Article on new markers of tumor metastasis. The authors found that expression of DP103 was significantly upregulated in the metastatic basal subtype of breast cancers in 3 independent cohorts. This elevated DP103 expression correlated with metastatic breast cancer gene signatures and was strongly associated with patient survival. This study provides the first evidence that the RNA helicase DEAD-box protein DP103 is an NF-kB target that could form part of a positive feedback loop contributing to DP103- mediated regulation of TAK1 kinase activity on the major NF-kB kinase IKK2, thus implicating DP103 in the maintenance of this oncogenic signaling arm in human cancer.

This article measures the cardiac performance of Newfoundland Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). The results: (1) show that maximum performance of the isolated cod heart is not compromised by exposure to cold temperatures; and (2) support data from other studies, which show that, in contrast to salmonids, cod cardiac performance/myocardial contractility is not dependent upon humoral adrenergic stimulation.

Article describes study in which researchers characterized the influence of temperature on arterial acid–base balance and intracellular pH (pHi) in the bimodal-breathing swamp eel, Monopterus albus.

This article communicates the results of a study conducted on red-winged blackbirds where brain phospholipid composition during development was measured and diet was manipulated. The dietary study confirmed that nestling brains are sensitive to fatty acid supply. The findings of this article suggest that Red-winged blackbirds may be able to advance cognitive development relative to other altricial species owing to their aquatic maternal diet.

This article describes a study investigating the maturation of convective oxygen transport in embryos of the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Measurements included: mass, oxygen consumption, heart rate, blood oxygen content and affinity and blood flow distribution at 50%, 70% and 90% of the incubation period.

This article posits that the frequently abrupt environmental changes accompanying much longer-term general climate change require consideration of the true nature of environmental change coupled with an expansion of focus to consider developmental phenotypic plasticity.

This article examining the correlation between pulmonary compliance, lung volume, and lymph flux rates in anurans. The findings of this article suggest that lymph mobilization capacity may explain some of the variation in pulmonary compliance and lung volume in anurans.

This column article discusses the impact of Robert Boutillier and Graham Shelton's 1986 Journal of Experimental Biology paper "Gas exchange, storage and transport in voluntarily diving Xenopus laevis."

Article explores the ‘membrane pacemaker’ hypothesis which proposes a biochemical explanation for among-species variation in resting metabolism, based on the positive correlation between membrane docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and metabolic rate. The authors tested this hypothesis using a novel model, altricial red-winged blackbird nestlings, predicting that the proportion of DHA in muscle and liver membranes should increase with the increasing metabolic rate of the nestling as it develops endothermy. In support of the membrane pacemaker hypothesis, DHA proportions increased in membranes from pectoralis muscle, muscle mitochondria and liver during post-hatch development. By contrast, elevated dietary DHA had no effect on resting metabolic rate, despite causing significant changes to membrane lipid composition.

This article is a study using crude oil as an example of an environmental stressor in adult zebrafish. The offspring obtained were then assessed for transgenerational epigenetic transfer of oil-induced phenotypes. The authors conclude that epigenetic transgenerational inheritance can lead to an immediate and simultaneous inheritance of both beneficial and maladaptive traits in a large proportion of the F1 larvae. The adaptive responses may help fish populations survive when facing transient environmental stressors.

Article describes study which investigated the importance of atrial contraction in filling of the ventricle in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) by bypassing both atria (with the use of ligatures to prevent atrial filling) and measuring the resultant effects on cardiac output in anesthetized animals.

This article is a study investigating the blood flow patterns and heart rate in surfacing and during graded, submerged swimming activity in common snapping turtles. The effects of beta-adrenergic and cholinergic receptor blockade on blood flow and heart rate during these activities are also studied.

Article describes a study in which a novel high-throughput ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method was established to quantify the levels of 19 flavonoids and 15 other phenolic compounds, including acids, aldehydes, and alcohols.

Article shows that the mechanism of anthocyanin and proanthocyanin (PA) accumulation in M. truncatula is different from that in A. thaliana, and provides a new target gene for engineering anthocyanins in plants.

This article reports that in addition to the well-documented functional plasticity of the lingual salt glands, the middle of the three cloacal segments (i.e. the urodaeum) responds to increased ambient salinity to enhance solute-coupled water absorption in estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus).

Article testing the hypothesis that preferential pHi regulation is a widespread strategy of acid–base regulation among fish by measuring pHi regulation in 10 different fish species that are broadly phylogenetically separated, spanning six orders, eight families and 10 genera.

Article exploring how to improve oil production in Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.).

This article is a commentary on coordinated use of methyl marks to remodel both the epigenome and the (epi)cytoskeleton, which opens the possibility for integrated regulation (referred to as ‘epiregulation’) of other higher-level functions, such as muscle contraction or learning and memory, and could even have evolutionary implications.

Article investigating the transgenerational inheritance from both parental lines in zebrafish. Adult zebrafish were separated into female and male groups exposed for 21 days to either a control diet or to a diet containing water accommodated fractions of crude oil. To determine the maternal and paternal influence on their offspring, the authors evaluated responses from molecular to whole organismal levels in both generations.

Article investigating the effect of embryonic hypoxia on the cardiovascular phenotype of 4-year-old American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). The findings indicate that embryonic hypoxia in crocodilians alters the cardiovascular phenotype, changing the juvenile response to acute hypoxia and β-adrenergic stimulation.

Article measuring blood parameters in the left aortae and atria of crocodilians. The findings do not support the hypothesis that a R–L shunt serves to deliver CO2 for the gastrointestinal system after feeding in crocodilians.

Article studying water regulation during hypoxia in euryhaline killifish.

Article describes SERCA activity in the pectoralis muscle and heart ventricle of red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) nestlings, fledglings and adults. Additionally, using a diet manipulation, the authors tested the hypothesis that muscle SERCA activity is affected by dietary fatty acid composition, as has been shown in some previous studies.

This article identifies misconceptions in microbiology held by undergraduate students upon entry into an introductory, general microbiology course.