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Southern corn leaf blight (SCLB) is one of the most important corn leaf diseases. Appropriate management strategies and the use of resistant cultivars allow disease control. Therefore, knowing the aspects related to the pathogen and the response of hosts makes it possible to design efficient strategies for selecting genotypes resistant to this disease. In this sense, the objective was to carry out the Bipolaris maydis isolate characterization, evaluating the pathogenicity in different popcorn lines and the symptoms generated in the host after inoculation. The isolate characterization consisted of the macromorphological evaluation of the colonies and the micromorphological evaluation of the conidia in the PDA medium. An experiment was carried out in a greenhouse to evaluate the pathogenicity of the isolate, using 20 inbred lines of popcorn in a randomized block design with four replicates. Inoculation was carried out by spraying leaves, with a suspension containing 1.0 x 104 conidia.ml-1 of the CF/UENF 501 isolate of B. maydis. An incidence assessment and three assessments of disease symptom severity were performed, with seven days intervals between evaluations. The morphological characterization data of the isolate were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and for disease severity, the linear regression model was applied the first-degree model. The variance analysis was performed for the linear and angular coefficients obtained for each treatment. When a difference was found, the Scott-Knott clustering algorithm at 5% significance was applied. The isolate had gray-green colonies, a cottony appearance, and an irregular shape. The lines L353, L354, and L624 show more resistance at the beginning and throughout the evaluations. The high virulence of the CF/UENF 501 isolate made it possible to differentiate the lines in terms of disease intensity and the pattern of symptoms presented. Resumo Mancha-de-Bipolaris é uma das mais importantes doenças foliares do milho. Estratégias de manejo adequadas e o uso de cultivar resistente permitem o controle da doença, mas para tanto, conhecer os aspectos associados ao patógeno e a resposta do hospedeiro é necessário para traçar estratégias eficientes para seleção de genótipos resistentes a essa doença. Neste sentido, objetivou-se realizar a caracterização do isolado de Bipolaris maydis avaliando a patogenicidade em diferentes linhagens de milho-pipoca e os sintomas gerados no hospedeiro a partir da inoculação. A caracterização do isolado consistiu na avaliação macromorfológica das colônias e micromofológica dos conídios em meio nutritivo BDA. Para avaliação da patogenicidade do isolado foi conduzido um experimento em casa de vegetação utilizando 20 linhagens endogâmicas de milho-pipoca, com delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A inoculação foi realizada por meio de pulverização em folhas, com uma suspensão contendo 1,0 x 104 conídios.ml-1 do isolado CF/UENF 501 de B. maydis. Foi realizada uma avaliação de incidência e três avaliações de severidade dos sintomas da doença, com o intervalo de sete dias para cada avaliação. Os dados da caracterização morfológica do isolado foram analisados por meio da estatística descritiva e para severidade da doença foi aplicado o modelo de regressão linear de primeiro grau. Realizou-se a análise de variância para o coeficiente linear e angular obtido para cada tratamento e quando constatada diferença aplicou-se o agrupamento de médias de Scott-knott a 5% de significância. O isolado apresentou colônias com coloração cinza esverdeado, aspecto algodonoso e forma irregular. As linhagens L353 e L354 e L624 estão entre as linhagens que apresentaram maior resistência no inicio e ao longo das avaliações. A elevada virulência do isolado CF/UENF 501 possibilitou diferenciar as linhagens quanto a intensidade da doença, bem como o padrão dos sintomas apresentados.

Los anticoagulantes orales, utilizados ampliamente en pacientes con enfermedades cardiovasculares y trastornos tromboembólicos, entre otras indicaciones, son medicamentos de alto riesgo que requieren de un adecuado control, por tal motivo es importante que los pacientes conozcan y comprendan su funcionamiento para lograr un uso seguro y eficaz, así como una adecuada adherencia. La evidencia ha demostrado que evaluar e incrementar el conocimiento de los pacientes sobre su terapia anticoagulante conduce a mejores resultados clínicos. En el presente estudio se realizó una búsqueda de instrumentos desarrollados que evalúen el conocimiento de los pacientes sobre su terapia anticoagulante y una revisión narrativa de las herramientas encontradas. Actualmente existen cinco herramientas desarrolladas y validadas en diferentes idiomas para su uso en pacientes que reciben tanto antagonistas de la vitamina K, como anticoagulantes orales directos. No obstante, aún no se cuenta con una herramienta validada en español que pueda ser utilizada en países de habla hispana.

Sodium appetite is a motivational state involving homeostatic behavior, seeking the ingest of salty substances after sodium loss. There is a temporal dissociation between sodium depletion (SD) and the appearance of sodium appetite. However, the responsible mechanisms for this delay remain poorly elucidated. In the present study, we measured the temporal changes at two and 24 h after SD in the gene expression of key elements within excitatory, inhibitory, and sensory areas implicated in the signaling pathways involved in the onset of sodium appetite. In SD rats, we observed that the expression of critical components within the brain control circuit of sodium appetite, including Angiotensin-type-1 receptor (Agtr1a), Oxytocin-(OXT-NP)-neurophysin-I, and serotonergic-(5HT)-type-2c receptor (Htr2c) were modulated by SD, regardless of time. However, we observed reduced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) at the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and increased oxytocin receptor (Oxtr) mRNA expression at the anteroventral of the third ventricle area (AV3V), at two hours after SD, when sodium appetite is inapparent. At twenty-four hours after SD, when sodium appetite is released, we observed a reduction in the mRNA expression of the transient receptor potential channel 1gene (Trpv1) and Oxtr in the AV3V and the dorsal raphe nucleus, respectively. The results indicate that SD exerts a coordinated timing effect, promoting the appearance of sodium appetite through changes in MAPK activity and lower Trpv1 channel and Oxtr expression that trigger sodium consumption to reestablish the hydroelectrolytic homeostasis.

