Motor competence in fundamental motor skills and sport skill learning: Testing the proficiency barrier hypothesis.

We investigated whether motor competence in fundamental motor skills influences sports motor skill learning. Motor competence in fundamental motor skills related to the overhead volleyball serve (i.e., throwing and volleying) was evaluated in 38 children (aged 9-10 yrs) and participants were divided into lower and higher motor competence groups. The groups practiced the volleyball serve under random or constant-random conditions during an acquisition phase and then assessed in pre-test, intermediate, and retention tests. A three-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed performance improvement from pre-test to retention test only for high motor competence groups in fundamental motor skills. Initial competence in fundamental motor skills influences sport skills learning and demonstrates a potential proficiency barrier to learning complex-sports motor skills.

Do microplastics affect the zoanthid Zoanthus sociatus?

Microplastics (1 µm-5 mm), a ubiquitous and persistent marine pollutant, pose a severe threat to coral reefs when recently associated with physiological distress and increased diseases on corals. Studies conducted so far have only reported effects on scleractinian species. Knowledge about its effects on other corals (e.g. Order Zoantharia) remains uncovered, and responses at biochemical levels remain poorly documented. This study aimed to assess the potential effects induced by the presence of microplastics (1 and 10 mg L-1 low-density polyethylene, LDPE MP, or polyvinyl chloride, PVC MP) in the tropical and subtropical cosmopolitan species Zoanthus sociatus (order Zoantharia. Anthozoa: Hexacorallia), at organism level (survival and behaviour), endosymbionts (photosynthetic efficiency) and the cellular level (oxidative stress, detoxification capacity and energy metabolism). In a short-term exposure (96 h), this species was more sensitive to PVC MP. The presence of this polymer at a concentration of 10 mg L-1 caused a ten-fold higher adhesion to the coral epidermis, increased photosynthetic efficiency, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defences; without, however, inducing energetic costs. Although the observed physiological and biochemical effects did not compromise Z. sociatus survival in the short term, it does not rule out potential long-term (cumulative) effects that could endanger this and other physiologically similar species that underlie coral reefs.

Enhancement of antibiotic activity by phytocompounds of Turnera subulata.

The present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and modulatory activity of the Turnera subulate methyl extract in isolation or in combination with aminoglycoside antibiotics, using the microdilution method. The Turnera subulata methyl extract was used in isolation in the antibacterial assays and in combination with antibiotics in the modulation assays. All tests were performed in triplicates. The Turnera subulata methyl extract presented both antibacterial and antibiotic-modulatory effects in vitro, in isolation and in association with aminoglycosides. The extract activity depends on the bacterial strain and may be associated with the presence of tannins and flavonols. However, further studies are required to characterize the Turnera subulata potential for the development of new drugs against multiresistant bacteria.

Influence of postharvest treatments on qualitative and chemical parameters of Tarocco blood orange fruits to be used for fresh chilled juice.

Tarocco "Sant'Alfio" is a late ripening blood orange cultivar. Blood oranges are more and more appreciated from consumers for their high nutraceutical value due to the presence of bioactive compounds including vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids. The aim of this work is to set up a reliable protocol for postharvest storage of the very-late Tarocco "Sant'Alfio" orange to prolong the availability of this product in the market to be used for fresh chilled orange juice production. Fruits were subjected to three storage treatments (20days at 1°C plus 50days at 4°C; 70days at 4°C; 70days at 20°C). The results indicate that cold treatments, in particular at 4°C constantly, can extend Tarocco "Sant'Alfio" shelf life enhancing total anthocyanin content. The defined protocols allow prolonging market availability of a high value product and could induce relevant benefits for the citrus industry and consumers.

Beneficial Effect of Bidens pilosa on Body Weight Gain, Food Conversion Ratio, Gut Bacteria and Coccidiosis in Chickens.

In the interests of food safety and public health, plants and their compounds are now re-emerging as an alternative approach to treat gastrointestinal diseases in chickens. Here, we studied the impact of the edible medicinal plant, B. pilosa, on growth performance, gut bacteria and coccidiosis in chickens. First, we found that B. pilosa significantly elevated body weight gain and lowered feed conversion ratio in chickens. Next, we showed that B. pilosa reduced cecal damage as evidenced by increased hemorrhage, villus destruction and decreased villus-to-crypt ratio in chicken ceca. We also performed pyrosequencing of the PCR ampilcons based on the 16S rRNA genes of gut bacteria in chickens. Metagenomic analysis indicated that the chicken gut bacteria belonged to 6 phyla, 6 classes, 6 orders, 9 families, and 8 genera. More importantly, we found that B. pilosa affected the composition of bacteria. This change in bacteria composition was correlated with body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and gut pathology in chickens. Collectively, this work suggests that B. pilosa has beneficial effects on growth performance and protozoan infection in chickens probably via modulation of gut bacteria.

Dentin erosion by whitening mouthwash associated to toothbrushing abrasion: a focus variation 3D scanning microscopy study.

