Pridopidine selectively occupies sigma-1 rather than dopamine D2 receptors at behaviorally active doses

Dopamine stabilizers have stimulatory actions under low dopamine tone and inhibitory actions under high dopamine tone without eliciting catalepsy. These compounds are dopamine D-2 receptor (D2R) antagonists or weak partial agonists and may have pro-mnemonic and neuroprotective effects. The mechanism underlying their stimulatory and neuroprotective actions is unknown but could involve sigma-1R binding. The present study examined sigma-1R and D2R occupancy by the dopamine stabilizer pridopidine (ACR16) at behaviorally relevant doses in living rats. Rats were administered 3 or 15 mg/kg pridopidine, or saline, before injection of the radiotracer C-11-SA4503 (sigma-1R) or C-11-raclopride (D2R). Some animals received 60 mg/kg pridopidine and were only scanned with C-11-raclopride. Cerebral C-11-SA4503 binding was quantified using metabolite-corrected plasma input data and distribution volume (V (T)) calculated by Logan graphical analysis. C-11-raclopride binding was quantified using striatum-to-cerebellum ratios and binding potentials calculated with a simplified reference tissue model. Cunningham-Lassen plots indicated sigma-1R occupancies of 57 +/- 2 and 85 +/- 2 % after pretreatment of animals with 3 and 15 mg/kg pridopidine. A significant (44-66 %) reduction of C-11-raclopride binding was only observed at 60 mg/kg pridopidine. At doses shown to elicit neurochemical and behavioral effects, pridopidine occupied a large fraction of sigma-1Rs and a negligible fraction of D(2)Rs. Significant D2R occupancy was only observed at a dose 20-fold higher than was required for sigma-1R occupancy. The characteristics of dopamine stabilizers may result from the combination of high sigma-1R and low D2R affinity

Test-retest repeatability of [18F]MC225-PET in rodents:A tracer for imaging of P-gp function

In longitudinal PET studies, animals are repeatedly anesthetized which may affect the repeatability of PET measurements. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of anesthesia on the P-gp function as well as the reproducibility of [18F]MC225 PET scans. Thus, dynamic PET scans with blood sampling were conducted in 13 Wistar rats. Seven animals were exposed to isoflurane anesthesia 1 week before the PET scan ("Anesthesia-exposed" PET). A second group of six animals was used to evaluate the reproducibility of measurements of P-gp function at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with [18F]MC225. In this group, two PET scans were made with a 1 week interval ("Test" and "Retest" PET). Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using compartmental models and metabolite-corrected plasma as an input function. "Anesthesia-exposed" animals showed a 28% decrease in whole-brain volume of distribution (VT) (p < 0.001) compared to "Test", where the animals were not previously anesthetized. The VT at "Retest" also decreased (19%) compared to "Test" (p < 0.001). The k2 values in whole-brain were significantly increased by 18% in "Anesthesia-exposed" (p = 0.005) and by 15% in "Retest" (p = 0.008) compared to "Test". However, no significant differences were found in the influx rate constant K1, which is considered as the best parameter to measure the P-gp function. Moreover, Western Blot analysis did not find significant differences in the P-gp expression of animals not pre-exposed to anesthesia ("Test") or pre-exposed animals ("Retest"). To conclude, anesthesia may affect the brain distribution of [18F]MC225 but it does not affect the P-gp expression or function

Characterization of New Rice Lines Adapted to Medium Altitude Ecological Conditions in Burundi

Rice is a portion of luxury food, a cereal that constitutes a major source of calories for the urban and rural population. It is the second-largest crop grown worldwide. In Burundi country, rice demand has been increasing more rapidly in both urban and sub-urban areas due to its use in alcohol and oil fabrication, marketing for household economic income, and cattle feeding. Unfortunately, rice production is limited due to population growth, coupled with its cultivation almost in lower altitude regions only. An experiment on the characterization of new rice lines for the development of high-yielding genotypes with desirable agronomic traits was carried out to assess the most adapted lines which could be recommended to farmers in the region. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. It has considered 10 rice lignes (V3, V7, V8, V13, V14, V16, V18, V22, V34, V35), planted on 8 ha area, divided into single plots of 8 m2&nbsp; each with 20 X 20 cm for spacing. Based on statistic analysis, the results of the study showed line V34 as the most adapted variety with significant differences compared to other lines. It showed improved growth parameters as plant height, panicles exsertion and panicles length. Moreover, this line V34 has recorded enhanced yield with p&lt;0.05 as compared to others. Likewise, improved pinicles numbers and thousand grains weight were observed for this line V34. The study highlighted line V34 as the most adapted line that could be recommended to the people of the region

