Effects of potentised substances on growth kinetics of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe

BACKGROUND: Homeopathic potencies are used as specific remedies in complementary medicine. Since the mode of action is unknown, the presumed specificity is discussed controversially. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of potentised substances on two yeast species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, in a stable and reliable test system with systematic negative controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Yeast cells were cultivated in either potentised substances or water controls in microplates and their growth kinetics were measured photometrically. Water control runs were performed repeatedly to investigate the stability of the experimental set-up (systematic negative controls). RESULTS: 4 out of 14 screened substances seem to have affected the growth curve parameters slope or yield. Out of these substances, azoxystrobin and phosphorus were chosen for 8 further replication experiments, which partly confirmed the results of the screening. On the average of all experiments, azoxystrobin affected the slope of the growth curve of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (p < 0.05), and phosphorus affected the slope of the growth curve of Schizosaccharomyces pombe (p < 0.05). No effects were seen in the water control runs. In addition, significant interactions between treatment with potentised substances and experiment number were observed in all experiments with potentised substances (p < 0.01), but not in the water control runs. CONCLUSIONS: Both yeast species reacted to certain potentised substances by changing their growth kinetics. However, the interactions found point to additional factors of still unknown nature, that modulate the effects of potentised substances. This stable test system with yeasts may be suitable for further studies regarding the efficacy of homeopathic potencies.

Genetics of growth hormone deficiency

When a child is not following the normal, predicted growth curve, an evaluation for underlying illness and central nervous system abnormalities is required and appropriate consideration should be given to genetic defects causing growth hormone (GH) deficiency. This article focuses on the GH gene, the various gene alterations, and their possible impact on the pituitary gland. Transcription factors regulating pituitary gland development may cause multiple pituitary hormone deficiency but may present initially as GH deficiency. The role of two most important transcription factors, POU1F1 (Pit-1) and PROP 1, is discussed.

Left ventricular growth from age 8 to 18 and its anthropometric determinants: Longitudinal results from Project Heartbeat!

Left ventricular mass (LVM) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. However, normal growth of LVM in healthy children is not well understood, and previous results on independent effects of body size and body fatness on LVM have been inconsistent. The purpose of this study was (1) to establish the normal growth curve of LVM from age 8 to age 18, and evaluate the determinants of change in LVM with age, and (2) to assess the independent effects of body size and body fatness on LVM.^ In Project HeartBeat!, 678 healthy children aged 8, 11 and 14 years at baseline were enrolled and examined at 4-monthly intervals for up to 4 years. A synthetic cohort with continuous observations from age 8 to 18 years was constructed. A total of 4608 LVM measurements was made from M-mode echocardiography. The multilevel linear model was used for analysis.^ Sex-specific trajectories of normal growth of LVM from age 8 to 18 was displayed. On average, LVM was 15 g higher in males than females. Average LVM increased linearly in males from 78 g at age 8 to 145 g at age 18. For females, the trajectory was curvilinear, nearly constant after age 14. No significant racial differences were found. After adjustment for the effects of body size and body fatness, average LVM decreased slightly from age 8 to 18, and sex differences in changes of LVM remained constant.^ The impact of body size on LVM was examined by adding to a basic LVM-sex-age model one of 9 body size indicators. The impact of body fatness was tested by further introducing into each of the 9 LVM models (with one or another of the body size indicators) one of 4 body fatness indicators, yielding 36 models with different body size and body fatness combinations. The results indicated that effects of body size on LVM can be distinguished between fat-free body mass and fat body mass, both being independent, positive predictors. The former is the stronger determinant. When a non-fat-free body size indicator is used as predictor, the estimated residual effect of body fatness on LVM becomes negative. ^

Relationship between Comprehensive School Readiness Profiles and Longer-Term Academic Growth

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Radial growth of Rhizocarpon section Rhizocarpon lichen thalli over six years at snoqualmie pass in the Cascade Range, Washington State