Este estudo visou avaliar a potencialidade de genótipos de cupuaçuzeiro embasando-se na caracterização física do fruto e físico-química da polpa. Foram empregados clones de cupuaçuzeiro oriundos de um ensaio de campo instalado no município de Tomé Açu, Pará, Brasil. Os dados obtidos com a caracterização foram submetidos à análise de variância univariada e multivariada pelos métodos de componentes principais, redes de correlações e estabelecida a divergência entre os genótipos. Os resultados demonstraram que o clone 46 apresentou as maiores massas de semente e polpa, além de frutos que se destacaram no comprimento médio, quando comparados aos clones 32 e 61. Em relação aos teores de vitamina C, os clones 46, 61, 63 foram superiores em relação aos demais genótipos estudados. Esses mesmos clones, juntamente com o 32 apresentaram valores superiores ao padrão de referência de qualidade proposto pela legislação vigente. Dessa forma, os clones testados apresentaram características adequadas tanto para mercado de polpa (46, 61 e 64) quanto para a indústria de cupulate (32, 42 e 46), com índices de qualidade de polpa superiores aos determinados pela legislação brasileira. Made available in DSpace on 2022-10-28T15:08:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 1948-Texto-do-artigo-5913-1-10-20220517.pdf: 8899 bytes, checksum: 0f3389755155f9f911cd0f87b1ff00b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2022

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. OnBehalf REMODELING HF Background/Introduction: Extracellular volume (ECV) expansion is a major determinant of cardiac remodeling in heart failure. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 mapping has been developed as a noninvasive technique to estimate ECV. Purpose The objective of this study is to assess the response to Sacubitril/Valsartan by measuring changes in myocardial ECV and their association with reverse cardiac remodeling in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods Prospective, single-center, open-label study of two hundred-four HFrEF patients underwent CMR T1 mapping using the modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence for ECV calculation, and initiated with sacubitril-valsartan treatment according to Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy. Absolute change in myocardial ECV, serum levels of procollagen type I amino-terminal peptide (PINP) and procollagen type III amino-terminal peptide (PIIINP), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index, left ventricular end-systolic volume index and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) were analyzed from baseline to 12-month follow-up. Results Baseline MOLLI-ECV was 48.2% ± 2.4 in 106 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and 38.7% ± 2.7 in 98 with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), decreasing to 34% ± 2.4 for ICM and 29.5% ± 2.7 for DCM (P Conclusions For the first time, we observe that changes in extracellular volume induced by sacubitril-valsartan therapy are related to reverse cardiac remodeling in patients with in HFrEF. These findings suggest that there may be an opportunity to decrease adverse remodeling with the use of a CMR-guided therapeutic approach aimed at decreasing fibrogenic activity and modulate the remodeling process.

The purpose of this research was to select the development of superior genotypes of snap beans adapted to edaphoclimatic conditions of the North and Northwest of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, applying the mixed model methodology. The test was installed and carried out in the experimental area of the Instituto Federal Fluminense (IFF), located in the municipality of Bom Jesus do Itabapoana, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, using the modified SSD (Single Seed Descent) method. The experiment was of randomized block design with three replications. We evaluated weight of pod per plant and number of pod per plant in ten progenies from the snap bean breeding program of the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF); individual plants were assessed in each plot and in each replication (block). All progenies had mean productivity superior to 1 kg of pod per plant and 144 pods per plant. The 7 and 2 progenies, which came from the crossings between (UENF 7-5-1) L6 × L20 (UENF 14-3-3) and (UENF 7-5-1) L6 × L13 (UENF 7-20-1), stood out from the others, as they led to a higher predicted additive gain for the two evaluated traits. We concluded that the selection for production of snap beans and grains applying BLUP enabled the prediction and achievement of significant genetic gains for breeding snap beans for subsequent generations

The present study was conducted to investigate the genetic control and to estimate the general and specific combining abilities of popcorn for agronomic attributes and attributes related to resistance to northern leaf blight (NLB). The 56 hybrids (F

Objectives To determine the efficacy of daptomycin for the treatment of penicillin- and cephalosporin-resistant pneumococcal meningitis using in vitro and in vivo methods. Methods In vitro killing curves were determined with clinically achievable CSF antibiotic concentrations. In a rabbit model of pneumococcal meningitis, we studied the efficacy (Δ cfu/mL) of daptomycin used at 15 and 25 mg/kg, comparing it with ceftriaxone 100 mg/kg/24 h and ceftriaxone plus vancomycin 30 mg/kg/24 h over a 26 h period against two different strains: HUB 2349 and ATCC 51916, with MICs of 2 and 32 mg/L of cefotaxime/ceftriaxone, respectively. Results The penetration of daptomycin into CSF ranged between 9% and 11%. Daptomycin therapy achieved an excellent response, being bactericidal within 2 h of antibiotic administration. Against strain HUB 2349, daptomycin at both doses was as effective as ceftriaxone plus vancomycin. Against the highly resistant strain, daptomycin 25 mg/kg was significantly better than ceftriaxone plus vancomycin at 2 and 6 h. Conclusions Daptomycin at standard doses, and especially at high doses, may be a useful alternative for the treatment of penicillin- and cephalosporin-resistant pneumococcal meningitis.

