Antidiabetic effects and mechanisms of action of γ-conglutin from lupin seeds

The glucose modulating properties of lupin have been attributed to its seed protein γ-conglutin. Here we explored the antidiabetic potential of γ-conglutin purified from lupin seeds in-vitro. To mimic the effects of an orally administered supplement, purified γ-conglutin was hydrolysed by gastrointestinal proteolytic enzymes and the resulting peptides evaluated for their antidiabetic effects in pancreatic β-cells and primary human skeletal muscle myotubes. γ-conglutin peptides did not promote insulin secretion in β-cells but elicited a potent insulin-mimetic action by activating insulin signalling pathways responsible for glycogen, protein synthesis, and glucose transport into myotubes. Additionally, the peptides potently suppressed the activity of DPP4 indicating their potential to increase the half-life of incretin hormones in circulation. These results substantiate the health benefits of consuming lupin seeds as part of a healthy diet and can drive the current market for lupins from primarily stockfeed, towards value-added lupin-based food products for human consumption

Drop jumps versus sled towing and their effects on repeated sprint ability in young basketball players

[EN] Background: The aim of the investigation was to compare the occurrence of post-activation performance enhance- ment (PAPE) after drop jumps, or heavy sled towing, and the subsequent effect on repeated sprint ability (RSA). Methods: Ten young basketball players (17 ± 1 yrs) performed, in randomized order, RSA test with changes of direc- tion after a standardized warm up followed by drop jumps, heavy sled towing, or no exercise (control condition). Neuromuscular assessments composed of two maximal voluntary contractions of the knee extensors, peripheral nerve stimulation, and surface electromyography (EMG), responses were recorded before and immediately after the RSA. The EMG signal of leg muscles during sprinting were also recorded as well as the blood lactate concentration. Results: The drop jumps improved the RSA mean time (P = 0.033), total time (P = 0.031), and slowest time (P = 0.029) compared to control condition, while heavy sled towing did not change RSA outcomes (P > 0.05). All conditions exhibited a decrease of doublet high frequency stimulation force (pre-post measurement) (P = 0.023) and volun- tary activation (P = 0.041), evidencing the occurrence from peripheral and central components of fatigue after RSA, respectively, but no difference was evident between-conditions. There was a significantly greater EMG activity during sprints for the biceps femoris after drop jumps, only when compared to control condition (P = 0.013). Conclusion: Repeated drop jumps were effective to induce PAPE in the form of RSA, while heavy sled towing had no effect on RSA performance in young basketball players. Furthermore, both conditioning activities exhibited similar levels of fatigue following the RSA protocol. Thus, drop jumps may be used as an alternative to induce PAPE and thus improve performance during sprints in young male basketball players

Travelling for Umrah:destination attributes, destination image, and post-travel intentions

This paper examines the links between cosmopolitanism, self-identity, and a desire for social interaction perceived destination image and behavioural intentions. A model tested using a sample of 538 Iranian visitors to Mecca for the purpose of Umrah. The result from the structural model suggests that destination attributes influence perceived destination image. Further, such tourists are likely to revisit or recommend Islamic destinations if their experience matches their perceived image of the destination. This implies that, while the religious characteristics of the destination remain important, destination managers cannot disregard the tangential, non-religious attributes of a destination which are crucial in order to satisfy more conventional tourist desires. As such, this study suggests that those managing religious travel destinations should endeavour to foster a welcoming image, where experience, interaction and tolerance are at the forefront of the destination’s offering

