Contributions to the bryological flora of the tropical and subtropical forests from the Argentina (Bryophyta, Musci).

The authors present here a list of 32 mosses belonging to 15 families: Brachytheciaceae, Cryphaeaceae, Entodontaceae, Hedwigiaceae, Hypnaceae, Leptodontaceae, Meteoriaceae, Neckeraceae, Pilotrichaceae, Polytrichaceae, Pterobryaceae, Racopilaceae, Rigodiaceae, Stereophyllaceae, and Trachypodaceae, all collected in the mountainous forests of the Yungas of the NW of the Argentina (Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca and Tucumán provinces), and also in the rainforests from the NE of the country (Misiones province). Eight species: Atrichum polycarpum, Chrysohypnum elegantulum, Pilosium chlorophyllum, Pilotrichella flexilis, Porotrichodendron lindigii, Pseudotrachypus martinicensis, Steerecleus scariosus, and Thamnobryum fasciculatum are new records for the bryologic flora from Argentina. Braunia imberbis and Squamidium brasiliense are two new records for the bryophytic flora of the Catamarca province; Porotrichodendron superbum is new for the Salta province, while Forsstroemia coronata is the first record for the Catamarca and Jujuy provinces. Aerolindigia capillacea, Braunia reflexifolia, Chryso-hypnum diminutivum, Meteorium deppei and Meteoridium remotifolium are five new citations for the Jujuy province, and Schoenobryum concavifolium is new for the bryophytic flora of the Misiones province. Many studied species occur more frequently in the Yungas than in the NE rainforests; others show separated distribution but live in both areas, the Yungas and Paranaense area, and others are more or less restricted to the Paranaense rainforest of the NE of Argentina. The taxonomy of species is updated, and comments are included on bibliographical precedents, ecology and chorology of each taxon.

Evaluation of the antidiabetic activity of DPP IV resistant N-terminally modified versus mid-chain acylated analogues of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide

Glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a gastrointestinal hormone with therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes due to its insulin-releasing and antihyperglycaemic actions. However, development of GIP-based therapies is limited by N-terminal degradation by DPP IV resulting in a very short circulating half-life. Numerous GIP analogues have now been generated exhibiting DPP IV resistance and extended bioactivity profiles. In this study, we report a direct comparison of the long-term antidiabetic actions of three such GIP molecules, N-AcGIP, GIP(LyS(37)PAL) and N-AcGIP(LyS(37)PAL) in obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice. An extended duration of action of each GIP analogue was demonstrated prior to examining the effects of once daily injections (25 nmol kg(-1) body weight) over a 14-day period. Administration of either N-AcGIP, GIP(LyS(37)PAL) or N-AcGIP(LyS37PAL) significantly decreased non-fasting plasma glucose and improved glucose tolerance compared to saline treated controls. All three analogues significantly enhanced glucose and nutrient-induced insulin release, and improved insulin sensitivity. The metabolic and insulin secretory responses to native GIP were also enhanced in 14-day analogue treated mice, revealing no evidence of GIP-receptor desensitization. These effects were accompanied by significantly enhanced pancreatic insulin following N-AcGIP(Lys(37)PAL) and increased islet number and islet size in all three groups. Body weight, food intake and circulating glucagon were unchanged. These data demonstrate the therapeutic potential of once daily injection of enzyme resistant GIP analogues and indicate that N-AcGIP is equally as effective as related palmitate derivatised analogues of GIP. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.