Photosynthetic performance in lichens can vary throughout the year. We investigate the variation in the PSII quantum efficiency as a proxy for the physiological state of the photosynthetic apparatus in two umbilicate species from the genus Lasallia. Temporal variation in Fv/Fm in both species was monitored at a field site in Central Spain where both species coexist. Subsequent measurements were carried out in the laboratory after 48 h preconditioning. Both species showed clear variation during the year in PSII performance, with a marked depression in Fv/Fm during the summer. Lasallia pustulata consistently had higher Fv/Fm values than L. hispanica. Both species reached higher Fv/Fm values after 48 h of preconditioning in the laboratory and this recovery was particularly notable in the summer months. Fv/Fm was highly related to antecedent weather conditions during the two days prior to measurement.

Rewarding effects of ethanol may be mediated in part by endogenous opioids. Ethanol alters β-endorphin synthesis and release. β-endorphin heterozygous (HT) and knockout (KO) mice consume higher levels of a low-concentrated alcohol solution and show heightened predisposition to self-administer ethanol in comparison with wild-type (WT) mice (Grisel et al., 1999). This study was conducted in order to: i) re-analyze and extend previous results in terms of ethanol consumption profiles of β-endorphin deficient mice; and ii) analyze conditioned aversive learning mediated by ethanol postabsorptive effects as a function of genetic capabilities to synthesize β-endorphin. In Experiment 1, mice were evaluated in terms of consumption of a low (7%) ethanol solution in a two-bottle free choice paradigm. Ethanol concentration was then increased to 10 % and voluntary intake consumption was tested. WT mice displayed significantly higher consumption levels and ethanol-preference scores than did KO mice, independently from ethanol concentration. HT mice drank more ethanol than did KO mice. In Experiment 2, mice (KO, HT and WT) were tested in a conditioned taste aversion paradigm in which a sodium chloride (NaCl) solution was paired with a 2-g/kg ethanol dose. Only HT and KO displayed a conditioned aversion when using 2-g/kg ethanol as unconditioned stimulus. The present results indicate that total or partial deficiency of β-endorphin synthesis reduces ethanol preference and consumption. Furthermore, this study indicates that the lack of β-endorphin synthesis exacerbates ethanol’s aversive postabsorptive effects which can in turn modulate self-administration patterns of the drug.

A low-level radioactive charger based on 241Am was developed and tested. Its activity ( 0.24 μ Ci ) is below the exemption limit of IAEA. The design leads to values of the N i t product ( ∼ 10 13 m - 3 s ) comparable to current radioactive ionizers with activities up to three orders of magnitude higher. The performance of the weak radioactive 241Am ionizer was assessed experimentally and by means of a numerical model based on Fuchs theory. The results show that the 241Am ionizer charges to steady state particles less than 250 nm at number concentrations up to 10 6 cm - 3 at a maximum flow rate of 2.5 l min - 1 . These conditions correspond to values of the particle to ion concentration ratio N p / N o less than unity and a residence time of 5 s. For particle to ion concentrations above unity, the model predicts that the time to steady state increases strongly with both particle size and aerosol particle concentration. For N p / N o ≅ 10 , the minimum time to achieve stationary charging conditions in the 241Am ionizer is 10 s, for particles of 50 nm. In accordance with the numerical results, a simple analytical criterion is derived, which predicts whether an aerosol of given concentration and mean particle size is charged to steady state in an arbitrary radioactive bipolar ionizer.

An existing corona diffusion charger (Buscher et al. 1994) is optimized in order to reduce multiple charging of submicron particles. A positive-zero rectangular wave voltage is applied to the inner electrode and the ion concentration in the charging region is controlled by varying the duty cycle of the pulse voltage, i.e., the fraction of time during which the voltage applied to the electrode is positive. The performance of the corona charger is assessed experimentally and theoretically for monodisperse aerosols with particle sizes in the range of 50 to 250 nm and number concentrations below 10 5 cm−3. Optimal corona voltage and pulse voltage values of +4.5 kV and +5 V are identified. A duty cycle about 10% resulted in multiple charging levels comparable to positively charged particles in bipolar chargers, with higher fractions of singly charged particles. Multiple charging can be lowered by reducing further the duty cycle. When using the corona ionizer for charging of polydisperse aerosols, operational c...

A first attempt was made to produce novel ABC triblock terpolymers with three potentially crystallisable blocks: polyethylene (PE), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL). Polybutadiene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymers were synthesized by living anionic polymerization. Then, a non-catalyzed thermal polymerization of e-caprolactone from the hydroxyl end group of the PB-b-PEO diblock precursors was performed. Finally, hydrogenation by Wilkinson catalyst produced PE-b-PEO-b-PCL triblock terpolymers. Side reactions were detected that lead to the formation of undesired PCL-b-PEO diblock copolymers, however, these impurities were successfully removed by purification. A range of triblock terpolymers with PCL and PEO minor components were prepared. Topological restrictions on the PEO middle block prevented this block from crystallizing while the complex crystallization behavior of the PE and PCL blocks was documented by DSC and WAXS measurements.