Socio Economic Effects of Water Management on household livelihoods at Busiga commune of Ngozi Province in Burundi

Water is essential for all life on Earth. &nbsp;It provides many environmental goods and services that are of economic benefit to society. Water is a variable parameter for different applications in the fields of climate system, hydrology, and most critically in agriculture. Despise these benefits, water resources seem to face severe quantitative and qualitative threats worldwide especially in Burundi at Gatika and Rugori, hills where water was lost in several ways especially during the rainy season where floods coupled with erosion washed away crops. To cope with this trend, a study has been carried out with water management through different methods such as suspended barrels, micro-irrigation and cemented well to stabilize water resources in the region. The results of this study highlighted the effectiveness of water management on these two hills. It has played a major role in enabling famer to cultivate many abandoned plots through irrigation with water stocked in barrels and well. Furthermore, environment protection from flood and erosion was observed. Moreover, the outcomes showed improved crop production and yield, resulting in improved food security ascribed to diversified crops production. Likewise, enhancement of monthly income has been pointed out. The study encourages the population to undertake water management methods to boost the agro economy systems and benefit its advantages

Analysis of Growth and Yield Parameters for Four Cowpea Varieties in Kirimiro Ecological Conditions

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.Walp) is a grain legume and a food major importance for millions of people, especially in less developed countries. It is not only rich in nutrients, but also in nutraceuticals such as dietary fibre, antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols. An experiment was carried out in three blocks completely randomized at Rukoba hill of Kirimiro region to analyse the growth and yield parameters of four cowpea varieties ( Local, Katumani, Rurandaranda and Fahari) to assess the variety which is more adapted to the ecological conditions of the region. The studied parameters were: leaves number, leaf length and width, plant height, pods number per plant, leaf area, grains number per pod, plant height at pods formation and yield. The outcomes showed a significant increase in leaf length and width per plant for the Rurandarada variety than the local and other varieties. Moreover, this variety recorded significantly enhanced leaf area and an effectively improved plant height. Furthermore, rurandarada variety recorded a noteworthy increase in leaves number and has significantly improved yield compared to others. The study highlighted rurandarara variety as the most adapted variety. This suggested that rurandaranda could be considered as a variety that could be cultivated in the area for the promotion of food security and the health of the population

Comparative Analysis of Different Treatments Effects on Stylosanthes Guianensis Production Parameters in Imbo, Natural region of Burundi

In Burundi, the major problem for livestock is the lack of sufficient nutrients needed for its growth and development due to Burundi higher population growth rate which put a pressure on arable lands and pastures leading to grass pastures reduction. However the concentrates that can be used alternatively are not only insufficient, but also very expensive under the local farmer conditions. In the Burundi, livestock reduction was recorded while it occupies an important place in Burundian life, especially for smallholders to whom it plays a major role in terms of social life, health and income generation. Fortunately, stylosanthes Guianensis has been identified as an herbaceous forage legume with potential protein supplements of better impacts on livestock growth, development and production. It is more accessible to smallholder, whence this study has been carried out to improve stylosanthes production for better livestock feeding. The experiment has considered six seedling spacing as treatments to analyze the treatment which could effectively improve the stylosanthes production parameters in Imbo natural region. These treatments (T1 (40cm X 5 cm); T2 (40cm X 10 cm), T3 (50cm X 5 cm), T4 (50cm X 10 cm), T5 (60cm X 5 cm), T6 (60cm X 10 cm)) were ranged in three blocs completely randomized with three replications. Data were sampled at the 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and the 21st weeks after germination by recording as parameters: plant height, ramifications number, plant water content, green and dry matters. All data were analyzed through SPSS at P&lt;0.05 for significative difference. The results showed no significant difference among treatments for plant height but highlighted treatments T2 as the effective treatments in increasing plant growth especially in developing period. This treatment T2 also showed positively effects on ramifications number comparatively to others. Moreover, T2 treatment significantly improved plant water content, green matter and dry matter. This study suggested treatment T2 (40cm X 10 cm) as the effective treatment which could be used for improving stylosanthes production parameters and productivity as well in the Imbo region

Carbon Mineralization Kinetics from Legume Residues Applied to a High Altitude Acidic Soil

