Twin-screw extrusion of ‘Pesta’-encapsulated biocontrol agents

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology -     

Affinity of Ionic Species of Nucleoside Transport Protein Inhibitors

Abstract

A class of very potent nucleoside transport inhibitors is present in two molecular forms around physiological pH. We investigated whether the monoprotonated or the unionized species of these molecules binds to this camer protein with higher affinity.     

THE EFFECTS OF INJURY PREVENTION WARM-UP PROGRAMMES ON KNEE STRENGTH IN MALE SOCCER PLAYERS

The study investigates the effects of the 11+ and HarmoKnee injury prevention programmes on knee strength in male soccer players. Under-21-year-old players (n=36) were divided equally into: the 11+, HarmoKnee and control groups. The programmes were performed for 24 sessions (20-25 min each). The hamstrings and quadriceps strength were measured bilaterally at 60°·s^-1, 180°·s^-1 and 300°·s^-1. The concentric quadriceps peak torque (PT) of the 11+ increased by 27.7% at 300°·s^-1 in the dominant leg (p<0.05). The concentric quadriceps PT of HarmoKnee increased by 36.6%, 36.2% and 28% in the dominant leg, and by 31.3%, 31.7% and 20.05% at 60°·s^-1, 180°·s^-1 and 300°·s^-1 in the non-dominant leg respectively. In the 11+ group the concentric hamstring PT increased by 22%, 21.4% and 22.1% at 60°·s^-1, 180°·s^-1 and 300°·s^-1, respectively in the dominant leg, and by 22.3%, and 15.7% at 60°·s^-1 and 180°·s^-1, in the non-dominant leg. In the HarmoKnee group the hamstrings in the dominant leg showed an increase in PT by 32.5%, 31.3% and 14.3% at 60°·s^-1, 180°·s^-1 and 300°·s^-1, and in the non-dominant leg hamstrings PT increased by 21.1% and 19.3% at 60°·s^-1 and 180°·s^-1 respectively. The concentric hamstrings strength was significantly different between the 11+ and control groups in the dominant (p=0.01) and non-dominant legs (p=0.02). The HarmoKnee programme enhanced the concentric strength of quadriceps. The 11+ and HarmoKnee programmes are useful warm-up protocols for improving concentric hamstring strength in young professional male soccer players. The 11+ programme is more advantageous for its greater concentric hamstring strength improvement compared to the HarmoKnee programme.     

Bioherbicidal potential of a strain of Xanthomonas spp. for control of common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium)

Several isolates of a previously unreported bacterial pathogen were discovered on common cocklebur seedlings in Chicot County, AR and Washington County, MS. Diseased plants in nature exhibited angular-shaped leaf spotting symptoms on leaf margins and central leaf areas. The isolates were cultured from diseased leaf tissue and tentatively identified as Xanthomonas spp., and their virulence on common cocklebur seedlings compared. The most virulent isolate (LVA987) was used in studies to define disease progression on cocklebur seedlings and to carry out a host range evaluation on various weeds and crop plants. High virulence was found on common cocklebur > marestail (Conyza canadensis) > giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) ≥ and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia). These results suggest this pathogen may be useful for the biological control of these important species of weeds. This is also highly relevant since all of these weeds have evolved resistance to one or more synthetic herbicides and are thus becoming more difficult to control with conventional herbicides.     

Transcriptional profiling of bovine intervertebral disc cells: implications for identification of normal and degenerate human intervertebral disc cell phenotypes

Introduction  

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells have a phenotype similar to articular cartilage (AC) cells. However, the matrix of the NP is clearly different to that of AC suggesting that specific cell phenotypes exist. The aim of this study was to identify novel genes that could be used to distinguish bovine NP cells from AC and annulus fibrosus (AF) cells, and to further determine their expression in normal and degenerate human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells.     

Evaluation of the bioherbicide Myrothecium verrucaria for weed control in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

An isolate of the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria was evaluated for its biocontrol potential against common purslane, horse purslane, spotted spurge, and prostrate spurge, all serious weed pests in commercial tomato fields in the southeastern US. In greenhouse and field tests, M. verrucaria was highly virulent against these weeds when applied as conidial sprays formulated in 0.2% Silwet L-77 surfactant, even in the absence of dew. In field test plots naturally infested with these weeds, seedlings in the two-to-three leaf growth stage treated with M. verrucaria at 2×10⁷ conidia mL^-1 in 0.2% Silwet, exhibited leaf and stem necrosis within 24 h following inoculation, with mortality occurring within 96 h. After 7 days, M. verrucaria had killed 90-95% of both purslane species and 85-95% of both spurge species. Tomatoes that were transplanted into plots treated with M. verrucaria remained healthy and vigorous throughout the growing season. Since M. verrucaria effectively controlled several common weeds under field conditions, this fungus appears to have potential as an effective bioherbicide for pre-plant weed control in production systems with transplanted tomato.     

Effect of row spacing on biological control of sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

In field experiments conducted over 3 years, the mycoherbicidal fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, formulated either in 20% (v/v) unrefined corn oil and 0.2% Silwet L-77 surfactant or with an invert emulsion, provided season-long control of Senna obtusifolia in narrow (51 cm) rows of soybean. However, in wide (102 cm) rows, one application of either formulation failed to provide season-long control of S. obtusifolia, and two applications were required to achieve season-long weed control. In narrow (51 cm) rows, one application of the fungus either in unrefined corn oil or an invert emulsion controlled S. obtusifolia an average of >90%, and a second application was not required for season long weed control. Soybean yields in wide-row plots treated with two applications of either the fungus/corn oil or fungus/invert emulsion, or with a single application of the fungal treatments in narrow-row soybean plots, were not significantly different from weed-free control plots, or from plots treated with the herbicide chlorimuron. These results suggest that row spacing can affect mycoherbicidal efficacy of this fungus for controlling S. obtusifolia.     

Signatures of miR-181a on the Renal Transcriptome and Blood Pressure

MicroRNA-181a binds to the 3′ untranslated region of messenger RNA (mRNA) for renin, a rate-limiting enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system. Our objective was to determine whether this molecular interaction translates into a clinically meaningful effect on blood pressure and whether circulating miR-181a is a measurable proxy of blood pressure. In 200 human kidneys from the TRANScriptome of renaL humAn TissuE (TRANSLATE) study, renal miR-181a was the sole negative predictor of renin mRNA and a strong correlate of circulating miR-181a. Elevated miR-181a levels correlated positively with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in TRANSLATE, and this association was independent of circulating renin. The association between serum miR-181a and systolic blood pressure was replicated in 199 subjects from the Genetic Regulation of Arterial Pressure of Humans In the Community (GRAPHIC) study. Renal immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed that colocalization of miR-181a and renin was most prominent in collecting ducts where renin is not released into the systemic circulation. Analysis of 69 human kidneys characterized by RNA sequencing revealed that miR-181a was associated with downregulation of four mitochondrial pathways and upregulation of 41 signaling cascades of adaptive immunity and inflammation. We conclude that renal miR-181a has pleiotropic effects on pathways relevant to blood pressure regulation and that circulating levels of miR-181a are both a measurable proxy of renal miR-181a expression and a novel biochemical correlate of blood pressure.