A viscoelastic deadly fluid in carnivorous pitcher plants

Background : The carnivorous plants of the genus Nepenthes, widely distributed in the Asian tropics, rely mostly on nutrients derived from arthropods trapped in their pitcher-shaped leaves and digested by their enzymatic fluid. The genus exhibits a great diversity of prey and pitcher forms and its mechanism of trapping has long intrigued scientists. The slippery inner surfaces of the pitchers, which can be waxy or highly wettable, have so far been considered as the key trapping devices. However, the occurrence of species lacking such epidermal specializations but still effective at trapping insects suggests the possible implication of other mechanisms. Methodology/Principal Findings : Using a combination of insect bioassays, high-speed video and rheological measurements, we show that the digestive fluid of Nepenthes rafflesiana is highly viscoelastic and that this physical property is crucial for the retention of insects in its traps. Trapping efficiency is shown to remain strong even when the fluid is highly diluted by water, as long as the elastic relaxation time of the fluid is higher than the typical time scale of insect movements. Conclusions/Significance : This finding challenges the common classification of Nepenthes pitchers as simple passive traps and is of great adaptive significance for these tropical plants, which are often submitted to high rainfalls and variations in fluid concentration. The viscoelastic trap constitutes a cryptic but potentially widespread adaptation of Nepenthes species and could be a homologous trait shared through common ancestry with the sundew (Drosera) flypaper plants. Such large production of a highly viscoelastic biopolymer fluid in permanent pools is nevertheless unique in the plant kingdom and suggests novel applications for pest control

Campionamento biologico delle catture commerciali Sezione III.C - Variabili biologiche relative al mestiere e dei parametri biologici Sezione III.E - Variabili biologiche relative agli stock del Programma Nazionale Sub-area Geografica (GSA16) – Stretto di Sicilia Anno 2015

Il campionamento biologico delle catture/sbarcati commerciali, sezione C – Relative al mestiere ed E – Relative agli stock, nell’ambito del Programma Nazionale per la Raccolta Dati Alieutici (PNRDA) (Reg. Ce. N°199/2008; N°665/2008 e decisione della commissione N°949/2008), ha l’obiettivo di valutare la composizione in taglia e/o età del pescato ed ottenere altre informazioni sulla biologia delle specie bersaglio, quali le chiavi età/lunghezza, la relazione lunghezza/peso, i parametri di crescita, la composizione in sesso e le condizioni di maturità sessuale. Il campionamento delle catture/sbarchi commerciali (campionamento biologico - CAMPBIOL) risulta di grande importanza per conoscere come agisce il prelievo dei diversi ”metiers” sulle diverse specie, in termini di variazioni dell’abbondanza e struttura demografica delle risorse da pesca. Il campionamento biologico risponde, quindi, principalmente alle seguenti esigenze: 1. Ricostruire il pattern di sfruttamento dei diversi ”métiers” per le diverse specie. 2. Ricostruire la struttura demografica delle catture commerciali/sbarchi di ogni specie (in taglia/età), considerando tutti i ”métiers” che incidono significativamente sull’ammontare globale delle catture. 3. Consentire lo studio dei fenomeni biologici rilevanti, quali la crescita ed il ciclo sessuale, che variano nel corso dell’anno. 4. Acquisire informazioni sulla struttura demografica con specifico riferimento allo stadio di maturazione gonadica (maturità/taglia-età) ed alla relazione fra lunghezza e peso corporeo (taglia-peso/età). Il Programma Nazionale prevede il rilievo dei parametri significativi ai fini della caratterizzazione biologica del prodotto della pesca, principalmente nell’ambito di due differenti moduli: Modulo di valutazione del settore della pesca Sezione C – “Variabili biologiche relative al mestiere” Sezione E – “Variabili biologiche relative agli stock

Campionamento biologico delle catture commerciali Sezione III.C - Variabili biologiche relative al mestiere e dei parametri biologici Sezione III.E - Variabili biologiche relative agli stock del Programma Nazionale

