The location of and threats to biodiversity are distributed unevenly, so prioritization is essential to minimize biodiversity loss. To address this need, biodiversity conservation organizations have ...proposed nine templates of global priorities over the past decade. Here, we review the concepts, methods, results, impacts, and challenges of these prioritizations of conservation practice within the theoretical irreplaceability/vulnerability framework of systematic conservation planning. Most of the templates prioritize highly irreplaceable regions; some are reactive (prioritizing high vulnerability), and others are proactive (prioritizing low vulnerability). We hope this synthesis improves understanding of these prioritization approaches and that it results in more efficient allocation of geographically flexible conservation funding.
The increase in antibiotic resistance and the emergence of new bacterial infections have intensified the research for natural products from plants with associated therapy. This study aimed to verify ...the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of crude extracts of the genus
species, being the first report on the modulation of aminoglycosides antibiotic activity by
extracts. The chemical composition was obtained by chemical prospecting and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with diode arrangement detector (HPLC/DAD). The antibacterial activities of the extracts alone or in association with aminoglycosides were analyzed using the microdilution test. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging. The phytochemical prospection allowed the flavonoids, saponins, tannins and triterpenoids to be identified. Quercetin, rutin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, kaempferol, glycosylated kaempferol, quercitrin, and isoquercitrin were identified and quantified. The principal component analysis (PCA) observed the influence of flavonoids and phenolic acids from
species on studied activities. Phytochemical tests with the extracts indicated, especially, the presence of flavonoids, confirmed by quantitative analysis by HPLC. The results revealed antibacterial activities, and synergistic effects combined with aminoglycosides, as well as antioxidant potential, especially for
species, with IC
of 32.21 µg/mL. Multivariate analyzes show that the inclusion of data from the antioxidant and antibacterial activity suggests that the antioxidant effect of these species presents a significant contribution to the synergistic effect of phytoconstituents, especially based on the flavonoid contents. The results of this study suggest the antibacterial activity of
extracts, as well as their potential in modifying the resistance of the analyzed aminoglycosides.
Variability in snake venom composition is well-documented and crucial for understanding snake ecology and predicting snakebites. In this study, we characterize the venom composition and biological ...activities of newborn female and male Bothrops moojeni and their mother. Our results reveal significant differences between the venom of newborn females and males, demonstrating a broad and diverse range of proteins. The venoms of newborn females showed higher serine protease effects, increased hemorrhagic activity, and greater lethality compared to the venom of newborn males. However, no differences were observed in phospholipase A2 and coagulant activity. The differences in protein composition and toxic activities between maternal and neonatal venom, as well as between the venoms of newborn females and males, contribute to understanding the diverse outcomes of snakebites. These results underscore the importance of considering sex and ontogeny in understanding venom composition in snakes.
• Species distribution is strongly driven by local and global gradients in water availability but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Vulnerability to xylem embolism (P50) is a key trait that ...indicates how species cope with drought and might explain plant distribution patterns across environmental gradients. Here we address its role on species sorting along a hydrotopographical gradient in a central Amazonian rainforest and examine its variance at the community scale.
• We measured P50 for 28 tree species, soil properties and estimated the hydrological niche of each species using an indicator of distance to the water table (HAND).
• We found a large hydraulic diversity, covering as much as 44% of the global angiosperm variation in P50. We show that P50: contributes to species segregation across a hydrotopographic gradient in the Amazon, and thus to species coexistence; is the result of repeated evolutionary adaptation within closely related taxa; is associated with species tolerance to P-poor soils, suggesting the evolution of a stress-tolerance syndrome to nutrients and drought; and is higher for trees in the valleys than uplands.
• The large observed hydraulic diversity and its association with topography has important implications for modelling and predicting forest and species resilience to climate change.
The value of the IUCN Red List for conservation Rodrigues, Ana S.L.; Pilgrim, John D.; Lamoreux, John F. ...
