Geographical variation in alkaloid production in Conium maculatum populations experiencing differential herbivory by Agonopterix alstroemeriana

Conium maculatum, a Eurasian weed naturalized in North America, contains high concentrations of piperidine alkaloids, which act as chemical defenses against herbivores. In the United States, C. maculatum was largely free from herbivory until approximately 30 years ago, when it was re-associated via accidental introduction with a monophagous European herbivore, the oecophorid caterpillar Agonopterix alstroemeriana. At present, A. alstroemeriana is found in a continuum of re-association time and intensities with C. maculatum across the continent; in the Pacific Northwest, A. alstroemeriana can cause severe damage, resulting in some cases in complete defoliation. Studies in biological control and invasion biology have yet to determine whether plants re-associated with a significant herbivore from the area of indigeneity increase their chemical defense investment in areas of introduction. In this study, we compared three locations in the U.S. (New York, Washington and Illinois) where C. maculatum experiences different levels of herbivory by A. alstroemeriana to determine the association between the intensity of the interaction, as measured by damage, and chemical defense production. Total alkaloid production in C. maculatum was positively correlated with A. alstroemeriana herbivory levels; plants from New York and Washington, with higher herbivory levels, invested two and four times more N to alkaloid synthesis than did plants from Illinois. Individual plants with lower concentrations of alkaloids from a single location in Illinois experienced more damage by A. alstroemeriana, suggestive of a preference on the part of the insect for plants with less chemical defense. These results suggest that A. alstroemeriana may act either as a selective agent or inducing agent for C. maculatum and increase its toxicity in its introduced range

Environmental and genetic variation of isoflavone content of soybean seeds grown in Brazil.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate isoflavone concentrations in seeds of different Brazilian soybean cultivars grown in a range of locations and environmental conditions in Brazil. Seeds of 233 cultivars grown in Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil, during the 2001/2002 soybean season, and of 22 cultivars sown in different locations of Brazilian Northeast, Southeast on South regions were analyzed for total isoflavones, including daidzin, glycitin, genistin and acetylgenistin. The total isoflavones ranged from 12 mg 100 g?1 (cv. Embrapa 48) to 461 mg 100 g?1 (cv. CS 305) among the 233 cultivars grown in Ponta Grossa, and the differences among them are due to genetic effects since all cultivars were grown and collected at the same locatation and year. This is an indication of the possibility of breeding for isoflavone content. Differences in isoflavone content observed in the cultivars grown in different locations permit the selection of locations for optimum isoflavone content (low or high), depending on the uses of soybean. In the Northeast region (5–8°S), higher concentrations of total isoflavones were observed at São Raimundo das Mangabeiras (232 mg 100 g?1) and Tasso Fragoso (284 mg 100 g?1) municipalities, and in the South (23–30°S), isoflavones were higher in Guarapuava, Canoinhas, Vacaria and Campos Novos municipalities, ranging from 130 to 409 mg 100 g?1. Index terms: Glycine max, isoflavones, sowing location, soybean grains, soybean cultivars, soyfood

Darwin, Design, and Dysteleology: A Critical Evaluation of William Dembski and Francisco Ayala on the Problem of Suboptimal Design

This dissertation is a critical evaluation of two modern thinkers debating the idea of intelligent design (ID), William Dembski and Francisco Ayala. Specifically, it focuses on Ayala's major theological critique of intelligent design, namely, the problem of dysteleology. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the problem of dysteleology as it relates to biology and offers a methodology for evaluating each thinker’s resolution to this problem. Chapter 2 examines Ayala's scientific critique of ID, and chapter 3 looks at Ayala's theological critique of ID. Chapter 4 summarizes Dembski's method for detecting design, and chapter 5 outlines Dembski's critiques of naturalism and materialism as well as his information-theoretic account of reality. Finally, chapter 6 analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of Ayala’s proposal that Darwin is a gift to theology in light of Dembski’s information-theoretic account of reality

Flavonoid glycosides from Persea caerulea. Unraveling their interactions with SDS-micelles through matrix-assisted DOSY, PGSE, mass spectrometry, and NOESY

