bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Counteraction of Paraquat Toxicity at the Chloroplast Level
Authors: Upham Brad L. , Hatzios Kriton K.
Published: August 2016

Six pyridyl derivatives [benzylviologen, 2-anilinopyridine, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, 1,2-bis(4- pyridyl)ethylene, 2-benzoylpyridine, and 2-benzylaminopyridine] and five heme-iron derivatives [hemoglobin, hemin, hematin, ferritin, and ferrocene] were screened for their potential to coun- teract paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4.4′-bipyridinium ion) toxicity on pea (Pisum sativum L.) isolated chloroplasts. The H2O -> methylviologen(MV)/O2 and H2O → ferredoxin(Fd)/NADP+ were two Hill reactions assayed with these compounds. Antagonists of paraquat toxicity should inhibit the first Hill reaction but not the latter. All pyridyl derivatives examined did not inhibit the reaction H2O → MV/O2. Ferritin and ferrocene were also ineffective as inhibitors of this reaction. Hemoglobin inhibited the reaction H2O → MV/O2 without inhibiting the reaction H2O → Fd/NADP+, providing protection to pea chloroplasts against paraquat. Hemin and hematin inhibited both Hill reactions examined. They also inhibited H2O → diaminodurene(DAD)ox and durohydro-quinone → MV/O2 Hill reactions but not the dichlorophenol indophenolred → MV/O2 and DADred → MV/O2 Hill reactions. These results suggest that hemin and hematin are inhibiting the photosynthetic electron transport in the plastoquinone-pool region.
Use of Pyruvate-Phosphate Dikinase as a Target for Herbicide Design: Analysis of Inhibitor Specificity
Authors: Lawyer Arthur L. , Kelley Sarita R. , Allen Judith I.
Published: August 2016

Pyruvate-phosphate dikinase (PPDK) was targeted for inhibitor design because of its central role in C4-type photosynthetic carbon metabolism and its relative absence in C3-type plants and organisms of the animal kingdom. Compounds were tested for their activities as reversible and irreversible inhibitors of PPDK isolated from maize. The relative activity of the test compounds against phosphoenolpvruvate carboxylase (PEPCase), isolated from wheat, was used as a measure of the specificity of the inhibitors for the targeted enzyme. PPDK. An ideal compound for successful herbicide design should be an inhibitor which is specific toward the targeted enzyme and either effectively inhibits enzyme activity at very low concentrations or inactivates the enzyme through an irreversible mechanism. Using results obtained with commercially purchased compounds. the discussion will emphasize the difficulty of obtaining specific inhibitors toward PPDK. Another report from this laboratory (A. L. Lawyer. S. R. Kelley, and J. I. Allen, in: Proc. Seventh Internat. Congr. Photosynth. (J. Biggins, ed.), in press) emphasizes other results obtained from the targeting of PPDK for herbicide activity.
α-Diceroptene: A New Dimeric Structure for Isoceroptene
Authors: Vilain Christian , Hubert André , Dupont Léon , Markham Kenneth R. , Wollenweber Eckhard
Published: August 2016

Prolonged UV irradiation of ceroptene yielded substantial quantities of a compound identical with the previously described isoceroptene, a trace constituent isolated from the farinose exudate of Pityrogramma triangularis. The improved MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR analyses, together with X-ray diffraction, made possible by the availability of synthetic isoceroptene has led to a revision of the originally proposed structure. Isoceroptene is shown to be a novel, centrosymmetrical dimer of ceroptene, and accordingly the more appropriate name, α-diceroptene, is suggested to replace that of isoceroptene. An improved method for the synthesis of ceroptene is also described.
Site of Lupanine and Sparteine Biosynthesis in Intact Plants and in vitro Organ Cultures
Authors: Wink Michael
Published: August 2016

[14C]Cadaverine was applied to leaves of Lupinus polyphyllus, L. albas, L. angustifolius, L. perennis, L. mutabilis, L. pubescens, and L. hartwegii and it was preferentially incorporated into lupanine. In Lupinus arboreus sparteine was the main labelled alkaloid, in L. hispanicus it was lupinine. A pulse chase experiment with L. angustifolius and L. arboreus showed that the incorporation of cadaverine into lupanine and sparteine was transient with a maximum between 8 and 20 h. Only leaflets and chlorophyllous petioles showed active alkaloid biosynthesis, whereas no incorporation of cadaverine into lupanine was observed in roots. Using in vitro organ cultures of Lupinus polyphyllus, L. succulentus, L. subcarnosus, Cytisus scoparius and Laburnum anagyroides the inactivity of roots was confirmed. Therefore, the green aerial parts are the major site of alkaloid biosynthesis in lupins and in other legumes.
Das Vorkommen von Amavadin in Pilzen der Gattung Amanita / Occurrence of Amavadin in Mushrooms of the Genus Amanita
Authors: Koch Eckhard , Kneifel Helmut , Bayer Ernst
Published: August 2016

The vanadium content of different mushrooms of the genus Amanita was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Amanita regalis and Amanita velatipes showed high levels of vanadium comparable with the level present in the fly agaric Amanita muscaria. Electron paramagnetic resonance and high pressure liquid chromatography showed that in these three species amavadin, a vanadium(IV)complex with two N-hydroxy-2,2′-imino dipropionate ligands, was present. In the other species examined, only low levels of vanadium were found.
Acetyl-CoA:4-Hydroxybutinylbithiophene O-Acetyltransferase Isoenzymes from Tagetes patula Seedlings
Authors: Metschulat Gernot , Sütfeld Rainer
Published: August 2016

