Evidence for regulated expression of Telomeric Repeat-containing RNAs (TERRA) in parasitic trypanosomatids

The Telomeric Repeat-containing RNAs (TERRA) participate in the homeostasis of telomeres in higher eukaryotes. Here, we investigated the expression of TERRA in Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma brucei and found evidences for its expression as a specific RNA class. The trypanosomatid TERRA are heterogeneous in size and partially polyadenylated. The levels of TERRA transcripts appear to be modulated through the life cycle in both trypanosomatids investigated, suggesting that TERRA play a stage-specific role in the life cycle of these early-branching eukaryotes

Effect of resistance band and weight training on throwing velocity of club level baseball players in Sri Lanka

Throwing velocity is undoubtedly considered as one of the crucial factors that affects output of a baseball game. To improve throwing velocity, numerous training methods and approaches are being used. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to find the effect of the resistance band and weight training on throwing velocity of age (27±3), (mean ± SD) club level baseball players in Sri Lanka. Forty baseball players were recruited for the 8-week training program based on the inclusion criteria and availability of players. Initially, athletes were assigned into 3 groups: a control group (n=10), a weight training group (n=15), and a resistance band training group (n=15). The weight training group performed 6 upper body exercises by using barbells and dumbbells while the resistance band training group engaged in 6 upper body exercises with blue and red coloured bands. Moreover, the control group was only allowed to perform their daily routine baseball practices which were 3 days per week and 3 hours per day. Throwing velocity was measured by using a radar gun, and upper body strength was measured using the one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press test to determine the relationship between strength and throwing velocity. Both test results were evaluated by using pre-test and post-tests’ descriptive and inferential statistics. The weight training group and the resistance band group showed significant differences in 1RM bench press and the radar gun tests while the control group showed only a significant difference in the strength test. In addition, the control group revealed no significant difference in throwing velocity. Furthermore, the weight training group showed the greatest improvement in throwing velocity and 1RM bench press tests, and then the resistance band group followed the same. In conclusion, Strength training and resistance band training can be utilized to develop strength in the upper body and it may help to develop throwing velocity in other throwing sports, such as cricket, throw ball and so on. KEYWORDS: Throwing Velocity, Weight Training, Resistance-Band Training, Radar Gun Test, 1RM Bench Press Tes

Occurrence of toxigenic cyanobacterial blooms in freshwaters of Sri Lanka.

A previous pioneering study of freshwater bodies in Sri Lanka revealed the presence of toxic cyanobacteria in three out of four water bodies tested. It was therefore important to perform a more detailed investigation into the presence of cyanobacteria and their toxins throughout Sri Lanka. The country has a long history of well-planned water management with the agricultural economy and drinking water supply still dependent on thousands of man-made tanks. Seventeen reservoirs from different user categories and different climatic zones were selected to study variations in phytoplankton communities with relation to major nutrients, with particular emphasis on cyanobacteria. The study was carried out during a two-year period and heavy growths or blooms of cyanobacteria observed during the study period were tested for microcystins. The results clearly categorised the 17 reservoirs into four groups parallel to the classification based on the user categories of water bodies. Biomass of total phytoplankton, the abundance of cyanobacteria, the dominance of Microcystis spp. and concentration of nitrate (N) and total phosphorous (P) were the lowest in drinking water bodies and the highest in aesthetic water bodies. Irrigation water bodies showed the second lowest values for phytoplankton biomass, and concentration of N and P, while hydropower reservoirs showed the second highest values for the same parameters. The fraction of cyanobacteria in irrigation waters was higher than that in hydropower reservoirs, but surprisingly the dominance of Microcystis spp. was reversed. Possible reasons for these variations are discussed. More than half of the bloom material tested contained microcystins up to 81 μg l−1. Our findings indicate the potential for high-risk situations due to toxigenic cyanobacterial blooms in susceptible freshwaters of Sri Lanka

Os caminhos de “ A máquina e a revolta”

A Máquina e a Revolta, último livro de Alba Zaluar, é excelente.* Isto eu já tive oportunidade de dizer em resenha para a revista Ciência e Cultura, e é desnecessário ficar repetindo. Quero apenas chamar a atenção para o que considero urna das razões do éxito da autora: ela, de fato, opera a teoria, produzindo uma análise concreta, rica e fascinante. Tendo o livro esta característica, tentar uma avaliação global terminaria por ser um mero resumo comentado dos principais pontos abordados, o que tornaria o presents comentário monótono e longo demais. Além disso, a excepcional qualidade literária de A Máquina e a Revolta recomenda sua leitura direta, sem intermediários

