This paper describes the reproductive characteristics of 93 neophytes (alien species introduced after 1500 A.D.) of the flora of the Czech Republic and compares trait values between naturalized invasive and naturalized non-invasive neophytes. Species were sampled and seed collected in the field from multiple localities in the Czech Republic. Traits related to seed production (propagule number per plant and per population), dispersal (propagule size, length/width ratio and weight; buoyancy; epizoochory; terminal velocity) and establishment (germination; seedling relative growth rate; seedling establishment) were measured for each species either in the field, in a common garden experiment or in the laboratory. Invasive species significantly differ from naturalized non-invasive species in propagule length/width ratio (by having lower ratio, i.e. more rounded propagules) and fecundity (invasive species are more fecund, both per individual plant and in terms of the population propagule production). Invasive species have proportionally fewer seedlings establishing in the autumn and better capacity for dispersal by wind than non-invasive species. The results for several traits differ depending on whether or not the effect of phylogeny is included in analytical models. Considering species relatedness expressed as a taxonomic hierarchy, invasive species have lighter propagules and higher population propagule numbers, and marginally significantly differ in producing more propagules per plant and having higher capacity for dispersal bywater.We found that most variation in invasiveness is linked to variation among species within genera. This distribution of relatedness means that predictions of whether a species will become invasive cannot be based on traits of the relatives of the given species at higher taxonomic levels. The distinction made in this paper, i.e. invasive species vs. naturalized but non-invasive species, can potentially contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of traits associated with invasiveness because the crucial transition from the naturalized to invasion stage is rarely addressed in invasion ecology.
Polystomatid monogeneans have a wide diversity of life cycles correlated with the varied ecology and behaviour of their aquatic vertebrate hosts. Typically, transmission involves a swimming infective larva but most hosts are amphibious and invasion is interrupted when hosts leave water. A key life cycle adaptation involves a uterus that, in the most specialised cases, may contain several hundred fully-developed larvae prepared for instant host-to-host transmission. By contrast, one subfamily of the Polystomatidae - the Polystomoidinae, specific to chelonians (freshwater turtles) - has a simplified reproductive system without a uterus. Recently, Polystomoides nelsoni Du Preez et Van Rooyen, 2015 has been described with a uterus containing multiple eggs. The present study explores the exceptional interest of this parasite - for the functional biology of egg production, for the evolution of a reproductive system unique amongst ca 60 species in the subfamily, and for systematic relationships. A new genus is proposed, Uteropolystomoides gen. n., separate from the four currently-recognised genera Polystomoides Ward, 1917, Uropolystomoides Tinsley et Tinsley, 2016, Neopolystoma Price, 1939 and Polystomoidella Price, 1939 which lack a uterus. In addition, U. nelsoni (Du Preez et Van Rooyen, 2015) comb. n. has a suite of distinctive copulatory stuctures: a massive genital bulb with an exceptionally large number of very long genital spines and hyper-development of the vaginal openings. These characters set U. nelsoni apart from all other polystomoidines worldwide except Polystomoides multifalx Stunkard, 1924 and P. stunkardi Harwood, 1931. Missing data for these latter species preclude definitive assessment of inter-relationships but the distinguishing characters of U. nelsoni, especially the unique occurrence of the uterus, suggest a novel evolutionary pathway isolated from other lineages of polystomatids infecting chelonians., Richard C. Tinsley., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The observations of Sunda pangolin reproductive parameters in this paper were based on the wild-caught animals and those that had spent time in captive environments, however, when analyzing the results, we did not consider differences in terms of breeding habits between the two. Still, this research has led to an increase in knowledge of the breeding habits of the Sunda pangolin. Our results suggest that there is no breeding season or season of parturition for the Sunda pangolin, which breeds all year round. We estimated the gestation period in this species to be around six months. Sexual maturity occurred at one year old or as early as six-seven months
old in some individuals, and requires further investigation. Each Sunda pangolin in this study gave birth to one offspring at a time. The sex ratio at birth was 0.875:1 (♀:♂) (n = 15); and the weaning age was estimated at four months with a weight of 1.19 ± 0.50 kg (n = 3), which concurs with recent research. Findings in this study will contribute to future analyses of population dynamics, species conservation, and both in situ and ex situ management of the Sunda pangolin. Despite this contribution, further studies are needed on the reproductive parameters of Sunda pangolin.