Naturally-occurring hydroxybutinylbithiophene derivatives were acylated by enzyme preparations of Tagetes patula seedlings in the presence of distinct acyl-Coenzyme A esters. The O-acyltransferase activity could only be detected after almost complete separation of the enzyme from counter-currently acting esterases which were present in the same extracts. This was achieved by affinity chromatography on Cibachron Blue A. During this procedure, the O-acyl-transferase was split, yielding two active fractions. Both had a Mr of 37,000 (±5,000), equal isoelectric properties, a pH optimum of pH 7.0, and were considerably inhibited in the presence of free Coenzyme A. Small differences existed in their affinities for their thiophenic substrates (3,4-dihydroxybutinylbithiophene and 4-hydroxybutinylbithiophene, respectively), as well as for various acyl-CoA esters as cosubstrates. With the preferred cosubstrate, acetyl-CoA, acylation took place at the 4-position of the butinyl side chain of the molecules, forming the naturally- occurring 4-acetoxybutinylbithiophene and 3-OH,4-OAc-butinylbithiophene, respectively. From the other acyl-CoA esters employed, only propionyl-CoA was likewise converted, forming the corresponding O-propionyl esters. The reactions observed are suggested to be catalyzed by two acetyl-CoA: 4-hydroxybutinylbithiophene O-acetyltransferase isoenzymes which exhibit different affinities for particular substrates and cosubstrates. The activities of both the isoenzymes changed drastically if plant material from different developmental stages was used as enzyme source. Therefore, it may be suggested that these isoenzymes play an important regulatory role in the metabolism of naturally-occurring hydroxy- and acetoxybutinylbithiophenes and their derivatives.
Partial Characterization of an Enzyme from the Fungus Ascochyta rabiei for the Reductive Cleavage of Pterocarpan Phytoalexins to 2′-Hydroxyisoflavans
Authors: Höhl Birgit , Barz Wolfgang
Published: August 2016

Crude protein extracts from the chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) pathogenic fungus Ascochyta rabiei catalyze the NADPH dependent conversion of the pterocarpan phytoalexins medicarpin and maackiain to 1) 2′-hydroxyisoflavans, 2) 1 a-hydroxypterocarp-1,4-diene-3-one, and 3) 10,2′-dihydroxyisoflav-8-ene-7-one derivatives. A pterocarpan : NADPH oxidoreductase which cleaves the benzylphenyl ether bond of the phytoalexins was purified some 100-fold and partially characterized with regard to its kinetic properties. The oxidoreductase was shown to be specific for NADPH and 3-hydroxypterocarpans. The enzyme appears to be constitutively expressed by A. rabiei.
Reversible pH-Induced Dissociation of Glucose Dehydrogenase from Bacillus megaterium II. Kinetics and Mechanism
Authors: Maurer Eberhard , Pfleiderer Gerhard
Published: August 2016

Glucose dehydrogenase from Bacillus megaterium exists as a stable, active tetramer at pH 6.5. By shifting the pH to 9. the enzyme is. completely and reversibly, dissociated into four inactive protomers. Kinetics and mechanism of this pH-induced dissociation have been studied, at various enzyme concentrations, by ultraviolet absorption, circular dichroism, normal and stopped-flow fluorescence as well as by light scattering and activity measurements. Dissociation of the fully active tetramer proceeds via three distinct kinetic steps: (1) fast conformational rearrangement of the tetramer, without any loss of activity (t1/2 0.0075 sec); (2) slow isomerization to a tetramer with lower specific activity (t1/2 27 sec): (3) subsequent dissociation of this rearranged tetramer into inactive monomers (t1/2 114 sec) with still intact native secondary structure. All three processes follow first-order kinetics. Both rate and extent of the dissociation are reduced, with a concomitant shift to higher reaction orders, by increasing the NaCl concentration in the buffer. This suggests the establishment of a dissociation/association equilibrium, due to the concentration- dependent stabilization of the tetrameric enzyme state by NaCl.
Synthese von Hitzeschockproteinen nach einer Aminosäure-und Sauerstofflimitation in Bacillus subtilis relA+-und relA-Stämmen / Synthesis of Heat Shock Proteins during Amino Acid or Oxygen Limitation Bacillus subtilis relA+ and relA
Authors: Hecker M. , Richter A. , Schroeter A. , Wölfel L. , Mach F.
Published: August 2016

Some of the presumable heat shock proteins will be produced in Bacillus subtilis in response to different environmental conditions, e.g. heat shock, amino acid limitation or oxygen limitation. During amino acid limitation or during oxygen limitation the relA+ strain is able of synthesizing this set of proteins but the relA strain is not. We suggest that the accelerated rate of the synthesis of some heat shock proteins depends on the induction of the stringent response because the (p)ppGpp production does not occur in the relA strain during amino acid or oxygen limitation. On the other hand the relA strain can produce heat shock proteins under heat stress. Therefore different mechanisms must be responsible for the expression of this set of genes during heat and other stress stimuli.

