Subjective landmarks in perception and memory for spatial location.

Four experiments involving 125 undergraduates investigated the use of cognitive strategies for encoding spatial location in visual figures. Ss reproduced the position of a dot in a square figure that had distance markers placed along 2 sides. Ss' responses were biased toward imaginary points of intersection formed by the distance markers when Ss responded from memory (Exp 1) or while viewing the figures (Exp 2). Findings demonstrate that empty regions of a figure can serve as subjective landmarks for spatial localization. In Exp 3, dot relocation was similarly distorted toward physical cross marks placed at the intersections of distance markers. The attraction of dots to intersection points depended on the viewer employing a strategy of mentally projecting from distance markers to form imaginary intersections. In Exp 4, attraction toward intersection points was observed only when Ss employed the projection strategy. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Novel Bacillus ginsengihumi CMRO6 Inhibits Adipogenesis via p38MAPK/Erk44/42 and Stimulates Glucose Uptake in 3T3-L1 Pre-Adipocytes through Akt/AS160 Signaling

The health benefits of probiotics have been known for decades, but there has only been limited use of probiotics in the treatment of obesity. In this study, we describe, for the first time, the role of cell-free metabolites (CM) from Bacillus ginsengihumi-RO6 (CMRO6) in adipogenesis and lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. The experimental results show that CMRO6 treatment effectively reduced lipid droplet accumulation and the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α and β (C/EBPα and C/EBPβ), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), serum regulatory binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), phosphorylated p38MAPK, and Erk44/42. Additionally, CMRO6 treatment significantly increased glucose uptake and phosphorylated Akt (S473), AS160, and TBC1D1 protein expressions. Considering the results of this study, B. ginsengihumi may be a novel probiotic used for the treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic disorders.     

Synthesis of Bimetallic Nanoparticles (Au–Ag Alloy) Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Commelina nudiflora L.</Emphasis> Plant Extract and Study its on Oral Pathogenic Bacteria

In present study, biosynthesis of Au–Ag alloy nanoparticles (NPs) using Commelina nudiflora aqueous extract as a stabilizing and reducing agent is reported. The crystalline nature, size, shape and composition of synthesized Au–Ag alloy NPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectrophotometer, field emission scanning electron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The synthesized Au–Ag alloy NPs exhibited different ranges of sizes between 20 and 80 nm with different morphology such as spherical, rod and triangular. FT-IR spectral data revealed that the plant extract contains amine, alcohol, phenol and alkane molecules which are critically involved in the formation of Au–Ag alloy NPs. Finally, the biosynthesized Au–Ag alloys NPs exhibited a strong minimum inhibitory, minimum bactericidal activity against selected oral pathogenic bacteria. The present study gives an important suggestion on plant extract mediated synthesis bimetallic NPs (Au–Ag alloy) emphasis on oral pathogenic bacteria activities.