Biological Fixation of N2 in Mono and Polyspecific Legume Pasture in the Humid Mediterranean Zone of Chile

del Pozo, A (del Pozo, Alejandro). Univ Talca, Fac Ciencias Agr, Talca, ChileDespite annual legume pasture are of great importance for dryland agricultural systems in Mediterranean environments, there are few studies of N-2 biological fixation (NBF) reported in Chile. In this study the NBF of four annual legume species: subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus L.), arrow-leaf clover (T. vesiculosum L.), and crimson clover (T. incarnatum L.) (Experiment 1), as well as seven mixtures of these species (Experiment 2) were assessed. The NBF was measured by the N-15 natural abundance technique. The objective was to determine NBF in the legume species and in distinct mixtures used. The study was carried out in an Andisol of the Andean Precordillera located in the humid Mediterranean zone of Chile. Pasture was evaluated for biomass; and total N and natural abundance of N-15 were analyzed in plant material samples. In Experiment 1 (monospecific legume species pasture), N derived from fixation ranged between 43 and 147 kg N ha(-1) and where T. vesiculosum and T. subterraneum presented statistical differences (P <= 0.05) in connection with the other species. In the legume mixtures (Experiment 2), N derived by fixation varied between 97 and 214 kg N ha(-1) where the 50-50 mixtures (T. subterraneum and O. compressus, or T. subterraneum and T. vesiculosum, respectively) had the highest N fixation. Fixed N ranged between 12 and 25 kg N t(-1) DM, showing significant differences among mono and polyspecific legume species

Electromechanical Limits of Polymersomes

Self-assembled membranes of amphiphilic diblock copolymers enable comparisons of cohesiveness with lipid membranes over the range of hydrophobic thicknesses d = 3-15 nm. At zero mechanical tension the breakdown potential Vc for polymersomes with d = 15 nm is 9 V, compared to 1 V for liposomes with d = 3 nm. Nonetheless, electromechanical stresses at breakdown universally exhibit a V2 c dependence, and membrane capacitance shows the expected strong d dependence, conforming to simple thermodynamic models. The viscous nature of the diblock membranes is apparent in the protracted postporation dynamics

Binge Eating Among Older Women: Prevalence Rates and Health Correlates Across Three Independent Samples

Background: Emerging research indicates that binge eating (BE; consuming unusually large amounts of food in one siting while feeling a loss of control) is prevalent among older women. Yet, health correlates of BE in older adult populations are poorly understood. The original study aimed to investigate BE prevalence, frequency, and health correlates in a sample of older adult women. Based on results from this first study, we then sought to replicate findings in two additional samples of older adult women from separate studies. Method: Using self-reported frequencies of BE from three separate samples of older women with very different demographics, we compared BE prevalence, frequency, and health correlates among older women. Study 1 (N=185) includes data collected online (86% White; 59% overweight/obese status). Study 2 (N=64) was conducted in person at a local food pantry (65% Hispanic; 47% household income\u3c$10,000/year). Study 3 (N=100) comprises data collected online (72% White; 50% Masters/Doctoral Degree). Results: Per DSM-5 frequency criterion of BE at least weekly, we found prevalence rates ranging from 19 to 26% across the three samples. Correlates of BE frequency included elevated negative mood, worry, BMI, and less nutritious food consumption. Conclusions: Across three very different samples in terms of race/ethnicity, education, food security status, measurements, and sampling methodology, we found fairly consistent rates of self-reported BE at least weekly (19–26%). Results suggest that BE is related to negative health indices among older women and support the need for more research in this populatio

Thy-1 interaction with Fas in lipid rafts regulates fibroblast apoptosis and lung injury resolution.

