Effect of food on development,reproduction and survival ofChiropturopoda bakeri (Acarina: Uropodidae)

Chiropturopoda bakeri Zaher and Afifi was found in organic manure on the farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University at Giza. The duration of its developmental stages, feeding habits and reproduction were determined. Food type greatly affected fecundity and rate of reproduction. Statistical analysis proved that an animal dict (larvae of house and vinegar flies) was more suitable than fungi for increasing reproductive potentiality at 30°C.     

Structure analysis of deleterious nsSNPs in human PALB2 protein for functional inference

Partner and Localizer of BRCA2 or PALB2 is a typical tumor suppressor protein, that responds to DNA double stranded breaks through homologous recombination repair. Heterozygous mutations in PALB2 are known to contribute to the susceptibility of breast and ovarian cancer. However, there is no comprehensive study characterizing the structural and functional impacts of SNPs located in the PALB2 gene. Therefore, it is of interest to document a comprehensive analysis of coding and non-coding SNPs located at the PALB2 loci using in silico tools. The data for 1455 non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) located in the PALB2 loci were retrieved from the dbSNP database. Comprehensive characterization of the SNPs using a combination of in silico tools such as SIFT, PROVEAN, PolyPhen, PANTHER, PhD-SNP, Pmut, MutPred 2.0 and SNAP-2, identified 28 functionally important SNPs. Among these, 16 nsSNPs were further selected for structural analysis using conservation profile and protein stability. The most deleterious nsSNPs were documented within the WD40 domain of PALB2. A general outline of the structural consequences of each variant was developed using the HOPE project data. These 16 mutant structures were further modelled using SWISS Model and three most damaging mutant models (rs78179744, rs180177123 and rs45525135) were identified. The non-coding SNPs in the 3'' UTR region of the PALB2 gene were analyzed for altered miRNA target sites. The comprehensive characterization of the coding and non-coding SNPs in the PALB2 locus has provided a list of damaging SNPs with potential disease association. Further validation through genetic association study will reveal their clinical significance.     

The Salford Lung Study protocol: a pragmatic,randomised phase III real-world effectiveness trial in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

New treatments need to be evaluated in real-world clinical practice to account for co-morbidities, adherence and polypharmacy.

Methods

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ≥40 years old, with exacerbation in the previous 3 years are randomised 1:1 to once-daily fluticasone furoate 100 μg/vilanterol 25 μg in a novel dry-powder inhaler versus continuing their existing therapy. The primary endpoint is the mean annual rate of COPD exacerbations; an electronic medical record allows real-time collection and monitoring of endpoint and safety data.

Conclusions

The Salford Lung Study is the world’s first pragmatic randomised controlled trial of a pre-licensed medication in COPD.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01551758","term_id":"NCT01551758"}}NCT01551758.     

Deciphering the Role of Plant-Derived Smoke Solution in Ameliorating Saline Stress and Improving Physiological,Biochemical, and Growth Responses of Wheat

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Plant-derived smoke (PDS) is an emerging area of interest for research in plant growth during stress conditions. Two wheat varieties (NARC 2011 and NARC 2009)...     

The role of plant-associated rhizobacteria in plant growth,biocontrol and abiotic stress management

The rhizosphere is the region around the plant roots where maximum microbial activities occur. In the rhizosphere, microorganisms' beneficial and harmful activities affect plant growth and development. The mutualistic rhizospheric bacteria which improve plant growth and health are known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). They are very important due to their ability to help the plant in diverse ways. PGPR such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Arthrobacter, Achromobacter, Micrococcus, Enterobacter, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, Pantoea and Serratia are now very well known. Rhizomicrobiome plays critical roles in nutrient acquisition and assimilation, improved soil texture, secreting and modulating extracellular molecules such as hormones, secondary metabolites, antibiotics and various signal compounds, all leading to the enhancement of plant growth and development. The microbes and compounds they secrete constitute valuable biostimulants and play pivotal roles in modulating plant stress responses. In this review, we highlight the rhizobacteria diversity and cutting-edge findings focusing on the role of a PGPR in plant growth and development. We also discussed the role of PGPR in resisting the adverse effects arising from various abiotic (drought, salinity, heat, heavy metals) stresses.     