This article describes a 6-yr study of the radial growth rates (RGR, mm yr-1) of Rhizocarpon section Rhizocarpon thalli on a talus slope at Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade Range, Washington State, United States (47°27'N; 121°26'W). At the end of the growth period, 32 of a total of 39 thalli had exhibited a positive RGR, and 7 of a total of 39 thalli showed no measurable growth. Mean RGR of all thalli was 0.07 mm yr-1 (range, 0-0.19 mm, SD = 0.06). Analysis of variance suggested no significant variation in RGR in successive growth periods, but significant differences were present both within and between thalli. The slope of a boulder facet did not influence RGR, but growth was affected by aspect, the least growth being observed on north-northwest facets. A plot of RGR against thallus diameter revealed a wide scatter of data points with little evidence for a significant change in growth with thallus size. Hence, the study showed that the RGR of Rhizocarpon thalli at Snoqualmie is extremely slow and highly variable and significantly less than estimates based on lichenometry. To determine the growth curve of a yellow-green Rhizocarpon by direct measurement at such a site would require a large sample of thalli and careful standardization of the species studied, the aspect conditions under which the thalli were measured, and the initial hypothallus width of the thalli. © 2005 Regents of the University of Colorado.

Experimental studies of lobe growth in the lichen Parmelia conspersa (Ehrh. Ex Ach.) Ach.

The radial growth of individual lobes of the foliose lichen, Parmelia conspersa (Ehrh. Ex Ach.) Ach. was studied to determine whether (1) adjacent lobes exchange carbohydrate and (2) marginal competition between lobes influences radial growth. In a survey of thalli of different size, the number of marginal lobes was linearly related to thallus circumference. However, the relationship between mean lobe width and thallus circumference was fitted by a second order polynomial. Hence, mean lobe width may reach a maximum in thalli approx. 3 cm in diameter. The interactions between marginal lobes were studied by either painting single lobes with acrylic paint or by removing lobes from the thallus. Painting the whole lobe virtually stopped its radial growth while partially painted lobes grew less than control lobes. The radial growth of a lobe was unaffected by either completely painting or removing its neighbour. Removal of both neighbouring lobes did not influence the radial growth of a lobe but severing the lobe from the thallus reduced its radial growth. In addition, lobe width increased significantly when both neighbouring lobes were removed. These results suggest that adjacent lobes have a considerable degree of independence and that there is little exchange of carbohydrate between them. In addition, marginal competition between adjacent lobes may restrict the lateral extension of the lobe and this may maintain a more constant mean lobe width in larger thalli. It is possible that the intensity of marginal competition between adjacent lobes may vary with thallus size and this could be a factor determining the growth curve of a foliose lichen throughout its life.

Age and growth of Ray's bream (Brama brama) from the south of Portugal

Age and growth of 234 Brama brama Bonnaterre (1788) (Pisces: Bramidae) caught hy semi-pelagic longline off the south coast of Portugal (Algarve) was studied using otoliths for age determination. Samples consisted of fish varying in total length from 32 to 56 cm and in weight from 332 to 2032 g. Age classes from III to XII were represented in the catches. The von Bertalanffy growth curve was fitted and the length/weight relationship was calculated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Dedifferentiation of Leaf Cells and Growth Pattern of Calluses of Capsicum annuumcv. Etna.

