Nutrients, such as glucose and fatty acids, have a dual effect on pancreatic beta-cell function. Acute administration of high glucose concentrations to pancreatic beta-cells stimulates insulin secretion. In addition, short term exposure of this cell type to dietary fatty acids potentiates glucose-induced insulin release. On the other hand, long-term exposure to these nutrients causes impaired insulin secretion, characterized by elevated exocytosis at low concentrations of glucose and no response when glucose increases in the extracellular medium. In addition, other phenotypic changes are observed in these conditions. One major step in linking these phenotypic changes to the diabetic pathology has been the recognition of both glucose and fatty acids as key modulators of beta-cell gene expression. This could explain the adaptative response of the cell to sustained nutrient concentration. Once this phase is exhausted, the beta-cell becomes progressively unresponsive to glucose and this alteration is accompanied by the irreversible induction of apoptotic programs. The aim of this review is to present actual data concerning the development of the toxicity to the main nutrients glucose and fatty acids in the pancreatic beta-cell and to find a possible link to the development of type 2 diabetes.

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Highlights• Presence of Dryocosmus kuriphilus in Northern Spain.• The mycobiota associated to necrotic galls was studied for the first time.• 7 fungal species were identified.• The entomopathogenic fungi found could be use as potential biological control agents.• Gnomomiopsis smithogilvyi, Fusarium oxysporum and F. avenaceum known by their toxicity against the insect, were found. AbstractThe Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW), Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is one of the most important pests in Castanea species worldwide. In 2012, it was found for the first time in Catalonia (Spain) and a year later, in the north of Spain (Cantabria). Today, it is present in 14 Spanish provinces. In search of biological control against the ACGW, several authors have previously found the relationship between the presence of some Fusarium Link species in necrotic galls and wasp mortality due to the production of different types of wall-degrading enzymes and entomopathogenic mycotoxins. The objective of this study was to investigate the mycobiota associated with necrotic galls to find interesting perspectives for biological control of the ACGW. For this purpose, in 2014, 119 necrotic galls of Castanea sativa Miller were plated to isolate and identify the associated fungi. The fungal isolates were identified by the morphology of the fruiting bodies and DNA analyses. From necrotic galls, 7 species of fungi were identified. Of these, we highlight three species of Fusarium Link as well as the presence of Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi Shuttlew, Liew & Guest due to its toxic capacity. Further studies are required to verify the effectiveness of these fungal species as biocontrol agents against the ACGW.

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Behavioural problems in childhood are related to diencephalic structures dysfunction, wich are dependent on dietary Fe, Cu and Zn. Aim: To describe Fe, Cu and Zn differences between cortical (CS) and diencephalic structures (DS) between an Iron deficient diet group (ID) and a Control. Subjects and methods: Two litters of Wistar rats, had her dames submitted to an ID during lactation, or to an standard diet (Control). The ID group, at P21 weaning, remained in the diet until P30. Then they were put down, had their middle fosse brains were separated throughout the white matter in CS and in the DS. These products were homogenised and analysed by atomic absorption. Results for Fe, Cu and Zn in CS and DS were analysed between diet groups (Mann-Whitney test). CS and DS values for Fe, Cu and Zn, were compare in each diet group (Wilcoxon test). Results: The ID-CS-Fe (Medianϭ31.8 mg/g; Lower Boundϭ28.05-Upper Boundϭ33.58) was significantly lower (Uϭ0.000; pϭ0.0001) than Control-CS-Feϭ60.35(58.04-63.75). The ID-DS-Feϭ37.8(34.48-40.24) was significantly lower (Uϭ0.000; pϭ0.0001) than Control-DS-Feϭ63.25(58.39-65.34). The ID-CS-Cuϭ11.5(10.028-13.06) did not show significant differences than the Control-CS-Cuϭ11.7(10.96-12.35). The ID-DS-Cuϭ12.6(12.07-13.68) was significantly higher than the Control-DS-Cuϭ10.9(10.63-11.18) group.). The ID-CS-Znϭ60.2(54-66.8) was significantly lower (Uϭ18.5; pϭ0.015) than the Control-CS-Znϭ67.3(64.9-72.25). The ID-DS-Znϭ51.2(48.64-55.13) did not show significant differences than the Control-DS-Znϭ49.33(46.21-52.56) group. In ID groups Fe and Cu were significantly more abundant in CS than in DS (Fe: Zϭ-2.666; pϭ0.008)(Cu: Zϭ-2.549; pϭ0.011) while Zn did not. In the Control group Fe and Cu did not show statistical differences between CS and DS but Zn did it (Zϭ-2.8; pϭ0.005). Conclusions: 1) Iron deficiency early in rat life induces irregular distribution pattern of iron in middle fosse rat brain. 2) The same dietary deficiency is able to induce Cupper and Zinc content variations in different areas of the brain.