Chinese chives and garlic in intercropping in strawberry high tunnels for Neopamera bilobata Say (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae) control.

Strawberry is affected by several pests and diseases. Neopamera bilobata is an emerging pest that has been reported by several strawberry growers, usually associated with catfacing symptoms in fruits. We evaluated intercropping garlic or Chinese chives on N. bilobata populations on strawberry crops grown in high tunnels in two experiments. In the first experiment, we evaluated N. bilobata populations on strawberry intercropping with garlic plants (three densities: 8, 16, 24 GP - garlic plant per plot) on the bags by taking 12 samples from December 2015 to April 2017. N. bilobata populations on strawberry were also assessed when Chinese chives were grown under the suspended wooden structures in which strawberry plants are grown ('undercropping') (14 samples), in two high tunnels, from November 2016 to March 2017. The number of nymphs and adults on 14 randomly selected fruits per plot were assessed. During the garlic intercropping experiment, the treatments of three densities of garlic reduced N. bilobata populations; however, the 24 GP treatment caused a greater reduction than the 8 GP treatment. Garlic densities reduced N. bilobata populations by 35, 50, and 64% for the 8, 16, and 24 GP treatments, respectively. Chinese chives cultivated under the structures reduced N. bilobata populations by 47%. The results suggest that intercropping garlic or undercropping Chinese chives are suitable tools to be tested in integrated pest management in strawberry crops.

Near-near-infrared thermal lens spectroscopy to assess overtones and combination bands of sulfentrazone pesticide.

Thermal lens spectroscopy (TLS) in the near-near-infrared region was used to explore the absorptions of overtones and combination bands of sulfentrazone (SFZ) herbicide diluted in methanol. This spectroscopic region was chosen in order to guarantee that only thermal lens effect is noted during the experimental procedure. The results showed that it was possible to detect very low concentrations (~2ng/µL) of SFZ in methanol by determining its thermal diffusivity or the absorption coefficient due to the 3ν(NH)+1δ(CH) combination band. This minimum SFZ concentration is the limit observed by chromatography method. The findings demonstrated that the TLS can be used for precise and accurate assessment of pesticides in ecosystems. Besides, the 3ν(NH)+1δ(CH) combination band at 960nm can be used as a marker for SFZ in methanol.

First Report of Raoiella indica (Hirst) (Acari: Tenuipalpide) in Southern Brazil.

The red palm mite (RPM), Raoiella indica (Hirst) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), was found for the first time in the Paraná State, in southern Brazil. The first observations occurred in September 2015, on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) leaves, which is not considered a typical host plant of RPM. It is probable that its occurrence on this plant was serendipitous. Visual surveys for RPM were carried out on four typical host plants (banana, coconut, foxtail palm, and real palm), in five cities of the Paraná State (Bela Vista do Paraíso, Londrina, Maringá, Marialva, and Sarandi). RPM was found on each of the four typical host plants, in each of the five cities. Our survey extends RPM occurrence to the southern region of Brazil and indicates that the pest could be widespread in the country.

A Bowman-Birk inhibitor induces apoptosis in human breast adenocarcinoma through mitochondrial impairment and oxidative damage following proteasome 20S inhibition.

Proteasome inhibitors are emerging as a new class of chemopreventive agents and have gained huge importance as potential pharmacological tools in breast cancer treatment. Improved understanding of the role played by proteases and their specific inhibitors in humans offers novel and challenging opportunities for preventive and therapeutic intervention. In this study, we demonstrated that the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor from Vigna unguiculata seeds, named black-eyed pea trypsin/chymotrypsin Inhibitor (BTCI), potently suppresses human breast adenocarcinoma cell viability by inhibiting the activity of proteasome 20S. BTCI induced a negative growth effect against a panel of breast cancer cells, with a concomitant cytostatic effect at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and an increase in apoptosis, as observed by an augmented number of cells at the sub-G1 phase and annexin V-fluorescin isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) staining. In contrast, BTCI exhibited no cytotoxic effect on normal mammary epithelial cells. Moreover, the increased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential in cells treated with BTCI indicated mitochondrial damage as a crucial cellular event responsible for the apoptotic process. The higher activity of caspase in tumoral cells treated with BTCI in comparison with untreated cells suggests that BTCI induces apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. BTCI affected NF-kB target gene expression in both non invasive and invasive breast cancer cell lines, with the effect highly pronounced in the invasive cells. An increased expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in both cell lines was also observed. Taken together, these results suggest that BTCI promotes apoptosis through ROS-induced mitochondrial damage following proteasome inhibition. These findings highlight the pharmacological potential and benefit of BTCI in breast cancer treatment.