Thy-1-negative lung fibroblasts are resistant to apoptosis. The mechanisms governing this process and its relevance to fibrotic remodeling remain poorly understood. By using either sorted or transfected lung fibroblasts, we found that Thy-1 expression is associated with downregulation of anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, as well as increased levels of cleaved caspase-9. Addition of rhFasL and staurosporine, well-known apoptosis inducers, caused significantly increased cleaved caspase-3, -8, and PARP in Thy-1-transfected cells. Furthermore, rhFasL induced Fas translocation into lipid rafts and its colocalization with Thy-1. These in vitro results indicate that Thy-1, in a manner dependent upon its glycophosphatidylinositol anchor and lipid raft localization, regulates apoptosis in lung fibroblasts via Fas-, Bcl-, and caspase-dependent pathways. In vivo, Thy-1 deficient (Thy1-/-) mice displayed persistence of myofibroblasts in the resolution phase of bleomycin-induced fibrosis, associated with accumulation of collagen and failure of lung fibrosis resolution. Apoptosis of myofibroblasts is decreased in Thy1-/- mice in the resolution phase. Collectively, these findings provide new evidence regarding the role and mechanisms of Thy-1 in initiating myofibroblast apoptosis that heralds the termination of the reparative response to bleomycin-induced lung injury. Understanding the mechanisms regulating fibroblast survival/apoptosis should lead to novel therapeutic interventions for lung fibrosis

Negative serology of Fasciola hepatica infection in patients with liver cancer in Peru: A preliminary report

Introduction: The etiology of several hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases remains largely unknown. Although Fasciola hepatica has been associated with liver fibrosis in Latin America, it has not yet been associated with HCC. This study aimed to determine the existence of specific IgG antibodies against F. hepatica in the serum samples of HCC patients. Methods: In total, 13 serum samples from 13 HCC patients were screened using Fas2-ELISA. Results: Fas2-ELISA demonstrated negative results in all HCC patients included in this study. Conclusions: The pre-existence of F. hepatica infection in HCC patients needs to be further investigated in epidemiological and experimental studies

Avaliação horticultural de doze portaenxertos para laranjeira 'Folha Murcha', limeira ácida 'Tahiti' e tangerineira Satsuma 'Okitsu'.

A citricultura paulista destaca-se pela sua notável evolução em importância econômica. No entanto, a baixa diversidade genética do atual pool varietal aumenta sua vulnerabilidade à ocorrência de novas epidemias, com importantes conseqüências para a sustentabilidade deste agronegócio. Neste contexto, o uso de novas cultivares de copas e portaenxertos, complementares ou substitutos aos atuais, dará maior competitividade à citricultura brasileira, pelo aumento na produtividade e na qualidade final dos produtos.pdf 212

Desenvolvimento e produção de limeira ácida 'Tahiti' sobre diferentes porta-enxertos cultivada com e sem irrigação.

A produção comercial de citros no Brasil é baseada em poucas cultivares copa e porta-enxerto. Entre as copas, quatro cultivares de laranja doce representam aproximadamente 92% das plantas no Estado de São Paulo (maior estado produtor). Por outro lado, o limão ?Cravo? é o cultivar porta-enxerto predominante, presente em 85% dos cultivos (BASSANEZI et al., 2003). Se de um lado, a homogeneidade genética dos pomares apresenta vantagens, de outro, essa condição aumenta perigosamente sua vulnerabilidade a pragas e doenças. Portanto, é fundamental que os citricultores possam contar com alternativas para diversificação em seus pomares. Buscou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar o desenvolvimento de plantas de lima ácida Tahiti sobre doze porta-enxertos e um interenxerto. O experimento foi conduzido em duas condições de cultivo: com e sem irrigação.pdf 159

Produção de clones de limeira ácida Tahiti (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) conduzidos com e sem irrigação

A base genética da produção nacional de lima ácida Tahiti é composta predominantemente pelos clones IAC-5 e Quebra-galho, como cultivares copa, e o limoeiro Cravo (Citrus limonia Osbeck), como porta-enxerto. Entretanto, existem novos materiais genéticos para a diversificação de copas e dados experimentais relatando o bom desempenho da limeira ácida Tahiti sobre outros porta-enxertos, notadamente o citrumeleiro Swingle [Citrus paradisi Macfad. cv. Duncan x Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.], entretanto a baixa disponibilidade de informações sobre estes materiais genéticos impede a diversificação dos pomares tornando a cultura suscetível ao surgimento de novas pragas e doenças (STUCHI; CYRILLO, 1998; FIGUEIREDO et al., 2000; FIGUEIREDO et al., 2001; STUCHI et al., 2002; FIGUEIREDO et al., 2002). O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a produção de cinco clones da limeira ácida Tahiti sobre o citrumeleiro Swingle, conduzidas com e sem irrigação, em Bebedouro - SP.pdf 159