It can be supposed that in B. subtilis the (p)ppGpp-dependent stringent control is a central defense reaction against different adverse environmental conditions and furthermore, that the synthesis of “stress” proteins as an essential component of the stringent response is part of a general adaptation mechanism under non-growing conditions.
Comparison of Dufour Gland Secretions of Two Species of Leptothorax Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Ali Mahmoud Fadl , Morgan E. David , Attygalle Athula B. , Billen Johan P. J.
Published: August 2016

The Dufour glands of Leptothorax acervorum and L. nylanderi both contain species-specific mixtures of hydrocarbons, dominated by C17 hydrocarbons in L. acervorum and C15 hydrocarbons in L. nylanderi. Both species contain the sesquiterpenoid tetramorene-2. but neither contain (E)-β-farnesene, which has earlier been found in the glands of Harpagoxenus sublaevis which raids Leptothorax nests and enslaves its workers. The contents of the glands of workers and queens of L. acervorum were very similar.
Comparative Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis in the Obliquebanded Leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana, and the Redbanded Leafroller, Argyrotaenia velutinana, Moths
Authors: Foster Stephen P. , Roelofs Wendell L.
Published: August 2016

Biosynthesis of the major sex pheromone components of the obliquebanded leafroller, (Z)- and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetates, is shown to proceed by Δ11 desaturation of myristate as in the related redbanded leafroller. A comparison between the amounts of deuterium label incorporated into the pheromone components from labelled myristic, palmitic and stearic acids gave a higher level of incorporation for the shorter chain acids, suggesting that Δ11 desaturation is a faster process than 2 carbon chain-shortening by β-oxidation.
Effect of Hydroxylamine Derivatives on Photorespiration in the Tobacco Aurea Mutant Nicotiana tabacum Su/su
Authors: Schmid G. H. , Bader K. P. , Radunz A. , van Assche C. J. , Reinier N. , Courtiade B.
Published: August 2016

O-(p-nitrophenyl)-hydroxylamine affects the size of the Warburg effect measured in leaves of the tobacco aurea mutant Su/su. If leaves are treated with a 10-5 м aqueous solution of the hydroxylamine derivative the Warburg effect which is usually very high in this mutant, is practically reduced to zero. Thus, if in the control (the untreated leaf) the Warburg effect consists in an enhancement of CO2-fixation from 270 μmol CO2 fixed mg·chlorophyll-1·h-1 under 21% oxygen partial pressure to 530 μmol CO2 fixed · mg Chl-1 · h-1 under 3% oxygen, the treated sample yields the maximal rate of photosynthesis already under 21% oxygen partial pressure. At concentrations around 10-4 м the compound is toxic to the plants and inhibits CO2 fixation substantially. A second hydroxylamine derivative used in this study has an additional methyl group in the ortho position to the -O-NH2 group. This compound is already toxic to the plant at concentrations around 10-5 м at which O-(p-nitrophenyl)-hydroxylamine optimally enhances CO2 fixation at normal oxygen partial pressure. From our studies it appears that O-(p-nitrophenyl)-hy- droxylamine binds to ribulose-1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase inducing a conformational change of the enzyme. This is concluded from the observation that a monospecific antiserum to ribulose-1.5- bisphosphate carboxylase is exhausted at considerably higher enzyme concentrations when the enzyme has been treated with the hydroxylamine derivative prior to the antiserum addition. The observation is interpreted as being due to a conformational change induced by the compound, leaving less antigenic determinants accessible in the enzyme surface, when compared to the untreated control. The inhibition of photosynthetic CO2 fixation at high concentrations of both hydroxylamine derivative studied is due to the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport on the donor side of photosystem II. a phenomenon which is known already for unsubstituted hydroxylamine from the literature. The inhibition of electron transport on the donor side is deduced from an analysis of fluorescence rise kinetics at room temperature.
Estimation of the Extent of DNA Platination after Interaction of cis-DDP with DNA and Chromatin
Authors: Kulamowicz Irena , Walter Zofia
Published: August 2016

The aim of this work was to compare the kinetics of platinum binding to “naked” DNA and DNA remaining in a nucleoprotein complex. The incubation of chromatin and DNA from calf thymus was carried out with cw-DDP at different concentrations and incubation times. The coefficient rb/μmolPt/μmolDNA/of platinum binding to DNA was determined and the kinetics of cis-DDP binding to particular preparations was found and compared. The presence of chromosomal proteins decreases the extent of DNA platination. Hence it can be suggested that this drug induces the process of chromatin aggregation and condensation which in turn reduce the release of the total pool of DNA.
Light and Electron Microscopic Studies Regarding Cell Contractility and Cell Coupling in Light Sensitive Smooth Muscle Cells from the Isolated Frog Iris Sphincter
Authors: Wolf Klaus V.
Published: August 2016

(1) In light microscopical studies of living isolated frog irises, it was found that the maximal areas of experimentally light induced contractions in the m. sphincter pupillae were located beneath small illuminated regions. There were no visible contractions of muscle cells outside the illuminated areas. It was shown that exposure to light could directly cause contractions of isolated single sphincter muscle cells.

(2) Junctional structures of the iris sphincter cells were studied by means of thin sections and freeze fracture electron microscopy. Intermediate junctions, a few focal tight junctions and occasional small gap junctions were identified. Pit containing intramembranous particles which resemble gap junction connexons were found in large numbers, dispersed over the plasmalemmas of sphincter muscle cells.

