It is expected that environmental conditions impact the distribution of galls on host plants. Moreover, insects may induce their galls randomly or choose certain parts of a host to induce such growths. This study aimed to determine whether or not the gall midge, Hartigiola annulipes (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), which induces galls on leaves of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), prefers leaves facing a particular cardinal direction. In addition, we wanted to ascertain whether the galls are evenly spread across three leaf zones: proximal, median and distal, distinguished by dividing leaf area along the midrib. The results show that H. annulipes chose leaves facing various directions in different studied locations, and leaf choice is not restricted to the specific leaf area, a parameter that accurately reflects the light conditions of leaf growth. Moreover, the medial leaf zone was preferred, while the distal zone was avoided. The choice of the leaf zone modified the distance between the mid-rib and a gall. Gall distribution in the crown of trees is probably random, while at the leaf level, it is determined by leaf morphology., Sebastian Pilichowski, Marian J. Giertych., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The aim of this study was to investigate aldose reductase inhibitory action of setipiprant as a potential additional mechanism contributing to its anti-inflammatory action. Aldose reductase activity was determined by spectrophotometric measuring of NADPH consumption. Setipiprant was found to inhibit aldose reductase/NADPH-mediated reduction of 4-hydroxynonenal, 4-hydroxynonenal glutathione and prostaglandin H2 substrates, all relevant to the process of inflammation. Molecular modeling simulations into the aldose reductase inhibitor binding site revealed an interaction pattern of setipiprant. Considering multifactorial etiology of inflammatory pathologies, it is suggested that, in addition to the antagonizing prostaglandin D2 receptor, inhibition of aldose reductase may contribute to the reported anti-inflammatory action of setipiprant., J. Ballekova, M. Soltesova-Prnova, M. Majekova, M. Stefek., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In view of the high anti-oxidative potential oftocotrienol, the role of the tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) of palm oil in preventing pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) was explored in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in an urban teaching hospital. Healthy primigravidae were randomized to receive either oral TRF 100 mg daily or placebo, from early second trimester until delivery. Out of 299 women, 151 were randomized into the TRF arm and 148 into the placebo arm. A total of 15 (5.0%) developed PIH. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of PIH (4/151 or 2.6% in the TRF arm vs. 11/148 or 7.4% in the placebo arm, p = 0.058) between the two arms, there was a tendency towards a lower incidence of PIH in the TRF arm compared to the placebo arm. With TRF supplementation, the relative risk (RR) of PIH was 0.36 (95% CI 0.12-1.09). In conclusion, although TRF from palm oil does not statistically significantly reduce the risk of development of PIH in the population studied, the 64% reduction in incidence of PIH is substantial. The findings warrant further clinical trials, particularly in high risk populations. and ZA. Mahdy, HH. Siraj, H. Khaza'ai, MS. Mutalib, MH. Azwar, MA. Wahab, AZ. Dali, R. Jaafar, NA. Ismail, MA. Jamil, N. Adeeb