Interaction between gabaergic and opioid pathways in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion in males

The effects of naloxone infusion given together with an infusion of LRH on gonadotropin secretion, were studied in 6 normal male volunteers before and after pretreatment with the GABA-transaminase inhibitor, valproic acid. In concordance with previous studies, naloxone infusion augmented the LRH-stimulated secretion of LH. Baseline serum LH concentrations were not significantly different after valproic acid pretreatment compared to control values. Similarly, valproic acid pretreatment failed to blunt the naloxone-augmented LRH-stimulated secretion of LH. Our data suggest that the previously reported animal studies on the central suppressive effect of GABA on endogenous LRH release is less prominent than the suppressive effect of opioidergic regulatory mechanisms in the human male.     

The discovery of a new species of Ceranisus from southwestern Turkey

An explorative trip was made to southwesternTurkey in April 1995 in search of pear thrips,Taeniothrips inconsequens (Uzel)(Thysanoptera: Thripidae), and its naturalenemies. Forty-three females and 13 males of apreviously undescribed species of the genusCeranisus Walker (Hymenoptera:Eulophidae) were found, mainly in floweringArbutus andrachne L. Although theparasitoid was found in association withseveral thrips species, but especially T.inconsequens adults and larvae, its host orhosts were not determined. The parasitoid isdescribed and given the name Ceranisusantalyacus S. Triapitsyn.     

Life cycle assessment of Portland cement production in Myanmar

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment - Cement manufacturing is associated with global and local environmental issues. Many studies have employed life cycle assessment (LCA) to...     

Geographical distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil in Myanmar

BackgroundBurkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative bacterium found in soil and water in many tropical countries. It causes melioidosis, a potentially fatal infection first described in 1911 in Myanmar. Melioidosis is a common cause of sepsis and death in South and South-east Asia, but it is rarely diagnosed in Myanmar. We conducted a nationwide soil study to identify areas where B. pseudomallei is present.Methodology/Principal findingsWe collected soil samples from 387 locations in all 15 states and regions of Myanmar between September 2017 and June 2019. At each site, three samples were taken at each of three different depths (30, 60 and 90 cm) and were cultured for B. pseudomallei separately, along with a pooled sample from each site (i.e. 10 cultures per site). We used a negative binomial regression model to assess associations between isolation of B. pseudomallei and environmental factors (season, soil depth, soil type, land use and climate zones). B. pseudomallei was isolated in 7 of 15 states and regions. Of the 387 sites, 31 (8%) had one or more positive samples and of the 3,870 samples cultured, 103 (2.7%) tested positive for B. pseudomallei. B. pseudomallei was isolated more frequently during the monsoon season [RR-2.28 (95% CI: 0.70–7.38)] and less in the hot dry season [RR-0.70 (95% CI: 0.19–2.56)] compared to the cool dry season, and in the tropical monsoon climate zone [RR-2.26; 95% CI (0.21–6.21)] compared to the tropical dry winter climate zone. However, these associations were not statistically significant. B. pseudomallei was detected at all three depths and from various soil types (clay, silt and sand). Isolation was higher in agricultural land (2.2%), pasture land (8.5%) and disused land (5.8%) than in residential land (0.4%), but these differences were also not significant.Conclusion/SignificanceThis study confirms a widespread distribution of B. pseudomallei in Myanmar. Clinical studies should follow to obtain a better picture of the burden of melioidosis in Myanmar.     

Heterogenized polymetallic catalysts Part II. Oxidation of 3,5-di-t-butylphenol by Cu(II), Fe(III) and Pd(II) complexed to a polyphenylene polymer containing ß-di- and triketone surface ligands; an improved catalyst system

Polyphenylene polymer preparation involves the cyclic trimerization polymerization of acetylated methyl benzoate with diacetyl benzene. Since the methyl benzoate groups do not take part in the polymerization they are present in high concentration. The ß-diketone ligands were placed on the surface by reaction of the methylbenzoate group with base and a methyl ketone and the triketone by reaction with base to give the ß-triketone. The ß-triketones can bind two metal ions in a known geometry that is suitable for bimetallic catalysis of the rapid polyelectron oxidation of catechols. The final catalytic surfaces were prepared by treating the chemically modified polymer with copper(II), iron(II) and palladium(II) acetonitrile complexes with non-coordinating BF₄⁻ as the anion. Since the metal ions contain no strongly coordinating ligand, they are very reactive species. These surfaces catalyzed the rapid air oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (DTBC). The diketone surfaces gave only 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-quinone (DTBQ) while the triketone surfaces gave ring-cleaved products, confirming the special catalytic effect of the triketone surface. Also, only the triketone catalysts showed any activity for ring cleavage oxidation of DTBQ. These catalysts were much more reactive than previous ones using the same polyphenylene polymer but without the methyl benzoate groups. With these polymers the di- and triketone groups were placed on the surface by chemical modification of the unpolymerized acetyl groups.     

Effect of willow cultivar and plant age on the melezitose content of giant willow aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus) honeydew

1. The giant willow aphid Tuberolachnus salignus is an invasive pest in New Zealand, attacking over 50 species and hybrids of willow. The aphids produce copious amounts of honeydew, which is used by other insects as a food source.
2. When foraged by honeybees, T. salignus honeydew causes honey to crystallize in the comb and affects bee health; these effects are associated with the elevated melezitose content in the honeydew. The impact of host plant-related factors on T. salignus honeydew melezitose content remains unknown.
3. This study investigated the effect of willow cultivar and plant age on the melezitose content (and that of other sugars) of T. salignus honeydew. To do so, we conducted high-performance liquid chromatography analyses of honeydew samples from 13 willow clones collected in the same season (autumn) from 1- and 2-year old plants under field conditions.
4. Melezitose was the most abundant of the measured sugars in most samples, but its content did not vary significantly with willow cultivar or plant age. By contrast, sucrose was significantly affected by both factors. Fructose and glucose were significantly impacted by willow plant age and cultivar, respectively. A significant cultivar*age interaction was observed for all sugars.
5. We recommend the selection of resistant willow cultivars and further research on potential biocontrol agents to lessen melezitose-related problems in apiculture industries.

     

A methionine-Mettl3-N6-methyladenosine axis promotes polycystic kidney disease

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Experimentelle und histologische Untersuchungen an der Kiemenanlage von Amphibien-embryonen

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