Macronutrient selection and responses to dietary protein dilution were investigated in 95-g sharpsnout seabream, an omnivorous fish species of interest for Mediterranean aquaculture. Five groups of 18 sharpsnout seabream were distributed among circular 450-l tanks and allowed to self-feed from 3 feeders each of which distributed feeds composed of different pairs of macronutrients: PC (75% protein, 25% carbohydrate), PF (75% protein, 25% fat) or FC (50% fat, 50% digestible carbohydrate). Regardless of self-feeders position, the fish composed a diet containing 63% protein, 19% fat and 18% carbohydrate. When the protein-containing diets (PC and PF) were diluted 50% with cellulose, the fish increased their food intake to compensate for the energy dilution (170 kJ/kg BW/day vs. 168 kJ/kg BW/day after dilution), and dietary composition (63% protein, 16% fat and 21% carbohydrate) did not change significantly. These results demonstrate that sharpsnout seabream can select from incomplete diets to compose a balanced diet, and the fish are also able to compensate for a dietary dilution to regulate both energy intake and the relative proportions of macronutrients., Sí

The cholinergic profile of (+/-)-huprine Y and (+/-)-huprine Z on muscarinic receptors has been determined. Displacement of [3H]-pirenzepine and [3H]-QNB plus pirenzepine was performed in rat hippocampus. Both compounds showed a higher degree of affinity to M1 muscarinic receptors (P0.01) than to M2 muscarinic receptors. To determine the M1 agonist or antagonist role of the two huprines, studies of inositol phosphates (IP) production were performed. Both huprines significantly stimulated IP accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner. The reversion of this effect by different antagonists showed that M1 muscarinic receptors were activated by (+/-)-huprine Y and (+/-)-huprine Z, but some other mechanisms, such as alpha1-adrenoceptors or nicotinic receptors, were involved.

In the present paper, we describe the performance of a bite-and-pull feed-demand system adapted to the behavior of European sea bass. The system is activated by the fish biting and pulling on, which generates an electrical signal that triggers the feed distributor. Experiment I was designed to test the sensor under laboratory conditions, using four groups of four naive fish per sensor (non-trained fish, NTF) and eight groups of four fish per sensor (small groups) that had been trained to use the system 1 year earlier (TF). Experiment II compared the bite-and-pull trigger (BPT) with a screened hanging-rod trigger (ST) using 16 groups of 48 sea bass per sensor (medium groups) under laboratory conditions. Experiment III evaluated the performance of the BPT sensor under farming conditions using four groups of 1000 sea bass per sensor (large groups) held in sea cages. Some of the advantages of the BPT sensor over other sensors are: (1) a shorter learning period, 11-12 days in exp. I, 1-2 day in exp. II and 1 day in exp. III; (2) absence of temporal constraints, allowing sea bass to feed at night (60% of nocturnal demands in exp. II; 23% and 47% of nocturnal demands in September and February, respectively, exp. III); (3) prevents accidental activation by fish, wind or waves; (4) low feed waste when reward level is set correctly; and (5) low costs, durability, and easy replacement of its components. All these features make the BPT a useful system for sea bass self feeding in sea cages.

A morphologic, petrographic and crystallographic study was performed in some representative samples of disseminated graphite of the Cerro Osumita, Cojedes State, Venezuela with the aim of establishing the degree of mineral crystallinity (graphitization) and the highest temperature reached by the rock. From the original rock (La Aguadita quartz-feldespatic-graphitic Gneiss), fractions enriched in graphite were obtained by means of leaching with HCI-HF and physical procedures (flotation and accumulation in liquid interfaces). The isolated graphite was analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction, whereas morphology was studied by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). The mineralogical association exhibited by the gneiss (quartz- oligoclase- hornblende (green)- microcline - chlorite- biotite- epidote) allows establishing the metamorphism of the rock in the upper zone of the green schist facies, in the biotite zone. Graphite grains present aspect of flakes, with a concentration oscillating between 7 and 10% in weight. The used enrichment process allowed obtaining fractions with more than 92% in graphi- te. Under Scanning Electronic Microscopy, graphite samples showed morphology dominantly as sheets, very well defined and ordered. The crystallinity index (measured by XRD) is around 58 and 60, with a mean graphitization degree of 60, suggesting a high order in the crystalline net. The higher temperature reached by the rock, according to the graphitization degree, is of 472 f 27 "C.Muestras representativas del grafito diseminado del Cerro Osumita, Estado Cojedes, Venezuela, fueron objeto de un estudio morfológico, petrográfico y cristalográfico, con el fin de establecer el grado de cristalinidad del mineral y la temperatura máxima alcanzada por la roca. A partir de la roca original (gneis cuarzo feldespático grafitoso de La Aguadita) se obtuvieron las fracciones enriquecidas en grafito mediante una combinación de ataque químico (HCI-HF) y físico (flotación y acumulación en interfases líquidas). El grafito obtenido mediante el procedimiento descrito, fue analizado mediante difracción de rayos X. Adicionalmente se estudió la morfología del grafito obtenido haciendo uso de Microscopia Electrónica de Barrido (SEM). La asociación mineralógica presentada por el gneis (cuarzo - oligoclasa - hornblenda (verde) - microclino - clorita- biotita- epidota) ubica al metamorfismo alcanzado por la roca en la región superior de la facies de los esquistos verdes, en la zona de la biotita. El grafito presenta aspecto de escamas, en una concentración que oscila entre 7 y 10% en peso. El proceso de concentración utilizado permitió obtener fracciones mayores al 92% en grafito. Bajo el microscopio electrónico de barrido, los granos de grafito presentan una morfología determinada por láminas muy bien definidas y ordenadas. El índice de cristalinidad alcanzado oscila entre 68-70, con un rado de grafitización promedio de 60, y un valor del parámetro d002, del cristal de 3,35 f,lo que sugiere un alto ordenamiento de la red cristalina. La temperatura máxima alcanzada por la roca, de acuerdo al grado de grafitización, es de 472 I 27 "C.

