Comparative analyses of the banded alder borer (Rosalia funebris) and Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) genomes reveal significant differences in genome architecture and gene content among these and other Cerambycidae.

Rosalia funebris (RFUNE; Cerambycidae), the banded alder borer, is a longhorn beetle whose larvae feed on the wood of various economically and ecologically significant trees in western North America. Adults are short-lived and not known to consume plant material substantially. We sequenced, assembled and annotated the RFUNE genome using HiFi and RNASeq data. We documented genome architecture and gene content, focusing on genes putatively involved in plant feeding (phytophagy). Comparisons were made to the well-studied genome of the Asian longhorned beetle (AGLAB; Anoplophora glabripennis) and other Cerambycidae. The 814 Mb RFUNE genome assembly was distributed across 42 contigs, with an N50 of 30.18 Mb. Repetitive sequences comprised 60.27 % of the genome, and 99.0 % of expected single-copy orthologous genes were fully assembled. We identified 12657 genes, fewer than in the four other species studied, and 46.4 % fewer than for Aromia moschata (same subfamily as RFUNE). Of the 7258 orthogroups shared between RFUNE and AGLAB, 1461 had more copies in AGLAB and 1023 had more copies in RFUNE. We identified 240 genes in RFUNE that putatively arose via horizontal transfer events. The RFUNE genome encoded substantially fewer putative plant cell wall degrading enzymes than AGLAB, which may relate to the longer-lived plant-feeding adults of the latter species. The RFUNE genome provides new insights into cerambycid genome architecture and gene content and provides a new vantage point from which to study the evolution and genomic basis of phytophagy in beetles.

Effect of omega-3 ethyl esters on the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein response to endotoxin challenge in healthy young men.

Oxylipins are produced enzymatically from polyunsaturated fatty acids, are abundant in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TGRLs), and mediate inflammatory processes. Inflammation elevates TGRL concentrations, but it is unknown if the fatty acid and oxylipin compositions change. In this study, we investigated the effect of prescription ω-3 acid ethyl esters (P-OM3; 3.4 g/d EPA + DHA) on the lipid response to an endotoxin challenge (lipopolysaccharide; 0.6 ng/kg body weight). Healthy young men (N = 17) were assigned 8-12 weeks of P-OM3 and olive oil control in a randomized order crossover study. Following each treatment period, subjects received endotoxin challenge, and the time-dependent TGRL composition was observed. Postchallenge, arachidonic acid was 16% [95% CI: 4%, 28%] lower than baseline at 8 h with control. P-OM3 increased TGRL ω-3 fatty acids (EPA 24% [15%, 34%]; DHA 14% [5%, 24%]). The timing of ω-6 oxylipin responses differed by class; arachidonic acid-derived alcohols peaked at 2 h, while linoleic acid-derived alcohols peaked at 4 h (pint = 0.006). P-OM3 increased EPA alcohols by 161% [68%, 305%] and DHA epoxides by 178% [47%, 427%] at 4 h compared to control. In conclusion, this study shows that TGRL fatty acid and oxylipin composition changes following endotoxin challenge. P-OM3 alters the TGRL response to endotoxin challenge by increasing availability of ω-3 oxylipins for resolution of the inflammatory response.

Methionol, a Sulfur-Containing Pheromone Component from the North American Cerambycid Beetle Knulliana cincta cincta.

We describe the identification and field testing of 3-methylthiopropan-1-ol (methionol) as a male-produced aggregation-sex pheromone for the cerambycid beetle Knulliana cincta cincta (Drury) (subfamily Cerambycinae, tribe Bothriospilini). The corresponding sulfoxide, 3-methylsulfinylpropan-1-ol, was also produced sex-specifically by males, but its function remains unclear because the measured release rates of this compound from five different types of release devices were very low to undetectable. Unexpectedly, adults of the cerambycine Elaphidion mucronatum (Say) (Elaphidiini), primarily females, also were attracted by methionol, despite males of this species producing an aggregation-sex pheromone of entirely different structure, (2E,6Z,9Z)-2,6,9-pentadecatrienal.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association.

Hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides 200-499 mg/dL) is relatively common in the United States, whereas more severe triglyceride elevations (very high triglycerides, ≥500 mg/dL) are far less frequently observed. Both are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States and elsewhere, likely driven in large part by growing rates of obesity and diabetes mellitus. In a 2002 American Heart Association scientific statement, the omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were recommended (at a dose of 2-4 g/d) for reducing triglycerides in patients with elevated triglycerides. Since 2002, prescription agents containing EPA+DHA or EPA alone have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating very high triglycerides; these agents are also widely used for hypertriglyceridemia. The purpose of this advisory is to summarize the lipid and lipoprotein effects resulting from pharmacological doses of n-3 FAs (>3 g/d total EPA+DHA) on the basis of new scientific data and availability of n-3 FA agents. In treatment of very high triglycerides with 4 g/d, EPA+DHA agents reduce triglycerides by ≥30% with concurrent increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, whereas EPA-only did not raise low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in very high triglycerides. When used to treat hypertriglyceridemia, n-3 FAs with EPA+DHA or with EPA-only appear roughly comparable for triglyceride lowering and do not increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol when used as monotherapy or in combination with a statin. In the largest trials of 4 g/d prescription n-3 FA, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were modestly decreased, indicating reductions in total atherogenic lipoproteins. The use of n-3 FA (4 g/d) for improving atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in patients with hypertriglyceridemia is supported by a 25% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With EPA Intervention Trial), a randomized placebo-controlled trial of EPA-only in high-risk patients treated with a statin. The results of a trial of 4 g/d prescription EPA+DHA in hypertriglyceridemia are anticipated in 2020. We conclude that prescription n-3 FAs (EPA+DHA or EPA-only) at a dose of 4 g/d (>3 g/d total EPA+DHA) are an effective and safe option for reducing triglycerides as monotherapy or as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering agents.

Type VI secretion system MIX-effectors carry both antibacterial and anti-eukaryotic activities.

Most type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) described to date are protein delivery apparatuses that mediate bactericidal activities. Several T6SSs were also reported to mediate virulence activities, although only few anti-eukaryotic effectors have been described. Here, we identify three T6SSs in the marine bacterium Vibrio proteolyticus and show that T6SS1 mediates bactericidal activities under warm marine-like conditions. Using comparative proteomics, we find nine potential T6SS1 effectors, five of which belong to the polymorphic MIX-effector class. Remarkably, in addition to six predicted bactericidal effectors, the T6SS1 secretome includes three putative anti-eukaryotic effectors. One of these is a MIX-effector containing a cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 domain. We demonstrate that T6SS1 can use this MIX-effector to target phagocytic cells, resulting in morphological changes and actin cytoskeleton rearrangements. In conclusion, the V. proteolyticus T6SS1, a system homologous to one found in pathogenic vibrios, uses a suite of polymorphic effectors that target both bacteria and eukaryotic neighbors.

Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease-Causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strains Maintain an Antibacterial Type VI Secretion System with Versatile Effector Repertoires.

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is a newly emerging shrimp disease that has severely damaged the global shrimp industry. AHPND is caused by toxic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus that have acquired a "selfish plasmid" encoding the deadly binary toxins PirAvp/PirBvp To better understand the repertoire of virulence factors in AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus, we conducted a comparative analysis using the genome sequences of the clinical strain RIMD2210633 and of environmental non-AHPND and toxic AHPND isolates of V. parahaemolyticus Interestingly, we found that all of the AHPND strains, but none of the non-AHPND strains, harbor the antibacterial type VI secretion system 1 (T6SS1), which we previously identified and characterized in the clinical isolate RIMD2210633. This finding suggests that the acquisition of this T6SS might confer to AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus a fitness advantage over competing bacteria and facilitate shrimp infection. Additionally, we found highly dynamic effector loci in the T6SS1 of AHPND-causing strains, leading to diverse effector repertoires. Our discovery provides novel insights into AHPND-causing pathogens and reveals a potential target for disease control.IMPORTANCE Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is a serious disease that has caused severe damage and significant financial losses to the global shrimp industry. To better understand and prevent this shrimp disease, it is essential to thoroughly characterize its causative agent, Vibrio parahaemolyticus Although the plasmid-encoded binary toxins PirAvp/PirBvp have been shown to be the primary cause of AHPND, it remains unknown whether other virulent factors are commonly present in V. parahaemolyticus and might play important roles during shrimp infection. Here, we analyzed the genome sequences of clinical, non-AHPND, and AHPND strains to characterize their repertoires of key virulence determinants. Our studies reveal that an antibacterial type VI secretion system is associated with the AHPND strains and differentiates them from non-AHPND strains, similar to what was seen with the PirA/PirB toxins. We propose that T6SS1 provides a selective advantage during shrimp infections.

Effects of isoflavone-containing soya protein on ex vivo cholesterol efflux, vascular function and blood markers of CVD risk in adults with moderately elevated blood pressure: a dose-response randomised controlled trial.

