Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of pest infestation by inhibiting or reducing the expression of genes of the family of chitin synthase and of vitellogenin, as well as through the expression of the toxin Cry8ka5. The invention further provides method and compositions for controlling pests, by feeding the pest with one or more double-stranded RNA molecules provided by the present invention, as well as double-stranded RNA molecule provided by the present invention, as well as through the action of the toxin Cry8ka5 on the target insect. The invention further describes a method of obtaining transgenic plants that express double-stranded RNA molecules and the toxin protein Cry8ka5. The present invention is preferably used for cotton plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an opioid peptide represented by general formula TyrGlyGly-X1-X2-X3-X4, wherein: X1 is represented by Thr or Glu; X1 is represented by Gly or Thr or Ala; X3 is represented by Ala or Val or Gly or Glu; and X4 is represented by His or Gln or Thr or SEQ ID NO:1, or HisTyr or GlnTyr or ThrTyr. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical and food compositions comprising the peptide and to the use of the same for analgesic purposes, and/or for providing a feeling of satiety to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an opioid peptide represented by general formula TyrProPhe-X1-TrpGlyGly-X2-ProPro (SEQ ID NO: 8), wherein: X1 is represented by Gly or Lys; X2 is represented by Ile or Val. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical, nutritional and nutraceutical compositions comprising the peptide and to the use of the same for analgesic purposes, and/or for providing a feeling of satiety, and/or for lowering arterial blood pressure in a subject.

Abstract: In the dihedral sensor system, two flat plates are secured to a dihedron so that the distance (L) between the edge and the meniscus and the spacing between the plates (a) on the meniscus will be a function of the dihedron tangent (?). Thus, for pure water the tension (?) is equal to the potential (T) and given by T=?2?/[L tg(?)], wherein ? is the water surface tension. In order to measure water tension in the soil, the system is coupled to porous elements, while the sensor edge is pressed directly against roots and other plant organs. Water potential, instead, is measured with the edge positioned at a few micrometers from the sample and the response takes place after the exchange of a few picoliters of water, when the condition of balance of temperature and water vapor is approached. Visually, with a sliding gauge, one measures water tensions between zero and 0.3 MPa, while with the aid of a microscope the reading extends up to 3.0 MPa. The water activity corresponding to water potentials lower than ?3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of pest infestation by inhibiting or reducing the expression of genes of the family of chitin synthase and of vitellogenin, as well as through the expression of the toxin Cry8ka5. The invention further provides method and compositions for controlling pests, by feeding the pest with one or more double-stranded RNA molecules provided by the present invention, as well as double-stranded RNA molecule provided by the present invention, as well as through the action of the toxin Cry8ka5 on the target insect. The invention further describes a method of obtaining transgenic plants that express double-stranded RNA molecules and the toxin protein Cry8ka5. The present invention is preferably used for cotton plants.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to an insecticide compound derived from a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis and refers to the field of controlling plant pests, particularly to the control of the boll weevil—Anthonomus grandis. More specifically, the object of the invention refers to a new gene for the new delta-endotoxin designated Cry8Ha and to the cloning and expression of the gene that encodes for the protein Cry8Ha in Escherichia coli. There is provided the nucleotide sequence and encoding protein of the new delta-endotoxin, recombinant vectors and host cells. There is also provided processes and means for recombinant production and the use of the new delta-endotoxin for application in the control of the boll weevil. Additionally, the invention also provides an optimized synthetic gene for expression in cotton plants. Using the gene described herein, it is possible to transform plants based on techniques known by specialists in the art, for the expression of the endotoxin active against the boll weevil.