The aim of this study was to determine the erosive potential of hydrogen peroxide (HP) containing mouthwash on dentin assessed by Focus variation three-dimensional (3D) microscopy. Twenty dentin slabs were selected and randomly allocated into two groups (n = 10): DW--Distilled water (pH = 7.27) and HP-1.5% (pH = 3.78). Each specimen was cyclically demineralized (4 × 60 s/day, 10 days) with HP or DW and brushed 3×/day (200 g, 150 strokes--toothpaste with 1,450 ppmF as NaF). Between the challenges, the specimens were exposed to artificial saliva. Afterward, dentin loss was analyzed using focus variation 3D microscopy, and the data were submitted to unpaired t-test (α = 0.05). Statistically significant difference was found between the mean wear rate (µm, ±SD) of HP (1.98 ± 0.51) and DW (1.45 ± 0.39). The results suggest that the use of HP-containing mouthwash associated to brushing may increase the risk of tissue loss and focus variation 3D microscopy may be used as a technique for quantifying dental wear.

Herbal therapies for type 2 diabetes mellitus: chemistry, biology, and potential application of selected plants and compounds.

Diabetes mellitus has been recognized since antiquity. It currently affects as many as 285 million people worldwide and results in heavy personal and national economic burdens. Considerable progress has been made in orthodox antidiabetic drugs. However, new remedies are still in great demand because of the limited efficacy and undesirable side effects of current orthodox drugs. Nature is an extraordinary source of antidiabetic medicines. To date, more than 1200 flowering plants have been claimed to have antidiabetic properties. Among them, one-third have been scientifically studied and documented in around 460 publications. In this review, we select and discuss blood glucose-lowering medicinal herbs that have the ability to modulate one or more of the pathways that regulate insulin resistance, ß-cell function, GLP-1 homeostasis, and glucose (re)absorption. Emphasis is placed on phytochemistry, anti-diabetic bioactivities, and likely mechanism(s). Recent progress in the understanding of the biological actions, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of compounds and extracts of plant origin in type 2 diabetes is summarized. This review provides a source of up-to-date information for further basic and clinical research into herbal therapy for type 2 diabetes. Emerging views on therapeutic strategies for type 2 diabetes are also discussed.

Curcumin: a multipurpose matrix for MALDI mass spectrometry imaging applications.

Curcumin, 1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione, is a polyphenolic compound naturally present in the Curcuma longa plant, also known as tumeric. Used primarily as a coloring agent and additive in food, curcumin has also long been used for its therapeutic properties in a number of medical scenarios. Here, we report on an entirely novel use of curcumin; its extended structure of conjugated double bonds suggested the potential of this compound to be a good matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) matrix candidate. In the quest for novel and more efficient MALDI MS matrices, curcumin is revealed to be a versatile and multipurpose matrix. It has been applied successfully for the analysis of pharmaceuticals and drugs, for imaging lipids in skin and lung tissues, and for the analysis of a number of compound classes in fingermarks. In each case, the use of curcumin is shown to promote analyte ionization very efficiently as well as provide excellent mass spectral image quality.

Catenarin Prevents Type 1 Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice via Inhibition of Leukocyte Migration Involving the MEK6/p38 and MEK7/JNK Pathways.

Inflammation contributes to leukocyte migration, termed insulitis, and ß-cell loss in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Naturally occurring anthraquinones are claimed as anti-inflammatory compounds; however, their actions are not clear. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of catenarin on the inflammatory disease, T1D. Catenarin and/or its anthraquinone analogs dose-dependently suppressed C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)- and C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5)-implicated chemotaxis in leukocytes. Catenarin, the most potent anthraquinone tested in the study, prevented T1D in nonobese diabetic mice. Mechanistic study showed that catenarin did not act on the expression of CCR5 and CXCR4. On the contrary, catenarin inhibited CCR5- and CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis via the reduction of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 and JNK) and their upstream kinases (MKK6 and MKK7), and calcium mobilization. Overall, the data demonstrate the preventive effect and molecular mechanism of action of catenarin on T1D, suggesting its novel use as a prophylactic agent in T1D.

Combined phytochemistry and chemotaxis assays for identification and mechanistic analysis of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals in Fallopia japonica.

Plants provide a rich source of lead compounds for a variety of diseases. A novel approach combining phytochemistry and chemotaxis assays was developed and used to identify and study the mechanisms of action of the active compounds in F. japonica, a medicinal herb traditionally used to treat inflammation. Based on a bioactivity-guided purification strategy, two anthranoids, emodin and physcion, were identified from F. japonica. Spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize its crude extract, fractions and phytochemicals. The crude extract, chloroform fraction, and anthranoids of F. japonica significantly inhibited CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis. Mechanistic studies showed that emodin and physcion inhibited chemotaxis via inactivating the MEK/ERK pathway. Moreover, the crude extract and emodin could prevent or treat type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. This study illustrates the applicability of a combinational approach for the study of anti-inflammatory medicine and shows the potential of F. japonica and its anthranoids for anti-inflammatory therapy.

Maternal hyperphenylalaninemia syndrome: neuropsychological evaluation of four subjects during childhood and adolescence.

Maternal hyperphenylalanemia during pregnancy may induce a severe embryopathy characterized by microcephaly, mental retardation, facial dysmorphy and congenital heart defects. Four subjects, two pairs of sibs, with maternal hyperphenylalaninemia syndrome were included in this study and their neuropsychological performances were assessed. Maternal levels of hyperphenylalaninemia were similar in both mothers, one of them had not been diagnosed with the condition until her two children were examined at the ages of 10 and 6 years. A severe cognitive deficit was detected in all 4 subjects, with a typical profile of impaired perceptive abilities, behavioural disturbances, motor difficulties and poor familiar integration.