Emerging CVD risk factors (e.g. HDL function and central haemodynamics) may account for residual CVD risk experienced by individuals who meet LDL-cholesterol and blood pressure (BP) targets. Recent evidence suggests that these emerging risk factors can be modified by polyphenol-rich interventions such as soya, but additional research is needed. This study was designed to investigate the effects of an isoflavone-containing soya protein isolate (delivering 25 and 50 g/d soya protein) on HDL function (i.e. ex vivo cholesterol efflux), macrovascular function and blood markers of CVD risk. Middle-aged adults (n 20; mean age=51·6 (sem 6·6) years) with moderately elevated brachial BP (mean systolic BP=129 (sem 9) mmHg; mean diastolic BP=82·5 (sem 8·4) mmHg) consumed 0 (control), 25 and 50 g/d soya protein in a randomised cross-over design. Soya and control powders were consumed for 6 weeks each with a 2-week compliance break between treatment periods. Blood samples and vascular function measures were obtained at baseline and following each supplementation period. Supplementation with 50 g/d soya protein significantly reduced brachial diastolic BP (-2·3 mmHg) compared with 25 g/d soya protein (Tukey-adjusted P=0·03) but not the control. Soya supplementation did not improve ex vivo cholesterol efflux, macrovascular function or other blood markers of CVD risk compared with the carbohydrate-matched control. Additional research is needed to clarify whether effects on these CVD risk factors depend on the relative health of participants and/or equol producing capacity.

Effects of culinary spices and psychological stress on postprandial lipemia and lipase activity: results of a randomized crossover study and in vitro experiments.

BACKGROUND: Data suggest that culinary spices are a potent, low-calorie modality for improving physiological responses to high fat meals. In a pilot study (N = 6 healthy adults), we showed that a meal containing a high antioxidant spice blend attenuated postprandial lipemia by 30% compared to a low spice meal. Our goal was to confirm this effect in a larger sample and to consider the influence of acute psychological stress on fat metabolism. Further, we used in vitro methods to evaluate the inhibitory effect of spices on digestive enzymes. METHODS: In a 2 x 2, randomized, 4-period crossover design, we compared the effects of 14.5 g spices (black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger, oregano, paprika, rosemary, and turmeric) vs. placebo incorporated into a high fat meal (1000 kcal, 45 g fat), followed by psychological stress (Trier Social Stress Test) vs. rest on postprandial metabolism in 20 healthy but overweight adults. Blood was sampled at baseline and at 105, 140, 180, and 210 minutes for analysis of triglycerides, glucose, and insulin. Additional in vitro analyses examined the effect of the spice blend and constituent spices on the activity of pancreatic lipase (PL) and secreted phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Mixed models were used to model the effects of spices and stress (SAS v9.3). RESULTS: Serum triglycerides, glucose and insulin were elevated following the meal (p < 0.01). Spices reduced post-meal triglycerides by 31% when the meal was followed by the rest condition (p = 0.048), but this effect was not present during stress. There was no effect of the spice blend on glucose or insulin; however, acute stress significantly increased both of these measures (p < 0.01; mean increase of 47% and 19%, respectively). The spice blend and several of the individual spices dose-dependently inhibited PL and PLA2 activity in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of spices may attenuate postprandial lipemia via inhibition of PL and PLA2. However, the impact of psychological stress negates any influence of the spice blend on triglycerides, and further, increases blood glucose and insulin. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00954902 .

Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation: a perspective on the challenges of evaluating efficacy in clinical research.

Chronic inflammation is a common underpinning of many diseases. There is a strong pre-clinical evidence base demonstrating the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids for ameliorating inflammation and thereby reducing disease burden. Clinically, C-reactive protein (CRP) serves as both a reliable marker for monitoring inflammation and a modifiable endpoint for studies of anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals. However, clinical omega-3 fatty acid supplementation trials have not replicated pre-clinical findings in terms of consistent CRP reductions. Methodological differences present numerous challenges in translating pre-clinical evidence to clinical results. It is crucial that future clinical nutrition research clearly distinguish between the reversal of established inflammation and preventing the development of inflammation. Future clinical studies evaluating the ability of omega-3 fatty acids to attenuate an excessive inflammatory response, may be advanced by employing new statistical approaches and utilizing models of induced inflammation, such as low-dose human endotoxemia.

(2S,4E)-2-Hydroxy-4-octen-3-one, a Male-Produced Attractant Pheromone of the Cerambycid Beetle Tylonotus bimaculatus.