Two flavonoid glycosides derived from rhamnopyranoside (1) and arabinofuranoside (2) have been isolated from leaves of Persea caerulea for the first time. The structures of 1 and 2 have been established by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and IR spectroscopy, together with LC–ESI–TOF and LC–ESI–IT MS spectrometry. From the MS and MS/MS data, the molecular weights of the intact molecules as well as those of quercetin and kaempferol together with their sugar moieties were deduced. The NMR data provided information on the identity of the compounds, as well as the α and β configurations and the position of the glycosides on quercetin and kaempferol. We have also explored the application of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) normal micelles in binary aqueous solution, at a range of concentrations, to the diffusion resolution of these two glycosides, by the application of matrix‐assisted diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) and pulse field gradient spin echo (PGSE) methodologies, showing that SDS micelles offer a significant resolution which can, in part, be rationalized in terms of differing degrees of hydrophobicity, amphiphilicity, and steric effects. In addition, intra‐residue and inter‐residue proton–proton distances using nuclear Overhauser effect build‐up curves were used to elucidate the conformational preferences of these two flavonoid glycosides when interacting with the micelles. By the combination of both diffusion and nuclear Overhauser spectroscopy techniques, the average location site of kaempferol and quercetin glycosides has been postulated, with the former exhibiting a clear insertion into the interior of the SDS‐micelle, whereas the latter is placed closer to the surface.Junta de Andalucía P12-FQM-266

Cyclone state

How many times have Iowa State fans heard that in the last few years? Year after year, anyone who represents the cardinal and gold gets fed that line of BS leading up to the Cy-Hawk football game

Occupational Therapy\u27s Involvement with the YMCA in Developing a Program to Address Activities of Daily Living in Those with Parkinson\u27s Disease

The purpose of Occupational Therapy’s involvement with the YMCA in Developing a Program to Address Activities of Daily Living in Those with Parkinson’s Disease was to create a protocol that addresses the needs of those with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), specifically focusing on the area of activities of daily living (ADL). Through the use of occupational therapy perspectives and techniques, this program focuses on increasing and/or maintaining independence and safety during daily tasks in those with PD. This program was influenced by the Person-Environment-Occupation model due to the transactional approach towards occupational performance. This model focuses on finding the best “fit” between personal, environmental, and occupational factors that lead to performance in everyday activity (Hinojosa, Kramer, Royeen, 2017). This program is designed for the local YMCA in Grand Forks ND and occupational therapists that work with the population of people with mild to moderate PD. Current programs at the YMCA do not include occupational therapy and ADL training. Because of this, the program will compliment current programs. The goal of this program is to provide education and training to individuals with PD in order to allow for them to be as independent as possible and remain in the home environment as well as providing education to caregivers to assist with this process. This program is to be used by occupational therapists to provide education and ADL training through the use of interventions. These interventions include: mobility and safety within the home during all ADL tasks, meal preparation, dressing, grooming, bathroom mobility, and equipment maintenance

Physiological quality, content and activity of antioxidants in soybean seeds artificially aged.

ABSTRACT - The objective of this study was to evaluate physiological quality, content, and activity of antioxidants, in soybean seeds subjected to accelerated aging during different periods. Seeds of cultivars BRS 258, BRS 262 and BRS 268, subjected to accelerated aging during 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours and non-aged seeds were used. After each aging period, the seed were evaluated by tests of: germination; first count and tetrazolium. The total of phenolic compounds, total flavonoides, total of isoflavones, and activity for eliminating ABTS°+ radicals were quantified. There were differences among cultivars according to vigor and viability only after seeds were aged. Cultivars BRS 158 and BRS 268 have shown better seed physiological quality in each aging period; however, not presenting higher amounts of isoflavones and efficiency in removing free radicals. For all cultivars, the values for total of phenolic compounds, as well as total of flavonoids have shown quadratic positive behavior; the values for isoflavones remained constant and the vigor and viability showed contrary trend to activity of antioxidant agents. RESUMO: Qualidade fisiológica, conteúdo e atividade de antioxidantes presentes em sementes de soja envelhecidas artificialmente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica, o conteúdo e a atividade de agentes antioxidantes presentes em sementes de soja envelhecidas durante diferentes períodos. Foram utilizadas sementes das cultivares BRS 258, BRS 262 e BRS 268, envelhecidas durante 12, 24, 36 e 48 h e sementes não envelhecidas. Após cada período de envelhecimento, as sementes foram avaliadas pelo testes de: germinação; primeira contagem e tetrazólio. Foram quantificados: compostos fenólicos totais; flavonóides totais; total de isoflavonas e atividade eliminadora do radical ABTS°+. Houve diferença entre as cultivares em relação ao vigor e viabilidade somente quando foram envelhecidas. BRS 158 e BRS 268 apresentaram melhor qualidade fisiológica de sementes em cada período de envelhecimento, porém, não apresentaram maior quantidade de isoflavonas e eficiência no sequestro dos radicais livres. Para todas as cultivares, os valores de compostos fenólicos totais, assim como os flavonóides totais, apresentaram comportamento quadrático positivo; os valores das isoflavonas permaneceram constantes e o vigor e a viabilidade apresentaram tendência contrária à atividade dos agentes antioxidantes

