Revision of Recreation and Leisure Practicum

In a 1-ha plot divided into 100 subplots of 10 x 10 m, all trees with at least 15 cm of perimeter at breast height (DBH = 4.8 cm) were marked and had their heights estimated and perimeter taken. The rock cover (rocks over 50 cm diameter) was estimated in five classes of frequency, and records were made for individuals growing directly on rocks. We found 1,274 trees matching the sampling criteria, which belong to 41 botanical families (highlighting Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae and Fabaceae) and 142 species or morphotypes. The most important (Importance Value Index) species are: Euterpe edulis, Mollinedia schottiana, Bathysa mendoncaei, Coussarea accedens, Rustia formosa and Guapira opposita. Shannon's diversity index was 4.05 nats/ind and Pielou's equability was 0.82. The average tree height is of 9 m and the canopy is at around 18 m. The trees' average diameter is 13.9 cm, and 29 individuals surpass 50 cm DBH. The basal area for the I-ha plot (live trees only) is 30.27 m(2). A direct relation was found between rock cover and lesser species richness and number of individuals per subplot. No relationship was found between rock cover and the mean height or mean diameter of stems in the subplots. 34 tree species in this area are able to grow on rocks; 11 of which do not grow roots to the soil, particularly Euterpe edulis and Guapira opposita. The height and diameter of the individuals that grow on rocks is not statistically different from the remaining in the plot

Glycemic Index Trends and Clinical Implications: Where Are We Going?

Glycemic index (GI) is currently consideredas an alternative system thatclassifies food according to the carbohydratequality (CHO), measuring its absorption speed;meanwhile, glycemic load GL is a more recent termthat relates the quality and quantity of the CHO pergram of the usual consumption portion. Glycemic indexand glycemic load reduce the post-prandial glycemicimpact without the total restriction of CHO in thediet. Initially, GI was used only in patients with diabetes,currently it is also considered as a risk indicator inother pathologies. However, there is great controversydue to an inaccurate interpretation of the knowledgeabout the methodology used for its determination.The aim of this review is to elucidate this currentdebate and to expand the relationship between the GIand the risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases;thus, highlighting new prospects for its applicability inthe dietary intervention for diabetic athletes and in theproduction of functional food designed for patients withdiabetes. There is strong evidence that this indicatorhas become an innovative system for various multidisciplinaryhealth programs

Anticipatory Stress Responses and Immune Evasion in Fungal Pathogens

This is the final version. Available on open access from Cell Press via the DOI in this recordIn certain niches, microbes encounter environmental challenges that are temporally linked. In such cases, microbial fitness is enhanced by the evolution of anticipatory responses where the initial challenge simultaneously activates pre-emptive protection against the second impending challenge. The accumulation of anticipatory responses in domesticated yeasts, which have been termed 'adaptive prediction', has led to the emergence of 'core stress responses' that provide stress cross-protection. Protective anticipatory responses also seem to be common in fungal pathogens of humans. These responses reflect the selective pressures that these fungi have faced relatively recently in their evolutionary history. Consequently, some pathogens have evolved 'core environmental responses' which exploit host signals to trigger immune evasion strategies that protect them against imminent immune attack.Medical Research Council (MRC)University of AberdeenUniversity of Exete

Use of a Western blot technique for the serodiagnosis of glanders

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The in vivo diagnosis of glanders relies on the highly sensitive complement fixation test (CFT). Frequently observed false positive results are troublesome for veterinary authorities and cause financial losses to animal owners. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop a test with high specificity. Hence, a Western blot assay making use of a partly purified lipopolysaccaride (LPS) containing antigen of three <it>Burkholderia mallei </it>strains was developed. The test was validated investigating a comprehensive set of positive and negative sera obtained from horses and mules from endemic and non endemic areas.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The developed Western blot assay showed a markedly higher diagnostic specificity when compared to the prescribed CFT and therefore can be used as a confirmatory test. However, the CFT remains the test of choice for routine testing of glanders due to its high sensitivity, its feasibility using standard laboratory equipment and its worldwide distribution in diagnostic laboratories.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The CFT should be amended by the newly validated Western blot to increase the positive likelihood ratio of glanders serodiagnosis in non endemic areas or areas with low glanders prevalence. Its use for international trade of horses and mules should be implemented by the OIE.</p