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Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology


Superfood for Mesozoic herbivores? Emerging data on extreme digestibility of equisetum and implications for young, growing herbivorous sauropods

A study by Carole Gee and colleagues confirms equisetum's importance as a digestible and nutritious food source for herbivorous dinosaurs in Mesozoic times. The researchers found that young and growing sauropods, which require rapid growth, would have relied on equisetum as a major food source.

The FASEB Journal: DNA repair gene linked to male infertility

A recent animal study published in The FASEB Journal found that a deficiency of the DNA repair gene XRCC1 leads to impaired spermatogenesis and infertility in male mice. The researchers observed lower sperm concentration and motility, as well as disrupted stemness, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in XRCC1-knockout mice.

FASEB Journal: Study shows offspring response to maternal diet and male hormone

A novel study found sex-specific responses to maternal diet and androgen excess in animal offspring, with female offspring developing anxiety-like behavior due to maternal androgen exposure. Male offspring were unaffected by maternal androgens but displayed anxiety-like behavior on a high-fat-high-sucrose diet.

CRF1 stress receptor is regulator of mast cell activity during stress

A new study identified CRF1 as a master regulator of mast cell activity during stressful challenges, including psychological stress and anaphylaxis. The study showed that mice lacking CRF1 expression were protected against disease, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for treating stress-related diseases.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateNov 30, 2017

Scratching the surface of mature monocytes...and coming up with CXCR7

A new study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology has identified a novel therapeutic target to reduce brain inflammation in diseases like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's. Mature monocytes have been found to express CXCR7 receptor on their surface, which may be used to block inflammation and HIV infection in the brain.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateNov 3, 2017

In utero exposure to diesel exhaust could be linked to adult heart failure

A new study published in The FASEB Journal reveals that gestational exposure to diesel exhaust can modify DNA in the developing embryo and increase susceptibility to adult heart failure. Researchers identified specific gene expression effects and DNA methylation changes that may play a role in mediating adult sensitivity to heart failure.