From these physiological and morphological observations, it is concluded that sphincter muscle cells of the frog iris may be coupled via gap junctions, but that the cell coupling is not sufficiently extensive to form the basis for a functional syncytium.
Fluorescence Monitoring of Membrane Potentials: the Spatio-Temporal Resolution in Isolated Neurons of Helix pomatia
Authors: Knöpfel Thomas , Fromherz Peter
Published: August 2016

Using amino-styryl-pyridinium dyes as fluorescent probes we have studied the membrane potential in spheroidal neurons isolated from the circumaesophageal ganglia of the snail Helix pomatia. A spatial resolution of 10 μm is attained at a time resolution of 2.5 ms with a typical signal-to-noise ratio of 10/100 mV as referred to an average sensitivity of the probes of 3%/ 100 mV and to a quantum yield of the detector of 0.13. The linear response of fluorescence, the effect of staining, the variation of sampled area and of illumination are characterized.
Growth Kinetics of the G 2-Phase of Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells, Separated from Anaerobically Treated Asynchronous Cultures
Authors: Kroll Carmen , Kroll Werner , Schneider Friedhelm
Published: August 2016

Cell cycle progression of G2 fractions (75-80% G2 (4C) cells) from 8 h anaerobically cultured asynchronous hyperdiploid Ehrlich ascites tumor cells strain Karzel, separated by centrifugal elutriation, was studied after reaeration by flow cytometric methods, including the BrdU-H33258 technique and dual parameter measurements. Analyses of the growth kinetics demonstrated that one fraction of the cell population proceeds through a normal cell cycle (2C → 4C) with a generation time of about 20 h. Another portion entered a new cycle (4C → 8C) to form cells with a DNA content up to 8C; mono-, bi- and polynucleate cells could be detected. After 15 h aerobic recultivation of the anaerobically cultured G2 cells, a fraction containing 80-85% with a DNA content of → 4C was separated. On recultivation, these cells pass a 4C → 8C division cycle with a generation time of about 10 h, and a G1 period of less than 4 h.
Demonstration of Statistically Significant Correlations between 8 and 12 kHz Atmosferics and Sudden Deafness
Authors: Ruhenstroth-Bauer G. , Mees K. , Sandhagen R. , Baumer H. , Filipiak B.
Published: August 2016

In the last few years we have shown that atmosferics of different frequencies correlate with the onset of epileptic fits, heart infarcts and with the intensity of an inflammation reaction in rats.
Are Small RNAs Associated with Crohn’s Disease?
Authors: Pechan Reinhard , Kunert Hans , Gross Hans J.
Published: August 2016

Crohn’s disease/small RNAs/electrophoresis Twodimensional and bidirectional electrophoretic tech­ niques previously developed for the specific detection of circular viroids and virusoids in plant material were used to analyze preparations of low molecular weight RNA from the granulomatous bowel tissue of patients with Crohn’s disease and from corresponding tissue of healthy controls. A major and two minor RNA species of about 300 nu­ cleotides length were detected in RNA samples from eight Crohn’s disease patients and not in those from three healthy controls. It remains to be established whether these disease-associated RNAs with viroid-like electrophoretic properties play a causative role in Crohn’s disease.
Chimäre Gene – Ihre Bedeutung für Grundlagenforschung und angewandte Pflanzenzüchtung / Chimeric Genes – T heir Contribution for Molecular Biology and Plant Breeding
Authors: Steinbiß H.-H. , Schell J.
Published: August 2016

Examples have been described indicating that it is possible to construct expression vectors carrying chimeric genes that will be expressed in plants at either high or low levels, or will be expressed only in specific organs such as leaves, seeds, tubers, roots or flowers. By constructing genes the products of which are transported into chloroplasts it will be possible to protect such chloroplasts against the action of certain herbicides and perhaps to improve their photosynthetic capacity.
Synthesis and application of water-soluble, photoswitchable cyanine dyes for bioorthogonal labeling of cell-surface carbohydrates
Authors: Mertsch Alexander , Letschert Sebastian , Memmel Elisabeth , Sauer Markus , Seibel Jürgen
Published: August 2016

The synthesis of cyanine dyes addressing absorption wavelengths at 550 and 648 nm is reported. Alkyne functionalized dyes were used for bioorthogonal click reactions by labeling of metabolically incorporated sugar-azides on the surface of living neuroblastoma cells, which were applied to direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) for the visualization of cell-surface glycans in the nm-range.
Carotenoid analysis of sweetpotatoIpomoea batatasand functional identification of its lycopene β- and ε-cyclase genes
Authors: Khan Muhammad Zubair , Takemura Miho , Maoka Takashi , Otani Motoyasu , Misawa Norihiko
Published: August 2016

SweetpotatoIpomoea batatasis known as a hexaploid species. Here, we analyzed carotenoids contained in the leaves and tubers of sweetpotato cultivars ‘White Star’ (WS) and W71. These cultivars were found to contain several carotenoids unique to sweetpotato tubers such as β-carotene-5,6,5′,8′-diepoxide and β-carotene-5,8-epoxide. Next, we isolated two kinds of carotene cyclase genes that encode lycopene β- and ε-cyclases from the WS and W71 leaves, by RT-PCR and subsequent RACE. Two and three lycopene β-cyclase gene sequences were, respectively, isolated from WS, namedIbLCYb1,2, and from W71,IbLCYb3,4,5. Meanwhile, only a single lycopene ε-cyclase gene sequence, designatedIbLCYe, was isolated from both WS and W71. These genes were separately introduced into a lycopene-synthesizingEscherichia colitransformed with thePantoea ananatis crtE,crtBandcrtIgenes, followed by HPLC analysis. β-Carotene was detected inE. colicells that carriedIbLCYb1-4, indicating that theIbLCYb1-4genes encode lycopene β-cyclase. Meanwhile, the introduction ofIbLCYeinto the lycopene-synthesizingE. coliled to efficient production of δ-carotene with a monocyclic ε-ring, providing evidence that theIbLCYegene codes for lycopene ε-(mono)cyclase. Expression of the β- and ε-cyclase genes was analyzed as well.
The Exposome: A New Frontier for Education
Authors: Dennis Kristine K. , Jones Dean P.
Published: August 2016