Background:In vitrocell suspension cultivation systems have been largely reported assafe and standardized methods for production of secondary metabolites with medicinaland agricultural interest.Capsicum annuumis one of the most widely grown vegetablein the world and its biological activities have been demonstrated against insects, fungi,bacteria and other groups of organisms. The determination of procedures for thededifferentiation of cells into callus cells and the subsequent study of the callus growthpattern are necessary for the establishment of cellsuspensions and also to subsidizestudies regarding the bioactivity of its secondarymetabolites. To date, no study hasdescribed the development of protocols for callus induction inC. annuumL. cv. Etna. Objective:The objective of this study was to establish a protocol for dedifferentiationof leaf cells of the cultivarC. annuumcv. Etna and to determine the growth pattern ofthe calluses with a focus on the deceleration phase, when the callus cells must besubcultured into a liquid medium in order to establish cell suspension cultivationsaiming at the production of secondary metabolites.Results:The treatment that resultedin the highest %CI, ACCC and callus weight was thecombination of 4.52 μ M 2,4-D +0.44 μ M BA. The calluses produced were friable andwhitish and their growth patternfollowed a sigmoid shape. The deceleration phase started on the 23rdday of cultivation.Conclusion:Callus induction in leaf explants ofC. annuumcv. Etnacan be achieved inMS medium supplemented with 4.52 μ M 2,4-D + 0.44 μ MBA, which results in highcellular proliferation; in order to start a cell suspension culture, callus cells on the 23rdday of culture should be used.

Using sclerochronology to estimate the growth rate in Pinna nobilis: a case study of Les Alfaques Bay population (Ebro Delta, Spain).

Pinna nobilis is the biggest Mediterranean bivalve, endemic and semi-infaunal. Provide hard substrates to colonize, increasing the spatial heterogeneity of the softbottom communities. P. nobilis suffer a drastic decline due to the anthropogenic pressures. It’s included in the Habitats Directive, in the Barcelona Convention, and in the red lists of many Mediterranean countries. Estimates the growth rate allows to understand the population dynamics of species and yield knowledge to improve protection efforts. In this study a new methodology based on sclerochronology was used to estimate the age and the growth rate of a P. nobilis population located in Les Alfaques bay. The shells of 35 specimens were cataloged. A subsample of 20 individuals was selected, and one valve of each specimens was cut into radial sections along PAMS (Posterior Adductor Muscle Scar) to study the inner register. Thus, the positions of PAMS obscured by nacre were identified, and the number of missing records was estimated by the width of the calcitic layer in the anterior part of the shell. The first growth curve for the Les Alfaques bay population was calculated from the length/age data. To simulate the growth rate of this population, the growth model based on the modified Von Bertalanffy equation was used. Shallow water usually hosts small sized populations of P. nobilis, while in deeper waters specimens reaches larger size. In Les Alfaques bay the population is composed by large size individuals though it’s located in shallows waters. This unusual size pattern is probably due to a sand bar that offers protection from hydrodynamic stress, allowing individuals to elongate more. This study contributes to the knowledge on P. nobilis biology and, with the aim to monitor this species, the growth curve could be used as baseline for future studies on habitat characteristics that may affect the population structure and dynamics in Les Alfaques Bay.

Crescimento da pessoa com Síndrome de Down : contribuição para a construção de um referencial

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Respostas agudas da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca após sesão de exercício de força com restrição de fluxo sanguíneo = : Acute responses of heart rate variabiblity afer blood flow restriction resistance exercise

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Protocols for obtainment and isolation of two mesenchymal stem cell sources in sheep

PURPOSE: To evaluate different protocols to isolate stem cells from ovine umbilical cord blood and adipose tissue. METHODS: There were used 5 samples of umbilical blood and 5 samples of perirenal adipose tissue from 10 female sheep. All the samples were obtained through surgery, to harvest aseptic samples. There were used 3 protocols for obtainment and culture of umbilical cord blood stem cells and 4 protocols for ovine adipose tissue stem cells. RESULTS: It was possible to observe only one successful protocol for the obtainment of umbilical cord blood stem cells. When analyzing the techniques used to obtain adipose tissue stem cells, only one of the methods was effective as well. Through colony forming unit assay, there were obtained 58 colonies of cells after seven days in culture. Flow citometry tests revealed the cells were positive to CD44 and exhibited negative reaction to CD38, CD45, CD41/61. These cells showed a growth curve with very well defined phases LOG, LAG and PLATEAU. This phases are typically seem in mesenchymal stem cells growth curves. CONCLUSIONS: The isolation and culture of mesenchymal stem cells from ovine umbilical cord blood are complex and request more detailed assays. Stem cells from fat tissue sheep showed mesenchymal characteristics, according to their cell growth curve, ability to origin colonies of fibroblastoid cells and positive reactivity with the antibody CD44 by flow citometry.