Response surface for biodiesel production from soybean oil by ethylic route

Petroleum has been the most consumed energy source in the world, but it tends to run out due its non-renewable character. Among biofuels, biodiesel has emerged as the main candidate to substitute petroleum diesel. The present study aimed to identify the maximum yield point of biodiesel production by generating a response surface using molar ratio, temperature and agitation time as independent variables, and yield as a dependent variable. From the response surface, it is observed that the increase in temperature and reaction time leads to reduced yield. The configuration that resulted in maximum yield of 93.30% was 12:1 molar ratio, 30 °C temperature and 30-minute reaction time. From the chromatographic analysis it was possible to identify five different fatty acids in the composition of the biodiesels. Total saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) ranged from 41.53% to 42.09% and total unsaturated fatty acids including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids) ranged from 57.92% to 58.48%. According to the results of the physicochemical analyses, the specific mass at 68°F is in agreement with Brazilian, American and European specifications, ranging from 877.46 kg m-3 to 879.64 kg m-3 . The kinematic viscosity at 104 °F ranged from 4.49 mm² s -1 to 4.82 mm² s -1 . The acid value obtained did not vary within the limits established by the norms, and values between 0.54 and 2.74 mg KOH g -1 were observed

Tipping the balance both ways: drug resistance and virulence in Candida glabrata.

Among existing fungal pathogens, Candida glabrata is outstanding in its capacity to rapidly develop resistance to currently used antifungal agents. Resistance to the class of azoles, which are still widely used agents, varies in proportion (from 5 to 20%) depending on geographical area. Moreover, resistance to the class of echinocandins, which was introduced in the late 1990s, is rising in several institutions. The recent emergence of isolates with acquired resistance to both classes of agents is a major concern since alternative therapeutic options are scarce. Although considered less pathogenic than C. albicans, C. glabrata has still evolved specific virulence traits enabling its survival and propagation in colonized and infected hosts. Development of drug resistance is usually associated with fitness costs, and this notion is documented across several microbial species. Interestingly, azole resistance in C. glabrata has revealed the opposite. Experimental models of infection showed enhanced virulence of azole-resistant isolates. Moreover, azole resistance could be associated with specific changes in adherence properties to epithelial cells or innate immunity cells (macrophages), both of which contribute to virulence changes. Here we will summarize the current knowledge on C. glabrata drug resistance and also discuss the consequences of drug resistance acquisition on the balance between C. glabrata and its hosts

Produção De Biomassa E Conteúdo De Fenóis E Flavonoides De Schinus Terebinthifolius Cultivada Em Fileira Simples E Dupla Com Cama De Frango

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the addition of poultry litter on growth, biomass yield, flavonoid and phenol content, and antioxidant activity in leaves of pink pepper. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Grande Dourados, in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul state, from October 2009 to May 2010. Pink pepper was grown in single or double row in soil with incorporated poultry litter at doses of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1. Treatments were arranged as 2 x 5 factorial in a randomized block design with four replications. There was a significant interaction between the doses of poultry litter and evaluation times for plant height and chlorophyll content. A linear increase in leaf area, fresh and dry weight of leaves and diameter of main stems with increasing doses of poultry litter was observed. Plants grown in single row showed higher fresh weight of stem with increasing doses of poultry litter. Poultry litter at 15 and 20 t ha-1 promoted an increase in flavonoid and phenolic contents in the leaves. No significant effect on the antioxidant activity was observed by the chemical method using DPPH. Therefore, it is recommended the cultivation of pink pepper plants with double row and 20 t ha-1 of poultry litter to higher growth, biomass yield, and flavonoid and phenol content. © 2016, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. All rights reserved.26378779

A road map for defining Good Environmental Status in the deep-sea

The development of tools to assess the Good Environmental Status (GES) in the Deep Sea (DS) is one of the aspects that ATLAS WP3 is addressing. GES assessment in the DS is challenging due to 1) the lack of baseline data, 2) the remoteness of the DS ecosystems, and 3) the limitations of the sampling methods currently available. Throughout the duration of the project, ATLAS will develop a suitable approach to address GES in the DS. During the 2nd General Assembly, we will present a draft for a “road map” to address GES in the DS as well some of the aspects discussed during the 2017 ICES WG on Deep Sea Ecosystems. The temporal and spatial scale at which GES should be assessed in the deep-sea is an important aspect to be considered. Due to the data limited situation and challenges posed to monitoring, it may well be the case that GES will have to be assessed at large spatial and temporal scales when comparing the shallower waters of the European Seas. For similar reasons, the type of indicators to be used may have to be simplified and likely be based on high-level analyses related to traits, pressures/risks, and habitat /ecosystem resilience. Ultimately, the results of the combined analyses of GES descriptors might bring to a potential refining or redefinition of the GES concept for the deep-sea