An incubation study was conducted for 56 days under room temperature in a high altitude acidic soil (pH = 4.2) to evaluate carbon(C) mineralization from pea (Pisum sativum L.) residues and leaves from two agroforestry species (Calliandra calothyrsus Meisnand Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp. Carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution was measured at 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 and 56 days of incubation.Carbon mineralization was best fit to a sequential decomposition model with a rapid and slow phase, each described by first-order kinetics. Percent rapid, rapid and slow fraction rate constants and half-lives were determined. At the completion of the study, percent decomposition was higher for Pisum sativum L. (77.3 %) followed by Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn (60.8 %) andGliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp (56.7 %). Similarly, higher percent rapid fractions (78 %), higher decomposition rate constants (kr= 0.053 day-1 ; ks = 0.012 day-1 ) and lower half-lives [t0.5(r) = 13 days; t0.5(s) = 58 days] were also observed with Pisum sativum L.residues. From the findings of this investigation, it appears that the higher lignin content of the two agroforestry species, Gliricidiasepium (Jacq.) Walp (6.33 %) and Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn (4.16 %) was the limiting factor of their decomposability, as compared to Pisum sativum L. which had zero lignin content. This study highlighted pea (Pisum sativum L.) residue as the mosteffective in C mineralization

Effects of Seedling Spacing on Growth parameters and Yield attributes of three Cowpea Varieties

Seedling spacing is an important factor which plays a vital role in boosting yield. Many plants are very sensitive to this factor especially cowpea, a key plant with major benefits to households nutrition and health around the world. However, cowpea seedling spacing still a factor that requires adjustment in many countries, especially in Burundi where this crop is not yet well domesticated, with cultivation under traditional systems, inadequate planting methods coupled with lack of different varieties. An experiment was carried out in three blocks completely randomized with three replications for each. It has considered three cowpea varieties (local and Tanzanian varieties (Katumani and Vuli)) and four seedling spacing (SS): SS1 (50cmX40cm); SS2 (50cmX50cm); SS3 (60cmX40cm) and SS4 (60cmX50cm). Results highlighted Seedling spacing SS1 as the effective seedling spacing which could effectively improve all studied growth parameters and yield attributes for local and katumani varieties. It has effectively improved plant height; leaf area index; the number of flowers, pods and grains. Moreover, this seedling spacing has also recorded enhanced crop yield, whence it has been considered as the most effective seedling spacing, especially for local (L) and katumani (K), varieties which could be considered for cultivation in Burundi. Regarding Vuli variety, although it has also recorded improved yield, data variabilities was observed, whence further studies were recommended for more clarification.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp

One-pot synthesis of 6-l-[18f] fluoro-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (6-l-[18f] fdopa).

The invention relates to the field of medicinal chemistry and radiopharmaceuticals, in particular to means, methods and cassettes for the automated synthesis of the radiotracer 6-L-[18F]fluoro-3,4- dihydroxyphenylalanine (6-L-[18F]FDOPA). Provided is a method for the one-pot synthesis of 6-L-[18F]FDOPA comprising contacting a BOC- protected stannyl precursor of the formula I with [18F] Tetraethylammonium fluoride ([18F]Et4NF) in the presence of the Cu-catalyst Cu(Impy)4(OTf)2

Effects of Different Irrigation Rates on Growth and Yield Parameters of Amaranth

Soil water deficit is a principal and biotic factor that limits plant growth and development. Amaranth is very sensitive to water stress. Foregoing research highlighted a reduced amaranth leaf area and dry matter, while others affirmed that water deficit impaired amaranth growth and yield. Although amaranth is recorded as the most important annual crops with higher nutritional value worldwide, higher reduction of amaranth production has been recorded in Burundi, while published information is limited concerning affective irrigation rate for improving amaranth growth and yield in this country. An experiment was carried out in Bujumbura peri-urban zone to evaluate the effective irrigation rate for amaranth cultivation. It was laid out as completely randomized blocs design, consisting of three treatments with different irrigation rates as treatment T1 (10%), treatment T2 (30%) and treatment T3 (60%) with six repetitions for each. During the experiment, growth parameters (number of leaves, stem diameter, plant height, leaf area and root growth) and production attributes (fresh and dry weight of leaves and roots) were measured. The results highlighted treatment T2 of 30% irrigation rate as the most significant and effective treatment. It has significantly improved the number of leaves, stem diameter, plant height, leaf area and root growth. Moreover, this treatment T2 has effectively enhanced the water use efficiency, fresh and dry weight of leaves and roots. It can be used to improve the growth and production of amaranth in Bujumbura peri-urban zone