Effect of prey density on predaceous efficiency and oviposition ofAgistemus exsertus (Acari: Stigmaeidae)

The oviposition and prey consumption rates ofAgistemus exsertus Gonzalez depend on the number of prey available to the predator. The number of eggs laid by the predator female and the consumption ofTetranychus urticae Koch as prey increased with increasing prey density to maximum averages of 2.3 deposited eggs and 5.8 devoured larvae per day at a prey density of 7 larvae. Higher levels of prey decreased predator oviposition and feeding capacity.     

Identification of Major High-Boiling Volatile Compounds Produced During Refrigerated Storage of Haddock Fillets

The two major high-boiling volatile compounds produced during refrigerated storage of haddock fillets were found by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy to be phenethyl alcohol and phenol.     

La potomanie: réévaluation des epreuves d'investigation et présentation inhabituelle avec hydronéphrose et méqavessie

Three cases of compulsive polydipsia previously diagnosed as diabetes insipidus are presented. Abnormally dilated bladder and pyelocalyceal systems were accompanying features, as previously described for diabetes insipidus, particularly of renal orign. Results of the hypertonic saline (Hickey-Hare) test were positive in only one case. Results of restriction of liquids followed by intravenous injection of vasopressin (Miller test) favoured a diagnosis of complete diabetes insipidus. These two tests cannot, therefore, exclude compulsive polydipsia. The features suggesting a diagnosis of compulsive water drinking are low plasma osmolality, a decrease in 24-hour urine output following water restriction, and abnormal behaviour. The diagnosis is confirmed by an 18-hour dehydration test done after gradual fluid restriction, which favours partial restoration of the papillary osmotic gradient.     

Hypoglycémie spontanée et insuffisance rénale chronique.

Although glucose intolerance occurs as a consequence of chronic renal failure, improvement of a diabetic state by deterioration of renal function is a well known phenomenon. Recently occasional cases of spontaneous hypoglycemia in patients with chronic renal failure have been reported; two such cases and the results of metabolic studies are described in this paper. Pituitary, thyroid and adrenal function appeared to be normal. The results of an oral glucose tolerance test were normal; an appropriate insulin response was demonstrated in one patient, and a slightly elevated basal insulin value with a delayed insulin response to oral administration of glucose was demonstrated in the other. An insulin tolerance test did not support the hypothesis of increased insulin sensitivity as a factor, and the growth hormone response to hypoglycemia was normal. An intravenous glucagon test caused a subnormal increase in plasma glucose concentration, and the intravenous administration of tolbutamide produced hypoglycemia without an increase insulin sensitivity as a factor, and the growth hormone response to hypoglycemia was normal. An intravenous glucagon test caused a subnormal increase in plasma glucose concnetration, and the intravenous administration of tolbutamide produced hypoglycemia without an increase in insulin values. The plasma alanine concentration was low and the proinsulin/insulin ratio was increased. The origin of this hypoglycemia is not clear but is probably multifactorial. However, low hepatic glycogen stores and inadequate gluconeogenesis due to substrate deficiency seem to be involved.     

Comparative microscopical study of the gall bladder mucosa.

The gall bladder from 6 Psammophis sibilans, 10 Bufo regularis and 10 Albino mice were extracted and prepared for microscopic examination. It was found that the mucosa of Psammophis sibilans consisted of ovoid and polygonal cells which were occasionally binucleated cells with darkly stained nuclei and occasionally pear-shaped cells with vesicular nuclei and fine processes. These cells were arranged in three layers. Apossible explanation for the different types of cells encountered and their arrangement was given. The gall bladder mucosa of Bufo regularis and Albino mouse were thrown into folds covered with simple columnar epithelium. However, the epithelium of the frog was higher than that of the mouse, with the nuclei situated midway between basement membrane and the lumen. Vacuolated cells were detected in the gall bladder mucosa of the mouse. The significance of the mucosal folds was discussed.