Haec urbs est Thebae

This paper analyses the use of proximal deixis in Mercury’s prologue to Plautus’ Amphitruo. The study revolves around the referential ambiguity that characterizes proximal deictics such as here and this city, arguing that it contributes significantly to the blurred distinction between reality and fiction that is typical for Plautine theatre, and for his prologues in particular. The paper shows (1) that proximal deictics play a crucial role in Mercury’s creation of and transition into the fictional world; (2) that their unique referential features during audience address enable Mercury to transform the spectators’ surroundings in addition to his own; and (3) that their use underlines the similarity between Rome and fictional Thebes, which is subsequently connected to the Greek setting of Plautus’ plays and their performance during Roman festivals. Moreover, the paper claims that Mercury partly relies on proximal deixis for the inductive effect of his prologue.

Effect of argon-enriched modified atmosphere on the over quality and bioactive compounds of ready-to-use broccoli rabe (Brassica rapa sylvestris L. var. esculenta) during the storage

This study evaluated the effect of argon-enriched modified atmosphere on the storage extension of ready-to-use broccoli rabe in leaf. Broccoli rabe samples ( Brassica rapa sylvestris L. var. esculenta) were packaged in 90% argon and 10% O2 (modified atmosphere packaging 1); 80% argon, 10% CO2 and 10% O2 (modified atmosphere packaging 2) and evaluated for the physicochemical characteristics, microbiological parameters and bioactive compounds (glucosinolates) during the cold storage for 9 days. Results showed significant maintenance of colour, chlorophyll, phenols content and antioxidant activity in modified atmosphere packaging packages with respect to air control ones. An increasing biosynthesis of glucosinolates was observed in all packages to the inductive effect of CO2 produced; the amount of minerals unchanged during the storage. Overall appearance and odour evaluation pointed out a positive effect of argon atmospheres, in particular modified atmosphere packaging 1, for the keeping of the sensory attributes compared to those evaluated in air packaging.

Short-term metabolic resistance inductive effect of different agrochemical groups on Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes

Background: In order to assess the impact of the different groups of agricultural pesticides used in Côte d'Ivoire on the increase of mosquitoes resistance to insecticides, the expression profiles of 7 P450 cytochromes and one GSTE2 of Anopheles gambiae involved in mosquito resistance to insecticides were studied. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of short exposure of mosquito larvae to different groups of agricultural pesticides on mosquito resistance. Methods: Three groups of pesticides were selected: (i) agricultural insecticide solutions, (ii) non-insecticide pesticide solutions (a mixture of herbicides and fungicides), and (iii) a mixture of the first two. A fourth non-pesticide solution was used as a control. Four groups of each stage 2 larvae (strain Kisumu, male and female) were exposed to 20% concentrated solution for 24 hours. Susceptibility tests for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Deltamethrin were carried out on adults aged 2-5 days. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to quantify the expression of eight metabolic genes involved in mosquito resistance to insecticides. Results: Susceptibility to DDT showed a similar increase in the time required to knock down 50% of mosquitoes (kdt50) in l colonies exposed to insecticides and non-insecticides compared to the control colony. As for deltamethrin, kdt50 was higher in the colonies exposed to insecticides and the pesticide mixture compared to the colony exposed to non-insecticides. Of all the genes studied in all colonies, except for CYP6P1 induced only in the colony consisting of the pesticide mixture, no genes were induced. Conclusions: This study confirmed that induction is influenced by the duration, the concentration of the solution and the type of xenobiotic used as an inducer. The overexpression of CYP6P1 confirmed the inductive effect that a short exposure of mosquito larvae to agricultural pesticides could have.