Diphenylzinc, alone or in combination with water and butanone as coinitiators, was used as a polymerization initiator system for a variety of lactones at varying temperatures. The resulting data indicate that the course of the polymerization is greatly influenced by the lactone structure, as well as by the molar ratio of coinitiator to diphenylzinc. When used alone, diphenylzinc exhibited high activity as an initiator in δ-valerolactone polymerizations, although it was less efficient when used in the β-butyrolactone and the β-propiolactone polymerizations. Activity in the polymerization of β-lactones was increased by adding small amounts of butanone or water. It was also observed that the diphenylzinc–butanone combination was more effective than the diphenylzinc–water mixture in the polymerizations of β-butyrolactone and β-propiolactone. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry

The effects of two tacrine–huperzine A hybrids, (±)-huprine Y and (±)-huprine Z, have been evaluated. Bovine and human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition were assayed by Ellman’s method. The two huprines were more active than both tacrine and (−)-huperzine A as inhibitors of both human and bovine AChE, and they acted as mixed-type AChE inhibitors. Moreover, (±)-huprine Y exhibited a tight binding character seen in the experiments of reversibility of bovine AChE inhibitory activity. In addition, both compounds were more active toward AChE than toward BChE. Also, the selectivity for the human AChE was greater than for the bovine enzyme. In ex vivo studies performed in mice, both drugs showed a clear inhibitory activity of brain AChE, 20 min after i.p. injection, (±)-huprine Y being more potent than (±)-huprine Z [ID 50 1.09 (0.39–2.98) vs. 5.77 (3.29–10.30) μmol/kg]. The time-course study of the inhibitory effect displayed a t 1/2 of 1 h for the two compounds. These results show that these drugs are two potent, central AChE inhibitors of potential interest in the treatment of AD.

Because European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) has strictly carnivorous feeding habits, protein and fat are the most important dietary components. In this paper we study the effect of restricted availability of protein and fat on the feeding behaviour and macronutrient selection. To this end, five groups of 20 sea bass with a body weight of 100.0 ± 20.1 g (mean ± SD) were raised in five circular 450-L tanks. Each group could choose among three self-feeders (experiment 1 and 2), each containing a different, incomplete, diet: P + CH (55.4% protein, 18.5% carbohydrate, DM diet), P + F (55.4% protein, 18.5% fat) or F + CH (36.9% fat, 36.9% carbohydrate) or between two self-feeders (experiment 3), each containing protein (100%) or carbohydrate–fat (52.7% and 47.3% respectively). In experiments 1 and 2, sea bass selected a diet consisting of 65.3% digestible energy (DE) protein, 26.2% DE fat and 8.4% DE carbohydrate. The composition of the self-selected diet did not differ when sea bass selected between the two diets in experiment 3. When fish were deprived of protein for two weeks, or deprived of fat for three weeks, they were unable to sustain their previous energy intake. This phenomenon was particularly evident during protein fasting, with the intake of fat and carbohydrate being negligible. During the first 2–3 days, after each fasting period, sea bass showed hyperphagic behaviour, but restricted availability of specific nutrients did not trigger any subsequent increased intake of these specific macronutrients. In conclusion, although sea bass were able to self-compose a nutritionally balanced diet from three or two incomplete diets, no specific hunger was elicited after two weeks of protein fasting or three weeks of fat fasting.

In the present work the polymerization of e -caprolactone ( e -CL) using Ph 2 Zn as initiator is reported. The effects of reaction temperature, molar ratio of monomer/initiator and reaction time on the yield and the molecular weight are investigated. The temperature is varied between 20 and 120 °C and the molar ratio of monomer to initiator between 200 and 800 mol/mol. The results indicate that the Ph 2 Zn induces the polymerization of e -CL to high conversion and produces polymer with high molecular weight at temperatures around 40–60 °C.

Physical as well as cognitive training interventions improve specific cognitive functions but effects barely generalize on global cognition. Combined physical and cognitive training may overcome this shortcoming as physical training may facilitate the neuroplastic potential which, in turn, may be guided by cognitive training. This study aimed at investigating the benefits of combined training on global cognition while assessing the effect of training dosage and exploring the role of several potential effect modifiers. In this multi-center study, 322 older adults with or without neurocognitive disorders were allocated to a computerized, game-based, combined physical and cognitive training group (n=237) or a passive control group (n=85). Training group participants were allocated to different training dosages ranging from 24 to 110 potential sessions. In a pre-posttest design, global cognition was assessed by averaging standardized performance in working memory, episodic memory and executive function tests. The intervention group increased in global cognition compared to the control group, p=.002, Cohen's d=0.31. Exploratory analysis revealed a trend for less benefits in participants with more severe neurocognitive disorder, p=.08 (cognitively healthy: d=0.54; mild cognitive impairment: d=0.19; dementia: d=0.04). In participants without dementia, we found a dose-response effect of the potential number and of the completed number of training sessions on global cognition, p=.008 and p=.04, respectively. The results indicate that combined physical and cognitive training improves global cognition in a dose-responsive manner but these benefits may be less pronounced in older adults with more severe neurocognitive disorder. The long-lasting impact of combined training on the incidence and trajectory of neurocognitive disorders in relation to its severity should be assessed in future long-term trials. © 2015 Bamidis, Fissler, Papageorgiou, Zilidou, Konstantinidis, Billis, Romanopoulou, Karagianni, Bearatis, Tsapanou, Tsilikopoulou, Grigoriadou, Ladas, Kyrillidou, Tsolaki, Frantzidis, Sidiropoulos, Siountas, Matsi, Papatriantafyllou, Margioti, Nika, Schlee, Elbert, Tsolaki, Vivas and Kolassa.