We report the identification of a novel pheromone structure from males of the cerambycid beetle Tylonotus bimaculatus Haldeman (Cerambycinae: Hesperophanini), a species native to eastern North America. Volatiles collected from adult males contained (2S,4E)-2-hydroxyoct-4-en-3-one (71%), (3R,4E)-3-hydroxyoct-4-en-2-one (15%), (E)-4-octen-2,3-dione (13%), and 2,3-octanedione (1.5%). Four independent field bioassays with synthetic compounds confirmed that adults of both sexes were attracted by the racemate of the major component, (E)-2-hydroxyoct-4-en-3-one. No other cerambycid species were attracted in significant numbers. Attraction of both sexes is consistent with the male-produced pheromones of many other species in the subfamily Cerambycinae, but T. bimaculatus is unusual in having a pheromone chemistry that is so far unique among species in that subfamily.

North American Species of Cerambycid Beetles in the Genus Neoclytus Share a Common Hydroxyhexanone-Hexanediol Pheromone Structural Motif.

Many species of cerambycid beetles in the subfamily Cerambycinae are known to use male-produced pheromones composed of one or a few components such as 3-hydroxyalkan-2-ones and the related 2,3-alkanediols. Here, we show that this pheromone structure is characteristic of the cerambycine genus Neoclytus Thomson, based on laboratory and field studies of 10 species and subspecies. Males of seven taxa produced pheromones composed of (R)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one as a single component, and the synthetic pheromone attracted adults of both sexes in field bioassays, including the eastern North American taxa Neoclytus caprea (Say), Neoclytus mucronatus mucronatus (F.), and Neoclytus scutellaris (Olivier), and the western taxa Neoclytus conjunctus (LeConte), Neoclytus irroratus (LeConte), and Neoclytus modestus modestus Fall. Males of the eastern Neoclytus acuminatus acuminatus (F.) and the western Neoclytus tenuiscriptus Fall produced (2S,3S)-2,3-hexanediol as their dominant or sole pheromone component. Preliminary data also revealed that males of the western Neoclytus balteatus LeConte produced a blend of (R)-3-hydroxyhexan-2-one and (2S,3S)-2,3-hexanediol but also (2S,3S)-2,3-octanediol as a minor component. The fact that the hydroxyketone-hexanediol structural motif is consistent among these North American species provides further evidence of the high degree of conservation of pheromone structures among species in the subfamily Cerambycinae.

Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults.

The consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate is associated with a lower risk of CVD, and improvements in endothelial function may mediate this relationship. Less is known about the effects of cocoa/chocolate on the augmentation index (AI), a measure of vascular stiffness and vascular tone in the peripheral arterioles. We enrolled thirty middle-aged, overweight adults in a randomised, placebo-controlled, 4-week, cross-over study. During the active treatment (cocoa) period, the participants consumed 37 g/d of dark chocolate and a sugar-free cocoa beverage (total cocoa = 22 g/d, total flavanols (TF) = 814 mg/d). Colour-matched controls included a low-flavanol chocolate bar and a cocoa-free beverage with no added sugar (TF = 3 mg/d). Treatments were matched for total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates and protein. The cocoa treatment significantly increased the basal diameter and peak diameter of the brachial artery by 6% (+2 mm) and basal blood flow volume by 22%. Substantial decreases in the AI, a measure of arterial stiffness, were observed in only women. Flow-mediated dilation and the reactive hyperaemia index remained unchanged. The consumption of cocoa had no effect on fasting blood measures, while the control treatment increased fasting insulin concentration and insulin resistance (P= 0·01). Fasting blood pressure (BP) remained unchanged, although the acute consumption of cocoa increased resting BP by 4 mmHg. In summary, the high-flavanol cocoa and dark chocolate treatment was associated with enhanced vasodilation in both conduit and resistance arteries and was accompanied by significant reductions in arterial stiffness in women.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on heart rate variability at rest and during acute stress in adults with moderate hypertriglyceridemia.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the dose-dependent effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and during standard laboratory stress tasks. We also investigated whether EPA + DHA supplementation was associated with changes in mood state. METHODS: This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, three-period crossover trial (8-week treatment, 6-week washout) compared two doses of EPA + DHA supplementation (0.85 and 3.4 g/d) in 26 adults with elevated triglycerides. After each treatment period, HRV was assessed during an acute stress protocol that included a resting baseline, standard laboratory stress tasks (speech task and cold pressor), and recovery periods. In addition, mood state was assessed. RESULTS: Root mean square of successive differences in interbeat interval and total power increased 9.9% and 20.6%, respectively, after the high dose relative to placebo (Tukey p = .016 and .012, respectively). The low dose was not significantly different from the high dose or placebo dose. There was a trend for a treatment effect on high-frequency HRV (p = .058), with 21.0% greater power observed after the high dose compared with placebo (Tukey p = .052). Mood did not differ between treatments, and there was no association between mood state and HRV. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy adults with elevated triglycerides, supplementation of 3.4 g/d EPA + DHA resulted in greater HRV, whereas 0.85 g/d EPA + DHA had no effect. These results indicate that EPA + DHA supplementation may improve autonomic tone in adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease within 8 weeks. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00504309 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial of Freeze-Dried Strawberry Powder Supplementation in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Elevated Cholesterol.

