Chemical investigation of a biologically active schinus molle L. leaf extract

The pepper tree Schinus molle L. is an evergreen ornamental plant belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, native to South America and widespread throughout the world. It has biological activities and is used in folk medicine. This paper aims to contribute to a deeper knowledge of its chemical composition and biological properties. S. molle leaf extracts were obtained by sequential extraction with solvents of different polarities and subsequently tested on the HL-60 human leukaemia cell line to define a possible cytotoxic activity. Among the investigated extracts, the petroleum ether extract revealed a high cytotoxic activity, and its chemical composition was further investigated. By a silica column chromatography, eight fractions were obtained, and their compositions were determined by GC-MS analysis. Compounds and relative abundance differed widely among the fractions; sesquiterpenes resulted the main component and alcoholic sesquiterpenes the most abundant

Competição de cultivares de brócolos tipo cabeça única em Campo Grande.

O experimento foi conduzido na horta da UNIDERP, Campo Grande-MS, de junho a setembro de 2005. Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho de diferentes cultivares de brócolos tipo cabeça única disponíveis no mercado para as condições edafoclimáticas de Campo Grande. Foram avaliadas oito cultivares comerciais: BRO68 (Rogers), Marathon (Sakata), Green Parasol (Takii), Centenário (Takii), Legacy (Asgrow), Magestic Crown (Asgrow), AF649 (Sakata) e Brócolis de Cabeça (Topseed). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados completos, com quatro repetições, sendo cada parcela composta por dez plantas. Foram realizadas seis colheitas, a partir de 89 dias após a semeadura, de acordo com formação da inflorescência e o ponto de colheita, independente do tamanho. Foram avaliadas as características massa fresca (g) e diâmetro da inflorescência (cm) e produtividade (t ha-1). Para cultivo em Campo Grande, as cultivares Centenário, AF649, BRO68 e Marathon são as mais indicadas para plantio entre junho a setembro, pela maior produtividade

Adiponectina iria determinar o predomínio de VLDL alteradas na síndrome metabólica

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar si la reducción de adiponectina (ADP) en el síndrome metabólico (SMet), influencia las características aterogénicas de VLDL. Se estudiaron 45 pacientes con SMet y 15 controles sanos. En suero en ayunas se midió perfil lipídico, ácidos grasos libres (AGL), ADP, se aisló VLDL (d<1,006 g/L) caracterizándola en su composición química y tamaño (HPLC-exclusión molecular). En plasma post-heparínico se determinó la actividad de lipoproteína lipasa (LPL). En SMet VLDL mostró incremento de masa, número de partículas, contenido en triglicéridos-VLDL y mayor proporción de VLDL grandes (p<0,05). El incremento de AGL correlacionó con la masa de VLDL (r=0,36; p=0,009), número de partículas-VLDL (r=0,45; p=0,0006) y %-VLDL grandes (r=0,32; p=0,02). SMet mostró descenso en ADP (7,4±4,8 vs.15,5±7,2 μg/mL, p=0,01) y en actividad de LPL (p=0,01), que correlacionaron entre si (r=0,38; p=0,01; ajustado por HOMA-IR y cintura: β=0,35; p=0,02).ADP correlacionó negativamente con AGL y %-VLDL grandes (p<0,03). Se concluye que en SMet la disminución de ADP favorecería la secreción de VLDL sobre-enriquecidas en triglicéridos y de mayor tamaño, y además retardaría el catabolismo de VLDL mediado por LPL, resultando en la acumulación de VLDL alteradas en circulación con características aterogénicas.The aim of the work was to evaluate whether the reduction of adiponectin (ADP) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) affects the atherogenic features of VLDL. A total of 45 patients with MetS (ATPIII) and 15 healthy controls were studied. In fasting serum, lipid profile, free fatty acids (FFA) and ADP were determined. VLDL was isolated (d<1.006 g/L) and characterized in chemical composition and size (size exclusion-HPLC). In post-heparin plasma, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity was measured. In MetS, VLDL showed increased total mass, particle number, VLDL-triglyceride content and higher large-VLDL proportion (p<0.05). The increase in FFA correlated with VLDL mass (r=0.36; p=0.009), VLDL particle number (r=0.45; p=0.0006) and large-VLDL proportion (r=0.32; p=0.02). MetS patients showed a decrease in ADP (7.4±4.8 vs. 15.5±7.2 μg/mL, p=0.01) and in LPL activity (p=0.01), that positively correlated between them (r=0.38; p=0.01; adjusted by HOMA-IR and waist: β=0.35; p=0.02). ADP inversely correlated with FFA and large-VLDL% (p<0.03). It can be concluded that in MetS, decreased ADP would favour the secretion of triglyceride over-enriched and larger VLDL particles, and also would delay VLDL catabolism mediated by LPL, resulting in the accumulation of altered VLDL with atherogenic characteristics.O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar se a redução da adiponectina (ADP) na síndrome metabólica (SM), afeta as características aterogênicas das VLDL. Foram estudados 45 indivíduos com SM e 15 controles saudáveis. Em jejum, foi medido em soro o perfil lipídico, ácidos graxos livres (AGL) e ADP. Foram isoladas as VLDL (d <1,006 g / L) caracterizando-as em relação a sua composição química e tamanho (HPLC- exclusão molecular). No plasma pós-heparina foi medida a atividade da lipoproteína lipase (LPL). Em indivíduos com SM, as VLDL apresentaram aumento de massa, número de partículas, conteúdo de triglicerídeos -VLDL e maior proporção de VLDL grandes (p<0,05). O aumento de AGL correlacionou com a massa de VLDL (r=0,36; p=0,009), número de partículas -VLDL (r=0,45; p=0,0006) e percentual -VLDL grandes (r=0,32; p=0,02). A SM mostrou uma diminuição em ADP (7,4±4,8 vs. 15,5±7,2 μg/mL, p=0,01) e em atividade de LPL (p=0,01), que correlacionaram entre eles (r=0,38; p=0,01; ajustada por HOMA-IR e cintura: β=0,35; p=0,02). A ADP correlacionou em forma negativa com AGL e %-VLDL grandes (p<0,03). A conclusão é que em indivíduos com SM, a diminuição da ADP iria favorecer a secreção de VLDL super-enriquecidas em triglicerídeos e de maior tamanho, e também atrasaria o catabolismo das VLDL mediado por LPL, resultando na acumulação de VLDL alteradas em circulação com características aterogênicas.Fil: Lucero, Diego Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Miksztowicz, Verónica Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Cacciagiú, Leonardo D.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Graciela Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Machulsky, Nahuel Hernan. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Berg, Gabriela Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Zago, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Schreier, Laura Ester. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentin

Riding Circuit: Bringing the Law to Those Who Need It

In this article, I will first look at how various state Access to Justice Commissions in the United States are addressing self-represented litigants\u27 ability to access and navigate the civil court system. I review various projects that attempt to make legal forms and processes more understandable to the public. I also discuss the role of law librarians, and how they bring a working understanding of the problems and missteps that self-represented litigants face first-hand. I argue for better inclusion of these information professionals in state commissions and in various outreach programs to improve the quality of the legal information provided to the public for better outcomes both in and outside of a courtroom. Next, I will review some innovative models of providing access to justice in different jurisdictions that may meet one or more of the needs found in under-served populations. I will also discuss how a radical collaboration of diverse professionals can ride circuit to provide both preventive and just in time legal and social services to people in need

Effective connectivity reveals strategy differences in an expert calculator

Mathematical reasoning is a core component of cognition and the study of experts defines the upper limits of human cognitive abilities, which is why we are fascinated by peak performers, such as chess masters and mental calculators. Here, we investigated the neural bases of calendrical skills, i.e. the ability to rapidly identify the weekday of a particular date, in a gifted mental calculator who does not fall in the autistic spectrum, using functional MRI. Graph-based mapping of effective connectivity, but not univariate analysis, revealed distinct anatomical location of “cortical hubs” supporting the processing of well-practiced close dates and less-practiced remote dates: the former engaged predominantly occipital and medial temporal areas, whereas the latter were associated mainly with prefrontal, orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate connectivity. These results point to the effect of extensive practice on the development of expertise and long term working memory, and demonstrate the role of frontal networks in supporting performance on less practiced calculations, which incur additional processing demands. Through the example of calendrical skills, our results demonstrate that the ability to perform complex calculations is initially supported by extensive attentional and strategic resources, which, as expertise develops, are gradually replaced by access to long term working memory for familiar material

Search for anomalies in the neutrino sector with muon spectrometers and large LArTPC imaging detectors at CERN

A new experiment with an intense ~2 GeV neutrino beam at CERN SPS is proposed in order to definitely clarify the possible existence of additional neutrino states, as pointed out by neutrino calibration source experiments, reactor and accelerator experiments and measure the corresponding oscillation parameters. The experiment is based on two identical LAr-TPCs complemented by magnetized spectrometers detecting electron and muon neutrino events at Far and Near positions, 1600 m and 300 m from the proton target, respectively. The ICARUS T600 detector, the largest LAr-TPC ever built with a size of about 600 ton of imaging mass, now running in the LNGS underground laboratory, will be moved at the CERN Far position. An additional 1/4 of the T600 detector (T150) will be constructed and located in the Near position. Two large area spectrometers will be placed downstream of the two LAr-TPC detectors to perform charge identification and muon momentum measurements from sub-GeV to several GeV energy range, greatly complementing the physics capabilities. This experiment will offer remarkable discovery potentialities, collecting a very large number of unbiased events both in the neutrino and antineutrino channels, largely adequate to definitely settle the origin of the observed neutrino-related anomalies.Comment: Contribution to the European Strategy for Particle Physics - Open Symposium Preparatory Group, Kracow 10-12 September 201

Mitochondrial clearance by the STK38 kinase supports oncogenic Ras-induced cell transformation.