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibition activities of a series of 4-amino-2, 3-diaryl-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydrofuro[2, 3-b]quinolines (10-12)/4-amino-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-2, 3-diphenylthieno[2, 3-b]quinoline (14) and 4-amino-5, 6, 7, 8, 9-pentahydro-2, 3-diphenylcyclohepta[e]furo[2, 3-b]pyridine (13)/4-amino-5, 6, 7, 8, 9-pentahydro-2, 3-phenylcyclohepta[e]thieno[2, 3-b]pyridine (15) are described. These compounds are tacrine (THA) analogues which have been prepared either from readily available 2-amino-3-cyano-4, 5-diarylfurans (16-18) or from 2-amino-3-cyano-4, 5-diphenylthiophene (19), via Friedlander condensation with cyclohexanone or cycloheptanone. These compounds are competitive inhibitors for acetylcholinesterase, the more potent being compound (13) which is three-fold less active than tacrine. The butyrylcholinesterase inhibition activity is significant only in compounds 10 and133, which are ten-fold less active than tacrine. It is found that the products 11 and 12 strongly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, and show excellent selectivity regarding butyrylcholinesterase.

Modeling the shape of concentration-effect curves is of prime importance in pharmacology. Geometric descriptors characterizing these curves (the upper and lower asymptotes, the mid-point, the mid-point slope, and the point of inflection) are used for drug comparison or for assessing the change in agonist function after a system modification. The symmetry or asymmetry around the mid-point of a concentration-effect curve is a fundamental property that, regretfully, is often overlooked because, generally, models yielding exclusively symmetric curves are used. In the present review, empirical and mechanistic models are examined in their ability to fit experimental data. The geometric parameters of a survey of empirical models, the Hill equation, a logistic variant that we call the modified Hill equation, the Richards function, and the Gompertz model are determined. To analyze the relationship between asymmetry and mechanism, some examples from the ionic channel field, in an increasing degree of complexity, are used. It is shown that asymmetry arises from ionic channels with multiple binding sites that are partly occupied. The operational model of agonism is discussed both in its empirical general formulation and including the signal transduction mechanisms through G-protein-coupled receptors. It is shown that asymmetry results from systems where receptor distribution is allowed. Developed mathematical models are compared for describing experimental data on alpha-adrenoceptors. The existence or not of a relationship between the shape of the curves and receptor reserve is discussed.

The interaction of rac-12-amine-3-clor-6,7,10,11-tetrahydro-9-ethyl-7-11-methanecyclo-octane[b]quinoline ((+/-)huprine X) with M(1) and M(2) receptors has been studied in rat brain. Specific binding of [(3)H]pirenzepine or [(3)H]quinuclinidylbenzylate to hippocampus preparations was inhibited by (+/-)huprine X. This drug displayed a greater affinity for M(1) (K(i)=0.338+/-0.41 microM) than M(2) (K(i)=4.66+/-0.32 microM) receptors. In functional studies, (+/-)huprine X (1 microM) increased the release of [(3)H]dopamine in cortical synaptosomes, and this effect was partially reverted by atropine and mecamylamine, suggesting an agonistic effect on both M(1) and nicotinic receptors. The inhibitory effect of (+/-)huprine X (10 microM) on [(3)H]acetylcholine release and the subsequent reversion by atropine suggests that the drug also has an agonist effect on M(2) receptors. The present results demonstrate that this acetylcholinesterase inhibitor has an ample cholinergic profile, which suggests a potential source of interest of (+/-)huprine X in Alzheimer's disease therapy.

Viral diseases caused by begomoviruses are of economic importance due to their adverse effects on the production of tropical and subtropical crops. In Ecuador, despite reports of significant infestations of Bemisia tabaci in the late 1990s, only very recently has a begomovirus, tomato leaf deformation virus (ToLDeV, also present in Peru), been reported in tomato. ToLDeV is the first monopartite begomovirus discovered that originated in the Americas, and its presence in Ecuador highlights the need for a wider survey of tomato-infecting begomoviruses in this country. Tomato and weed samples were collected in 2010 and 2011 in six provinces of Ecuador, and begomovirus genomes were cloned and sequenced using a rolling-circle-amplification-based approach. Most tomato samples from the provinces of Guayas, Loja, Manabi and Santa Elena were infected with tomato leaf deformation virus (ToLDeV). One sample from Manabi had a triple infection with ToLDeV, rhynchosia golden mosaic Yucatan virus (RhGMYuV) and an isolate that was a recombinant between the two. A new begomovirus was detected in another tomato sample from Manabi. Samples of Rhynchosia sp. from the provinces of Guayas and Manabi were infected by RhGMYuV. These results indicate not only the prevalence of ToLDeV in tomato in Ecuador but also the presence of other viruses, albeit at a much lower frequency.