The historic debate of nature vs. nurture has emerged as a central yin-yang of contemporary health and disease research. The Human Genome Project provided the capability to define the nature of an individual by one's genetic sequence. But tools are not available to sequence lifelong exposures (i.e., the nurture of an individual). Many believe that nurture has an even greater role than genetics in determining lifelong success, health, and well-being. In contemporary terminology, the cumulative measure of environmental influences and associated biological responses throughout the life span is termed the exposome. This includes all external exposures from the environment, diet, behavior, societal influences and infections, and also cumulative biological responses to exposures and endogenous processes. Pursuit of a “Human Exposome Project” is a vision worthy of our youth: development of strategies and tools will require the brightest and most imaginative. Incorporation of the exposome into education curricula will foster discussion, development of interest, improvement of skills, and promotion of critical thinking to prepare students for civically engaged lives, ongoing study, and future career opportunities. The long-term vision is that sequencing the exposome will support better understanding of healthful and harmful lifelong exposures and lead to improved opportunity for the health and prosperity of all.
Spreading Disease – It's Contagious! Using a Model & Simulations to Understand How Antibiotics Work
Authors: Ogens Eva M. , Langheim Richard
Published: August 2016

We describe how to enable students to learn about the transmission of disease, resistant bacteria, and the importance of taking a “full course” of antibiotics by developing models and simulations to represent the growth and demise of bacteria. By doing these activities, students experience a model of the effects of antibiotics on the population of disease-causing bacteria during an infection. Students learn about the spread of infection through game playing and then, using a simulation, investigate how different variables, such as skipping a day of medication, affect the persistence of the disease. A key concept is that almost every naturally occurring population of bacteria that causes disease has a component that is resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, through graphing data and computer models, students can visually understand why it is important to take a complete course of antibiotics to kill all the bacteria and decrease the likelihood of bacteria becoming resistant, which can be harmful to human health. In this hands-on, inquiry-based activity that is seamlessly integrated with technology, the teacher becomes the facilitator of learning while the student is an active, engaged partner.
Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive & Dependence: Using Dodgeball to Explore Frequency Dependent Selection
Authors: Stuckert Adam M. M. , Vance-Chalcraft Heather D.
Published: August 2016

The term frequency dependence describes scenarios in which the likelihood of an event occurring is strongly tied to how common a particular trait is. Understanding frequency dependence is key to understanding numerous biological processes relevant to evolution by natural selection, such as predation, mimicry, disease, and effective vaccinations. We use dodgeball to demonstrate frequency dependent selection in a hypothetical predator–prey community, and provide possible extensions into other topics. This activity can be used with biology students in high school through upper-level undergraduate courses.
The Medieval Fate of the Cantigas de Santa Maria: Iberian Politics Meets Song
Authors: Ferreira Manuel Pedro
Published: August 2016

This article reviews the evidence for the medieval performance of the Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM) and discusses King Alfonso's intentions for the work, including the intended audience. The CSM were conceived as an ambitious cultural enterprise with both religious and political objectives, but were doomed to failure by the steep political decline of their creator. The only surviving evidence for the CSM's presence in any court outside Alfonso's is the Barbieri MS, an eighteenth-century descendant of a lost original, plausibly transmitted to the Portuguese court before 1270. Other traces of performative use are rubrics and marginal notes in an appendix to manuscript To and their corresponding reworking in manuscript E, which point to short-lived ritual use. Internal iconographical, literary, and compositional evidence suggests that Alfonso did intend the CSM to circulate among a broad range of social classes. He manipulated poetic and metrical forms from the troubadour tradition to highlight the dignity of the Virgin Mary, but he privileged forms directly inspired by the Andalusian zajal familiar to popular audiences and among the minstrels, to encourage the penetration of his songs beyond his courtly circle. The CSM were meant to consolidate Christian restoration in the recently conquered southern territories, but also to serve as personal and dynastic propaganda, asserting their author's royal supremacy over Castilian lords, his preeminence among Iberian kings, and his status as the Christian monarch most worthy of the office of Holy Roman emperor.
Impact of proton pump inhibitor treatment on pancreatic beta-cell area and beta-cell proliferation in humans
Authors: Breuer Thomas G K , Borker Laura , Quast Daniel R , Tannapfel Andrea , Schmidt Wolfgang E , Uhl Waldemar , Meier Juris J
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Gastrin has been shown to promote beta-cell proliferation in rodents, but its effects in adult humans are largely unclear. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) lead to endogenous hypergastrinaemia, and improved glucose control during PPI therapy has been reported in patients with diabetes. Therefore, we addressed whether PPI treatment is associated with improved glucose homoeostasis, islet cell hyperplasia or increased new beta-cell formation in humans.

Patients and methods

Pancreatic tissue specimens from 60 patients with and 33 patients without previous PPI therapy were examined. The group was subdivided into patients without diabetes (n = 27), pre-diabetic patients (n = 31) and patients with diabetes (n = 35).

