Eggshell colouration is thought to function as a female-specific secondary sexual trait. While tests of this idea are rapidly accumulating in cavity-nesting birds, some fundamental underlying assumptions remain rarely investigated: namely, can males see eggshell coloration and perceive colour differences between the eggs of different females? We tested these two key assumptions in a natural pop...

Diphyllobothrium latum infection in human is not common in China and only 15 cases have been reported since 1927. We document a case of Diphyllobothrium latum infection caused by the ingestion of raw fish in a 23-year-old woman in Dalian (Liaoning Province), and diphyllobothriasis latum in China is briefly reviewed. The patient experienced abdominal discomfort for about 6 months with a history ...

metformin has recently been introduced as an anti-cancer agent. in this study, we evaluated the effect of metformin and metformin/cisplatin on human gastric mkn-45 cell line. when we used metformin alone, it could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis, but it diminish anti-proliferative effects of cisplatin when they are used in combination. further, we checked mrna levels of survivin, mto...

Brown eggs are popular in many countries and consumers regard eggshell brownness as an important indicator of egg quality. However, the potential regulatory proteins and detailed molecular mechanisms regulating eggshell brownness have yet to be clearly defined. In the present study, we performed quantitative proteomics analysis with iTRAQ technology in the shell gland epithelium of hens laying ...

The eggshell serves as a depository for proteins that play an important role in early embryonic development. In particular, the Drosophila eggshell is responsible for transferring asymmetries from the egg chamber to specify the regions at both ends of the embryo through the uneven activation of the Torso (Tor) receptor in its membrane. This process relies on the restricted expression of the gen...

The role of avian eggshell matrix proteins in shell formation is poorly understood. This calcitic biomaterial forms in a uterine fluid where the protein composition varies during the initial, calcification, and terminal phases of eggshell deposition. A specific antibody was raised to a 116-kDa protein, which is most abundant in uterine fluid during active eggshell calcification. This antiserum ...

Evolutionary hypotheses regarding the function of eggshell phenotypes, from solar protection through mimicry, have implicitly assumed that eggshell appearance remains static throughout the laying and incubation periods. However, recent research demonstrates that egg coloration changes over relatively short, biologically relevant timescales. Here, we provide the first evidence that such changes ...

We have conducted a narrative review based on structured search strategy, focusing the effects of metformin progression non-diabetic hyperglycemia to clinical type 2 diabetes mellitus. The principal trials that demonstrated significantly lower incidence in at-risk populations randomized (mostly with impaired glucose tolerance [IGT]) were published mainly from 1999 2012. Metformin reduced 3-year...

In order to understand the effect of Pb-CuI co-doping on the thermoelectric performance 8 of Bi2Te3, n-type Bi2Te3 co-doped with x at% CuI and 1/2x at% Pb (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, and 9 0.10) were prepared via high temperature solid state reaction and consolidated using spark plasma 10 sintering. Electron and thermal transport properties, i.e., electrical conductivity, carrier 11 concent...