The action of selected isothiocyanates on bacterial biofilm prevention and control

The activity of two selected isothiocyanates (ITCs), allylisothiocyanate (AITC) and 2-phenylethy-lisothiocyanate (PEITC) was evaluated on the prevention and control of biofilms formed by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, the effect of ITCs was also tested on planktonic cell susceptibility, bacterial motility and adhesion. Biofilm prevention and control were tested using a microtiter plate assay and the effect of ITCs was assessed on biofilm mass and metabolic activity. The minimum bactericidal concentration for E. coli and P. aeruginosa was 1000 μg mL−1 (AITC) and >1000 μg mL−1 (PEITC), for S. aureus and L. monocytogenes was >1000 μg mL−1 (for both ITCs). AITC caused total inhibition of swimming (P. aeruginosa) and swarming (E. coli) motilities. PEITC caused total inhibition of swimming (E. coli, P. aeruginosa and L. monocytogenes) and swarming (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) motilities. Colony spreading of S. aureus was completely inhibited with PEITC. Adhesion assessed in terms of free energy was less favorable when bacteria were exposed to AITC for E. coli and P. aeruginosa and PEITC for P. aeruginosa. Both ITCs had preventive action on biofilm formation and showed a higher potential to reduce the mass of biofilms formed by the Gram-negative bacteria. AITC and PEITC promoted reductions in biofilm activity higher than 60% for all the biofilms tested. The overall study emphasizes the potential of ITCs as emergent products to inhibit bacterial motility and prevent/control biofilms of important human pathogenic bacteria.This work was supported by Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors - COMPETE and by FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology through Projects Bioresist - PTDC/EBB-EBI/105085/2008; Phytodisinfectants - PTDC/DTP-SAP/1078/2012 and the PhD grant awarded to Anabela Borges (SFRH/BD/63398/2009)

Dormancy‐defense syndromes and tradeoffs between physical and chemical defenses in seeds of pioneer species

Seeds of tropical pioneer trees have chemical and physical characteristics that determine their capacity to persist in the soil seed bank. These traits allow seeds to survive in the soil despite diverse predators and pathogens, and to germinate and recruit even decades after dispersal. Defenses in seedlings and adult plants often are described in terms of tradeoffs between chemical and physical defense, but the interplay of defensive strategies has been evaluated only rarely for seeds. Here we evaluated whether classes of seed defenses were negatively correlated across species (consistent with tradeoffs in defense strategies), or whether groups of traits formed associations across species (consistent with seed defense syndromes). Using 16 of the most common pioneer tree species in a neotropical lowland forest in Panama we investigated relationships among four physical traits (seed fracture resistance, seed coat thickness, seed permeability, and seed mass) and two chemical traits (number of phenolic compounds and phenolic peak area), and their association with seed persistence. In addition, seed toxicity was assessed with bioassays in which we evaluated the activity of seed extracts against representative fungal pathogens and a model invertebrate. We did not find univariate tradeoffs between chemical and physical defenses. Instead, we found that seed permeability – a trait that distinguishes physical dormancy from other dormancy types – was positively associated with chemical defense traits and negatively associated with physical defense traits. Using a linear discriminant analysis and a hierarchical cluster analysis we found evidence to distinguish three distinct seed defense syndromes that correspond directly with seed dormancy classes (i.e., quiescent, physical, and physiological). Our data suggest that short and long‐term persistence of seeds can be achieved via two strategies: having permeable seeds that are well defended chemically, corresponding to the physiologically dormant defense syndrome; or having impermeable seeds that are well defended physically, corresponding to the physically dormant defense syndrome. In turn, transient seeds appear to have a lower degree of chemical and physical defenses, corresponding to the quiescent defense syndrome. Overall, we find that seed defense and seed dormancy are linked, suggesting that environmental pressures on seed persistence and for delayed germination can select for trait combinations defining distinct dormancy‐defense syndromes