Stevia, ka'a he'e, wild sweet herb from South America : an overview

746-750The use of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, perennial indigenous native plant from the tropical region of South America is presented, with a brief outlook on the history and uses of the wild plant by Guarani Indians, the crop domestication, and the authorization of its use as a natural sweetener in food and beverages. Other aspects considered are natural glycosides and physicochemical properties for food processing, nutritional information, medicinal properties, Stevia market and household uses. The future of this plant is promising but more research is needed to ensure use of leaves and steviosides, and also to study cultivation practices in various regions of the world

Role of mitochondrial raft-like microdomains in the regulation of cell apoptosis

Lipid rafts are envisaged as lateral assemblies of specific lipids and proteins that dissociate and associate rapidly and form functional clusters in cell membranes. These structural platforms are not confined to the plasma membrane; indeed lipid microdomains are similarly formed at subcellular organelles, which include endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi and mitochondria, named raft-like microdomains. In addition, some components of raft-like microdomains are present within ER-mitochondria associated membranes. This review is focused on the role of mitochondrial raft-like microdomains in the regulation of cell apoptosis, since these microdomains may represent preferential sites where key reactions take place, regulating mitochondria hyperpolarization, fission-associated changes, megapore formation and release of apoptogenic factors. These structural platforms appear to modulate cytoplasmic pathways switching cell fate towards cell survival or death. Main insights on this issue derive from some pathological conditions in which alterations of microdomains structure or function can lead to severe alterations of cell activity and life span. In the light of the role played by raft-like microdomains to integrate apoptotic signals and in regulating mitochondrial dynamics, it is conceivable that these membrane structures may play a role in the mitochondrial alterations observed in some of the most common human neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's chorea and prion-related diseases. These findings introduce an additional task for identifying new molecular target(s) of pharmacological agents in these pathologies

Effects of two plant arrangements in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) intercropping on soil nitrogen and phosphorus status and growth of component crops at an Argentinean argiudoll

22-31Intercropping systems can provide many benefits through increased efficiency of land and light use. The objectives of this study were to assess the main effects on a soil and plant growth of two arrangements of corn - soybean intercropping. In a 1-year experiment at 2011, the following treatments were randomly assigned in a CRD to 16 plots located on a vertic Argiudoll from Argentina: sole corn (Zea mays L.), sole soybean (Glycine max L.), corn-soybean 1:1 intercropping and Corn-soybean 1:2 intercropping. Nitrate levels were modified by treatments, but these treatments did not affect available P contents due to very high levels of this element during the whole cropping cycles. The practice of intercropping did not enhance water uptake by crops in relation to sole crops, as might be expected from complementary root systems and development timelines. Corn N status improved with intercropping probably due to an enhanced growth of plants and their roots, but soybean chlorophyll content was decreased by intercropping treatments. Yield and growth of corn were stimulated by intercropping systems, but this system depressed soybean growth, particularly at 1:1 corn-soybean ratio. Based on the remarkable dominance of corn crop observed at this arrangement, it can be concluded that a 1:2 corn-soybean ratio could be more beneficial in terms of more symmetric ecological interactions

Integration of the Audio-Visual Moylan Assessment of Progressive Aggression Tool (MAPAT) in a USA State Wide Training Program of Mental Health Workers

Aggressive and violent behavior toward health care workers in psychiatric hospital settings is a long recognized occupational hazard with significant psychological, physical and economic costs (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Hunter. Carmel 1992). Numerous professional publications highlight the problem and emphasize the need for formalized staff training (one of many clinical and occupational approaches) to reduce the risk of violence and the related rate and severity of staff injuries (Infantino and Musingo 1985; Lehman, Medilla and Clark1983, Carmel and Hunter 1990, American Psychiatric Association Task Force on Clinician Safety (Task Force Report 33, Beech and Leather 2006). Training programs are widely used and options include private (e.g. Non-violent Crisis Intervention, Crisis Prevention Institute) and public sector developed (States of NY, CT, et al) programs. In the United States, staff that work in psychiatric hospital settings, where restraints and seclusion are used, must meet the training requirements set forth by regulatory and accrediting bodies [Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services CFR Part 482 (CMS), The Joint Commission (TJC)]. Hospital policies and state laws (e.g., Connecticut General Statute 814e, Sec 46-154) typically include training requirements. The requirements include who should be trained (direct care staff that work in settings where restraints and seclusion are used), at what intervals (orientation and subsequent periodic reviews) and what the content must include. Competence in the theoretical knowledge as well as physical skill knowledge are commonly used measures