Population dynamics of Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) on Host Plants.

The stink bug Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) has become one of the major pests of corn and wheat in Brasil, mainly after a shift from the conventional tillage system to the no tillage cultivation system. This fact may be due to the simultaneous occurrence of second planting corn with wheat cultivation, and the presence of wild hosts. This study aimed to evaluate the population dynamics of D. melacanthus on wild hosts adjacent to areas cultivated with corn, wheat, and soybean during the season and off-season of soybean cultivation. Weekly surveys were conducted in the region of Londrina, PR, Brasil from the beginning of July 2007 up to the end of June 2008 using the square meter method. Corn (Zea mays), soybean (Glycine max), tropical spiderwort (Commelina benghalensis), hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta), crotalaria (Crotalaria pallida), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) were identified as hosts of D. melacanthus. Signal grass was the host in which stink bug adults were found in higher numbers, while nymphs and adults were consistently collected on tropical spiderwort. Although nymphs completed their development on tropical spiderwort seeds, this host was found less suitable than soybean seeds.

Thermal lens spectroscopy for the differentiation of biodiesel-diesel blends.

Thermal lens (TL) spectroscopy was applied to biofuels to test its potential to distinguish diesel from biodiesel in blended fuels. Both the heat and mass diffusion effects observed using a TL procedure provide significant information about biodiesel concentrations in blended fuels. The results indicate that the mass diffusivity decreases 32% between diesel and the blend with 10% biodiesel added to the diesel. This simple TL procedure has the potential to be used for in loco analyses to certify the mixture and quality of biodiesel-diesel blends.

Quality of life two years after radical prostatectomy, prostate brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy for clinically localised prostate cancer: the Catalan Institute of Oncology/Bellvitge Hospital experience.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the short- and long-term impact of 3 different treatment modalities on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients treated for localised prostate cancer at a single centre in Catalonia, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a longitudinal, prospective study of 304 patients from a single centre in Catalonia, Spain. Patients underwent 1 of 3 treatment procedures: radical prostatectomy (114 patients), external beam radiation (134) or interstitial brachytherapy (56). HRQOL was assessed by both general and specific questionnaires, including the SF-36 health survey and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC). Interviews were administered prior to treatment and at months 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24. One-way analysis of variance and generalised estimating equations models were constructed to assess between group differences in HRQOL. RESULTS: After initial deterioration, HRQOL scores partially recovered, although significant differences between treatment groups persisted at two years. Worsening of urinary incontinence was especially marked for the radical prostatectomy group (11.45, p=0.005), while deterioration in the urinary irritative/obstructive domain was worse following brachytherapy treatment (4.76, p=0.025). Decline in sexual function was significantly greater for the radical prostatectomy group than for the brachytherapy group (18.74, p<0.001). No significant between-group differences were observed in bowel domain scores. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life 2 years after treatment for prostate cancer shows wide variability. Radical prostatectomy had the largest negative impact on the sexual and urinary incontinence domains. Differences between external radiation and brachytherapy were relatively small. Brachytherapy led to a moderate increase in urinary irritation compared to the other 2 groups.

Occurrence of microtheca puntigera (achard) and microtheca semilaevis stal in five hosts in the field

ABSTRACT Microtheca punctigera (Achard) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a major pest of Brassicaceae family plants in Brazil and occurs together with M. semilaevis. Occurrence of larvae and adults of M. punctigera and M. semilaevis Stal in five host plants grown in closely patchs was investigated in three periods in the field [Fall/Winter 2001 (May 10 to July 21); Fall 2002 (April 3 to June 12), and Spring 2002 (September 20 to November 15)]. Treatments were Chinese cabbage, mustard, watercress, arrugula and radish. The standard of occurrences of larvae of M. punctigera + M. semialevis was not repeated in the three trials: Chinese and mustard were the preferred food in 2001 Fall Winter while in the 2002 Fall and 2002 Spring preference was predominated for mustard and arrugula. M. punctigera was the predominant species during the experiments and populations were higher in the winter periods. In general, M. punctigera beetles were found mostly on Chinese cabbage and mustard, but in some assessments populations were high also in other hosts (mostly arugula). M. semialevis beetles occurred mostly on Chinese cabbage and mustard.