Activation of endogenous p53 by combined p19Arf gene transfer and nutlin-3 drug treatment modalities in the murine cell lines B16 and C6

Background: Reactivation of p53 by either gene transfer or pharmacologic approaches may compensate for loss of p19Arf or excess mdm2 expression, common events in melanoma and glioma. In our previous work, we constructed the pCLPG retroviral vector where transgene expression is controlled by p53 through a p53-responsive promoter. The use of this vector to introduce p19Arf into tumor cells that harbor p53wt should yield viral expression of p19Arf which, in turn, would activate the endogenous p53 and result in enhanced vector expression and tumor suppression. Since nutlin-3 can activate p53 by blocking its interaction with mdm2, we explored the possibility that the combination of p19Arf gene transfer and nutlin-3 drug treatment may provide an additive benefit in stimulating p53 function. Methods: B16 (mouse melanoma) and C6 (rat glioma) cell lines, which harbor p53wt, were transduced with pCLPGp19 and these were additionally treated with nutlin-3 or the DNA damaging agent, doxorubicin. Viral expression was confirmed by Western, Northern and immunofluorescence assays. p53 function was assessed by reporter gene activity provided by a p53-responsive construct. Alterations in proliferation and viability were measured by colony formation, growth curve, cell cycle and MTT assays. In an animal model, B16 cells were treated with the pCLPGp19 virus and/or drugs before subcutaneous injection in C57BL/6 mice, observation of tumor progression and histopathologic analyses. Results: Here we show that the functional activation of endogenous p53wt in B16 was particularly challenging, but accomplished when combined gene transfer and drug treatments were applied, resulting in increased transactivation by p53, marked cell cycle alteration and reduced viability in culture. In an animal model, B16 cells treated with both p19Arf and nutlin-3 yielded increased necrosis and decreased BrdU marking. In comparison, C6 cells were quite susceptible to either treatment, yet p53 was further activated by the combination of p19Arf and nutlin-3. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to apply both p19Arf and nutlin-3 for the stimulation of p53 activity. These results support the notion that a p53 responsive vector may prove to be an interesting gene transfer tool, especially when combined with p53- activating agents, for the treatment of tumors that retain wild-type p53.

The rating of perceived exertion predicts intermittent vertical jump demand and performance

The aims of this study were (a) to assess the ability of the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to predict performance (i.e. number of vertical jumps performed to a fixed jump height) of an intermittent vertical jump exercise, and (b) to determine the ability of RPE to describe the physiological demand of such exercise. Eight healthy men performed intermittent vertical jumps with rest periods of 4, 5, and 6s until fatigue. Heart rate and RPE were recorded every five jumps throughout the sessions. The number of vertical jumps performed was also recorded. Random coefficient growth curve analysis identified relationships between the number of vertical jumps and both RPE and heart rate for which there were similar slopes. In addition, there were no differences between individual slopes and the mean slope for either RPE or heart rate. Moreover, RPE and number of jumps were highly correlated throughout all sessions (r=0.97-0.99; P0.001), as were RPE and heart rate (r=0.93-0.97; P0.001). The findings suggest that RPE can both predict the performance of intermittent vertical jump exercise and describe the physiological demands of such exercise.

A frailty modeling approach for parental effects in animal breeding

Survival models involving frailties are commonly applied in studies where correlated event time data arise due to natural or artificial clustering. In this paper we present an application of such models in the animal breeding field. Specifically, a mixed survival model with a multivariate correlated frailty term is proposed for the analysis of data from over 3611 Brazilian Nellore cattle. The primary aim is to evaluate parental genetic effects on the trait length in days that their progeny need to gain a commercially specified standard weight gain. This trait is not measured directly but can be estimated from growth data. Results point to the importance of genetic effects and suggest that these models constitute a valuable data analysis tool for beef cattle breeding.