Results

Fasting glucose and HbA1clevels were not different between patients with and without PPI therapy (P = 0.34 andP = 0.30 respectively). Beta-cell area was higher in patients without diabetes than in patients with pre-diabetes or diabetes (1.33 ± 0.12%, 1.05 ± 0.09% and 0.66 ± 0.07% respectively;P < 0.0001). There was no difference in beta-cell area between patients with and without PPI treatment (1.05 ± 0.08% vs 0.87 ± 0.08%, respectively;P = 0.16). Beta-cell replication was rare and not different between patients with and without PPI therapy (P = 0.20). PPI treatment was not associated with increased duct-cell replication (P = 0.18), insulin expression in ducts (P = 0.28) or beta-cell size (P = 0.63).

Conclusions

These results suggest that in adult humans, chronic PPI treatment does not enhance beta-cell mass or beta-cell function to a relevant extent.
Evidence-Informed Expert Recommendations for the Management of Celiac Disease in Children
Authors: Snyder John , Butzner J. Decker , DeFelice Amy R. , Fasano Alessio , Guandalini Stefano , Liu Edwin , Newton Kimberly P.
Published: August 2016

Although the need for effective long-term follow-up for patients with celiac disease (CD) has been recognized by many expert groups, published practice guidelines have not provided a clear approach for the optimal management of these patients. In an attempt to provide a thoughtful and practical approach for managing these patients, a group of experts in pediatric CD performed a critical review of the available literature in 6 categories associated with CD to develop a set of best practices by using evidence-based data and expert opinion. The 6 categories included the following: bone health, hematologic issues, endocrine problems, liver disease, nutritional issues, and testing. Evidence was assessed by using standardized criteria for evaluating the quality of the data, grade of evidence, and strength of conclusions. Over 600 publications were reviewed, and 172 were chosen for inclusion. The thorough review of the results demonstrated that the quality of the data available was often insufficient to provide unequivocal best practices. However, using the available data and the clinical experience of the panel, a practical framework for the management of children with CD was created. These recommendations were developed by our expert panel and do not necessarily reflect the policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The potential usefulness of these best practices is underscored by the fact that consensus, measured by the outcome of anonymous voting, was reached by the panel for 24 of the 25 questions. We hope that these best practices may be useful to the pediatric gastroenterology and larger general pediatric communities.
Family History in Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Adenitis (PFAPA) Syndrome
Authors: Manthiram Kalpana , Nesbitt Emily , Morgan Thomas , Edwards Kathryn M.
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE:

The goal of this study was to describe family history and inheritance patterns in patients with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome.

METHODS:

We performed a case–control study to compare the family histories of patients with PFAPA recruited from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and matched healthy control subjects from a pediatric primary care practice in Nashville, Tennessee, by using a structured questionnaire. Characteristics of paired case subjects, control subjects, and their family members were compared by using McNemar’s test and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

RESULTS:

Eighty PFAPA index case subjects and 80 control subjects were recruited. Eighteen PFAPA case subjects (23%) had ≥1 family member with PFAPA. Parents of PFAPA index case subjects were more likely to have recurrent pharyngitis (36% vs 16%; P < .001) and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (46% vs 28%; P = .002) compared with parents of control subjects. Siblings of case subjects had a higher prevalence of PFAPA (10% vs 2%; P = .04), recurrent pharyngitis (24% vs 10%; P = .03), and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (27% vs 7%; P = .003) compared with siblings of control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS:

A portion of PFAPA case subjects seems to be familial, implying an inherited genetic predisposition to the disorder and/or shared environmental exposures. First-degree relatives (parents and siblings) of patients with PFAPA have a higher prevalence of recurrent pharyngitis and aphthous stomatitis than relatives of control subjects, which suggests that these disorders represent reduced penetrance phenotypes of PFAPA. Further characterization of the genetics and inflammatory profiles of these patients and their relatives is warranted.
Range extension of Hypostomus cochliodon Kner, 1854 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) in Bermejo River, Salta, Argentina
Authors: Terán Guillermo Enrique , Alonso Felipe , Aguilera Gastón , Mirande Juan Marcos
Published: August 2016

Hypostomus cochliodon Kner, 1854 had been recorded from Paraguay and Paraná rivers in Argentina. We recorded for the first time specimens of H. cochliodon to the Bermejo River basin. It is also the first record of this species to Salta province, Argentina.
Using GIS tools to obtain elevation models for the purpose of spatial planning
Authors: Bożek Piotr , Głowacka Agnieszka , Litwin Urszula , Pluta Magda
Published: August 2016

The paper presents the possibilities of applying GIS tools in order to obtain elevation models
for spatial planning. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) or Digital Terrain Model (DTM) can be
created based on direct field measurements, vectorization of existing cartographic materials,
observations from the air, or data obtained from radar systems placed on the Earth’s orbit, using
radar interferometry. The research methodology was based on the use of GIS tools in the process
of obtaining public (generally available) elevation data, and assessing suitability of that data,
for instance, in the context of spatial planning. In the study, we have used data from airborne
laser scanning, free data provided by CODGiK (Central Documentation Centre of Geodesy and
Cartography) and data acquired from Google Earth software, among others. Data analysis was
divided into 4 stages: the first was to estimate how large are the differences when creating a grid
elevation model out of a cloud of points, using aggregation algorithms. The second stage of the
analysis consisted in the comparison of the amount of the received free data, and the elevation
model established based on the cloud of points – the LIDAR model. The next stage of the analysis was aimed at a mutual comparison of the elevation models created with free data. The last
stage of the analysis concerned the comparison of the DSM (Digital Surface Model) with the free
data acquired from the Google Earth.
Mean annual precipitation in a mountain river catchment area in the period 1984–2012 (the case of Kamienica river)
Authors: Cupak Agnieszka , Górka Anna , Michalec Bogusław , Wałęga Andrzej
Published: August 2016

