Antidiabetic Potential of Protein Hydrolysates and Peptide Fractions from Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L): An In Vitro Study

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Characterized by uncontrolled, long-term high blood sugar levels, diabetes mellitus affects ever increasing numbers of people worldwide....     

Dispersal and competitive impacts of a third fire ant decapitating fly (Pseudacteon obtusus) established in North Central Florida

Self-sustaining classical biological control agents offer hope for permanent wide-area control of imported Solenopsis fire ants in the United States because escape from abundant natural enemies left behind in Argentina is a likely reason for unusually high fire ant densities in the United States. The fire ant decapitating fly Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae) was released as a biocontrol agent of the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren) in Gainesville, FL because it is a common parasitoid of this ant in Argentina and because it has a higher propensity of attacking fire ants along foraging trails than the two Pseudacteon species previously released. Field surveys of a rapidly expanding P. obtusus population (8–12 km/yr) proved that this fly was capable of thriving and successfully competing with the much more abundant Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier. However, Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, the first decapitating fly released, was effectively excluded from most sample sites when faced with competition from both P. curvatus and the similar-sized P. obtusus. Despite clear evidence for competitive exclusion, P. tricuspis abundance at sample sites was positively correlated with the abundance of its two competitors—probably because of moderate to strong covariability in the suitability of sample sites for all three congeners. The addition of P. curvatus, the second parasitoid released, increased total parasitism pressure on fire ant populations by about 10-fold. The addition of P. obtusus, the third species, did not measurably improve total guild parasitism rates on imported fire ants in North Central Florida (as assessed by roadside trap counts), but the performance of this species will likely vary with habitat, region, and climate.     

An electromyographic analysis of two handwriting grasp patterns

BackgroundHandwriting is a fundamental skill needed for the development of daily-life activities during lifetime and can be performed using different forms to hold the writing object. In this study, we monitored the sEMG activity of trapezius, biceps brachii, extensor carpi radialis brevis and flexor digitorum superficialis during a handwriting task with two groups of subjects using different grasp patterns.Subjects and methodsTwenty-four university students (thirteen males and eleven females; mean age of 22.04 ± 2.8 years) were included in this study. We randomly invited 12 subjects that used the Dynamic Tripod grasp and 12 subjects that used the Static Tripod grasp.ResultsThe static tripod group showed statistically significant changes in the sEMG activity of trapezium and biceps brachii muscles during handwriting when compared to dynamic tripod group’s subjects. No significant differences were found in extensor carpi radialis brevis and flexor digitorum superficialis activities among the two groups.ConclusionThe findings in this study suggest an increased activity of proximal muscles among subjects using a transitional grasp, indicating potential higher energy expenditure and muscular harm with the maintenance of this motor pattern in handwriting tasks, especially during the progression in academic life.     

The insect trace fossil Tonganoxichnus from the middle Pennsylvanian of Indiana: Paleobiologic and paleoenvironmental implications

The ichnogenus Tonganoxichnus, produced by one or more monuran insect taxa, is now recorded from the Middle Pennsylvanian Mansfield Formation of Indiana. Tonganoxichnus is a resting trace that has three important implications. First, it represents a recurrent behavioral pattern in Upper Carboniferous to Lower Permian marginal marine environments of North America. Second, it provides finely resolved anatomical information for axial and appendicular body structures and behaviors that are difficult to determine from body‐fossil material alone. Third, integrated sedimentologic and ichnologic observations indicate that the Tonganoxichnus assemblage, inclusive of other ichnotaxa, is common in tidal rhythmites that were developed under freshwater conditions, probably in the innermost part of estuarine systems, close to or at the fluvioestuarine transition.     

Nighttime Sugar Starvation Orchestrates Gibberellin Biosynthesis and Plant Growth in Arabidopsis

A plant’s eventual size depends on the integration of its genetic program with environmental cues, which vary on a daily basis. Both efficient carbon metabolism and the plant hormone gibberellin are required to guarantee optimal plant growth. Yet, little is known about the interplay between carbon metabolism and gibberellins that modulates plant growth. Here, we show that sugar starvation in Arabidopsis thaliana arising from inefficient starch metabolism at night strongly reduces the expression of ent-kaurene synthase, a key regulatory enzyme for gibberellin synthesis, the following day. Our results demonstrate that plants integrate the efficiency of photosynthesis over a period of days, which is transduced into a daily rate of gibberellin biosynthesis. This enables a plant to grow to a size that is compatible with its environment.     