RESUMO Microtheca punctigera (Achard) é praga primária de plantas da família Brassicaceae no Brasil e ocorre associada com M. semilaevis Stal. Ocorrência de larvas e adultos de M. punctigera e M. semilaevis em cinco plantas hospedeiras em parcelas próximas foi avaliada em três períodos no campo ([outono/inverno, 2001 (10 de maio a 21 de julho); outono, 2002 (3 de abril a 12 de junho), e primavera, 2002 (20 de setembro a 15 de novembro)]. Os tratamentos foram couve chinesa, mostarda, agrião, rúcula e rabanete. O padrão de ocorrência de larva de M. punctigera + M. semialevis não se repetiu nos três períodos de avaliação: couve chinese e mostarda foram os alimentos preferidos no outono/inverno de 2001, enquanto que no outono e primavera de 2002, mostarda e rúcula foram os hospedeiros preferidos.M. punctigera foi a espécie predominante durante os experimentos e as populações foram maiores no período de inverno. De maneira geral, besouros de M. semialevis foram encontrados principalmente em couve chinesa e mostarda, mas em algumas as avaliações populações foram superiores em outros hospedeiros (principalmente em rúcula). Besouros de M. semialevis ocorreram principalmente em couve chinesa e mostarda.

Distribuição e dinâmica populacional do cascudinho alphitobius diaperinus (coleoptera: tenebrionidae) em aviários de frango de corte

ABSTRACT The lesser mealworm infests chicken-house litter and is a key pest in modern poultry raising. Its control is inefficient and done mostly using insecticides. Due the lack of information on pest bioecology in Brazil, this study was carried out in Cascavel, state of Paraná, Brazil, in two broiler houses: the first with concrete floor and automatic trough (concrete-automatic) and the second with compact soil floor and manual trough (manual-soil), both covered with wood residues litter. The assessments were made in the houses weekly using traps (15 in the concrete-automatic and 10 in the manual-soil). Temperature was also recorded. In general, there was a tendency to find a lower number of insects in the concrete-automatic house due to difficulty of insect development on this kind of floor. Greater populations were found in the shelter areas due to greater temperature and food concentration throughout the entire period of rearing.

RESUMO O cascudinho infesta cama de aviários e é uma das pragas-chave da avicultura moderna. Embora ineficiente, seu controle é baseado no uso de inseticidas químicos. Diante da falta de informações acerca da bioecologia do inseto nas condições do Brasil, realizou-se este trabalho em aviários comerciais de frangos de corte, em Cascavel, PR, sendo um aviário de piso de cimento e com alimentação automatizada (Cimento-Automático) e outro com piso de terra batida e comedouros pendulares (Terra-Manual), ambos tendo o piso coberto por cama de maravalha. As avaliações foram realizadas semanalmente com armadilhas colocadas sob comedouros (15 no aviário CimentoAutomático e 10 no Terra-Manual), sendo também registrada a temperatura da cama, nos locais de amostragem. Verificou-se uma tendência em se encontrar menor número de insetos no aviário Cimento-Automático, pela maior dificuldade do inseto em se desenvolver em locais com este tipo de piso. Maiores populações do inseto foram constatadas nas áreas de alojamento em função das elevadas temperaturas e na concentração da ração durante todo o período de criação.