The aim of the study is to evaluate the mean annual precipitation in the mountain river catchment area, in the period between 1984–2012. Data on daily rainfall totals was obtained from
IMGW PIB in Warsaw, and it came from two weather stations: one in Nowy Sącz, and the other
in Krynica. It has been demonstrated that during the multi-year period covered by the study,
there were variations in terms of precipitation levels; the year 1987 should be considered extremely dry, while 2010, extremely wet – in the latter year, extreme rainfall was noted. In the
analysed multi-year period, within the total annual precipitation, rain dominated during the
first half year, which undoubtedly affects the hydrological regime of the Kamienica river.
Examining the impact of recording long-series images taken from non-metric cameras on optimisation of modelling process and 3D visualisations
Authors: Jankowicz Bogdan
Published: August 2016

In spite of the diversity of methods used in acquiring data images and later in the modelling
process and spatial visualisation it is worthwhile to seek for alternative methods of optimizing
the applied technique and processing method. Adopting costly solutions is not always necessary.
For the purposes of terrain analysis and local assessments of landscape the author suggest to use
the modelling method based on recording series images taken by non-metric cameras, guaranteeing economical, technically optimal and accurate solution of the problem. This claim is
proven by the accuracy analyses of generated spatial visualisations and the results of calibration
of chosen non-metric cameras.
The study confirmed the consistency of the results of control measurements – carried out by
means of analyses of calibration reports in chosen non-metric cameras and an exemplary object’s spatial model created by a separate software – with the predictions made in the stage of
theoretical considerations.
Studies of historical modifications to the Bernardine monastery garden in Kraków as the basis for its redisign
Authors: Baster Przemysław
Published: August 2016

Characteristics rules of composition of the Polish monastic geometric gardens, combined with
the information on the history and the spatial changes in the Bernardine monastery garden in
Kraków and the iconographic research on the discussed garden design, show its clear architectural and landscape character. The study indicates that there are no de facto differences in the
views on its original form and underlying principles of composition. The Bernardine monastery
garden was similar to other such garden designs in Poland, and its composition was based on the
earlier medieval idea of the division of space into quarters planted with trees. Although over the
centuries, modifications were made to the course of the borders and the general form of the garden, it remains in the very same location and invariably presents its geometric layout. Currently,
the original composition is less intelligible, and the land use is different from the historical one.
This fact justifies the need to redesign the garden based on the spatial studies of its historical
transformations.
Conditions for the occurrence of selected aquatic plant species in the water bodies of the municipal park in Skawina
Authors: Koziara Zbigniew
Published: August 2016

The study was conducted in an artificially formed fen, within the old basin of Skawinka river, in
a municipal park located in the southwest part of Skawina town. The location and the conditions
of the occurrence of selected species were characterized, by means of describing their positions
and plotting them on the land survey and height map in the scale of 1 : 500 [Czarnota 1997].
The pH and salinity of the water were examined, the percentage of light reaching the plants was
determined, and the organic matter content in the soil was measured. Understanding these conditions will make it possible to select the right species and varieties of plants, having the requirements compliant with the conditions existing in the tested water basin, which will enable their
further development and maintaining attractive appearance.
ВИКОРИСТАННЯ НАДВИСОКОЧАСТОТНОГО ВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ ПРИ ВИДІЛЕННІ ПОЛІСАХАРИДІВ КЛІТИННИХ СТІНОК ДРІЖДЖІВ
Authors: Черно, Н. К. , Бурдо О. Г. , Науменко К. І.
Published: August 2016

У роботі встановлено ефективність використання надвисокочастотного (НВЧ) випромінювання длядезінтеграції дріжджів Saccharomyces cerevisiae, суспендованих в розчині натрій гідроксиду, з метою виділення полі-сахаридів клітинних стінок. Надано характеристика отриманих препаратів при варіюванні умов обробки. Показаноможливість отримання цим методом препаратів дріжджових полісахаридів різного складу. Варіюванням концентраціїNаОН можливе виділення як монокомпонентного продукту – β-глюкану, так і двокомпонентного – комплексу β-глюкану з мананом (зимозан). Метод простий у виконанні, його використання приводить до зниження витрат ресурсіві енергії, підвищення екологічної складової, що в сукупності визначає перспективи його використання в технологіяхполісахаридів дріжджів.
ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ЦИТРАТ - ИОНОВ В СЛАДКИХ БЕЗАЛКОГОЛЬНЫХ НАПИТКАХ ПО МОЛЕКУЛЯРНОЙ ЛЮМИНЕСЦЕНЦИИ РУТИНА В КОМПЛЕКСЕ С ИТТРИЕМ (III)
Authors: Бельтюкова, С. В. , Малинка Е. В. , Бойченко В. Д. , Ситникова Ю. С.
Published: August 2016