Gender-specific reproductive roles are important factors determining sexual dimorphism. Here, we investigate the effects of sex-based differences and reproductive status on the defence of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) against infection by Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev, 1934) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae). Female and male beetles, either virgin or post-copulation, were exposed individually to nematodes. Individuals were then sampled every 12 h, dissected, and checked for the presence of nematodes; we also measured their phenoloxidase (PO) activity. Reproductive status affected resistance to nematodes and PO activity as infected virgin individuals had a higher PO activity and lower mortality than reproducing individuals, with no differences between sexes. Mortality also increased with time, while PO activity did not change. Parasite load was related to reproductive status and sex, with reproducing females with the highest parasite loads in all treatments, and virgin males with more nematodes than sexually active males. Our results indicate that the costs of reproduction impair the immunological system of T. castaneum similarly in both sexes. It is possible, however, that other components of the immunological system that we did not measure, such as lysozyme activity, are impaired by infection with S. feltiae in a sex-specific way., Paulina Kramarz, Dariusz Małek, Maria Gaweł, Szymon M. Drobniak, Joanna Homa., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Účinná léčba nádorových onemocnění často způsobuje trvalou ztrátu reprodukčních schopností pacienta. Jsou představeny moderní ukazatele ovariální rezervy, které mohou v běžné klinické praxi významně pomoci při zhodnocení míry rizika poškození gonadálních buněk v důsledku onkologické léčby. Práce dále popisuje zavedené metody reprodukční ochrany – kryokonzervace embryí a oocytů, kryokonzervace ovariální tkáně včetně možnosti její autotrasplantace a metody ochrany ovariální funkce aplikací analog gonadoliberinu. V diskuzi je pozornost věnována zejména výhodám a limitům popsaných metod ovariální protekce. V závěru jsou formulována stručná doporučení pro konzultace s pacientkami v adolescentním a reprodukčním věku před onkologickou léčbou, která významně ohrožuje jeho fertilitu., Effective treatment of cancer often causes patients irreversible damage of reproductive abilities. Modern markers ovarian reserves are introduced. These clinical examinations can effectively help to evaluate the risk of irreversible damage of gonadal cells done by oncology disease or its curative treatment. The paper describes current oncofertility techiques implemented to clinical practice – embryo and oocyte banking, ovarian tissue cryopreservation including further possibility of its orthotopic autotransplantation and administration of gonadoliberin analogues for ovarian protection. Attention is applied to pro and contras of previously described methods of ovarian protection in the discussion. Brief practical outcomes and recommendations are given for consultation caretakers in adolescent female cancer patients threatened with significant fertility loss., Martin Huser, Igor Crha, Jana Žáková, Pavel Ventruba, and Literatura
Reprogramming of non-endocrine pancreatic cells into
insulin-producing cells represents a promising therapeutic approach for the restoration of endogenous insulin production in diabetic patients. In this paper, we report that human organoid cells derived from the pancreatic tissue can be reprogrammed into the insulin-producing cells (IPCs) by the combination of in vitro transcribed modified mRNA encoding transcription factor neurogenin 3 and small molecules modulating the epigenetic state and signalling pathways. Upon the reprogramming, IPCs formed 4.6 ± 1.2 % of the total cells and expressed typical markers (insulin, glucokinase, ABCC8, KCNJ11, SLC2A2, SLC30A8) and transcription factors (PDX1, NEUROD1, MAFA, NKX2.2, NKX6.1, PAX4, PAX6) needed for the proper function of pancreatic β-cells. Additionally, we have revealed a positive effect of ALK5 inhibitor RepSox on the overall reprogramming efficiency. However, the reprogrammed IPCs possessed only a partial insulin-secretory capacity, as they were not able to respond to the changes in the extracellular glucose concentration by increasing insulin secretion. Based on the achieved results we conclude that due to the
incomplete reprogramming, the IPCs have immature character and only partial properties of native human β-cells. and Corresponding author: Tomas Koblas