Il campionamento biologico delle catture/sbarcati commerciali, sezione C – Relative al mestiere ed E – Relative agli stock (Campbiol), nell’ambito del Programma Nazionale per la Raccolta Dati Alieutici (PNRDA) (Reg. Ce. N°199/2008; N°665/2008 e decisione della commissione N°949/2008) risulta di grande importanza per conoscere come agisce il prelievo dei diversi ”metiers” sulle diverse specie, in termini di variazioni dell’abbondanza e struttura demografica delle risorse da pesca. Il campionamento biologico risponde, quindi, principalmente alle seguenti esigenze: 1. Ricostruire la struttura demografica delle catture commerciali/sbarchi di ogni specie (in taglia/età), considerando tutti i ”métiers” che incidono significativamente sull’ammontare globale delle catture. 2. Ricostruire il pattern di sfruttamento dei diversi ”métiers” per le diverse specie. 3. Consentire lo studio dei fenomeni biologici rilevanti, quali la crescita ed il ciclo sessuale, che variano nel corso dell’anno. 4. Acquisire informazioni sulla struttura demografica con specifico riferimento allo stadio di maturazione gonadica (maturità/taglia-età) ed alla relazione fra lunghezza e peso corporeo (taglia-peso/età). Il Programma Nazionale prevede il rilievo dei parametri significativi ai fini della caratterizzazione biologica del prodotto della pesca, principalmente nell’ambito di due differenti moduli: Modulo di valutazione del settore della pesca Sezione C – “Variabili biologiche relative al mestiere” Sezione E – “Variabili biologiche relative agli stock

Ethics and applications of isotope analysis in archaeology

Abstract This synthesis explores specific ethical questions that commonly arise in isotopic analysis. For more than four decades, isotope analysis has been employed in archeological studies to explore past human and animal dietary habits, mobility patterns, and the environment in which a human or animal inhabited during life. These analyses require consideration of ethical issues. While theoretical concepts are discussed, we focus on practical aspects: working with descendant communities and other rights holders, choosing methods, creating and sharing data, and working mindfully within academia. These layers of respect and care should surround our science. This paper is relevant for specialists in isotope analysis as well as those incorporating these methods into larger projects. By covering the whole of the research process, from design to output management, we appeal broadly to archaeology and provide actionable solutions that build on the discussions in the general field.1. Introduction 1.1 Positionality 2. Responsibilities to descendant communities 2.1 Collaboration and consultation with descendant communities and other rights holders 3. Designing ethical methodologies for destructive sampling 3.1 Consider complementary analyses and futureproofing 3.2 Not all samples are ethically equal 3.3 Determine what and how much to sample 3.4 Assess sample quality 3.5 Preserve through recording 3.6 Plan what to do post-sampling 4. Ethics of data management and storage 4.1 Data management plan 4.2 OpenData 4.3 Playing FAIR 4.4 Ensuring access for all 4.5 Sharing is caring 4.6 When not to share 5 The scientific ecosystem 5.1 Isotopes in the public eye 5.2 Sustaining academic community 6. Concluding thought

DNA Topology Influences Molecular Machine Lifetime in Human Serum

DNA nanotechnology holds the potential for enabling new tools for biomedical engineering, including diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics. However, applications for DNA devices are thought to be limited by rapid enzymatic degradation in serum and blood. Here, we demonstrate that a key aspect of DNA nanotechnology—programmable molecular shape—plays a substantial role in device lifetimes. These results establish the ability to operate synthetic DNA devices in the presence of endogenous enzymes and challenge the textbook view of near instantaneous degradation

Factors affecting adherence to guidelines for antithrombotic therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation admitted to internal medicine wards