В качестве люминесцентного сенсора для определения цитрат-ионов предложен комплекс иттрий (III) - рутин - цитрат-ион с соотношением компонентов 1:1:1. Установлены оптимальные условия образованияразнолигандного комплекса, определены его спектрально-люминесцентные характеристики (максимумы длин волнлюминесценции и возбуждения). Выбраны оптимальные условия комплексообразования: оптимальные концентрациирастворов – хлорида иттрия (III), рутина, цитрата натрия. Разработана методика люминесцентного определения цит-рат-ионов в газированных безалкогольных напитках, основанная на использовании молекулярной люминесценции ру-тина в разнолигандном комплексе Y(III) - Rut - Cit.
ТЕХНОЛОГІЯ ОТРИМАННЯ ЗАЛІЗОВМІСНОГО КОМПЛЕКСУ НА ОСНОВІ ПОЛІСАХАРИДІВ ПЕЧЕРИЦІ ДВОСПОРОВОЇ
Authors: Черно Н. К. , Озоліна С. О. , Нікітіна О. В.
Published: August 2016

Розроблено технологію отримання залізовмісного комплексу на основі полісахаридів печериці дво-спорової, яка складається з двох стадій: вилучення полісахаридів та формування залізовмісного комплексу. Встанов-лено, що одержувати полісахариди з сировини доцільно екстракцією 3 % розчином натрій гідроксиду протягом 4 год зподальшою очисткою від речовин невуглеводної природи. У складі полісахаридів домінує галактоглюкан. Раціональ-ними умовами отримання залізовмісного комплексу на основі полісахаридів грибів є суміщення розчинів ферум (III)хлориду та полісахаридів; концентрації реагуючих речовин становлять: Fe3+ – 0,075 %, полісахаридів – 0,113 %, масо-ве співвідношення залізо : полісахариди 1,0 : 1,5, рН середовища – 11,5. Комплекс стійкий до дії агресивних середо-вищ травного тракту, є мікробіологічно безпечним та залишається доброякісним протягом 12 місяців зберігання. Він єефективним протианемічним засобом.
Nem tudo que reluz é Marx: críticas stalinistas a Vigotski no âmbito da ciência soviética
Authors: Toassa Gisele
Published: August 2016

Resumo No Brasil, tem havido notável crescimento da chamada “teoria da atividade”, cuja fundamentação é associada especialmente ao pesquisador russo A. N. Leontiev (1903-1979). Isso se tem feito em conexão direta com a noção de que Vigotski, Luria e Leontiev compuseram uma troika, responsável pela elaboração da teoria histórico-cultural e da teoria da atividade. O objetivo deste artigo é iniciar a problematização da própria veracidade dessa narrativa a partir de uma análise do contexto no qual se dispôs o conteúdo das críticas stalinistas a Vigotski de 1931-1937, da construção do sistema de produção científica no regime soviético e dos contrastes políticos e culturais entre os anos de 1920 e 1930 - especialmente o estabelecimento do marxismo-leninismo e o pragmatismo como marcas do regime stalinista. O texto contribui para a análise das ideias e frentes de trabalho vigotskianas condenadas pelos críticos stalinistas e suas potenciais repercussões na psicologia soviética elaborada nos anos de 1930.
Embedded system in Arduino platform with Fuzzy control to support the grain aeration decision
Authors: Szesz Junior Albino , Monteiro Junior Marcos , Dias Ariangelo Hauer , Mathias Ivo Mário , Conti Giuvane
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT: Aeration is currently the most commonly used technique to improve the drying and storage of grain, depending on temperature and water content of the grain, as of the temperature and relative humidity of the outside air. In order to monitor temperature and humidity of the grain mass, it is possible to have a network of sensors in the cells of both internal and external storage. Use of artificial intelligence through Fuzzy theory, has been used since the 60s and enables their application on various forms. Thus, it is observed that the aeration of grain in function of representing a system of controlled environment can be studied in relation to the application of this theory. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to present an embedded Fuzzy control system based on the mathematical model of CRUZ et al. (2002) and applied to the Arduino platform, for decision support in aeration of grain. For this, an embedded Arduino system was developed, which received the environmental values of temperature and humidity to then be processed in a Fuzzy controller and return the output as a recommendation to control the aeration process rationally. Comparing the results obtained from the graph presented by LASSERAN (1981) it was observed that the system is effective.
Steer performance on deferred pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens
Authors: Silva Camile Sanches , Montagner Denise Baptaglin , Euclides Valéria Pacheco Batista , Queiroz Carolina de Arruda , Andrade Rafael Augusto Silva
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to compare structural, morphological and bromatological characteristics of forage as well as performance of Caracu beef cattle (200 ± 9 kg of initial body weight) supplemented with a multi-mineral mixture (0.25% of body weight) on deferred pastures of Brachiaria brizantha 'Marandu' and Brachiaria decumbens 'Basilisk' under continuous grazing. After the pasture was grazed to 10 cm of height, in March 2014, both grasses were left to rest and subjected to a 126-day deferment period. The experimental period lasted from July to October 2014; the sward characteristics and the animal's weight were evaluated every 28 days. The highest forage mass was recorded in 'Marandu' grass, whereas the highest leaves percentage and lowest dead material percentage were observed in 'Basilisk' pastures. Similarly, the highest crude protein content (8.1 vs. 7.0 ± 0.2%), in vitro organic matter digestibility (57.7 vs. 53.9 ± 0.4%), lowest neutral detergent fiber content (69.2 vs. 72.7 ± 0.4%), and; consequently, the highest average daily gain (680 vs. 530 ± 0.04g animal-1) were recorded for 'Basilisk' pastures. 'Marandu' and 'Basilisk' deferment was associated with a multi-mineral mixture supplementation as a management alternative for rearing beef cattle during the drought periods. Because of the duration of the pasture recovery period in this study, B. decumbens pastures were more likely to achieve the highest animal performance.