Evaluating the Madeiran wheat germplasm for aluminum resistance using aluminium-induced callose formation in root apices as a marker

Aluminum (Al) resistance of 57 Madeiran wheat cultivars was evaluated using callose content in root tips and root elongation as markers. Al induced callose formation was a very sensitive indicator of Al damage detecting wide range of genotypic differences existing in the Madeiran wheat germplasm. A weak, yet positive correlation (R²=0.285, P<0.05) between callose content and root elongation was found.     

Hybrid xerogel films as novel coatings for antifouling and fouling release

Hybrid sol-gel-derived xerogel films prepared from 45/55 (mol ratio) n-propyltrimethoxysilane (C3-TMOS)/tetramethylorthosilane (TMOS), 2/98 (mol ratio) bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]-ethylenediamine (enTMOS)/tetraethylorthosilane (TEOS), 50/50 (mol ratio) n-octyltriethoxysilane (C8-TEOS)/TMOS, and 50/50 (mol ratio) 3,3,3-trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane (TFP-TMOS)/TMOS were found to inhibit settlement of zoospores of the marine fouling alga Ulva (syn. Enteromorpha) relative to settlement on acid-washed glass and give greater release of settled zoospores relative to glass upon exposure to pressure from a water jet. The more hydrophobic 50/50 C8-TEOS/TMOS xerogel films had the lowest critical surface tension by comprehensive contact angle analysis and gave significantly greater release of 8-day Ulva sporeling biomass after exposure to turbulent flow generated by a flow channel than the other xerogel surfaces or glass. The 50/50 C8-TEOS/TMOS xerogel was also a fouling release surface for juveniles of the tropical barnacle Balanus amphitrite. X-ray photon electron data indicated that the alkylsilyl residues of the C3-TMOS-, C8-TEOS-, and TFP-TMOS-containing xerogels were located on the surface of the xerogel films (in a vacuum), which contributes to the film hydrophobicity. Similarly, the amine-containing silyl residues of the enTMOS/TEOS films were located at the surface of the xerogel films, which contributes to the more hydrophilic character and increased critical surface tension of these films.     

In vitro methods for antifungal susceptibility testing of Trichophyton spp.

In general, methods to test the susceptibility of fungi to antifungal drugs require standardized techniques, but so far there is no methodology that is widely applicable to dermatophytes. Here we introduced modifications to the protocols from documents of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (CLSI) M38-A and the Antifungal Susceptibility Testing Subcommittee of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) that are usually applied to moulds and fermentative yeasts, in order to adjust the conditions for the growth of dermatophytes. The modifications included: growth on potato dextrose agar supplemented with 2 % in-house rice flour to encourage sporulation, the addition of 2 % glucose to the culture media (RPMI-1640), and an incubation temperature of 28 °C. In addition, the incubation period was 7 d, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was defined as 80 % growth inhibition endpoints for azole agents, and the inocula only contained microconidia. Results obtained by both tested methodologies were very similar to the ones reported by other researchers. MIC₉₀ (MIC at which 90% of isolates tested were inhibited) values were identical for four out of five antifungal drugs tested and there was only a difference of one or two dilutions when MIC₅₀ values were compared. Although the modifications introduced did not interfere with the results, more studies are necessary to establish a standard technique to test susceptibility of dermatophytes to antifungal drugs.     

High-throughput mechanobiology: Force modulation of ensemble biochemical and cell-based assays

Mechanobiology is focused on how the physical forces and mechanical properties of proteins, cells, and tissues contribute to physiology and disease. Although the response of proteins and cells to mechanical stimuli is critical for function, the tools to probe these activities are typically restricted to single-molecule manipulations. Here, we have developed a novel microplate reader assay to encompass mechanical measurements with ensemble biochemical and cellular assays, using a microplate lid modified with magnets. This configuration enables multiple static magnetic tweezers to function simultaneously across the microplate, thereby greatly increasing throughput. We demonstrate the broad applicability and versatility through in vitro and in cellulo approaches. Overall, our methodology allows, for the first time (to our knowledge), ensemble biochemical and cell-based assays to be performed under force in high-throughput format. This approach substantially increases the availability of mechanobiology measurements.     

