Comparative effects of limited tryptic hydrolysis on physicochemical and structural features of seed 11S globulins

The effect of the limited proteolysis by trypsin on selected seed storage 11S globulins (broad bean and pea legumins, glycinin and helianthinin) was studied by high-sensitive differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy and analysis of proteolysis kinetics. Different behaviour of glycinin and helianthinin, on one hand, and broad bean and pea legumins, on the other, were observed: in the first group changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the proteins due to their limited proteolysis are more pronounced in comparison with the second one, in relation with the extent of primary structure modifications. The differences observed have been evaluated in relation with the amino acid sequence features of the four 11S globulin studied and agree with the literature data concerning the protein structural changes in the course of the limited proteolysis.     

Neurocognitive and Somatic Components of Temperature Increases during g-Tummo Meditation: Legend and Reality

Stories of g-tummo meditators mysteriously able to dry wet sheets wrapped around their naked bodies during a frigid Himalayan ceremony have intrigued scholars and laypersons alike for a century. Study 1 was conducted in remote monasteries of eastern Tibet with expert meditators performing g-tummo practices while their axillary temperature and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity were measured. Study 2 was conducted with Western participants (a non-meditator control group) instructed to use the somatic component of the g-tummo practice (vase breathing) without utilization of meditative visualization. Reliable increases in axillary temperature from normal to slight or moderate fever zone (up to 38.3°C) were observed among meditators only during the Forceful Breath type of g-tummo meditation accompanied by increases in alpha, beta, and gamma power. The magnitude of the temperature increases significantly correlated with the increases in alpha power during Forceful Breath meditation. The findings indicate that there are two factors affecting temperature increase. The first is the somatic component which causes thermogenesis, while the second is the neurocognitive component (meditative visualization) that aids in sustaining temperature increases for longer periods. Without meditative visualization, both meditators and non-meditators were capable of using the Forceful Breath vase breathing only for a limited time, resulting in limited temperature increases in the range of normal body temperature. Overall, the results suggest that specific aspects of the g-tummo technique might help non-meditators learn how to regulate their body temperature, which has implications for improving health and regulating cognitive performance.     

Implementation of an insecticide-treated net subsidy scheme under a public-private partnership for malaria control in Tanzania – challenges in implementation

Background

In the past decade there has been increasing visibility of malaria control efforts at the national and international levels. The factors that have enhanced this scenario are the availability of proven interventions such as artemisinin-based combination therapy, the wide scale use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and a renewed emphasis in indoor residual house-spraying. Concurrently, there has been a window of opportunity of financial commitments from organizations such as the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), the President's Malaria Initiative and the World Bank Booster programme.

Methods

The case study uses the health policy analysis framework to analyse the implementation of a public-private partnership approach embarked upon by the government of Tanzania in malaria control – 'The Tanzania National Voucher Scheme'- and in this synthesis, emphasis is on the challenges faced by the scheme during the pre-implementation (2001 – 2004) and implementation phases (2004 – 2005). Qualitative research tools used include: document review, interview with key informants, stakeholder's analysis, force-field analysis, time line of events, policy characteristic analysis and focus group discussions. The study is also complemented by a cross-sectional survey, which was conducted at the Rufiji Health Demographic Surveillance Site, where a cohort of women of child-bearing age were followed up regarding access and use of ITNs.

Results

The major challenges observed include: the re-introduction of taxes on mosquito nets and related products, procurement and tendering procedures in the implementation of the GFATM, and organizational arrangements and free delivery of mosquito nets through a Presidential initiative.

Conclusion

The lessons gleaned from this synthesis include: (a) the consistency of the stakeholders with a common vision, was an important strength in overcoming obstacles, (b) senior politicians often steered the policy agenda when the policy in question was a 'crisis event', the stakes and the visibility were high, (c) national stakeholders in policy making have an advantage in strengthening alliances with international organizations, where the latter can become extremely influential in solving bottlenecks as the need arises, and (d) conflict can be turned into an opportunity, for example the Presidential initiative has inadvertently provided Tanzania with important lessons in the organization of 'catch-up' campaigns.     