Sex Metabolic Differences and Effects on Blood Coagulation Among Rats Exposed to Sodium Dehydroacetate

Sodium dehydroacetate (Na-DHA), a fungicide used in food, feed, cosmetics, and medicine, has been found to cause coagulation aberration accompanied by the inhibition of vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR) in the liver in rats. VKOR complex 1 (VKORC1) and VKORC1 like-1 (VKORC1L1) are two homologous VKOR proteins. Little information is available on the effect of Na-DHA on VKORC1L1 in the liver or VKORC1/VKORC1L1 in extrahepatic tissue and sex differences in Na-DHA metabolism. In the present study, after administration of 200 mg/kg Na-DHA by gavage, significant inhibition of VKORC1 or VKORC1L1 expression in tissues, as well as prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), were observed. The PT/APTT in the Na-DHA-exposed males were 1.27- to 1.48-fold/1.17- to 1.37-fold, while the corresponding values in the Na-DHA-exposed females were 1.36- to 2.02-fold/1.20- to 1.70-fold. Serum or tissue Na-DHA concentrations were significantly higher in females than in males. The pharmacokinetic parameters (t1/2, Cmax, AUC0∼24 h, and MRT0∼24 h) of Na-DHA in female rats were significantly higher than those in male rats. Furthermore, cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity was investigated using the cocktail probe method. The results revealed that Na-DHA exhibited an inductive effect on CYP1A2, 2D1/2, and 3A1/2 activities by changing the main pharmacokinetic parameters of probe drugs in male rats. However, no significant change in CYP2E1 activity was found. There were sex differences in the metabolism and coagulation in rats exposed to Na-DHA. The lower metabolism and higher blood Na-DHA concentration in females may be the reasons for higher coagulation sensitivity in female rats.

A new mathematical model of phyllotaxis to solve the genuine puzzle spiromonostichy

The view is widely accepted that the inhibitory effect of existing leaf primordia on new primordium formation determines phyllotactic patterning. Previous studies have shown that mathematical models based on such inhibitory effect can generate most of phyllotactic patterns. However, a few types of phyllotaxis still remain unaddressed. A notable example is costoid phyllotaxis showing spiromonostichy, which is characterized by a steep spiral with a small divergence angle and is unique to Costaceae plants. Costoid phyllotaxis has been called a "genuine puzzle" because it seems to disagree with the inhibitory effect-based mechanism. In an attempt to produce a steep spiral pattern, we developed a new mathematical model assuming that each leaf primordium emits not only the inhibitory effect but also some inductive effect. Computer simulations with the new model successfully generated a steep spiral pattern when these two effects met a certain relationship. The obtained steep spiral matched the real costoid phyllotaxis observed with Costus megalobractea. We also found by the mathematical model analysis that the early phyllotactic transition in the seedlings of this plant can be explained by the SAM enlargement.

Short-term metabolic resistance inductive effect of different agrochemical groups on Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes

Background: In order to assess the impact of the different groups of agricultural pesticides used in Côte d'Ivoire on the increase of mosquitoes resistance to insecticides, the expression profiles of 7 P450 cytochromes and one GSTE2 of Anopheles gambiae involved in mosquito resistance to insecticides were studied. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of short exposure of mosquito larvae to different groups of agricultural pesticides on mosquito resistance. Methods: Three groups of pesticides were selected: (i) agricultural insecticide solutions, (ii) none-insecticide pesticide solutions (a mixture of herbicides and fungicides), and (iii) a mixture of the first two. A fourth non-pesticide solution was used as a control. Four groups of each stage 2 larvae (strain Kisumu, male and female) were exposed to 20% concentrated solution for 24 hours. Susceptibility tests for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Deltamethrin were carried out on adults aged 2-5 days. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to quantify the expression of eight metabolic genes involved in mosquito resistance to insecticides. Results: Susceptibility to DDT showed a similar increase in the time required to knock down 50% of mosquitoes (kdt50) in l colonies exposed to insecticides and none-insecticides compared to the control colony. As for deltamethrin, kdt50 was higher in the colonies exposed to insecticides and the pesticide mixture compared to the colony exposed to none-insecticides. Of all the genes studied in all colonies, except for CYP6P1 induced only in the colony consisting of the pesticide mixture, no genes were induced. Conclusions: This study confirmed that induction is influenced by the duration, the concentration of the solution and the type of xenobiotic used as an inducer. The overexpression of CYP6P1 confirmed the inductive effect that a short exposure of mosquito larvae to agricultural pesticides could have.