Increased Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival by Exogenous IL-2 Depends on IL-10, Dopamine D1 Receptors,and Classical IL-2/IL-2R Signaling Pathways

Neurochemical Research - Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a classical pro-inflammatory cytokine known to display neuroprotective roles in the central nervous system including the retina. In the present...     

Previous Exercise Training Has a Beneficial Effect on Renal and Cardiovascular Function in a Model of Diabetes

Exercise training (ET) is an important intervention for chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). However, it is not known whether previous exercise training intervention alters the physiological and medical complications of these diseases. We investigated the effects of previous ET on the progression of renal disease and cardiovascular autonomic control in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. All groups were followed for 15 weeks. Trained control and trained diabetic rats underwent 10 weeks of exercise training, whereas previously trained diabetic rats underwent 14 weeks of exercise training. Renal function, proteinuria, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and the echocardiographic parameters autonomic modulation and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were evaluated. In the previously trained group, the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio was reduced compared with the sedentary diabetic and trained diabetic groups (p<0.05). Additionally, RSNA was normalized in the trained diabetic and previously trained diabetic animals (p<0.05). The ejection fraction was increased in the previously trained diabetic animals compared with the diabetic and trained diabetic groups (p<0.05), and the myocardial performance index was improved in the previously trained diabetic group compared with the diabetic and trained diabetic groups (p<0.05). In addition, the previously trained rats had improved heart rate variability and BRS in the tachycardic response and bradycardic response in relation to the diabetic group (p<0.05). This study demonstrates that previous ET improves the functional damage that affects DM. Additionally, our findings suggest that the development of renal and cardiac dysfunction can be minimized by 4 weeks of ET before the induction of DM by STZ.     

Steroid bioconversion in a novel aqueous two-phase system

A novel aqueous two-phase system, based on polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and monosodium glutamate, was tested for the 1-dehydrogenation of hydrocortisone-based substrates. This system led to higher substrate solubilities and biocatalyst/steroid separation levels when compared with alternative systems. The addition of short-chain monohydric alcohols resulted in higher solubilities and more favourable partition coefficients for the tested substrates. Bioconversion activities in PEG/glutamate systems with 2,5% (v/v) methanol were comparable to those measured in monophasic buffer-methanol medium.     

Visually guided gait modifications for stepping over an obstacle: a bio-inspired approach

There is an increasing interest in conceiving robotic systems that are able to move and act in an unstructured and not predefined environment, for which autonomy and adaptability are crucial features. In nature, animals are autonomous biological systems, which often serve as bio-inspiration models, not only for their physical and mechanical properties, but also their control structures that enable adaptability and autonomy—for which learning is (at least) partially responsible. This work proposes a system which seeks to enable a quadruped robot to online learn to detect and to avoid stumbling on an obstacle in its path. The detection relies in a forward internal model that estimates the robot’s perceptive information by exploring the locomotion repetitive nature. The system adapts the locomotion in order to place the robot optimally before attempting to step over the obstacle, avoiding any stumbling. Locomotion adaptation is achieved by changing control parameters of a central pattern generator (CPG)-based locomotion controller. The mechanism learns the necessary alterations to the stride length in order to adapt the locomotion by changing the required CPG parameter. Both learning tasks occur online and together define a sensorimotor map, which enables the robot to learn to step over the obstacle in its path. Simulation results show the feasibility of the proposed approach.     

Additions to the checklist of Scoliidae,Sphecidae, Pompilidae and Vespidae of Peru,with notes on the endemic status of some species (Hymenoptera,Aculeata)

The first checklist of the Peruvian Hymenoptera listed 1169 species and subspecies of aculeate wasps, including 173 species of Pompilidae, seven of Scoliidae, 39 of Sphecidae and 403 of Vespidae. Herein are reported 32 species as new for Peru based mainly on the collection of the Natural History Museum, London. The loss of the endemic status of two species is also reported: Entypus peruvianus (Rohwer) (Pompilidae: Pepsinae) and Omicron ruficolle schunkei Giordani Soika (Vespidae: Eumeninae).