The EDGE-CALIFA Survey: Interferometric Observations of 126 Galaxies with CARMA

We present interferometric CO observations, made with the Combined Array for Millimeter-wave Astronomy (CARMA) interferometer, of galaxies from the Extragalactic Database for Galaxy Evolution survey (EDGE). These galaxies are selected from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) sample, mapped with optical integral field spectroscopy. EDGE provides good-quality CO data (3σ sensitivity before inclination correction, resolution ∼1.4 kpc) for 126 galaxies, constituting the largest interferometric CO survey of galaxies in the nearby universe. We describe the survey and data characteristics and products, then present initial science results. We find that the exponential scale lengths of the molecular, stellar, and star-forming disks are approximately equal, and galaxies that are more compact in molecular gas than in stars tend to show signs of interaction. We characterize the molecular-to-stellar ratio as a function of Hubble type and stellar mass and present preliminary results on the resolved relations between the molecular gas, stars, and star-formation rate. We then discuss the dependence of the resolved molecular depletion time on stellar surface density, nebular extinction, and gas metallicity. EDGE provides a key data set to address outstanding topics regarding gas and its role in star formation and galaxy evolution, which will be publicly available on completion of the quality assessment.Fil: Bolatto, Alberto. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Wong, Tony. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Utomo, Dyas. University of California at Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: Blitz, Leo. University of California at Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: Vogel, Stuart N.. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Sánchez, Sebastián F.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Barrera-Ballesteros, Jorge. University Johns Hopkins; Estados UnidosFil: Cao, Yixian. University of Illinois; Estados UnidosFil: Colombo, Dario. Max Planck Institut Fur Radioastronomie; AlemaniaFil: Dannerbauer, Helmut. Universidad de La Laguna; EspañaFil: García-Benito, Rubén. Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; EspañaFil: Herrera-Camus, Rodrigo. Max Planck Institute für Extraterrestrische Physik; AlemaniaFil: Husemann, Bernd. Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie; AlemaniaFil: Kalinova, Veselina. Max Planck Institut für Radioastronomie; AlemaniaFil: Leroy, Adam K.. Ohio State University; Estados UnidosFil: Leung, Gigi. Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie; AlemaniaFil: Levy, Rebecca C.. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Mast, Damian. Observatorio Astronomico de la Universidad Nacional de Cordoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Ostriker, Eve. University of Princeton; Estados UnidosFil: Rosolowsky, Erik. University of Alberta; CanadáFil: Sandstrom, Karin M.. University of California at San Diego; Estados UnidosFil: Teuben, Peter. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Van De Ven, Glenn. Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie; AlemaniaFil: Walter, Fabian. Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie; Alemani

Predicting Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Low-Risk Individuals Ideal Cardiovascular Health Score and Fuster-BEWAT Score

BACKGROUND The ideal cardiovascular health score (ICHS) is recommended for use in primary prevention. Simpler tools not requiring laboratory tests, such as the Fuster-BEWAT (blood pressure [B], exercise [E], weight [W], alimentation [A], and tobacco [T]) score (FBS), are also available. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of ICHS and FBS in predicting the presence and extent of subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS A total of 3,983 participants 40 to 54 years of age were enrolled in the PESA (Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis) cohort. Subclinical atherosclerosis was measured in right and left carotids, abdominal aorta, right and left iliofemoral arteries, and coronary arteries. Subjects were classified as having poor, intermediate, or ideal cardiovascular health based on the number of favorable ICHS or FBS. RESULTS With poor ICHS and FBS as references, individuals with ideal ICHS and FBS showed lower adjusted odds of having atherosclerotic plaques (ICHS odds ratio [OR]: 0.41; 95\% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31 to 0.55 vs. FBS OR: 0.49; 95\% CI: 0.36 to 0.66), coronary artery calcium (CACS) >= 1 (CACS OR: 0.41; 95\% CI: 0.28 to 0.60 vs. CACS OR: 0.53; 95\% CI: 0.38 to 0.74), higher number of affected territories (OR: 0.32; 95\% CI: 0.26 to 0.41 vs. OR: 0.39; 95\% CI: 0.31 to 0.50), and higher CACS level (OR: 0.40; 95\% CI: 0.28 to 0.58 vs. OR: 0.52; 95\% CI: 0.38 to 0.72). Similar levels of significantly discriminating accuracy were found for ICHS and FBS with respect to the presence of plaques (C-statistic: 0.694; 95\% CI: 0.678 to 0.711 vs. 0.692; 95\% CI: 0.676 to 0.709, respectively) and for CACS >= 1 (C-statistic: 0.782; 95\% CI: 0.765 to 0.800 vs. 0.780; 95\% CI: 0.762 to 0.798, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Both scores predict the presence and extent of subclinical atherosclerosis with similar accuracy, highlighting the value of the FBS as a simpler and more affordable score for evaluating the risk of subclinical disease. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation.The PESA study was co-funded by Fundacion Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) and Banco Santander. Funding was also provided by Institute of Health Carlos III (PI15/02019) and European Regional Development Fund. CNIC is supported by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and Pro CNIC Foundation; and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (SEV-2015-0505). This work is part of a project that received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant 707642 and American Heart Association grant 14SFRN20490315. Dr. Bueno has received research funding from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PIE16/00021), AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, and Novartis; is a consultant for Abbott, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb-Pfizer, and Novartis; and has received speakers fees and travel and attendance support from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb-Pfizer, Ferrer, Novartis, Servier, and Medscape. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose. Matthew Budoff, MD, served as Guest Editor for this paper.S

