibited synergistic antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting ERK1/2 and Akt. In vivo antitumor activity was shown in osteosarcoma-bearing mice. The drug combination significantly down-modulated RTK Ephrin Type-A Receptor 2 (EphA2) and Interleukin-7 Receptor (IL-7R), whereas induced mitogen-activated protein-kinase kinase (MAPKK) MEK6. EphA2 silencing significantly reduced osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration, while impeding MEK6 up-regulation in the treated cells significantly increased the antitumor effect of the studied drugs. Moreover, the up-regulation of MEK6 reduced combination activity. Pazopanib + trametinib demonstrated synergistic antitumor effects in osteosarcoma models through ERK and Akt inhibition and EphA2 and IL-7R down-modulation. MEK6 up-regulation might evoke escaping mechanism

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Réponses de PME à l'initiative d'une organisation territoriale pour la promotion de la RSE. Une opération animée par le Parc Naturel Régional du Livradois-Forez (Auvergne, France)

International audienceCe papier a pour objet de présenter l'analyse des perceptions et comportements des chefs d'entreprise de PME industrielles à l'égard non seulement de la RSE, mais aussi à l'égard de cette démarche spécifique initiée et animée par un acteur territorial, le PNR du Livradois-Forez, en faveur de la diffusion de cette RSE. Cette démarche de promotion de la RSE est baptisée DERSELF pour « développement de la responsabilité sociétale des entreprises du Livradois-Forez ». Sa conception par le PNR , acteur territorial, s'appuyait sur deux hypothèses : 1- la RSE est bonne pour le développement du territoire et 2- pour promouvoir et renforcer la RSE il y a un intérêt à renforcer les relations inter-entreprises dans une approche territoriale. L'étude repose sur une enquête auprès de 16 chefs d'entreprises