Trends in ecology & evolution,
02/2006, Letnik:
21, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the most comprehensive resource detailing the global conservation status of plants and animals. The 2004 edition represents a milestone in the four-decade ...long history of the Red List, including the first Global Amphibian Assessment and a near doubling in assessed species since 2000. Moreover, the Red List assessment process itself has developed substantially over the past decade, extending the value of the Red List far beyond the assignation of threat status. We highlight here how the Red List, in conjunction with the comprehensive data compiled to support it and in spite of several important limitations, has become an increasingly powerful tool for conservation planning, management, monitoring and decision making.
The translocation of DNA during bacterial cytokinesis is mediated by the SpoIIIE/FtsK family of proteins. These proteins ensure efficient chromosome segregation into sister cells by ATP-driven ...translocation of DNA and they control chromosome dimer resolution. How FtsK/SpoIIIE mediate chromosome translocation during cytokinesis in Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms has been the subject of debate. Studies on FtsK in Escherichia coli, and recent work on SpoIIIE in Bacillus subtilis, have identified interactions between each translocase and the division machinery, supporting the idea that SpoIIIE and FtsK coordinate the final steps of cytokinesis with completion of chromosome segregation. Here we summarize and discuss the view that SpoIIIE and FtsK play similar roles in coordinating cytokinesis with chromosome segregation, during growth and differentiation.
A recent study shows that SpoIIIE interacts with proteins that are connected to the cell envelope during spore development.FtsK appears to interact with proteins within all layers of the Gram-negative cell envelope.SpoIIIE and FtsK are both multifunctional and they coordinate cell-envelope remodeling with chromosome segregation.Both SpoIIIE and FtsK likely regulate peptidoglycan remodeling at the septum.Advances in cryo-electron microscopy may reveal how FtsK and SpoIIIE complexes are organized during cytokinesis.
Tendinopathies represent half of all musculoskeletal injuries worldwide. Inflammatory events contribute to both tendon healing and to tendinopathy conditions but the cellular triggers leading to one ...or the other are unknown. In previous studies, we showed that magnetic field actuation modulates human tendon cells (hTDCs) behavior in pro-inflammatory environments, and that magnetic responsive membranes could positively influence inflammation responses in a rat ectopic model.
Herein, we propose to investigate the potential synergistic action of the magnetic responsive membranes, made of a polymer blend of starch with polycaprolactone incorporating magnetic nanoparticles (magSPCL), and the actuation of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF): 5 Hz, 4mT of intensity and 50% of duty cycle, in IL-1β-treated-hTDCs, and in the immunomodulatory response of macrophages.
It was found that the expression of pro-inflammatory (TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, COX-2) and ECM remodeling (MMP-1,-2,-3) markers tend to decrease in cells cultured onto magSPCL membranes under PEMF, while the expression of TIMP-1 and anti-inflammatory genes (IL-4, IL-10) increases. Also, CD16++ and CD206+ macrophages were only found on magSPCL membranes with PEMF application.
Magnetic responsive membranes show a modulatory effect on the inflammatory profile of hTDCs favoring anti-inflammatory cues which is also supported by the anti-inflammatory/repair markers expressed in macrophages. These results suggest that magnetic responsive magSPCL membranes can contribute for inflammation resolution acting on both resident cell populations and inflammatory cells, and thus significantly contribute to tendon regenerative strategies.
Statement of significance
Magnetically-assisted strategies have received great attention in recent years to remotely trigger and guide cell responses. Inflammation plays a key role in tendon healing but persistent pro-inflammatory molecules can contribute to tendon disorders, and therefore provide a therapeutic target for advanced treatments.
We have previously reported that magnetic fields modulate the response of human tendon cells (hTDCs) conditioned to pro-inflammatory environments (IL-1β-treated-hTDCs), and that magnetic responsive membranes positively influence immune responses. In the present work, we combined pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) and magnetic responsive membranes to guide the inflammatory profile of IL-1β-treated-hTDCs and of macrophages. The results showed that the synergistic action of PEMF and magnetic membranes supports the applicability of magnetically actuated systems to regulate inflammatory events and stimulate tendon regeneration.