Current guidelines for ischemic stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation or flutter (AFF) recommend Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for patients at high-intermediate risk and aspirin for those at intermediate-low risk. The cost-effectiveness of these treatments was demonstrated also in elderly patients. However, there are several reports that emphasize the underuse of pharmacological prophylaxis of cardio-embolism in patients with AFF in different health care settings. AIMS: To evaluate the adherence to current guidelines on cardio-embolic prophylaxis in elderly (> 65 years old) patients admitted with an established diagnosis of AFF to the Italian internal medicine wards participating in REPOSI registry, a project on polypathologies/polytherapies stemming from the collaboration between the Italian Society of Internal Medicine and the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research; to investigate whether or not hospitalization had an impact on guidelines adherence; to test the role of possible modifiers of VKAs prescription. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed registry data collected from January to December 2008 and assessed the prevalence of patients with AFF at admission and the prevalence of risk factors for cardio-embolism. After stratifying the patients according to their CHADS(2) score the percentage of appropriateness of antithrombotic therapy prescription was evaluated both at admission and at discharge. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to verify whether or not socio-demographic (age >80years, living alone) and clinical features (previous or recent bleeding, cranio-facial trauma, cancer, dementia) modified the frequency and modalities of antithrombotic drugs prescription at admission and discharge. RESULTS: Among the 1332 REPOSI patients, 247 were admitted with AFF. At admission, CHADS(2) score was ≥ 2 in 68.4% of patients, at discharge in 75.9%. Among patients with AFF 26.5% at admission and 32.8% at discharge were not on any antithrombotic therapy, and 43.7% at admission and 40.9% at discharge were not taking an appropriate therapy according to the CHADS(2) score. The higher the level of cardio-embolic risk the higher was the percentage of antiplatelet- but not of VKAs-treated patients. At admission or at discharge, both at univariable and at multivariable logistic regression, only an age >80 years and a diagnosis of cancer, previous or active, had a statistically significant negative effect on VKAs prescription. Moreover, only a positive history of bleeding events (past or present) was independently associated to no VKA prescription at discharge in patients who were on VKA therapy at admission. If heparin was considered as an appropriate therapy for patients with indication for VKAs, the percentage of patients admitted or discharged on appropriate therapy became respectively 43.7% and 53.4%. CONCLUSION: Among elderly patients admitted with a diagnosis of AFF to internal medicine wards, an appropriate antithrombotic prophylaxis was taken by less than 50%, with an underuse of VKAs prescription independently of the level of cardio-embolic risk. Hospitalization did not improve the adherence to guideline

Aquaporins: important but elusive drug targets.

The aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small, integral membrane proteins that facilitate water transport across the plasma membranes of cells in response to osmotic gradients. Data from knockout mice support the involvement of AQPs in epithelial fluid secretion, cell migration, brain oedema and adipocyte metabolism, which suggests that modulation of AQP function or expression could have therapeutic potential in oedema, cancer, obesity, brain injury, glaucoma and several other conditions. Moreover, loss-of-function mutations in human AQPs cause congenital cataracts (AQP0) and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (AQP2), and autoantibodies against AQP4 cause the autoimmune demyelinating disease neuromyelitis optica. Although some potential AQP modulators have been identified, challenges associated with the development of better modulators include the druggability of the target and the suitability of the assay methods used to identify modulators

Emerging role of the calcium-activated, small conductance, SK3 K ⁺ channel in distal tubule function: Regulation by TRPV4