Inclusive Search for Anomalous Production of High-pT Like-Sign Lepton Pairs in Proton-Antiproton Collisions at sqrt{s}=1.8 TeV

We report on a search for anomalous production of events with at least two charged, isolated, like-sign leptons with pT > 11 GeV/c using a 107 pb^-1 sample of 1.8 TeV ppbar collisions collected by the CDF detector. We define a signal region containing low background from Standard Model processes. To avoid bias, we fix the final cuts before examining the event yield in the signal region using control regions to test the Monte Carlo predictions. We observe no events in the signal region, consistent with an expectation of 0.63^(+0.84)_(-0.07) events. We present 95% confidence level limits on new physics processes in both a signature-based context as well as within a representative minimal supergravity (tanbeta = 3) model.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures. Minor textual changes, cosmetic improvements to figures and updated and expanded reference

Measurement of the lepton charge asymmetry in W-boson decays produced in p-pbar collisions

We describe a measurement of the charge asymmetry of leptons from W boson decays in the rapidity range 0 enu, munu events from 110+/-7 pb^{-1}of data collected by the CDF detector during 1992-95. The asymmetry data constrain the ratio of d and u quark momentum distributions in the proton over the x range of 0.006 to 0.34 at Q2 \approx M_W^2. The asymmetry predictions that use parton distribution functions obtained from previously published CDF data in the central rapidity region (0.0<|y_l|<1.1) do not agree with the new data in the large rapidity region (|y_l|>1.1).Comment: 13 pages, 3 tables, 1 figur

Measurement of the Decay Amplitudes of B0 --> J/psi K* and B0s --> J/psi phi Decays

A full angular analysis has been performed for the pseudo-scalar to vector-vector decays, B0 --> J/psi K* and B_s --> J/psi phi, to determine the amplitudes for decays with parity-even longitudinal and transverse polarization and parity-odd transverse polarization. The measurements are based on 190 B0 candidates and 40 B_s candidates collected from a data set corresponding to 89 inverse pb of pbarp collisions at root(s) = 1.8 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron. In both decays the decay amplitude for longitudinal polarization dominates and the parity-odd amplitude is found to be small.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Measurement of J/Psi and Psi(2S) Polarization in ppbar Collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV

We have measured the polarization of J/Psi and Psi(2S) mesons produced in p\bar{p} collisions at \sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV, using data collected at CDF during 1992-95. The polarization of promptly produced J/Psi [Psi(2S)] mesons is isolated from those produced in B-hadron decay, and measured over the kinematic range 4[5.5] < P_T < 20 GeV/c and |y| < 0.6. For P_T \gessim 12 GeV/c we do not observe significant polarization in the prompt component.Comment: Revised version, accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter