Genetic studies of body mass index yield new insights for obesity biology

Obesity is heritable and predisposes to many diseases. To understand the genetic basis of obesity better, here we conduct a genome-wide association study and Metabochip meta-analysis of body mass index (BMI), a measure commonly used to define obesity and assess adiposity, in up to 339,224 individuals. This analysis identifies 97 BMI-associated loci (P < 5 × 10−8), 56 of which are novel. Five loci demonstrate clear evidence of several independent association signals, and many loci have significant effects on other metabolic phenotypes. The 97 loci account for ~2.7% of BMI variation, and genome-wide estimates suggest that common variation accounts for >20% of BMI variation. Pathway analyses provide strong support for a role of the central nervous system in obesity susceptibility and implicate new genes and pathways, including those related to synaptic function, glutamate signalling, insulin secretion/action, energy metabolism, lipid biology and adipogenesis.

ITC Hardwoods Nutrition R&D

Hardwoods nutrition R&D to improve tree growth, wood quality and resistance to disease attack. Improved diagnotic tools. North Queensland and Burnett region soils.

Plasma polymer and biomolecule modification of 3-D scaffolds for tissue engineering

Plasma polymerization was used to coat a melt electrospun polycaprolactone scaffold to improve cell attachment and organization. Plasma polymerization was performed using an amine containing monomer, allylamine, which then allowed for the subsequent immobilization of biomolecules i.e. heparin and fibroblast growth factor-2. The stability of the plasma polymerized amine-coating was demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and imaging time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry revealed that a uniform plasma amine-coating was deposited throughout the scaffold. Based upon comparison with controls it was evident that the combination scaffold aided cell ingress and the formation of distinct fibroblast and keratinocyte layers.

Evaluación preliminar de diecinueve lineas de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) por su reacción a las principales plagas: Cogollero (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith), mosquita del sorgo (Stenodiplosis sorghicola coquillet) y enfermedades, CNIA-INTA, 2001

La presente investigación se llevó a efecto en el Km 14 de la carretera Norte, en el Centro Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (CNIA – INTA), 2 Km. al sur en el municipio de Managua, departamento de Managua. El ensayo se estableció en la época de postrera del 2001, en suelos de origen volcánico y textura franco arenosa. El propósito del experimento fue evaluar de forma preliminar 19 líneas de sorgo Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench por su reacción a la mosquita del sorgo ( Stenodiplosis sorghicola Coquillet), el cogollero ( Spodoptera frugiperda J:E:Smith) y enfermedades. Los materiales utilizados son parte de un ADIN (All Diseases and Insect Nursery). La parcela experimental tuvo un tamaño de 3.75 m 2 y constó de 1 surco de 5 metros lineales (1 línea por surco). El ensayo se estableció utilizando la metodología de la Universidad de Texas A & M con19 tratamientos (líneas) y 2 repeticiones. Las variables evaluadas fueron: a) daño foliar causado por el gusano cogollero ( Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith ), b) d��as a floración, c) número de mosquitas d el sorgo ( Stenodiplosis sorghicola Coquillett ) por panoja, d) número de parasitoides de mosquita del sorgo ( Aprostocetus diplosidis Crawford) por panoja, e) severidad de las enfermedades foliares y vasculares. Para la primera y la última variable se utilizó la escala de daño propuesta por la Universidad de Texas A & M. A estos datos se les efectuó un análisis estad��stico descriptivo. Para las variables b, c y d se realizó un análisis de varianza y prueba de rangos múltiples de Duncan (P ≤ 0.05), además se les efectuó un análisis de correlación de Pearson. En cuanto al daño foliar causado por el gusano cogollero ( Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith ), no existieron diferencias en el comportamiento de las líneas. Este aspecto no representó una incidencia relevante. Con respecto al período de floración, la línea 96CA5986 presentó el mayor número de d��as a floración, en tanto que la línea Tx2880 presentó el menor número de d��as a floración. Los resultados obtenidos indican que el comportamiento de las 19 líneas de sorgo [ Sorghum bicolor ( L.) Moench ] ante el ataque de mosquita del sorgo ( Stenodiplosis sorghicola Coquillett ) y la incidencia de su parasitoide ( Aprostocetus diplosidis Crawford ) es similar para cada línea; La línea 98BRON122 fue la que presentó el mayor valor con respecto a esta variable, mientras que la línea que presentó el menor número de mosquitas por panoja fue B9104; Existe relación entre la variable número de mosquitas ( Stenodiplosis sorghicola Coquillett ) por panoja y d��as a floración y esta relación es afectada por el parasitoide de la mosquita ( Aprostocetus diplosidis Crawford ). Puede identificarse que la Linea 87EO366*9EO328 fue la que presentó la mayor severidad de enfermedades foliares tales como antracnosis ( Colletotrichum graminicola G. W. Wilson ), mancha zonada ( Gloeocercospora sorghi D.Bain.& Edgerton ex Deighton) , mancha gris de la hoja (Cercospora sorghi Ellis y Everth) tizón de la hoja ( Exserohilum turcicum (pass.). La línea que presentó la menor severidad fue 94B1055. La enfermedad que presentó mayor severidad en el ensayo fue Antracnosis.

Parasitoides de huevos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) Dalbulus maidis (Delong y wolcott) (Homoptera: cicadellidae) y Peregrinus maidis (Ashm) (Homoptera: delphacidae) en maíz (Zea mays)

Durante la época seca bajo riego y la época lluviosa de 1988 se llevó a cabo un sondeo de los parasitoides de huevos de spodoptera frugiperda en maíz, en el centro nacional de investigación de granos básicos “Humberto tapia” (depto. De Managua) y en la estación experimental “Raúl González” del valle de sebaco (depto. de Matagalpa). También se hizo una evaluación de la presencia de telenomus remus en alguno de los sitios de liberación de estas especies en el año 1976. En la calera (depto. De Managua), la trinidad (depto. De Estelí), valle de sebaco (depto. De Matagalpa) y camoapa (depto. De Boaco); en 1984 en la cartonera y santa clara (depto. De león). Durante el ciclo de postrera del año 1988 se llevó a cabo un sondeo de los parasitoides de huevos de dalbulus maidis y peregrinus maidis en el centro experimental “ Humberto tapia”, y en una finca en el km 93 y 98 de la carretera león- Chinandega, km 40 de la carretera Managua-león y en san juan de la concepción (depto. De Masaya). En la estación experimental “Humberto tapia” no se encontraron parasitoides de huevos ni parasitoides ovo-larvales de s. frugiperda. en la “Raúl González” tampoco se encontraron parasitoides de huevos sensuestricto de s. frugiperda, pero se detectó la presencia de parasitoide ovo-larval, chelonus insularis en las dos épocas de siembra se comprobó que en el estado fenológico de la planta durante las dos épocas ni la época de siembra influyeron significativamente sobre la tasa de parasitismo de c. insularis dentro y entre las masas de huevos de s. frugiperda ya no se encontró diferencias significativa en el porcentaje de masas de huevos parasitadas 27 d��as después de germinación (DDG) (45%) y 55 DDG (50%) en la época seca, ni en la lluviosa 26 DDG (20%), 43 DDG (29%) y 57DDG (0%). Tampoco hubo efecto de la época de siembra (seca, 47% y lluviosa, 19%) sobre el porcentaje de masas de huevos parasitadas. En el porcentaje promedio de huevos por masa parasitados a los 27 DDG (19%) y 55 DDG (8%) durante la época seca y la lluviosa 26 DDG (18%), 43 DDG (9%) y 57 DDG (0%) tampoco se encontró una diferencia significativa. La época (seca 17% y la lluviosa 19%) tampoco influyo sobre el porcentaje promedio de huevos por masas parasitadas. La edad de la masa de huevos de s. frugiperda (5-6 d��as de edad, 33.33. % y 3-4 d��as de edad 12.12%) influyo significativamente sobre el porcentaje de masas de huevos parasitadas por c.insulularis el cual afecto las poblaciones de s. frugiperda en la época seca y lluviosa en un 8.35 % y 5.32% respectivamente. Los anteriores resultados más el no aparente establecimiento aparente de t.remus en los sitio donde fue liberado, permiten recomendar la introducción nuevamente de raza especifica de este parasitoide para nuestra condiciones de clima, debiéndose realizar las liberaciones preferiblemente en sitio montañosos y de clima fresco. La presencia de parasitoides de D. maidis fue nula. Las cuatro especies parasíticas de huevos de p.maidis encontradas en esta investigación (anagrus spp, gonatocerus spp, paracentrobia spp y oligosita oophagus), se consideran como un nuevo hallazgo para Nicaragua. Estos resultados insinúan la necesidad de conocer los periodo crítico de infestación de d. maidis en el maíz , para realizar aplicaciones mínima de insecticida con el fin de controlarlo sin afectar las poblaciones de benéficos que atacan a p.maidis, evitando así que este insecto se convierta en una plaga peligrosa para el cultivo de maíz.

Caribbean corals in crisis: record thermal stress, bleaching, and mortality in 2005

Background: The rising temperature of the world���s oceans has become a major threat to coral reefs globally as the severity and frequency of mass coral bleaching and mortality events increase. In 2005, high ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean resulted in the most severe bleaching event ever recorded in the basin. Methodology/Principal Findings: Satellite-based tools provided warnings for coral reef managers and scientists, guiding both the timing and location of researchers’ field observations as anomalously warm conditions developed and spread across the greater Caribbean region from June to October 2005. Field surveys of bleaching and mortality exceeded prior efforts in detail and extent, and provided a new standard for documenting the effects of bleaching and for testing nowcast and forecast products. Collaborators from 22 countries undertook the most comprehensive documentation of basin-scale bleaching to date and found that over 80% of corals bleached and over 40% died at many sites. The most severe bleaching coincided with waters nearest a western Atlantic warm pool that was centered off the northern end of the Lesser Antilles. Conclusions/Significance: Thermal stress during the 2005 event exceeded any observed from the Caribbean in the prior 20 years, and regionally-averaged temperatures were the warmest in over 150 years. Comparison of satellite data against field surveys demonstrated a significant predictive relationship between accumulated heat stress (measured using NOAA Coral Reef Watch’s Degree Heating Weeks) and bleaching intensity. This severe, widespread bleaching and mortality will undoubtedly have long-term consequences for reef ecosystems and suggests a troubled future for tropical marine ecosystems under a warming climate

A phospholipase A1 platelet activator from the wasp venom of Vespa magnifica (Smith)

Wasp is an impor tant venomous animal that can induce human fatalities. Aortic thrombosis and cerebral infarction are major clinical symptoms after massive wasp stings but the reason leading to the envenomation manifestation is still not known. In this paper, a toxin protein is purified and characterized by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, CM-Sephadex C-25 cationic exchange and fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) from the venom of the wasp, Vespa magnifica (Smith). This protein, named magnifin, contains phospholipase-like activity and induces platelet aggregation. The cDNA encoding magnifin is cloned from the venom sac cDNA library of the wasp. The predicted protein was deduced from the cDNA with a sequence composed of 337 amino acid residues. Magnifin is very similar to other phospholipase A(1) (PLA(1)), especially to other wasp allergen PLA(1). Magnifin can activate platelet aggregation and induce thrombosis in vivo. The current results proved that PLA(1) in wasp venom could be contributable to aortic thrombosis after massive wasp stings. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

3-D Object Recognition by the ART-EMAP Evidence Accumulation Network

ART-EMAP synthesizes adaptive resonance theory (AHT) and spatial and temporal evidence integration for dynamic predictive mapping (EMAP). The network extends the capabilities of fuzzy ARTMAP in four incremental stages. Stage I introduces distributed pattern representation at a view category field. Stage 2 adds a decision criterion to the mapping between view and object categories, delaying identification of ambiguous objects when faced with a low confidence prediction. Stage 3 augments the system with a field where evidence accumulates in medium-term memory (MTM). Stage 4 adds an unsupervised learning process to fine-tune performance after the limited initial period of supervised network training. Simulations of the four ART-EMAP stages demonstrate performance on a difficult 3-D object recognition problem.

Aspectos morfológicos y biológicos de la oruga militar tard��a (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lep.: Noctuidae)

p.193-199

The role of advection in the distribution of plankton populations at a moored 1-D coastal observatory

The degree to which advection modulates the distribution of plankton populations at a 1-D coastal observatory was assessed at station L4 in the western English Channel (50°15′N 4°13′W, depth 50 m), part of the Western Channel Observatory (WCO). Five tidal-cycle surveys were conducted, three in spring and two in summer 2010. Observations of the physical characteristics of L4 were obtained by using a moored acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) and a free-falling microstructure sensor (MSS). The moored ADCP highlighted the presence of vertical shear, with typical values of U during spring tides of ∼0.5 m s−1 at the surface and ∼0.2 m s−1 at the bed. The distribution of phyto- and zooplankton populations above a size threshold of 200 μm were examined using an in-line holographic imaging system, the Holocam. Variability in time as well as depth is a common feature throughout each of the surveys, with examples of recorded numbers of phytoplankton that ranged between 1300 L−1 and 2300 L−1 at the same depth but at different points within the tidal cycle. Further, at the same points in the tidal cycle the number of recorded zooplankton was also seen to vary, specifically with the identification of gelatinous planula in spring that increased the observed number to maximums of between 140 L−1 and 220 L−1 in the upper layer, considerably higher that the corresponding WP-2 net counts for a similar period. Specific aspects of the movement and transfer of plankton relating to advection and interaction with the pycnocline are identified, both across tidal cycles and seasons.

Alien gosd in the new epics: Noah remythologised through the ancient astronaut hypothesis in Abel's Montagut's "La gesta d'Utnoa"

Modern scientific world-view has undermined traditional myths, the functional survival of which seems to depend today in the West on a positivist justification. This would place them in the field of real History, through their study and revitalization by pseudoscientific disciplines such as the Atlantis and the ancient astronaut hypotheses. These have inspired new epic poems in (regular) verse that combine classic and/or biblical myths with a (pseudo)scientific modern world-view. For example, the critical rewriting of Noah’s myth by using the ancient astronaut hypothesis as a fictional device to produce a contemporary kind of plausibility allowed Abel Montagut to renew epic poetry, updating it also by adopting science fiction chronotopes in order to structure his fictional construction and to generate a high ethical sense for our time. Thus, his Poemo de Utnoa (1993) / La gesta d���Utnoa (1996), which has become a major classic of the literature in Esperanto thanks to its original version in this language, is a landmark of both science fiction and neo-biblical epics. This poem is written from a secular and purely literary perspective.

James Anderson's Political Economy--His Influence on Smith and Malthus

James Anderson's powerful critique of Adam Smith's position on the corn export bounty was published in 1777. It focuse d on Smith's proposition that the bounty could not lead to increased corn production because it could not increase corn's real price. Smit h's response to the critique is traced in later editions of Wealth of Nations. While Anderson's critique of Smith influenced Thomas Malthu s's writings from 1803 onwards, his theory of differential rent did n ot influence Malthus at this stage. An examination of the evolution o f Malthus's ideas on rent between 1803 and 1815, however, indicates t hat Malthus knew and used Anderson's work on rent.