TGFBI gene mutations in Brazilian patients with corneal dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the transforming growth factor beta-induced gene (TGFBI) mutations in Brazilian patients with corneal dystrophy and to evaluate the phenotype-genotype correlation in these patients. METHODS: A total of 11 unrelated families were studied. The diagnosis of corneal dystrophy was based on clinical and histopathological findings. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes, and exons 4 and 12 of the TGFBIgene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing on both strands. RESULTS: Five different mutations in the TGFBIgene were found in the probands. We identified the following mutations: lattice corneal dystrophy--R124C and A546T; Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy--R555Q and R124L; granular corneal dystrophy--R555W and Avellino dystrophy--R555W. In three of the 11 studied families there was no mutation in exons 4 and 12. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of mutations in the TGFBIgene in a series of Brazilian patients with corneal dystrophy. The findings indicate that TGFBIgene screening should be considered in the diagnosis of corneal dystrophy.

Preliminary analysis of the resources in brachytherapy in Europe and its variability of use.

PURPOSE: The main objective of the program <> is to establish a group with detailed information on brachytherapy throughout Europe. METHODS: The data was compiled by the general coordinator, the ESTRO, and the <> through a website. RESULTS: A total of 32 countries reported data from at least 50% of their centres (criteria of inclusion). Countries were grouped in three categories based on the time of incorporation to the European Union. The majority of treatments belonged to gynaecological tumours. A large spread was found regarding workload of specialists depending on centre and group. CONCLUSION: Collection of information by a website is a feasible methodology. An increase in brachytherapy treatment was observed in all 3 groups by a rate of more than 20% (year 2002 versus year 1997). These results advocate for the continuation of the PCBE study to demonstrate the development in the field, such as an increase or decrease of patient numbers per tumour category.

Crystallization, data collection and phasing of black-eyed pea trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor in complex with bovine beta-trypsin.

The black-eyed pea trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor (BTCI) is a Bowman-Birk-type inhibitor from Vigna unguiculata seeds. A complex of BTCI with bovine beta-trypsin was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method with ammonium sulfate as precipitant. Crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 59.3, b = 61.8, c = 80.0 A. Diffraction data were collected to 2.36 A resolution and were processed to give an overall R(sym) of 0.137. The Matthews coefficient for one complex per asymmetric unit is 2.2 A(3) Da(-1), with a corresponding solvent content of 43%. After molecular replacement and initial refinement, the model gives an R(cryst) of 0.361 and an R(free) of 0.432.

[Reliability study of the Brazilian version of a structured interview for the diagnosis of dementia]. / Estudo de confiabilidade da versão em português de uma entrevista estruturada para o diagnóstico de demência.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the reliability of the Structured Interwiew for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Type Dementia, Multi-Infarct Dementia and Dementia of other Aetiology (SIDAM) Portuguese version; validated as a reliable instrument to be applied to patients with a presumed diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. METHODS: twenty elderly patients of our Service with a clinical diagnosis of dementia were interviewed simultaneously by the authors, utilizing the SIDAM's Portuguese version. The answers were noted down concomitantly, and then compared. The reliable evaluation of the diagnosis of the SIDAM's Portuguese version was based on Kappa's statistics (K). RESULTS: of the patients studied, ten were women; with an average age of 75.5 years. Nine were maried, two were not and nine widowers. They had attended school for about 5.3 years. The average score on the Mini Mental State was 16.8. As to their professional activities, 12 (60%) were manual workers, eight were not. Everyone had the diagnosis of dementia, being most of them, Alzheimer's Type. The concordance rate between ICD-10, DSM III-R and the SIDAM's questions showed a K > 0.87; and between the interviewers, rarely K < 0.87. CONCLUSION: K >/= 0.87 suggests that the Brazilian version of SIDAM can be considered a reliable instrument to be applied to outpatients with presumed diagnosis of dementia in Brazil.

Estudo de confiabilidade da versão em português de uma entrevista estruturada para o diagnóstico de demência / Reliability study of the Brazilian version of a structured interview for the diagnosis of dementia