OBJECTIVE: Recommended dietary patterns improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as blood pressure and LDL-C, as well as emerging markers that confer residual risk. Strawberry consumption has been shown to improve CVD risk factors, but further research is needed to better understand these effects using a dose-response model that evaluates a standard serving and a higher (but still achievable) dose. METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover trial was conducted in middle-aged adults with overweight or obesity (n = 40; mean BMI = 29.4 ± 0.2 kg/m2; mean age = 50 ± 1.0 years) and moderately elevated LDL-C (mean LDL-C: 140 ± 3 mg/dL) to investigate the effect of two doses of strawberry supplementation on LDL-C and other CVD risk factors. Study interventions were: 0 g/d (control), 13 g/d (low-dose), and 40 g/d (high-dose) of freeze-dried strawberry powder (4-week supplementation periods separated by a 2-week compliance break). RESULTS: There was a significant main effect of treatment for the primary outcome of LDL-C, with a 4.9% reduction following the low-dose strawberry supplement compared to the high-dose (P = 0.01), but not compared to the control. There was also a significant effect on total cholesterol (TC), with a 2.8% and 2.4% reduction following the low-dose compared to the control and high-dose, respectively (P ≤ 0.05 in post-hoc analyses). There was a near significant effect for direct LDL-C (P = 0.07). There were no significant treatment effects for other atherogenic lipoprotein characteristics, indices of vascular function, measures of inflammation, or HDL efflux. CONCLUSION: Low-dose supplementation with freeze-dried strawberry powder, equivalent to ∼1 serving/day of fresh strawberries, improved cholesterol in adults with overweight or obesity, compared to both the high-dose (∼3 servings/day of fresh strawberries) and control, but did not alter other markers of CVD.Supplemental data for this article is available online at.

Effects of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids on systemic hemodynamics at rest and during stress: a dose-response study.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 fatty acids reduced heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in some studies, but dose-response studies are rare, and little is known about underlying mechanisms. PURPOSE: We examined effects of 0.85 g/day eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (low dose) and 3.4 g/day EPA + DHA (high dose) on HR and systemic hemodynamics during rest, speech, and foot cold pressor tasks. METHODS: This was a dose-response, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, crossover trial (8-week treatment, 6-week washout) in 26 adults. RESULTS: Throughout the testing sessions, HR was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. The high dose reduced BP and stroke volume and increased pre-ejection period. Reductions in BP were associated with increases in erythrocyte omega-3 fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose long-chain omega-3 fatty acids can reduce BP and HR, at rest and during stress. These findings suggest that at-risk populations may achieve benefits with increased omega-3 intake. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00504309).

Test-retest reliability of pulse amplitude tonometry measures of vascular endothelial function: implications for clinical trial design.

Endothelial dysfunction is an important outcome for assessing vascular health in intervention studies. However, reliability of the standard non-invasive method (flow-mediated dilation) is a significant challenge for clinical applications and multicenter trials. We evaluated the repeatability of pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT) to measure change in pulse wave amplitude during reactive hyperemia (Itamar Medical Ltd, Caesarea, Israel). Twenty healthy adults completed two PAT tests (mean interval = 19.5 days) under standardized conditions. PAT-derived measures of endothelial function (reactive hyperemia index, RHI) and arterial stiffness (augmentation index, AI) showed strong repeatability (intra-class correlations = 0.74 and 0.83, respectively). To guide future research, we also analyzed sample size requirements for a range of effect sizes. A crossover design powered at 0.90 requires 28 participants to detect a 15% change in RHI. Our study is the first to show that PAT measurements are repeatable in adults over an interval greater than 1 week.

(R)-desmolactone, a female-produced sex pheromone component of the cerambycid beetle Desmocerus californicus californicus (subfamily Lepturinae).