The two portions of rat vas deferens differed in the postjunctional sensitivity to noradrenaline. Alpha1-adrenoceptor-linked phosphoinositide breakdown was analysed in this tissue. The noradrenaline-induced [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation was similar in both ends although the pEC50 was higher in the epididymal (5.97+/-0.07) than in the prostatic (5.47+/-0.15, P0.01) portion. [3H]Prazosin showed similar density of binding sites in both portions. Tissue pretreated with pertussis toxin did not change [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation. Finally, Western blot analysis indicated a smaller concentration of Gq/11 protein in the prostatic half (-29+/-5%, P0.01). These results suggest that the different sensitivity to noradrenaline could be due to the higher availability of this sort of G protein in the epididymal portion.

The chemical modification of two thermoplastic elastomer styrene/ethylene-buthylene/styrene copolymers (SEBS) with diethylmaleate (DEM) as functionalizing agent was carried out in a corotating twin screw extruder and in an internal mixer. The residence time distribution of the extruder was studied due to its great influence on the grafting chemical reaction, the degree of functionalization, and the viscoelastic properties of the obtained modified polymers. The influence of copolymer melt viscosities, and DEM and initiator concentration ratio on the grafting degrees was studied as well. In this case, an internal mixer was used. Optimal processing conditions were established to obtain grafted polymers characterized by good processability and an absence of crosslinking. The grafting degree achieved in the internal mixer was the same for both copolymers with different viscosities and it increased as the DEM and initiator concentrations and concentration ratios were increased.

rac-Huperzine A, its rac-7-ethyl-derivative and two regioisomeric analogues have been prepared through synthetic sequences involving the elaboration of the pyridone ring in a late stage, by reaction of an intermediate pyrrolidine enamine with propiolamide, which gave mixtures of regioisomeric pyridone derivatives. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of these and two other recently described 11-unsubstituted huperzine A analogues was determined, the rac-7-ethyl analogue of huperzine A being the most active compound, although it is about 12-fold less active than (−)-huperzine A.

1. We have studied the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated responses in intact tail artery rings from 3-4 and 20-22 months old Sprague-Dawley rats, focusing on possible endothelial alterations. The influence of nitric oxide released by the endothelium, the number of alpha 1-adrenoceptors and the functional receptor reserve were evaluated to determine their contribution to the contractile response mediated by this receptor. The state of the endothelial layer was assessed by confocal microscopy. 2. Noradrenaline (1 nM-100 microM) induced concentration-dependent vasoconstriction. The maximum contractions to noradrenaline (P < 0.05) and to 75 mM KCl (P < 0.01) were higher in young than in old animals. 3. The density (Bmax) of alpha 1-adrenoceptors and the dissociation constant (KD) obtained in [3H]-prazosin binding experiments were unchanged by age. 4. The apparent affinity (pKA) and the percentage of functional receptors (qx 100) remaining after phenoxybenzamine (0.03 microM) were similar in both age groups. 5. After partial alpha 1-adrenoceptor inactivation with phenoxybenzamine, NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (30 microM) significantly potentiated the E/[A] curve to noradrenaline in young rats. However, only responses to 0.1 to 1 microM noradrenaline were significantly potentiated in old animals. In addition, 94% of the vessels from young, but only 52% from old rats were relaxed by 80-100% of the noradrenaline (0.03 microM) contraction, with 1 microM acetylcholine. 6. No modifications in the area (micron2) or in the number of endothelial nuclei (per mm2) were observed between age groups. An elongation of the nuclei of endothelial cells was observed in the old animals. 7. These data suggest that the noradrenaline-induced contraction is decreased in old rats probably due to differences in either the contractile machinary or postreceptor mechanisms. These alterations may be accompanied by an impairment of the release or production of NO from endothelial cells.

Allying the interactivity computing environments and conducting practical activities inacademic disciplines is an important complement thetheoretical part of these, besides giving students the understanding and fixing of concepts learned. Thus, the concepts communicated in lectures in an interactive and visual between teacher and students and associated with situations abstracted from reality, makes the classes more productive and motivating. On the other hand, Computer Graphics has proved substantially as important support tool in the development of computer programs and interactive communication as a vehicle for teaching purposes. Thus, this paper presents the development of an interactive visualComputing Platform, written in JAVA, enabling closer and address the problem of physical form as real as possible, as well as assist learning and understanding the External Equilibrium in two dimensions. Application examplesillustrate and validate the platform. Index Terms - data modeling, engineering, java, oop.

1. Vascular contraction induced by phenylephrine was studied in tail artery rings from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) with particular focus on the role of endothelium. The influence of receptor reserve and the density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors on the possible differences observed were also analysed. 2. Phenylephrine (0.01-100 microM) induced concentration-dependent vasoconstrictions. The maximum response (alpha, P < 0.001) was greater but the pEC50 (P < 0.05) smaller in rings from SHR than from WKY rats irrespective of the presence or absence of endothelium. 3. Removal of endothelial cells resulted in a decrease of the maximum contraction with no modification in the pEC50 in arteries from both WKY and SHR. 4. The density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors (Bmax) and the dissociation constant (KD) were found to be the same for preparations from SHR and WKY rats in [3H]-prazosin binding experiments. 5. The apparent affinity (pKA) determined by the nested hyperbolic method and the operational model was similar in tail arteries from the two rat strains, irrespective of the presence or absence of endothelium. However, in endothelium-denuded rings, the pKA value was enhanced when compared with intact rings, in both SHR and WKY rats. 6. In rings from hypertensive rats, the operational parameter maximum possible effect (Em) was greater and the agonist efficacy (tau) was smaller than in rings from normotensive rats. When the endothelium was removed log tau and Em diminished in preparations from both rat strains. 7. In summary, the increased maximum responsiveness to phenylephrine in rings from SHR could be due to enhancement in Em. The log tau values indicate a deterioration in the transduction of the stimulus provided by the agonist in tail arteries from hypertensive animals. This study also suggests that the absence of endothelium modifies the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction probably by altering the transduction signalling mechanisms. The importance of analysing the degree of endothelium functionality when comparing results from different groups of rats is stated.