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a confiabilidade da versäo em Português da entrevista estruturada para o diagnóstico de demência do tipo Alzheimer, demência por múltiplos infartos e demências de outras etiologias, segundo o DSM- III-R e CID-10 (ENEDAM), validada como um instrumento confiável para ser aplicada a pacientes com um diagnóstico presumido de demência ou "transtorno cognitivo leve" (1 e 2). MÉTODOS: Vinte pacientes idosos de nosso serviço, com diagnóstico clínico de demência, foram entrevistados concomitantemente pelos autores, utilizando uma versäo em Português da ENEDAM. As respostas eram anotadas simultaneamente, depois comparadas. A estimativa da confiabilidade dos diagnósticos da versäo em Português da ENEDAM foi baseada nas estatísticas de Kappa (K). RESULTADOS: Participaram desse trabalho vinte idosos (sendo 10 mulheres) com idade média de 75,5 anos, com diagnóstico presumido de demência. Nove eram casados, dois solteiros e nove viúvos. O número médio de anos de instruçäo foi 5,3. A média de pontos do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) obtida nessa amostra foi 16,8. A classificaçäo dos pacientes, segundo sua ocupaçäo profissional, revelou que 12 (60 por cento) eram trabalhadores manuais, enquanto que oito (40 por cento) foram considerados como trabalhadores näo manuais. Em relaçäo ao diagnóstico psiquiátrico, todos eram demenciados, a maioria portadora de demência senil do tipo Alzheimer. As taxas de concordância entre os critérios do CID 10, DSM III-R e as questöes do ENEDAM, mostraram K > ou = 0,87; enquanto que as taxas de concordância entre os entrevistadores, eventualmente mostrou um K<= 0,87. CONCLUSÄO: Os valores de Kappa obtidos (K > ou = 0.87) sugerem que a versäo em Português da ENEDAM pode ser considerada um instrumento confiável para ser aplicado a pacientes ambulatoriais brasileiros, com diagnóstico presumido de demência

Relationship between fill volume, intraperitoneal pressure, body size, and subjective discomfort perception in CAPD patients. Mexican Nephrology Collaborative Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) when dialysate fill volume is increased from 2.0 L to 2.5 L to 3.0 L per exchange, and to evaluate the relationship with subjective discomfort perception. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Seven Mexican hospital-based dialysis centers. PATIENTS: Eighty-one adult patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) without restriction criteria for age, gender, or time on dialysis, were studied. Patients seropositive for HIV or hepatitis B, and those with cancer or receiving immunosuppressive drugs were excluded. Participants were studied as outpatients. MAIN MEASURES: Blindly and in random order, 2.0-, 2.5-, and 3.0-L volumes of dialysate were infused consecutively. Body surface area (BSA) was calculated from patient height and weight. IPP was assessed with the patient lying supine, measuring the height of the dialysate column inside the peritoneal dialysis bag tubing. Blood pressure and subjective discomfort perception (using a visual analog scale of 0-100 mm) were also evaluated and registered after each of the three exchanges. RESULTS: The IPP rose with each increase of dialysate volume and was higher in males than in females for each fill volume level. For males IPP was 18.9 +/- 6.9, 20.8 +/- 7.1, and 22.9 +/- 7.5 cm H2O; and for females it was 16.5 +/- 5.7, 18.4 +/- 5.5, and 19.7 +/- 6.2 cm H2O for 2.0-, 2.5-, and 3.0-L fill volumes respectively (p < 0.01 among fill volumes and between genders). Intraperitoneal pressure showed significant negative correlation with the fill volume corrected for patient body size as reflected by the dialysate volume/ BSA ratio (r= -0.393, p < 0.01; r= 0.319, p < 0.01; and r= -0.274, p < 0.02 for 2.0-, 2.5-, and 3.0-L fill volumes respectively). Discomfort score rose as fill volume rose, with a median of 0, 2.5, and 13.0 for 2.0-, 2.5-, and 3.0-L fill volumes respectively (p< 0.001). It is interesting, however, that with 2.5-L and 3.0-L dialysate infusion volumes, 64% and 44% of the patients, respectively, had no discomfort at all. CONCLUSION: Dialysate volume increase is associated with higher IPP, which is modulated by the gender and body size of the patients. Although the mean discomfort score was higher with larger dialysate volumes, there was no significant correlation between discomfort and IPP or the dialysate volume/BSA ratio. Many patients had no discomfort with 2.5-L or even with 3.0-L dialysate infusions; theoretically, they can be treated with larger volumes.

Sleep patterns and sleep-related complaints of Brazilian interstate bus drivers.

