Seasonal Occurrence of the Sod Webworm Moths (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) of Ohio

While nearly 100 species of sod webworms are known to occur in North America, the species complex and seasonal occurrence of these moths has been documented in relatively few states. For Ohio, there is little published record of the sod webworm species complex, and the seasonal occurrence of only a few economically important species has been documented. Using black light traps, sod web worm adult flight activity was monitored over the course of three to five years at four different locations throughout Ohio. In this paper we report the seasonal occurrence of sod web worms species captured at these locations. These data provide a historical benchmark of sod web­worm species diversity, local abundance, and seasonal occurrence in Ohio

S-adenosylmethionine and superoxide dismutase 1 synergistically counteract Alzheimer's disease features progression in tgCRND8 mice

Recent evidence emphasizes the role of dysregulated one-carbon metabolism in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Exploiting a nutritional B-vitamin deficiency paradigm, we have previously shown that PSEN1 and BACE1 activity is modulated by one-carbon metabolism, leading to increased amyloid production. We have also demonstrated that S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) supplementation contrasted the AD-like features, induced by B-vitamin deficiency. In the present study, we expanded these observations by investigating the effects of SAM and SOD (Superoxide dismutase) association. TgCRND8 AD mice were fed either with a control or B-vitamin deficient diet, with or without oral supplementation of SAM + SOD. We measured oxidative stress by lipid peroxidation assay, PSEN1 and BACE1 expression by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), amyloid deposition by ELISA assays and immunohistochemistry. We found that SAM + SOD supplementation prevents the exacerbation of AD-like features induced by B vitamin deficiency, showing synergistic effects compared to either SAM or SOD alone. SAM + SOD supplementation also contrasts the amyloid deposition typically observed in TgCRND8 mice. Although the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of exogenous SOD remain to be elucidated, our findings identify that the combination of SAM + SOD could be carefully considered as co-adjuvant of current AD therapies

Design of sediment oxygen demand (SOD) 'in-situ' measuring chamber and its application in several rivers

Sediment oxygen demand is defined as the rate of dissolved oxygen removal from the water column by the decomposition of organic materials in the bottom sediments. Accurate SOD rates are important, as they will allow for more precise permits specifications and therefore the degree or level of wastewater treatment needed. The "in situ" SOD chamber designed for the study was adapted from an earlier design by the USEPA (Hatcher, 1986). Two sets of chambers of differing sizes were fabricated and used to measure the SOD levels in several rivers and a small lake. These measurements could be used for the calibration and validation water quality models. Another applied usage of the SOD chamber was for the management of aquaculture ponds. The knowledge of the SOD levels at the bottom of the aquaculture ponds will allow for a more systematic pond-cleaning schedule

SOD activity of immobilized enzyme mimicking complexes

A binuclear, imidazolato-bridged, possible superoxide dismutase-mimicking complex (Cu(II)-diethylenetriamino-μ-imidazolato-Zn(II)-tris-aminoethylamine-triperchlorate) was prepared and immobilized on silica gel or among the layers of montmorillonite. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the complex before and after immobilization was studied by a SOD assay. It was found that the SOD activity of the host-free complex decreased somewhat when montmorillonite was the host, however, using silica gel as host it increased

Functional and structural mimics of superoxide dismutase enzymes

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes form important defence line in living organisms. Through a dismutation reaction they transform the highly reactive superoxide radical ion to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The latter compound is further transformed by catalase or peroxidase enzymes to water and oxygen. The overall structure of the enzymes and those of the active sites are largely known, thus, it has been revealed that in eukaryotes Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions act as cofactors and they are connected with an imidazolate bridge and this structural unit is coordinated with amino acids. In prokaryotes the SOD enzymes contain Mn(II) or Fe(II) or Ni(II) in their active centres. In order to learn about the working mechanism of SOD enzymes at the molecular level various structural mimics were prepared and their structural transformations during the dismutation reaction was followed. Gathering adequate amount of information allowed the preparation of functional mimics that are not necessarily copies of the active sites of the enzymes, nevertheless, display considerable SOD activity. Both functional and structural mimics are comprehensively dealt with in this review. Although enzymes may seem to be attractive catalysts for promoting real-life reactions effectively with high selectivity, they can seldom if ever be used under industrial conditions, i.e. at high temperatures and pressures. The SOD enzymes for promoting oxygen transfer reactions are not durable enough under these conditions either. The complexes mimicking SOD activities perform better in this respect, however, their reusabilities are limited, because of separation problems. A solution can be the immobilisation of these SOD mimicking complexes on solid or semi-solid supports. Even if the activity is not better then the support-free complexes, the catalyst can be filtered at the end of the reaction and can easily be recycled. Attempts for immobilisation are also comprehensively reviewed and immobilised complexes with surprisingly high SOD activities are reported as well. Full characterisation of these materials is given and rationalisation of their exceptionally high activities is offered

Native Grassland Conversion: the Roles of Risk Intervention and Switching Costs

We develop a real option model of the irreversible native grassland conversion decision. Upon plowing, native grassland can be followed by either a permanent cropping system or a system in which land is put under cropping (respectively, grazing) whenever crop prices are high (respectively, low). Switching costs are incurred upon alternating between cropping and grazing. The effects of risk intervention in the form of crop insurance subsidies are studied, as are the effects of cropping innovations that reduce switching costs. We calibrate the model by using cropping return data for South Central North Dakota from 1989 to 2012. Simulations show that a risk intervention that offsets 20% of a cropping return shortfall increases the sod-busting cost threshold, below which native sod will be busted, by 41% (or $43.7/acre). Omitting cropping return risk across time underestimates this sod-busting cost threshold by 23$24.35/acre), and hence underestimates the native sod conversion caused by crop production