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► The kinetics for direct synthesis of DMC over CeO2 at high pressure is studied. ► Model based on Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism fits our data. ► ΔrH° and ΔrG° were estimated to be ...−20.10 and 31.50kJmol−1. ► The activation energy was estimated to be 106kJmol−1. ► An activation volume was estimated to be −0.209cm3mol−1.
The kinetics for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate was studied over CeO2 at high pressure conditions in a batch reactor. Langmuir–Hinshelwood and Eley–Rideal mechanisms were proposed and compared by the performance of the respective reaction rate expression in fitting to the experimental kinetic data. The reactions were held at different temperatures (378–408K), CO2/methanol molar ratios (1.1–4.0) and pressures (15–20MPa) in order to adjust the kinetic parameters. An activation energy of 106kJmol−1, as well as the standard enthalpy and Gibbs energy of reaction (−20.10 and 31.50kJmol−1) were calculated from experiments. Furthermore, the changes in pressure revealed an effect on the kinetic constant, with an activation volume equal to −0.208cm3mol−1.
Partially edentulous patients may be rehabilitated by the placement of removable dental prostheses, implant-supported removable dental prostheses, or partial implant fixed dental prostheses. However, ...it is unclear the impact of each prosthesis type over the masticatory aspects, which represents the objective of this paired clinical trial. Twelve patients sequentially received and used each of these 3 prosthesis types for 2 months, after which maximum bite force was assessed by a strain sensor and food comminution index was determined with the sieving method. Masseter and temporal muscle thicknesses during rest and maximal clenching were also evaluated by ultrasonography. Each maxillary arch received a new complete denture that was used throughout the study. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance for repeated measures, followed by the Tukey test (p < .05). Maximum bite force and food comminution index increased (p < .0001) after implant-supported dental prosthesis and implant fixed dental prosthesis use, with the higher improvement found after the latter’s use. Regardless of implant-retained prosthesis type, masseter muscle thickness during maximal clenching also increased (p < .05) after implant insertion. Partial implant-supported prostheses significantly improved masseter muscle thickness and mastication, and the magnitude of this effect was related to prosthesis type (International Clinical Trial Registration RBR-9J26XD).
Although the metabolism and disposition of diclofenac (DF) has been studied extensively, information regarding the plasma levels of its acyl-β-d-glucuronide (DF-AG), a major metabolite, in human ...subjects is limited. Therefore, DF-AG concentrations were determined in plasma (acidified blood derived) of six healthy volunteers following a single oral DF dose (50 mg). Levels of DF-AG in plasma were high, as reflected by a DF-AG/DF ratio of 0.62 ± 0.21 (Cmax mean ± S.D.) and 0.84 ± 0.21 (area under the concentration-time curve mean ± S.D.). Both DF and DF-AG were also studied as substrates of different human drug transporters in vitro. DF was identified as a substrate of organic anion transporter (OAT) 2 only (Km = 46.8 µM). In contrast, DF-AG was identified as a substrate of numerous OATs (Km = 8.6, 60.2, 103.9, and 112 µM for OAT2, OAT1, OAT4, and OAT3, respectively), two organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATP1B1, Km = 34 µM; OATP2B1, Km = 105 µM), breast cancer resistance protein (Km = 152 µM), and two multidrug resistance proteins (MRP2, Km = 145 µM; MRP3, Km = 196 µM). It is concluded that the disposition of DF-AG, once formed, can be mediated by various candidate transporters known to be expressed in the kidney (basolateral, OAT1, OAT2, and OAT3; apical, MRP2, BCRP, and OAT4) and liver (canalicular, MRP2 and BCRP; basolateral, OATP1B1, OATP2B1, OAT2, and MRP3). DF-AG is unstable in plasma and undergoes conversion to parent DF. Therefore, caution is warranted when assessing renal and hepatic transporter-mediated drug-drug interactions with DF and DF-AG.
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