Ground wētā in vines of the Awatere Valley,Marlborough: biology,density and distribution

The endemic New Zealand ground wētā (Hemiandrus sp. ‘promontorius’) has a Naturally Uncommon conservation status. This is because of the paucity of information on its density and distribution. Here, the biology, density and distribution of a population of this wētā found in and around vineyards in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough was studied. Wētā density was assessed in vineyards, paddocks and shrublands in this valley. Soil moisture, penetration resistance, pH and organic matter were recorded at locations with and without wētā. Wētā density in vineyards was significantly higher than in either paddocks or shrub habitats. In vineyards, the density of this insect was significantly higher under-vines than in the inter-rows. Higher numbers of this wētā were found in moist soils that required lower force to burrow. Females laid an average of 55 eggs between March and April, which hatched in September. These findings highlight the intersection between agriculture and conservation.     

Photo-induced arousal response by hornets

When an Oriental hornet Vespa orientalis is subjected to ether anesthesia and then exposed to ultraviolet A light (UVAL) (at a wavelength of 366 nm), it commences showing signs of awakening by starting to move its limbs. While in the process of waking the voltage on its body surface surges sharply from 17-180 mV (median = 71.0) to a level of 93-570 mV (median = 327.5). This elevated level is maintained for several minutes but subsequently drops sharply to starting level. The increase in voltage is throughout accompanied by fluttering of the wings and movements of the legs, as well as attempts to extricate itself from the bindings to the electrodes. These movements by the awakening hornet persist for several minutes even after the irradiation source is turned off but shortly after the switch-off the hornet lapses into sleep again. The described scenario is generally similar in worker, queen and drone hornets, and may even occur in decapitated specimens. The same type of awakening can be repeated in the same fashion after a while, but then the increase in voltage will be smaller than the first time. Continuous UV irradiation of an anesthetized hornet results in a generalized and protracted awakening which, however, is significantly shorter than in a hornet left anesthetized in the dark.     

The Tau/A152T mutation,a risk factor for frontotemporal‐spectrum disorders,leads to NR2B receptor‐mediated excitotoxicity

We report on a novel transgenic mouse model expressing human full‐length Tau with the Tau mutation A152T (hTau^AT), a risk factor for FTD‐spectrum disorders including PSP and CBD. Brain neurons reveal pathological Tau conformation, hyperphosphorylation, mis‐sorting, aggregation, neuronal degeneration, and progressive loss, most prominently in area CA3 of the hippocampus. The mossy fiber pathway shows enhanced basal synaptic transmission without changes in short‐ or long‐term plasticity. In organotypic hippocampal slices, extracellular glutamate increases early above control levels, followed by a rise in neurotoxicity. These changes are normalized by inhibiting neurotransmitter release or by blocking voltage‐gated sodium channels. CA3 neurons show elevated intracellular calcium during rest and after activity induction which is sensitive to NR2B antagonizing drugs, demonstrating a pivotal role of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors. Slices show pronounced epileptiform activity and axonal sprouting of mossy fibers. Excitotoxic neuronal death is ameliorated by ceftriaxone, which stimulates astrocytic glutamate uptake via the transporter EAAT2/GLT1. In summary, hTau^AT causes excitotoxicity mediated by NR2B‐containing NMDA receptors due to enhanced extracellular glutamate.     

Optical mapping of activation patterns in an animal model of congenital heart block

Congenital heart block (CHB) is associated with high mortality and affects children of mothers with autoantibodies (IgG) to ribonucleoproteins SSB/La and SSA/Ro. IgG from mothers of children with CHB (positive IgG) was used to assess activation patterns in both the right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) of Langendorff-perfused young rabbit hearts. Optical action potentials (AP) were obtained by using a 124-site photodiode array with 4-[-[2-(di-n-butylamino)-6-naphthyl]vinyl]pyridinium. Optical APs were recorded to simultaneously image activation patterns from the RA and RV. Perfusion of positive IgG (800--1,200 micro resulted in sinus bradycardia and varying degrees of heart block. Activation maps revealed marked conduction delay at the sinoatrial junction but only minor changes in overall atrial and ventricular activation patterns. No conduction disturbances were seen in the presence of IgG from mothers with healthy children. In conclusion, besides atrioventricular (AV) block, positive IgG induces sinus bradycardia. These results establish that the sequelae of CHB are associated with impaired intrasinus and/or sinoatrial conduction. The findings raise the possibility that sinus bradycardia in the developing heart may indicate the potential for AV conduction disturbances.