The effects of age,energy and protein intake on protein turnover and the expression of proteolysis-related genes in the broiler breeder hen

A study was conducted to determine the changes that occur to proteolysis and related genes due to age, protein, and energy intake in high-yield broiler breeder hens (Gallus gallus). Cobb 700 broiler breeders were randomly assigned to one of six diets in a 2 × 3 factorial fashion. Two levels of energy (390 and 450 kcal/day) and three levels of protein (22, 24, and 26 g CP/day) were utilized. Protein turnover was determined in the left pectoralis at 22, 26, 31 and 44 weeks. Relative mRNA expression of calpain 2 (CAPN2), proteasome C2 subunit (PSMA1), and F box protein 32 (FBXO32) were determined via RT-PCR at 20, 25, and 44 weeks. Contrasts indicate fractional synthesis rate (FSR) and FBXO32 increase to a maximum at 25–26 weeks and a decrease thereafter. A significant drop in PSMA1 and FBXO32 was observed between 25 and 44 weeks and matched the decrease observed in FBR. No differences were detected in the levels of fractional synthesis and degradation, or the expression of CAPN2, PSMA1, and FBXO32, due to protein or energy intake. In summary, protein turnover was upregulated during the transition into sexual maturity and decreased thereafter. The observed changes in degradation appeared to be mediated by the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway.     

I piani di vegetazione in Italia

Abstract

Vertical zonation of vegetation in Italy. – A revision of the scientific terms used by Italian botanists for the vertical zonation of vegetation reveals some inconsistencies and allows to propose an alignement with the nomenclature used in English and proposed already during the International Botanical Congress of 1910: Belt (ital.: fascia) for the topographical zonation and zone (ital.: zona) for the geographical zonation. Italy belongs to two zones: the mediterranean and the medioeuropean one. A scheme of vegetation belts in both of the zones is proposed. The indications subalpine and montane are substituted by boreal and subatlantic.     

Un'Ipotesi Sull'Evoluzione dei Limonium del Bacino del Mediterraneo

Abstract

A hypothesis on the evolution of Limonium species in the Mediterranean area. — The chromosomic somatic number of 27 species and 2 hybrids belonging to the genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) of several Mediterranean regions (Spain, France, Tuscany, Sardinia, Sicily) and Canarian Islands are here determined on wild populations. Keeping into account 10 data previously determined by other Authors, the chromosomic number is now known for more than 1/3 of the species occurring in West Europe and Mediterranean.

This allows to formulate a hypothesis on the group's evolution: from some diploid species living on inner rocks (Felsenheide) or sea cliffs and having a very restricted area, tetraploid races living on sandy shores had developped, which expanded afterwards on the whole Mediterranean area, and finally by hybridations giving rise to triploids.

Ecology and areal dimension of triploid species are generally intermediate between those of diploids and tetraploids; in some cases there is an apparent tendency to fragmentation into local forms, sometimes joined with apomictic reproduction.     

L'evoluzione Delle Piante Vascolari dal Terziario ad Oggi

Abstract

The evolution of vascular plants from tertiary up to date. — The Author explains some modern views on the evolution of plants derived chiefly by the latest progresses in biosystematics. The principal mechanisms of evolution are analysed, particularly the orthogenesis is discussed: it seems supported by some important evidences. The introduction of modern research methods in taxonomy allowed to recognise a great number of new taxa, but we are still far from a complete knowledge even of the European flora. So we can expect in future further interesting results.     

A phase Ib multiple ascending dose study evaluating safety,pharmacokinetics, and early clinical response of brodalumab,a human anti-IL-17R antibody,in methotrexate-resistant rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and clinical response of brodalumab (AMG 827), a human, anti-IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) monoclonal antibody in subjects with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

This phase Ib, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind multiple ascending dose study enrolled subjects with moderate to severe RA (≥6/66 swollen and ≥8/68 tender joints). Subjects were randomized 3:1 to receive brodalumab (50 mg, 140 mg, or 210 mg subcutaneously every two weeks for 6 doses per group; or 420 mg or 700 mg intravenously every 4 weeks for two doses per group) or placebo. Endpoints included incidence of adverse events (AEs) and pharmacokinetics. Exploratory endpoints included pharmacodynamics, and improvements in RA clinical metrics.

Results

Forty subjects were randomized to investigational product; one subject discontinued due to worsening of RA (placebo). The study was not designed to assess efficacy. AEs were reported by 70% (7/10) of placebo subjects and 77% (22/30) of brodalumab subjects. Three serious AEs were reported in two subjects; there were no opportunistic infections. Brodalumab treatment resulted in inhibition of IL-17 receptor signaling and receptor occupancy on circulating leukocytes. No treatment effects were observed with individual measures of RA disease activity. On day 85 (week 13) 37% (11/30) of brodalumab subjects and 22% (2/9) of placebo subjects achieved ACR20; 7% (2/30) brodalumab subjects and 11% (1/9) of placebo subjects achieved ACR50; and 0% (0/30) brodalumab subjects and 0% (0/9) of placebo subjects achieved ACR70.

Conclusions

Multiple dose administration of brodalumab was tolerated in subjects with active RA. There was no evidence of a clinical response to brodalumab in subjects with RA.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00771030","term_id":"NCT00771030"}}NCT00771030