Glomalins and their relationship with soil carbon

5The activity of bacteria and fungi is a relevant issue in the process of humification of organic matter and physical stability of the soil, standing out the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF synthesize a recalcitrant glycoprotein called glomalin, with hydrophobic characteristics. GSRP (glomalin soil-related protein) is the generic product of proteins extracted from soil. The aim was to quantify GSRP and evaluate its share in the total soil organic carbon (TOC). GSRP presented a direct and positive association with soil TOC (R²:0.73). The quantitative participation of GSRP regarding TOC (GSRP / TOC) revealed that as TOC content decreases, GSRP proportion increases. Within the TOC range explored in this paper (1.3 to 3.2%), the glomalin related protein pool of soil changes about 9%, representing between 27% and 36% of TOC. This behavior would indicate an increase of resistant carbon forms counteracting the effects of carbon loss

En busca de un horizonte común para la Biblioteca digital de arqueología náutica (NADL). Reflexiones sobre ciencia, método, teoría y plantillas

[EN] Data sharing is a fundamental process for the advancement of both natural and social sciences. Starting from the idea that computers and the internet have drastically changed the world in the last decades, this paper advocates for the creation of a space where archaeologists from around the world can share information about maritime history and exchange data with colleagues. Following the principles of open access, we argue that raw data publication is necessary and significant for the development and democratization of the discipline. This study explains the fundamental aspects of the Nautical Archaeology Digital Library (NADL) and its efforts to standardize information collection for shipwrecks and related sites, so that scholars can create a community to disseminate both raw data and complete information in the field of maritime archaeology. To achieve this, our purpose is to facilitate the development of common-ground methodology and terminology that promotes an intelligible dialogue within the global community of nautical archaeologists. This paper addresses some considerations on terminology and systematization in scientific disciplines and discusses the theoretical and methodological issues linked to the process of making a template for recording shipwrecks. Furthermore, this article analyses some of the problems related to the standardization of description processes and the necessity to create a flexible system that accounts for data diversity. The third section discusses how science is greatly enhanced by publishing information in open access platforms.Highlights:Standardization of data allows robust comparative and inter-subjective analysis of coastal and maritime projects, shipwrecks and nautical technology.Research is strongly benefited by sharing information underlying publications and raw data generated within a project in open source platforms.Digital databases such as NADL enhance cooperative research, as well as teaching and outreach strategies.[ES] Compartir información es un proceso fundamental para el desarrollo de las ciencias naturales y sociales. Partiendo de la idea de que las computadoras e Internet han cambiado drásticamente el mundo en las últimas décadas, este trabajo aboga por la creación de un espacio en el que arqueólogos de alrededor del mundo puedan compartir información sobre historia marítima e intercambiar datos con otros colegas. Siguiendo los principios del libre acceso, sostenemos que la publicación de datos en bruto es necesaria y significativa para el desarrollo y democratización de la disciplina. Este artículo explica los fundamentos de la Biblioteca Digital de Arqueología Náutica (NADL: https://nadl.tamu.edu/) y sus esfuerzos por estandarizar el registro de la información sobre naufragios y sitios relacionados, para que los investigadores puedan crear una comunidad de divulgación, tanto de datos primarios como de información completa en el campo de la arqueología marítima. Para lograrlo, nuestro propósito es contribuir al desarrollo de una metodología y terminología común que promueva un diálogo inteligible entre la comunidad global de arqueólogos náuticos. En este artículo presentamos algunas consideraciones sobre la terminología y la sistematización en las disciplinas científicas y discutimos los problemas teóricos y metodológicos vinculados al proceso de creación de una plantilla para el registro de naufragios. Además, reflexionamos sobre algunos de los problemas relacionados con la estandarización de los procesos descriptivos y la necesidad de crear un sistema flexible que refleje la diversidad de los datos. Finalmente, discutimos cómo la ciencia se ve enormemente favorecida por la publicación de información en plataformas de libre acceso.This paper is a result of a T3 Texas A&M University grant. We want to thank the NADL community for their input. This paper is based on extensive discussions among the community. 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Intersiembra maíz - soja : variación espacial y temporal de propiedades del suelo

