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Background Sugarcane cultivars are polyploid interspecific hybrids of giant genomes, typically with 10–13 sets of chromosomes from 2 Saccharum species. The ploidy, hybridity, and size of the genome, estimated to have >10 Gb, pose a challenge for sequencing. Results Here we present a gene space assembly of SP80-3280, including 373,869 putative genes and their potential regulatory regions. The alignment of single-copy genes in diploid grasses to the putative genes indicates that we could resolve 2–6 (up to 15) putative homo(eo)logs that are 99.1% identical within their coding sequences. Dissimilarities increase in their regulatory regions, and gene promoter analysis shows differences in regulatory elements within gene families that are expressed in a species-specific manner. We exemplify these differences for sucrose synthase (SuSy) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), 2 gene families central to carbon partitioning. SP80-3280 has particular regulatory elements involved in sucrose synthesis not found in the ancestor Saccharum spontaneum. PAL regulatory elements are found in co-expressed genes related to fiber synthesis within gene networks defined during plant growth and maturation. Comparison with sorghum reveals predominantly bi-allelic variations in sugarcane, consistent with the formation of 2 “subgenomes” after their divergence ∼3.8–4.6 million years ago and reveals single-nucleotide variants that may underlie their differences. Conclusions This assembly represents a large step towards a whole-genome assembly of a commercial sugarcane cultivar. It includes a rich diversity of genes and homo(eo)logous resolution for a representative fraction of the gene space, relevant to improve biomass and food production.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of stirred-type skim milk probiotic yogurt fortified by partially replacing skim milk powder (SMP) with whey protein concentrate (WPC) and sodium caseinate (Na-CN) during cold storage for 28 d compared with nonfortified yogurt. The rheological properties (as measured using dynamic oscillation) and sensory profiles of probiotic yogurts were greatly enhanced when SMP (i.e., 45%) was replaced with WPC and Na-CN. Higher values of mechanical parameters related to storage and loss modulus and consistent microstructure were found in the fortified yogurts. The acidification profile was not affected by supplementation of the solids in the milk base, and the viable counts of probiotic microbiota were high and satisfactory. These positive characteristics of probiotic yogurts were maintained until the end of the storage period. The microstructure of the fortified yogurt showed some differences compared with the nonfortified product, which were due to changes in chemical composition of the milk base in addition to the colloidal characteristics of the product.

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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most lethal brain tumour, and these tumours have very limited treatment options. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are considered as candidates for advanced cell therapies, due to their tropism towards GBM, possibly affecting their malignancy, thus also representing a potential therapeutic vector. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effects of bone-marrow-derived versus adipose-tissue-derived MSC (BM-/AT-MSC) on heterogeneous populations of tumour cells. This cells’ interplay was addressed by the in-vitro two-dimensional (monolayer) and three-dimensional (spheroid) co-culture models, using U87 and U373 GBM cell lines, expressing genotypically different mesenchymal transcriptome profiles. U87 cell low mesenchymal profile expressed high levels of kinin receptor 1 (B1R) and their invasion was greatly enhanced by the B1R agonist des-Arg9-bradykinin upon BM-MSC co-culturing in 3D co-cultures. This correlated to significantly higher cell-cell interactions in U87/BM-MSC mixed spheroids. This was not observed with the U373 cells and not in AT-MSC co-cultures. Altogether, these data support the on-going exploration of B1R as target for adjuvant approach in GBM therapy. Secondly, the results emphasize the need for further careful exploration of the selectivity regarding the origin of MSC as potential candidates for cell therapies, particular in cancer, where they may adversely affect heterogeneous tumour cell populations.

Recently, increased demand for low‐calorie products and foods with alternative sweeteners has gained special attention. Intense sweeteners avoid the problems of health risks associated with caloric sweeteners. This paper presents information about the technical characteristics of the more widely used artificial sweeteners and the possibility of their application in low‐calorie yogurts.

The most aggressive subtype of brain tumors is glioma WHO grade IV, the glioblastoma (GBM). The present work aims to elucidate the role of kinin receptors in interactions between GBM cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The GBM cell line U87-MG was stably transfected to express dsRed protein, single cell cloned, expanded, and cultured with MSC, both in the direct co-cultures (DC) and indirect co-cultures (IC) at equal cell number ratio for 72 h. Up-and down-regulation of matrix metalloproteases (MMP)29 expression in U87-MG and MSC cells, respectively, in direct coculture points to possible MSC participation in tumor invasion. MMP9 expression is in line with significantly increased expression of kinin B1 (B1R) and B2 receptor (B2R) in U87-MG cells and their decreased levels in MSC, as confirmed by quantitative assessment using flow cytometric analysis. Similarly, in indirect cultures (IC), lacking the contact between GBM and MSC cells, an increase of B1 and B2 receptor expression was again noted in U87-MG cells, and no significant changes in kinin receptors in MSC was observed. Functionality of kinin-B1 and B2 receptors was evidenced by stimulation of intracellular calcium fluxes by their respective agonists, des-Arg9-bradykinin (DBK) and bradykinin (BK). Moreover, BK showed a feedback control on kinin receptor expression in mono-cultures, direct and indirect co-cultures. The treatment with BK resulted in down-regulation of B1 and B2 receptors in MSC, with simultaneous upregulation of these receptors in U87-MG cells, suggesting that functions of BK in information flow between these cells is important for tumor progression and invasion. V C International Society for Advancement of CytometryKey terms Bradykinin; kinin-B1 receptor; kinin-B2 receptor; glioblastoma; bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells; direct and indirect cell co-culture GLIOMAS, although classified as a rare neoplastic disease, are still the most frequent brain tumors and their most malignant form (WHO stage IV astrocytoma). Glioblastoma (GBM) has an average postoperative survival of only 14.6 or 12.1 months when treated with radio-and chemo-therapy (temozolomide) or with radiotherapy alone, respectively (1). The major characteristic of these tumors is the high infiltration rate of single cells, the so called "guerrilla" cells into the brain parenchyma, even several cm away from the bulk tumor mass. These cells are hard to target by conventional therapies. In view of that, the development of novel therapeutic strategies for successful GBM treatment targeting tumor invasiveness has turned into an aim of priority.

The organic acids profile, sugar metabolism and biomass growth of Streptococcus thermophilus (St) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bl) have been studied in pure cultures or binary co-culture (St–Bl) in skim milk either containing 40 mg/g of inulin or not. With inulin, the time required by St, Bl and St–Bl to complete fermentation (i.e., when the pH reached 4.5) was about 14, 8 and 49% shorter than without inulin, respectively. This prebiotic also enhanced the levels of lactic and acetic acids and volatile compounds, showing a positive synbiotic effect between pre- and probiotics. In particular, the St–Bl co-culture showed final concentrations of both microorganisms about 15 and 38% higher than in their respective pure cultures, thus highlighting a clear synergistic effect between these microorganisms due to mutual interactions. In addition, the well-known bifidogenic effect of inulin was confirmed