Sleep-related complaints have become a highlight for physicians as well as public health administrators. Studies of sleep patterns and sleep-related complaints of shift workers have been useful in minimizing reduction in the quality of life due to the warping of the sleep-wake cycle. The objective of the present study was to assess patterns of sleep, sleep-related complaints as well as physical activity and scoring rates for depression and anxiety in interstate bus drivers. Data were obtained with a sleep questionnaire, with the Beck inventory for depression, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). A total of 400 interstate bus drivers from the northern, southern, central-western and south-eastern regions of Brazil were interviewed. Sixty percent of the subjects interviewed presented at least one sleep-related complaint, 16% admitted to have dozed at the wheel while on duty, and 41% stated that they exercised on a regular basis. Other sleep disturbance complaints reported were: sleep latency 29'17"; physical fatigue, 59.8%; mental fatigue, 45.4%; sleepiness, 25.8%; irritability, 20.6%; insomnia, 37.5%, respiratory disturbances, 19. 25% and snoring, 20.75%. Scores for anxiety and depression were not in the pathological range. The present data reinforce the view that bus drivers are generally discontent with shift work and its effects on sleep. Consequently, it is very important to establish an appropriate work schedule for drivers, besides implementing photo-therapy and physical activities in order to minimize sleepiness when driving.

Sleep patterns and sleep-related complaints of Brazilian interstate bus drivers

Sleep-related complaints have become a highlight for physicians as well as public health administrators. Studies of sleep patterns and sleep-related complaints of shift workers have been useful in minimizing reduction in the quality of life due to the warping of the sleep-wake cycle. The objective of the present study was to assess patterns of sleep, sleep-related complaints as well as physical activity and scoring rates for depression and anxiety in interstate bus drivers. Data were obtained with a sleep questionnaire, with the Beck inventory for depression, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). A total of 400 interstate bus drivers from the northern, southern, central-western and south-eastern regions of Brazil were interviewed. Sixty percent of the subjects interviewed presented at least one sleep-related complaint, 16 percent admitted to have dozed at the wheel while on duty, and 41 percent stated that they exercised on a regular basis. Other sleep disturbance complaints reported were: sleep latency 29'17"; physical fatigue, 59.8 percent; mental fatigue, 45.4 percent; sleepiness, 25.8 percent; irritability, 20.6 percent; insomnia, 37.5 percent, respiratory disturbances, 19.25 percent and snoring, 20.75 percent. Scores for anxiety and depression were not in the pathological range. The present data reinforce the view that bus drivers are generally discontent with shift work and its effects on sleep. Consequently, it is very important to establish an appropriate work schedule for drivers, besides implementing photo-therapy and physical activities in order to minimize sleepiness when driving

Thermodynamics of the binding of chymotrypsin with the black-eyed pea trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor (BTCI).

The binding of alpha-chymotrypsin to black-eyed pea trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor (BTCI) has been studied using the inhibitory activity against the enzyme and the formation of the complex enzyme/inhibitor followed by measurements of fluorescence polarization. Apparent equilibrium constants were estimated for several temperatures and the values obtained range from 0.32 x 10(7) to 1.36 x 10(7) M(-1). The following values were found from van't Hoff plots: delta H(0)vh = 10.8 kcal mol(-1) (from inhibitory assays) and 11.1 kcal mol(-1) (from fluorescence polarization); delta S(0) = 67.9 and = 67.8 kcal K(-1) mol(-1), respectively. Calorimetric binding enthalpy was determined (corrected for the ionization heat of the buffer) and the resulting value was delta H(0)cal = 4.9 kcal mol(-1). These results indicate that the binding of chymotrypsin to BTCI is an entropically driven process.

Analysis of the black-eyed pea trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor-alpha-chymotrypsin complex.

The black-eyed pea trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor (BTCI) is a member of the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) family. The three-dimensional model of the BTCI-chymotrypsin complex was built based on the homology to Bowman-Birk inhibitors with known structures. An extensive theoretical and experimental study of these known structures has been performed. The model confirms the ideas about Bowman-Birk inhibitor structure-function relations and agrees well with our experimental data (circular dichroism, IR and light scattering). The electrostatic potentials at the enzyme-inhibitor contact surface reveal a pattern of complementary electrostatic potentials from which mutations can be inferred that could give these inhibitors an altered specificity.