p.43-52La dinámica de los nutrientes y otras propiedades del suelo pueden ser alteradas fuertemente por prácticas agrícolas como la intersiembra. Se propusieron los siguientes objetivos: I) comparar sistemas de intersiembra soja-maíz con respecto a los monocultivos en cuanto a la cantidad de carbono del suelo, II) evaluar la disponibilidad de los principales nutrientes en estos sistemas. Se realizó un ensayo en un suelo Hapludol típico de la Pampa Arenosa con los siguientes tratamientos: I) soja pura, II) maíz puro y III) soja y maíz intersembrados en una relación 2:1, todos manejados en secano. Se realizaron muestreos de suelo en dos momentos: el primero (F1) se realizó con el maíz en V5 y la soja recién emergida; el segundo (F2) con el cultivo de maíz en R1 y el cultivo de soja en bajo los tratamientos que incluían al cultivo de maíz. El nivel de P extractable fue menor en el cultivo de soja avanzado (F2) que en el monocultivo de maíz, lo que fue notable a 5 cm del surco, debido probablemente a una fuerte absorción por parte de la leguminosa. En la primera fecha de medición, a 5 cm del surco correspondiente, que incluían al maíz, mientras que en la segunda fecha de medición, la disponibilidad de nitratos fue mínima en dicho tratamiento, lo que parece deberse a diferencias en el desarrollo de los cultivos. Por último, la práctica de intersiembra dentro del marco de este ensayo no probó ser una alternativa viable para limitar la existencia de elevados niveles de nitratos

De novo design of protein logic gates

The design of modular protein logic for regulating protein function at the posttranscriptional level is a challenge for synthetic biology. Here, we describe the design of two-input AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XNOR, and NOT gates built from de novo–designed proteins. These gates regulate the association of arbitrary protein units ranging from split enzymes to transcriptional machinery in vitro, in yeast and in primary human T cells, where they control the expression of the TIM3 gene related to T cell exhaustion. Designed binding interaction cooperativity, confirmed by native mass spectrometry, makes the gates largely insensitive to stoichiometric imbalances in the inputs, and the modularity of the approach enables ready extension to three-input OR, AND, and disjunctive normal form gates. The modularity and cooperativity of the control elements, coupled with the ability to de novo design an essentially unlimited number of protein components, should enable the design of sophisticated posttranslational control logic over a wide range of biological functions

Khorana score and thromboembolic risk in stage II–III colorectal cancer patients: a post hoc analysis from the adjuvant TOSCA trial

Background: The risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) during adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. We aim to evaluate if the Khorana score (KS) can predict this risk, and if it represents a prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) through a post hoc analysis of the phase III TOSCA trial of different durations (3- versus 6-months) of adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: A logistic regression model was used to test the associations between the risk of VTE and the KS. The results are expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). To assess the effect of the KS on OS, multivariable analyses using Cox regression models were performed. The results are expressed as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI. Results: Among 1380 CRC patients with available data, the VTE risk (n = 72 events: 5.2%) was similar in the two duration arms (5.5% versus 4.9%), with 0.2% of patients belonging to the high-risk KS group. Rates of VTE were similar in the low- and intermediate-risk groups (4.8% versus 6.4%). KS did not represent an independent predictive factor for VTE occurrence. Chemotherapy duration was not associated with VTE risk. In addition, KS was not prognostic for OS in multivariate analysis (HR: 0.92, 95% CI, 0.63–1.36; p = 0.6835). Conclusions: The use of the KS did not predict VTEs in a low–moderate thromboembolic risk population as CRC. These data did not support the use of KS to predict VTE during adjuvant chemotherapy, and suggest that other risk assessment models should be researched