Oncogenic Ras signalling occurs frequently in many human cancers. However, no effective targeted therapies are currently available to treat patients suffering from Ras-driven tumours. Therefore, it is imperative to identify downstream effectors of Ras signalling that potentially represent promising new therapeutic options. Particularly, considering that autophagy inhibition can impair the survival of Ras-transformed cells in tissue culture and mouse models, an understanding of factors regulating the balance between autophagy and apoptosis in Ras-transformed human cells is needed. Here, we report critical roles of the STK38 protein kinase in oncogenic Ras transformation. STK38 knockdown impaired anoikis resistance, anchorage-independent soft agar growth, and in vivo xenograft growth of Ras-transformed human cells. Mechanistically, STK38 supports Ras-driven transformation through promoting detachment-induced autophagy. Even more importantly, upon cell detachment STK38 is required to sustain the removal of damaged mitochondria by mitophagy, a selective autophagic process, to prevent excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production that can negatively affect cancer cell survival. Significantly, knockdown of PINK1 or Parkin, two positive regulators of mitophagy, also impaired anoikis resistance and anchorage-independent growth of Ras-transformed human cells, while knockdown of USP30, a negative regulator of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy, restored anchorage-independent growth of STK38-depleted Ras-transformed human cells. Therefore, our findings collectively reveal novel molecular players that determine whether Ras-transformed human cells die or survive upon cell detachment, which potentially could be exploited for the development of novel strategies to target Ras-transformed cells

The ESPRI project: astrometric exoplanet search with PRIMA I. Instrument description and performance of first light observations

The ESPRI project relies on the astrometric capabilities offered by the PRIMA facility of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer for the discovery and study of planetary systems. Our survey consists of obtaining high-precision astrometry for a large sample of stars over several years and to detect their barycentric motions due to orbiting planets. We present the operation principle, the instrument's implementation, and the results of a first series of test observations. A comprehensive overview of the instrument infrastructure is given and the observation strategy for dual-field relative astrometry is presented. The differential delay lines, a key component of the PRIMA facility which was delivered by the ESPRI consortium, are described and their performance within the facility is discussed. Observations of bright visual binaries are used to test the observation procedures and to establish the instrument's astrometric precision and accuracy. The data reduction strategy for astrometry and the necessary corrections to the raw data are presented. Adaptive optics observations with NACO are used as an independent verification of PRIMA astrometric observations. The PRIMA facility was used to carry out tests of astrometric observations. The astrometric performance in terms of precision is limited by the atmospheric turbulence at a level close to the theoretical expectations and a precision of 30 micro-arcseconds was achieved. In contrast, the astrometric accuracy is insufficient for the goals of the ESPRI project and is currently limited by systematic errors that originate in the part of the interferometer beamtrain which is not monitored by the internal metrology system. Our observations led to the definition of corrective actions required to make the facility ready for carrying out the ESPRI search for extrasolar planets.Comment: 32 pages, 39 figures, Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in Japanese Akita dogs: a survey

Low serum level of vitamin D has been linked to numerous diseases. The Akita breed of dog shows a high incidence of immune-mediated diseases such as uveodermatologic (UVD) syndrome and sebaceous adenitis (SA). Furthermore, in Japanese Akita dogs, skin depigmentation often appears after birth at different ages, in healthy dogs, and without any other symptoms. In humans poliosis is associated to low vitamin D level. The aim of this survey was to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in Japanese Akita dogs. One hundred and three Akita blood samples were collected for the 25(OH)D evaluation. Age, sex, current disease, presence and location of skin depigmentation, and diet were reported on a medical record. Based on history and clinical examination, dogs were classified according their health status as healthy (HE) or pathological (PA). The overall mean of 25(OH)D concentration was 82.42 ± 26.14 ng/mL, whereas the concentrations in the healthy dogs were significantly higher (84.90 ± 3.36 ng/mL) in comparison with the dogs with diseases (72.13 ± 4.09 ng/mL) (P &lt; 0.01). In this study, the depigmented healthy dogs showed low level of 25(OH)D and very similar to the sick group. The appearance of depigmented areas associated with low levels of vitamin D could be considered as an alert sign in Akitas as well as in humans. However, clinical trials should also be carried out to establish whether vitamin D supplementation could be an effective preventive treatment to limit the onset of immune-mediated diseases in Japanese Akita dogs