We report the identification, synthesis, and field bioassays of a female-produced sex attractant pheromone for the cerambycid beetle Desmocerus californicus californicus Horn. Headspace volatiles from females contained a sex-specific compound, (R)-desmolactone [(4R,9Z)-hexadec-9-en-4-olide], which elicited strong responses from the antennae of adult males in coupled gas chromatography-electroantennogram analyses. Short syntheses of both enantiomers were developed from commercial chiral synthons. In field bioassays, significant numbers of males were collected in traps baited with (R)-desmolactone, whereas the (S)-enantiomer attracted no males. The racemate was less attractive than the pure (R)-enantiomer, indicating some degree of antagonism by the unnatural enantiomer. This compound is the first example of a new structural class of cerambycid pheromones, and is the second pheromone identified for a species in the subfamily Lepturinae.

2,3-Hexanediols as sex attractants and a female-produced sex pheromone for cerambycid beetles in the prionine genus Tragosoma.

Recent work suggests that closely related cerambycid species often share pheromone components, or even produce pheromone blends of identical composition. However, little is known of the pheromones of species in the subfamily Prioninae. During field bioassays in California, males of three species in the prionine genus Tragosoma were attracted to 2,3-hexanediols, common components of male-produced aggregation pheromones of beetles in the subfamily Cerambycinae. We report here that the female-produced sex pheromone of Tragosoma depsarium "sp. nov. Laplante" is (2R,3R)-2,3-hexanediol, and provide evidence from field bioassays and electroantennography that the female-produced pheromone of both Tragosoma pilosicorne Casey and T. depsarium "harrisi" LeConte may be (2S,3R)-2,3-hexanediol. Sexual dimorphism in the sculpting of the prothorax suggests that the pheromone glands are located in the prothorax of females. This is the second sex attractant pheromone structure identified from the subfamily Prioninae, and our results provide further evidence of pheromonal parsimony within the Cerambycidae, in this case extending across both subfamily and gender lines.

Effects of Fish Oil on Biomarkers of Axonal Injury and Inflammation in American Football Players: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Controlled Trial.

There are limited studies on neuroprotection from repeated subconcussive head impacts (RSHI) following docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation in contact sports athletes. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, parallel-group design trial to determine the impact of 26 weeks of DHA+EPA supplementation (n = 12) vs. placebo (high-oleic safflower oil) (n = 17) on serum concentrations of neurofilament light (NfL), a biomarker of axonal injury, and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a)) in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I American football athletes. DHA+EPA supplementation increased (p < 0.01) plasma DHA and EPA concentrations throughout the treatment period. NfL concentrations increased from baseline to week 26 in both groups (treatment (<0.001); placebo (p < 0.05)), with starting players (vs. non-starters) showing significant higher circulating concentrations at week 26 (p < 0.01). Fish oil (DHA+EPA) supplementation did not mitigate the adverse effects of RSHI, as measured by NfL levels; however, participants with the highest plasma DHA+EPA concentrations tended to have lower NfL levels. DHA+EPA supplementation had no effects on inflammatory cytokine levels at any of the timepoints tested. These findings emphasize the need for effective strategies to protect American football participants from the effects of RSHI.

A high antioxidant spice blend attenuates postprandial insulin and triglyceride responses and increases some plasma measures of antioxidant activity in healthy, overweight men.

There is much interest in the potential of dietary antioxidants to attenuate in vivo oxidative stress, but little characterization of the time course of plasma effects exists. Culinary spices have demonstrated potent in vitro antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to examine whether adding 14 g of a high antioxidant spice blend to a 5060-kJ (1200 kcal) meal exerted significant postprandial effects on markers of plasma antioxidant status and metabolism. Healthy overweight men (n = 6) consumed a control and spiced meal in a randomized crossover design with 1 wk between testing sessions. Blood was sampled prior to the meal and at 30-min intervals for 3.5 h (total of 8 samples). Mixed linear models demonstrated a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.05) for insulin and TG, corresponding with 21 and 31% reductions in postprandial levels with the spiced meal, respectively. Adding spices to the meal significantly increased the ferric reducing antioxidant power, such that postprandial increases following the spiced meal were 2-fold greater than after the control meal (P = 0.009). The hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of plasma also was increased by spices (P = 0.02). There were no treatment differences in glucose, total thiols, lipophilic ORAC, or total ORAC. The incorporation of spices into the diet may help normalize postprandial insulin and TG and enhance antioxidant defenses.