The Ca2+-activated, maxi-K (BK) K+ channel, with low Ca2+-binding affinity, is expressed in the distal tubule of the nephron and contributes to flow-dependent K+ secretion. In the present study we demonstrate that the Ca2+-activated, SK3 (KCa2.3) K + channel, with high Ca2+-binding affinity, is also expressed in the mouse kidney (RT-PCR, immunoblots). Immunohistochemical evaluations using tubule specific markers demonstrate significant expression of SK3 in the distal tubule and the entire collecting duct system, including the connecting tubule (CNT) and cortical collecting duct (CCD). In CNT and CCD, main sites for K+ secretion, the highest levels of expression were along the apical (luminal) cell membranes, including for both principal cells (PCs) and intercalated cells (ICs), posturing the channel for Ca2+- dependent K+ secretion. Fluorescent assessment of cell membrane potential in native, split-opened CCD, demonstrated that selective activation of the Ca2+-permeable TRPV4 channel, thereby inducing Ca2+ influx and elevating intracellular Ca2+ levels, activated both the SK3 channel and the BK channel leading to hyperpolarization of the cell membrane. The hyperpolarization response was decreased to a similar extent by either inhibition of SK3 channel with the selective SK antagonist, apamin, or by inhibition of the BK channel with the selective antagonist, iberiotoxin (IbTX). Addition of both inhibitors produced a further depolarization, indicating cooperative effects of the two channels on Vm. It is concluded that SK3 is functionally expressed in the distal nephron and collecting ducts where induction of TRPV4-mediated Ca2+ influx, leading to elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels, activates this high Ca2+- affinity K+ channel. Further, with sites of expression localized to the apical cell membrane, especially in the CNT and CCD, SK3 is poised to be a key pathway for Ca2+-dependent regulation of membrane potential and K+ secretion. © 2014 Berrout et al

El constructo personalidad eficaz: últimos avances

Se presentan los avances en torno al constructo Personalidad Eficaz (2000-2015) desarrollados por el Grupo Interuniversitario de Orientación y Atención a la Diversidad (GOYAD) en relación al marco conceptual (ultima definición), instrumentos de evaluación clasificados en función de su ámbito de aplicación (educación primaria/básica, secundaria/media, universitaria/profesional), programas para distintos niveles de edad, estudios sobre tipologías modales en Personalidad Eficaz en distintas edades, relaciones del constructo con la inteligencia emocional y el modelo integrativo supraparadigmático, y estudios en curso sobre el constructo en otros contextos, edades y países. Abstract: Presents the advances around the construct effective personality (2000-2015) developed by the Interuniversity Group of guidance and Attention to Diversity (GOYAD) in relation to the conceptual framework (the latest definition), evaluation instruments classified according to their scope of application (education primary/basic, secondary/college/professional), programs in different levels of age, studies on modal types in effective personality in different ages, the construct relationships with emotional intelligence, supraparadigmatic integrative model, and ongoing studies on the construct in other contexts, ages and countries. &nbsp

Novel Quantitative Real-Time LCR for the Sensitive Detection of SNP Frequencies in Pooled DNA: Method Development, Evaluation and Application

BACKGROUND: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) have proven to be powerful genetic markers for genetic applications in medicine, life science and agriculture. A variety of methods exist for SNP detection but few can quantify SNP frequencies when the mutated DNA molecules correspond to a small fraction of the wild-type DNA. Furthermore, there is no generally accepted gold standard for SNP quantification, and, in general, currently applied methods give inconsistent results in selected cohorts. In the present study we sought to develop a novel method for accurate detection and quantification of SNP in DNA pooled samples. METHODS: The development and evaluation of a novel Ligase Chain Reaction (LCR) protocol that uses a DNA-specific fluorescent dye to allow quantitative real-time analysis is described. Different reaction components and thermocycling parameters affecting the efficiency and specificity of LCR were examined. Several protocols, including gap-LCR modifications, were evaluated using plasmid standard and genomic DNA pools. A protocol of choice was identified and applied for the quantification of a polymorphism at codon 136 of the ovine PRNP gene that is associated with susceptibility to a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in sheep. CONCLUSIONS: The real-time LCR protocol developed in the present study showed high sensitivity, accuracy, reproducibility and a wide dynamic range of SNP quantification in different DNA pools. The limits of detection and quantification of SNP frequencies were 0.085% and 0.35%, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed real-time LCR protocol is applicable when sensitive detection and accurate quantification of low copy number mutations in DNA pools is needed. Examples include oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes, infectious diseases, pathogenic bacteria, fungal species, viral mutants, drug resistance resulting from point mutations, and genetically modified organisms in food