Grafting of preformed polymers is an important method for preparing polymers with functional groups. Lately, the use of extruders as polymerization reactors has increased considerably in industry. However, the knowledge of the total reaction process is still limited. Grafting of diethylmaleate on linear low-density polyethylenes (LLDPEs) was carried out in solution and in a corotating twin screw extruder. The effects of initiator and diethylmaleate concentrations, temperature, and reaction time on graft content and on crosslinking were investigated. The functionalization reaction was also conducted in the presence of an electron donor material to minimize the amount of crosslinked products in the extruder. The grafted products were characterized by means of FTIR and the thermal behavior of LLDPEs and that of its grafted products was determined.

Long-term behavioral and biochemical effects of exposure to differential early stimulation (postnatal handling and/or enriched environment) were studied in 18- to 20-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Postnatal handling treatment was given between 1 and 22 postnatal days. In the enriched environment procedure, the pups were maintained under enriched conditions from weaning until postnatal Day 100. At 18 months of age animals were tested for working memory in an object recognition test, based on the differential exploration of familiar and new objects. Animals reared in the enriched environment performed better in the working memory test than did control or postnatally handled rats. No interaction was observed between postnatal handling and environmental enrichment on cognitive parameters. At 20 months of age, the animals were sacrificed and cyclic AMP formation was determined under basal conditions and after activation of β-adrenoceptors in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Both postnatal handling and its combination with exposure to enriched environment significantly increased basal cyclic AMP accumulation in cerebral cortex, but not in the hippocampus. Environmental enrichment was able to induce a long-lasting modification in the responsiveness of the β-adrenergic neurotransmitter system as reflected by a decreased cyclic AMP accumulation after β-adrenoceptor activation by means of isoprenaline, in either anatomical structure. It is suggested that manipulations of the environment early in life leading to a reduction in age-related memory deficits produce subtle but long-lasting modifications of noradrenergic transmission.

The mechanism by which 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (THA) inhibits beta-adrenoceptor linked cyclic AMP formation and its possible relationship with the cholinergic system were studied. In addition, the effect of THA on alpha 1-adrenoceptor coupled transduction systems was also investigated. THA was not able to influence the concentration-response curve for forskolin indicating that it is not acting on the catalytic subunit of the adenylate cyclase complex. On the other hand a cholinergic component seems to participate in the action of THA on beta-adrenoceptor stimulated adenylate cyclase activity since the blockade of muscarinic receptors with atropine (10 microM) partially prevented the reduction in cyclic AMP formation attained by THA in the hippocampus, in isoprenaline-stimulated conditions. This effect is not reproducible by another potent anticholinesterase physostigmine. Moreover, THA at concentrations up to micromolar did not affect alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulated cyclic AMP formation or phosphoinositide hydrolysis. In conclusion, the neuropharmacological profile of THA is not to be restricted to the cholinergic system and its effectiveness in improving age-associated cognitive deterioration may involve an action on the beta-adrenoceptor coupled signal transduction system. Moreover, the action of THA on the beta-adrenergic and cholinergic systems in the brain could be relevant to the amelioration of cognitive deterioration and could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.

A number of polycyclic compounds related to tacrine have been prepared by condensation of ortho-aminobenzonitriles and 2-aminocyclopentenecarbonitrile with several C2v-symmetric diketones under AlCl3 or ZnCl2 catalysis. Monocondensation products 8 together with syn- and anti-dicondensation products 9 and 10, respectively, were formed in different proportions depending mainly on the starting diketone. These compounds were separated by column chromatography, fully characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analyses and tested as acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitors. Syn- and anti-compounds 9 and 10, derived from diketones 7y and 7z, have significant anti-AchE activity although compounds 8 and derivatives of diketones 7v, 7w and 7x were inactive in the range of concentrations studied. Compound 9ay was the most potent of the group, being 4.4-fold less active than tacrine as anti-AchE in biochemical assays, but only slightly less potent in biological studies and 3-fold less toxic. Compound 9ay was also able to reverse cognitive deficits in middle-aged rats.

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibition activities of a series of 4-amino-2, 3-diaryl-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydrofuro[2, 3-b]quinolines (10-12)/4-amino-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-2, 3-diphenylthieno[2, 3-b]quinoline (14) and 4-amino-5, 6, 7, 8, 9-pentahydro-2, 3-diphenylcyclohepta[e]furo[2, 3-b]pyridine (13)/4-amino-5, 6, 7, 8, 9-pentahydro-2, 3-phenylcyclohepta[e]thieno[2, 3-b]pyridine (15) are described. These compounds are tacrine (THA) analogues which have been prepared either from readily available 2-amino-3-cyano-4, 5-diarylfurans (16-18) or from 2-amino-3-cyano-4, 5-diphenylthiophene (19), via Friedlander condensation with cyclohexanone or cycloheptanone. These compounds are competitive inhibitors for acetylcholinesterase, the more potent being compound (13) which is three-fold less active than tacrine. The butyrylcholinesterase inhibition activity is significant only in compounds 10 and133, which are ten-fold less active than tacrine. It is found that the products 11 and 12 strongly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, and show excellent selectivity regarding butyrylcholinesterase.